College Football 2017 Preview

It's my favorite time of year again. For most sports fans, we get excited about the college football season, the NFL season or the European football season (soccer). I love all three versions of football, and while I've had a little bit of angst towards the NFL the last couple of years, it still deserves my attention.

College football used to be the one I got excited for. Back in the early years of the 21st century, I could tell you a lot about everyone, and which players were going to take it to the next level. Then, soccer. And my love affair for college football concluded. I struggled to name even the Colorado Buffaloes QB. I had no idea what the BCS formula entailed. I couldn't tell you who led the nation in rushing. What was the spread offense? Now, for the first time in a while, I'm genuinely excited about the game. I still believe there is only one favorite as far as who's going to win the college football playoff. But the talent. There is a stockpile of athletic talent in college football, and it would bring me joy to tell you all about it.

Nate's 9: Top Teams

#9. Penn State. It's pretty personal for me, but I love the fact that the Nittany Lions are being mentioned on the national stage again. Back in 2011, I thought the entire program was going to be destroyed, and maybe rightfully so. It wasn't fair, but neither was the lack of support that the former players received from the University. And now, just six years later, they have some of the most exciting talent in football. Trace McSorley, Miles Sanders and Saquon Barkley might comprise of the best backfield in college football (yes, it's true!), and the Offensive line will give them time to make plays. The defense and a trip to Columbus might be all that separates the Lions from competing for a place in the playoffs.

#8. Georgia. I usually don't like picking kids to win championships, but the last 2 recruiting classes may dictate that it happens soon. Georgia is loaded with talent. For whatever reason, they can never put it all together. This could be the year, as the only tricky games I see are a trip to Notre Dame in September, and traveling to Auburn at the end of the season. They could always lose to Florida or Georgia Tech, but I think these players should be able to beat them this year. Nick Chubb is still great, Sony Michel will be great, and D'Andre Swift should be better than both of them.

#7. Florida State. I would have them higher, but there's this thing called a game against Alabama the first week of the season. And then also that other thing, oh right, a trip to Clemson. Granted, Clemson is breaking in a new QB this season, and their offense might not be clicking, but they are still the defending national champions. Back to FSU. Huge fan of the backfield, love the WR's. Offense line is young and inexperienced. That's a problem, when your first game is the Crimson Tide defensive line. Their secondary might be the best in the country, and that will be their fighting chance for making the playoffs after last season's "letdown". If Derwin James and Josh Sweat stay healthy though, no opponent will have an easy time with these Seminoles.

#6. Washington. USC and Alabama are higher than the Huskies on my list. Those two teams held the Huskies to 13 and 7 points, respectively. Otherwise it reads like half a basketball game. 48, 59, 41, 35, 44, 70 (against Oregon), 41, 31, 66, 44, 45, and 41. They can and will score. They don't see USC this fall. So let's see what Alabama can do for an encore.

#5. Auburn. I actually really like this team. I haven't seen any publications pick them this high, and that's because they run through quite the gauntlet of a schedule (at Clemson, at LSU, at Arkansas, Georgia, Alabama). Here's why I think it doesn't entirely matter. They return 17 starters including 9 on an already effective defense, and their offense has been improved by the transfer of Jarrett Stidham. For those of you that don't remember, Stidham ran the Baylor spread for a season, one of the most impressive seasons I can remember. He should bring everything together for Auburn, because he can run and sling, and just appears like a natural born leader. It will help to have Kamryn Pettway, considered one of the best backs in the country. It comes down to all the difficult games.

#4. Ohio St. I had never seen Urban Meyer humiliated the way they were in the playoff last year. That won't happen again, and I really don't want to play the Buckeyes this season. JT Barrett is back for one more, and if he gets back to his old form, they will be tough to beat. Mike Weber will remind people of the on-field Maurice Clarett. It's their defense that will decide a national championship. The front 7 is probably the nation's best, and he recruited heavily in the only part of defense that they lacked in and brought in an amazing haul. Jeffrey Okudah (CB) looks like an NFL Player, Shaun Wade could be just as good, and Kendall Sheffield transferred from Alabama, and could start immediately. Yikes.

#3. Oklahoma State. This is probably the trickiest pick for me. Everything sets up beautifully for a run. The schedule isn't too difficult, and the toughest games are at home (Baylor, Oklahoma). They have one of the best QB's in the country (Mason Rudolph). They have the best tandem of WR's in the country (James Washington, Marcell Ateman). Their offensive line is loaded with seniors. If the offense can't move the ball, they have one of the best punters in the country to help out the unproven D (Zach Sinor). If they do everything I expect of them, they could and should be in the final four.

#2. USC. Sam Darnold. Could be one of the great quarterbacks of this generation. This is a team that only returns 10 starters outside of Darnold, and I still have them ranked this high (as do many other football shows and publications). It rests on Sam's arm, and the fact that the schedule lets them avoid Washington and get Stanford and UCLA at home. Every game is a test though. I think he passes all but one.

#1. Alabama. A lot of things conspired to make this happen. They dominated 2016, except for one final drive in the championship game. They did it with a true freshman at quarterback, that really wasn't that much of a threat through the air. And Saban didn't really believe that team was going to challenge for a title. He hasn't said a word about that this season. Which leads me to believe this: they will steamroll through the competition (I really want to see what happens in that first game against FSU though), and lock in another national championship.

9 Offensive Players to Watch

Mike Gesicki - Penn State. Blocking beast for Barkley, came on as a receiver late as well.

Calvin Ridley - Alabama. Should be first WR off the board next year, another Amari Cooper.

James Washington - Okla St. Should be the second WR off the board. Big deep threat.

Cam Akers - Florida St. Don't want to jinx it, but last RB I was this excited about was AP.

Derrius Grice - LSU. I was upset when Fournette kept getting hurt, and then this guy.

Jarrett Stidham - Auburn. Auburn v Alabama could be game of year. A winner.

Josh Allen - Wyoming. If you enjoyed Ben Roethlisberger's career, here comes another.

Lamar Jackson - Louisville. If you enjoyed Michael Vick's career, here comes another.

Sam Darnold - USC. And if you enjoyed Tom Brady's career, we might have another.

9 Defensive Players to Watch

Quin Blanding - Virginia. I've been a fan since watching high school highlights. Finally, a new Ed Reed.

Tavarus McFadden - FSU. Haven't seen a pair of DB's like these since Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins.

Derwin James - FSU. Could be better than both of those guys I mentioned above.

Shaquille Quarterman - Miami. The next stud linebacker coming through at the U.

Malik Jefferson - Texas. Gets to chase Darnold, Mayfield, Rudolph among others. Could sack them all.

Jack Cichy - Wisconsin. Leader of a very good team. If he thrives, they could end regular season undefeated.

Steven Richardson - Minnesota. Gophers have a solid defense, he is the cog that makes it go.

Sam Hubbard - Ohio St. Best defensive end, on one of the best lines I've ever seen.

Nick Bosa - Ohio St. Last year's #1 recruit, should be just as good as big brother down the road.

9 Best Stories

Can Wisconsin go undefeated in what might be the best chance in school history?

Who wins the Clemson starting QB job?

Of the 4 stud true freshmen RB's, which one stands out most? (Akers, Swift, Stephen Carr, Najee Harris)

Lamar Jackson without all the talent to help him. If he succeeds, how high does the draft stock go?

All eyes on Baylor University, how does Matt Rhule do in his first season as head coach?

Does Kyle Allen keep the Houston University QB train rolling after his transfer?

Is Quinton Flowers the best player nobody has heard of?

Does a 2 loss team in the SEC deserve to be considered for a playoff space?

Which mediocre team pulls a Colorado (Division title game appearance) this year? My guess is Pitt wins Coastal.

Enjoy the season, everyone!