This has been an insane season for College Football. Almost every prediction I have had this season has backfired and I have been roasted as the season has gone on. Anyways, we have now reached the Conference Title and Bowl Seasons. Who will be entering the Power 6 arena this year?
SEC
Georgia Bulldogs: This may be the best squad that this university has ever had on paper. The best defense in the nation, a balanced offense, and 2 solid QB’s leading the way. JT Dainels has not been 100% this season but Stenson Bennett has played well since he became the starter. Regardless of QB the Bulldogs are once again LOADED! The talent is fascinating especially with James Cook and Zamir White emerging into a 2 headed monster in the backfield plus 4 NFL caliber receivers on their roster. Their defense has almost their whole unit bound for the NFL too. If there is ever a year that Georgia is going to win it all, oh this better be it. Having seen the Braves win the World Series, the Bulldogs have a chance to also break the Atlanta Stereotype. But I know who you want to beat. I KNOW WHO YOU REALLY WANT TO FACE!?
Alabama Crimson Tide: I’m not as high on Alabama as I’ve been in years past. Too many times this year that they have either looked unstoppable, or they keep teams in games. The main examples of those games have been the epic against the Gators, the loss at Texas A&M, and nearly getting beat by Arkansas and Auburn. Bryce Young is a stud at QB and Jameson Williams has emerged as the next great Bama receiver but something is weird about this team. It’s mainly because they don’t have the ridiculous turnover differential that they have had in years past. (Only plus 8 this year) If they are going to take down Georgia they are going to have to solve the rubik’s cube of that Bulldog defense, and it won’t be easy. But this is Alabama and they always find new ways to win. Prove me wrong Saban!
BIG10
Michigan Wolverines: I never thought I would say this, after years of promise the Michigan Wolverines are a legitimate National Championship Contender. It appears as if all of the pieces are lining up for them to win their 1st National Title since 1997. This is probably the best team that Jim Harbaugh has had in Ann Arbor. Early on like Georgia, they had a QB controversy in which Cade McNamara beat out JJ McCarthy. That move has paid off big time. Another huge reasoning for Michigan’s success is that they have had a receiver by committee approach. Injuries to some of their top playmakers have hurt them but Erick All and Cornelius Johnson have led the way. Plus they have a machine at Running Back in Hassan Haskins who just lit up the Buckeyes. That’s not including the rock solid defense that harkens back to Harbaugh’s time with the 49ers. Led by the best linebacker core in the nation featuring Aiden Hutchinson, Josh Ross, Junior Colson and David Ojabo they have destroyed almost every offense in their path. This may be their best shot at the title and getting the monkey that is Ohio State off of their backs is a start. But how far can they truly go?
Iowa Hawkeyes: These guys are the luckiest bunch of boys in the NCAA! This is a team that shouldn’t be anywhere near the BIG10 Championship. Like Michigan they have a defense that leads the nation in turnovers but their offense is so flat. I mean this team beat Penn State without Sean Clifford in the 2nd Half, got spanked by Purdue and Wisconsin, and got saved by REFBALL against Northwestern and Minnesota. Heck, the only reason they are here is because the Gophers knocked off the Badgers in the final week of the season. This is the lowest scoring offense in the BIG10! That’s what’s coming to Indianapolis. Who cares if Jack Campbell and Dane Belton have carried this defense, if they are going to win the BIG10 they need the offense to wake up. Knowing what I just said they are probably going to keep it close or possibly win the game because that’s how this nonsense works.
ACC
Pittsburgh Panthers: We are living in a world where the Pitt Panthers are the best college team in the state of Pennsylvania. (“It sucks” – Penn State Student Body) Crazy I know. But if you were to tell me that Pitt would not only win 10 games but make it Charlotte back in August I would have laughed you out the door. Now they have defeated all odds. Led by 4000 yard passer Kenny Pickett, and perhaps one of the top wideouts in the country in Jordan Addison the Panthers boast one of the top offenses in the nation. If they are going to have success in a bowl game and the ACC Championship game they are going to need to rely on the running game in close game situations. A Run and Shoot type offense especially in the state of Pennsylvania doesn’t always succeed in such tasks. (Ask James Franklin that question) Their defense has been underratedly good for much of the 2nd Half of the season. (Example: Their win over Clemson) I expect them to put up points on the board at a fast pace, the only problem is that their opponents this weekend can do the same.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons: It’s weird to see someone not named Clemson winning the ACC’s Atlantic Division. In this case, we have another Run and Shoot offense with a top-flight QB and weapons galore. This season other than their collapse against North Carolina or getting smacked in Death Valley, the Deacons have produced their best season in years. For much of the season Sam Hartman has been considered a dark horse for the Heisman but how much of it was due to his success or the fact that he has 2 1000 yard receivers in Jaquarii Robinson and AT Perry. Like the Panthers this offense can score in bunches. But my concern with Wake Forest is the defense. It cost them their College Football Playoff chances in the 2 games I just mentioned and they have had to put up 40+ points just to win games. If they struggle to score against Pitt, it could be a long day.
PAC12
Oregon Ducks: I have come to consensus that the Oregon Ducks have improved from that mediocre team that only won the PAC12 last year since Washington didn’t play enough games because of COVID. This season for them has been all about winning games the old school way. A punishing ground game and defense. Travis Dye has put together an excellent Junior season with over 1000 yards on the ground. Even if they don’t have big names besides him like QB Anthony Brown they can still put up points and yards. On defense they are led by another sensation from the Sewell Family. Noah Sewell has led the team in tackles and has been a wrecking machine in the middle of the field all season. I would say you have a good shot at a New Years 6 Bowl game but your opponent in the PAC12 Title game just happens to be a team that embarrassed you a couple of weeks ago. And they want to add to it.
Utah Utes: If you have watched this team since Week 4 they have been perhaps the hottest team in the PAC12. It’s mostly due to a rock solid defense led by Devin Lloyd who has been a Butkus Award candidate all season long. The rest of that unit has not disappointed either. The offense has made it come together at the end of the season. Cam Rising has taken positive strides as a Sophomore QB and Tavion Thomas is only getting better by the game. This is a squad that has the upside to make a run at a serious bowl game and against a team like Oregon who they embarrassed 2 weeks ago it should be a great opportunity to pull it off. I wonder how they will fare?
BIG12
Oklahoma State Cowboys: Am I hearing this right, the Oklahoma team playing the BIG12 Championship game is not the Sooners. That is honestly shocking. Regardless of what I just said, OK State has produced a defense that has only given up 16 points a game and features several NFL caliber players on that unit. The 2 that I look at closely are Malcolm Rodriguez, and Devin Harper. On offense they have a balanced attack. Led by Spencer Sanders, Jaylen Warren, and Tay Martin they have reached their potential and after knocking off Oklahoma, the Cowboys have a great opportunity to reach the CFP. If they are going to get a top 4 seed, they need a win and a Bama loss to get in. Don’t tell me they are getting leapfrogged in the rankings by Notre Dame.
Baylor Bears: I know people are going to say that they only got in because Oklahoma choked in the final game of the year against Oklahoma State. Here is the thing, Baylor earned their spot in the BIG12 Championship game. This is a unit that has played very well especially in November. They have a similar playstyle to what OK State has. Balanced offense led by Abram Smith rushing for over 1300 yards, and a defense that has been very good all year. They may not have a true superstar on that side of the ball but they have no weaknesses. I know they won’t make the 4 team playoff, but if they can win this game they should be a lock for a New Years 6 game. That’s all you can hope for right.
AAC
Cincinnati Bearcats: Behold in its most dominant form possible, the most powerful team perhaps in AAC History. The Bearcats like last season have made a serious push for the College Football Playoff and with a win over Houston they should become the 1st team ever in the AAC to make it there. Their offense has been the story led by perhaps a generational dual threat QB in Desmond Ridder. The way he can beat teams with both his arm and legs is fun to watch. They also have a 1000 yard rusher in Jerome Ford who has been a focal point down the stretch. Defensively they have been outstanding. Allowing only 15 points a game led by Joel Dublanko making a serious case for being a 1st Round linebacker in this year’s draft. They could be one of the most complete squads in the country and they have played some good teams along the way. All I can say is this, the CFP polls better not troll them over like they did for Penn State in 2016. (The NCAA is going to go anything they can for Notre Dame to get the 4 spot)
Houston Cougars: Probably the most underrated 11-1 team in the country. Ever since they lost to Texas Tech in Week 1, the Cougars have been on fire. They may not have a Run and Shoot offense like they did when they played in the Astrodome but Clayton Tune has put up over 3000 yard passing this season. Plus when you have a running game that has combined for 2000 yards rushing this year, you don’t need a pass heavy offense. Just like the Bearcats they have surrendered less than 20 points per game. That I find fascinating since they have no star player on that side of the ball. It’s mostly because they have played bad teams when their D has shown up. They are going to need all hands on deck if they have any chance of knocking off a team most likely headed for the College Football Playoff. Plus they have to travel to Cincy because the AAC doesn’t play their title game at a neutral site. YUCK! PAUSE
The race for the CFP is kicking into high gear. Anything can happen this weekend in College Football, so let’s see who I have chosen to win these 6 games.
SEC: It will be very hard for anyone to knock off Georgia, but if there is a coach who can do it, it’s Nick Saban. However I feel like this is the Bulldogs time. Give me Dem Dawgs.
BIG10: I can’t imagine Michigan laying an egg especially after what they did to Ohio State. Too bad for Hawkeyes fans that the clock is about to strike midnight on them. All Hail Jim Harbaugh and the Wolves!
ACC: This game is interesting. The only way Wake Forest can win this, is if they get into a shootout. If not it’s the return to glory for Pitt Football. I’m taking the Panthers but in a close game.
PAC12: When I watched these 2 teams play 2 weeks ago, it was impressive to see Utah beat the breaks off of the Ducks. It will be hard for Oregon to get their revenge but I’m still going to take the Utes. To be fair it’s hard to beat someone twice in a football season.
BIG12: This is either going to be a high scoring affair or a defensive battle. But since the game is at JerryWorld it probably will be high scoring. In that case Oklahoma State wins by a late touchdown.
AAC: All the stars are aligning for Cincinnati to make the College Football Playoff. I’m still picking them to win, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Houston puts up a good fight or wins the game.
TIME TO GET CRAZY YOU 12 UNIVERSITIES!
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