By Ralph D. Russo
AP College Football Writer
Last season, this column projected each Ohio State and Alabama to overlook the College Football Playoff. Bold? Dumb? The line is okay.
One out of two isn’t unhealthy, however in some methods the one which ended up being improper felt extra proper.
While the Buckeyes did develop into weak, the choose right here to win the Big Ten and attain the playoff for the primary time was … Wisconsin. The Badgers went 9-4 final season and didn’t even win their division. The Buckeyes misplaced to Oregon early and Michigan late.
As for Alabama, the idea behind the Crimson Tide lacking the CFP was that it could lose a regular-season recreation — more than likely at Texas A&M — after which Georgia would remove Nick Saban’s staff by successful the SEC title recreation.
That regarded like a very good name when the unbeaten and favored Bulldogs went up 10-0 within the second quarter in Atlanta. Then Bryce Young carved up Georgia’s vaunted protection and it grew to become one more instance of the perils of selecting towards ‘Bama.
Some redemption got here within the CFP title recreation, when Georgia — as predicted right here within the preseason — received the nationwide title.
While it’s cool to be proper, predictions are largely made for enjoyable. Straight chalk is boring, however final season’s volatility that included Ohio State, Clemson and Oklahoma having lengthy convention championship streaks snapped may be powerful to repeat. With all that in thoughts:
Underachievers/overachievers
Three groups that may begin the season ranked within the AP Top 25 however end unranked:
— No. 12 Oklahoma State. The tremendous seniors and coordinator that powered top-of-the-line defenses within the nation are gone and the Big 12 is all the time unpredictable.
— No. 16 Miami. Hurricanes haters get yet one more 12 months of mocking how the U. is Back! Might wish to get it out of your system, although, as a result of Miami beneath Mario Cristobal shouldn’t be prone to be mediocre for for much longer.
— No. 19 Arkansas. The SEC West is a gauntlet and any person goes to be disenchanted. You’re it, Razorbacks.
Three groups that may begin the season unranked however end ranked:
— Penn State. On the way in which to constructing towards one thing large in 2023, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions bounce again from two lackluster seasons.
— Kansas State. The Adrian Martinez redemption tour.
— UCF. The Knights have been usurped by Cincinnati as kings of the AAC and Houston is the buzzy G5 staff heading into this season. But UCF seems loaded in Year 2 beneath Gus Malzahn.
Conference champions
American Athletic Conference — Houston over UCF. The way forward for the Big 12.
Atlantic Coast Conference — Clemson over North Carolina. What higher solution to finish divisional play within the ACC than Clemson beating the fourth-best staff within the convention?
Big 12 — Kansas State over Oklahoma. Score one for the leftovers.
Big Ten — Ohio State over Minnesota. The West Division will come right down to a enjoyable, four- or five-team scramble and the winner’s reward is a beatdown from the Buckeyes in Indianapolis.
Conference USA — UAB over UTSA. (Insert joke about how troublesome it’s to recollect who continues to be in C-USA).
Mid-American Conference — Toledo over Miami (Ohio). Picking the favorites within the MAC isn’t an awesome concept, however right here we’re.
Mountain West — Fresno State over Boise State. Quarterback Jake Haener and the Bulldogs give Fresno State its first MWC title since 2018.
Pac-12 — Oregon over USC. A primary-year coach wins the Pac-12. Just not the one getting essentially the most consideration.
Southeastern Conference — Alabama over Georgia. Yep, we’re doing this once more.
Sun Belt — Appalachian State over Southern Mississippi. The Mountaineers return to the title recreation for the fourth time in 5 years, this time towards Sun Belt beginner Southern Miss.
Coaching carousel
Nebraska will get off to an encouraging begin in coach Scott Frost’s make-or-break season, however stumbles down the stretch towards a troublesome closing schedule (Minnesota, at Michigan, Wisconsin and at Iowa). The college elements methods with the hometown hero. Next up for the Cornhuskers? How about Matt Campbell from Iowa State?
New Year’s six bowls
Rose Bowl — Michigan vs. USC.
Sugar Bowl — Georgia vs. Kansas State.
Cotton Bowl — Houston vs. Oklahoma.
Orange Bowl — North Carolina State vs. Texas A&M.
Playoff
Fiesta Bowl (semifinals) — No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Clemson.
Peach Bowl (semifinals) — No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Oregon.
National championship
Ohio State over Alabama. The Buckeyes win a rematch of the 2020 CFP championship recreation, with C.J. Stroud outdueling Bryce Young.
Source: www.bostonherald.com