The strangest and seemingly longest offseason in college football history is finally over, and the ACC and Big 12 are scheduled to kick off this week, followed by the SEC in two weeks.
No one knows how the season is going to go — or how long it will go — but the aforementioned Power 5 leagues (now featuring Notre Dame!), along with the AAC, Conference USA, Sun Belt and a trio of independents, seem determined to plow ahead during the coronavirus pandemic. Depending on how things develop, the Big Ten and Pac-12 might only be a month or two away from joining them.
Which teams are going to play for the national title? Who will win the Heisman Trophy? Which coaches are on the hot seat?
In the middle of a pandemic, those seem like back burner questions.
Let’s just celebrate that the 2020 college football season — or at least some watered-down version of it — will be played.
Here are my best guesses at how the six FBS conferences that are playing football this fall will shake out over the next couple of months:
ACC
ACC champion: Clemson
Offensive player of the year: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Defensive player of the year: Marvin Wilson, DL, Florida State
Offensive freshman of the year: Jordan Addison, WR, Pitt
Defensive freshman of the year: Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
Comeback player of the year: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
Best offensive transfer: D’Eriq King, QB, Miami (via Houston)
Best defensive transfer: Quincy Roche, DE, Miami (via Temple)
Coach of the year: Mack Brown, North Carolina
Coach on the hot seat: Dave Doeren, NC State
Coordinator on the rise: Phil Longo, offensive coordinator, North Carolina
Game of the year: Clemson at Notre Dame, Nov. 7
Nonconference game of the year: USF at Notre Dame, Sept. 19
Upset of the year: Pitt over Notre Dame, Oct. 24
Three predictions for the ACC
1. Clemson’s long ACC winning streak ends at, ahem, Notre Dame: The Tigers, who have won five straight ACC titles, bring a 22-game winning streak against conference foes into the 2020 season. By the time Clemson travels to Notre Dame on Nov. 7, that winning streak will stand at 28 in a row, one shy of the ACC record set by Florida State from 1992 to 1995. The Tigers’ streak will end in the most 2020 of ways possible, against the Fighting Irish, who are playing an ACC schedule this season because of the pandemic. The Tigers will get their revenge against the Irish in the ACC championship game.
2. Two ACC quarterbacks will be among the Heisman Trophy finalists: Trevor Lawrence, who threw for 6,945 yards with 66 touchdowns in his first two campaigns, is the preseason favorite to win the Heisman, assuming the Downtown Athletic Club decides to award one this year. With Ohio State’s Justin Fields out of the race, another ACC quarterback will join Lawrence among the finalists. North Carolina’s Sam Howell, Notre Dame’s Ian Book, Miami’s D’Eriq King and Louisville’s Micale Cunningham all have a chance.
3. North Carolina knocks Notre Dame out of the CFP: After losing at Pitt on Oct. 24, the Irish will rebound to win their next three games, including the big upset of No. 1 Clemson, to remain in the CFP hunt. Notre Dame’s dreams will end at North Carolina on Nov. 27, however, as Mack Brown pulls off another big upset.
Big 12
Big 12 champion: Oklahoma
Offensive player of the year: Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
Defensive player of the year: Joseph Ossai, LB, Texas
Offensive freshman of the year: Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma
Defensive freshman of the year: Alfred Collins, DL, Texas
Comeback player of the year: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
Best offensive transfer: Theo Howard, WR, Oklahoma (via UCLA)
Best defensive transfer: William Bradley-King, DE, Baylor (via Arkansas State)
Coach of the year: Dave Aranda, Baylor
Coach on the hot seat: Tom Herman, Texas
Coordinator on the rise: Tom Manning, offensive coordinator, Iowa State
Game of the year: Oklahoma vs. Texas, Oct. 10
Nonconference game of the year: Louisiana at Iowa State, Sept. 12
Upset of the year: Kansas State over Texas, Dec. 5
Three predictions for the Big 12
1. Texas wins Red River Rivalry (but Oklahoma takes Big 12): The Sooners have won four of the past six games in the Red River Rivalry (along with a 12-point victory over Texas in the 2018 Big 12 championship game), but the contests in Dallas have been exceptionally close. Each of the past six were decided by a touchdown or less. This year’s matchup at the Cotton Bowl will come down to the wire again, so I’ll go with the more experienced quarterback in Longhorns senior Sam Ehlinger, who has already started four times against the Sooners. UT won’t go 2-0 against Oklahoma this season, however, as Spencer Rattler and OU’s improved defense will avenge the loss in the Big 12 title game to punch a ticket to the CFP for the fourth straight season.
2. Rattler will be a Heisman finalist: Is Lincoln Riley still coaching OU’s quarterbacks and running the offense? Rattler, a redshirt freshman from Phoenix, will follow in the footsteps of Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts and put up video game-like numbers. With top returning rusher Kennedy Brooks reportedly opting out, Rattler will have to carry the load with his arm and feet. He better have some bite.
3. Transfers will lead the Big 12 in sacks and tackles: Baylor lost All-American James Lynch, who led the league with 13½ sacks in 2019. Arkansas State transfer William Bradley-King, who had 14½ with the Red Wolves over the previous two seasons, should be ready to step right in. The same goes for former Arizona linebacker Colin Schooler, who transferred to Texas Tech last week. Schooler is the FBS active leader with 46 tackles for loss, and he had at least 90 tackles in each of the previous three seasons.
SEC
SEC champion: Alabama
Offensive player of the year: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Defensive player of the year: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
Offensive freshman of the year: Arik Gilbert, TE, LSU
Defensive freshman of the year: Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
Comeback player of the year: Terry Wilson, QB, Kentucky
Best offensive transfer: JT Daniels, QB, Georgia (via USC)
Best defensive transfer: Jabril Cox, OLB, LSU (via North Dakota State)
Coach of the year: Ed Orgeron, LSU
Coach on the hot seat: Will Muschamp, South Carolina
Coordinator on the rise: Dan Lanning, defensive coordinator, Georgia
Game of the year: Florida vs. Georgia, Nov. 7
Nonconference game of the year: SEC is playing conference games only
Upset of the year: South Carolina over Texas A&M, Nov. 7
Three predictions for the SEC
1. Two SEC teams make the CFP: With the Big Ten and Pac-12 punting to later this fall or next spring, there’s an open spot for a potential second SEC team to reach the CFP. Because it’s playing Alabama on the road, Georgia would probably have to win in Tuscaloosa or avenge the loss in the SEC championship game. If the Bulldogs were two drop two games to the Crimson Tide, Florida could sneak its way into the CFP without winning the SEC East. And of course, the No. 2 SEC West team would be a candidate if the SEC East teams falter.
2. LSU takes a big step back: The defending national champions already were facing a steep uphill climb in replacing Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and a dozen other players selected in April’s NFL draft — along with Aranda, who left for Baylor, and passing game coordinator Joe Brady, who departed for the Carolina Panthers. Then star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin and two other players opted out. That’s too much turnover to stay in front of Alabama — or maybe even Texas A&M — for a second straight season.
3. Georgia wins the SEC East: With quarterback Jake Fromm and four starting offensive linemen departing, Florida believes it has closed the gap on Georgia. Not so fast. Kirby Smart looks pretty, well, smart after signing former Southern California quarterback JT Daniels as a security blanket in May. Expected starter Jamie Newman, a graduate transfer from Wake Forest, opted out last week. The Bulldogs have recruited offensive linemen as well as any team in the FBS, and wide receiver George Pickens is back after a stellar freshman campaign. Georgia’s defense should be as good as it was a year ago, and if the Bulldogs get anything more from their sputtering offense under new coordinator Todd Monken, they will beat the Gators in Jacksonville and win its fourth straight SEC East title.
AAC
AAC champion: Cincinnati
Offensive player of the year: Shane Buechele, QB, SMU
Defensive player of the year: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Offensive freshman of the year: Tahj Washington, WR, Memphis
Defensive freshman of the year: Corey Thornton, CB, UCF
Comeback player of the year: James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati
Best offensive transfer: Danny Gray, WR, SMU (via Blinn College)
Best defensive transfer: JoVanni Stewart, S, Houston (via West Virginia)
Coach of the year: Ryan Silverfield, Memphis
Coach on the hot seat: Philip Montgomery, Tulsa
Coordinator on the rise: Marcus Freeman, defensive coordinator, Cincinnati
Game of the year: Cincinnati at UCF, Nov. 21
Nonconference game of the year: Army vs. Navy, Dec. 12
Upset of the year: Temple over UCF, Nov. 14
Three predictions for the AAC
1. Cincinnati is a CFP contender: Any of the top three AAC teams are good enough to win the league. But because defense still wins championships, I’ll go with the Bearcats, who are going to be exceptional on that side of the ball. The Bearcats lost to Memphis twice last season, but Tigers coach Mike Norvell took the Florida State job and star tailback Kenneth Gainwell opted out. Cincinnati plays three of its more difficult AAC games on the road — at SMU, UCF and Temple — but hosts Memphis. With only one loss, Cincinnati will be a legitimate CFP contender and might become the first team from a non-Power 5 league to grab one of the four spots.
2. Two AAC teams in New Year’s Six bowl games: The AAC likes to think of itself as the sixth Power 5 conference, and it might have an argument by season’s end. Two of its teams could end up playing in New Year’s Six bowl games if the chips fall right. If Cincinnati wins the AAC and doesn’t make the CFP, the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl might be its postseason destination. Either Memphis or UCF might have a chance at another New Year’s Six bowl spot. I’ll go with UCF in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, where it knocked off Auburn 34-27 in 2018.
3. SMU’s Shane Buechele is the top quarterback in Texas: Texas’ Sam Ehlinger and Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond might be bigger names, but Buechele is going to put up massive numbers in Mustangs coach Sonny Dykes’ pass-happy offense. After losing the starting job to Ehlinger at Texas, Buechele resurrected his career at SMU, passing for 3,929 yards with 34 touchdowns last season. Buechele will have a great opportunity to establish himself as a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate at TCU on Sept. 11.
Conference USA
Conference USA champion: UAB
Offensive player of the year: Brenden Knox, RB, Marshall
Defensive player of the year: DeAngelo Malone, DE, Western Kentucky
Offensive freshman of the year: Grant Wells, QB, Marshall
Defensive freshman of the year: Daj’eun Gibson, CB, Charlotte
Comeback player of the year: Brontae Harris, CB, UAB
Best offensive transfer: Tyrrell Pigrome, QB, Western Kentucky (via Maryland)
Best defensive transfer: Tyson Maeva, LB, FIU (via Boise State)
Coach of the year: Mike Bloomgren, Rice
Coach on the hot seat: Dana Dimel, UTEP
Coordinator on the rise: Clayton White, defensive coordinator, Western Kentucky
Game of the year: Western Kentucky at UAB, Oct. 17
Nonconference game of the year: UAB at Miami, Sept. 10
Upset of the year: Charlotte over Duke, Oct. 31
Three predictions for Conference USA
1. UAB wins the league: The Blazers didn’t look great in their opening 45-35 victory over Central Arkansas on Thursday night, but a lot of teams aren’t going to look good coming out of the gates after most missed spring practice because of the pandemic. The Blazers turned the ball over three times and committed eight penalties, which are mistakes that coaches can correct. The Blazers rarely lose at home, winning 19 games in a row at Legion Field, a Conference USA record, and that is where they’ll play Western Kentucky on Oct. 17.
2. Rice makes a bowl game: The Owls haven’t had a winning season since 2014 and combined to win only nine games over the past four seasons. After losing their first nine games last season, however, they closed by winning three in a row under Bloomgren. The former Stanford assistant has upgraded the talent and built a solid defense, and now it’s time to fix an offense that averaged only 294.2 yards and fewer than 18 points per game. TCU transfer Mike Collins might be the answer at quarterback.
3. A Hilltopper leads the FBS in sacks: With Ohio State’s Chase Young moving on and Miami’s Gregory Rousseau opting out, Western Kentucky’s DeAngelo Malone might be the best returning pass-rusher in the FBS. The reigning Conference USA defensive player of the year had 11½ sacks and 21 tackles for loss last season; the Atlanta native had 17½ sacks the previous two seasons combined.
Sun Belt
Sun Belt champion: Appalachian State
Offensive player of the year: Zac Thomas, QB, Appalachian State
Defensive player of the year: Carlton Martial, LB, Troy
Offensive freshman of the year: Christian Horn, WR, Appalachian State
Defensive freshman of the year: Antavious Lane, S, Georgia State
Comeback player of the year: Brian Miller, OT, Georgia Southern
Best offensive transfer: Brady McBride, QB, Texas State (via Memphis)
Best defensive transfer: Jeffrey Gunter, DE, Coastal Carolina (via NC State)
Coach of the year: Billy Napier, Louisiana
Coach on the hot seat: Steve Campbell, South Alabama
Coordinator on the rise: Keith Heckendorf, offensive coordinator, Arkansas State
Game of the year: Appalachian State at Georgia Southern, Oct. 14
Nonconference game of the year: Louisiana at Iowa State, Sept. 12
Upset of the year: Arkansas State over Kansas State, Sept. 12
Three predictions for the Sun Belt
1. Somebody from the Sun Belt will knock off someone it isn’t supposed to beat: Last season, Fun Belt upsets were as abundant as angry Big Ten parents. Appalachian State won at North Carolina and South Carolina; Coastal Carolina beat Kansas; and Georgia State stunned Tennessee. Georgia Southern had Minnesota on the ropes, and UL-Monroe lost at Florida State in overtime. With the SEC going to a conference-only schedule, there won’t be as many opportunities (or big paydays) this year. The Chanticleers return to Kansas; Arkansas State plays at Memphis and Kansas State; Louisiana goes to Iowa State; and Texas State travels to Boston College. At least one of those favorites (or the Jayhawks) is going down.
2. If Appalachian State goes undefeated, it’ll play in a New Year’s bowl: If the Mountaineers, under first-year coach Shawn Clark, can get through October unscathed — which would require beating Louisiana (home), Georgia Southern (road) and Arkansas State (home) in consecutive weeks — they’ll be overwhelming favorites in their final five games. A 12-0 record and conference title might give them a shot at a New Year’s Six bowl, even with a very soft schedule; and 11-1 might put them in position to replace a Big Ten team in a New Year’s Day bowl game in Florida. I think the Mountaineers will lose at least once, probably at Georgia Southern.
3. Arkansas State is the best team in Arkansas: OK, that one is too easy. Enjoy the games.