While the first week of college football certainly entertained, a team’s first game does not define its season and should not completely negate other important factors concerning a team’s success, including recruiting classes, returning starters, etc.
That being said, here are my predictions for the 2014-2015 college football season.
Playoffs
Gone are the days of the seemingly primordial BCS system, and here to replace it is the new College Football Playoff system. As opposed to previously only allowing the two best teams to compete for the coveted BCS National Championship, the NCAA has increased that number to four. Below are the four teams I think will make an appearance in the first annual College Football Playoffs.
1. Florida State- Although it may seem cliché, Florida State played like the best college football team in the country last year. The Seminoles caught flak for their easy schedule, but they won by less than ten points in only one game, the National Championship, and beat other teams by less than twenty in only one additional game. Now, with returning Heisman quarterback Jameis Winston, as well as top receivers Rashad Greene and Nick O’Leary, the Seminoles certainly have an excellent chance to become repeat National Champions.
2. Alabama- Once again, this answer should come as no surprise, considering Alabama has been in the running for the National Championship late in the season for the past five or more years. However, after evaluating the Crimson Tide’s last three games, this pick may be extremely surprising to some. Following a heart-breaking loss to Auburn and a shocking defeat at the hands of Oklahoma, Alabama began their season in a rather mediocre fashion, barely beating a West Virginia team that finished with a losing record last year. Even so, the Tide’s defense only allowed one offensive touchdown this past Saturday, and the offense looked relatively good under new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. The Tide returns a beastly rushing game with Derrick Henry, T.J. Yeldon, and Kenyan Drake, and leading wide receiver Amari Cooper to boot. This should offset the loss of A.J. McCarron at quarterback.
3. Baylor- Originally, Ohio State occupied this third spot; however, Braxton Miller, the Buckeyes’ star quarterback, has recently been diagnosed with a season ending injury. Replacing Ohio State is another team with a premier quarterback, Bryce Petty, who is also battling injuries; however, the extent of his injuries seems to be minor, as he is likely to start again next week. In their first nine games last year, the Bears performed as well as anyone in the country, winning by an average score of 61-17. Like Alabama, though, Baylor changed identities at the end of the season, as they lost by an average score of 37-33 in their last four games. This can partially be attributed to injuries at the wide receiver, offensive line, linebacker, and running back positions. Combine the return of Bryce Petty with a relatively easy schedule, and the Bears look primed to make a run for the National Championship this year.
4. Oregon- Rounding out the top four are the all-too-familiar Oregon Ducks, a team that seems to be on the cusp of glory every year but repeatedly falls short in a bewildering loss. Last year, the Ducks began the season on fire, lighting up any defense that dared to even attempt to stop their electric offense. However, a tough loss to Stanford and a puzzling loss to Arizona left the Ducks in the position of Moses, gazing from afar at those in the Promised Land. While some may panic with the loss of Taylor Hart, Josh Huff, and De’Anthony Thomas to the Draft, Oregon still returns their top-tier quarterback Marcus Mariota, along with five offensive linemen, all of whom have started in at least five games. Regarding the 2014-2015 season, one thing is for sure: Oregon will achieve their usual ten wins. The real question is if they can attain those additional, crucial three wins.
Other Playoff Candidates:
USC- New coach and former USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian should be an improvement upon former coach Lane Kiffin. Quarterback Cody Kessler is extremely underrated and has a great wide receiver corps. The Trojans looked dominant in their last two games, both against Fresno State.
Oklahoma State- The Cowboys could have easily been undefeated last year, but lost three extremely close games. Additionally, they pushed the former National Champions, Florida State, to the brink in the first game of the 2014-2015 season, meaning the voters would most likely excuse this loss if Oklahoma State finished the season impressively.
Marshall- Last year, Marshall lost to Virginia Tech in triple overtime, to Ohio by three points, and to Middle Tennessee by two points. Marshall returns the rock of their offense, QB Rakeem Cato, and has a schedule so easy that they will most likely be heavily favorited in all twelve of their games. Will an undefeated season be enough to get a team outside of the power five conferences into the playoffs?
Sleepers
Each year, teams no one would give a second thought to rise from the depths of mediocrity and finish the season with a spot in the polls. Last year, these teams were Michigan State and UCF, and two years ago, Texas A&M was the school that shocked the world. Below are three teams that I think could finish the season with an unexpected yet well-deserved spot in the polls.
Florida- Did the Gators finish with a losing record last season? Yes. Did Florida lose to the Georgia Southern Eagles, a FCS team? You bet they did. Did they finish last season with a seven game losing streak? Definitely. Nevertheless, Florida’s defense held opposing defenses to the fifteenth lowest amount of points and eighth lowest amount of yards per game on average. While the abysmal offense can’t be excused, the Gators are making efforts towards improvement by bringing in a new offensive coordinator, Kurt Roper.
Mississippi State- Mississippi State relied on two overtime wins in their final two games to earn a bowl berth in 2013. Despite this shaky conclusion to the regular season, the Bulldogs proved their worthiness by demolishing Rice by 37 points. With the return of quarterback Dak Prescott and eight starters to a stellar defense, the Bulldogs expect a season much more fulfilling than their middling six win season last year.
UTSA- In 2010, UTSA first began practicing football. In 2011, UTSA began competing in the lower FCS division. In 2012, the Roadrunners ascended to the highest division in college football, the FBS. Despite the pervasive newcomer feeling to high-level football, UTSA played like an experienced, cohesive team in their first two seasons, amassing eight and seven wins respectively. This season, the Roadrunners return nineteen starters, the most among any FBS team, and looked very impressive in their first game against Houston, rolling the Cougars in a 27-7 win.
Busts
Every year, sleepers surprise and excite their fans, while busts unfortunately disappoint by performing beneath their expectations. Here are some teams that I expect to underperform.
Missouri- Missouri surprised the nation last year, finishing with eleven wins and a Cotton Bowl victory. However, the Tigers benefited from a relatively easy schedule. More importantly, the Tigers return only nine starters, next to lowest among FBS teams. This loss of talent has already affected the Tigers, who struggled to beat a horrific South Dakota State team in the first game of this season.
North Carolina- With no impressive victories last year, North Carolina finished with a decent season that elicited neither pride nor disappointment. For some baffling reason, though, the Tar Heels entered the season with the twenty-third spot in the polls. Losing quarterback Bryn Renner and stud tight end Eric Ebron, North Carolina displays no appealing attributes for the 2014-2015 season.
Texas Tech- On the surface, Texas Tech seems to be at a high point after an impressive bowl win last season and the recent contract extension of head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Despite that bowl victory, the Red Raiders didn’t amass any impressive wins, and lost to all five of the top Big Twelve teams. Tech loses their star tight end, Jace Amaro, as well as a few defensive players, weakening an already second-rate defense. Additionally, Tech barely survived Central Arkansas in their week one matchup.
Other Notes
Heisman Candidates: Jameis Winston (QB, FSU), Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia), Marcus Mariota (QB, ORE), Melvin Gordon (RB, WIS), Cody Kessler (QB, USC)
Best Matchups: Michigan State vs. Oregon (September 6th), Florida State vs. Louisville (October 30th), Alabama vs. LSU (November 8th), Baylor vs. Oklahoma (November 8th)
Although these opinions may be controversial, one thing is quite certain: everyone can rejoice in the fact that college football is back.
