2017-2018 College Football Predictions For Mac

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  1. 2017 2018 College Football Predictions
  2. College Football Schedule
  3. 2018 College Football Predictions
  • 2017 Picks
  • 73.43%
  • 4701 / 6402
  • Avg. Days Correct: 250.88

Mar 28, 2018  The top tier of the MAC — Ohio, Toledo, NIU — is obvious, but about seven other teams are capable of making a dark horse run. College Football; Bill Connelly's 130-team preview, 2018.

  • All-Time Picks
  • 69.15%
  • 62678 / 90644
  • Avg. Days Correct: 249.19
  • Latest Predictions
  • Predicted by
  • Accuracy
  • Prediction
    • Kanan Ray OG / 6-4 / 275 0.8851
    • Accuracy:(100.00%)1 / 1
    • 1/12/18 11:16AM
    • Kanan Ray OG / 6-4 / 275 0.8851
    • Accuracy:(100.00%)1 / 1
    • 1/12/18 11:15AM
    • Malik Young DT / 6-2 / 280 0.8601
    • Accuracy:(68.85%)42 / 61
    • 8/22/17 9:26AM
    • Eric Abojei OT / 6-4 / 310 0.8422
    • Accuracy:(69.84%)88 / 126
    • 6/20/17 6:39PM
    • Keenan Reed CB / 5-11 / 180 0.8300
    • Accuracy:(66.67%)18 / 27
    • 5/12/17 4:11PM
    • Kelvin Flores K / 5-11 / 189 0.7397
    • Accuracy:(72.07%)80 / 111
    • 5/05/17 4:07PM
    • David Isreal DUAL / 6-3 / 175 0.8217
    • Accuracy:(60.87%)42 / 69
    • 4/15/17 3:01PM
    • Devyn McCormick K / 6-1 / 170 NA
    • Accuracy:(83.02%)44 / 53
    • 4/09/17 9:54AM
    • Ben Davis OG / 6-4 / 275 0.8128
    • Accuracy:(69.84%)88 / 126
    • 4/07/17 2:36PM
    • Michael Epley WDE / 6-3 / 255 0.8300
    • Accuracy:(66.67%)18 / 27
    • 3/24/17 4:18PM
    • Isaiah McDaniels CB / 5-11 / 170 0.7682
    • Accuracy:(66.67%)16 / 24
    • 2/18/17 1:47PM
    • LeDarius Mack ILB / 6-1 / 230 0.7600
    • Accuracy:(83.02%)44 / 53
    • 2/15/17 10:27AM
    • Chauncy Smart ATH / 5-8 / 160 0.7931
    • Accuracy:(62.30%)38 / 61
    • 2/13/17 11:29PM
    • Abdoul Kouyate WDE / 6-3 / 250 0.8005
    • Accuracy:(79.89%)278 / 348
    • 2/03/17 12:25AM
    • Chris Miller ATH / 5-11 / 173 0.8584
    • Accuracy:(63.16%)60 / 95
    • 2/01/17 5:13PM
    • Michael Onyemaobi ATH / 6-1 / 187 0.8656
    • Accuracy:(80.85%)38 / 47
    • 2/01/17 2:35PM
    • Chris Miller ATH / 5-11 / 173 0.8584
    • Accuracy:(88.14%)327 / 371
    • 2/01/17 2:34PM
    • Chris Miller ATH / 5-11 / 173 0.8584
    • Accuracy:(79.89%)278 / 348
    • 2/01/17 2:10PM
    • DeVonta Smith WR / 6-1 / 160 0.9717
    • Accuracy:(60.55%)307 / 507
    • 2/01/17 2:03PM
    • Brad Robbins P / 6-2 / 180 0.7591
    • Accuracy:(78.05%)64 / 82
    • 2/01/17 12:38PM
    • Jarez Parks WDE / 6-2.75 / 253 0.9575
    • Accuracy:(84.93%)124 / 146
    • 2/01/17 11:48AM
    • Jarez Parks WDE / 6-2.75 / 253 0.9575
    • Accuracy:(82.35%)98 / 119
    • ?
      2/01/17 11:36AM
    • Brian Edwards CB / 6-3 / 195 0.8631
    • Accuracy:(79.89%)278 / 348
    • 2/01/17 11:31AM
    • Jarez Parks WDE / 6-2.75 / 253 0.9575
    • Accuracy:(60.55%)307 / 507
    • 2/01/17 11:31AM
    • Jarez Parks WDE / 6-2.75 / 253 0.9575
    • Accuracy:(83.15%)74 / 89
    • 2/01/17 11:21AM
    • Lavante Epson OG / 6-2 / 320 0.8200
    • Accuracy:(63.16%)60 / 95
    • 2/01/17 11:12AM
    • Jarez Parks WDE / 6-2.75 / 253 0.9575
    • Accuracy:(68.29%)56 / 82
    • 2/01/17 11:09AM
    • Bobby Roundtree SDE / 6-5 / 245 0.8326
    • Accuracy:(72.07%)80 / 111
    • 2/01/17 11:07AM
    • CJ Henderson CB / 6-1 / 175 0.9378
    • Accuracy:(75.00%)36 / 48
    • 2/01/17 10:51AM
    • Taekion Reed OT / 6-4 / 295 NA
    • Accuracy:(60.55%)307 / 507
    • 2/01/17 10:38AM
    • DeVonta Smith WR / 6-1 / 160 0.9717
    • Accuracy:(83.33%)30 / 36
    • 2/01/17 10:36AM
    • K'Lavon Chaisson WDE / 6-4 / 220 0.9821
    • Accuracy:(64.37%)56 / 87
    • 2/01/17 10:15AM
    • Justin Harris SDE / 6-6 / 250 0.8315
    • Accuracy:(75.00%)36 / 48
    • 2/01/17 10:13AM
    • JaTarvious Whitlow ATH / 6-0 / 205 0.8667
    • Accuracy:(78.57%)11 / 14
    • 2/01/17 10:08AM
    • Big Kat Bryant WDE / 6-4 / 226 0.9238
    • Accuracy:(92.11%)35 / 38
    • 2/01/17 9:58AM
    • Cody Shear OG / 6-4 / 285 0.8462
    • Accuracy:(68.85%)42 / 61
    • 2/01/17 9:36AM
    • Kofi Wardlow WDE / 6-3.5 / 230 0.8427
    • Accuracy:(86.61%)110 / 127
    • 2/01/17 9:30AM
    • Henry Ruggs III WR / 6-0 / 175 0.9640
    • Accuracy:(65.75%)48 / 73
    • 2/01/17 9:30AM
    • Danny Davis WR / 6-3 / 190 0.9121
    • Accuracy:(64.38%)47 / 73
    • 2/01/17 9:16AM
    • CJ Henderson CB / 6-1 / 175 0.9378
    • Accuracy:(80.17%)194 / 242
    • 2/01/17 8:58AM
    • Laress Nelson WR / 5-10 / 171 0.7892
    • Accuracy:(72.07%)80 / 111
    • 2/01/17 8:56AM
    • Mekhi Becton OT / 6-7 / 345 0.8807
    • Accuracy:(82.76%)24 / 29
    • 2/01/17 8:48AM
    • K'Lavon Chaisson WDE / 6-4 / 220 0.9821
    • Accuracy:(70.45%)62 / 88
    • 2/01/17 8:46AM
    • Mekhi Becton OT / 6-7 / 345 0.8807
    • Accuracy:(84.93%)124 / 146
    • 2/01/17 8:46AM
    • Mekhi Becton OT / 6-7 / 345 0.8807
    • Accuracy:(70.32%)109 / 155
    • 2/01/17 8:30AM
    • Chevin Calloway CB / 5-10 / 180 0.9357
    • Accuracy:(75.00%)36 / 48
    • 2/01/17 8:26AM
    • K'Lavon Chaisson WDE / 6-4 / 220 0.9821
    • Accuracy:(82.35%)98 / 119
    • 2/01/17 8:25AM
    • K'Lavon Chaisson WDE / 6-4 / 220 0.9821
    • Accuracy:(61.29%)19 / 31
    • 2/01/17 8:22AM
    • Braylon Sanders WR / 6-1 / 186 0.8702
    • Accuracy:(60.55%)307 / 507
    • 2/01/17 8:21AM
    • Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa SDE / 6-4 / 270 0.8708
    • Accuracy:(60.55%)307 / 507
    • 2/01/17 8:21AM
  1. Bowl Projections, College Football Playoff Picks: After Week 12. CFN 2018 College Football Rankings: Week 12 CFN Rankings November 18, 2018 4:50 am CollegeFootballNews.com. 0 2w MAC Predictions, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 12.
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Opening weekend in college football is officially three months out, plenty of time for you to block out the first couple days of September and settle in for a wide-range of viewing options. Unfortunately, that still feels like an eternity doesn't it? At least there's several games worth waiting for and that's where we come in to break down Week 1's most sizzling matchups.

Pete Fiutak, editor of College Football News, is the first brave soul to predict outcomes of Week 1's biggest games in college football this season. We'll comb over his picks and let you know the ones we agree with and contests we're leaning the other way. There's even a couple neutral-site showdowns that will have Playoff implications, games we'll be referring back to in late November as teams jockey for position inside the Top 5.

USA Today college football handicapper Danny Sheridan says one of the games he's most looking forward to is Alabama-Louisville, a contest that should flaunt the Crimson Tide's excessive talent edge over most teams on the schedule this season.

'Comparing this team to last year, this team looks better to me,' Sheridan said on Friday's Paul Finebaum Show. 'If you think their defense will be weaker, I don’t. Offensively, with ether quarterback they’re going to be super strong. I’d say 11 wins, possibly 12.'

With early point spreads in mind, here's a brief look at 16 games we're going to watch opening weekend and predictions for each. Let us know if you agree or have different winners in mind.

College Football News: 'Lane Kiffin’s team will be even better than it was last season, and it’ll stroll into Norman with a big-time attitude. The Owls will be feisty, but the Baker Mayfield-less Sooners will keep on rolling as if they picked up where they left off ... Oklahoma 44, FAU 17.'

247Sports take from national analyst Brad Crawford: Now that Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray has told the coaching staff he plans on playing no matter where he's selected in the MLB Draft (according to Lincoln Riley), Oklahoma should feel pretty good about its situation on offense after losing heralded star Baker Mayfield. Most expect the Sooners to take a small step back as the Big 12's Playoff titan, but there's enough talent to keep the ship moving at the top. This opener against Kiffin won't be difficult.

CFB News: 'Bowling Green will be a lot better with a more consistent offense, and even a little bit of a defense from time to time … just not this week. After an embarrassing bowl performance against Boise State to end last year, watch out for the Mario Cristobal era to kick in for real at Oregon ... Oregon 55, Bowling Green 20.'

247Sports take: The long-awaited return of Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert should be quite the head-turner for viewers. Cristobal won't let off the gas in his first 'official' game and Bowling Green will succumb to a wild environment in Autzen. Keep an eye on Oregon this season, a team that should challenge for the top of the Pac-12 with a healthy leader in Herbert.

CFB News: 'The true prove-it game of Week 1, the Canes and Tigers will get the night to themselves with the loser in big trouble considering the schedule both teams have ahead. Is this when the Miami offense starts to find more pop and explosion, or is the defense going to have to carry the day ... LSU 23, Miami 20.'

247Sports take: I picked this upset too during our '18 SEC Predictions for 2018' preseason preview, a game the Tigers can win away from home. This game means more to Ed Orgeron and LSU. The program is hinging on elite relevancy and a win over the Hurricanes would at least temporarily put LSU back in the conversation. Ohio State transfer quarterback Joe Burrow could make a splash in his first start for the Tigers (if he wins the job).

CFB News: 'It’s the ACC opener and the beginning of the Willie Taggart era. Considering Clemson will almost certainly be the star in the Atlantic, and Miami is going to be nasty in the Coastal, it might just be an elimination game in the conference race right out of the gate. Here’s the problem – will the FSU offensive line be appreciably better? The Hokies defensive front will be frothing at the mouth from the start, jumping all over the great Seminole running backs to slow down the attack ... Virginia Tech 23, Florida State 20.'

247Sports take: No disrespect to Fiutak on this, but I see the exact opposite. There's just no way the Seminoles are going to lose a Monday Night Football game to open the season at home in front of a sold-out crowd to see Taggart's debut. Doak Campbell Stadium will be a zoo, an element the Hokies are accustomed to inside their native Lane Stadium. The best player on the field, Cam Akers, will have his 2018 coming out party early.

CFB News: 'Auburn didn’t have a lot of fun in Atlanta over its last two games of last year – getting rocked in the SEC Championship and losing to UCF in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. It can’t lose this time around, even though Washington will be Pac-12 championship good, with a defense that can hold up throughout, and an offense that will be brutally efficient ... Washington 26, Auburn 24.'

247Sports take: I like the pick here and really think the Huskies will make the College Football Playoff this season along with Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State. Senior quarterback Jake Browning has won big games and will be one of the best players the Tigers will face all season. Myles Gaskin is a handful at running back as well. It's a home game for Auburn and it'll have Playoff implications at season's end for both squads.

CFB News: 'Cal made a big early statement last year with a win over North Carolina, and North Carolina made a big early statement that it would be bad with that loss. The Tar Heels will be far better, but the Bears will be one of the Pac-12’s surprise teams ... Cal 30, North Carolina 20.'

247Sports take: Interesting road matchup across the country for the Tar Heels to open the season, one they hope to use to flush 2016's disaster. Much of that disappointment can be blamed on widespread injuries that Larry Fedora and the staff simply couldn't overcome. Ross Bowers and South Carolina transfer. Brandon McElwain's quarterback battle out West will continue into fall practice, where the Bears will then announce a star. The most dynamic player on the field however will be North Carolina's Anthony Ratliff-Williams, a speedy weapon on the outside.

CFB News: 'Yeah, Coastal Carolina's Joe Moglia might be back, and South Carolina might have a way of keeping mediocre teams in games, but the Gamecocks will be terrific. The offense will show that this really is a team worthy of the expectations with an easy opener ... South Carolina 44, Coastal Carolina 9.'

247Sports take: There's a contingent of South Carolina fans already worried about the Chanticleers coming to town and the possible look-ahead scenario for Week 2's showdown vs. Georgia. Look, several years ago Coastal Carolina arrived in Columbia with a 10-1 record and left with a 60-point drubbing. It won't be that bad in Sept, but it won't be close either. Deebo Samuel's return to the lineup results in a pair of highlight-worthy touchdowns.

CFB News: 'It seems like this should be a close, tough battle between a steady MAC program and a mediocre SEC one. Nope. The Chippewas will need a while to load up, and the Kentucky defense will take advantage with a good performance in the opener ... Kentucky 34, Central Michigan 17.'

247Sports take: Vegas oddsmakers aren't fond of the Wildcats this season, listing Mark Stoops' team at the bottom of the SEC barrel in terms of winning a league title (+10000 odds). With Benny Snell returning at running back, Kentucky's goal should be getting to the postseason and one of those six victories needed for bowl eligibility will come with ease in the opener. Beward of that opening line though. If this one swells past 20 points by kickoff, there's value on the Chippewas.

CFB News: 'Appalachian State is good enough to win the Sun Belt title, and Penn State will be in rebuilding mode – at least a little bit. But the Nittany Lions will want to flex a little muscle, proving that the offense with Saquon Barkley still works ... Penn State 37, Appalachian State 10.'

247Sports take: What will the Nittany Lions have in store for an encore following consecutive 11-win seasons? We won't know much after the season opener, other than seeing Penn State stifle Appalachian State defensively. James Franklin's team likely won't show much of their new playbook with a trip to Pitt the following week. We'e juiced to see Miles Sanders' first game as 'the guy' at running back and just how he fits into the void left by Barkley.

CFB News: 'As bad as this might be for UNLV, it won’t be any worse than the 2017 opener, turning into a national punchline with the loss to Howard. The JT Daniels quarterbacking era will get off to a rollicking start as the Trojans roll on both sides of the hall ... USC 48, UNLV 10.'

247Sports take: USC coach Clay Helton is 27-10 in nearly three seasons as the Trojans' leading man, an impressive start considering nine of those losses have come against nationally-ranked competition. But it's time for USC to take the next step under his tutelage, get back to the level it is used to as a Top 5 maintstay. UNLV doesn't have the depth to hold back the onslaught of talent it will face and this one should be over in a hurry.

SLIDE 11 of 16

West Virginia vs. Tennessee (Charlotte)

CFB News: 'Despite not being all that far apart in the college football matchup world – around 400 miles – this is the first ever meeting. The Jeremy Pruitt era starts out at Tennessee, but this needs to be a big statement from a good West Virginia team with realistic dreams of playing for the Big 12 title ...West Virginia 31, Tennessee 27.'

247Sports take: Can the Vols score 27 points against the Mountaineers? I think to win this one in Pruitt's debut, Tennessee will need to keep West Virginia under 30 — which isn't going to happen with many members of the Will Grier family watching his homecoming in Charlotte. I think the Vols will have trouble keeping up with West Virginia's pace and Grier throws several touchdown passes to cover the 6.5-point spread.

2017 2018 College Football Predictions

CFB News: 'It’s the Kevin Sumlin debut and the debut of the Khalil Tate fun show. BYU will be better than it was last year, and there will be a little bit of an offense now. There won’t be enough of one – the Wildcats will roll ... Arizona 38, BYU 17.'

247Sports take: It's still a little strange seeing Kevin Sumlin without a maroon hat and white cage jacket after leaving College Station for Tucson. We like the hire for the Wildcats, who welcome back playmaking Heisman candidate quarterback Khalil Tate and several other weapons on offense that Sumlin will put in great position to suceed. Arizona is one of those legitimate darkhorse candidates in a wide open Pac 12.

CFB News: 'The Wolverine defense will handle the Irish ground game from the start, with the Irish offense bogging down way too often. The big story will be Shea Patterson, as he’ll get over a few early mistakes to come up with a big second half – and the win ... Michigan 27, Notre Dame 17.'

247Sports take: This one is huge for the Wolverines, one that could jumpstart Jim Harbaugh's best season yet in Ann Arbor. It'll be interesting to see how well Patterson plays in his first start and if Michigan's elite front seven is as good as advertised on the road in a tough environment. After Notre Dame, Michigan will play as many as four Top 10 teams the rest of the way, so starting the season with a quality win is vital toward College Football Playoff hopes.

CFB News: 'Can Texas return the favor? Maryland won in Austin last year, and it’ll have a healthy quarterback – something it didn’t have over the second half of last year – to give the Longhorns a rough time. At home, the Terps will get it done again in a big season-opening shocker ... Maryland 31, Texas 27.'

College Football Schedule

247Sports take: Considering the Longhorns are one of our 10 darkhorses to watch this fall, we don't think they're going to fall on the road in the opener. Texas is currently a double-digit favorite (10.5) and that should hold the closer we get to kickoff. The Longhorns are more talented at almost every position and they remember last season's home loss to the Terps. They've been waiting to return the favor en route to a special season in Austin for Tom Herman and Co.

CFB News: 'How much has Oregon State improved? Not enough to get by an Ohio State team that will run at will. The Beaver offense will struggle to get anything going after the first quarter ... Ohio State 45, Oregon State 10.'

247Sports take: Dwayne Haskins can take a breather as Ohio State's new man at quarterback. He'll play well in his first start, but it'll be Ohio State's 1-2 tailback punch of Mike Weber and JK Dobbins that turn Oregon State's defense inside out early. With the betting line for this season sets in the mid 30s, the Buckeyes will cruise at the Shoe.

2018 College Football Predictions

CFB News: 'Does it matter who the quarterback is for the Crimson Tide? How Nick Saban juggles the Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts situation will be the real story as Alabama does what Alabama does what it does in season openers. Louisville will be far better than it’ll look against the preseason No. 1 team ... Alabama 41, Louisville 13.'

Predictions

247Sports take: Is Orlando where we'll see Tagovailoa's first career start? That's what we're expecting as the defending national champions open the season against the new-look Cardinals with former four-star signee Jawon Pass at quarterback, who's taking over for Lamar Jackson. That's an incredibly tough task for Pass, matched up with the nation's best defense in his first start. The Tide roll handily.