It is that time of year again, where I make bad predictions about the college football season! I thought last year was the final season before all the conference realignment stuff, but I guess we have one final season. Plus we have two new FBS teams: Sam Houston and Jacksonville State!
I know, this is a bit of a copout, but I think Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State all beat each other (again). The west is a joke, I think Iowa should win it, but who knows. Some new coaches over there, so it is hard to predict teams like Wisconsin and Nebraska.
I was tempted to put LSU above Alabama, but I hate to bet against Saban and the Crimson Tide. If Texas A&M has another bad year, do they fire Jimbo Fisher? Team that could surprise people…Mizzou. I would not be shocked if they finished with 8+ wins.
If Quinn Ewers stays healthy, I can see Texas competing for a CFP spot. I also think Oklahoma rebounds from last year. I think it will take a few years until the new teams can start competing. Texas Tech is my sleeper team, who shock people and win the conference (or they go 7-5 with a random upset in there).
The Seminoles will win the ACC, but stay out of the CFP because of a loss to LSU and a random stupid loss to someone like Wake Forest. They take down Clemson though, and I think they beat Pitt easily in the conference championship. Pitt will be good this year, I hate to say that, but I respect what is happening with their program under Narduzzi.
The final season of the PAC-12 should be interesting. It should be a good battle for the top spot again, which will probably cost any team a chance at the CFP. Coach Prime will turn Colorado around a bit, but not quite enough to be competitive against the big boys.
Will one of these teams end up with just one loss again? I do not see it happening, but would love it. I hope App State can rebound and get back to being dominant in the Sun Belt. Also, do not sleep on Marshall. I think they have 2-3 guys in the top 100 on most player lists.
Grayson McCall decided to stay at Coastal Carolina, so I am curious to see how he does with a new coach. It is crazy how overlooked McCall is as a QB. Maybe it is my SBC bias, but I think he is a good QB, and cannot believe more teams did not make a push for him.
I hope Liberty ends up worse than this.
Does the AAC look much weaker now without some of those teams? I think Tulane and UTSA will be the two best teams, but do not count out SMU.
Boise State faces Washington in week one, if they could pull off that upset, they could be that G5 team that goes undefeated.
Just remember, Week 10 is when we get MACtion! I love Tuesday and Wednesday night games.
Notre Dame (10-2)
UConn (5-7)
Army (4-8)
UMass (2-10)
| AWARD | FOR | WINNER |
|---|---|---|
| Heisman Trophy | Outstanding Player | Jordan Travis (Florida State) |
| Maxwell Award | Outstanding Player | Caleb Williams (USC) |
| Walter Camp Award | Player of the Year | Caleb Williams (USC) |
| Home Depot Award | Coach of the Year | Mike Norvell (Florida State) |
| Doak Walker Award | Running Back | Blake Corum (Michigan) |
| Davey O’Brien Award | Quarterback | Caleb Williams (USC) |
| Johnny Unitas Golden Arm | Senior Quarterback | Bo Nix (Oregon) |
| Fred Biletnikoff Award | Wide Receiver | Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) |
| John Mackey Award | Tight End | Brock Bowers (Georgia) |
| Outland Trophy | Interior Lineman | Olu Fashanu (Penn State) |
| Lombardi Award | Top Player | Jared Verse (Florida State) |
| Rimington Trophy | Center | Zach Frazier Jr. (WVU) |
| Chuck Bednarik Award | Defensive Player of the Year | Jared Verse (Florida State) |
| Bronko Nagurski Award | Defensive Player of the Year | Chop Robinson (Penn State) |
| Dick Butkus Award | Linebacker | Abdul Carter (Penn State) |
| Jim Thorpe Award | Defensive Back | Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama) |
| Lou Groza Award | Kicker | Jonah Dalmas (Boise State) |
| Ray Guy Award | Punter | Tory Taylor (Iowa) |
| Ted Hendricks Award | Defensive End | J.T. Tuimoloau (Ohio State) |
| Lott IMPACT Trophy | Outstanding Defensive Player | Kalen King (Penn State) |
| Paul Hornung Award | Most Versatile Player | Travis Hunter (Colorado) |
| Eddie Robinson Award | FCS Coach of the Year | Clint Killough (Incarnate Word) |
Awards are so difficult to predict. I do not think Caleb Williams wins the Heisman, since there has only been one back-to-back winner. But he probably wins a bunch of other awards. I went a little Penn State heavy, whatever, I am a homer.
PLAYOFFS
Michigan defeats Georgia
Florida State defeats USC
National Champion: Michigan
I really want to put Penn State in there. But, I think they fall just short. Some of you may wonder about my records and whatnot. I could see FSU going undefeated or having just one loss. Like, my predictions up top are not a simulation of the season, if that makes sense? It makes sense in my head.
I love your Sun Belt bias!
Wait until I release my preseason rankings…