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CollegeFootballNews.com

2021 College Football Predictions For All 130 Teams: Spring

College football schedules and spring predictions for all 130 teams with the realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis.

Contact @ColFootballNews

ACC Atlantic

– ACC Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– ACC 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Boston College Eagles

There’s a lot to like in Year Two under Jeff Hafley, the pass-heavy team should be stronger, and there’s a nice three game tune-up to get ready for the start of the real season that should under with one big thud. The Eagles will win one they shouldn’t lose one they shouldn’t, and go bowling with at least six wins.

2018: 7-5 2019: 6-7 2020: 6-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Colgate
Sept. 11 at UMass
Sept. 18 at Temple
Sept. 25 Missouri
Oct. 2 at Clemson
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 NC State
Oct. 23 at Louisville
Oct. 30 at Syracuse
Nov. 5 Virginia Tech
Nov. 13 at Georgia Tech
Nov. 20 Florida State
Nov. 27 Wake Forest
– Full Schedule Analysis

Clemson Tigers

It’s all up to the opener against Georgia. That’s the one realistic shot at a loss with a relatively easy-looking ACC slate with no North Carolina or Miami. With a polite nod to Alabama, this should be the best team in college football with nothing more than the annual way-too-close-call brain cramp – maybe at Louisville or Pitt – to worry about.

2018: 15-0 2019: 14-1 2020: 10-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 12-0
Realistic Worst Case Record: 9-3
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 12-0

Sept. 4 Georgia (in Charlotte)
Sept. 11 South Carolina State
Sept. 18 Georgia Tech
Sept. 25 at NC State
Oct. 2 Boston College
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 15 at Syracuse
Oct. 23 at Pitt
Oct. 30 Florida State
Nov. 6 at Louisville
Nov. 13 UConn
Nov. 20 Wake Forest
Nov. 27 at South Carolina
– Full Schedule Analysis

Florida State Seminoles

It’s Florida State – at some point it has to be good again. It’s not like the ACC is anything killer this year – the Noles will drop the road games to the strong Clemson and North Carolina teams – and there won’t be a win over Florida or Notre Dame. Start with those four losses and hope to push for six wins with few home blips and a win in one of the 50/50 road dates against Wake Forest or Boston College.

2018: 5-7 2019: 6-7 2020: 3-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 5 Notre Dame
Sept. 11 Jacksonville State
Sept. 18 at Wake Forest
Sept. 25 Louisville
Oct. 2 Syracuse
Oct. 9 at North Carolina
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 UMass
Oct. 30 at Clemson
Nov. 6 NC State
Nov. 13 Miami
Nov. 20 at Boston College
Nov. 27 at Florida
– Full Schedule Analysis

Louisville Cardinals

Considering Clemson is a home date, there isn’t a game on the slate the Cardinals can’t win. However, there are more than enough tough battles that could go either way to be concerned. There has to be a win over UCF, Virginia or Kentucky at home, or against Ole Miss in Atlanta to kick things off.

2018: 2-10 2019: 8-5 2020: 4-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 6 Ole Miss (in Atlanta)
Sept. 11 Eastern Kentucky
Sept. 17 UCF
Sept. 25 at Florida State
Oct. 2 at Wake Forest
Oct. 9 Virginia
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Boston College
Oct. 30 at NC State
Nov. 6 Clemson
Nov. 13 Syracuse
Nov. 18 at Duke
Nov. 27 Kentucky
– Full Schedule Analysis

NC State Wolfpack

There are enough winnable games to assume a bowl season, but can the Pack beat Mississippi State? Can they come off of their off week to beat Boston College on the road? It’ll take a big run late to go bowling, but they’ll get there.

2018: 9-4 2019: 4-8 2020: 8-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 2 USF
Sept. 11 at Mississippi State
Sept. 18 Furman
Sept. 25 Clemson
Oct. 2 Louisiana Tech
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Boston College
Oct. 23 at Miami
Oct. 30 Louisville
Nov. 6 at Florida State
Nov. 13 at Wake Forest
Nov. 20 Syracuse
Nov. 26 North Carolina
– Full Schedule Analysis

Syracuse Orange

Can the Orange block anyone? The O line has to come together fast. The season should come down to two home games – Rutgers and Liberty. There will be a few ACC wins, but the difference between a solid season or another dud will come down to the early September games. Go at least 3-1 to start, or there’s going to be a problem even with a relatively okay slate.

2018: 10-3 2019: 5-7 2020: 1-10
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 at Ohio
Sept. 11 Rutgers
Sept. 18 Albany
Sept. 24 Liberty
Oct. 2 at Florida State
Oct. 9 Wake Forest
Oct. 15 Clemson
Oct. 23 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 30 Boston College
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Louisville
Nov. 20 at NC State
Nov. 27 Pitt
– Full Schedule Analysis

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

You know exactly how this works under Dave Clawson. The Demon Deacons will overachieve and win a few ACC games in fun shootouts, they won’t have enough in a few of the bigger road games, and they’ll somehow work their way to six-to-eight wins on the way to a bowl game. However, there’s one big concern – North Carolina. It’s technically a non-conference game instead of playing some cream-puff to boost up the record.

2018: 7-6 2019: 8-4 2020: 4-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 3 Old Dominion
Sept. 11 Norfolk State
Sept. 18 Florida State
Sept. 24 at Virginia
Oct. 2 Louisville
Oct. 9 at Syracuse
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Army
Oct. 30 Duke
Nov. 6 at North Carolina*
Nov. 13 NC State
Nov. 20 at Clemson
Nov. 27 at Boston College
*Not considered an ACC game
– Full Schedule Analysis

ACC Coastal

– ACC Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– ACC 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Duke Blue Devils

There’s a base of three wins built into the cake – Charlotte, North Carolina A&T and Kansas – but where else are the Blue Devils going to make any noise without a massive overall improvement? There will be one win somewhere – like against Georgia Tech – and there will probably be an upset or two along the way, but they’ll be double-digit dogs for most of the ACC season.

2018: 8-5 2019: 5-7 2020: 2-9
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 4-8

Sept. 4 at Charlotte
Sept. 11 North Carolina A&T
Sept. 18 Northwestern
Sept. 25 Kansas
Oct. 2 at North Carolina
Oct. 9 Georgia Tech
Oct. 16 at Virginia
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Wake Forest
Nov. 6 Pitt
Nov. 13 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 18 Louisville
Nov. 27 Miami
– Full Schedule Analysis

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Have things started to turn under Geoff Collins? The Yellow Jackets should have more pieces in place, but it’s going to take a few upsets to push for a winning season. Playing Clemson, Notre Dame and Georgia are three losses and going to Miami and Virginia doesn’t help. At least North Carolina and Virginia Tech are at home.

2018: 7-6 2019: 3-9 2020: 3-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 4-8

Sept. 4 Northern Illinois
Sept. 11 Kennesaw State
Sept. 18 at Clemson
Sept. 25 North Carolina
Oct. 2 Pitt
Oct. 9 at Duke
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Virginia
Oct. 30 Virginia Tech
Nov. 6 at Miami
Nov. 13 Boston College
Nov. 20 at Notre Dame
Nov. 27 Georgia
– Full Schedule Analysis

Miami Hurricanes

Start with a loss to Alabama to kick things off, and be afraid of Appalachian State and Michigan State to follow. However, if this is going to be a great season, the Canes need to beat the Mountaineers and Spartans in Hard Rock. There’s no Clemson on the slate, going to Florida State shouldn’t be too tough, and there’s a week off before dealing with North Carolina.

2018: 7-6 2019: 6-7 2020: 8-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 Alabama (in Atlanta)
Sept. 11 Appalachian State
Sept. 18 Michigan State
Sept. 25 Central Connecticut
Sept. 30 Virginia
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at North Carolina
Oct. 23 NC State
Oct. 30 at Pitt
Nov. 6 Georgia Tech
Nov. 13 at Florida State
Nov. 20 Virginia Tech
Nov. 27 at Duke
– Full Schedule Analysis

North Carolina Tar Heels

It’s a weird-tough slate for the loaded Tar Heels. There isn’t anyone on the schedule they can’t beat – they don’t have to play Clemson – but Georgia State is the only non-ACCish non-conference game with the date at Notre Dame and home game against Wake Forest both not counting in the ACC standings.

2018: 2-9 2019: 7-6 2020: 8-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 2 at Virginia Tech
Sept. 11 Georgia State
Sept. 18 Virginia
Sept. 25 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 2 Duke
Oct. 9 Florida State
Oct. 16 Miami
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Notre Dame
Nov. 6 Wake Forest*
Nov. 11 at Pitt
Nov. 20 Wofford
Nov. 26 at NC State
*Not considered an ACC game
– Full Schedule Analysis

Pitt Panthers

It’s going to be another dangerous Pitt team that will be just good enough to shock someone along the way, and just off enough to not be 100% certain of anything special. It should come down to road games at Tennessee and Virginia Tech and home dates with Clemson, Miami, and North Carolina. The Panthers have to win at least two of those.

2018: 7-7 2019: 8-5 2020: 6-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 UMass
Sept. 11 at Tennessee
Sept. 18 Western Michigan
Sept. 25 New Hampshire
Oct. 2 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 23 Clemson
Oct. 30 Miami
Nov. 6 at Duke
Nov. 11 North Carolina
Nov. 20 Virginia
Nov. 27 at Syracuse
– Full Schedule Analysis

Virginia Cavaliers

It’s a dangerous schedule for a good team that’s going to have a hard time pushing for anything special. Win at home against William & Mary, Illinois, Wake Forest, Duke and Georgia Tech, and it’ll easily be a winning season. However, going to BYU won’t be a breeze, but there are only two road games after October 9th.

2018: 8-5 2019: 9-5 2020: 5-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 William & Mary
Sept. 11 Illinois
Sept. 18 at North Carolina
Sept. 24 Wake Forest
Sept. 30 at Miami
Oct. 9 at Louisville
Oct. 16 Duke
Oct. 23 Georgia Tech
Oct. 30 at BYU
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 Notre Dame
Nov. 20 at Pitt
Nov. 27 Virginia Tech
– Full Schedule Analysis

Virginia Tech Hokies

It’s the Xiest of X factor teams with so many new parts and so much uncertainty. Starting the season with North Carolina doesn’t help and going to West Virginia is a problem, but it’s not that bad an ACC slate even with four of the last five games on the road.

2018: 6-7 2019: 8-5 2020: 5-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 2 North Carolina
Sept. 11 Middle Tennessee
Sept. 18 at West Virginia
Sept. 25 Richmond
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 Notre Dame
Oct. 16 Pitt
Oct. 23 Syracuse
Oct. 30 at Georgia Tech
Nov. 5 at Boston College
Nov. 13 Duke
Nov. 20 at Miami
Nov. 27 at Virginia
– Full Schedule Analysis

Next: American Athletic

American Athletic Conference

– AAC Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– AAC 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Cincinnati Bearcats

The bar is set obscenely high now. With just about everyone back, the Bearcats can win at Indiana and taking out Notre Dame on the road isn’t unrealistic. There will likely be a loss along the way, and the wheels could come off with a possible loss to UCF and/or on the road at Navy or Tulane, but realistically, 11 wins is the bar.

2018: 11-2 2019: 11-3 2020: 9-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 12-0
Realistic Worst Case Record: 8-4
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 11-1

Sept. 4 Miami University
Sept. 11 Murray State
Sept. 18 at Indiana
Sept. 25 OPEN DATE
Oct. 2 at Notre Dame
Oct. 8 Temple
Oct. 16 UCF
Oct. 23 at Navy
Oct. 30 at Tulane
Nov. 6 Tulsa
Nov. 13 at USF
Nov. 20 SMU
Nov. 27 at East Carolina
– Full Schedule Analysis

East Carolina Pirates

The program has been overdue to be far, far better for far, far too long. The schedule is there to improve, but it’ll take a win over Appalachian State early or it’ll get ugly with road games at Marshall, UCF, Memphis, Houston and Navy.

2018: 3-9 2019: 4-8 2020: 3-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 4-8

Sept. 2 Appalachian State (in Charlotte)
Sept. 11 South Carolina
Sept. 18 at Marshall
Sept. 25 Charleston Southern
Oct. 2 Tulane
Oct. 9 at UCF
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Houston
Oct. 30 USF
Nov. 4 Temple
Nov. 13 at Memphis
Nov. 20 at Navy
Nov. 27 Cincinnati
– Full Schedule Analysis

Houston Cougars

There’s no Cincinnati or UCF, and Memphis is a home game – it’s not the schedule’s fault if Houston doesn’t finally rise up under Dana Holgorsen. Win against Texas Tech in the opener, and look out. There isn’t a game on the schedule that the Cougars won’t be favored in, but there could absolutely be a brain-cramp or three at Temple or Tulsa.

2018: 8-5 2019: 4-8 2020: 3-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 Texas Tech (in NRG Stadium)
Sept. 11 at Rice
Sept. 18 Grambling State
Sept. 25 Navy
Oct. 1 at Tulsa
Oct. 7 at Tulane
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 East Carolina
Oct. 30 SMU
Nov. 6 at USF
Nov. 13 at Temple
Nov. 19 Memphis
Nov. 27 at UConn
– Full Schedule Analysis

Memphis Tigers

It’s all there for Ryan Silverfield to take off in his second season at the helm, but there are just enough landmines to have problems. The Tigers could absolutely beat Mississippi State, but that’s a bit of a big ask. There’s no Cincinnati, but they have to go to UCF, Houston and Tulsa.

2018: 8-6 2019: 12-2 2020: 8-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 Nicholls
Sept. 11 at Arkansas State
Sept. 18 Mississippi State
Sept. 25 UTSA
Oct. 2 at Temple
Oct. 9 at Tulsa
Oct. 14 Navy
Oct. 22 at UCF
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 SMU
Nov. 13 East Carolina
Nov. 19 at Houston
Nov. 27 Tulane
– Full Schedule Analysis

Navy Midshipmen

Navy always has the ability to rise up and throw a curveball at the rest of the world, but there’s a long way to go to be better after an awful 2020. It’ll come down to the games against the service academies. At least split between the two, and the rest of the slate works out well enough to go bowling.

2018: 3-10 2019: 11-2 2020: 3-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 Marshall
Sept. 11 Air Force
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 at Houston
Oct. 2 UCF
Oct. 9 SMU
Oct. 14 at Memphis
Oct. 23 Cincinnati
Oct. 29 at Tulsa
Nov. 6 at Notre Dame
Nov. 13 OPEN DATE
Nov. 20 East Carolina
Nov. 27 at Temple
Dec. 4 OPEN DATE
Dec. 11 Army (in East Rutherford)
– Full Schedule Analysis

SMU Mustangs

Good team, BRUTAL schedule. The Mustangs have to go on the road to face Cincinnati, TCU, Houston and Memphis. If that’s not enough, they have to deal with UCF, Tulsa and Tulane. They’ll win their share, but it’ll be too much of a grind to hope for more than bowl eligibility.

2018: 5-7 2019: 10-3 2020: 7-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Abilene Christian
Sept. 11 North Texas
Sept. 18 at Louisiana Tech
Sept. 25 at TCU
Oct. 2 USF
Oct. 9 at Navy
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 21 Tulane
Oct. 30 at Houston
Nov. 6 at Memphis
Nov. 13 UCF
Nov. 20 at Cincinnati
Nov. 27 Tulsa
– Full Schedule Analysis

– AAC Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– AAC 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Temple Owls

Chalk up 2020 to being 2020. Temple is much better than a 1-6 program, and Rod Carey is too good a head coach to struggle that much again, but … it’s going to be tough. The Owls have to deal with Rutgers and Boston College, and the AAC slate is a bear. However, most of the tough games are at home.

2018: 8-5 2019: 8-5 2020: 1-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 4-8

Sept. 4 at Rutgers
Sept. 11 at Akron
Sept. 18 Boston College
Sept. 25 Wagner
Oct. 2 Memphis
Oct. 8 at Cincinnati
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at USF
Oct. 30 UCF
Nov. 6 at East Carolina
Nov. 13 Houston
Nov. 20 at Tulsa
Nov. 27 Navy
– Full Schedule Analysis

Tulane Green Wave

Willie Fritz has created a steady program that’s used to going bowling, but it’s going to take an upset somewhere to make that happen. There can’t be a misstep against UAB, and wins against Houston and Tulsa are a must with road games at Ole Miss, UCF, SMU and Memphis are a must with dates against Oklahoma and Cincinnati.

2018: 7-6 2019: 7-6 2020: 6-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 Oklahoma
Sept. 11 Morgan State
Sept. 18 at Ole Miss
Sept. 25 UAB
Oct. 2 at East Carolina
Oct. 7 Houston
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 21 at SMU
Oct. 30 Cincinnati
Nov. 6 at UCF
Nov. 13 Tulsa
Nov. 20 USF
Nov. 27 at Memphis
– Full Schedule Analysis

Tulsa Golden Hurricane

The magic will be tough to repeat with a schedule that starts out with road games at Oklahoma State and Ohio State in the first few weeks. There’s no layup in the AAC considering the USF game is in Tampa, and the three road games in the last four weeks are brutal.

2018: 3-9 2019: 4-8 2020: 6-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 2 UC Davis
Sept. 11 at Oklahoma State
Sept. 18 at Ohio State
Sept. 25 Arkansas State
Oct. 1 Houston
Oct. 9 Memphis
Oct. 16 at USF
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 29 Navy
Nov. 6 at Cincinnati
Nov. 13 at Tulane
Nov. 20 Temple
Nov. 27 at SMU
– Full Schedule Analysis

UCF Knights

Gus Malzahn should have a huge first season, even if UCF still has a little tweaking to do. There will be a loss or two along the way, the Knights have to go to Cincinnati and Louisville, but the schedule is manageable. The offensive explosion will be there to push for the AAC title.

2018: 12-1 2019: 10-3 2020: 6-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 8-4
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 10-2

Sept. 4 Boise State
Sept. 11 Bethune-Cookman
Sept. 17 at Louisville
Sept. 25 OPEN DATE
Oct. 2 at Navy
Oct. 9 East Carolina
Oct. 16 at Cincinnati
Oct. 22 Memphis
Oct. 30 at Temple
Nov. 6 Tulane
Nov. 13 at SMU
Nov. 20 UConn
Nov. 26 USF
– Full Schedule Analysis

USF Bulls

Jeff Scott had a whole lot of rebuilding to do in his first season, but the Bulls showed against UCF a glimpse of the offensive production that should come. The problem is a schedule without a whole lot of sure-thing wins, especially after digging an early hole with NC State, Florida and BYU all in September.

2018: 7-6 2019: 4-8 2020: 0-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 1-11
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 3-9

Sept. 2 at NC State
Sept. 11 Florida
Sept. 18 Florida A&M
Sept. 24 at BYU
Oct. 2 at SMU
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Tulsa
Oct. 23 Temple
Oct. 30 at East Carolina
Nov. 6 Houston
Nov. 12 Cincinnati
Nov. 20 at Tulane
Nov. 27 at UCF
– Full Schedule Analysis

Next: Big Ten

Big Ten East

– Big Ten Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– Big Ten 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Indiana Hoosiers

Here’s the problem. Indiana should be better – and more experienced – but the Big Ten should be stronger overall, and if it is, the schedule is a killer. Can the Hoosiers beat Cincinnati? If not, it’s going to be a grind considering the Maryland game is on the road. They’ll go bowling, but it’s asking a lot to beat Penn State and Michigan again.

2018: 5-7 2019: 8-5 2020: 6-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 at Iowa
Sept. 11 Idaho
Sept. 18 Cincinnati
Sept. 25 at WKU
Oct. 2 at Penn State
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Michigan State
Oct. 23 Ohio State
Oct. 30 at Maryland
Nov. 6 at Michigan
Nov. 13 Rutgers
Nov. 20 Minnesota
Nov. 27 at Purdue
– Full Schedule Analysis

Maryland Terrapins

Good luck trying to figure this team out. Will it all really come together under Mike Locksley, or will it be another wildly inconsistent team? The offense explosion should be there to push through to a few wins over teams like West Virginia and maybe Rutgers and Illinois, but it’ll take upsets to get through anyone else.

2018: 5-7 2019: 3-9 2020: 2-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 West Virginia
Sept. 11 Howard
Sept. 18 at Illinois
Sept. 25 Kent State
Oct. 2 Iowa
Oct. 9 at Ohio State
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Minnesota
Oct. 30 Indiana
Nov. 6 Penn State
Nov. 13 at Michigan State
Nov. 20 Michigan
Nov. 27 at Rutgers
– Full Schedule Analysis

Michigan Wolverines

Beat Washington, beat Washington, beat Washington. It’s a home game against a fantastic team from the Pac-12 – a win should mean a 4-0 start before going to Wisconsin. There’s a rough run of five road games in seven dates – including Penn State and Michigan State – but at least the Ohio State game is at home.

2018: 10-3 2019: 9-4 2020: 2-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 Western Michigan
Sept. 11 Washington
Sept. 18 Northern Illinois
Sept. 25 Rutgers
Oct. 2 at Wisconsin
Oct. 9 at Nebraska
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Northwestern
Oct. 30 at Michigan State
Nov. 6 Indiana
Nov. 13 at Penn State
Nov. 20 at Maryland
Nov. 27 Ohio State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Michigan State Spartans

Just how quickly can Mel Tucker turn this all around after a brutal 2020 start? The schedule isn’t all that miserable with no Wisconsin or Iowa from the West, but either take down Nebraska, Purdue and Maryland, or it’ll be tough to get to six wins and a bowl.

2018: 7-6 2019: 7-6 2020: 2-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 at Northwestern
Sept. 11 Youngstown State
Sept. 18 at Miami
Sept. 25 Nebraska
Oct. 2 WKU
Oct. 9 at Rutgers
Oct. 16 at Indiana
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Michigan
Nov. 6 at Purdue
Nov. 13 Maryland
Nov. 20 at Ohio State
Nov. 27 Penn State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Ohio State Buckeyes

Once again the talent level is head-and-shoulders above everyone else in the Big Ten, even if there’s a wee bit of an overhaul. There should be one bad day somewhere – maybe against Oregon, or Penn State, or even if everything crashes at Nebraska – but there’s no Wisconsin, Iowa or Northwestern from the West. Anything less than another Big Ten title will be a failure.

2018: 13-1 2019: 13-1 2020: 7-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 12-0
Realistic Worst Case Record: 9-3
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 11-1

Sept. 2 at Minnesota
Sept. 11 Oregon
Sept. 18 Tulsa
Sept. 25 Akron
Oct. 2 at Rutgers
Oct. 9 Maryland
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Indiana
Oct. 30 Penn State
Nov. 6 at Nebraska
Nov. 13 Purdue
Nov. 20 Michigan State
Nov. 27 at Michigan
– Full Schedule Analysis

Penn State Nittany Lions

Let’s just assume a bounce back to normal under James Franklin – the team really is that strong. The season starting at Wisconsin isn’t fun, but Auburn isn’t quite as nasty as it might seem. Going to Iowa is a problem, the Ohio State game is in Columbus, and ending at Michigan State might not be a layup.

2018: 9-4 2019: 11-2 2020: 4-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 at Wisconsin
Sept. 11 Ball State
Sept. 18 Auburn
Sept. 25 Villanova
Oct. 2 Indiana
Oct. 9 at Iowa
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Illinois
Oct. 30 at Ohio State
Nov. 6 at Maryland
Nov. 13 Michigan
Nov. 20 Rutgers
Nov. 27 at Michigan State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Scarlet Knights are at least going to be more competitive now under Greg Schiano, but after opening up against Temple, Syracuse and Delaware, they won’t be favored in any other games until the regular season finale against Maryland. There will be an upset somewhere, but don’t assume a win at Syracuse.

2018: 1-11 2019: 2-10 2020: 3-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 6-6
Realistic Worst Case Record: 1-11
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 4-8

Sept. 4 Temple
Sept. 11 at Syracuse
Sept. 18 Delaware
Sept. 25 at Michigan
Oct. 2 Ohio State
Oct. 9 Michigan State
Oct. 16 at Northwestern
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Illinois
Nov. 6 Wisconsin
Nov. 13 at Indiana
Nov. 20 at Penn State
Nov. 27 Maryland
– Full Schedule Analysis

Big Ten West

– Big Ten Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– Big Ten 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Illinois Fighting Illini

New head man Bret Bielema is inheriting a decent base, but it’s going to take a while to build this thing up. It’s going to be a struggle to pull off a win over anyone but UTSA early on, but there should be a victory somewhere when everything goes right, like against Rutgers and/or Maryland at home.

2018: 4-8 2019: 6-7 2020: 2-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 3-9

Aug. 28 Nebraska
Sept. 4 UTSA
Sept. 11 at Virginia
Sept. 18 Maryland
Sept. 25 at Purdue
Oct. 2 Charlotte
Oct. 9 Wisconsin
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Penn State
Oct. 30 Rutgers
Nov. 6 at Minnesota
Nov. 13 OPEN DATE
Nov. 20 at Iowa
Nov. 27 Northwestern
– Full Schedule Analysis

Iowa Hawkeyes

The talent should be there to make a push for the Big Ten West title, and not having to deal with Ohio State or Michigan from the East helps. With Indiana and at Iowa State, the season starts with a bang. Going to Wisconsin, Nebraska and Northwestern in the back half of the season is a bear, but at least there’s a week off before dealing with the Badgers.

2018: 9-4 2019: 10-3 2020: 6-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 Indiana
Sept. 11 at Iowa State
Sept. 18 Kent State
Sept. 25 Colorado State
Oct. 2 at Maryland
Oct. 9 Penn State
Oct. 16 Purdue
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Wisconsin
Nov. 6 at Northwestern
Nov. 13 Minnesota
Nov. 20 Illinois
Nov. 26 at Nebraska
– Full Schedule Analysis

Minnesota Golden Gophers

It’s not going to be a breeze for the Gophers. Part of the reason the 2019 team rocked two years ago was a forgivable non-conference schedule that allowed them to tune up. There isn’t that luxury this time around with Ohio State to start the season and a trip to Colorado a few weeks later. Fortunately, the Wisconsin and Nebraska games are at home, but they have to go to Northwestern, Iowa and Indiana in a brutal late run of three road games in four weeks.

2018: 7-6 2019: 11-2 2020: 3-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Ohio State
Sept. 11 Miami University
Sept. 18 at Colorado
Sept. 25 Bowling Green
Oct. 2 at Purdue
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Nebraska
Oct. 23 Maryland
Oct. 30 at Northwestern
Nov. 6 Illinois
Nov. 13 at Iowa
Nov. 20 at Indiana
Nov. 27 Wisconsin
– Full Schedule Analysis

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Where are all the superstar playmakers? They need to emerge fast with three road games in the first four including a trip to Oklahoma. If that wasn’t bad enough, Northwestern, Michigan, at Minnesota follows that up. If that wasn’t bed enough, the Huskers deal with Ohio State, Wisconsin and Iowa all in November.

2018: 4-8 2019: 5-7 2020: 3-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Aug. 28 at Illinois
Sept. 4 OPEN DATE
Sept. 11 Buffalo
Sept. 18 at Oklahoma
Sept. 25 at Michigan State
Oct. 2 Northwestern
Oct. 9 Michigan
Oct. 16 at Minnesota
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Purdue
Nov. 6 Ohio State
Nov. 13 SE Louisiana
Nov. 20 at Wisconsin
Nov. 26 Iowa
– Full Schedule Analysis

Northwestern Wildcats

The defending Big Ten West champs don’t have it all that bad over the first half of the season. There’s no Ohio State or Penn State to face, but there’s no facing Michigan or Wisconsin on the road. Home dates against Minnesota and Iowa should help keep the Cats in the West race.

2018: 9-5 2019: 3-9 2020: 7-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 Michigan State
Sept. 11 Indiana State
Sept. 18 at Duke
Sept. 25 Ohio
Oct. 2 at Nebraska
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Rutgers
Oct. 23 at Michigan
Oct. 30 Minnesota
Nov. 6 Iowa
Nov. 13 at Wisconsin
Nov. 20 Purdue (at Wrigley Field)
Nov. 27 at Illinois
– Full Schedule Analysis

Purdue Boilermakers

Can the Boilermakers get by Oregon State at home to open things up? If so, this should be a bowl season as long as they can hold serve more often than not in West Lafayette. There are just enough nasty games to keep this from being a special year, and there aren’t any major breaks over the second half of the campaign.

2018: 6-7 2019: 8-5 2020: 2-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Oregon State
Sept. 11 at UConn
Sept. 18 at Notre Dame
Sept. 25 Illinois
Oct. 2 Minnesota
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Iowa
Oct. 23 Wisconsin
Oct. 30 at Nebraska
Nov. 6 Michigan State
Nov. 13 at Ohio State
Nov. 20 at Northwestern (in Wrigley Field)
Nov. 27 Indiana
– Full Schedule Analysis

Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin has a bad habit lately of gacking away a game it really, really shouldn’t, but at the very least it should be favored in every game but the date against Notre Dame at Soldier Field in Chicago. Penn State and Michigan are on the slate, but they’re both coming to Camp Randall and there’s no Ohio State to face. Northwestern and Nebraska are home games, too.

2018: 8-5 2019: 10-4 2020: 4-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 10-2

Sept. 4 Penn State
Sept. 11 Eastern Michigan
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 Notre Dame (in Chicago)
Oct. 2 Michigan
Oct. 9 at Illinois
Oct. 16 Army
Oct. 23 at Purdue
Oct. 30 Iowa
Nov. 6 at Rutgers
Nov. 13 Northwestern
Nov. 20 Nebraska
Nov. 27 at Minnesota
– Full Schedule Analysis

Next: Big 12

Big 12

– Big 12 Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– Big 12 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Baylor Bears

Year Two under Dave Aranda should be better, but can Baylor build off what should be a big start? Expect nothing less than 3-0 before diving deep into the Big 12 season, and while there’s enough to hope for three more wins, it’ll be a push to get there.

2018: 7-6 2019: 11-3 2020: 2-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 at Texas State
Sept. 11 Texas Southern
Sept. 18 at Kansas
Sept. 25 Iowa State
Oct. 2 at Oklahoma State
Oct. 9 West Virginia
Oct. 16 BYU
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Texas
Nov. 6 at TCU
Nov. 13 Oklahoma
Nov. 20 at Kansas State
Nov. 27 Texas Tech
– Full Schedule Analysis

Iowa State Cyclones

Everyone will be in love with Iowa State with so much talent returning and coming off the breakthrough/breakout 2020, and the schedule should help keep it all going. The Iowa game is in Ames, and getting Texas at home helps, but they have to go to Oklahoma and watch out for the date at Kansas State.

2018: 8-5 2019: 7-6 2020: 9-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 Northern Iowa
Sept. 11 Iowa
Sept. 18 at UNLV
Sept. 25 at Baylor
Oct. 2 Kansas
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Kansas State
Oct. 23 Oklahoma State
Oct. 30 at West Virginia
Nov. 6 Texas
Nov. 13 at Texas Tech
Nov. 20 at Oklahoma
Nov. 27 TCU
– Full Schedule Analysis

Kansas Jayhawks

Let’s just say the program is in transition. It was going to be a rough campaign no matter what, and now it’s going to be tough to be anything other than the Big 12’s season-long free space. It doesn’t help that the two FBS non-conference games are at Duke and Coastal Carolina..

2018: 3-9 2019: 3-9 2020: 4-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 5-7
Realistic Worst Case Record: 1-11
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 1-11

Sept. 4 South Dakota
Sept. 11 at Coastal Carolina
Sept. 18 Baylor
Sept. 25 at Duke
Oct. 2 at Iowa State
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Texas Tech
Oct. 23 Oklahoma
Oct. 30 at Oklahoma State
Nov. 6 Kansas State
Nov. 13 at Texas
Nov. 20 at TCU
Nov. 27 West Virginia
– Full Schedule Analysis

Kansas State Wildcats

As always – to be trite – Kansas State can beat anyone on the schedule or lose to almost anyone depending on health. Playing Stanford and Nevada isn’t going to be easy in non-conference action, but Oklahoma, Iowa State and TCU all have to come to Manhattan.

2018: 5-7 2019: 8-5 2020: 4-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 Stanford (in Arlington)
Sept. 11 Southern Illinois
Sept. 18 Nevada
Sept. 25 at Oklahoma State
Oct. 2 Oklahoma
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Iowa State
Oct. 23 at Texas Tech
Oct. 30 TCU
Nov. 6 at Kansas
Nov. 13 West Virginia
Nov. 20 Baylor
Nov. 27 at Texas
– Full Schedule Analysis

Oklahoma Sooners

Where’s the loss? No offense to Nebraska – okay, maybe some – the non-conference slate is a relative breeze. There could be a problem at Kansas State and/or Oklahoma State, and Texas is always tough no matter what, but Iowa State and TCU have to come to Norman.

2018: 12-2 2019: 12-2 2020: 9-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 12-0
Realistic Worst Case Record: 8-4
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 11-1

Sept. 4 at Tulane
Sept. 11 Western Carolina
Sept. 18 Nebraska
Sept. 25 West Virginia
Oct. 2 at Kansas State
Oct. 9 Texas (in Dallas)
Oct. 16 TCU
Oct. 23 at Kansas
Oct. 30 Texas Tech
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Baylor
Nov. 20 Iowa State
Nov. 27 at Oklahoma State
– Full Schedule Analysis

– Big 12 Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– Big 12 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Oklahoma State Cowboys

It’ll be yet another dangerous Oklahoma State team under Mike Gundy … that should come up just short of the Big 12 Championship. Going to Boise State is dangerous, but if the Cowboys win there, they should be 5-0 going into a week off before a killer second half slate.

2018: 7-6 2019: 8-5 2020: 8-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 Missouri State
Sept. 11 Tulsa
Sept. 18 at Boise State
Sept. 25 Kansas State
Oct. 2 Baylor
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Texas
Oct. 23 at Iowa State
Oct. 30 Kansas
Nov. 6 at West Virginia
Nov. 13 TCU
Nov. 20 at Texas Tech
Nov. 27 Oklahoma
– Full Schedule Analysis

Texas Longhorns

There’s talent, there’s a new coach in Steve Sarkisian, and there’s a sneaky-interesting start with Louisiana and at Arkansas to kick things off. Here’s the big problem – the Longhorns have one home game from September 25th to November 13th.

2018: 10-4 2019: 8-5 2020: 7-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 Louisiana
Sept. 11 at Arkansas
Sept. 18 Rice
Sept. 25 Texas Tech
Oct. 2 at TCU
Oct. 9 Oklahoma (in Dallas)
Oct. 16 Oklahoma State
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Baylor
Nov. 6 at Iowa State
Nov. 13 Kansas
Nov. 20 at West Virginia
Nov. 27 Kansas State
– Full Schedule Analysis

TCU Horned Frogs

TCU was solid at times last year, and if it can get by Cal it should start out strong. There’s only one date outside of Texas – it’s not like Norman, Oklahoma is a long trip – but road games at Oklahoma State and Iowa State late will be a problem.

2018: 7-6 2019: 5-7 2020: 6-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Duquesne
Sept. 11 Cal
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 SMU
Oct. 2 Texas
Oct. 9 at Texas Tech
Oct. 16 at Oklahoma
Oct. 23 West Virginia
Oct. 30 at Kansas State
Nov. 6 Baylor
Nov. 13 at Oklahoma State
Nov. 20 Kansas
Nov. 27 at Iowa State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech should go bowling for the first time since 2017 with enough veterans back to matter and a schedule that should be okay enough to get to six wins. Beat Houston to open things up, and the Red Raiders will be 3-0 in non-conference play. They’ll find three wins in the Big 12.

2018: 5-7 2019: 4-8 2020: 4-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 at Houston
Sept. 11 Stephen F. Austin
Sept. 18 FIU
Sept. 25 at Texas
Oct. 2 at West Virginia
Oct. 9 TCU
Oct. 16 at Kansas
Oct. 23 Kansas State
Oct. 30 at Oklahoma
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 Iowa State
Nov. 20 Oklahoma State
Nov. 27 at Baylor
– Full Schedule Analysis

West Virginia Mountaineers

It would be nice to have more than one relatively easy non-conference game – going to Maryland and facing Virginia Tech will be tough – but the Mountaineers should be able to win one of those. The Iowa State and Texas games are at home, and having five Big 12 road games would be a problem if one wasn’t Kansas.

2018: 8-4 2019: 5-7 2020: 6-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 at Maryland
Sept. 11 LIU
Sept. 18 Virginia Tech
Sept. 25 at Oklahoma
Oct. 2 Texas Tech
Oct. 9 at Baylor
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at TCU
Oct. 30 Iowa State
Nov. 6 Oklahoma State
Nov. 13 at Kansas State
Nov. 20 Texas
Nov. 27 at Kansas
– Full Schedule Analysis

Next: Conference USA

Conference USA East

– C-USA Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– C-USA 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Charlotte 49ers

The 49ers weren’t able to do a whole lot last year in just six games, and it’s going to be a struggle without a whole lot of easy Conference USA games. They’ll be lucky to be favored in any FBS game until the regular season finale at Old Dominion.

2018: 5-7 2019: 7-6 2020: 2-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 6-6
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 4-8

Sept. 4 Duke
Sept. 11 Gardner-Webb
Sept. 18 at Georgia State
Sept. 25 Middle Tennessee
Oct. 2 at Illinois
Oct. 9 at FIU
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Florida Atlantic
Oct. 30 at WKU
Nov. 6 Rice
Nov. 13 at Louisiana Tech
Nov. 20 Marshall
Nov. 27 at Old Dominion
– Full Schedule Analysis

Florida Atlantic Owls

Willie Taggart is starting to get the guys together to make a good run at the Conference USA title, but it’ll be a bit of a fight to get everything going with dangerous games against Georgia Southern and Air Force in a tough September. The Conference USA slate isn’t bad outside of road games at UAB and WKU.

2018: 5-7 2019: 11-3 2020: 5-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 at Florida
Sept. 11 Georgia Southern
Sept. 18 Fordham
Sept. 25 at Air Force
Oct. 2 FIU
Oct. 9 at UAB
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Charlotte
Oct. 30 UTEP
Nov. 6 Marshall
Nov. 13 at Old Dominion
Nov. 20 at WKU
Nov. 27 Middle Tennessee
– Full Schedule Analysis

FIU Golden Panthers

After a disastrous winless 2020, the Golden Panthers should be a whole lot better, and they should get off to a much better start. Expect 2-0 before going on the road for three straight games. It’ll likely take owning all the home games in conference play to get bowl eligible.

2018: 9-4 2019: 6-7 2020: 0-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 2 Long Island
Sept. 11 Texas State
Sept. 18 at Texas Tech
Sept. 25 at Central Michigan
Oct. 2 at Florida Atlantic
Oct. 9 Charlotte
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 WKU
Oct. 30 at Marshall
Nov. 6 Old Dominion
Nov. 13 at Middle Tennessee
Nov. 20 North Texas
Nov. 27 at Southern Miss
– Full Schedule Analysis

Marshall Thundering Herd

New head coach Charles Huff gets handed a relatively light slate. There aren’t any games against Power Five programs, the UAB and WKU games are at home, and it might just take a win at Florida Atlantic to own the East. Beat Navy and Appalachian State early on, and this could be a special year.

2018: 9-4 2019: 8-5 2020: 7-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 at Navy
Sept. 11 NC Central
Sept. 18 East Carolina
Sept. 25 at Appalachian State
Oct. 2 at Middle Tennessee
Oct. 9 Old Dominion
Oct. 16 at North Texas
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 FIU
Nov. 6 at Florida Atlantic
Nov. 13 UAB
Nov. 20 at Charlotte
Nov. 27 WKU
– Full Schedule Analysis

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

It’s been an awful last two seasons for the Blue Raiders, and it might not start any better after a win over Monmouth to kick things off. There should be enough winnable games late to push for a bowl, but it’ll be a fight.

2018: 8-6 2019: 4-8 2020: 3-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 Monmouth
Sept. 11 at Virginia Tech
Sept. 18 at UTSA
Sept. 25 at Charlotte
Oct. 2 Marshall
Oct. 9 at Liberty
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at UConn
Oct. 30 Southern Miss
Nov. 6 at WKU
Nov. 13 FIU
Nov. 20 Old Dominion
Nov. 27 at Florida Atlantic
– Full Schedule Analysis

Old Dominion Monarchs

Welcome back, Old Dominion football. Ricky Rahne finally gets to start his era after the program didn’t play in 2020 – this will be one of the biggest X factor teams in Conference USA. It’s likely going to sputter in September, and it’ll be tough to be favored anywhere the rest of the way, but there should be at least three wins to build off of.

2018: 4-8 2019: 1-11 2020: 0-0
Realistic Best Case Record: 6-6
Realistic Worst Case Record: 1-11
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 3-9

Sept. 4 at Wake Forest
Sept. 11 Hampton
Sept. 18 at Liberty
Sept. 25 Buffalo
Oct. 2 at UTEP
Oct. 9 at Marshall
Oct. 16 WKU
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Louisiana Tech
Nov. 6 at FIU
Nov. 13 Florida Atlantic
Nov. 20 at Middle Tennessee
Nov. 27 Charlotte
– Full Schedule Analysis

WKU Hilltoppers

Okay, WKU – get your late 2019 groove back. The defense should be strong, the offense improved late last year, and there’s a warm-up against UT Martin to get ready for what should be an interesting year. It’ll be a rough first few games, but with Florida Atlantic at home and Marshall at the end, the Hilltoppers should build up a big base of wins in the middle of the season.

2018: 3-9 2019: 9-4 2020: 5-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 UT Martin
Sept. 11 at Army
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 Indiana
Oct. 2 at Michigan State
Oct. 9 UTSA
Oct. 16 at Old Dominion
Oct. 23 at FIU
Oct. 30 Charlotte
Nov. 6 Middle Tennessee
Nov. 13 at Rice
Nov. 20 Florida Atlantic
Nov. 27 at Marshall
– Full Schedule Analysis

Conference USA West

– C-USA Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– C-USA 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

The Bulldogs were in a rebuilding year anyway, so it might as well have been 2020. This year’s version should be much stronger, and the schedule should be a bit of a help as long as they can handle the road games against UAB and Rice.

2018: 8-5 2019: 10-3 2020: 5-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 at Mississippi State
Sept. 11 SE Louisiana
Sept. 18 SMU
Sept. 25 North Texas
Oct. 2 at NC State
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at UTEP
Oct. 23 UTSA
Oct. 30 at Old Dominion
Nov. 6 at UAB
Nov. 13 Charlotte
Nov. 20 Southern Miss
Nov. 27 at Rice
– Full Schedule Analysis

North Texas Mean Green

North Texas always finds a way to beat up the bad teams to get a halfway decent record, but this year’s schedule doesn’t have any real breaks. Home games against Marshall, UAB and Liberty are going to be a problem, and second half road dates at Rice, Southern Miss and FIU are all an issue.

2018: 9-4 2019: 4-8 2020: 4-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 3-9

Sept. 4 Northwestern State
Sept. 11 at SMU
Sept. 18 UAB
Sept. 25 at Louisiana Tech
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 at Missouri
Oct. 16 Marshall
Oct. 23 Liberty
Oct. 30 at Rice
Nov. 6 at Southern Miss
Nov. 13 UTEP
Nov. 20 at FIU
Nov. 27 UTSA
– Full Schedule Analysis

Rice Owls

Work with us here. Rice should be able to build on all of the positives growing under head coach Mike Bloomgren, however, there isn’t any one game that the Owls can’t lose other than the date with Texas Southern. Assume, though, that they’re strong enough to get through the Conference USA season with a big breakthrough year.

2018: 2-11 2019: 3-9 2020: 2-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 at Arkansas
Sept. 11 Houston
Sept. 18 at Texas
Sept. 25 Texas Southern
Oct. 2 Southern Miss
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at UTSA
Oct. 23 at UAB
Oct. 30 North Texas
Nov. 6 at Charlotte
Nov. 13 WKU
Nov. 20 at UTEP
Nov. 27 Louisiana Tech
– Full Schedule Analysis

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Southern Miss is starting over with Will Hall, and it has the ability to pull up out of the disaster or last year if it wins the home games it’s supposed to. The trio to Alabama is the only no-doubt loss. Everything else is winnable, but there will be a few dropped games along the way.

2018: 6-5 2019: 7-6 2020: 3-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 at South Alabama
Sept. 11 Grambling
Sept. 18 Troy
Sept. 25 at Alabama
Oct. 2 at Rice
Oct. 9 UTEP
Oct. 16 UAB
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Middle Tennessee
Nov. 6 North Texas
Nov. 13 at UTSA
Nov. 20 at Louisiana Tech
Nov. 27 FIU
– Full Schedule Analysis

UAB Blazers

UAB gets plenty of benefits of plenty of doubts at this point under head coach Bill Clark, but there should be a loss at Georgia and probably at Tulane and Marshall – everything else is winnable. The team is good enough to roll through the Conference USA slate, but there will be a few missteps on the way to another strong year.

2018: 11-3 2019: 9-5 2020: 6-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 Jacksonville State (in Montgomery)
Sept. 11 at Georgia
Sept. 18 at North Texas
Sept. 25 at Tulane
Oct. 2 Liberty
Oct. 9 Florida Atlantic
Oct. 16 at Southern Miss
Oct. 23 Rice
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 Louisiana Tech
Nov. 13 at Marshall
Nov. 20 at UTSA
Nov. 27 UTEP
– Full Schedule Analysis

UTEP Miners

Yeah, UTEP won three games last season and started to be more competitive, but two of the wins came against FCS teams and the other was against a ULM squad that went 0-10. Outside of the home date with Bethune-Cookman, it’s going to take something special to push past four wins without victories against Old Dominion, New Mexico and New Mexico State as a base.

2018: 1-11 2019: 1-11 2020: 3-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 6-6
Realistic Worst Case Record: 1-11
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 2-10

Aug. 28 at New Mexico State
Sept. 4 Bethune-Cookman
Sept. 11 at Boise State
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 New Mexico
Oct. 2 Old Dominion
Oct. 9 at Southern Miss
Oct. 16 Louisiana Tech
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Florida Atlantic
Nov. 6 UTSA
Nov. 13 at North Texas
Nov. 20 Rice
Nov. 27 at UAB
– Full Schedule Analysis

UTSA Roadrunners

Jeff Traylor came up with a strong 7-5 first season at the helm, but the schedule gets a lot more interesting this year if some of the key Conference USA teams are stronger. Can the Roadrunners get by Southern Miss, Rice and/or UAB at home? If they win two of those three, they’ll get to six wins.

2018: 3-9 2019: 4-8 2020: 7-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 at Illinois
Sept. 11 Lamar
Sept. 18 Middle Tennessee
Sept. 25 at Memphis
Oct. 2 UNLV
Oct. 9 at WKU
Oct. 16 Rice
Oct. 23 at Louisiana Tech
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 at UTEP
Nov. 13 Southern Miss
Nov. 20 UAB
Nov. 27 at North Texas
– Full Schedule Analysis

Next: Independents

Independents

– Ind Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– Ind 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Army Black Knights

It’ll be another good team under Jeff Monken, and there’s a nice base of winnable games to all but lock in a bowl appearance before the Navy game. So it’s all about big game hunting against Wake Forest and at Wisconsin to make a whole lot of national noise, but watch out for the dates against Ball State and Liberty on the road.

2018: 11-2 2019: 5-8 2020: 9-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 at Georgia State
Sept. 11 WKU
Sept. 18 UConn
Sept. 25 Miami University
Oct. 2 at Ball State
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Wisconsin
Oct. 23 Wake Forest
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 Air Force (in Arlington, TX)
Nov. 13 Bucknell
Nov. 20 UMass
Nov. 27 at Liberty
Dec. 4 OPEN DATE
Dec. 11 Navy (in East Rutherford, NJ)
– Full Schedule Analysis

BYU Cougars

Remember, last year BYU didn’t play any Power Five teams. It certainly wasn’t because of a lack of trying, but that certainly helped pump up the record. There’s no Zach Wilson around and now there are seven Power Five programs on the slate along with a tough road gambit Georgia Southern and home date with Boise State.

2018: 7-6 2019: 7-6 2020: 11-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 Arizona (in Las Vegas)
Sept. 11 Utah
Sept. 18 Arizona State
Sept. 24 USF
Oct. 1 at Utah State
Oct. 9 Boise State
Oct. 16 at Baylor
Oct. 23 at Washington State
Oct. 30 Virginia
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 Idaho State
Nov. 20 at Georgia Southern
Nov. 27 at USC
– Full Schedule Analysis

Liberty Flames

Don’t be the slightest bit shocked if we’re underestimating the Flames here – 12-0 is absolutely possible considering almost everyone is back. Yeah, they can beat Syracuse – they rolled last year – and on the right day they could shock Ole Miss on the road. Assume a few misfires. like against Louisiana and maybe in a fight at UAB, but …

2018: 6-6 2019: 8-5 2020: 10-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 Campbell
Sept. 11 at Troy
Sept. 18 Old Dominion
Sept. 24 at Syracuse
Oct. 2 at UAB
Oct. 9 Middle Tennessee
Oct. 16 at ULM
Oct. 23 at North Texas
Oct. 30 UMass
Nov. 6 at Ole Miss
Nov. 13 OPEN DATE
Nov. 20 Louisiana
Nov. 27 Army
– Full Schedule Analysis

New Mexico State Aggies

New Mexico State is getting the interesting advantage of playing a few spring games against FCS teams to build up the roster in a pumped up version of spring ball. It probably won’t matter against a schedule that’s not particularly tough, but should be hard to get past four wins if the Aggies don’t start with a win over UTEP.

2018: 3-9 2019: 2-10 2020: 1-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 4-8
Realistic Worst Case Record: 1-11
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 2-10

Aug. 28 UTEP
Sept. 4 at San Diego State
Sept. 11 at New Mexico
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 Hawaii
Oct. 2 at San Jose State
Oct. 9 at Nevada
Oct. 16 Dixie State
Oct. 23 at Hawaii
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 Utah State
Nov. 13 at Alabama
Nov. 20 at Kentucky
Nov. 27 UMass
– Full Schedule Analysis

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Fighting Irish are no longer a full-on ACC team, but the toe is still dipped in the water with five games against the league – but Clemson isn’t a part of it. There isn’t a game on the slate they can’t win, but there are landmines all over the place like the trip to Chicago to face Wisconsin and home dates with USC, North Carolina and Cincinnati.

2018: 12-1 2019: 11-2 2020: 10-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 12-0
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 10-2

Sept. 5 at Florida State
Sept. 11 Toledo
Sept. 18 Purdue
Sept. 25 Wisconsin (in Chicago)
Oct. 2 Cincinnati
Oct. 9 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 USC
Oct. 30 North Carolina
Nov. 6 Navy
Nov. 13 at Virginia
Nov. 20 Georgia Tech
Nov. 27 at Stanford
– Full Schedule Analysis

UConn Huskies

Yale, Holy Cross. Those have to be knocked down as wins, and then it’s all about the date at UMass. Everything else will take something special to get a win for a UConn program that’s still looking to find its place in the world. Not playing in 2020 didn’t help.

2018: 1-11 2019: 2-10 2020: 0-0
Realistic Best Case Record: 0-11
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 2-10

Aug. 28 at Fresno State
Sept. 4 Holy Cross
Sept. 11 Purdue
Sept. 18 at Army
Sept. 25 Wyoming
Oct. 2 at Vanderbilt
Oct. 9 at UMass
Oct. 16 Yale
Oct. 23 Middle Tennessee
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Clemson
Nov. 20 at UCF
Nov. 27 Houston
– Full Schedule Analysis

UMass Minutemen

UMass is going to struggle to find wins anywhere outside of FCS games against Rhode Island and Maine. The hope will be to take down UConn at home, and maybe get past New Mexico State on the road at the end of the run. Everything else should be ugly.

2018: 4-8 2019: 1-11 2020: 0-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 5-7
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 3-9

Sept. 4 at Pitt
Sept. 11 Boston College
Sept. 18 Eastern Michigan
Sept. 25 at Coastal Carolina
Oct. 2 Toledo
Oct. 9 UConn
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Florida State
Oct. 30 at Liberty
Nov. 6 Rhode Island
Nov. 13 Maine
Nov. 20 at Army
Nov. 27 at New Mexico State
– Full Schedule Analysis

NEXT: MAC

MAC East

– MAC Weekly Schedule Analysis, Top Ten Games
– MAC 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Akron Zips

There’s going to be a win against someone other than Bryant somewhere, but where? The Zips have to go to Bowling Green and it’ll take something magical to get by anyone else in a rough-looking MAC schedule with no Northern Illinois, Central Michigan or Eastern Michigan to face.

2018: 4-8 2019: 0-12 2020: 1-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 4-8
Realistic Worst Case Record: 1-11
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 1-11

Sept. 4 at Auburn
Sept. 11 Temple
Sept. 18 Bryant
Sept. 25 at Ohio State
Oct. 2 Ohio
Oct. 9 at Bowling Green
Oct. 16 at Miami University
Oct. 23 Buffalo
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 2 Ball State
Nov. 9 at Western Michigan
Nov. 20 Kent State
Nov. 27 at Toledo
– Full Schedule Analysis

Bowling Green Falcons

Sort of like Akron, there’s going to be a win over someone other than Murray State somewhere, and it’s probably going to come against Akron at home. There’s a chance the Falcons really have improved in a big way in Scot Loeffler’s third year, but it’s going to take something massive for that to happen.

2018: 3-9 2019: 3-9 2020: 0-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 1-11
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 2-10

Sept. 4 at Tennessee
Sept. 11 South Alabama
Sept. 18 Murray State
Sept. 25 at Minnesota
Oct. 2 at Kent State
Oct. 9 Akron
Oct. 16 at Northern Illinois
Oct. 23 Eastern Michigan
Oct. 30 at Buffalo
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 10 Toledo
Nov. 16 at Miami University
Nov. 26 Ohio
– Full Schedule Analysis

Buffalo Bulls

It’s not going to be a lovely walk in the park, but Nebraska is the only Power Five game and there’s no Toledo to face from the West. The problem will be the November road games against Miami University and Ball State, but the first half of the season isn’t bad if the Bulls can get by Coastal Carolina and/or Western Michigan and/or Ohio.

2018: 10-4 2019: 8-5 2020: 6-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 2 Wagner
Sept. 11 at Nebraska
Sept. 18 Coastal Carolina
Sept. 25 at Old Dominion
Oct. 2 Western Michigan
Oct. 9 at Kent State
Oct. 16 Ohio
Oct. 23 at Akron
Oct. 30 Bowling Green
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 9 at Miami University
Nov. 17 Northern Illinois
Nov. 23 at Ball State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Kent State Golden Flashes

Assume losses to Texas A&M, Iowa and Maryland on the road, and assume wins over VMI, Northern Illinois and Bowling Green at home and Akron on the road. Those other five games are mostly toss-ups, but there should be enough winnable games to get to six and bowl eligibility.

2018: 5-7 2019: 7-6 2020: 3-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 at Texas A&M
Sept. 11 VMI
Sept. 18 at Iowa
Sept. 25 at Maryland
Oct. 2 Bowling Green
Oct. 9 Buffalo
Oct. 16 at Western Michigan
Oct. 23 at Ohio
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 3 Northern Illinois
Nov. 10 at Central Michigan
Nov. 20 at Akron
Nov. 27 Miami University
– Full Schedule Analysis

Miami University RedHawks

The RedHawks should be able to find a way to get to six wins, but it’ll be a fight. Starting out with September road games at Cincinnati, Minnesota and Army isn’t a plus, and the Akron and Bowling Green games at home means some of the 50/50 MAC games are on the road.

2018: 6-6 2019: 8-6 2020: 2-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 at Cincinnati
Sept. 11 at Minnesota
Sept. 18 LIU
Sept. 25 at Army
Oct. 2 Central Michigan
Oct. 9 Eastern Michigan
Oct. 16 Akron
Oct. 23 at Ball State
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 2 at Ohio
Nov. 9 Buffalo
Nov. 16 Bowling Green
Nov. 27 at Kent State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Ohio Bobcats

Frank Solich’s team will have a problem getting off to a good start with Syracuse, at Louisiana and at Northwestern before October, but the MAC slate isn’t all that bad with Buffalo the toughest road game. There’s no Ball State or Western Michigan from the West – there’s no excuse to not get to six wins.

2018: 9-4 2019: 7-6 2020: 2-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Syracuse
Sept. 11 Duquesne
Sept. 18 at Louisiana
Sept. 25 at Northwestern
Oct. 2 at Akron
Oct. 9 Central Michigan
Oct. 16 at Buffalo
Oct. 23 Kent State
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 2 Miami University
Nov. 9 at Eastern Michigan
Nov. 16 Toledo
Nov. 26 at Bowling Green
– Full Schedule Analysis

MAC West

– MAC Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch

Ball State Cardinals

2020 wasn’t totally awful for everyone. Ball State had a terrific season with a MAC Championship and bowl win, but it’ll be a stretch to do that again with road games against Penn State and Wyoming early, and a brutal run of four road games in five dates in MAC play. There aren’t enough layup home games to get comfortable.

2018: 4-8 2019: 5-7 2020: 7-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 2 Western Illinois
Sept. 11 at Penn State
Sept. 18 at Wyoming
Sept. 25 Toledo
Oct. 2 Army
Oct. 9 at Western Michigan
Oct. 16 at Eastern Michigan
Oct. 23 Miami University
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 2 at Akron
Nov. 10 at Northern Illinois
Nov. 17 Central Michigan
Nov. 23 Buffalo
– Full Schedule Analysis

Central Michigan Chippewas

The Chippewas should be a bit stronger in Jim McElwain’s third season, but the team will catch a beating early on with road games at Missouri and LSU. Making matters worse, the MAC season starts out with two straight tough dates. They’ll be good enough to pull off a good conference road win to push for bowl eligibility.

2018: 1-11 2019: 8-6 2020: 3-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 at Missouri
Sept. 11 Robert Morris
Sept. 18 at LSU
Sept. 25 FIU
Oct. 2 at Miami University
Oct. 9 at Ohio
Oct. 16 Toledo
Oct. 23 Northern Illinois
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 3 at Western Michigan
Nov. 10 Kent State
Nov. 17 at Ball State
Nov. 26 Eastern Michigan
– Full Schedule Analysis

Eastern Michigan Eagles

EMU had a setback season in the short 2020 run, but it’ll still be competitive and good enough to hang with anyone in the MAC. Unlike most conference teams, September should be fun with three winnable games, and it’ll need them with a rough conference slate in the final two months.

2018: 7-6 2019: 6-7 2020: 2-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 3 Saint Francis
Sept. 11 at Wisconsin
Sept. 18 at UMass
Sept. 25 Texas State
Oct. 2 at Northern Illinois
Oct. 9 Miami University
Oct. 16 Ball State
Oct. 23 at Bowling Green
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 2 at Toledo
Nov. 9 Ohio
Nov. 16 Western Michigan
Nov. 26 at Central Michigan
– Full Schedule Analysis

Northern Illinois Huskies

It might have been a brutal 2020 for Thomas Hammock’s team, but it’s the MAC – it’s easy to go from zero to championship in a snap. The program is too good to be that bad again, but it should be a rough first half of the season and without enough layup wins in the second half to make up for it.

2018: 8-6 2019: 5-7 2020: 0-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 6-6
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 4-8

Sept. 4 at Georgia Tech
Sept. 11 Wyoming
Sept. 18 at Michigan
Sept. 25 Maine
Oct. 2 Eastern Michigan
Oct. 9 at Toledo
Oct. 16 Bowling Green
Oct. 23 at Central Michigan
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 3 at Kent State
Nov. 10 Ball State
Nov. 17 at Buffalo
Nov. 23 Western Michigan
– Full Schedule Analysis

Toledo Rockets

A disappointment over the last few seasons – the program should always be in the MAC Championship mix – there’s a chance to roar out of the gate with – possibly – a 5-1 start if it can get by Colorado State at home. Missing Buffalo, Kent State and Miami University from the East is a big plus.

2018: 7-6 2019: 6-6 2020: 4-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Aug. 31 at Kentucky
Sept. 7 OPEN DATE
Sept. 14 Murray State
Sept. 21 at Colorado State
Sept. 28 BYU
Oct. 5 Western Michigan
Oct. 12 at Bowling Green
Oct. 19 at Ball State
Oct. 26 Eastern Michigan
Nov. 2 OPEN DATE
Nov. 5 Kent State
Nov. 13 Northern Illinois
Nov. 20 at Buffalo
Nov. 29 at Central Michigan
– Full Schedule Analysis

Western Michigan Broncos

In normal times, the home game against San Jose State would be a layup – not anymore. The Spartans will be strong again, the MAC opener is at Buffalo, and it all means a possible 1-4 start before dealing with defending conference champions Ball State. There will be enough wins to go bowling, but it’s not going to be easy.

2018: 7-6 2019: 7-6 2020: 4-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 at Michigan
Sept. 11 Illinois State
Sept. 18 at Pitt
Sept. 25 San Jose State
Oct. 2 at Buffalo
Oct. 9 Ball State
Oct. 16 Kent State
Oct. 23 at Toledo
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 3 Central Michigan
Nov. 9 Akron
Nov. 16 at Eastern Michigan
Nov. 23 at Northern Illinois
– Full Schedule Analysis

NEXT: Mountain West

Mountain West: Mountain

– Mountain West Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– Mountain West 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Air Force Falcons

Like always, Air Force has to replace a slew of parts. And like always, it’s Air Force, so everything is going to be fine thanks to the style. The start of the season couldn’t be much easier, but it gets tough in a hurry. Boise State and Nevada are on the road, there’s San Diego State from the West, and the Army game doesn’t help.

2018: 5-7 2019: 11-2 2020: 3-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 Lafayette
Sept. 11 at Navy
Sept. 18 Utah State
Sept. 25 Florida Atlantic
Oct. 2 at New Mexico
Oct. 9 Wyoming
Oct. 16 at Boise State
Oct. 23 San Diego State
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 Army (in Arlington, TX)
Nov. 13 at Colorado State
Nov. 20 at Nevada
Nov. 27 UNLV
– Full Schedule Analysis

Boise State Broncos

New pressure, new head coach Andy Avalos, but either you win the Mountain West title or the season is lost. Going to UCF and facing Oklahoma State early on should sharpen things up, and going to BYU doesn’t help. In conference play, the Broncos should be okay with Nevada at home and no San Jose State to face.

2018: 10-3 2019: 12-2 2020: 5-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 at UCF
Sept. 11 UTEP
Sept. 18 Oklahoma State
Sept. 25 at Utah State
Oct. 2 Nevada
Oct. 9 at BYU
Oct. 16 Air Force
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Colorado State
Nov. 6 at Fresno State
Nov. 13 Wyoming
Nov. 20 New Mexico
Nov. 27 at San Diego State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Colorado State Rams

The 2020 Colorado State season was never able to get started, but Steve Addazio has most of the key parts returning and with some of the best lines the program has had in a while. Can the team win the 50/50 games? Outside of the trip to Iowa, there isn’t a sure-thing loss, but the back half of the Mountain West schedule is a problem.

2018: 3-9 2019: 4-8 2020: 1-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 South Dakota State
Sept. 11 Vanderbilt
Sept. 18 at Toledo
Sept. 25 at Iowa
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 San Jose State
Oct. 16 at New Mexico
Oct. 23 at Utah State
Oct. 30 Boise State
Nov. 6 at Wyoming
Nov. 13 Air Force
Nov. 20 at Hawaii
Nov. 27 Nevada
– Full Schedule Analysis

New Mexico Lobos

Going 2-5 might not seem like anything special, but head man Danny Gonzales appeared to give the program hope with a few good wins to close out 2020. There should be enough early wins to be interesting, but it’ll be tough to get to six wins without a big upset in Mountain West play.

2018: 3-9 2019: 2-10 2020: 2-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 6-6
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 2 Houston Baptist
Sept. 11 New Mexico State
Sept. 18 at Texas A&M
Sept. 25 at UTEP
Oct. 2 Air Force
Oct. 9 at San Diego State
Oct. 16 Colorado State
Oct. 23 at Wyoming
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 UNLV
Nov. 13 at Fresno State
Nov. 20 at Boise State
Nov. 27 Utah State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Utah State Aggies

Utah State will be one of the toughest Mountain West teams to call under new head man Blake Anderson – it might not take that much tweaking to get back to bowl-normal. There’s enough experience to get to six wins, but it might come down to the regular season finale at New Mexico.

2018: 11-2 2019: 7-6 2020: 1-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 at Washington State
Sept. 11 North Dakota
Sept. 18 at Air Force
Sept. 25 Boise State
Oct. 1 BYU
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at UNLV
Oct. 23 Colorado State
Oct. 30 Hawaii
Nov. 6 at New Mexico State
Nov. 13 at San Jose State
Nov. 20 Wyoming
Nov. 27 at New Mexico
– Full Schedule Analysis

Wyoming Cowboys

Start with a base of three wins against Montana State, Northern Illinois and UConn – even though the last two are on the road – and assume at least one home win because of Laramie weather. It’s one of the league’s most experienced teams and it should be in the Mountain Division title chase until the end.

2018: 6-6 2019: 8-5 2020: 2-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 Montana State
Sept. 11 at Northern Illinois
Sept. 18 Ball State
Sept. 25 at UConn
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 at Air Force
Oct. 16 Fresno State
Oct. 23 New Mexico
Oct. 30 at San Jose State
Nov. 6 Colorado State
Nov. 13at Boise State
Nov. 20 at Utah State
Nov. 27 Hawaii
– Full Schedule Analysis

Mountain West: West

– Mountain West Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– Mountain West 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Fresno State Bulldogs

Which version of the 2020 Fresno State team will show up? The offense should put up a big year, but the defense has to be far stronger. There’s a nice base of wins built in against UConn, Cal Poly and UNLV, and the team should be good enough to get to a bowl even with a rough back half of the season.

2018: 12-2 2019: 4-8 2020: 3-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Aug. 28 UConn
Sept. 4 at Oregon
Sept. 11 Cal Poly
Sept. 18 at UCLA
Sept. 25 UNLV
Oct. 2 at Hawaii
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Wyoming
Oct. 23 Nevada
Oct. 30 at San Diego State
Nov. 6 Boise State
Nov. 13 New Mexico
Nov. 20 OPEN DATE
Nov. 27 at San Jose State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors

It was an interesting first season under Todd Graham, but there wasn’t a lot of consistency. This year’s version will win enough home games to get to a bowl, but there has to be one thing that works and the passing game has to return. One or two road wins over a UNLV and/or Utah State makes things interesting.

2018: 8-6 2019: 10-5 2020: 5-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-6

Aug. 28 at UCLA
Sept. 4 Portland State
Sept. 11 at Oregon State
Sept. 18 San Jose State
Sept. 25 at New Mexico State
Oct. 2 Fresno State
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Nevada
Oct. 23 New Mexico State
Oct. 30 at Utah State
Nov. 6 San Diego State
Nov. 13 at UNLV
Nov. 20 Colorado State
Nov. 27 at Wyoming
– Full Schedule Analysis

Nevada Wolf Pack

Can Nevada be every bit as strong as last year’s version that put up massive offensive numbers? The passing game will be great, but it might not be enough to beat Cal, Kansas State or Boise State on the road. It should be solid enough to roll through just about everyone else.

2018: 8-5 2019: 7-6 2020: 7-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 at Cal
Sept. 11 Idaho State
Sept. 18 at Kansas State
Sept. 25 OPEN DATE
Oct. 2 at Boise State
Oct. 9 New Mexico State
Oct. 16 Hawaii
Oct. 23 at Fresno State
Oct. 30 UNLV
Nov. 6 San Jose State
Nov. 13 at San Diego State
Nov. 20 Air Force
Nov. 27 at Colorado State
– Full Schedule Analysis

San Diego State Aztecs

This might not be a juggernaut in Brady Hoke’s second season, but the schedule works out well enough to come up with a strong record if there’s a win at Arizona and the team can at least split the home games against Nevada and Boise State. Going to San Jose State and Hawaii in West play is tough.

2018: 7-6 2019: 10-3 2020: 4-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 New Mexico State
Sept. 11 at Arizona
Sept. 18 Utah
Sept. 25 Towson
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 New Mexico
Oct. 16 at San Jose State
Oct. 23 at Air Force
Oct. 30 Fresno State
Nov. 6 at Hawaii
Nov. 13 Nevada
Nov. 20 at UNLV
Nov. 27 Boise State
– Full Schedule Analysis

San Jose State Spartans

There’s always the chance that San Jose State regresses back to being San Jose State, but with so much experience returning from last year’s Mountain West champion, and with no Boise State or Air Force to face from the Mountain, it should be another strong year. Going to Nevada is the problem in the West, but San Diego State is a home date.

2018: 1-11 2019: 5-7 2020: 7-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Aug. 28 Southern Utah
Sept. 4 at USC
Sept. 11 OPEN DATE
Sept. 18 at Hawaii
Sept. 25 at Western Michigan
Oct. 2 New Mexico State
Oct. 9 at Colorado State
Oct. 16 San Diego State
Oct. 23 at UNLV
Oct. 30 Wyoming
Nov. 6 at Nevada
Nov. 13 Utah State
Nov. 20 OPEN DATE
Nov. 27 Fresno State
– Full Schedule Analysis

UNLV Rebels

The Marcus Arroyo era didn’t get off to a rousing start with a 0-6 2020, but there’s a decent building job happening with just enough winnable games to hope to show off a little hope. However, Eastern Washington isn’t a layup to kick things off, and the winnable games like UTSA and New Mexico are on the road.

2018: 4-8 2019: 4-8 2020: 0-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 3-9

Sept. 2 Eastern Washington
Sept. 11 at Arizona State
Sept. 18 Iowa State
Sept. 25 at Fresno State
Oct. 2 at UTSA
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Utah State
Oct. 23 San Jose State
Oct. 30 at Nevada
Nov. 6 at New Mexico
Nov. 13 Hawaii
Nov. 20 San Diego State
Nov. 27 at Air Force
– Full Schedule Analysis

Next: Pac-12

Pac-12 North

– Pac-12 Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– Pac-12 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Cal Golden Bears

The Bears had almost no luck whatsoever in 2020, and once again the schedule is just tough enough to keep Justin Wilcox’s team from having a special season. As long as the Bears can take care of home – and that might have to include wins against Nevada and USC – they should go bowling even with road games at Oregon and Washington.

2018: 7-6 2019: 8-5 2020: 1-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Nevada
Sept. 11 at TCU
Sept. 18 Sacramento State
Sept. 25 at Washington
Oct. 2 Washington State
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 15 at Oregon
Oct. 23 Colorado
Oct. 30 Oregon State
Nov. 6 at Arizona
Nov. 13 USC
Nov. 20 at Stanford
Nov. 27 at UCLA
– Full Schedule Analysis

Oregon Ducks

If a team can be disappointing as the Pac-12 champion, Oregon was it. However, the talent is in place to do a whole lot more and be a factor in the College Football Playoff race as long as the team doesn’t brain-cramp along the way. Going to Ohio State doesn’t help, and traveling to Washington is a problem, but there’s no Arizona State or USC from the South.

2018: 9-4 2019: 12-2 2020: 4-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 8-4
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 10-2

Sept. 4 Fresno State
Sept. 11 at Ohio State
Sept. 18 Stony Brook
Sept. 25 Arizona
Oct. 2 at Stanford
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 15 Cal
Oct. 23 at UCLA
Oct. 30 Colorado
Nov. 6 at Washington
Nov. 13 Washington State
Nov. 20 at Utah
Nov. 27 Oregon State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Oregon State Beavers

In a year when so many teams are loaded with talented veteran, Oregon State loses just enough to take a step back. Going to Purdue to start the season isn’t a plus, and having to go to both USC and Oregon hurts. There will be an upset or two along the way, but there will be just enough misfires to struggle for six wins.

2018: 2-10 2019: 5-7 2020: 2-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 at Purdue
Sept. 11 Hawaii
Sept. 18 Idaho
Sept. 25 at USC
Oct. 2 Washington
Oct. 9 at Washington State
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Utah
Oct. 30 at Cal
Nov. 6 at Colorado
Nov. 13 Stanford
Nov. 20 Arizona State
Nov. 27 at Oregon
– Full Schedule Analysis

Stanford Cardinal

Team: good. Schedule: absolutely brutal. The Cardinal have the distinction of playing an all-Power Five schedule including a trip to Vanderbilt and date with Kansas State in Arlington. To make matters worse, they play USC on the road and have to play Notre Dame again. On the positive side, Oregon and Washington are at home.

2018: 9-4 2019: 4-8 2020: 4-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Kansas State (in Arlington)
Sept. 11 at USC
Sept. 18 at Vanderbilt
Sept. 25 UCLA
Oct. 2 Oregon
Oct. 8 at Arizona State
Oct. 16 at Washington State
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Washington
Nov. 5 Utah
Nov. 13 at Oregon State
Nov. 20 Cal
Nov. 27 Notre Dame
– Full Schedule Analysis

Washington Huskies

Jimmy Lake has a strong team coming back in his second season, and it’s going to get challenged early with a trip to Michigan in Week 2. The Pac-12 season starts out reasonably well, Oregon comes to Seattle, and best of all, there’s no USC or Utah – probably the two best teams from the South.

2018: 10-4 2019: 8-5 2020: 3-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 Montana
Sept. 11 at Michigan
Sept. 18 Arkansas State
Sept. 25 Cal
Oct. 2 at Oregon State
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 UCLA
Oct. 22 at Arizona
Oct. 30 at Stanford
Nov. 6 Oregon
Nov. 13 Arizona State
Nov. 20 at Colorado
Nov. 26 Washington State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Washington State Cougars

It’ll be an interesting team for Nick Rolovich’s second season. The skill guys are great, the O line should be fine, and the schedule is relatively manageable with two easy non-conference games and a home date with BYU. Oregon and Washington are on the road, but six of the first eight games are in Pullman.

2018: 11-2 2019: 6-7 2020: 1-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Utah State
Sept. 11 Portland State
Sept. 18 USC
Sept. 25 at Utah
Oct. 2 at Cal
Oct. 9 Oregon State
Oct. 16 Stanford
Oct. 23 BYU
Oct. 30 at Arizona State
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Oregon
Nov. 19 Arizona
Nov. 26 at Washington
– Full Schedule Analysis

Pac-12 South

– Pac-12 Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– Pac-12 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Arizona Wildcats

Jedd Fisch was a great get with terrific early returns as the new head coach, but he’s got a lot of work to do. There’s going to be a defense under this coaching staff, but where are the sure-thing wins? The Wildcats will be underdogs against everyone but Northern Arizona.

2018: 5-7 2019: 4-8 2020: 0-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 1-11
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 3-9

Sept. 4 BYU (in Las Vegas)
Sept. 11 San Diego State
Sept. 18 Northern Arizona
Sept. 25 at Oregon
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 UCLA
Oct. 16 at Colorado
Oct. 22 Washington
Oct. 30 at USC
Nov. 6 Cal
Nov. 13 Utah
Nov. 20 at Washington State
Nov. 27 at Arizona State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Arizona State Sun Devils

Lost in the Herm Edwards era so far is how the team hasn’t quite been able to rock yet. This might be the season with QB Jayden Daniels and a great D to work around. If ASU can get by BYU, the non-conference slate is a breeze, USC is a home game, and there’s no Oregon from the North.

2018: 7-6 2019: 8-5 2020: 2-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 2 Southern Utah
Sept. 11 UNLV
Sept. 18 at BYU
Sept. 25 Colorado
Oct. 2 at UCLA
Oct. 8 Stanford
Oct. 16 at Utah
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Washington State
Nov. 6 USC
Nov. 13 at Washington
Nov. 20 at Oregon State
Nov. 27 Arizona
– Full Schedule Analysis

Colorado Buffaloes

There’s hope after a strong first season under Karl Dorrell, but 2021 has one big issue – the schedule is a bear. The team should be fine – it’s a young group with a whole lot of promise – but the Buffs don’t catch too much of a break in conference play, and playing Minnesota and Texas A&M doesn’t help.

2018: 5-7 2019: 5-7 2020: 4-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 4-8

Sept. 3 Northern Colorado
Sept. 11 Texas A&M (in Denver)
Sept. 18 Minnesota
Sept. 25 at Arizona State
Oct. 2 USC
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Arizona
Oct. 23 at Cal
Oct. 30 at Oregon
Nov. 6 Oregon State
Nov. 13 at UCLA
Nov. 20 Washington
Nov. 26 at Utah
– Full Schedule Analysis

UCLA Bruins

By far this should be the best UCLA team yet under Chip Kelly. There’s experience, talent, the lines are strong, and … the schedule is a problem. Getting LSU as a non-conference game doesn’t help, and missing Oregon State and Washington State – likely the two lightest teams – from the North hurts. There’s can’t be a slip anywhere to have any hope of getting to six wins.

2018: 3-9 2019: 4-8 2020: 3-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Aug. 28 Hawaii
Sept. 4 LSU
Sept. 11 OPEN DATE
Sept. 18 Fresno State
Sept. 25 at Stanford
Oct. 2 Arizona State
Oct. 9 at Arizona
Oct. 16 at Washington
Oct. 23 Oregon
Oct. 30 at Utah
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 Colorado
Nov. 20 at USC
Nov. 27 Cal
– Full Schedule Analysis

USC Trojans

The team might have lost a ton of talent, but there’s enough in place to be in the Pac-12 title hunt again. The Trojans might have to go to Notre Dame, Arizona State and Colorado, but there’s no Oregon or Washington from the North – Merry Christmas. There will be a few losses along the way – there’s just enough missing to be a problem – but it’ll be a good year. Not amazing, but good.

2018: 5-7 2019: 8-5 2020: 5-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 San Jose State
Sept. 11 Stanford
Sept. 18 at Washington State
Sept. 25 Oregon State
Oct. 2 at Colorado
Oct. 9 Utah
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 at Notre Dame
Oct. 30 Arizona
Nov. 6 at Arizona State
Nov. 13 at Cal
Nov. 20 UCLA
Nov. 27 BYU
– Full Schedule Analysis

Utah Utes

The Utes never really got their season going thanks to a late start and time needed to put everything together. Watch out this season with former Baylor QB Charlie Brewer likely working be hind a killer offensive front. There are just enough landmines to keep this from being a special year, but the talent is there to win the South.

2018: 9-5 2019: 11-3 2020: 3-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 2 Weber State
Sept. 11 at BYU
Sept. 18 at San Diego State
Sept. 25 Washington State
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 at USC
Oct. 16 Arizona State
Oct. 23 at Oregon State
Oct. 30 UCLA
Nov. 5 at Stanford
Nov. 13 at Arizona
Nov. 20 Oregon
Nov. 26 Colorado
– Full Schedule Analysis

NEXT: SEC

SEC East

– SEC Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– SEC 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Florida Gators

There might be a whole bunch of lost parts, but the Gators will still be strong enough to at least compete for the SEC East. The schedule isn’t that bad, but Alabama comes to Gainesville, there’s a trip to LSU, and the Georgia game is the Georgia game. That should be just enough to keep Dan Mullen’s club out of the College Football Playoff fight, but it’ll still be a good year.

2018: 10-3 2019: 11-2 2020: 8-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 Florida Atlantic
Sept. 11 at USF
Sept. 18 Alabama
Sept. 25 Tennessee
Oct. 2 at Kentucky
Oct. 9 Vanderbilt
Oct. 16 at LSU
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Georgia (in Jacksonville)
Nov. 6 at South Carolina
Nov. 13 Samford
Nov. 20 at Missouri
Nov. 27 Florida State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Georgia Bulldogs

Can the Bulldogs avoid the clunker? The talent is there for the offense to be better – even with star WR George Pickens out with a torn ACL – and the defense is going to be phenomenal again. As long as there isn’t a brain cramp – there’s no Alabama, LSU or Texas A&M from the West – the Dawgs have to split between Clemson and Florida in neutral site showdowns.

2018: 11-3 2019: 12-2 2020: 8-2
Realistic Best Case Record: 12-0
Realistic Worst Case Record: 8-4
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 11-1

Sept. 4 Clemson (in Charlotte)
Sept. 11 UAB
Sept. 18 South Carolina
Sept. 25 at Vanderbilt
Oct. 2 Arkansas
Oct. 9 at Auburn
Oct. 16 Kentucky
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Florida (in Jacksonville)
Nov. 6 Missouri
Nov. 13 at Tennessee
Nov. 20 Charleston Southern
Nov. 27 at Georgia Tech
– Full Schedule Analysis

Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky can’t take any game for granted considering its style of play, but getting to four wins won’t be an issue with this slate, dates with Florida and LSU are at home and there are just enough breaks in the midst of an interesting second half to at least get to six wins and push for seven or more.

2018: 10-3 2019: 8-5 2020: 5-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 ULM
Sept. 11 Missouri
Sept. 18 Chattanooga
Sept. 25 at South Carolina
Oct. 2 Florida
Oct. 9 LSU
Oct. 16 at Georgia
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Mississippi State
Nov. 6 Tennessee
Nov. 13 at Vanderbilt
Nov. 20 New Mexico State
Nov. 27 at Louisville
– Full Schedule Analysis

Missouri Tigers

Mizzou has the ability and base of talents to have a strong Year Two under Eliah Drinkwitz, but it’s still going to be tough to push past .500. Central Michigan, SE Missouri State, North Texas – lock in three wins there – and there are more than enough winnable games to push for bowl eligibility at the very least. Pull off an upset over Florida, Georgia, or Texas A&M, and eight wins are possible.

2018: 8-5 2019: 6-6 2020: 5-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 Central Michigan
Sept. 11 at Kentucky
Sept. 18 SE Missouri State
Sept. 25 at Boston College
Oct. 2 Tennessee
Oct. 9 North Texas
Oct. 16 Texas A&M
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 at Vanderbilt
Nov. 6 at Georgia
Nov. 13 South Carolina
Nov. 20 Florida
– Full Schedule Analysis

South Carolina Gamecocks

It’s going to take a year of rebooting under new head man Shane Beamer, but the schedule is just manageable enough to hope for six wins. Just assume losses against Clemson, Florida and Georgia – it’ll be a bonus if there’s a shocker against any of the three – with a few wins somewhere against Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Kentucky a must.

2018: 7-6 2019: 4-8 2020: 2-8
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 Eastern Illinois
Sept. 11 at East Carolina
Sept. 18 at Georgia
Sept. 25 Kentucky
Oct. 2 Troy
Oct. 9 at Tennessee
Oct. 16 Vanderbilt
Oct. 23 at Texas A&M
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 Florida
Nov. 13 at Missouri
Nov. 20 Auburn
Nov. 27 Clemson
– Full Schedule Analysis

Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee might be all but starting over under Josh Heupel, but there’s a solid base of four wins all but locked in with this slate. Hope for at least one win in the 50/50 games against South Carolina, Missouri, Pitt, Ole Miss, and Kentucky, and dream of an upset somewhere else, and shooting for bowl eligibility isn’t that big an ask.

2018: 5-7 2019: 8-5 2020: 3-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Bowling Green
Sept. 11 Pitt
Sept. 18 Tennessee Tech
Sept. 25 at Florida
Oct. 2 at Missouri
Oct. 9 South Carolina
Oct. 16 Ole Miss
Oct. 23 at Alabama
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 at Kentucky
Nov. 13 Georgia
Nov. 20 South Alabama
Nov. 27 Vanderbilt
– Full Schedule Analysis

Vanderbilt Commodores

On the plus side, if you’re going to make any sort of a move in the East, this is the year to do it with South Carolina and Tennessee all but starting over and Kentucky and Missouri nothing amazing. However, Vanderbilt is undergoing an overhaul, too, and new head man Clark Lea has a whole lot of work to do.

2018: 6-7 2019: 3-9 2020: 0-9
Realistic Best Case Record: 5-7
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 2-10

Sept. 4 ETSU
Sept. 11 at Colorado State
Sept. 18 Stanford
Sept. 25 Georgia
Oct. 2 UConn
Oct. 9 at Florida
Oct. 16 at South Carolina
Oct. 23 Mississippi State
Oct. 30 Missouri
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 Kentucky
Nov. 20 at Ole Miss
Nov. 27 at Tennessee
– Full Schedule Analysis

SEC WEST

– SEC Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– SEC 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Alabama Crimson Tide

This isn’t going to be the steamroller that last year’s national champion was, but it’s not going to be terribly far off. There should be a bad day loss somewhere, but that’s just a guess – the Tide will be favored in every game. Going to Florida and Texas A&M will be dangerous, and hosting LSU will be a concern, but even though there might be a loss, there won’t be two.

2018: 14-1 2019: 11-2 2020: 13-0
Realistic Best Case Record: 12-0
Realistic Worst Case Record: 9-3
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 11-1

Sept. 4 Miami (in Atlanta)
Sept. 11 Mercer
Sept. 18 at Florida
Sept. 25 Southern Miss
Oct. 2 Ole Miss
Oct. 9 at Texas A&M
Oct. 16 at Mississippi State
Oct. 23 Tennessee
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 LSU
Nov. 13 New Mexico State
Nov. 20 Arkansas
Nov. 27 at Auburn
– Full Schedule Analysis

Arkansas Razorbacks

For all of the good things Arkansas did last season in the first season under Sam Pittman, it still only went 3-7. Now some of those good performances will turn into wins, but it’s not going to be easy with Texas A&M, Georgia, LSU and Alabama all away from home and dates with Texas, Auburn and Ole Miss hardly easy.

2018: 2-10 2019: 2-10 2020: 3-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 Rice
Sept. 11 Texas
Sept. 18 Georgia Southern
Sept. 25 Texas A&M (in Arlington)
Oct. 2 at Georgia
Oct. 9 at Ole Miss
Oct. 16 Auburn
Oct. 23 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 Mississippi State
Nov. 13 at LSU
Nov. 20 at Alabama
Nov. 27 Missouri (in Little Rock)
– Full Schedule Analysis

Auburn Tigers

Bryan Harsin isn’t going to have it easy with road games against Penn State, Texas A&M and LSU to go along with the fun of hosting Alabama and Georgia. However, the rest of the schedule is relatively manageable. There might be a misfire somewhere, but getting to six wins is still a given.

2018: 8-5 2019: 9-4 2020: 6-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 Akron
Sept. 11 Alabama State
Sept. 18 at Penn State
Sept. 25 Georgia State
Oct. 2 at LSU
Oct. 9 Georgia
Oct. 16 at Arkansas
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Ole Miss
Nov. 6 at Texas A&M
Nov. 13 Mississippi State
Nov. 20 at South Carolina
Nov. 27 Alabama
– Full Schedule Analysis

LSU Tigers

After an all-time of a reloading job, LSU should be back to its nasty self. It’s not going to be close to 2019 good, but the experienced and talented team has the upside to push for ten wins. Texas A&M and Florida are coming to Death Valley, but the Alabama game is on the road. The Tigers will likely be favored against everyone else – and probably against the Aggies and Gators, too.

2018: 10-3 2019: 15-0 2020: 5-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3

Sept. 4 at UCLA
Sept. 11 McNeese State
Sept. 18 Central Michigan
Sept. 25 at Mississippi State
Oct. 2 Auburn
Oct. 9 at Kentucky
Oct. 16 Florida
Oct. 23 at Ole Miss
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 at Alabama
Nov. 13 Arkansas
Nov. 20 ULM
Nov. 27 Texas A&M
– Full Schedule Analysis

Ole Miss Rebels

Just how much can the Ole Miss offense screw up the rest of the SEC? Beat Louisville to start the season, and 3-0 is a must before going to Alabama. After that, everything is on the table with LSU and Texas A&M coming to Oxford. Anything less than a winning season will be a massive disappointment.

2018: 5-7 2019: 4-8 2020: 5-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 6 Louisville (in Atlanta)
Sept. 11 Austin Peay
Sept. 18 Tulane
Sept. 25 OPEN DATE
Oct. 2 at Alabama
Oct. 9 Arkansas
Oct. 16 at Tennessee
Oct. 23 LSU
Oct. 30 at Auburn
Nov. 6 Liberty
Nov. 13 Texas A&M
Nov. 20 Vanderbilt
Nov. 27 at Mississippi State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Call that first season under Mike Leach a reboot. The offense is eventually going to work, and it needs to happen right away or NC State and Memphis are going to be a problem before dealing with a whole bag of uh-oh with LSU, at Texas A&M and Alabama to start the SEC season. The back half of the slate is when everything has to kick in.

2018: 8-5 2019: 6-7 2020: 4-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Louisiana Tech
Sept. 11 NC State
Sept. 18 at Memphis
Sept. 25 LSU
Oct. 2 at Texas A&M
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 Alabama
Oct. 23 at Vanderbilt
Oct. 30 Kentucky
Nov. 6 at Arkansas
Nov. 13 at Auburn
Nov. 20 Tennessee State
Nov. 27 Ole Miss
– Full Schedule Analysis

Texas A&M Aggies

The Aggies might have to get the quarterback situation straight, and the O line needs work, but the talent is there to build up a nice base of wins to start things out before dealing with Alabama at home. They’ll likely be favored against everyone but the Tide and LSU.

2018: 9-4 2019: 8-5 2020: 9-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 10-2

Sept. 4 Kent State
Sept. 11 at Colorado (in Denver)
Sept. 18 New Mexico
Sept. 25 Arkansas (in Arlington)
Oct. 2 Mississippi State
Oct. 9 Alabama
Oct. 16 at Missouri
Oct. 23 South Carolina
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 Auburn
Nov. 13 at Ole Miss
Nov. 20 Prairie View
Nov. 27 at LSU
– Full Schedule Analysis

Next: Sun Belt

Sun Belt East

– Sun Belt Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– Sun Belt 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Appalachian State Mountaineers

The Mountaineers might have taken a step out of the spotlight with Coastal Carolina and Louisiana rocking, but now they’re about go come back rocking. If the QB play is fine, look out – Coastal Carolina has to come to Boone.

2018: 11-2 2019: 13-1 2020: 9-3
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 10-2

Sept. 2 East Carolina (in Charlotte)
Sept. 11 at Miami
Sept. 18 Elon
Sept. 23 Marshall
Oct. 2 at Georgia State
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 12 at Louisiana
Oct. 20 Coastal Carolina
Oct. 30 ULM
Nov. 6 at Arkansas State
Nov. 13 South Alabama
Nov. 20 at Troy
Nov. 27 Georgia Southern
– Full Schedule Analysis

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

After a season of all seasons, Coastal Carolina has everything in place to keep it all going with another loaded team along with head coach Jamey Chadwell, who somehow didn’t get a bigger gig quite yet. The Chanticleers have to go to Buffalo, Appalachian State and Georgia Southern, but there isn’t a game on the slate they can’t win.

2018: 5-7 2019: 5-7 2020: 11-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 10-2

Sept. 4 The Citadel
Sept. 11 Kansas
Sept. 18 at Buffalo
Sept. 25 UMass
Oct. 2 ULM
Oct. 7 at Arkansas State
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 20 at Appalachian State
Oct. 28 Troy
Nov. 6 at Georgia Southern
Nov. 13 Georgia State
Nov. 20 Texas State
Nov. 26 at South Alabama
– Full Schedule Analysis

Georgia Southern Eagles

The only problem is a Sun Belt East that’s going to be fantastic again. The O line might be an early issue, too, but it’ll be fine. There are a whole lot of landmines including dates with BYU and Coastal Carolina at home and road trips to Arkansas, Florida Atlantic and Appalachian State.

2018: 10-3 2019: 7-6 2020: 8-5
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5

Sept. 4 Gardner-Webb
Sept. 11 at Florida Atlantic
Sept. 18 at Arkansas
Sept. 25 Louisiana
Oct. 2 Arkansas State
Oct. 9 at Troy
Oct. 14 at South Alabama
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 30 Georgia State
Nov. 6 Coastal Carolina
Nov. 13 at Texas State
Nov. 20 BYU
Nov. 27 at Appalachian State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Georgia State Panthers

Everyone is expected back on offense, most of the starters are back on D, and … the schedule is a massive issue. Getting Army, at North Carolina and at Auburn hurts with trips to Georgia Southern, Louisiana and Coastal Carolina coming later. The team will probably be better than the final record.

2018: 2-10 2019: 7-6 2020: 6-4
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 3-9
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 5-7

Sept. 4 Army
Sept. 11 at North Carolina
Sept. 18 Charlotte
Sept. 25 at Auburn
Oct. 2 Appalachian State
Oct. 9 at ULM
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Texas State
Oct. 30 at Georgia Southern
Nov. 4 at Louisiana
Nov. 13 at Coastal Carolina
Nov. 20 Arkansas State
Nov. 27 Troy
– Full Schedule Analysis

Troy Trojans

Don’t sleep on a Trojan team that will get lost in the preseason attention with everyone loving the rest of the good teams in the East. The biggest plus? Almost all the starters are back to go along with a nice push from the transfer portal. Take care of most of the home games, and getting to six wins is possible.

2018: 10-3 2019: 5-7 2020: 5-6
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Southern
Sept. 11 Liberty
Sept. 18 at Southern Miss
Sept. 25 at ULM
Oct. 2 at South Carolina
Oct. 9 Georgia Southern
Oct. 16 at Texas State
Oct. 23 OPEN DATE
Oct. 28 at Coastal Carolina
Nov. 6 South Alabama
Nov. 13 Louisiana
Nov. 20 Appalachian State
Nov. 27 at Georgia State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Sun Belt West

– Sun Belt Weekly Schedule, Top Games To Watch
– Sun Belt 2021 Pre-Spring Rankings & Breakdown

Arkansas State Red Wolves

Really? ASU got Butch Jones as the new head coach? He should be good, there’s enough incoming talent from the transfer portal, but the schedule is a potential bear. Memphis, Washington and Tulsa are all non-conference problems, but Coastal Carolina, Louisiana and Appalachian State are all at home.

2018: 8-5 2019: 8-5 2020: 4-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 7-5
Realistic Worst Case Record: 4-8
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6

Sept. 4 Central Arkansas
Sept. 11 Memphis
Sept. 18 at Washington
Sept. 25 at Tulsa
Oct. 2 at Georgia Southern
Oct. 7 Coastal Carolina
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 21 Louisiana
Oct. 30 at South Alabama
Nov. 6 Appalachian State
Nov. 13 at ULM
Nov. 20 at Georgia State
Nov. 27 Texas State
– Full Schedule Analysis

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

The machine should keep in rolling with Billy Napier still around and not the head coach of some Power Five program, and he gets back most of the key parts of the team that rolled to a 10-1 2020 season. The Ragin’ Cajuns have to go to Texas, Georgia Southern, Troy and Liberty – all four of those games are dangerous – along with home battles against Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina and Georgia State at home.

2018: 7-7 2019: 11-3 2020: 10-1
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4

Sept. 4 at Texas
Sept. 11 Nicholls
Sept. 18 Ohio
Sept. 25 at Georgia Southern
Oct. 2 at South Alabama
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 12 Appalachian State
Oct. 21 at Arkansas State
Oct. 30 Texas State
Nov. 4 Georgia State
Nov. 13 at Troy
Nov. 20 at Liberty
Nov. 27 ULM
– Full Schedule Analysis

South Alabama Jaguars

There are enough interesting parts in place for new head coach Kane Wommack to work with, starting with former Utah and South Carolina QB Jake Bentley. However, the schedule isn’t going to help the cause with a rough run of four road games in five weeks before closing out against Coastal Carolina.

2018: 3-9 2019: 2-10 2020: 4-7
Realistic Best Case Record: 6-6
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 4-8

Sept. 4 Southern Miss
Sept. 11 at Bowling Green
Sept. 18 Alcorn State
Sept. 25 OPEN DATE
Oct. 2 Louisiana
Oct. 9 at Texas State
Oct. 14 Georgia Southern
Oct. 23 at ULM
Oct. 30 Arkansas State
Nov. 6 at Troy
Nov. 13 at Appalachian State
Nov. 20 at Tennessee
Nov. 26 Coastal Carolina
– Full Schedule Analysis

Texas State Bobcats

There’s a chance this becomes one of the Sun Belt’s hot teams. The offense is going to be fun, but the defense has to improve. There are just enough winnable home games to take a good step forward, but road games at Coastal Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia State and Arkansas State in the back half of the season are disastrous.

2018: 3-9 2019: 3-9 2020: 2-10
Realistic Best Case Record: 6-6
Realistic Worst Case Record: 2-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 3-9

Sept. 4 Baylor
Sept. 11 at FIU
Sept. 18 Incarnate Word
Sept. 25 at Eastern Michigan
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 South Alabama
Oct. 16 Troy
Oct. 23 at Georgia State
Oct. 30 at Louisiana
Nov. 6 ULM
Nov. 13 Georgia Southern
Nov. 20 at Coastal Carolina
Nov. 27 at Arkansas State
– Full Schedule Analysis

ULM Warhawks

It’ll be interesting to see what new head coach Terry Bowden can do right away. After one of the worst on-field seasons of anyone in 2020, it’s still going to take a whole lot of work just to be respectable. It’ll take several big upsets just to get close to .500.

2018: 6-6 2019: 5-7 2020: 0-10
Realistic Best Case Record: 6-6
Realistic Worst Case Record: 1-10
2021 Prediction, Spring Football Version: 2-10

Sept. 4 at Kentucky
Sept. 11 OPEN DATE
Sept. 18 JacksonState
Sept. 25 Troy
Oct. 2 at Coastal Carolina
Oct. 9 Georgia State
Oct. 16 Liberty
Oct. 23 South Alabama
Oct. 30 at Appalachian State
Nov. 6 at Texas State
Nov. 13 Arkansas State
Nov. 20 at LSU
Nov. 27 at Louisiana
– Full Schedule Analysis

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