Hello fellow College Football fans!
The College Football season is right around the corner and I figured listing MY TOP 5 teams heading into this 2017-2018 season. As well as giving my prediction for the College Football Playoffs.
Disclaimer: As you can tell by my Username, I am a big time Ohio State fan, but I will be unbiased as possible.
Let's Begin!
5.) FLORIDA STATE
This team is really going to miss Dalvin Cook. Let me repeat that, they are REALLY REALLY... REALLY going to miss Dalvin Cook. Next in line after Cook, is Jacques Patrick. Patrick is a Sophomore that should handle more of the touches in the backfield. QB Deondre Francois made major improvements throughout the year and could be a dark horse for ACC player of the year. On the defensive side of the ball, FSU is going to need someone to replace DeMarcus Walker's 16 sacks production.
Florida State's Toughest Game(s): Week 1 vs Alabama Crimson Tide (Wow...)
Week 11 vs Clemson Tigers
Season Prediction: 10-2 (Losses to Alabama and Clemson)
4.) UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Is this the year USC finally turns it around? Every year it seems that USC is ranked inside the top 10 and has a disastrous season. Just look at their start to the 2016 season...but I think this year's USC team can make a run. They are returning their QB Sam Darnold and 5 other offensive players. Darnold might be the early leader in the clubhouse regarding the Heisman Trophy race. They will miss wide receiver targets in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Darreus Rogers. USC has 8 defensive starters returning.
USC's toughest game(s): Week 3 vs Texas Longhorns
Week 8 vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish
INTERESTING GAME : Week 1 vs Western Michigan Broncos
Season Prediction: 11-1 ( Loss to Notre Dame)
3.) OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Yes, this is my team. Yes, we got embarrassed on the nation stage last year. Yes, we did not score a point in our playoff game.....But Ohio state ready to make another run. 40 year old J.T. Barrett is back and will be QB1 for the Buckeyes. Mike Weber, a 1000 yard rusher, is back. Ohio State potentially has the best defensive line in the country with Bosa, Hubbard, and Lewis. BIG question marks in the secondary and passing game for the Buckeyes. Also, most of the offensive line is returning.
Ohio State's Toughest Game(s): Week 2 vs Oklahoma Sooners
Week 8 vs Penn State
Week 12 vs Michigan
Season Prediction: 11-1 ( Loss Unknown.)
2.) OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
This will be a surprise to most. Oklahoma State had a underrated season last year in 10-3* cough... Central Michigan game...cough. Anyways, the cowboys are going to have a high octane offense and will be a lot of fun to watch. It will be your classic throw the ball 60 times by Mason Rudolph. Defense will be in rebuilding mode, but we are talking about the BIG 12 here...who needs defense.
Oklahoma State's Toughest Games(s): Week 8 vs Texas
Week 10 vs Oklahoma
Season Prediction: 11-1 (Loss to Texas)
1.) ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
No surprise here. Alabama just reloads every year and they should be the top team in everyone's rankings. Best recruiting class, best head coach and staff, big time wins...they are the top dawg in the college football landscape. Jalen Hurts is returning and basically 5 star recruit waiting their time on the bench. Not much to say here, other than this team will compete for a national title.
Alabama's Toughest Game(s): Week 1 vs Florida State
Week 9 vs LSU
Week 12 vs Auburn
Season Prediction: 12-0
Playoff Predictions
Alabama vs 4 Ohio State
USC vs Oklahoma State
There you have it! let me know what you think in the comments!
Thanks!!