College Football Predictions
A new area I’m diving into for the first time this year. I love college football and have followed it pretty heavily for the last decade and a half. The uncertainty that surrounds this season has me wanting to tackle some predictions for it. With the Big Ten and PAC 12 (currently) not in position to have a fall football season, things could get very interesting if the four-team playoff still happens, and the awards are still handed out. Here are my predictions for this wacky 2020 season:
College Football Playoff Teams
1) Clemson Tigers
Analysis: The value of having Trevor Lawrence cannot be understated. We all know how he is as a player and a leader, but the fact that he outright said from the beginning that if he was able to play this fall he was going to play has gone a long way for the Tigers. Unlike some other big-name schools, they’ve managed to minimize the number of players opting out. They continue to recruit well too, so any perceived deficiencies will have a talented youngster ready to take over. It will be very difficult for anyone to try and unseat them.
2) Alabama Crimson Tide
Analysis: Bama is still locked and loaded thanks to several players who elected to come back to school instead of entering the 2020 draft. The biggest question mark is at QB. With Mac Jones as the presumptive starter at least they have a player who has been in the system and was given plenty of time down the stretch last year due to Tagovailoa’s injury. Because of that and the top talent they have all over the field, they’ll provide the biggest test for Clemson and they get my vote as the winners of the SEC (Georgia would’ve given them a run for their money had Jamie Newman stayed instead of opting out to prepare for the draft).
3) Iowa State Cyclones
Analysis: First big surprise! The winners of each of the three Power 5 conferences that are playing this fall should be in the playoff. The only way I don’t see one making it is if the winner finishes with 3 losses (which is totally plausible). Oklahoma has a great Head Coach and Spencer Rattler ready to step in under Center, but Rattler is young, and the Sooners lost CeeDee Lamb, Kennedy Brooks, Kenneth Murray, and Neville Gallimore. Iowa State, on the other hand, has Brock Purdy (a veteran) at Quarterback, and a Head Coach who knows how to win despite not recruiting at the same level as some of his Big 12 peers. I like the Cyclones to win the Big 12 with one loss.
4) Miami Hurricanes
Analysis: Miami became my sleeper when D’Eriq King chose to transfer to them. His skill set is EXPLOSIVE, it’s exactly what this team needs to finally kickstart the rusted-out engine they’ve been riding since the late 80’s. Miami will probably lose to Clemson, but if they can at least keep that game close and dominate the rest of their competition they’ll be serious contenders for this fourth slot. They will have to fend off the AAC Champion (probably Cincinnati, maybe Memphis) and the #2 team in the SEC (Florida is my pick) who could very well finish with two losses, so a one loss season with plenty of highlights should push them to #4.
College Football Playoff Championship: Clemson over Alabama. The Tigers are just too good with Trevor Lawrence under Center. Bama puts up more of a fight than they did in 2019, but it’s just not enough to get the win. This would beautifully setup the continued rivalry between Bryce Young and D.J. Uiagalelei.
Awards
Heisman: QB D’Eriq King (Miami)
King is a dual threat, highlight reel waiting to happen. In 2018, while starting for Houston, he posted 2,982 passing yards, 36 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions and added 674 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. If he can come close to the numbers while also bringing Miami back to football relevance, he’ll be on his way to hoisting the Heisman.
Dark Horse: WR Jaylen Waddle (Alabama)
There have only been three Receivers to take home the Heisman (if you count Johnny Rodgers back in ’73 who was listed as a WR/RB). The last one to win it was Desmond Howard back in 1991. Howard won the award because he was an all-around talent, finishing the ’91 season with 985 yards receiving, 180 rushing, 412 on kick returns, 282 on punt returns and 17 total touchdowns. With how heavily favored Quarterbacks are, the only way we’ll see any Receiver take home the award is if they can surpass Howard’s feats. Enter Waddle. Last year was a down year for him receiving with 560 yards and 6 touchdowns, but he also saw an uptick in returning (487 kick return yards, 175 punt return, 2 touchdowns) and instantly became one of the most feared returners in college. This season he will be the #2 Receiver on Alabama’s roster and he should continue to return kicks and punts. If he can fill the void left by Jerry Jeudy (who finished second on the team behind Devonta Smith with 1163 yards and 10 touchdowns) he’ll be a favored sleeper pick by season’s end.
Chuck Bednarik Award: LB Dylan Moses (Alabama)
He’s coming off a significant injury, so he’ll need to show he’s back to the way he was two seasons ago. I think he’ll be ready and rearing to go. Bama lost a bit of talent (like they always do to the draft), so having Moses back on the field ready to lead the next group of Crimson Tide defenders is going to go a long ways toward getting Bama back to the top. Moses will prove to be a key piece that puts them back in the CFB Playoff. That coupled with his stats will put him as the front runner to take home this award.
Dark Horse: CB Derion Kendrick (Clemson)
Similar to Receivers and the Heisman, Corners have not been major players for the Bednarik award as of late. The last time a true Corner won the Bednarik was when Patrick Peterson took it home in 2010. LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. would most likely be considered the front runner to break that streak, but I wouldn’t consider him a dark horse. Kendrick is a different story. He is very talented, but no where near the name Stingley already is, so he fits here. I believe he can stand out this fall on an already talent rich defensive unit, and that will allow him to be able to put his name in the ring for the best defensive player in football.
