Hey all. Round 2 snuck up on me before I had a chance to put my thoughts down on the tablet. Nebraska and Illinois kicked off the college season today, and it was quite the game. Bret Bielema and the Illini hung on and won 30-22, and even though they'll probably be two of the worst teams in the Big Ten, it was still fun to kick off the college season before September hits.
I'll start by picking the playoffs, then we'll discuss the 9 teams you want to be watching this season, followed by the 9 teams you don't really need to keep an eye on. We'll wrap up with 9 players that you might be watching on an NFL team near you.
Playoff 4: Oklahoma, Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State. Why not? Until someone proves otherwise, I'm just going to keep picking these four every year. I will say that I do think two teams can break into the playoff bracket, but they're going to need perfect seasons.
👀
9 to Watch:
9. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Were an overtime away from an undefeated season during the pandemic. I think they can do it again, as the schedule isn't too daunting and they return just about all of their defense. If they can win away at Appalachian State (which won't be as easy as some are lead to believe). They do have one of my favorite signal callers in Grayson McCall, who runs their option offense almost to perfection.
8. Marshall Thundering Herd. This isn't going to be a Randy Moss led offense. Don't expect to see Chad Pennington or Byron Leftwich either. But Grant Wells is a very capable QB for this team, and Corey Gammage is a pretty decent red zone option at WR. They are probably going to be the top team in the MAC, and could end up in the national rankings if they aren't on the wrong side of a divisional upset. If they can beat East Carolina and Navy, then 12-0 might not be out of the question.
7. North Carolina Tar Heels. Aaron Rodgers. Andrew Luck. Trevor Lawrence. And now Sam Howell. He probably completes my Rushmore of college QB's over the past 20 years. Has a rocket arm, think a bit of Ben Roethlisberger combined with a little of Matthew Stafford. Not afraid to stay in the pocket and take a hit. An away trip to Notre Dame and a couple of ACC road hiccups maybe all that stands in the way for North Carolina to take a shot at Clemson in the ACC Championship and a place in the college playoff.
6. Cincinnati Bearcats. Last season they were probably my favorite of the non-Power 5 football teams. I think Luke Fickell is one of the best coaches in the country, and I'm shocked that he's still here coaching the Bearcats. Same goes for their QB Desmond Ridder. I only got to see them twice, but he is a legit dual-threat QB, and they can put up points every 90 seconds if need be. They were unfortunate to lose to the Georgia Bulldogs, and if they are able to get through their schedule this year unscathed, they deserve one of those spots in the college playoff.
5. LSU Tigers. What a strange team. 2 years ago, they were the National Champions. Last year, they were 3-5 at one point, and hung on to just finish .500 by the end of the season. One of their WR's left the program before the season was even complete, and their QB situation might be one of the most unclear heading into the 2021 season. Lucky for them they have one of the nation's best defenses, and a schedule that gives them an opportunity to have double digit wins by the end. Their story with Orgeron will be one of the most fascinating to watch this fall.
4. Iowa State Cyclones. Similar to the Bearcats, 2021 sets up as the year for the Cyclones. They not only have one of the nation's best QB's in Brock Purdy, but they have one of the nation's best teams. They're returning 19 of their 22 starters, and a coach in Matt Campbell that is one of the best in the country as well. Schedule is daunting - a road trip to Oklahoma, and always the tough to beat Hawkeyes, but of all the teams outside the top 4, I think Iowa State has the best chance to break up the party.
3. Oklahoma Sooners. If it's offense you enjoy, watch the Sooners this fall. I honestly think they finally have the team that can challenge the Buckeyes, Tigers and Tide for a spot in the national championship. Spencer Rattler is a high level QB, who throws buckets of touchdowns, and Marvin Mims and Theo Wease might be the best returning tandem of WR's in the nation. The defense has continued to improve the last few years, and with top freshman recruit Billy Bowman coming in (think Charles Woodson), they might finally get past the semi-final curse of years past.
2. USC Trojans. It's been over a decade since we've been able to discuss this program as a national title contender. I still don't think they're there, but they might be the biggest Jekyll and Hyde team in the nation. With their schedule, head coach and QB, there is a scenario where I can see them sitting at 11-1 come end of the season, or they could also be 6-6 with Helton getting fired. Kedon Slovis had some good moments last year in limited games, and should be one of the nation's best QB's. Drake London should be better than what Amon-Ra St. Brown did for them last year. Korey Foreman was the nation's #1 recruit, and should start from day 1. (Nick Bosa like). The Trojans could be the team that messes everything up for a lot of teams if everything starts to click.
1. Georgia Bulldogs. Every year seems to be the year that the Bulldogs are supposed to break through, and win a national championship. I thought it was going to happen with Jake Fromm, and now that same discussion is happening for JT Daniels. Zamir White is probably my favorite RB in college football, and should be a 1st-2nd round pick for some team in next year's draft. He's supported by what might be the nation's best offensive line. The schedule does have some big asks of the team, and they open the season with the Clemson Tigers. Win, and I think they are the team that breaks into the final four (maybe at Clemson's expense?). Lose, and then lose again to Auburn a month later, and the same 11-2 record that continues to burden Georgia looks more and more likely to happen. Kirby's only lost 14 games, but it's time to show what he's made of.
9 teams to Snooze on.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide. See you on January 10th.
8. Clemson Tigers. See you on January 10th.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes. If one of the aforementioned teams fall, see you on January 10th.
6 .Wisconsin Badgers. Great defense, that won't give up an inch. Boring offense, that will struggle to take one.
5. Michigan Wolverines. Wah, wah, wah. Jim Harbaugh deserves a great team. Yeah right. I see more 7-5's in their future.
4. UCLA Bruins. Chip Kelly is trying. He has the players. But they won't be good enough this season.
3. Florida State Seminoles. I love that they're bringing back McKenzie Milton from pasture. But they're going to be so hard to watch. Not too many 5 star recruits anymore.
2. Tennessee Volunteers. They were a staple in the upper echelon of college football when I was in my impressionable years. Peyton Manning. Tee Martin. Casey Clausen. They're not even a whisper of that anymore, and their only All-American mentionable - RB Eric Gray - left for the Oklahoma Sooners. Yawn.
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Spinning tires perhaps? On a Maserati... They do have to see Wisconsin, North Carolina, Cincinnati and USC. But with Brian Kelly they could find a way to win 10 games. They might even make it to the playoffs again. And then they will draw an Alabama or a Clemson and lose 41-10. Guaranteed.
9 Exciting players to watch this fall:
QB: D.J. Uiagalelei (Clemson). Big shoes to fill, stepping in for that Lawrence guy. But he's good enough to win the Heisman.
CB: Eli Ricks (LSU). Derek Stingley is the best cornerback in the nation, and I'm not sure it's close. But his teammate is going to make QB's think about throwing his way too. Ricks and Stingley could both be All-Americans.
LB Jack Sanborn (Wisconsin). I'm a big linebacker guy. He will be one of the best in the country this fall.
QB: Michael Penix Jr. (Indiana). In 20 years, I was never excited to watch Hoosier football. Last guy that got me amped up for it? Antwaan Randle El. Penix is the opposite of Randle El (he ran, and ran some more), but damn can he make some throws. Keeps Indiana in the top 25 conversation.
DE: Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon). Scary pass rusher. Almost Jadeveon Clowney. Could be the best defender in college football.
WR: Justyn Ross (Clemson). A special talent. I always thought that Julio Jones would be the guy to reach those Jerry Rice/Randy Moss/Larry Fitzgerald heights, but I really believe that Ross can do it. Just needs to prove that the injury won't bother him in the long run.
WR: Chris Olave (Ohio State). I think there are potentially 5 1st round draft picks at the WR position. Ohio State has 2 of them. Olave is the sure thing though, and a touchdown waiting to happen on every play.
WR: Garrett Wilson (Ohio State). The DeVonta Smith to Olave's Waddle. Ohio State has a great WR tandem, maybe only matched by Oklahoma. Want to see a WR catch a touchdown? Just tune into the Buckeyes games.
RB/WR/KR Jerrion Ealy (Ole Miss) Ole Miss averaged over 500 yards of offense last year. Ealy is one of the reasons why. (Also google search Matt Corral). I'm not going to throw out the name Deion Sanders for this guy, but he's definitely got a little Devin Hester in him. Probably the most electrifying player in college football.
Thanks! Who do you pick for your national champion?
Nate: Alabama 35 Clemson 24
No comments:
Post a Comment