Ten Teams I Love
1. Florida State
Key games: Louisville 10/17, @Georgia Tech 10/24, @Clemson 11/7
Okay. This is definitely a homer pick but I'm not denying the bias. I think we could be really good if Golson and the offense click, as our schedule does not pick up until playing Miami on October 10th. I see the defense being much improved from last year's squad due to a better pass rush and the excellent leadership from Jalen Ramsey. If the 'Noles can escape Atlanta and Clemson, lookout college football because this team is talented - young, but talented.
2. TCU
Key Games: @Oklahoma State 11/7, @Oklahoma 11/21, Baylor 11/27
The Horned Frogs are for real, even if they lost a good amount of their aggressive defense. The offense returns 10 of 11 starters, including my prediction for this year's Heisman, Trevone Boykin. This kid has a ton of swag and skill and will put up mind-blowing numbers this year if he stays healthy. The defense will be fine as their biggest games are not until the end of the season and Gary Patterson will whip those boys into shape.
3. Clemson
Key Games: Notre Dame 10/3, Georgia Tech 10/10, Florida State 11/7
I know Clemson has lost a majority of their defense that was one of the best in the nation, but I love Clemson for one simple reason: Deshaun Watson. He is hands down the best quarterback in the ACC. With Watson leading the Clemson attack, they have a chance to win every game. The defense will have to improve, but Watson will win games for Clemson this year if he can stay healthy. The Tigers also benefit from having their three toughest games at home.
4. Auburn
Key Games: Louisville 9/5, @LSU 9/19, Ole Miss 10/31, Georgia 11/14, Alabama 11/28
Man, I love Auburn's new quarter back, Jeremy Johnson. While Nick Marshall won plenty of games for the Tigers or War Eagles - whatever they are - this offense will now be a threat in the air and on the ground with Johnson leading the attack. With Will Muschamp as defense coordinator, expect the defense to take a big step forward. If it means anything to you, Muschamp, Florida State and Jimbo Fisher will miss you. Auburn has a tough schedule, but lucky for them, four of their toughest games are at home. The Tigers are my favorite to win the SEC.
5. Baylor
Key Games: Oklahoma 11/14, @Oklahoma State 11/21, @TCU 11/27
Art Briles is very annoying to me, "Texas this, Texas that" gets old after awhile. While Briles and his Bears are still salty from last year's "snub," expect them to play with a big chip on their shoulder. Losing a player like Bryce Petty is never easy, but new quarterback Seth Russell should transition seamlessly into the Baylor offense. Baylor will put up points just like they do every year, but with an improved defense and the giant dude, Shawn Oakman, Baylor will definitely be a factor in the College Football Playoff.
6. Michigan State
Key Games: Oregon 9/12, @Michigan 10/17, @Ohio State 11/21
Michigan State isn't the most enjoyable team to watch, but Mark Dantonio's squad always seems to win 10 games. Connor Cook should lead one of the best offenses in the Big 10 and Michigan State's defense should be one of the best in the nation. All I can say is I am ready for November 21st when the Spartans take on the Buckeyes in a game that could decide a spot in the College Football Playoff.
7. Georgia Tech
Key Games: @Notre Dame 9/19, @Clemson 10/10, Florida State 10/24, Georgia 11/28
Few things are more entertaining than watching the triple option in full effect. Sometimes you have no idea who has the ball and next thing you know its a 40 yard touchdown run. No team in America will run the triple option as smooth as Justin Thomas and the Yellow Jackets. Their defense will need to improve from last year, but with a majority of that defense back, there is nowhere to go but up. Georgia Tech could be a sleeper pick to make the College Football Playoff, so look out America.
8. Oregon
Key Games: @Michigan State 9/12, @Arizona State 10/29, @Stanford 11/14, USC 11/21
Marcus Mariota is gone but the wealth of skill position players remains at Oregon and that is why there may be little drop off. Vernon Adams will take over a talented roster and that will help in his adjustment to FBS football as he played for Eastern Washington the past three years. We will know how good Oregon is pretty early, when they travel to East Lansing to take on Michigan State.
9. LSU
Key Games: Auburn 9/19, @Alabama 11/7, @Ole Miss 11/21
Leonard Fournette is the real deal and his bald head makes me question if he is 20 or 30 years old. Few teams in the country have as much talent as the Tigers, but talent does not do you much good if there is a big question mark at quarterback. The lack of quarterback play has forced Les Miles to switch to a strictly grass diet and Les Miles needs to eat steak everyday. LSU has a favorable SEC schedule as long as Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings can step up at quarterback and lead this young and talented team.
10. Oklahoma
Key Games: @Tennessee 9/12, @Baylor 11/14, TCU 11/21, @Oklahoma State 11/28
I actually think Oklahoma is overrated every year, but this year they will have the prodigal dancing Caucasion, Baker Mayfield, leading them to greatness. Mayfield is my favorite quarterback in the nation. Hopefully his amazing dance moves can lead to victories on the field. And yes I linked the exact same video because it is just that awesome.
Five Sleeper Teams
1. Tennessee
Key Games: Oklahoma 9/12, Georgia 10/10, @Alabama 10/24
Aerospace Engineering. What does that have to do with Tennessee you ask? That is quarterback, Joshua Dobbs, major and he is much more than a branaic. It will be on Dobbs and running back, Jalen Hurd, to lead the Vols this season. Tennessee is young and talented, and they could make a statement against Oklahoma on September 12th to let the nation know they are here. I am buying all the stock in Rocky Top this year.
2. Cal
Key Games: @UCLA 10/22, USC 10/31, @Oregon 11/7, Arizona State 11/28
If you can't tell already, I am a big quarterback guy and that is why Cal is one of my sleepers. The Golden Bears have the possible #1 pick in next year's draft in Jared Goff (named as a Heisman sleeper by JK a few months ago), and that is the main reason I am really high on them. They will have plenty of chances to make a playoff push, but four ranked opponents in a little over a month might be too much for the Golden Bears.
3. UCLA
Key Games: @Arizona 9/26, Arizona State 10/3, @Stanford 10/15, @USC 11/28
UCLA is a sleeper pick to me, just based on the potential of true freshmen Josh Rosen to lead a very talented offense. The media will be waiting, arms wide open, if the kid can step up and lead the Bruins through a tough schedule. Also shout out to their star linebacker Myles Jack and his awesome name.
4. Ole Miss
Key Games: @Alabama 9/19, @Auburn 10/31, LSU 11/21
Hotty Toddy! Thank God Bo Wallace is finally gone. I believe Ole Miss will be much better just due to the fact that Bo is gone. Chad Kelly and his baggage will be leading the Rebels in their quest for an SEC Championship. This team is as talented as any in the country and the "Landshark" defense will wreak havoc on opponents all year long. With a challenging, but not overly difficult schedule, Ole Miss has plenty of opportunity for marquee wins.
5. BYU
Key Games: @Nebraska 9/5, Boise State 9/12, @UCLA 9/19, @Michigan 9/26
This is my biggest sleeper pick by far and it is all on the arm and legs of quarterback Taysom Hill. While he is coming off a torn ACL, few players in college football are as entertaining as this guy. While I don't know much about the rest of BYU's team, I do know Hill is one of the top players in the nation. With a tough non-conference schedule, BYU has a real chance of being ranked in the top 20 if they can start 4-0.
Three Overrated Teams
1. Georgia
Key Games: Alabama 10/3, @Tennessee 10/10, @Auburn 11/14, @Georgia Tech 11/28
Let me start this out by saying that Nick Chubb is not overrated, that kid is the real deal. What it comes down to is the tough schedule that Georgia plays where they could end up 8-4 or 7-5. Granted, if they only lose one game they'll have a real good shot at the College Football Playoff, but I don't see it happening. My biggest concern with Georgia is that their starting quarterback, Greyson Lambert, couldn't even last at Virginia so how will he survive the SEC?
2. Arkansas
Key Games: @Tennessee 10/3, @Alabama 10/10, Auburn 10/24, @Ole Miss 11/7, @LSU 11/14
First off, Arkansas is the biggest example of a team from the SEC being overrated. ESPN's FPI has Arkansas ranked #13, what a freaking joke. Their schedule is one of the toughest in the country and I would call their season a success if they won three out of the five games above. While I do love their running back Alex Collins, losing their other star running back Jonathan Williams for the season was a devastating blow to a team that is looking to dominate time of possession. Their coach, Bret Bielema, has things moving in the right direction but not just yet. So, I'm sorry Arkansas fans, that ESPN has given you false hope in a team that is above average, but not one of the top 15 teams in the nation.
3. USC
Key Games: @Arizona State 9/26, @Notre Dame 10/17, Arizona 11/7, @Oregon 11/21, UCLA 11/28
USC has one of the most talented rosters in the country, yet they only have 71 scholarship players. One or two major injuries and USC looks very beatable especially with their tough schedule. There are not many "gimme" wins. With Cody Kessler leading the way, the Trojans could definitely prove me wrong.
All in all, I hope you all hate my picks and argue with them as I will probably be wrong on a good amount of these teams. But guess what? That is what is great about college football - it's completely unpredictable! So let's get the madness started, go 'Noles!
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