-Originally published 9/12/20-
UAB @ Miami
Star quarterback transfer D’Eriq King makes his Miami debut against a decent non-power 5 opponent. The offense was one of the worst in college football last season, but should immediately turn the corner with the former Houston Cougar at the helm as a true duel threat. Stud DE Gregory Rousseau (19.5 Sacks) opted out for the season, but Temple transfer Quincy Roche will provide an adequate replacement. UAB has gone 28-13 in the three years since the program has returned. The team returns 18 starters and had a top-10 defense last season. The Blazers should be able to keep it close for a half.
UAB 20 Miami 35
Syracuse @ #18 North Carolina
Sam Howell and a loaded North Carolina roster hosts a Syracuse team that will be hard pressed to that a Tar Heels team that has a shot to make the playoffs. The Orangeman will return Tommy DeVito at quarterback but top skill position players from last season are gone and so are most members from a defense that was towards the bottom of the NCAA in most defensive statistics. Sam Howell (3,641 yards, 38 TDS, 7 INT, 61% comp) won ACC player of the year over Trevor Lawrence last season and returns at pair of 1,000 recivers in Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown. Syracuse won’t have the firepower to keep up or the defense to slow down the Tar Heels.
Syracuse 14 North Carolina 56
Louisiana @ #23 Iowa State
ISU QB Brocky Purdy led the Big 12 in passing yards per game last season (306 yds) and could leave school early to enter the NFL draft next seasons. The offensive line has massive turnover, but the sill position returns weapons highlighted by running back Breece Hall. The defense was solid last season and returns 8 starters. Louisiana quietly won 11 games last season behind an elite rushing offense and lockdown defense that allowed less than 20 points-per-game. The Ragin Cajuns have a new defensive coordinator and lost a few offensive pieces, but enough return to give ISU a tough time. Louisiana could pull the upset and looking at the experience on paper, outside of Brocky Purdy, the Rain Cajuns have the most experniece. I’m picking the upset.
Louisiana 31 Iowa State 21
Duke @ #10 Notre Dame
QB Ian Booker had 3,600 yards offensively 34 TDs, 6 INTs, last season and returns most of his offensive line. The other skill positions will have new starters. The defense only has a few starters returning as well. Duke had 28 turnovers last season, 3rd worse in college football. Chase Brice will quarterback behind a veteran offensive line, he backed up Trevor Lawrence last season. The defense returns AAC all second-teamer DE Victor Dimukeje (8.5 Sacks). Notre Dame should have the talent to win, but the blue devils aren’t without talent and this could be an interesting game.
Duke 21 Notre Dame 35
Missouri State @ #5 Oklahoma
Redshirt freshman QB Spencer Rattler, who was profiled on the Netflix show QB1 during his senior year of high school, will take the reins as the next great Oklahoma QB after Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murry, and Jalen Hurts. I’m skeptical of his production relative to his three predecessors but he’s in an excellent system. Most of the offensive line returns, 1,000 yard rusher Kennedy Brooks is back as well. The bulk of a defense that finished top-25 last season returns. Missouri State went 1-10 last season in the FCS.
Missouri State 0 Oklahoma 56
#1 Clemson @ Wake Forest
Clemson lost tons of starters to the NFL but will reload with another top recruiting class. QB Trevor Lawrence, RB Travis Etienne, DE Xavier Thomas and CB Derion Kendrick are all top 2021 prospects. The real question is whether or not Wake Forest can keep pace. QB Sam Hartman has potential to be a great quarterback. The defensive line has potential to be solid. Wake Forest should be able to put some pressure on Trevor Lawrence and may stay in the game for a half, but the Demon Deacons won’t beat Clemson.
Clemson 38 Wake Forest 21
UTEP @ #14 Texas
QB Sam Ehlinger has had a trying time in Austin. 10-4 in 2018 was the closest he and head coach Tom Herman have got to the playoffs. Mike Yurcich was brought in to co-offensive coordinate and boost the offense. Yurchich was formerly with Ohio state and Oklahoma State and helped lead explosive offensives. Texas returns most of its defense and half of its offense. UTEP will be lucky to win a game. They’ve gone 2-34 the past three seasons.
UTEP 7 Texas 48
Georgia Tech @ Florida State
Georgia tech’s first years under Geoff Collins in a swap to a spread offense from the triple options was understandably difficult as the Yellow Jackets finished 3-9. Heading into this matchup, the Yellow Jackets have yet to name a starting quarterback. The defense was halfway decent, but won’t be a match for Florida State. FSU is rebuilding is retooling as well. They return most of the defense including NFL prospects DT Marin Wilson, DE Joshua Kaindoh, S Hamsah Nasirildeen and CB Asante Samuel Jr. On offense QB James Blackman and the receiver core return. Mike Norvell, formerly of Memphis takes over as head coach. Both of these teams will struggle at times this year, but Flordia State has the clear advantage defensively here.
Georgia Tech 10 Florida State 24
