College football: Predicting the first loss for every remaining undefeated team

Florida Atlantic’s first loss: vs. Marshall – Saturday, Oct. 24

In the post-Lane Kiffin era and the time of COVID-19, the Florida Atlantic Owls have struggled to simply get on the field. Games against Georgia Southern, South Florida and Southern Miss have been postponed already, leaving the team with just one game played. But they have a 1-0 record after a 21-17 win over Charlotte in the one contest in which they’ve played.

Assuming that the Owls can eventually get healthy and get on the field in the relatively near future, their winning streak should be short-lived. Their next scheduled matchup is against an also-unbeaten Marshall team that has looked rejuvenated with some new personnel on the field. Should that game be played, FAU doesn’t have the horses they once did to escape a loss.

Georgia’s first loss: SEC Championship Game vs. Alabama

As mentioned, Georgia won’t suffer their first loss of the season in Week 7 when they go on the road to play Alabama. These two SEC titans are an even matchup but, in a game played without Nick Saban on the sidelines, I like Kirby Smart‘s defense to prevail. But again, these are even teams when you stack them up against one another.

Subsequently, if these teams stay on their projected paths to meet again in the SEC Championship Game — I believe Florida is a tier below the Dawgs in the SEC East — then expecting these two teams to split is far from out of the cards. Saban will adjust where it’s necessary to do so and Georgia fans will have to worry if a loss in the conference championship game will severely hinder their College Football Playoff chances.

Houston’s first loss: vs. UCF – Saturday, Oct. 31

Much like FAU, Houston is a team that has simply struggled to get on the field in the 2020 season. The Cougars saw one postponement and/or cancelation after another before finally getting to suit up against Tulane in Week 6. Despite a five-turnover performance as they forced none of their own, Houston picked up an 18-point win as they looked the part of an explosive offensive force.

While I do believe that will carry them to victory in a shootout with BYU in Week 7, the thing about shootouts is that they are not a sustainable way to win, especially at the college level. That will prove true on Halloween as they face Dillon Gabriel and the UCF Knights, a team that may not be perfect but has more than enough juice on offense to keep pace with the Cougs and hand them an unsavory “L”.