Around this time every year, I offer up some preseason thoughts on college football.
Last year we saw the first ever College Football Playoff. Ohio State came basically out of nowhere to win the National Championship. The Buckeyes took down Alabama and Oregon to win the title. This year, we get to experience the Playoff's second chance. The bowls looked different last year, with the playoff forcing some match-ups we hadn't seen in a while. This year should be even more interesting. So what are we picking this year? Let's find out.
Conference Previews:
Preview: The American Athletic Conference in 2015 is splitting into two divisions, bringing about a championship game. The East (Cincinnati, Connecticut, East Carolina, South Florida, Temple, UCF) winner will face the winner of the West (Houston, Memphis, Navy, SMU, Tulane, Tulsa) on December 5. Navy is new to the party, but this alignment may give the AAC some sense of stability. I still would not be surprised if someone eventually tries to poach Cincinnati (lookin' at you, Big XII).
Champion (winner in BOLD): East Carolina vs Memphis (this line ↓ still will not go away)
Preview: This is the year that Florida State takes a step back. They'll be competitive, no doubt, but the conference as a whole is catching up. An early November trip to Clemson will seal the deal for the Noles not winning their division this year. Clemson will take it instead. I look for the Tigers to face off with Georgia Tech, who return a solid team that can seemingly run the ball on anyone. Clemson is just a little more talented, though. Then again, I've predicted this before and Clemson somehow seems to Clemson in the most Clemson way possible...
Championship Game (winner in BOLD): Clemson vs Georgia Tech
Big 12
Preview: Last year the conference that crowns "one true champion" declared itself to have co-champions in a bid to get two teams into the College Football Playoff. That bid failed spectacularly, and the Big XII was left out of the playoff altogether. This year, the conference will not try the co-champions road again, and I think it will pay off for them. Baylor and TCU seem once more to be the class of the conference, and a Thanksgiving weekend match-up should prove the winner of the conference. TCU has the better QB, but Baylor has the better team. Oklahoma remains in the slow climb back to powerhouse status, as does Texas. I'm still looking for the Big XII to rope in a couple of new teams in the next few years in order to re-establish the conference title game they lost when Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri, and Texas A&M fled for friendlier confines.
Champion: Baylor
Big Ten
Preview: The Big Ten claimed the first ever College Football Playoff National Championship. The BCS is forever dead and gone. Once again, Ohio State looks to be the class of the conference. The Buckeyes have three legitimate starting QBs and a RB who came on strong at the end of the season. Their most likely opponent in the Big Ten title game is old foe Wisconsin. Once the Buckeyes dispatch the Badgers, they should lock up a spot in the playoffs once again.
Championship Game (winner in BOLD): Ohio State vs Wisconsin
PAC-12
Preview: The PAC-12 is probably the top overall conference, outside the SEC. Oregon remains a title threat, though USC and UCLA are both on the rise. Arizona and Arizona State are both poised to make some noise this year, as well. USC, I think, will fight their way out of a crowded South division while Oregon should make easy work of the North. I'm actually thinking that USC will earn a spot in the playoff this year. The committee would absolutely love that.
Championship Game (winner in BOLD): Oregon vs USC
Southeastern Conference
Preview: For two years the SEC has failed to win the national championship. That wouldn't be a big deal for most conferences, but the SEC got accustomed to the crystal football living in the southeast. For some reason, everyone seems to be buying the hype on Auburn this year. I'm not...at least, not yet. I still think Alabama is the class of the SEC West. Missouri will not win the East again. That crown will pass to Georgia. The Dawgs simply have too powerful a running game and their defense under Jeremy Pruitt will be top five in the nation, not just the conference.
Championship Game (winner in BOLD): Alabama vs Georgia
The Other Conferences:
Conference USA: Marshall vs Louisiana Tech
Honestly, the way Marshall's schedule is set, they could very well go undefeated.
Honestly, the way Marshall's schedule is set, they could very well go undefeated.
MAC: Toledo vs Bowling Green
Why Toledo? Why not Toledo?
Why Toledo? Why not Toledo?
Mountain West: Boise State vs Fresno State
Boise State should win the Mountain West this year.
Boise State should win the Mountain West this year.
Sun Belt: Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern should be up to winning the conference this year.
Georgia Southern should be up to winning the conference this year.
(Absurdly Early and Sure to be Wrong) Bowl Game Predictions:
College Football Playoff (Orange Bowl): Alabama vs Baylor
College Football Playoff (Cotton Bowl): Ohio State vs USC
College Football Playoff (Championship): Ohio State vs Alabama
Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs Oregon
Sugar Bowl: TCU vs Georgia
Citrus Bowl: Notre Dame vs Auburn
Rose Bowl: Arizona State vs Michigan State
Outback Bowl: LSU vs Nebraska
Peach Bowl: Clemson vs Wisconsin
(Off-The-Wall Sure To Be Wrong) Season Predictions and Statements:
The Heisman Race Will be Between...: Georgia RB Nick Chubb and TCU QB Trevone Boykin. Chubb has one of the best offensive lines in college football paving the way for him. Boykin will put up crazy numbers in an insane TCU offensive gameplan. History favors the QB, but do not count out Nick Chubb.
Head Coaching changes...: At least one Power Five team will change head coaching this year due to disappointment. Someone who should do well this year will flounder and struggle to finish .500 or better.
Head Coaching changes...: At least one Power Five team will change head coaching this year due to disappointment. Someone who should do well this year will flounder and struggle to finish .500 or better.
The Five Best Non-Conference Games will be...:
October 3 - Notre Dame at Clemson
November 28 - Georgia at Georgia Tech
Random Statements:
1. No major records will fall this season, unlike last year.
2. Rumors will swirl that at least one team will change conference after the season.
September 5 - Alabama vs Wisconsin
September 5 - Auburn vs Louisville (Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic)
September 12 - Oregon at Michigan StateOctober 3 - Notre Dame at Clemson
November 28 - Georgia at Georgia Tech
Random Statements:
1. No major records will fall this season, unlike last year.
2. Rumors will swirl that at least one team will change conference after the season.
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