Saturday 9-1-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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TONY FINN

Event: (181) SMU at (182) NORTH TEXAS
Sport/League: CFB
Date/Time: September 1, 2018 7PM EDT
Play: NORTH TEXAS -4.0 (-108)

Southern Methodist visits North Texas to kickoff the team's 2018 college football season opener. The event is schedule for a 7:30 p.m. ET start and will be played at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas. NCAAF Week #1 Preview and Free Pick: Mean Green vs Mustangs.

Game Preview
Teams: (181) SMU (0-0) at (182)North Texas (0-0)
Date and Time: Saturday, September 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Apogee Stadium, Denton, TX
Line:: North Texas -4, 72

This Lone Star State affair is projected to be one of the highest scoring games of the Week #1 college slate. This is the third consecutive season the two Texas schools will have met. The duo combined for nearly 800 passing yards in last season's 54-32 SMU win. And while most expect the scoreboard to light up again in 2018 there are differences in this year's September contest.

North Texas is expected to challenge for a Conference US title with Florida Atlantic while SMU will have to be at its best under new head coach Sonny Dykes to outperform the likes of Houston and Navy.

While high school football rules in Texas these two schools reside just 40 miles apart and the Dallas Fort Worth area is in for a gridiron treat to kick off September campus action.

SMU Mustangs
Dykes is in while Chad Morris is out at SMU. And for those fortunate enough to follow Southern Methodist football a season ago it could well be even more entertaining in 2018. The SMU offense was and still is explosive and could well be more productive this year.

Quarterback Ben Hicks is back behind center for the 'Stangs and comes off a 33-touchdown season. The junior from Waco has two years remaining and has thrown for 6,499 career yards and 52 touchdowns in his SMU career. Hicks won't have the services of receivers loses Courtland Sutton and Trey Quinn Granted who both declared for the NFL draft. Sutton and Quinn combined for nearly 60 percent of SMU’s aerial targets last year, leaving James Proche as the only other receiver with 20 receptions or more returning.

There are more than enough good targets back, the running backs can catch, and the offensive line that was good in pass protection should be solid again.

The Dykes offense spreads the ball around. Running back Braeden West is used in a multitude of schemes including working out of the slot as a receiver. He averaged 7.8 yards on his 73 rushing attempts and also caught 18 passes last season. Running backs Xavier Jones, a 1,000-yard rusher in 2017, and Ke'Mon Freeman provide a strong one-two punch. The offensive line returns four starters.

The new Mustangs defensive coaching staff have plenty of player personnel question marks. The defensive front seven lacks depth and size and the secondary was a gambling unit a season ago that allowed far too many big plays. Dykes and his assistants inherit a defense that ranked 122nd in total defense a season ago allowing 476.7 yards and 36.7 points per game. Under Morris a year ago the defense presented a 4-2-5 formation. This season under the guidance of former Northern Illinois DC Kevin Kane the unit will operate under a 4-3-4 scheme.

North Texas Mean Green
Quarterback Mason Fine threw for 4,000+ yard a season ago and the offense returns most of their key pieces including four starters on the front line. In Seth Littrell's second season in Denton the Green ranked as the 24th in offensive scoring, a big step forward from the school's 117th in 2016. With Fine more confident and experienced in combination with a talented and battle tested receiving corps and a pair of talented running back the Mean Green are in position to outscore the best in C-USA this season.

Any improvement from the Mean Green 2017 defense and Littrell's squad will be a contender on each and every Saturday.

The scoreboard at Apogee Stadium on Saturday night will be the second most entertaining variable in Denton. Second only to the skills of both offenses and the holes in the school's defensive units.

SMU finished 121st in the nation in total defense, and when all is said and done in these two team's season opener Dykes and his Mustangs will come up short and likely be positioned at the bottom of the FBS defensive rankings after Week #1.

Free Pick
This Week #1 college football free pick expects the Mean Green to do enough on defense to outscore the Mustangs and ready for Week #2 with a 1-0 record.

Play on the North Texas Mean Green minus the small number.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

THE PREZ

Event: (7401) Texas Longhorns
Sport/League: FUT
Date/Time: September 1, 2018 9PM EDT
Play: Season Win Total UNDER 9

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Team Underground

NCAA Football LIBERTY FLAMES +5.5

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DONNY ACTION

NCAA Football TROY TROJANS +10.5

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Mississippi Rebels vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
A.J. Brown has the talent and production of a star wide receiver, not to mention the swagger. Ole Miss hopes Brown can begin his junior campaign in strong fashion Saturday when the Rebels face Texas Tech in Houston.

Brown was named a preseason All-American after racking up 75 catches for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He combined with now-senior DaMarkus Lodge (41 catches) and current sophomore D.K. Metcalf (39) for 155 grabs and 25 TDs a season ago. "You've got to have that swagger about it," Brown said earlier this summer. "I feel like we're the best receivers corps in the country." Brown and company certainly will pose an early test for the Red Raiders, who gave up over 32 points per game a season ago.

TV: Noon ET. LINE: Texas Tech -2.5

ABOUT OLE MISS (2017: 6-6): While Brown is expected to be a top-10 pick in the 2019 NFL draft, one of his teammates has a chance to join him in that group. Offensive tackle Greg Little, who is anything but at 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, could be a high draft pick as the junior prepares to protect senior Jordan Ta'amu's blind side this season. Ta'amu played the second half of the season under center for the Rebels in 2017 and enjoyed terrific back-to-back performances against Kentucky and Louisiana, torching those defenses for a combined 800 passing yards and seven TDs.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (2017: 6-7): The Red Raiders had a three-way quarterback competition this summer with junior McLane Carter, sophomore Jett Duffey and freshman Alan Bowman competing for snaps. Whoever starts at quarterback for Texas Tech will have the comfort of five returning starters along the offensive line with 83 total starts between the quintet. Texas Tech is certainly eager to take the field after losing last season's Birmingham Bowl on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds left, sending the team to its sixth loss in eight games after a 4-1 start.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ole Miss is 18-3 in its last 21 season openers.

2. Texas Tech has won 15 straight season openers, trailing only Ohio State (17) and Alabama (16) among current Division I streaks.

3. The Rebels also have an experienced offensive line with the five starters - four of which are returning - combining for 103 career starts.

PREDICTION: Ole Miss 39, Texas Tech 27

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Texas Longhorns vs. Maryland Terrapins Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
Coach Tom Herman's message to his No. 21 Texas team has been simple as the Longhorns prepare for Saturday's opener against Maryland at FedExField. Herman reminded his team that the Terrapins, trying to overcome a summer full of scandal, beat the Longhorns 51-41 last year and are a good team.

Third-year coach DJ Durkin has been on paid administrative leave since Aug. 11 as Maryland investigates the June death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair after a workout and allegations of a toxic culture in the football program. Offensive coordinator and interim coach Matt Canada, who joined Maryland this offseason from LSU, did not announce a starting quarterback at his press conference Tuesday. Sophomore Sam Ehlinger was named the Longhorns' starter after leading the team in passing and rushing yards last season. Texas junior Malcolm Roach (37 tackles, two sacks) joins senior linebackers Gary Johnson (60 tackles, two sacks) and Anthony Wheeler (47 tackles, 2.5 sacks) in the middle of a defense that was strong against the run last year.

TV: Noon ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Texas -13.5

ABOUT TEXAS (2017: 7-6): Ehlinger (1,915 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, seven interceptions and 385 rushing yards and two scores) split time with junior Shane Buechele (1,405 yards and seven TDs) last year. Junior wideouts Collin Johnson (54 catches, 765 yards, two TDs) and Lil'Jordan Humphrey (37 catches, 431 yards, score) return after leading Texas last year. California graduate transfer Tre Watson brings plenty of experience (1,390 career rushing yards in 37 games) to a backfield that could also see sophomore Daniel Young (386 yards, three TDs) and freshman Keaontay Ingram share the load.

ABOUT MARYLAND (2017: 4-8): The starting job is between a pair of quarterbacks who had 2017 end early because of knee injuries - sophomore Tyrrell Pigrome (who was hurt in the Texas game last year) and redshirt freshman Kasim Hill (who threw for 230 yards and two TDs before getting hurt in the third game). The Terrapins return their entire offensive line to clear the way for top rushers Ty Johnson (a senior) and junior Lorenzo Harrison III, who have a combined 3,134 yards in the past two years. Defensive ends Jesse Aniebonam (a senior returning from an ankle injury) and Byron Cowart (a junior transfer from Auburn) should strengthen a defense that allowed 37.1 points per game last year.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Longhorns finished 2017 ranked eighth nationally in rushing defense (106.8 yards).

2. Maryland will honor the memory of McNair with a moment of silence Saturday, the creation of a scholarship in his name and by keeping his No. 79 jersey open until his graduation year.

3. Five of Texas' six losses last year were by 10 points or fewer, the most among Power Five conference schools.

PREDICTION: Texas 37, Maryland 23

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Cougars vs. Rice Owls Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
Houston junior defensive tackle Ed Oliver's big plans start on the road when the Cougars face intercity rival Rice on Saturday. "(I want to) leave the place better than I found it - and it was pretty damn good when I got here," the defensive tackle told ESPN The Magazine. "I don't care about personal accolades. Team trophies are what's important. They will be here long after I'm gone."

Oliver, who has already declared for the 2019 NFL Draft, has been named the nation's top player by several publications and is on five preseason watch lists for national awards. The reigning Outland Trophy winner has 39.5 career tackles for loss and led the Cougars with 73 stops last year. Houston's defensive rotations around Oliver will be strengthened by several transfers, including former TCU end Isaiah Chambers, a sophomore. The Owls rushed for 310 yards in a come-from-behind 31-28 victory against Prairie View A&M on Aug. 25, snapping a 10-game losing streak.

TV: Noon ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Houston -25

ABOUT HOUSTON (2017: 7-5): Junior D'Eriq King is the Cougars' leading returning passer (1,260 yards, seven touchdowns) and receiver, catching 29 passes for 264 yards and two scores before starting the final four games at quarterback. Senior transfers Terence Williams (1,859 rushing yards in three years at Baylor) and Raelon Singleton (531 receiving yards and four touchdowns at Utah last year) will try to boost a Houston offense that lost several starters. Graduate transfer Quinten Dormady, who began last year as Tennessee's starter before a shoulder injury, will back up King.

UT RICE (1-0): Junior Emmanuel Esukpa (261 yards, one touchdown last year) rushed for a career-high 173 yards and a score in the opener while senior Austin Walter added two rushing scores. Graduate transfer Shawn Stankavage, slowed by injuries at Vanderbilt, went 7-of-15 for 43 passing yards in his Rice debut. Rice had two strips sacks in the second half but allowed Prairie View A&M to average 15.3 yards per completion.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oliver's 1.56 tackles for loss leads all active players nationally.

2. Houston has won the last four meetings with Rice by an average of 25 points.

3. Notre Dame transfer Nick Watkins and Mississippi transfer Deontay Anderson will give Houston much-needed depth in the secondary.

PREDICTION: Houston 42, Rice 13

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Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Oklahoma Sooners Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
Murray, who won a camp battle to fill the void left behind by the departure of Heisman Trophy winner and overall No, 1 NFL Draft pick Baker Mayfield, is expected to leave the program following the season after he was the ninth overall selection in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. "I don't coach with fear. This is football. ... (Injuries) are part of the game," Riley told reporters last week when asked if he had a "fear level" in trying to keep Murray healthy for his future employer. The Owls are coming off a Division I school-record 11-win season and enter 2018 after reeling off 10 straight victories to close out the school's first season under coach Lane Kiffin. FAU is the preseason favorite to repeat as Conference USA champions and figures to rely heavily on Devin Singletary again after the junior running back rushed for 32 touchdowns in 2017 - the third-highest total in FBS history.

TV: Noon ET, FOX. LINE: Oklahoma -21

ABOUT FLORIDA ATLANTIC (2017: 11-3): The Owls return 15 starters, including Singletary and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair - the preseason Conference USA offensive and defensive players of the year. Singletary led FBS with 63 runs of at least 10 yards in 2017 and rushed for a school-record 1,920 yards - 528 more than second-place Alfred Morris in 2009 - including 12 straight 100-yard efforts to end the season. The quarterback position is less settled, as former Oklahoma player Chris Robison, Last Chance U star DeAndre Johnson and Rafe Peavey are all battling to replace Jason Driskel (2,247 yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2017).

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (2017: 12-2): Running back Rodney Anderson led all Power Five players with 1,333 yards from scrimmage from Oct. 21 on, including 201 rushing yards in the College Football Playoff loss to Georgia. Fellow preseason All-Big 12 selection Marquise Brown (1,095 receiving yards and seven TDs) set a school record with 265 receiving yards against Oklahoma State last year and will be asked to step up more often following the departure of tight end Mark Andrews to the NFL. Preseason All-Big 12 Newcomer of the Year selection Brendan Radley-Hiles - a highly touted five-star recruit - is expected to make an immediate impact at cornerback after Oklahoma lost three starters in its secondary.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oklahoma placed seven players on the preseason All-Big 12 first team, while Florida Atlantic saw six players land on the Conference USA first team.

2. Singletary already owns the school record in rushing touchdowns (44). He is also only 589 rushing yards shy of breaking Morris' school record of 3,529, set from 2008-11.

3. The Sooners (579.6 yards per game) and Owls (498.4) ranked first and ninth, respectively in FBS in total offense in 2017.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma 45, Florida Atlantic 31

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oregon State Beavers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
Ohio State has experienced a month of chaos in the program and the No. 3 Buckeyes will certainly be happy to step onto the football field when they host Oregon State on Saturday. Interim coach Ryan Day will run the squad in the opener after Urban Meyer was suspended for three games after a university investigation involving allegations of domestic abuse against former assistant Zach Smith.

Meyer was disciplined by the school after the investigation found he didn't respond properly to knowledge of Smith's behavior in 2015, and that leaves him on the sidelines and Day in charge of the program. "The plan to win has never changed," the 39-year-old Day told reporters on Monday in his first media session. "So that's the culture here and the plan to win is always going to be here at Ohio State." Oregon State lost its final 10 games last season, and former star quarterback Jonathan Smith (third with 9,680 passing yards from 1998-2001) is back as the school's head coach, although he doesn't want anybody feeling sorry that the powerful Buckeyes are first up on the slate. "I want them to enjoy this thing and enjoy the competition of it," Smith told reporters. "If they can do that, I think the experience will be positive."

TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Ohio State -38.5

ABOUT OREGON STATE (2017: 1-11): Senior Jake Luton was named the starting quarterback on Monday, 11 1/2 months after suffering a fractured thoracic spine during a game against Washington State that almost ended his career. "I was pleased with how it played out," Smith said of the competition that included sophomores Conor Blount and Jack Colletto. "What really separated Jake was the last three or four practices. He began to separate, and really played well in the scrimmages. We're completely behind Jake." The defense was atrocious last season while allowing 43 points and 473.1 yards per game, and the Beavers suffered a blow when sophomore safety David Morris (75 tackles last season) was lost for at least one month with a foot injury.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (2017: 12-2): With the J.T. Barrett era over, sophomore Dwayne Haskins (57 career pass attempts) was named the starting quarterback on Monday over redshirt freshman Tate Martell, and Day said both-signal callers will see action against the Beavers. "Dwayne has a lot of talent, he's very talented throwing the football," Day told reporters. "He's worked on his athleticism, strength, power. ... Now being a starter, that's different. You have to prepare different, you have to be ready." Junior defensive end Nick Bosa (team-high 16 tackles for loss last season) leads a strong defense that also features junior safety Jordan Fuller (two interceptions last season) and junior defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones (23 career starts).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ohio State won both previous meetings, the most recent being a 22-14 win in 1984.

2. Beavers junior TE Noah Togiai (knee), who led Oregon State with 34 receptions last season, will miss at least a month after being hurt in a recent scrimmage.

3. The Buckeyes have a strong running back group with sophomore J.K. Dobbins (1,403 yards last season) and junior Mike Weber (1,722 yards in two seasons) leading the way.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 52, Oregon State 10

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Southern Jaguars vs. Texas Christian Horned Frogs Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
Double-digit wins are the norm for Gary Patterson and TCU, and the 2018 campaign is not letting up on the expectations. The Horned Frogs are ranked No. 16 in the nation in the preseason and will get started living up to that billing when they host Southern in the season opener on Saturday.

TCU had a Big 12 title and a possible trip to the playoffs in its sights last season before suffering a pair of losses in the final month to Oklahoma - including the Big 12 championship game - and will try to close that gap with an offense featuring a new quarterback. Shawn Robinson secured the starting job in camp, though the Horned Frogs will likely give backup Michael Collins some time in Saturday's game as well. "Our kids our excited, tired of hitting each other," Patterson told reporters. "We're playing a Southern team I think that does a lot of good things. They do a nice job coaching. They do a lot of things that cause you problems. We've taken them very seriously." The Jaguars held a quarterback competition in camp, as well, with sophomore John Lampley winning the starting job.

TV: Noon, ET, FS Southwest. LINE: None

ABOUT SOUTHERN (2017: 7-4): The Jaguars finished second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference's West division in each of the last two seasons after failing to top Grambling in the Bayou Classic. Southern is hoping the switch to Lampley can help it get off to a better start after opening the season 1-3 in 2017. "We have three very good quarterbacks," Jaguars coach Dawson Odums told reporters. "John is just slightly above those guys from a consistency standpoint and that's really what we look for out of that quarterback position."

ABOUT TCU (2017: 11-3): The Horned Frogs are counting on their new quarterback as well, and Robinson drew raves from Patterson for his maturity. "Shawn is really starting to step up, own the offense, understand what's going on," Patterson told reporters. "He lost 10-12 pounds, which has made him even faster and probably more durable, better shape than he was maybe at the end of the school year last season. He's done everything up to this point we've asked him." Robinson inherits an offense that averaged 33.6 points and finished off the 2017 season with a 39-37 win over Stanford in the Alamo Bowl.

EXTRA POINTS

1. TCU has won its last 16 home openers.

2. Southern OL Jeremiah Abby and DB Andre Augustine were named to the preseason All-SWAC first team.

3. The Horned Frogs return 11 starters, including top RB Darius Anderson and WR Jalen Reagor.

PREDICTION: TCU 58, Southern 10

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Villanova Wildcats vs. Temple Owls Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
In last season's matchup, Temple led 13-0 before giving up 13 straight points, although a late field goal by Aaron Boumerhi allowed the Owls to escape with a three-point victory. Temple won three of its final four contests to become bowl-eligible last season and then capped its campaign by defeating Florida International in the Gasparilla Bowl. Frank Nutile threw for 254 yards and a touchdown in that one and, in fact, he enters the 2018 opener with a streak of six straight games of at least 200 passing yards and one score. Villanova is ranked 19th in the FCS poll and aims to present problems for Temple for the second straight season.

TV: Noon ET. LINE: None

ABOUT VILLANOVA (2017: 5-6): After 10 winning seasons in its previous 11 campaigns, Villanova slipped to 5-6 last season as injuries hammered the Wildcats following a 4-2 start. Villanova returns 17 players who have played in at least 20 games, including 16 returning starters from last season. Zach Bednarczyk suffered a season-ending injury a month into the 2017 season, but the senior quarterback is eager to build off his strong start a year ago (1,068 passing yards, six TDs, no interceptions before getting hurt).

ABOUT TEMPLE (2017: 7-6): Senior back Ryquell Armstead is looking to match his sophomore year statistics (5.9 yards per carry, 14 rushing TDs) after averaging 3.9 yards per carry and finding the end zone only five times last year. Ventrell Bryant also watched his numbers sag as a junior, but his sophomore statistics (54 catches, 895 yards) offer a glimpse of his potential. Junior receiver Isaiah Wright scored in five different ways last season (receiving, rushing, passing, kick return, punt return) and will certainly be a focus of the Villanova defense this weekend.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The all-time series is tied 16-16-2.

2. Armstead is one touchdown away from moving into fourth place on the Owls' all-time list.

3. Temple has won four straight meetings with Villanova, matching its best streak ever versus the Wildcats.

PREDICTION: Villanova 22, Temple 19

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
Two teams looking to bounce back from ugly two-win seasons face off when Illinois hosts Kent State on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference season opener for both squads. Coach Lovie Smith is in his third year at the helm of the Illini, and he'll look for his first winning season at the school with a team that has only eight seniors -- the least of any team in FBS.

One of those seniors will start under center as Smith named AJ Bush Jr. as his quarterback days before the opener. Another player in his final season at Illinois, wide receiver Mike Dudek, is hoping to recapture the form that he had as a freshman (76 catches, 1,038 yards) before injuries limited him to seven games over the last three seasons. Smith will need to find some defense to keep the Illini in games after they allowed 31.5 points last season, and Smith is looking at another senior, linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips (85 tackles), to lead the way. Sean Lewis, the youngest head coach in FBS at 32, brings the fast-paced offense he ran as offensive coordinator at Syracuse to his first year with the Flashes, promising a much more uptempo attack than years past.

TV: Noon ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Illinois -16.5

ABOUT KENT STATE (2017: 2-10): Lewis is trying to bring a new attitude to Kent State, looking to ignite the program with his offense that topped FBS in snaps per game with 87.8 at Syracuse a season ago. The Golden Flashes didn't know who their starting quarterback would be days before the opener -- sophomores Woody Barrett and Dustin Crum were the top candidates -- but whoever starts at each of the offensive positions on the field had better be ready to play, because Lewis doesn't like substitutions that slow down his offense. Kent State scored only 12.8 points per game a season ago -- second-fewest in FCS to UTEP (11.8), including five contests with three points or fewer, but Lewis is banking on that changing quite a bit in 2018.

ABOUT ILLINOIS (2017: 2-10): Though he's a senior, Bush Jr. doesn't have a lot of playing experience at the collegiate level, having played at three other schools before making his way as a graduate transfer to Champaign for his final campaign. Bush spent two years at Nebraska without seeing the field before spending a season at Iowa Western, which led to a season at Virginia Tech, where he played in five games and attempted 11 passes. Smith likes Bush's experience, though, saying that he trusts the dual-threat signal caller in his first collegiate start because he's learned how to handle himself throughout his time in college, even if he hasn't spent a lot of it on the field.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Illinois WR Ricky Smalling ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 16.5 yards per catch as a freshman, finishing with a team-high 510 receiving yards.

2. Kent State LB Jim Jones leads the team's defense, coming off a junior season in which he paced the Flashes with 98 tackles and six sacks.

3. Illinois has won 20 consecutive home openers, the fourth-longest active streak in the nation.

PREDICTION: Illinois 35, Kent State 21

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Texas State Bobcats vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Preview and Predictions

NCAAF Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
Rutgers will attempt to move on from a rocky preseason when it takes on visiting Texas State on Saturday in the season opener for both teams. Less than two weeks before the start of the year, the Scarlet Knights saw eight players - all from the defensive side of the ball - charged for their alleged involvement in a credit-card fraud scheme.

"Any time you have members of your family make poor decisions and get into trouble, it's discouraging, it's frustrating and it hurts," third-year head coach Chris Ash recently told reporters. Several of the players were projected to be backups on the defensive side of the ball, while junior safety K.J. Gray - who was included in the charges but had already been dismissed from the team - was a likely starter for a team that ranked 13th in the Big Ten in total defense in conference play last year. Saturday's tilt is a warmup for a much more challenging affair for the Scarlet Knights, who next visit No. 3 Ohio State - a 56-0 winner at Rutgers in 2017. The Bobcats of the Sun Belt Conference are 7-29 over the past three seasons but were one of the nation's youngest teams in 2017 and have generated some notable recruiting classes under third-year head coach Everett Withers.

TV: Noon ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Rutgers -16.5

ABOUT TEXAS STATE (2017: 2-10): Withers inherited a stripped-down program that has been built back up and finally has the feel of a complete product, sporting 76 scholarship players two years after fielding just 62. "Anytime you have more depth at a position, it creates more competition so players are competing at a higher level," Withers recently told reporters. "It makes your football team better and if that happens at each of the positions, it gives you a chance to go compete against your opponents." Willie Jones III is the only quarterback on the roster with any experience and figures to get most of the snaps, while junior Anthony Taylor (team-high 436 rushing yards last year) is expected to lead the way on the ground.

ABOUT RUTGERS (2017: 4-8): True freshman Artur Sitkowski won the starting quarterback job over two others - including incumbent Gio Rescigno - and will be the first first-year player to start under center for the program since 2001. "We feel really good about what we're going to do at the quarterback position," Ash told the media. "We feel really confident about [Sitkowski]." The most notable recruit of the Ash era, the 6-6 Sitkowski hopes to elevate a passing offense that ranked 124th nationally with just 115.6 yards per game in 2017.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Sitkowski threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns in the annual spring game in April.

2. Scarlet Knights RB Raheem Blackshear averaged 6.1 yards per carry and 19 yards per reception as a freshman last season.

3. This marks the first meeting between the two programs.

PREDICTION: Rutgers 35, Texas State 18

[Can'tPickAWinner]

James Madison Dukes vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack Preview and Predictions 09-01-2018 in NCAAF

North Carolina State opens its 2018 campaign on Saturday afternoon by hosting James Madison. The Wolfpack will be looking to build on a promising nine-win season and six conference victories - good for second in the ACC Atlantic Division - and earn a win in the Sun Bowl over Arizona State.

N.C. State returns quarterback Ryan Finley, and the graduate student is coming off a solid season that saw him throw for 3,518 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He'll be key to an offense that lost running back Nyheim Hines to the NFL Draft (Indianapolis Colts). James Madison has emerged as an FCS powerhouse coming off consecutive 14-win seasons. The Dukes lost in the FCS National Championship Game last season after claiming the FCS national title in 2016.

TV: Noon ET, ESPNU. LINE: None

ABOUT JAMES MADISON (2017: 14-1): The Dukes are missing a couple of key pieces on offense as 2017 starting quarterback Bryan Schor and top receiver Terrence Alls graduated. Schor's replacement hasn't been named yet as the quarterback competition in camp has been tight between Cole Johnson, Schor's backup last season, and Pittsburgh transfer Ben DiNucci. The offense figures to revolve around the running game as Marcus Marshall, Trai Sharp, and Cardon Johnson all return - they combined for 1,956 yards last season.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (2017: 9-4): In addition to Hynes, the Wolfpack lost six other players to the 2018 NFL Draft, including the entire starting defensive line - highlighted by No. 5 overall pick Bradley Chubb (Denver Broncos). The defense also lost two of its top three linebackers and three of six defensive backs. Offensively, Finley gets his top five receivers back, but his top two backs - Hynes and Jaylen Samuels - are both gone, as are two of his starting offensive linemen.

EXTRA POINTS

1. N.C. State's nine wins in 2017 were second-most in school history.

2. Finley's career .630 winning percentage is second in school history behind Philip Rivers.

3. The James Madison secondary led the FCS in pass defense (161.5 yards per game) and interceptions (31) last season.

PREDICTION: North Carolina State 35, James Madison 24

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Preview and Predictions 09-01-2018 in NCAAF

The opening weekend should be little more than a tune-up for South Carolina, which hosts Coastal Carolina on Saturday. The Gamecocks begin the season just outside the top 25 and are eager to take care of the Chanticleers with SEC East rival Georgia awaiting next week.

South Carolina has high expectations entering its third season under coach Will Muschamp, who guided the squad to six wins in 2016 and nine last year. "I think I've learned a lot over the last two years, and the same thing can be said for a lot of guys on our team," Gamecocks junior quarterback Jake Bentley told reporters. "We will be able to use that experience during the past two years." Despite finishing 3-9 last season, Coastal Carolina nearly upset an SEC opponent as it lost a 39-38 decision at Arkansas. South Carolina won the only previous meeting between the in-state foes, posting a 70-10 victory in 2013.

TV: Noon ET, SEC Network. LINE: South Carolina -29.5

ABOUT COASTAL CAROLINA (2017: 3-9): The Chanticleers are picked to finish last in the Sun Belt's East Division after struggling in their first season as an FBS team a year ago. The defense had an especially tough time making the transition, allowing 34 points per game, although Coastal Carolina gave up a total of 24 points in winning its final two games of 2017. The offense has some weapons - including dual-threat quarterback Kilton Anderson, who could cause some problems for the Gamecocks.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (2017: 9-4): The Gamecocks return nearly all of their offensive production, as tight end Hayden Hurst is the only skill-position player they must replace. Bentley is surrounded by a bevy of dangerous receivers - including the dynamic Deebo Samuel, who returns after having his 2017 season cut short by injury after three games. The defense doesn't have quite as much back, but six starters return, including linebacker T.J. Brunson (88 tackles) and defensive end D.J. Wonnum (57, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks).

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Gamecocks are 15-1 against current Sun Belt teams, with the only loss coming against Appalachian State.

2. South Carolina has won 17 of its last 18 season openers, including 13 straight versus non-conference opponents.

3. The Gamecocks return 100 percent of their passing yards, 98 percent of their rushing yards and 80 percent of their receiving yards from last season.


PREDICTION: South Carolina 47, Coastal Carolina 13