I went for upsets last week that I shouldn’t have. I was too bold. This week many of the top prospects on each team will be sitting out and preparing for the draft adding another factor into the equation. This first week’s slate is rough as expected. Although there is only 1 ranked team, there is some decent talent and Group-Of-5 Powerhouses on the schedule.
Record 170-50 (77%)
Arizona State Vs. 21 Fresno State
N’Keal Harry is focusing on the draft, so 1,500-yard rusher Eno Benjamin will have to shoulder more of the offense. Fresno State is coming off a huge OT win against Boise State on the road on the shoulders of a fantastic defensive performance. My money is on Fresno State. They’ll bottle up the running game and wins a low scoring one over Manny Wilkins and ASU.
Fresno State 27-16
Utah State Vs. North Texas
Utah State’s only losses this season are Week 1 at Michigan State (38-31) and Week 13 at Boise State (33-24). This is a really really good Group-Of-5 team. Nothing against 9-3 North Texas who has a win over an SEC team (Granted its Arkansas), but Utah State is a lock here.
Utah State 33-19
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Georgia Southern Vs. Eastern Michigan
Shai Werts and Wesley Fields are the heads of a very effective run heavy offense for Georgia Southern. This Eastern Michigan team is allowing nearly 200 yards a game on the ground (in the MAC) which doesn’t project well for them. EMU has a very good passing game that could make this very close, but Georgia Southern is the safer pick.
Georgia Southern 31-28
Middle Tennessee Vs. Appalachian State
Middle Tennessee is coming of weeks in which they played UAB back to back. First week? 27-3 Win. Second week? 25-27 Loss. Yikes. Appalachian State is for real this season losing only to Georgia Southern on the road and Penn State in OT. Give me App State by 2+ TDs.
Appalachian State 27-13
UAB Vs. Northern Illinois
Two teams coming off conference championship wins as the underdogs. This could be a great game for all you Group-Of-five fans. North Illinois QB Marcus Childers had the best game of his career last week in the conference championship putting up 300 yards and 4 TDs. Sutton Smith is on a short list for best defenders in the country. UAB is the better team, but I’m all in on this Northern Illinois team.
Northern Illinois 20-17
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San Diego State Vs. Ohio
After huge wins over Boise State and Arizona State, San Diego State has lost 4 of the last 5 and is 3-9 against the spread this season. Those are some ugly numbers. Ohio has had a much easier schedule but has routinely blown less talented teams out.
Ohio 26-20
Marshall Vs. South Florida
South Florida started the season 7-0. I was super high on QB Blake Barnett. They are now 7-5. If you’re not following, that means that they lost 5 straight games in the AAC. Marshall meanwhile is 8-4 in the conference USA with no wins that are “impressive”. So here we are. This is a coinflip. Eh give me USF in Tampa Florida.
USF 41-37
Florida Intl Vs. Toledo
Toledo does a great job of running the ball and controlling the game. Koback, Thompkins, and Seymour form a stable or running backs that can light up defenses. Florida Int is 8-4, but with bad loses to FAU and Marshall. The 6.5 point spread favoring Toldeo seems a bit high to me, but they should win this one.
Toledo 38-34
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Western Michigan Vs. BYU
Western Michigan has some VERY bad losses on their resume. BYU is probably the best 6-6 team not in a Power 5 conference. They loaded their schedule this season and their record reflects it.
BYU 36-15
Tulane Vs. Louisiana
Both of these teams have a negative point differential on the season. Not important just wanted to share. This will be a run-heavy game with a lot of punts. I’ll take Tulane’s offensive and defensive line oven Louisiana’s.
Tulane 31-22
Photo Via GM Wire
