Did someone say college football? After a loooong offseason, the season is finally ready to kick off. We’ve got match-ups and we’ve got predictions. Time to get this season kicked off!
Thursday Night
Southern Miss 31 South Alabama 24
Southern Miss has lost some key starters on defense to the Transfer Portal the last few weeks, which helps South Alabama keep this one close. However, the Golden Eagles still have QB Jack Abraham back as well as some elite receivers. South Alabama is a team that is slept on quite a bit. They have a sophomore QB, RB, TE, and RT who are all young, but talented. At WR, they have Kawaan Baker who I like a lot, and on defense they have a really good linebacker unit. When it’s all said and done, Southern Miss squeaks out a close win.
UAB 31 Central Arkansas 14
We all got to focus on Central Arkansas last Saturday night. QB Breylin Smith looked off most of the game, but came up big at the end. WRs Lujuan Winningham and Tyler Hudson are big playmakers and RB Kierre Crossley was really impressive. However, this UAB team isn’t Austin Peay. They’re much better on defense and just all around. On defense, the Blazers have some potential NFL Prospects in DE/LB Jordan Smith, LB Kristopher Moll, and CB Brontae Harris. At that will be good enough for the Blazers. UAB pulls away with a comfortable win.
Saturday
Marshall 37 EKU 10
The Thundering Herd have to replace QB Isaiah Green who entered the Transfer Portal, but they should be okay vs an Eastern Kentucky team who was predicted to finish in the middle of the pack in the OVC. The Herd return star RB Brenden Knox and TE Xavier Gaines. On defense, they return DE Darius Hodge (7 sacks in 2019) and LB Tavante Beckett (121 tackles in 2019), both great players.
MTSU 28 Army 27
This game has a chance to be one of the best Week 1 games. An option offense vs a high powered spread offense. Expect Army to control the clock and limit possessions for QB Asher O’Hara and the MTSU offense who can score in a heartbeat. MTSU has linebacker DQ Thomas and safety Reed Blankenship who are elite.
SMU 38 Texas State 17
The Mustangs’ offense will be too much for the Bobcats. Shane Buechele at QB, TJ McDaniel at RB, Reggie Roberson at WR, Kylen Granson at TE and elite offensive linemen Alan Ali and Jaylon Thomas up front.
North Texas 42 Houston Baptist 21
Key Players
North Texas
- RB Tre Siggers
- RB DeAndre Torrey
- WR Jyaire Shorter
- WR Jaelon Darden
- NT Dion Novil
Houston Baptist
- QB Bailey Zappe
- WR Ben Ratzlaff
- WR Jerreth Sterns
- LB Brennan Young
- LB Caleb Johnson
Memphis 45 Arkansas State 31
This could be a back and forth game. Both teams have high powered offenses and excellent QBs. The Red Wolves actually have two great QBs with Layne Hatcher and Logan Bonner. Memphis has Brady White back after throwing for 33 TDs in 2019. I like the Tigers defense better than the Red Wolves and that’s why I’m ultimately picking Memphis.
UTEP 34 Stephen F. Austin 17
It’s not often that you’ll hear me say I’m confident in UTEP. However, I actually am this week. The Miners were 1-11 last season and have been abysmal the last few seasons. Running back Quardraiz Wadley and WR Jacob Cowing are two players to watch for. Stephen F. Austin was projected to finish near the bottom of the Southland Conference and went 3-9 last season.
Monday Night
BYU 27 Navy 24
I was torn on who to pick in this game. It’s the toughest game to predict in Week 1 because it’s a great match-up and should be a one score game. Tight end Matt Bushman being out really hurts BYU, but I’m rolling with the Cougars anyway.
FREE Picks ATS 🤑🔮
- South Alabama +13.5
- BYU -1
- MTSU +3.5
