College football is almost back. Like every year, this is a pivotal year for multiple programs, coaches and players. There will be shifts in power, as there have been for years. Traditional powers will falter, underdogs will rise. None of that is the focus as we make a return to spring practices. As fans, all we hunger for is football. For us die-hard college football fans, the NFL playoffs and even the Superbowl were not even close to a fix for us.
I think that there will be teams that will surprise for better and for worse. If I had to throw a top-ten together right now it would look like this;
1. Al-A-Bama
2. Clemson
3. Ohio State
4. Florida State
5. Michigan
6. Oklahoma
7. USC
8. Notre Dame
9. Stanford
10. Texas
You might be surprised to see Texas there, but don't be. Texas is in a solid position to make a big move in the Big XII and nationally. The talent is there. The coaching is there. The schedule looks tough, but Texas is good. Texas has serious potential to raise eyebrows around the nation. I would be shocked if Texas wins less than 8 games this season. There is a shift in power occurring in the Big XII right now and it favors traditional powers such as Texas and Oklahoma. Oklahoma is already in a good position. Texas on the other hand is looking to reassert themselves in the Big XII title picture.
The Big Ten is another aspect of the power shift in college football. The reemergence of Michigan and the continued excellence of Ohio State and Michigan State headline a competitive conference. Iowa will be the surprise team in the Big Ten. Iowa is a team that I think is an eight or nine-win team. A lot of people will pick them to contend for the Big Ten West. I think that Iowa will fall out of the race and concede to Wisconsin. Look for Ohio State and Michigan State to again vie for the Big Ten crown.
The PAC 12 will once again be a mess. However, this time it will be the North Division that is a mess at the end of the year. USC should win the South Division and I think they will. The North is the division to watch. Oregon and Stanford both have great looks at the division. But Washington State has a promising future under head coach Mike Leach and Washington is improving with the guidance of Chris Peterson. I do not think that either team is as talented or as well-coached as Oregon or Stanford, but these are the two teams that could challenge Oregon and Stanford if they catch them off guard.
The ACC is a two-horse race. Clemson and Florida State are once again going to run the conference. Florida State is looking to "rebound" and gain momentum on Clemson. The game this year will be in Tallahassee. Look for that game to decide the ACC.
The SEC will definitely be interesting. If LSU does not beat Alabama, Les Miles will lose his job this year. That being said, knocking off 'Bama' will be a tall order. Tennessee has the best chance to beat the Tide. A home date in Knoxville will be the perfect opportunity for the 'Vawls' to knock off Alabama on what used to be The Third Saturday in October. The SEC Title Game should be a Bama-Tennessee rematch.
My final four, in no particular order, looks a bit like this; Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State and USC. There will be thrills and heartbreaks along the way as usual.
As a Michigan State junior, I see MSU having a tough year. The Connor Cook Era brought an era of triumph to East Lansing. This season will be a tough transition for the Spartans. I think ten wins is very optimistic. Anywhere between seven and nine wins is realistic.
As it is every year, college football is going to be so much fun. There are so many opportunities for so many teams to make moves both up and down the ladder in the hierarchy of college football. What this season will boil down to is what it boils down to every year. The teams that get hot and cold at the right times will make or break this season for your team regardless of who you root for. If there is one thing I can guarantee you, it is that this season is going to be one hell of a ride for better or worse.
