College Football Preview

The College Football Season Begins

It is finally here! College football might have already played one game last week, but it officially begins tonight. Aside from Cal and Hawaii, everyone has a fresh slate. The remaining 126 teams are undefeated and begin their quest towards a national championship thus weekend. Below, you will find predictions from our very own "experts". Keep track throughout the season as we each poke fun at the other for stupid choices.

Corbett's Predictions

@corbeech

National Semifinalists

Florida State, Louisiana State, Ohio State, and Oklahoma

Clemson was the better team last year, but they had a massexodus. Florida State gets to host Clemson this year in a game that will serve as a playoff play-in game. The best player in the game will win. Contrary to popular belief, Clemson doesn't have the best player and they're going to take the L in this one. Out of the Big 12, I feel like Oklahoma has the best shot to make it out unscathed. Baker Mayfield has the tools around him to succeed, all he has to do is stick to the plan and the Sooners will do well. Last year's Buckeye team was one game away from a playoff appearance and an opportunity to repeat. They may have addition by subtraction with losing Cardale Jones. Now that J.T. Barrett doesn't have him looming over his shoulder, he'll be able to play loose and have the Buckeyes operating at peak performance. With LSU, it's basically a pick that I think they can beat Bama when Bama comes to them. Alabama doesn't make it every year and with Fournette trying to redeem a TRASH game against them last year and the Tide going to Death Valley, I wouldn't be surprised to see them Les Miles chewing on grass during a playoff game. 

National Champion

Ohio State

J.T. Barrett is back and is not involved in a quarterback controversy. This will spell trouble for the rest of the Big Ten. Big daddy Urbs is going to be back to cocky mode and you can cancel the call to the heart doctor this season. Urban essentially has an SEC team that gets to play in the Big Ten all year. It is a miracle that they ever lose. They may wind up losing at Oklahoma, but I don't think it will matter when they run the Big Ten table. It's becoming the norm that one loss doesn't ruin a team's chances and losing at a top 5 team in September will not do that this year either.

Heisman Winner

Dalvin Cook, Florida State

I am high on the Dalvin Cook hype train. He was my darkhorse for Heisman all last season, but nagging injuries kept him down. He had two carries in one game (one went 94 yards, but he's cool like that) and missed an entire game later in the season. He still ran for 1691 yards and 19 TDs. All of this while averaging over 7 yards per carry. Dalvin is the man and we're all going to be witnesses this season. As previously implied, he is the best player in the Clemson v FSU game that will be coming this Fall. If the team can remember he is there, they'll be just fine vs Clemson.

Three Bold Predictions

1. Baylor will be a playoff contender

I don't think they'll be able to run the table, but they're going to be a strong team, nonetheless. Old Man Briles may be gone, but young blood Briles is still the OC and Seth Russell is still their quarterback. Don't let their scumminess blind you to their abilities. They will be a strong team and I was tempted to take them to the playoff. Couldn't do it, so now they're here.

2. The ACC will have two teams very close to the playoffs 

This isn't that big of a stretch, but I wouldn't be overly surprised if North Carolina is contending for a spot in the playoff and will have their shot in the ACC Championship. They will have a rematch vs Florida State for all of the marbles. The ACC is sneaky good this year and has 3 legitimate title contenders in Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina. It wouldn’t surprise me too much if two of them made the playoff.

3. Auburn, Ole Miss, and Georgia will get beat down in week one and the national analysts will question if the ACC has surpassed the SEC

This will take place either immediately after the games or by week 2. This narrative takes place every year and the games in week 1 favor the ACC. After the top three ACC teams have good showings and slap around their SEC opponents, the hot takes will be had by all.

Dug's Predictions

@chansm1th

National Semifinalists

Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma, and Washington

Alabama is always going to be a team that most people will automatically put in the talk for contending in the playoff race. However, they were my last choice of the four. Alabama is like Kentucky in basketball: they always seem to reload and run towards another championship. Florida State's biggest worry is Clemson. Yes, they play Mississippi in the first week, but win or lose, a win against Clemson (and no more surprises) will be just enough for them to get into the playoff. Oklahoma is going to be the best that the Big 12 has to offer. Washington is my dark horse. When you look at what they bring back, and their schedule, they are a sexy pick coming out of the PAC-12.

National Champion

Oklahoma

It is finally time for Bob Stoops to win another National Championship. The Sooners have been close a few times, but they haven't been able to cash in since winning their last title in 2000, but this might finally be their year. 

Heisman Trophy

Nick Chubb, Georgia

Who can forget the gruesome injury that Chubb suffered last year? Well we're about to. Step aside Leonard Fournette! Nick Chubb is taking your place as the best back in the SEC, along with the Heisman Trophy they are already trying to give you.

Three Bold Predictions

1. This is Gus Malzahn's last season coaching Auburn

Auburn will go 6-6 at best with a 3-5 conference record in the SEC. Do not be surprised if they find themselves needing a win on November 26 when they go to Tuscaloosa. This team could end up 4-8 if things really fall apart.

2. Neither Ohio State nor Michigan will make the Big Ten Championship

Both teams are entering the season in everyone's Top 10 and also lead a lot of the playoff contention talk. Ohio State only returns six starters from a year  ago, yet some people have them in talks for the National Championship. How? Michigan is in year two of the Jim Harbaugh Era after opening it with a 10-3 record. This sechedule does not bode well for them. They go on the road to face Michigan State, Iowa, and Ohio State. The team in the East Division to keep an eye on will be Michigan State.

3. Charlie Strong will keep his job after winning 10 games this season.

In year three, Charlie Strong might have the hottest seat among FBS teams. With an 11-14 record in his first two seasons, it is time to go all out. Texas opens the season with Notre Dame coming to Austin. After last year's embarrassing defeat to the Irish, don't sleep on the Longhorns to make some noise in this matchup. The rest of the schedule is pretty favorable. They draw both Baylor and TCU at home. A loss to Oklahoma and one of the other two will have the fans praising Charlie Strong as his team competes for a spot in the playoff while staying inside the Top 15 throughout the season.

Eric's Predictions

@ericaltenhof

When you walk outside in September and take a deep breath, there's something a little more crisp in the air that lets you know football is here.

And, as certain as week 1 in the college season, there are post season predictions that are sure to be wrong. Here's my predictions that I'll dismiss if wrong, but rub in your face if I'm right.

National Semifinalists

Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, and Oklahoma

I think this is the year LSU climbs up and beats Alabama. The Crimson Tide lose some at QB, and at the time of this writing, are down to a RS Freshman in Blake Barnett and a RS Junior in Cooper Bateman. (Secretly hoping Cooper wins, Cooper is badass name).

The Big 12 doesn't have a true contender to fight off Oklahoma, and neither does Clemson. Florida State will put up a fight, but Clemson is too good right now with DeShaun Watson.

At this point, Michigan is overrated. Maybe they aren't at week 4, but at this point they are. Ohio State gets the Wolverines at home with JT Barrett at QB. I'll take the Buckeyes in that matchup that completely chooses who gets into the playoff.

Again, The Pac-12 will be left out of the College Football Playoff, but I think in the next few years, this will change. The conference is close, but still not enough talent to have any team go 12-0 or 11-1.

National Champion

Clemson

I went back and forth on which would I wanted to for this. I think Clemson comes in as the #1 seed, LSU #2, Oklahoma #3, and Ohio State getting the #4. ESPN will spin the story of REMEMBER LAST TIME OHIO STATE WAS A 4 SEED!!!!!!! But don't sit on that too long, Clemson wins that. This Clemson Oklahoma game was great in the 1st round of the playoffs last year and I only expect more fireworks. But, in the end, Clemson and Dabo Sweeney win the Championship, and I start to wonder why I didn't pick Watson as my Heisman winner.

Heisman Trophy

 Leonard Fournette, LSU

I know McCaffrey is fantastic, but I don't think there is a better offensive football player in the country than Fournette. He's huge, fast, and plays on a team that could challenge for a National Championship. Fournette has a better team around him this year, with a quarterback that's expected to perform at a competent level. There's nothing spectacular I can say about Fournette that hasn't been said, but just watching him play makes fans hold their breath. He may be one of the only players that could take the ball from anywhere on the field and find that end zone.
I really hope Fournette wins it over DeShaun Watson. Nothing against Watson, truly talented, I'm just a Fournette fan.

Three Bold Predictions

1. The Pac-12's best team will have 3 losses

There is a lot of parity in the Pac-12 and that will show in the upcoming season. USC, Arizona, Arizona State, Stanford, and UCLA all have depleted rosters after the NFL Draft, and they will beat up on each other.

2. Georgia Bulldogs win 10 games this season

If they can get by North Carolina and Tennessee the Bulldogs can do it. The SEC East is so lackluster this year, and their SEC West teams are Auburn and Ole Miss. The other 3 non-conference games: Nicolls, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Georgia Tech.

3. USC wins the PAC-12

Coming in at +550 odds to win the championship (tied for 4th behind Stanford, UCLA, and Washington, tied with Oregon). The Trojans have talent, loads of talent, and play in a conference that I think will beat themselves up. The division winner could come down to a tie breaker that I think the Trojans will have.

 

Trey's Predictions
@Tampa_Trey

National Semifinalists

Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, and TCU

Alabama will just edge Tennessee in the SEC title game for a playoff birth.

Until I see Oklahoma take care of their business when they're expected to, unlike losing to a lowly Texas in 2015, I can't pick them to make it to the playoff. I believe TCU will put an end to the playoff snubbing this year. 

It will come down to Ohio St vs Michigan to decide the Big 10's playoff berth. The winner of that game will win the conference title game en route to the playoff.

Florida St will just edge Clemson and ride that victory to the playoff. I can't say much for a team that allows a guy who beats women (allegedly Kappa) to play without consequence so there you go. 

National Champions

Alabama

Nick Saban is still the difference. That was apparent in last season's title game when he simply out coached Dabo Swinney in the 4th quarter. Until Saban is out coached himself, the story of the season will be who can beat Bama?

Heisman winner

Deshaun Watson, Clemson

There doesn't appear to be much competition for Watson this year after he was barely outvoted by Derrick Henry for last years Heisman trophy. Stanford will need to go undefeated for Christian McCaffery to make a case but that's likely not happening. 

Three bold predictions

1. Houston will upset Oklahoma in the season opener

As I said before Oklahoma needs to take care of its business when they're expected to. This is no exception. Although Houston is a good team they are still Houston and Oklahoma should win this. I believe they will not. 

2. Ole Miss will finish in the bottom half of the SEC West

Despite the lofty expectations and the talent there is a massive black cloud looming over Oxford as Hugh Freeze is likely not to last long at Ole Miss with multiple major NCAA violations ready to be levied on him. Fans are no doubt in deep thought on what the future holds for Ole Miss and this is sure to bring many distractions to the team. 

3. Kentucky will make it to a bowl this year

It's crunch time for Mark Stoops. After two very optimistic years at UK season three was disheartening as the Wildcats lost six of their last seven games to miss out on what was expecting to be a sure-fire bowl bid. However I believe Stoops is still the man to bring Kentucky back to SEC East contention. It won't be this year but the Cats will pull out a few unexpected victories to go bowling.



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