There are loads of acquainted faces and some lengthy photographs when predicting this yr’s College Football Playoff nationwide champion.
The FAVORITES
Alabama (13-2, 7-1 SEC)
Nothing appears to decelerate Nick Saban, who, regardless of turning 71 this yr, has Alabama again in place for one more run at an SEC Championship and a nationwide championship.
While the Crimson Tide suffered via the standard roster attrition with seven gamers chosen within the 2022 NFL Draft, the crew returns QB Bryce Young, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, and DL Will Anderson Jr.
They stated it: “We’ve had some great impact players, but never one on offense, one on defense, of the caliber that these guys have been able to play on a consistent basis.” — Saban on Young and Anderson.
Ohio State (11-2, 8-1 Big Ten)
Ohio State is 34-4 within the three-plus seasons underneath coach Ryan Day with all 4 losses coming towards groups ranked within the prime 10.
QB C.J. Stroud (4,435 yards passing, 44 TDs) is again after a record-setting season, as is WR (1,606 yards) and RB TreVeyon Henderson (1,248 yards). The protection underwent an overhaul, with Jim Knowles leaving Oklahoma State to take over as defensive coordinator.
They stated it: “C.J. has always had very good leadership skills. He’s always had a voice. Once you go on the field and you show credibility that you can do it, you walk a little differently and guys look at you through a different lens.” — Day on Stroud’s growth.
Georgia (14-1, 8-0 SEC)
Georgia captured its first nationwide title since 1980 with a formidable 33-18 win over Alabama. If the Bulldogs hope to turn into the primary faculty to win back-to-back titles since Alabama (2011-12), they’ll want one other stellar season out of their protection.
There was an NFL-record 15 Georgia gamers chosen on this yr’s draft, together with eight from the defensive aspect led by DE Travon Walker and DL Jordan Davis. The Bulldogs return the least quantity of manufacturing from their protection within the SEC, however a deep recruiting base ought to assist alleviate a few of these considerations.
They stated it: “People ask the question, ‘How does it feel to be hunted?’ We will not be hunted at the University of Georgia. I can promise you that. The hunting we do will be from us going the other direction. We’re not going to sit back and be passive about.” — Georgia coach Kirby Smart
Clemson (10-3, 6-2 ACC)
For the primary time underneath coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers underwent huge adjustments to the teaching employees, shedding his offensive (Tony Elliott) and defensive (Brent Venables) coordinators.
The offense took a large step again with quarterback DJ Uiagalelei struggling in his first season as a starter. The defensive entrance could also be probably the greatest within the ACC, with all-conference standouts in Xavier Thomas, Bryan Bresee, Tyler Davis and Myles Murphy.
They stated it: “Being a starter for a whole season instead of just playing starter for two games taught me a lot about how to manage it, how to manage everything, how to manage media, manage to go into the preparation of a game.” — Uiagalelei on what he discovered from his first season as a starter.
Michigan (12-2, 8-1 Big Ten)
The Wolverines are coming off a breakthrough season through which they snapped an eight-game shedding streak to rival Ohio State and captured the Big Ten title for the primary time since 2004. Despite flirting with the NFL within the offseason, coach Jim Harbaugh has sufficient returning items for Michigan to make one other stable run.
The offense was bodily up entrance, main the Big Ten in speeding (214 yards per recreation) and with quarterbacks Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy and tailback Blake Corum again. It’s straightforward to see a little bit drop-off in 2022. The protection, whereas proficient, lacks sensible expertise.
They stated it: “We’re just going to continue to attack. That’s what I really love about this team. They literally attack everything that’s put in front of them.” — Harbaugh on carrying momentum from final season.
THE DARKHORSES
Texas A&M (8-4, 4-4 SEC)
Texas A&M has received at the very least eight video games in every of Jimbo Fisher’s 4 seasons in College Station, however the Aggies nonetheless are ready for that breakthrough. That received’t change this season after Fisher signed the No. 1 recruiting class and added expertise via the switch portal.
They stated it: “When you’re talking about winning national championships, it’s not just understanding how to handle the expectations, it’s organizing and structuring the team to get to those points. We’re really right now at the beginning of that stage where we can do it consistently.” — Fisher on expectations.
Notre Dame (11-2)
New coach Marcus Freeman was instantly embraced by the gamers and followers, making his transition a easy one shifting ahead. The Irish have appeared within the College Football Playoff semifinals twice within the final 4 seasons and have sufficient expertise to make one other critical run.
They stated it: “The entire quarterback room is extremely close, but they also know that there’s only one quarterback. They compete every day. They competed in spring ball, and I look forward to seeing their competition as we start fall camp.” — Freeman on the QB state of affairs on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Oklahoma (11-2, 7-2 Big 12)
Adding new coach Brent Venables ought to repay for the Sooners, who lacked defensive toughness underneath former coach Lincoln Riley. Jeff Lebby guided explosive offenses at UCF and Ole Miss, making him the right match with Venables, significantly with the addition of switch QB Dillon Gabriel.
They stated it: “He’s our quarterback. Certainly, anything can happen as we move forward through fall camp. But I feel great I can lay my head down at night knowing not just what he has done on the football field but the quality of the person he is.” — Venables on Gabriel.
PREDICTION
Nobody has made extra College Football Playoff appearances than Alabama (7) with the Crimson Tide taking part in within the title recreation in six of these seven seasons. It’s arduous to think about Saban’s crew not making it again to the championship, particularly with the assistance of Heisman quarterback Bryce Young.
Clemson (4), Ohio State (2) and Georgia (1) are the one different groups to make it to the CFP title recreation since 2014 and all three have the items to make one other run.
Oklahoma and Notre Dame haven’t received titles in a long time, however each may shock some folks with new coaches.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com