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| We got a look at DJ Uiagalelei, and that’s enough. The quarterback’s athletics may make him more dangerous than Trevor Lawrence. Dabo Swinney loses Travis Etienne and some playmakers in defense, but the closet is always full on Clemson. Expect a seventh ACC title in a row and a fifth national championship in the CFP in the last seven years. Aside from the opening game against Georgia, Clemson’s biggest challenge could be the NC States. |
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| It has the chance to be Lincoln Riley’s best team in Oklahoma. After two seasons, one as an appetizer, Spencer Rattler is now just reaching his peak. Do you remember Kennedy Brooks? The fullback selected in 2020 after successive seasons of 1,000 meters. The Sooners must secure a seventh consecutive Big 12 title. |
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| Defensively, the Dawgs have it all. Offensively, they have to match people like Alabama, Florida and LSU. With JT Daniels back (and healthy), it’s going to be easier. A neutral opening site against Clemson should give us a window on the dignity of the playoffs. |
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| There will be major changes for the Crimson Tide in 2021. No Mac Jones. No DeVonta Smith. No Najee Harris. No Patrick Surtain II. No Dylan Moses. As Nick Saban has proven over the years, it does not matter. We take the tide back in the CFP based on history and faith. The Bryce Young era begins with the second quarter taking over. |
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| Best in the Big Ten, but the Buckeyes take a step back in 2021. CJ Stroud or Jack Miller take over the job for Justin Fields. Ryan Day has options, but we are going with Stroud, the no. 2 pro-style quarters in the class of 2020 that have yet to give a pass. No more Trey sermon. All the linebackers leave as well. |
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| Matt Campbell forgets about his ascension coach, but the interest of at least two NFL teams was in the off-season. He chooses a loaded Cyclones group over the benefits. Campbell gets his quarterback (Brock Purdy), the country’s leading rusher (Breece Hall) and star linebacker (Mike Rose) back. It’s a big title or a bust in 2021 |
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| Sixteen beginners return from a group of five sweethearts who won nine games and took Georgia on the wire. That means Desmond Knight on quarterback must be a Heisman Trophy candidate. Knight gets all his receivers and three of five attacking linebackers back. Big loss with defense coordinator Marcus Freeman going to Notre Dame. However, it could be the year when everything falls right and the Bearcats break through to the playoffs. |
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| 2020 was supposed to be an off-season. But that off? Ed Orgeron’s job security was whispered before he beat Florida and Ole Miss to finish 5-5. Expect the Tigers to bounce back into the top 10 again. It looks like they’s set on quarterback (Myles Brennan, Max Johnson). The entire defensive line is back, including the very talented Ali Gaye. |
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| The Tar Heels were one of the most entertaining teams to watch in 2020. It’s about to improve in 2021. Quarterback Sam Howell is a rival of Heisman. Mack Brown will have to find replacements for Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, the best fullback in the country. The future is bright despite the ball loss. Brown missed his leading rusher, receiver and packer and led Texas A&M in the bowling game. |
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| In year 3, Jimbo Fisher almost got the Aggies in the playoffs. What does he do for a worship in Year 4? Find a replacement for Kellen Mond to begin with. The Aggies’ leading passer was slyly good. There is a lot of talent to run back to facilitate the transition. Jimbo won it all in Year 4 at Florida State. Is this a sign of what is to come? |
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| Brian Kelly loses talent. His program did not lose its identity. Jack Coan transferred from Wisconsin to give the Fighting Irish on quarterback after losing to Ian Book. There will have to be a replacement for Liam Eichenberg to make the offense hum. RB Kyren Williams has a 1,500 season in him. The defense faces challenges with the loss of the country’s best lineout player, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, but All-American safety Kyle Hamilton returns. Great get in Freeman coming from Cincinnati. |
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| The Gators are the second best team in the SEC East, but what does that mean with the loss of Kyle Trask, Kyle Pitts, Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes? Emory Jones showed a flash on the quarterback, and coach Dan Mullen is expected to put a stronger emphasis on the run-up with five-star transfer Demarkcus Bowman coming from Clemson. Mullen’s erratic behavior can sometimes be worrying, but how do you criticize a man who has won 29 games in three years? Usually this means an automatic renewal of the contract. |
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| Tom Allen left his mark on the Hoosiers in 2020. As long as he is there, Indiana will be a factor in the Big Ten. Michael Penix Jr. returns to quarter after a torn ACL. WR Ty Fryfogle has decided to return. The difference is that the Big Ten have been warned about the Hoosiers’ talent. They are currently the second best team in the conference. |
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| COVID-19 is going to provide Clay Helton with a mulligan year if he falters. The USC coach did not need it. For the third time in six years, the Trojans have been playing for the Pac-12 title. Their only loss was to Oregon in that game. Quarterback Kedon Slovis still has a deep receiving team returning despite the loss of Tyler Vaughns. |
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| When D’Eriq King announces his return, the Hurricanes automatically have a chance in 2021. The offense expanded with King in 2020. The next business proposal is to win the ACC Coastal. |
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| Kirk Ferentz survived a terrible off-season. It was speculated that 2020, at age 65, would be his last season. Now there is all sorts of optimism after a 6-2 season. Guess who should be the favorite to win the Big Ten West? |
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| Someone still has to explain to me the quarterback shuffle in the Fiesta Bowl. Tyler Shough or Anthony Brown? The Ducks “won” the Pac-12 (because Washington could not play), but have a lot to prove after beating them 4-3. |
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| There’s a lot to look forward to in Steve Sarkisian’s first season. The Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado showed that the offense could be around Bijan Robinson (8.2 yards per carry in 2020). Casey Thompson was a delightful preview to throw four times for the Buffs. However, come talk to me if Texas defeats Oklahoma. |
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| What does the national coach of the year do for a repeat? For Jamey Chadwell, it means winning the Sun Belt straight and grabbing that New Year’s Six ticket. A season of 11 wins ends with a stir when the Sun Belt Championship game is canceled (Louisiana and Coastal are declared co-champions) and then the Chanticleers lose a ball loss to Liberty. The Chants are ready to make another comeback with quarterback Grayson McCall and most of a unique option offense coming back. |
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| The Cowboys were supposed to be one of the most balanced teams of 2020, but a solid defense faltered in the second half, yielding at least 29 points in four of the last five games. The back room is stacked, despite the loss of Chuba Hubbard. Quarterback Spencer Sanders needs to become more consistent. |
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| This is Graham Mertz’s team now with the transfer of Coan to Notre Dame. The Badgers had one of the more diverse seasons in the country. Three matches have been rescheduled or postponed. Mertz reported nine times with five interceptions as a red pant. When was the last time there was uncertainty at the back? Senior Garrett Groshek was 17th in the big ten rush. |
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| The game loss to Kentucky left a sour taste, but a season of eight wins was Dave Doeren’s third in the past four years. Despite the loss of fullback Bailey Hockman and two attacking linebackers, a 6-0 start is possible. |
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| Everything you need to know about the Flames’ 2021 chances: QB Malik Willis returns. The former Auburn backup had a bit of a Lamar Jackson that led Liberty to a 10-1 season and led the country into quarterback rushing. Note the November 6 match at Ole Miss. Coach Hugh Freeze goes back to the scene of the … well, you know. |
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| The Tigers were incredibly resilient considering the impact of COVID-19 and the way the SEC did them wrong. The conference hosted Mizzou matches against Alabama and LSU early on. The Tigers did not cut, beat LSU and were 5-3 in December before losing the last two to Georgia and Mississippi. Eli Drinkwitz has a quarterback (Connor Bazelak) and an idea from where he can take it. Check the schedule. Nine victories are possible. |
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| Billy Napier has been named for several posts. That will be a reality as long as he’s at the Ragin ‘Cajuns and is leading 10-1. Quarterback Levi Lewis has all his receivers and his entire offense. The defense loses one starter. |
