The lines are out for some of the biggest games of the 2019 college football season – several months early. Where are the value picks?
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The college basketball tournament thing is fun, The Masters are terrific, and baseball is … baseball, but let’s do this already.
Let’s start dreaming of college football Saturdays.
It’s ridiculously early, but it’s already possible to place an investment on the biggest games of the 2019 college football season. That means there’s good potential value to be had if you get in now.
Of course there are 153,000 things that can and will happen by the time these games kickoff, and of course trying to figure out late November games now might seem insane, but again, it’s all about the value.
You might be kicking yourself six months from now for not diving in early.
2019 Big Game Predictions
October | November
Florida vs. Miami (in Orlando)
Saturday, August 24
Florida should be the better team, but 7.5 is a whole lot to give away to a much, much stronger Miami team should have more of an offense now to go along with all of that D.
Spring Line: Florida -7.5
Spring Prediction: Florida 26, Miami 20
Florida State vs. Boise State (in Jacksonville)
Saturday, August 31
Florida State really, really, really needs a strong showing in the opener close to home, but Boise State is good enough to run the table after this and be the Group of Five’s New Year’s Six bowl team. It’s only 4.5, and again, FSU really, really needs this. It’ll get it, even if it’s not as smooth as some might like.
Spring Line: Florida State -4.5
Spring Prediction: Florida State 23, Boise State 17
Auburn vs. Oregon (in Arlington)
Saturday, August 31
Auburn needs to retool a bit, while Oregon will be in just about everyone’s preseason top ten, if not top five. Last year, this was when the SEC flexed its muscle with LSU exposing Miami. Go with the underdog Pac-12 team with the NFL quarterback – Justin Herbert – and a loaded supporting cast.
Spring Line: Auburn -3
Spring Prediction: Oregon 27, Auburn 23
South Carolina vs. North Carolina (in Charlotte)
Saturday, August 31
Hey, Mack Brown. Welcome back to the college coaching world … uh oh. South Carolina will have sat and grooved on horrible end to last season for eight months, and the Tar Heels are still rebuilding.
Spring Line: South Carolina -7.5
Spring Prediction: South Carolina 34, North Carolina 20
2019 Schedules, Early Predictions
American Athletic | Big Ten | Big 12
C-USA | Independents | MAC | M-West
Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt
LSU at Texas
Saturday, September 7
Love, love, love LSU, and not all that hot on Texas being the IT team many will predict it’ll be. The Tigers are better, they have the stronger defense, and … Tom Herman’s squad will pull this off at home in a thriller.
Spring Line: LSU -3
Spring Prediction: Texas 23, LSU 20
Texas A&M at Clemson
Saturday, September 7
Clemson is going to be absolutely amazing, even with all of the replacements on the defensive front. Texas A&M has some work to do, but giving this Aggie club 15 points in Year Two of the Jimbo Fisher era is extremely kind.
Spring Line: Clemson -15
Spring Prediction: Clemson 30, Texas A&M 17
Stanford at USC
Saturday, September 7
Yeeeeeeesh. Just how much do you believe that experience will count for something at USC? There might be veterans, but there’s hot mess potential here early on if the offense isn’t night-and-day better. Stanford is going to be stronger, but coin flip … Trojans at home.
Spring Line: USC -3
Spring Prediction: USC 21, Stanford 17
Oklahoma at UCLA
Saturday, September 14
Just assume that Chip Kelly will have something figured out to make the Bruins a whole lot stronger and more competitive in Year Two. They’ll lose to a nasty Oklahoma team, but they won’t get annihilated. Enjoy getting 11.5 in Pasadena in a wild shootout.
Spring Line: Oklahoma -11.5
Spring Prediction: Oklahoma 40, UCLA 31
Arizona State at Michigan State
Saturday, September 14
Are you buying into the idea that the Spartan offense is going to figure out how to finally score a point or seven? It’s Michigan State. Even when it’s amazing, it still finds ways to keep both teams in the game.
Spring Line: Michigan State -6
Spring Prediction: Michigan State 20, Arizona State 17
Stanford at UCF
Saturday, September 14
Stanford is the better team, but … you know how this is going to go. UCF gets a real team in its own house, and – absolutely no snarky joke about this – as long as there isn’t a hurricane issue like there’s been over the last two Septembers against Power Five teams, the Knights are going to make a statement, because that’s what they do.
Spring Line: Stanford -2.5
Spring Prediction: UCF 27, Stanford 23
Tennessee at Florida
Saturday, September 21
Florida is going to be the far better team, and the big rivalry game is at home, but – unlike last year in an ugly 47-21 loss – Tennessee will be improved enough to keep this closer than two touchdowns.
Spring Line: Florida -14.5
Spring Prediction: Florida 27, Tennessee 17
Notre Dame at Georgia
Saturday, September 21
Georgia is going to be fantastic enough to be deep in the mix for the College Football Playoff, and Notre Dame will be rebuilding a bit too much to go on a run like it did last season. The world is giving you 11.5, though. Take it, just because the Irish will be just strong enough to make this a game.
Spring Line: Georgia -11.5
Spring Prediction: Georgia 31, Notre Dame 20
Auburn at Texas A&M
Saturday, September 21
Auburn won by four at home last year over the Aggies in the one time it started throwing the ball. As a believer in A&M, especially at home, returning the favor with a win by four or more shouldn’t be an issue.
Spring Line: Texas A&M -3.5
Spring Prediction: Texas A&M 27, Auburn 20
Michigan at Wisconsin
Saturday, September 21
Wisconsin is the toughest several-month-in-advance prediction problem. Who’s the quarterback? Will the line come together after losing four starters? The Badgers can be okay by late September and still lose this by a touchdown.
Spring Line: Michigan -6
Spring Prediction: Michigan 24, Wisconsin 16
Ohio State at Nebraska
Saturday, September 28
When September comes rolling around, yeah, Nebraska is probably going to be the sexy, easy pick at home against the spread. Double that considering the Huskers lost 36-31 in Columbus last year, but these Buckeyes are going to be undersold over the next several months.
Spring Line: Ohio State -7.5
Spring Prediction: Ohio State 37, Nebraska 24
USC at Washington
Saturday, September 28
Like the earlier pick in the Stanford-USC game, do you have a real handle on what the Trojans are going to be this year? Washington has some retooling to do, but it’s still going to be fantastic. For now, at home, the Dawgs will win, but 7.5 is too high – again, for now. Take the chance that USC will be back to USC enough to cover.
Spring Line: Washington -7.5
Spring Prediction: Washington 23, USC 20
2019 Big Game Predictions
October | November
NEXT: Top October Games
2019 Big Game Predictions
August/September | November
Michigan State at Ohio State
Saturday, October 5
Love, love, love, love, love Ohio State this year. Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate ever giving Michigan State 13.5 points, especially if the offense decides to get off the bus.
Spring Line: Ohio State -13.5
Spring Prediction: Ohio State 24, Michigan State 17
Texas at West Virginia
Saturday, October 5
There’s a solid chance the first year under Neal Brown is going to take a little while to ramp up. West Virginia could still be really good, and still lose to the Longhorns by more than four.
Spring Line: West Virginia -3.5
Spring Prediction: Texas 34, West Virginia 27
Auburn at Florida
Saturday, October 5
Sort of like earlier picks when Auburn has to go against Oregon and Texas A&M, it’s a bit hard so far in advance to see how it’s going to come together and be outstanding against this brutal schedule. Even so, this should be a bit of a defensive slugfest – 7.5 is wee bit too high.
Spring Line: Florida -7.5
Spring Prediction: Florida 24, Auburn 20
USC at Notre Dame
Saturday, October 12
USC is getting 11.5 points. Of course, the game was in LA, but last year’s Trojan team was awful, and Notre Dame was great, and going for a spot in the College Football Playoff. To repeat … USC is getting 11.5 points.
Spring Line: Notre Dame -11.5
Spring Prediction: Notre Dame 24, USC 20
Florida at LSU
Saturday, October 12
Florida came up with one of its better performances last season with a 27-19 win over LSU. Turn the tables this time around, even though being on the road hasn’t mattered all that much in the recent history of the series.
Spring Line: LSU -2.5
Spring Prediction: LSU 17, Florida 13
Alabama at Texas A&M
Saturday, October 12
Alabama is the best team in college football coming into the 2019 season – or a close second to Clemson. Even so, 13 points are a whole lot to give away to a Texas A&M team that should be fully jelled by mid-October.
Spring Line: Alabama -13
Spring Prediction: Alabama 30, Texas A&M 20
Oregon at Washington
Saturday, October 19
The kinks should be worked out with all the new starting parts on the Washington defense in what should be the Pac-12 game of the year. After last year’s thrilling 30-27 Duck win in Eugene, it’ll be another tight one going the other way.
Spring Line: Washington -6.5
Spring Prediction: Washington 23, Oregon 20
Michigan at Penn State
Saturday, October 19
42-7. It was a total and complete annihilation last year by Michigan in Ann Arbor, but Penn State whacked around the Wolverines 42-13 the season before. The year before that? Michigan won 49-10. It’s been an ugly series lately, but this one is due to be a bit closer.
Spring Line: Michigan -5.5
Spring Prediction: Michigan 26, Penn State 23
Washington State at Oregon
Saturday, October 26
Wazzu tagged the Ducks 34-20 in Pullman last season to make it four in a row in the series. The last time Oregon beat the Cougars in Eugene was 2013. The streak ends here in a fun, high-scoring battle.
Spring Line: Oregon -6.5
Spring Prediction: Oregon 38, Washington State 30
Auburn at LSU
Saturday, October 26
The last three were each decided by five points or fewer. Auburn could win this outright, and covering with the way these two defenses will play shouldn’t be an issue.
Spring Line: LSU -7.5
Spring Prediction: LSU 20, Auburn 17
Texas at TCU
Saturday, October 26
By the time gametime rolls around, Texas will be favored. Even if you like TCU to pull this off, several months in advance, the Longhorns as any sort of an underdog is a phenomenal value.
Spring Line:TCU -2
Spring Prediction: Texas 19, TCU 17
Notre Dame at Michigan
Saturday, October 26
Again, right now it’s about value. Michigan is going to be more than a touchdown better than the Irish in terms of talent and experience, but there’s a shot the Irish reload instantly. This could be closer to around 3ish come late October.
Spring Line: Michigan -8.5
Spring Prediction: Michigan 23, Notre Dame 17
Wisconsin at Ohio State
Saturday, October 26
Even if Ohio State is amazing – and it will be – giving away nine to a Badger team that should have the quarterback and O line figured out weeks before this is way too scary.
Spring Line: Ohio State -9
Spring Prediction: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 20
NEXT: Top November Games
2019 Big Game Predictions
August/September | October
Georgia vs. Florida (in Jacksonville)
Saturday, November 2
Georgia has owned this over the last two years, but the game hasn’t been close in a while, either way. The last time the Cocktail Party was decided by less than a touchdown was 2013 – a 23-20 Florida win – and seven of the last eight have been by four points or more. For now, Georgia is the play.
Spring Line: Georgia -4
Spring Prediction: Georgia 27, Florida 20
Utah at Washington
Saturday, November 2
Going all the way back to 1931, Washington has won 12 of the 13 meetings. Utah should be amazing, but it’s in Seattle, so …
Spring Line: Washington -3
Spring Prediction: Washington 17, Utah 13
Oregon at USC
Saturday, November 2
Oregon has won two of the last three meetings going back to 2011. You’re being asked to make the straight up pick here. We know the Ducks are going to be good, but USC is the X factor. Right now, go with the known.
Spring Line: USC -1
Spring Prediction: Oregon 27, USC 24
Miami at Florida State
Saturday, November 2
Miami as the underdog? Florida State should be better … should. Miami will be better. Projecting out to November, go with the team that’s certain to be stronger, especially as the underdog.
Spring Line: Florida State -1.5
Spring Prediction: Miami 20, Florida State 17
LSU at Alabama
Saturday, November 9
Last year was a total wipeout – a 29-0 Bama win – and the 9-6 classic in 2011 was the last time LSU won in the series. Alabama is going to be the best team in college football, but even at home, giving LSU 17 is too spicy.
Spring Line: Alabama -17
Spring Prediction: Alabama 27, LSU 13
Iowa at Wisconsin
Saturday, November 9
Wisconsin has one three straight in the series, and all by more than a touchdown. Iowa will be terrific, but in Camp Randall – and assuming all the questionable parts turn into a positive for the Badgers – assume it’ll all be figured out.
Spring Line: Wisconsin -5.5
Spring Prediction: Wisconsin 26, Iowa 20
2019 Schedules, Early Predictions
American Athletic | Big Ten | Big 12
C-USA | Independents | MAC | M-West
Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt
Georgia at Auburn
Saturday, November 16
Auburn is not only getting nine at home, but it has a week off before the showdown. The Bulldogs will be coming off of dates against Florida and Missouri.
Spring Line: Georgia -9
Spring Prediction: Auburn 20, Georgia 17
Michigan State at Michigan
Saturday, November 16
This is a mistake, right? It’s a trick to suck you in … it has to be. Even with Michigan State struggling last year offensively, it still managed to battle Michigan in a 21-7 loss. Of course you take the Spartans +11 in this series. Of course.
Spring Line: Michigan -11
Spring Prediction: Michigan 23, Michigan State 20
UCLA at USC
Saturday, November 23
UCLA won last year and it’ll be a toss-up this season. Obviously, projecting out to Thanksgiving week is rough, but it’s enough of a question mark game to go with UCLA and the points, just in case Chip Kelly has it all figured out.
Spring Line: USC -6
Spring Prediction: USC 34, UCLA 30
Texas A&M at Georgia
Saturday, November 23
Texas A&M is going to be terrific, but Georgia will be better. The Aggies could absolutely win this outright, but if the world is giving you almost two touchdowns, you say thank you, and go on your way.
Spring Line: Georgia -13.5
Spring Prediction: Georgia 28, Texas A&M 20
TCU at Oklahoma
Saturday, November 23
Oklahoma put up 52 on the Horned Frogs in last year’s win. The Sooners will score, but 52? That’s not happening again, even with this as the third road game in four dates for Gary Patterson’s club.
Spring Line: Oklahoma -15
Spring Prediction: Oklahoma 38, TCU 27
Penn State at Ohio State
Saturday, November 23
Uhhhhhhhhh, each of the last two games between these two were decided by a point, and four of the last five were decided by a touchdown or less. Penn State will be better than the preseason types will predict.
Spring Line: Ohio State -10.5
Spring Prediction: Ohio State 31, Penn State 23
Texas Tech at Texas
Friday, November 29
It’s the regular season finale in Austin, and that’s not necessarily a plus. The home team has lost each of the last five games in the series, and eight points might be a lot in what should be an entertaining game. At least, it should be fun if everything goes right under new head man Matt Wells.
Spring Line: Texas -8
Spring Prediction: Texas 37, Texas Tech 30
Washington State at Washington
Friday, November 29
Washington has won six straight in the series, and all have been double-digit blowouts. There’s no reason to mess with a streak, especially with the Apple Cup being played in Seattle.
Spring Line: Washington -7
Spring Prediction: Washington 30, Washington State 20
Cincinnati at Memphis
Friday, November 29
Cincinnati hasn’t beaten Memphis since 2013, but they didn’t play last year and this is a whole new era of Bearcat football. Projecting out to late November, the seven is a big enough spread to go with UC, just in case it’s in for a second straight monster season.
Spring Line: Memphis -7
Spring Prediction: Memphis 34, Cincinnati 31
Ohio State at Michigan
Saturday, November 30
November 26, 2011. That was the last time Michigan beat Ohio State. You know what to do.
Spring Line: Michigan -3
Spring Prediction: Ohio State 34, Michigan 31
Alabama at Auburn
Saturday, November 30
Figuring out Alabama right now isn’t as easy as it should be. The Crimson Tide will probably go 12-0 – or at least 11-1 – but the rest of the SEC West can play, too. Bama lost to Auburn the last time it was in Jordan-Hare, but took down the Tigers 29-13 in 2015 and have won by more than 14 in three of the last four games. Even so, it’s the Iron Bowl, and it’s at Auburn.
Spring Line: Alabama -14
Spring Prediction: Alabama 30, Auburn 17
Army vs. Navy (in Philadelphia)
Saturday, December 7
Army might have taken over the series, but seven of the last eight games were decided by a touchdown or less, and a 34-7 Navy win in 2013 was the last blowout. 1990 was the last time Army won this thing by double-digits.
Spring Line: Army -10
Spring Prediction: Army 24, Navy 20
2019 Big Game Predictions
August/September | October
