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**StarDust Bum** · 05-19-2018, 07:37 PM

Handicapping LSU (7.5)
May 7, 2018

The LSU Tigers are coming off a successful season in the first full year under head coach Ed Orgeron, as they went 9-4 overall and 6-2 in the SEC. The Tigers will have a new offensive coordinator in 2018, as Steve Ensminger takes over and LSU has a very good defense led by linebacker Devin White.

LSU 2018 Regular Season Win Total
Over 7.5 (-120)
Under 7.5 (-110)

The problem for the Tigers is that they face one of the most difficult schedules in the nation for the 2018 season.

2018 SEC Win Totals

2018 LSU Tigers Schedule Analysis

Sept. 2 vs. Miami (AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas)

The season opener for LSU is not going to be easy, as Miami is turning into a national power under head coach Mark Richt. The early odds on this game have the game a pick and it could be that this game decides whether or not the Tigers will have a chance to win eight games and go over their win total of 7.5.

Sept. 8 vs. Southeastern Louisiana

The Tigers get an easy game for their home opener, as they face the Ragin’ Cajuns. This is a sandwich game for LSU but they have far too much talent to lose this game at home.

Sept. 15 at Auburn

The first true road game of the season for LSU looks like a loss. This will be a revenge game for Auburn, as they were beaten last year 27-23 by LSU. The home team has won the last four in this series.

Sept. 22 vs. Louisiana Tech

This might not be an automatic win for LSU, as Louisiana Tech will want to show they can play with their instate SEC rival. Louisiana Tech nearly beat South Carolina last season, losing 17-16.

Sept. 29 vs. Mississippi

The Rebels have an explosive offense that can give LSU all kinds of trouble. This is a home game for LSU, but definitely not a game that can automatically be put in the win column. LSU has won six of the last eight meetings in this series.

Oct. 6 at Florida

The Tigers have won six of the last eight meetings in this series, but Florida has a new head coach in Dan Mullen and a new outlook. LSU just barely got by the Gators last season, winning 17-16. The advantage for LSU in this contest is that Mullen faced his former Mississippi State team last week.

Oct. 13 vs. Georgia

The Tigers will probably be listed as home underdogs in this contest, as Georgia is considered one of the top teams in the country. This is one of the only big tests for Georgia this season and they will be extremely focused.

Oct. 20 vs. Mississippi State

The Bulldogs have a new head coach in Joe Moorhead so it is hard to know what to expect from them this season. This is really a must-win game for LSU if they are to have a winning season.

Nov. 3 vs. Alabama

The Tigers rarely win against the Crimson Tide, as they have lost the last seven meetings. Both teams will be coming off a bye, so both will be well prepared for this one.

Nov. 10 at Arkansas

The Battle for the Boot has seen LSU win six times, while Arkansas has won five times in the last 11 meetings. The Razorbacks have a new head coach in Chad Morris and they have a new defensive coordinator in former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis. This is another one of those swing games that will determine LSU’s season.

Nov. 17 vs. Rice

This should be an easy win for LSU, as Rice went 1-11 last season.

Nov. 24 at Texas A&M

The Tigers will face a difficult late season test at A&M who has a new head coach in Jimbo Fisher. The Tigers have won the last seven in this series, but that streak could come to an end this season.

Can you find eight wins on the 2018 LSU schedule? If you give the Tigers the benefit of the doubt, then maybe they can win seven games but it is easy to see LSU finishing at 6-6 or even 5-7 in 2018 and that means they go under their win total of 7.5.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-19-2018, 07:40 PM

Handicapping Miss State (8)
May 2, 2018

The Mississippi State Bulldogs begin a new era in 2018, as gone is Dan Mullen and in is Joe Moorhead. The Bulldogs were reasonably successful under Mullen, but they still only had a winning conference record once in his tenure. Mullen is now at Florida, while Moorhead comes over from Penn State where he was the offensive coordinator.

The Bulldogs should benefit in 2018 from playing seven home games, but they do have to deal with Alabama, Auburn and Texas A&M this season. The Bulldogs also have a highly anticipated home game against Florida and former head coach Mullen.

Mississippi State Bulldogs 2018 Regular Season Win Total
Over 8 (-115)
Under 8 (-115)

The Bulldogs bring back quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, and he should be ready to go after dislocating his foot late last season. He should excel under Moorhead, who is known to run a quarterback-friendly system. The question for the Bulldogs will be on defense, as Bob Shoop comes over from Tennessee. Mississippi State gave up 30 points or more in their four losses last season.

2018 SEC Win Totals

2018 Mississippi State Bulldogs Schedule Analysis

Sept. 1 vs. Stephen F. Austin
The season opener for Mississippi State should be an easy win. The Bulldogs have lost only once to an FCS team and that happened in 2004.

Sept. 8 at Kansas State
This game at Manhattan will not be easy, as the Wildcats are still coached by Bill Snyder and they usually play well at home. Mississippi State has not visited Manhattan since the 1977 season.

Sept. 15 vs. Louisiana
The Bulldogs should be able to fatten up on Louisiana before they begin their SEC schedule. The Bulldogs have won all three previous meetings against the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Sept. 22 at Kentucky
The Wildcats were shredded by Fitzgerald last season in a 45-7 loss and even though this game is in Lexington this time around, it is hard to see Mississippi State losing this one.

Sept. 29 vs. Florida
This is the game of the year for some Mississippi State fans, as they are going against their former head coach. The Bulldogs are more than capable of winning this game at home.

Oct. 6 vs. Auburn
The Bulldogs were destroyed in this game a year ago, as they lost 49-10. Mississippi State should be more competitive this time around, but the Bulldogs are still a notch below the Tigers in terms of overall talent.

Oct. 20 at LSU
The Bulldogs get an extra week to prepare for this contest. It will be a revenge game for LSU, as they were routed 37-7 last year in Starkville. It was the first win in 17 years for Mississippi State at home in this series. This is not a bad spot for the Bulldogs, as it is a sandwich game for LSU in between Georgia and Alabama.

Oct. 27 vs. Texas A&M
The Bulldogs won last year 34-14 but this time around they go against a new Texas A&M team that is coached by Jimbo Fisher. This is one of those swing games that will decide the season for Mississippi State.

Nov. 3 vs. Louisiana Tech
This is a trap game for the Bulldogs, as they face Alabama next week. Mississippi State should still win this game, but it may not be easy.

Nov. 10 at Alabama
The Bulldogs have not won at Alabama since 2007. The Bulldogs had the Crimson Tide on the ropes a year ago, leading 21-17 in the fourth quarter but they couldn’t hold the lead.

Nov. 17 vs. Arkansas
The Bulldogs just barely won at Arkansas last season, as Fitzgerald hit Thomas for the game winning TD with 17 seconds left. The Razorbacks will have a new head coach this season in Chad Morris and it may take him some time to turn the Razorbacks around.

Nov. 22 at Mississippi
The Egg Bowl will be at Oxford this season and it should be another excellent contest. The Rebels won last year’s game in Starkville 31-28 after Fitzgerald left with an injury.

When you look at the 2018 Mississippi schedule it is easy to see this team going 8-4 and landing right on the win total of eight games.

If you want to lean one way or another, going over the total could be the way to go, as Mississippi State is capable of pulling off an upset to get to nine wins.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-19-2018, 07:45 PM

Handicapping Auburn (9)
May 1, 2018

The Auburn Tigers will be looking to match their regular season success of a year ago for the 2018 college football season.

The Tigers went 10-4 last season, including 7-1 in the SEC and they actually won the West Division over their hated rival, Alabama. What Auburn couldn’t do was win the SEC title game, as they were routed by Georgia and the Tigers missed out on the College Football Playoffs.

Can the Tigers get past Alabama again this season and make it into the SEC title game again?

Auburn 2018 Regular Season Win Total - per BetDSI.eu
Over 9 (-110)
Under 9 (-120)

The Tigers won 10 games last season even though they had a difficult schedule that included Alabama, Clemson and Georgia. The 2018 schedule is no bargain for Auburn as they have to play Alabama as normal and they have to go on the road to face Mississippi and Georgia. The Tigers also take on Washington in their season opener. Auburn does return quarterback Jarrett Stidham, but they have to replace a number of starters on the offensive line.

2018 Auburn Tigers Schedule Analysis

Sept. 1 vs. Washington (Atlanta, Georgia)
This is a huge game for both teams in terms of the College Football Playoff, as a win would be huge, while a loss may all but end the losing team’s chances. Auburn should be listed as a three or four point favorite in this contest.

Sept. 8 vs. Alabama State
This should be an easy win for Auburn, as Alabama State was routed last year in their only game against an FBS opponent, as Troy beat them 34-7.

Sept. 15 vs. LSU
Auburn will be looking for revenge, as they were beaten 27-23 in Baton Rouge last season. The home field edge should be enough for Auburn to get this win and keep in mind that the home team has won each of the last five meetings in this series.

Sept. 22 vs. Arkansas
The Razorbacks have a new head coach in Chad Morris who is expected to bring the spread offense to Arkansas. This should be a shootout and that definitely favors Auburn. The Tigers have won four of the last five meetings in this series.

Sept. 29 vs. Southern Miss
The Golden Eagles couldn’t beat Kentucky or Tennessee last season and it is hard to see them winning this one on the road against the Tigers.

Oct. 6 at Mississippi State
It is hard to know what to expect out of Mississippi State, as they have a new head coach in Joe Moorhead. This has been a competitive series, as the teams have split their last six meetings.

Oct. 13 vs. Tennessee
The Vols have a new head coach in Jeremy Pruitt and it may take him some time to get Tennessee turned around. The Tigers should be able to get the home win.

Oct. 20 at Mississippi
This should be another shootout for Auburn, as the Rebels have one of the best offenses in the SEC led by quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. The Tigers won last season by a score of 44-23.

Nov. 3 vs. Texas A&M
The Aggies have a new head coach in Jimbo Fisher and he will turn this team into a contender soon. This is a dangerous home game for the Tigers, as A&M should be much better later in the season than in the early going.

Nov. 11 at Georgia
This is a revenge game for Auburn, as they were beaten by the Bulldogs in the SEC title game. Getting revenge won’t be easy for Auburn, as the Bulldogs are very tough to beat at home.

Nov. 17 vs. Liberty
This should be an easy win for Auburn in advance of the Iron Bowl. Liberty did go 6-5 last season, but they don’t have enough talent to compete with Auburn.

Nov. 24 at Alabama
Can Auburn actually beat Alabama in consecutive seasons? This could be the game that decides which team plays in the SEC title game and it is hard to see Alabama losing the Iron Bowl in back-to-back seasons, especially when this game is at home.

The question is whether or not the Tigers can win at least nine games, and based on their 2018 schedule the answer is probably yes. Auburn has what looks like nine games they should win, two they will probably lose (Georgia and Alabama) and one toss-up (Washington).

**StarDust Bum** · 05-19-2018, 07:48 PM

Handicapping Alabama (10.5)
April 30, 2018

Do you know the last time that the Alabama Crimson Tide didn’t win at least 11 games in the regular season?

If you can’t remember you are probably not alone, as Alabama has won at least 11 games in each of the last seven seasons.

If you think the Crimson Tide are a lock to win at least 11 games again in 2018 then you may want to get in now on the 2018 season win total that is listed at 10.5 at BetDSI.

2018 Alabama Crimson Tide Regular Season Win Total
Over 10.5 (-130)
Under 10.5 (+100)

The Crimson Tide enter the 2018 season as one of the favorites to win the National Championship. Alabama is the defending national champion and they have won the title in two of the last three seasons. Head coach Nick Saban has another powerhouse this season, with an excellent running back in Damien Harris, a veteran offensive line, another great defense and a quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa who looked great in last year’s title game.

2018 SEC Win Totals

2018 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule Analysis

Sept. 1 vs. Louisville (Orlando, Florida)
You might think that this game against Louisville could be a potential land mine for the Crimson Tide, but this year’s Louisville team is not last year’s team. The Cardinals no longer have Lamar Jackson and most of their starters on defense have to be replaced. The Crimson Tide are expected to be at least 30-point favorites in this contest. You can forget about a loss for Alabama in the opener.

Sept. 8 vs. Arkansas State
The Red Wolves are not a bad team, but they are still a team from the Sun Belt and those types of teams don’t go on the road and beat Alabama. The Tide will be 2-0 after this one.

Sept. 15 at Mississippi
It was ugly last year in this game at Alabama, with the Crimson Tide winning 66-3. It should be closer this time around, but it is still hard to see Ole Miss pulling off the upset.

Sept. 22 vs. Texas A&M
The Aggies may eventually be good enough under Jimbo Fisher to compete with Alabama, but not yet. The Crimson Tide won 24-7 against the Aggies in Atlanta last year and this game will be in Tuscaloosa.

Sept. 29 vs. Louisiana
This game should see some scoring, as Louisiana has former Alabama offensive coordinator Billy Napier, but the Ragin’ Cajuns don’t have the defense to contain the Crimson Tide. Alabama should be 5-0 when this one is over.

Oct. 6 at Arkansas
It is hard to see the Razorbacks turning the corner in one season under Chad Morris. The Hogs went 4-8 last year and just 1-7 in the SEC. This game might be more interesting than some people expect, but the Hogs don’t have the defense to contain Alabama.

Oct. 13 vs. Missouri
The Tigers have an explosive offense led by quarterback Drew Luck who led the SEC in passing, but this is a home game for Alabama and they don’t lose at home very often.

Oct. 20 at Tennessee
This game sounds like one that could be a problem for Alabama, but Tennessee is in transition, as they have a new head coach in Jeremy Pruitt. The Vols may be improved, but they are still not anywhere near Alabama in terms of talent.

Nov. 3 at LSU
The Crimson Tide gets an extra week to get ready for their toughest road game of the season. The Tigers have an excellent defense that should be able to give Alabama trouble. The Crimson Tide pulled out a 24-10 win last season against the Tigers. This is one of the only games on the Alabama schedule that can’t automatically be chalked up as a win.

Nov. 10 vs. Mississippi State
This could be a tough home game for Alabama, as the Bulldogs bring back a lot of talent, especially on offense. The Bulldogs will have a new head coach in Joe Moorhead, but he has the talent to win right away. Last year it was Alabama winning 31-24 in Starkville.

Nov. 17 vs. The Citadel
This is a sure win for the Tide before next week’s Iron Bowl.

Nov. 24 vs. Auburn
The Crimson Tide will be looking for revenge after losing last year 26-14 to the Tigers. The Tigers are excellent on defense and they still have Jarrett Stidham running the offense.

If you look at the 2018 schedule for Alabama it is hard to envision them losing more than one game and it is easy to see them going undefeated. Over the total of 10.5 looks to be a good play at BetDSI.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-19-2018, 07:56 PM

QB Tagovailoa planned to transfer
May 18, 2018

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was planning to transfer before he came off the bench to lead a dramatic rally and power Alabama to victory in the national championship game in January.

Had Tagovailoa never entered the game, he was planning to leave the Crimson Tide, according to a report by HawaiiNewsNow.com

Speaking to a group of middle-school students in his native state of Hawaii, Tagovailoa said he was planning to leave Alabama after his freshman season if he didn't play in the championship game against SEC rival Georgia.

"I called my dad and asked him if my offer to the University of Southern California was still available," Tagovailoa said, per HawaiiNewsNow. "I wanted to leave. I told my dad I wanted to go to a school where I thought it'd be easier for me and wouldn't challenge me so much."

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban replaced ineffective starter Jalen Hurts in the second half, and the moved paid off when Tagovailoa sparked a stirring come-from-behind victory.

Tagovailoa helped Alabama erase a 13-point second-half deficit the 26-23 win over Georgia. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 166 yards with three touchdowns against Georgia, including a game-winning 41-yarder.

"Even throughout my football season, I wasn't the starter," Tagovailoa told the students. "I wanted to leave the school. So I told myself if I didn't play in the last game, which was the national championship game, I would transfer out.

"If I gave in, I don't think I would have seen the end blessing of where I am now."

Injuries throughout the spring have hindered Tagovailoa's bid to supplant Hurts as the starter entering the 2018, but last season's experience has him more determined to stay the course.

"My mentality doesn't (change)," said Tagovailoa. "I just got to keep working."

**************************

Georgia QB Fromm gets hooked up
May 18, 2018

Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm managed to hook a big one on a recent fishing trip, and it landed him in the hospital.

The unexpected visit to the hospital occurred after Fromm managed to hook himself in the leg while fishing last week.

Fromm, who led the Bulldogs to the national championship game last season, poked fun at himself for the snafu, posting a picture of the lure stuck in his leg on his Instagram account.

"Works so good it hooks humans too," Fromm wrote in a caption on the photo that showed the treble hook embedded in the side of his lower leg.

Fromm, accompanied by fellow Georgia student Jordan Rowe, made a trip to Cook Medical Center in Adel, Ga., to have the hook removed, per the Columbus Ledger-Inquirer.

The Bulldogs finished 13-2 following a 26-23 loss to Alabama in the national title game. Fromm made 14 starts, passing for 2,615 yards and 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his freshman season.

*********************

Former 5-star QB transfers to USF
May 18, 2018

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Former Alabama and Arizona State quarterback Blake Barnett, once a five-star recruit, has transferred to South Florida, where he'll be immediately eligible to play with two seasons remaining.

USF announced the addition of Barnett on Friday. He is expected to compete for a starting job as the Bulls try to replace three-year starter Quinton Flowers, who set numerous school records at USF and signed a free-agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Barnett was the most highly rated quarterback to recruit to sign with Nick Saban at Alabama when he joined the Crimson Tide in 2015. He was in the mix to play as a freshman, but health issues set him back and he ended up sitting out as a redshirt as Alabama won a national championship.

Barnett started the 2016 season-opener for the Crimson Tide, but quickly relinquished the job to Jalen Hurts. Soon after he left Alabama during the season and enrolled in junior college for the rest of the year, which put him in position to transfer and play in 2017 instead of sitting out the whole season as required by NCAA rules. He was initially supposed to miss the first four games of 2017, but the NCAA granted him a waiver and he was eligible to play the whole season for the Sun Devils.

But he was unable to beat out Manny Wilkins, who started for much of the 2016 season for Arizona State, and served as a backup for Arizona State in 2017. He graduated this spring, making him eligible to transfer again and not sit out.

In seven games at Alabama and Arizona State, Barnett has completed 14 of 24 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. Having played only two seasons, he still has two years of eligibility left.

At USF, Barnett will compete with junior Brett Kean and sophomore Chris Oladokun to start this season. Neither of the incumbents has started a college game and they played sparingly behind Flowers the last two seasons.

**********************

QB Minshew transfers to Wash State
May 18, 2018

Former East Carolina quarterback Gardner Minshew officially transferred to Washington State.

Minshew, a graduate transfer who committed to play at Alabama at the end of February before reversing that decision, withdrew from East Carolina at the end of January to attend to a personal matter in his home state of Mississippi.

Washington State coach Mike Leach announced the transfer of Minshew on the school's official website.

Minshew, who was scheduled to be East Carolina's starting quarterback in 2018, started five games for the Pirates last season, throwing for 2,140 yards with 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Minshew is expected to vie for the starting job with the Cougars. His main competition is Trey Tinsley and Anthony Gordon, neither of whom has thrown a pass since transferring from junior college.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-25-2018, 12:58 PM

Handicapping Florida (7)
May 30, 2018

The Florida Gators are hoping that a new head coach will turn their fortunes around for the 2018 season. Dan Mullen comes over from Mississippi State and takes over at Florida where he was the offensive coordinator the last time the Gators won a national championship. The problem for Mullen is that he doesn’t have a Tim Tebow under center.

The Gators have not had a decent signal caller since Tebow in 2009. It may not be any better this season, as Feleipe Franks is the returning starter. It could be that redshirt sophomore Kyle Trask ends up with the job.

Let’s look at the Florida Gators season win total and schedule for the 2018 season.

Florida Gators 2018 Regular Season Win Total
Over 7 (-110)
Under 7 (-120)

SEC Win Totals

2018 Florida Gators Schedule Analysis

Sept. 1 vs. Charleston Southern
The opener should be a cakewalk for the Gators. Charleston Southern went 6-5 a year ago in the FCS and they have no real chance to be competitive in this contest.

Sept. 8 vs. Kentucky
The Gators should start the season 2-0, as Florida is 31-0 all-time against the Wildcats. Kentucky is not a bad team, but they simply don’t win against Florida and that shouldn’t change this season.

Sept. 15 vs. Colorado State
The schedule couldn’t set up much easier for Mullen to start this season, as he gets three games at home he should win. The Rams are a lot like Kentucky in that they are not a bad team, but they shouldn’t be good enough to win at Florida.

Sept. 22 at Tennessee
The first test of the season for Florida comes against the Volunteers on the road. The Vols have a new head coach in Jeremy Pruitt so they could have some growing pains. This is a game the Gators can win.

Sept. 29 at Mississippi State
Do you think the crowd in Starkville will be riled up for this one? This is a game that the Bulldogs will really want to win and Florida could be looking at their first loss.

Oct. 6 vs. LSU
The schedule for Florida really gets tough, as they face the Tigers just a week after taking on Mississippi State in an emotional game. The Gators are capable of winning this game and it is a contest that might decide whether they go over or under seven wins.

Oct. 13 at Vanderbilt
This game has letdown written all over it for the Gators. Florida always seems to struggle in Nashville even when they have good teams.

Oct. 27 vs. Georgia (Jacksonville, Florida)
This looks like a sure loss for the Gators, as Georgia is considered a national title contender.

Nov. 3 vs. Missouri
This is not a sure win for the Gators, as they will be coming off the game against Georgia and Missouri can score. The Tigers won 45-16 over Florida last year.

Nov. 10 vs. South Carolina
This is another game that won’t be easy, as the Gamecocks are considered the second-best team in the SEC East behind Georgia. The losses could start piling up for the Gators.

Nov. 17 vs. Idaho
The Gators will badly need this game and it should not be a problem, as the Vandals were just 4-8 last season.

Nov. 24 at Florida State
The regular season finale won’t be easy, but this not the same Florida State team, as they have a new head coach in Willie Taggart. Florida has lost the last five in this series, but they are not without a chance in this one.

2018 Florida Gators Win Total Prediction

If you go down the list of games on the Florida schedule you will probably peg the Gators for exactly seven wins. That is exactly the total the oddsmakers have set for this team. Florida should beat Charleston Southern, Kentucky, Colorado State and Idaho. They will probably lose to Georgia. The other seven games really could go either way. The problem with taking over seven wins is that there are very few easy wins on the Florida schedule.

We’ll lean to the under simply because the Gators still don’t have a proven quarterback under center.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-25-2018, 01:01 PM

Handicapping Missouri (6.5)
June 3, 2018

The Missouri Tigers will once again rely heavily on Drew Lock in 2018, as the quarterback returns for his senior season. Lock led the FBS last season with 44 touchdown passes, but he decided to stay in school after his NFL Draft projections were lower than he expected. Lock will not have his top receiver, as J’Mon Moore left for the NFL. The Tigers were extremely inconsistent last season, as they had a five-game losing streak and a six-game winning streak. Let’s look at the Tigers and their win total for this season.

Missouri 2018 Regular Season Win Total
Over 6.5 (-105)
Under 6.5 (-125)

The Tigers were inconsistent a year ago, but they were actually a pretty easy team to figure out. They beat all of the teams they were supposed to beat and they lost to every team that was better than they were. They finished with a winning record on the season, but they lost to Texas in their bowl game. Missouri has a potent offense led by Lock and the Tigers have some young talent around him including running backs Damarea Crockett and Larry Rountree III. The Tigers are going to score a lot of points, so how far they go in 2018 will be determined by their defense. The Tigers have Terry Beckner Jr. who is one of the top defensive linemen in the SEC.

SEC Win Totals

2018 Missouri Tigers Schedule Analysis

Sept. 1 UT Martin
The Tigers get an easy opener against a Tennessee-Martin team that is not going to put up much of a fight. The Tigers should score at least 50 points in their home opener and roll to an easy win.

Sept. 8 Wyoming
The Tigers should not have much trouble against a Wyoming team breaking in a new quarterback. Missouri should be 2-0 after this one.

Sept. 15 at Purdue
You never like to say that a team’s season will be determined by one game, but if Missouri is going to have a winning season this is almost a must-win game, because the next three games are almost certain losses.

Sept. 22 Georgia
The Tigers are going to score points against the Bulldogs, but Georgia has too much talent on both sides of the ball for Missouri.

Oct. 6 at South Carolina
The Tigers come off their week off and travel to South Carolina for a very difficult road contest. The week off will help, but this is still a tough one for the Tigers.

Oct. 13 at Alabama
Missouri doesn’t have the talent to compete with Alabama, especially on the road, so this is another loss.

Oct. 20 Memphis
Missouri gets a break after Alabama with two home games they need to win. Missouri should have enough offense to outscore Memphis in this one.

Oct. 27 Kentucky
The Tigers can’t afford to lose this one against a Kentucky team that continues to improve. The game earlier in the season at Purdue was very important, and this game against Kentucky is also one of those must-win games.

Nov. 3 at Florida
The Tigers are capable of going to Florida and competing with the Gators. Florida has a new head coach and it may take Dan Mullen a while to turn things around in Gainesville.

Nov. 10 Vanderbilt
The Tigers should be able to outscore a Vanderbilt team that almost never plays well on the road.

Nov. 17 at Tennessee
The Tigers might need to win one of their final two games of the season to assure a winning record. Winning at Tennessee is never easy, but Missouri has the offense to make it exciting.

Nov. 24 Arkansas
The Tigers and Razorbacks look to be similar teams, but Missouri is at home and they should be favored. This game could decide Missouri’s season win total.

2018 Missouri Tigers Season Win Total Prediction

If everything goes as expected, and rarely does that happen, the Tigers should go 7-5 and go over their win total of 6.5. The Tigers have seven games they should win and five they will probably lose. The factor that points to the win total going over is that of their five probable losses, three of those games could be competitive and Missouri is more likely to go 8-4 than they are to go 5-7.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-25-2018, 01:06 PM

Handicapping Arkansas (5.5)
June 14, 2018

The Arkansas Razorbacks are going to look a lot different in 2018 than they did a year ago, as they have a new head coach in Chad Morris and a new defensive coordinator in John Chavis. There is no question that Arkansas will score a lot of points, as Morris runs a spread attack.

The question is how much Chavis can improve the defense. The Razorbacks won just four games last season, so Morris doesn’t need to do that much for Arkansas to show improvement this year.

Oddsmakers put the win total for the Razorbacks at 5.5. Let’s look at the schedule for Arkansas to see if they will go over or under that number.

Arkansas 2018 Regular Season Win Total
Over 5.5 (-110)
Under 5.5 (-120)

The Razorbacks averaged 29 points per game last season, so they were not that bad on offense. The defense was a major problem, as they gave up 36.2 points per game in SEC play. Arkansas lost three games by a combined 17 points last season, so they could have finished at least 6-6 if they won a couple of those games. Arkansas has seven home games this season, so getting to six wins is definitely possible.

SEC Win Totals

2018 Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule Analysis

Sept. 1 vs. Eastern Illinois
The opener for Morris should be a cakewalk, as Eastern Illinois doesn’t have the talent to compete with the Hogs.

Sept. 8 at Colorado State
The Razorbacks get a good test in their second game, as they travel to Fort Collins to face the Rams. This is definitely a winnable game for Arkansas, as Colorado State is simply an average team that goes 7-6 every year. Arkansas gets the added edge of facing the Rams after they played Colorado the previous week.

Sept. 15 vs. North Texas
This should be another win for Arkansas, as they face the Mean Green. It may not be easy though, as North Texas did win the West Division of Conference USA last season, but this game is in Fayetteville and the Hogs should win.

Sept. 22 at Auburn
The first huge test of the season for Arkansas is on the road at Auburn. This one figures to be very high scoring and it is also a game that Arkansas figures to lose. The good news for Arkansas is that Auburn will be coming off a game against LSU and could have a letdown.

Sept. 29 vs. Texas A&M (AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas)
This should be an excellent matchup between two teams with new coaches. The Razorbacks have lost the last six against A&M, but this is a game that can win, as it may take Jimbo Fisher some time to get his system in place at A&M. The Hogs get a break, as the Aggies could have a letdown after facing Alabama last week.

Oct. 6 vs. Alabama
It has been ugly for Arkansas in this series, as they have lost the last 11 against the Crimson Tide. The Razorbacks will be solid home underdogs, but Chavis has seen Alabama’s offense a lot and Arkansas might make this game closer than expected.

Oct. 13 vs. Mississippi (War Memorial Stadium - Little Rock)
This one won’t be easy for the Hogs coming off the game against Alabama. Ole Miss has a high-powered offense that scored 33 points per game last season. Betting the over in this game should be the way to go.

Oct. 20 vs. Tulsa
This game should be a win for Arkansas, as they have beaten Tulsa 18 straight times going back to 1977.

Oct. 27 vs. Vanderbilt
There is no reason to think that Vandy is going to go into Fayetteville and come out with a win.

Nov. 10 vs. LSU
This game comes after a bye week for Arkansas, so they will be well rested. This is a winnable game for Arkansas, as it comes at home and LSU will be coming off their game against Alabama.

Nov. 17 at Mississippi State
The Hogs continue to get scheduling breaks, as this will be the third time they will be facing a team coming off a game against Alabama. It should be a high scoring game as the Bulldogs hired Joe Moorhead who ran Penn State’s high scoring offense last season.

Nov. 24 at Missouri
The Tigers won 48-45 at Fayetteville last season, so this is a revenge game for the Hogs. This should be another high scoring game, as the Tigers feature quarterback Drew Lock.

2018 Arkansas Razorbacks Season Win Total Prediction

The schedule really couldn’t set up much better for the Hogs in 2018. They have four games they should win rather easily and another six games they are not without a chance to win. They just need to win two of those six to go over the total. A 6-6 or 7-5 season looks probable for Arkansas and that means they go over their win total of 5.5

**StarDust Bum** · 06-25-2018, 01:09 PM

Handicapping Tennessee (5.5)
June 20, 2018

The Tennessee Volunteers are coming off the worst season in school history, as they went 0-8 in the SEC. There is optimism that things will get better in 2018, as Jeremy Pruitt takes over as head coach. The problem for Pruitt and Tennessee is that their 2018 schedule is difficult.

Oddsmakers believe that Tennessee will be improved, but that a winning season is still unlikely. Let’s look at the schedule for the Volunteers in 2018 and see if they will go over or under their win total of 5.5.

2018 Tennessee Volunteers Regular Season Win Total
Over 5.5 (-110)
Under 5.5 (-120)

SEC Win Totals

2018 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule Analysis

Sept. 1 vs. West Virginia (Charlotte, NC)
The season opener for Tennessee is a tough one as they meet West Virginia in a neutral site game in Charlotte. The Mountaineers are loaded on offense, led by quarterback Will Grier and it is hard to see the Vols keeping up with the Mountaineers.

Sept. 8 vs. East Tennessee State
The first win of the Pruitt era should come in Week 2, as the Volunteers host East Tennessee State. The Bucs are 11-22 since reviving their football program and they have no shot in this one.

Sept. 15 vs. UTEP
The Miners are an FBS team, but they are not that much better than East Tennessee. UTEP was considered the worst FBS team in the country a year ago and they don’t look any better this year. This will be another easy Tennessee win.

Sept. 22 vs. Florida
The Volunteers are not without a chance to win their SEC opener, as Florida has a new head coach and it may take some time for Dan Mullen to get his system in place.

Sept. 29 at Georgia
The Volunteers have no real chance to win this one, as Georgia is considered a national title contender and this game is in Athens. The teams met last season in Knoxville and Georgia won 41-0.

Oct. 13 at Auburn
The Volunteers will have a bye before this game although it probably won’t matter. Tennessee simply doesn’t match up against the Tigers on either side of the ball and this should be another road defeat.
Tennessee has not won at Jordan-Hare since 1998.

Oct. 20 vs. Alabama
The brutal stretch for Tennessee continues, as they host Alabama. This will be Pruitt facing his former mentor Nick Saban and former assistant coaches are 0-12 against Saban.

Oct. 27 at South Carolina
The Volunteers nearly beat South Carolina last season in Knoxville, but this year the game is in Columbia and South Carolina looks like a contender in the SEC.

Nov. 3 vs. Charlotte
Tennessee finally gets a break as they host Charlotte. The 49ers had just one win last season and they are not going to go into Knoxville and win.

Nov. 10 vs. Kentucky
If the Volunteers are going to win six games and go over the total of 5.5 then this is simply a must-win game. The Volunteers have not lost at home to Kentucky since 1984.

Nov. 17 vs. Missouri
This is another of those key games for Tennessee this season. Missouri has a high-powered offense that scored 50 points against the Vols last year in Colombia. Missouri doesn’t play much defense and this game is in Knoxville, so it is a game Tennessee can win.

Nov. 24 at Vanderbilt
The regular season finale is a toss-up because it is in Nashville. Tennessee has lost four of the last six matchups in this series.

2018 Tennessee Volunteers Win Total Prediction

The Volunteers have an interesting schedule to predict, as there are three sure wins, three sure losses, two likely losses and four toss-up games. The win total and a bowl berth probably come down to the four toss-up games. Three of those four games are at home against Florida, Kentucky and Missouri, while the road game is at Vanderbilt. To win six games and go over the total, Tennessee has to win three of those games.

That is a tough task, so while it is close, we’ll lean to taking the Volunteers to go under their win total of 5.5 games.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-25-2018, 01:11 PM

Handicapping Vanderbilt (5)
June 21, 2018

The Vanderbilt Commodores took a step back last season as they won just once in SEC play. The Commodores don’t look to be any better this season, as they lost top running back Ralph Webb, three top receivers and most of their top players on defense.

Oddsmakers are not high on the chances of Vandy this season, as they set the win total for the Commodores at five. Let’s look at the Commodores and their schedule to see if they will go over or under that number.

2018 Vanderbilt Commodores Regular Season Win Total
Over 5 (+100)
Under 5 (-130)

The Commodores do return senior quarterback Kyle Shurmur but he is going to need help. Vanderbilt is hoping that transfers Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Alex Stump will be the answer at running back and receiver respectively.

Vaughn rushed for 723 yards as a true freshman at Illinois in 2015 but then didn’t get much playing time in 2016. Stump will be counted on to team up with junior Kalija Lipscomb to give Shurmur two good receiving options. The Commodores do return all five starters on the offensive line.

The defense returns just four starters and they will have a new coordinator, as former Stanford assistant Jason Tarver takes over. The defense does have Charles Wright at linebacker and Joejuan Williams at cornerback, but there are very few other players worth talking about.

SEC Win Totals

2018 Vanderbilt Commodores Football Schedule Analysis

Sept. 1 Middle Tennessee

If Vanderbilt is to have any chance to win five games they simply have to win their home opener, but it is not a given, as Middle Tennessee is capable of putting points on the board.

Sept. 8 Nevada

The Commodores will also need to win this game against Nevada because there are very few other winnable games on the schedule this season. Nevada is not a good team, and Vandy should win this one at home.

Sept. 15 at Notre Dame

The Commodores are not going to go into South Bend and win. It is just a matter of how badly they get beat.

Sept. 22 South Carolina

The Gamecocks are a good SEC team and even though this game is at home, it is likely going to be another loss for Vandy.

Sept. 29 Tennessee State

This is the one game on the schedule that you can safely mark in the win column for the Commodores, as Tennessee State is no threat.

Oct. 6 at Georgia

The Commodores are going to get routed in this game, as they simply have no chance to compete with the Bulldogs.

Oct. 13 Florida

The Gators have a new head coach in Dan Mullen so perhaps Vanderbilt can be competitive in this contest, but it still looks like a home loss.

Oct. 20 at Kentucky

If this game was at home then perhaps Vanderbilt could pull out a win, but it is on the road and Vandy is usually road kill.

Oct. 27 at Arkansas

This looks like yet another road loss for the Commodores, but at least the Commodores have a chance to be competitive.

Nov. 3 Bye

Nov. 10 at Missouri

The Commodores don’t have the offense to keep up with Missouri, so this will likely be a high scoring loss.

Nov. 17 Mississippi

The Rebels are a better team than Vandy, but this game is at home and the Commodores might be able to pull off the upset.

Nov. 24 Tennessee

This will likely be the final game of the season for Vandy, and another home loss, the Commodores don’t look like a team that is good enough to make a bowl game.

2018 Vanderbilt Commodores Season Win Total Prediction

The Commodores were not a good team last season in Derek Mason’s fourth season and there is no reason to think they are going to be any good in 2018. The offense might be okay with Shurmur returning, but the defense is going to struggle. Even if we give the Commodores the three games they should win, there are simply not many other games they are likely to win. This looks like a 3-9 or 4-8 season for Vanderbilt and that means they will go under their win total of five.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-25-2018, 01:14 PM

Report: Stanford transfer Alexander reporting to LSU
June 24, 2018

LSU graduate transfer cornerback Terrence Alexander will report to the team on Monday, according to Nola.com.

Alexander announced in the spring he intended to transfer from Stanford to LSU once he graduated. He earned his degree last week, allowing him to follow through on transferring as a graduate.

Graduate transfers are not required by the NCAA to sit out a year so Alexander, who is a native of nearby New Orleans, is eligible to play for the Tigers this season.

Alexander played in one game before an injury cut his season short last year. He played 13 games in a backup role in 2016.

LSU has one starting spot open alongside All-America candidate Greedy Williams. Alexander expects to compete against sophomores Jontre Kirklin, Mannie Netherly and Kary Vincent. Kristian Fulton is also a contender but is under suspension by the NCAA.

********************

CFB Notebook: South Carolina suspends DB Charleston
June 23, 2018

South Carolina defensive back Javon Charleston was suspended from the team in the wake of his arrest on multiple charges.

Charleston was arrested June 17 on charges of assault and burglary, The State newspaper reported Friday, citing Lexington County (S.C.) police records.

The university confirmed Charleston's suspension to the newspaper via an athletic department spokesman.

Charleston was a walk-on at the school who received a scholarship in August 2017. He appeared in 13 games last season primarily on special teams, although he also saw playing time at defensive back and wide receiver.

The newspaper reported that Charleston could face up to a $2,500 fine or up to three years in prison for the assault and battery charge. The first-degree burglary charge could result in a life sentence in prison.

--Arkansas coach Chad Morris finally signed a contract this week despite being hired last December.

Morris' deal pays him about $3.5 million per year through 2023, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. His contract also reportedly includes bonuses.

Morris can earn up to $1 million in competition-based bonuses and $200,000 in academic-based bonuses each year. He is also eligible for three retention payments of $500,000 each if no serious NCAA violations occur and the school does not land on NCAA probation at the time the payments are due in February of 2019, 2021 and 2023.

There are also contingencies if Morris gets fired or resigns from the school before his contract runs out. Morris will receive 70 percent of his yearly salary if he gets fired before the final day of 2022. But he gets the full amount if he is let go on or after Jan. 1, 2023. If Morris leaves the school for another coaching job before Dec. 31, 2019, he would owe Arkansas $3 million, and decreasing amounts each year after that.

--Former Arkansas wide receiver Maleek Barkley announced that he is transferring to Montana State.

Barkley is the fifth Razorback to transfer from the school this offseason.

Barkley, a former running back, made the change to wide receiver as a freshman last year and redshirted. He still has four years of eligibility remaining.

Since Montana State is an FCS-level school, Barkley does not have to sit out a year.

--It's a steep rise in the level of play from Massachusetts to Auburn, but graduate transfer Jack Driscoll appears to be making a seamless transition.

Although Driscoll has only been able to participate in summer workouts since transferring to Auburn in May, the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder has already opened eyes with his new teammates.

"I am extremely happy that he came to Auburn because, like I said, he's a great person, but he's a freak of an athlete when it comes to a guy that's 6-5, 300 pounds," Tigers quarterback Jarrett Stidham told Al.com this week at Eli Manning's passing academy. "He's just a freak athlete and I think he can really help us this year."

Driscoll is expecting to vie for the starting right tackle job with redshirt freshmen Calvin Ashley and Austin Troxell during Auburn's fall camp. He made 12 starts at right tackle for the Minutemen in 2017

**StarDust Bum** · 06-25-2018, 01:16 PM

CFB Notebook: FAU, Kiffin finalize 10-year contract
June 22, 2018

Florida Atlantic and head coach Lane Kiffin finally finalized a new 10-year contract.

The deal, which will keep Kiffin with the university through 2027, was initially agreed upon in December but was made official this week, a school spokesman confirmed to the Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale.

Kiffin resurrected the school's football program in one season, guiding the Owls to an 11-3 record and 10 consecutive victories.

Florida Atlantic won the Conference USA championship and capped the season with a victory over Akron in the Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl.

The 11 wins represent the most in program history for the Owls in their 13 years as an FBS school. Florida Atlantic posted three consecutive 3-9 marks before Kiffin's arrival.

Kiffin's initial deal was for five years and paid him $950,000 annually. While his yearly salary will remain the same, Kiffin will receive a $50,000 bonus for each year he remains with the program. Numerous incentives also are included in the contract. "I'm not driven by money anymore," Kiffin told ESPN.com in May. "I'm not driven by ego, of the attention being a head coach at one of those places. I'm very happy here on all fronts."

Kiffin enjoyed success in his first season in Boca Raton after a bumpy ride as Alabama's offensive coordinator during which the Crimson Tide won a national title following the 2015 season.

The 43-year-old Kiffin owns a 46-24 record all-time as a head coach that includes stops at USC and Tennessee.

Kiffin also went 5-15 in parts of two seasons as coach of the NFL's Oakland Raiders before being dismissed as coach four games into the 2008 season.

--Wyoming running back Trey Woods might be able to play this season after all.

Three weeks after the school announced that Woods would sit out the 2018 season because of a shoulder injury, Cowboys coach Craig Bohl told the Casper Star-Tribune that he is not ruling out a return by the sophomore running back.

"There's an opportunity he may be back," Bohl told the newspaper. "Initially, we thought that he for sure would be out for the year, and he may be back. What's also interesting is this year will be the first year a player can play four games and still preserve that redshirt year. So we'll see where he's at on that calendar."

The NCAA passed a rule earlier this month that will allow a player to appear in up to four games without losing a year of eligibility. So, even if Woods returns four games at the end of the year, he could still qualify for a medical redshirt season.

Woods led the Cowboys in rushing as a freshman in 2017 with 493 yards and two touchdowns on 124 carries. He also had four receptions for 74 yards.

Even with Woods, Wyoming had one of the nation's least efficient running games in the nation, averaging only 3.17 yards per rush. That was sixth worst in the country, according to the newspaper.

Kellen Overstreet, Nico Evans and Woods, who was recruited by the school as a linebacker, were listed as co-starters at running back atop the team's depth chart following spring practice.

"He has had surgery, and so we're just waiting on his recovery," Bohl said of Woods. "He's a little bit ahead of where we thought he'd be. He certainly won't be ready the first game, but as the season goes along, we feel like he'll be ready to go."

--Fresno State has hired Terry Tumey, who formerly worked with the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers in the NFL, as athletic director, university president Joseph I. Castro announced on Twitter.

The 52-year-old Tumey replaces Jim Bartko, who resigned in November.

Tumey was a three-time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection as defensive lineman at UCLA, and helped the Bruins win four bowl games, including the 1985 Rose Bowl.

After earning a bachelor's degree in political science at UCLA, he went back to school and received an MBA from UCLA's UCLA Andersen School of Business in 1993.

During that time, Tumey was a graduate assistant in the UCLA football program and eventually became a full-time assistant coach, later holding a similar position with the Broncos.

Tumey was the 49ers' director of football administration from 2004 to 2009 and left to become athletic director at Dominican University in San Rafael, Calif.

Later, he was athletic director at UC Davis and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, where he spent the last 2 1/2 years.

--John Ward, known as the "Voice of the Vols" at the University of Tennessee, has died after a lengthy illness at the age of 88.

Ward did radio play-by-play for 34 basketball seasons and for 31 in football, never missing a game in more than 350 broadcasts before his retirement in 1999.

"It is with a heavy heart that we announce a great voice has gone silent," Vol Network said in a statement announcing his death.

During his last football season in 1998, the Volunteers won the national championship, and he continued for one more basketball season.

When the Volunteers beat Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl to clinch the national title, Ward punctuated the moment with the call: "The national champion is clad in Big Orange!"

Ward's broadcasts were sprinkled with his signature calls, which included, "Give him six," after a Tennessee touchdown, and, "Bottom," when the Volunteers made a big shot in basketball.

After Ward retired, country music superstar Kenny Chesney, who grew up in Tennessee, recorded a tribute to Ward called "Touchdown Tennessee."

When he announced his retirement in 1998, Ward said: "I'll miss the game, but I'll miss the fans more."

Ward chronicled the exploits of such Tennessee greats as Peyton Manning, Bernard King, Reggie White, Dale Ellis and Condredge Holloway.

In 1994, Ward and his late wife, Barbara, made a $2 million gift to Tennessee, at the time the largest ever made to the school's athletic department.

Ward was honored on the field during a game last season at Neyland Stadium.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-25-2018, 01:17 PM

CFB notebook: Oklahoma extends Riley's contract
June 19, 2018

Oklahoma and head coach Lincoln Riley agreed to a contract extension Tuesday, the Oklahoman reported.

Although the extension is only for one year, it will also provide a raise of $1 million for Riley for the upcoming 2018 season.

Riley will receive annual increases of $100,000 for the contract that will run through January 2023. The total value of the five years remaining on the deal is worth $25 million.

Taking over the program last season following the retirement of Bob Stoops, Riley guided the Sooners to a 12-2 record in 2017. Oklahoma won the Big 12 Conference title and advanced to the national semifinal, losing to Georgia 54-48 in the Rose Bowl.

--Notre Dame senior linebacker Te'von Coney was sentenced to a year of probation after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana, multiple media outlets reported.

Coney entered into a plea agreement on the charge stemming from an arrest with four teammates in August 2016 in Fulton Country, Ind.

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Coney wrote a one-word posting on his Twitter account on Tuesday morning: "Blessed."

Coney registered a team-high 116 tackles, including 11.5 for loss, and 3.0 sacks for Notre Dame during his junior season in 2017. Indiana State Police arrested Coney and four teammates in August 2016 after a trooper reported finding a loaded handgun and marijuana in their car.

--Running back Terence Williams and cornerback Nick Watkins officially transferred to the University of Houston, the school announced.

Williams (Baylor) and Watkins (Notre Dame) are graduate transfers so both will be immediately eligible to play for the Cougars in the 2018 season.

Williams was limited to eight games last season due to a shoulder injury and finished with only 255 yards rushing and one touchdown on 73 carries. However, he rumbled for 1,048 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2016, when current Houston offensive coordinator Kendal Briles served in the same capacity at Baylor.

Watkins started nine of 12 games for the Fighting Irish last season, recording 28 tackles, breaking up eight passes and making one interception.

--Jeff Byrd was named interim head football coach at Stephen F. Austin, the school announced.

The promotion of Byrd comes one day after head coach Clint Conque was suspended due to "alleged violations of university policy."

The university announced Monday that Conque will be away from the team pending an investigation. The school said in a statement that the probe is expected to take "several weeks" and no further comments will be made by the university until it is complete.

Byrd, in his second season with the Lumberjacks, served as the team's defensive coordinator in 2017. He was promoted to assistant head coach in March.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-25-2018, 01:19 PM

CFB notebook: Former Oregon player found dead after crash
June 16, 2018

Former Oregon defensive player Fotu Leiato II was found dead hours after a single car accident in Eugene, Ore., on Friday morning. He was 21 years old.

Oregon television station KEZI reported that Leiato was a passenger in a car that rolled over and crashed about 2:30 a.m. near Autzen Stadium where the Ducks play their home games. The driver of the vehicle, Pedro Chavarin, Jr., told police he was the only one in the car when it crashed.

According to KEZI, a woman in the area called police about 7 a.m. when she saw a hand near the scene of the accident and Leiato's body was discovered. Chavarin was hospitalized and cited for DUII.

Leitao, a safety and linebacker, played 20 games for the Ducks from 2015-17. He recorded 37 tackles. He was dismissed from the team in April following an arrest for removing a parking boot from his car. He was charged with second-degree criminal mischief and second-degree theft.

--Ohio State coach Urban Meyer told reporters that Dwayne Haskins will begin preseason camp as the Buckeyes' starting quarterback.

Meyer named Haskins starter while speaking at the Ohio State Football Job Fair in Columbus. However, he also said that fellow sophomore Tate Martell will get to compete for the job.

Haskins, Martell and Joe Burrow vied for the starting role during spring practice, but Burrow later transferred to LSU in May.

Haskins, who is 6 feet 3, 218 pounds, completed 40 of 57 passes for 565 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in eight games as a backup last season.

--The NCAA settled a lawsuit with the widow of former Texas football player Greg Ploetz, who suffered with CTE and died in 2015.

After a three-day trial in a Dallas courtroom, the NCAA agreed to an undisclosed monetary settlement with Debra Hardin-Ploetz, who brought the lawsuit.

The suit claimed that the NCAA did not properly inform Ploetz of the overall health risks associated with repeated blows to the head. It was the first lawsuit of its kind. According to the Associated Press, the suit stated that Ploetz had "memory loss, difficulty communicating and confusion."

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease found in people who have had multiple head injuries.

Hardin-Ploetz sued for negligence and wrongful death, claiming that that the NCAA failed to communicate that repeated head trauma and lifelong cognitive difficulties were among the assumed risks of playing college football.

Ploetz played for Texas from 1968-71, helping the Longhorns win 30 consecutive games, four straight Southwest Conference championships and two national titles (1969 and 1970). He was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 1971.

He died in 2015 and had his brain donated to Boston University, which concluded that he suffered from CTE.

Announcement

A Sneak Peek At CFB 2018 News/Views/Highlights !

A Sneak Peek At CFB 2018 News/Views/Highlights !

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