Hey remember when I mentioned that we were getting closer to the NCAA Football video game series returning? It now looks like that may not be the case. Even with the NCAA allowing players to receive money for their name and likeness, without school licensing, the players would not be able to be represented in the video game. The next step would have to be some sort of group licensing that involves school logos, names, stadiums, etc. So the sadness remains with all those people who would buy a PS4 or PS5 or whatever the most recent X-Box is just for this game. Which includes me. I say that even though I just sold the game since I just don’t play anymore…the PlayStation going up to my son’s room accelerated that. Am I officially a miserable adult now?
So normally, I do the first post of this series and a day or two later more schedule updates appear changing my original guesses already. It would make me feel a bit dumb. This year? Of course that didn’t happen. COVID-19 has changed so much and this is yet another thing that has changed. Instead of some games being confirmed, this year we have the question of which schools would even participate in a college football season in 2020. Here is what I know so far:
- The SEC seems all in. This is not a surprise. Hell even Mizzou is showing their SEC-ness. Did you see the picture of the Lake of the Ozarks the other day? Marty Byrde would be all over that action.
- The Big Ten seems iffy. Michigan has already stated that unless students are on campus and everything is back to some sense of normalcy, there may not be a season for the Wolverines. I have heard rumblings of other schools feeing the same way.
- John Swofford of the ACC had a more measured approach. He said with his conference being in ten different states there may be a possibility that some schools are playing this season and others may not. It’s a wait-and-see approach there.
- The rest of the conferences, for the most part, have said nothing.
This could lead to a massive amount of schedule changes. If some schools don’t play, the schools that have scheduled them would have to replace them on the sked. It means we could see some huge matchups throughout the season. It also may mean that conference play doesn’t matter. A lot could happen.
Saying all that, I feel better about my predictions for the schedule this season because in the end, it may not matter. So let’s go with the second part of this series.
Week 4
Game of the Week: Wisconsin at Michigan (Noon, FOX) – FOX gets a few marquee games to put at Noon during the season. This is definitely one of them. You can say what you want about the Wolverines but they bring ratings, love em or hate em. It does help that there aren’t many other games this week so FOX could easily have the biggest game of the week and win the ratings war. I would love to say this could be a Big Ten Championship preview but I would be lying.
Other Really Important Games: Virginia at Clemson (3:30, ABC) – I could see this moving to primetime but again, it all hinges on every conference getting their contracted amount of primetime games on ABC in. On a week with not a lot of great options, this could get a lot of eyeballs. It is yet another opportunity for an ACC team to topple the mighty Fighting Dabo Swinneys. Until it happens, we have to continue to believe that the Tigers are a favourite to get to the College Football Playoff. If the Hoos can somehow pull off the upset, that entire conference could be in a heap of trouble to get a team to the dance.
Florida at Tennessee (3:30, CBS) – “Is Tennessee Back” is the new “Texas is Back.” There were hints last year that maybe, just maybe, the Volunteers are back to the Phil Fulmer days of being in the top tier of the SEC every year. I will be honest: it is almost sad to see a fanbase of a team that used to be good go through five-plus years of no better than mediocrity. Almost…those same fans tend to be complete assholes at times which means the hate is still there for every other fanbase. On the other side of the fence is one of the best coaches in the land and a team that is nipping at Georgia’s heels in the SEC East. These are the kinds of games they have to win if they want to get back to the SEC Championship for the first time since 2016.
Louisiana Tech at Baylor (Noon, FloSports) – Will Baylor be as good as last season? That is the question since Dr. Matt Rhule, D.D.S. left for the greener pastures of the NFL and the Carolina Panthers. The Bears have a history of having a season every so often that makes them seem like a real contender followed by a few seasons of being a pretender. As for the Bulldogs, this is their first time in the important games section. Congratulations to them. This is the kind of game they must win if they want to be the first Conference USA team to make it to the New Year’s Six.
Notre Dame at Wake Forest (3:30, specialty pack) – Can we just finally say that the Deacs are an upper tier ACC team? I’m serious. This may say more about the conference as a whole, beyond Clemson, than anything but I think you can’t help but agree. I wouldn’t say this is a massive game for both teams but it’s one that both programs have on their radar right now. This is part of the Notre Dame-ACC agreement that runs for a long time, like until the year 2245 or something. It still feels weird to this day and probably always will. Anyway, this should be fun so watch it. Or don’t. I mean I’m not going to force you to or anything.
Sneaky-Good Underrated Game: Arizona State at USC (7:00, specialty pack) – This may essentially end up being an early season Pac-12 South elimination game. This may also end up being one of the Pac-12 South round robin games where the division winner has three conference losses. This should be a pretty even match and these two teams have had some great games in the past. Now watch it be a blowout. I am glad this game was this week since my next pick would have been Western Kentucky-Louisville. My god.
Best Group of Five Game: Temple at Navy (3:30, CBS Sports Network) – You know, after one bad Navy season many people, including myself, figured the Midshipmen would get back to .500 and maybe end up with a winning season. So what did Ken Niumatalolo do? Put them in the Top 25 for a while. This year should be no different for this team. And I have noticed in the past few years that playing at Navy is not an easy thing for teams to do. I don’t know what it is but it feels like an intimidating place to play, something the other two military academies can’t boast.
Worst Power Five Game: Stanford at UCLA (6:30, DAZN) – It is a bit odd to see Stanford in this spot but they were not good last year and I can’t see them being a ton better this year. And I wonder when the Chip Kelly Experience will actually pay dividends for the Bruins since nothing has really worked so far.
Week 5
Game of the Week: Baylor at Oklahoma (3:30, ABC) – The best week of the year has one of the potential games of the year right here. But this is only if Baylor doesn’t struggle with Matt Rhule not around. That is the caveat. We know the Sooners will be good since they are always good, like it or not. Now watch this game end up being a blowout. And in the Big XII, blowouts can get crazy.
Other Really Important Games: Wisconsin at Notre Dame (in Green Bay) (7:30, NBC) – Despite the fact that the Irish have five ACC games every season, they always find a way to schedule their rivals (like USC, Michigan and Navy). They also add a juicy game or two every season. I remember the last time there was a game at Lambeau Field: the Badgers upset LSU and destroyed my national championship pick early on in the season. Thanks a bunch guys. This ends up being a primetime NBC game so we should be expecting something special here.
Penn State at Michigan (Noon, ABC/TSN1/TSN4) – This does not feel like a Noon Big Ten Game. At all. This is the kind of game that is usually on ABC in primetime. We should hear the familiar refrain of the Woes of James Harbaugh throughout this one. The continued talk about James Franklin resurrecting the program at Happy Valley. And somewhere in there will be an actual college football game. Let’s call it a Big Ten East elimination game since it probably is one.
Washington at Oregon (10:30, specialty pack) – Well at least Chris Petersen isn’t around to freak the fuck out about this game being on in the late night timeslot. Now this could end up on ABC in primetime since my current choice, Florida State-NC State, really does not look like a good game on paper. I guess it’s the problem with these conferences having these kinds of minimums in their television contracts. Although can you imagine if that wasn’t the case? I am sure we would almost never see the Pac-12 or the ACC ever again. Anyway, as of right now, this is Pac-12 After Dark which is sometimes good for some late night insanity. I will most certainly be watching, losing some sleep in the process.
USC at Utah (10:30, FloSports) – This could be one of the best late night schedules ever and you will see why below. We have the game above and now this one that we can now see! I am sure Clay Helton will be sweating all throughout this one as he continues his rocky tenure as the head coach in LA. I do wonder if Utah can recreate the magic of last season and make another run at the College Football Playoff. Now that LSU broke through and won the whole thing, we need another new team to get into the mix so why not the Utes?
Kentucky at Auburn (7:30, specialty pack) – I have this game on the SEC Network. Seriously. If the Wildcats are any good this season, we could be watching a barnburner on an American specialty sports network that is shown on a specialty pack here in Canada. It’s also kind of interesting that this is the best week of the season and this is the first appearance of the SEC on this list.
Texas at Kansas State (Noon, FloSports) – Normally one of the games we wouldn’t be able to see. Before this season, it’s the Big XII that we Canadians would miss most of. The one conference without a conference network (and no, the Longhorn Network does not count) has struggled overall compared to the other Power Five conferences to get their games on in the best timeslots. If it wasn’t for the Sooners and at least one other Big XII team, no one would notice this conference. Both these programs are trying to be that “one other team” this season. Would be fun to see Kansas State back being a true contender. Especially since what the hell else is there to do in the Little Apple?
Sneaky-Good Underrated Game: North Carolina at Virginia (7:00, specialty pack) – The Tar Heels are fun again under Mack Brown for the first time since, well, Mack Brown was coaching. Bronco Mendenhall is doing the same types of things he did at BYU in Charlottesville. These are the two teams I would consider as the best bets to dethrone Clemson (or at least give them a conference loss). No this is not a de facto division title game since this is the ACC Coastal division and this division is utterly insane. I wait for the season that everyone ends up 4-4 and there’s a seven-way tie for the division crown. God that would be glorious.
Best Group of Five Game: Navy at Air Force (10:30, specialty pack) – This is the third game in the late night triple threat this week. There were a few choices I could have put here. Memphis-SMU and Utah State-BYU fit the bill as well and on any other week would have been here. But this game should be great and considering the way the two offenses are, should be over before Saturday Night Live’s episode that week is done. I think this is the first time a Navy-AFA game could be this big. It could also be the first time, as far as I know, that both teams come into this one ranked. Now that would be something.
Worst Power Five Game: Nebraska at Northwestern (Noon, TSN5) – Now this…this feels like a Big Ten game at Noon. It means that either Beth Mowins or Steve Levy has to call it, right?
Week 6
Game of the Week: LSU at Florida (3:30, CBS) – God damn this could be a MASSIVE game this season. Two SEC contenders. Potentially, two CFP contenders. This is still a possibility to be moved to a primetime SEC on CBS game as it is that big. Or for some reason CBS allows ESPN to pick it up and even put it at that odd 6:00 start time. You never really know. Anyway, this could be a CFP elimination game. By this point we should know if the Tigahs are ready to defend their national championship or not.
Other Really Important Games: Auburn at Georgia (7:00, specialty pack) – Many would say this should be the game of the week. It’s a good game but I don’t think it hits the heights of the previous game. Also this could be a good week for CBS to exercise that doubleheader they get to do once a year. Both teams look good heading into the season and there’s always talk about Gus Malzahn being shitcanned so that is fun for people who like that kind of thing. Some also hate Kirby Smart as well because he hasn’t won an SEC title yet. Life can’t be easy for an SEC head coach (although I am sure the crap-ton of money they get eases the pain a bit).
Iowa at Ohio State (Noon, FOX) – FOX not taking a back seat to Disney this week for game selections. Then again this could end up as the ABC primetime game. You just never know with the schedules. Man, the Pac-12 still has to be livid that FOX said that their best games will be on at Noon. When do they finally say Fuck it and say “Fine, put a game on at 9 local time. I’m sure no one will care and besides, we want the main event!” If Chris Petersen was still around I am sure this would have been pushed.
Minnesota at Wisconsin (Noon, TSN4) – Man the Noon timeslot is fantastic this week. Many would consider this further down the list to be honest. I still have faith that the Golden Gophers can Row The Boat and stay atop the Big Ten West. Wisky will be Wisky and try and run the ball for like 500 yards on what looks like seriously uncomfortable turf in Madison. I can’t imagine what’s that like to get tackled on in late November.
Oklahoma vs. Texas (in Dallas) (Noon, ABC/TSN2) – It’s something when this is the fifth-best game of the week. The Red River Shootout (SHOOTOUT!) is always a crazy game so I always enjoy watching it. Now we have to continue hoping that the decrepit Cotton Bowl doesn’t collapse during one of these games. This could end up being a FOX selection just for the teams involved but there are a lot of options this week so both networks will have to pick carefully.
Utah at Washington (8:00, FOX) – This could be a preview of the Pac-12 title game and it is this far down the list. That tells you more about the Pac-12 than the state of college football. Call it East Coast bias if you want but the teams out west just don’t seem to have the cache these days that many teams east of them do. Knowing that, I could see them moving this to 10:30 or 11:00 at night.
Clemson at Florida State (3:30, specialty pack) – Hey remember when both of these teams were legitimate contenders and this could be counted on as a potential game of the year? The Tigers have been carrying the conference so their shoulders must be tired at this point. The Noles have been average, at best, and are looking to re-establish their identity in the ACC. A win here would be a fans-storm-the-field kind of instance for Florida State.
Sneaky-Good Underrated Game: Virginia Tech at North Carolina (8:00, specialty pack) – One team has to emerge from the ACC Coastal Division, technically. The Hokies and the Heels are as good a bet as any to make it to the ACC Championship. I’d like to say the loser here is eliminated from the race but not in this wacky division.
Best Group of Five Game: Louisiana at Appalachian State (Wednesday, 7:00, specialty pack) – This could end up being one of the games that decides the Group of Five New Year’s Six spot. Don’t laugh. The Sun Belt has been steadily improving over the past few years. Everyone knows what App State can do but the Ragin’ Cajuns have been underrated recently. This could be a breakout game. It also could be a preview of the Sun Belt Championship game.
Worst Power Five Game: Rutgers at Purdue (Noon, BTN) – Ah Rutgers back in the Rutgers spot. Remember what I said about the huge Noon slate? Well it’s still true so I wonder how many people would actually watch this game. Not many I think.
Week 7
Game of the Week: Iowa at Penn State (Noon, ABC/TSN1) – The Big Ten has a huge week this week. And this is the biggest game of a huge bunch. Kirk Ferentz will try and do some Kirk Ferentz things to lead his Hawkeyes to a victory. Penn State has been close to the big dance and needs a win here to try and break through to the next level for the first time in a long time.
Other Really Important Games: Texas A&M at Auburn (3:30, CBS) – This is one of three games that could be considered the game of the week. It really isn’t a huge week for top-of-the-line game quality but there are a lot of good games this week. It used to be that everyone was trying to catch Alabama. Now it’s everyone in the SEC West trying to catch LSU. The Gus Bus and whatever vehicle you want to associate with Jimbo Fisher will be hard up to win the division if they lose here.
Michigan at Minnesota (7:30, FloSports) – See now that Canadians can access these FOX Sports One games, I don’t care that they move some big games there. I understand the reasoning behind doing that because it makes it so FS1 would eventually be in more homes in the U.S.. Saying this, this game could be moved anywhere on the FOX schedule this week, especially if both teams have had hot starts to the season.
Oklahoma at Iowa State (Noon, FOX) – It’s nice to see a program like Iowa State have a sustained string of successful seasons. Matt Campbell has done a phenomenal job in Ames. And they have pulled a massive upset on the Sooners in recent years. Nothing says it can’t happen again. I know the rest of the Big XII will be rooting for the Cyclones even if they don’t admit it. Anything to knock the Sooners off their perch would be a good thing for the rest of the conference.
Ohio State at Michigan State (7:30, ABC) – A lot of good games this week as I mentioned above. Now there’s a caveat with this one: the Spartans have to be better than they were this year to make this a reality. In most years this would be in consideration for Game of the Week. With the Mark Dantonio era over, things start anew in East Lansing with Mel Tucker. They always have a gauntlet with the Big Ten East, having to face Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and, these days, Indiana every year. Don’t be surprised if FOX picks this one up for their primetime game if ABC passes on it.
Oregon at California (Friday, 10:00, FloSports) – The Golden Bears are good again! A young enthusiastic head coach and a program that is on the right recruiting trails helps. The Pac-12 not being the Pac-12 of old is also a factor here but make no mistake about it, Cal could make some noise in the Pac-12 North with a win here. The Mario Cristobal Show rolls on in Eugene as he tries to take the final step to get the Ducks into the College Football Playoff. It would be good since we need some new blood in there (I know, Oregon has been once before but it feels like that was DECADES ago).
Sneaky-Good Underrated Game: Wake Forest at Florida State (Noon, specialty pack) – OK I had to dig a bit deeper to find a good underrated game. I would say that this is the only one that truly qualifies and it’s more because of Wake than FSU. With the way the Noon schedule is, if this does appear in that timeslot it will be drowned out by the other bigger games so it better be close to be relevant.
Best Group of Five Game: UCF at Memphis (Friday, 8:00, specialty pack) – As of right now, this game will sort of split the national spotlight with the UO-Cal game I mentioned above. The American conference loves their Friday night games and they usually get some good ones in on those nights (unlike the ACC that drops whatever shit there and doesn’t think of the matchup). This should be a barnburner as per usual between these two teams. This could possibly move to TSN. This game is one of the G-5 games of the year and will shape the New Year’s Six, guaranteed.
Worst Power Five Game: Maryland at Northwestern (3:30, BTN) – Man the Big Ten has some bad games this season. The bottom tier of the conference can compete with any of the other Power Five conferences to stay they are the bottom of the barrel. I guess the silver lining here is that it isn’t Rutgers this time? I wonder if the Big Ten is still happy with getting the Scarlet Knights and the Terrapins into the conference a few years back. I mean I know the money is a big part of it but man, on the football field they have been atrocious.
We are more than halfway through the season now (with these posts). With only thirteen weeks this season I had to have one longer post because of it. Sorry about that. The next two posts will be the most difficult as almost none of it is set out beforehand and with 6 and 12-day holds on scheduling games, many of the choices are done later in the season. This means many of these could be wrong because of that. And in those cases I will blame the networks. Not me.
I have not picked up a college football preview magazine yet. Why? Because none of them are out yet. I can’t even order the Phil Steele magazine because of everything that is going on with the pandemic. I am hoping to get it sometime in early August but no guarantees. With bookstores closed I will have to keep an eye out for the others and order them when I get a chance. Anyway, we are 88 days from the scheduled opening of the college football season. A lot is up in the air at this point but as of right now I am assuming they will start, with empty stadiums, on time. Hope everyone has a great week and enjoy the weather!
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