FAVORITE TEAMS

Can the Independent’s Top 4 teams create chaos across the college football world?

Notre Dame has a new coach in Marcus Freeman. Similar results could happen for the Irish, but they’re heavily tested against Ohio State, Clemson, and F-USC (sounds a bit unprofessional, but I’m an Oklahoma fan who’s still heartbroken over the betrayal. Forgive me). I wouldn’t be surprised if they also don’t have this season’s type of success that Brian Kelly was consistent with. The offense will look different after all.

BYU has a tough schedule, but they could surprise the nation with an experienced roster and some returns that were hurt last year. Avoiding injuries could lead to a big jump in possibly their best season yet.

Liberty has an experienced group to compete against good competition on their schedule. The only concern is the quarterback position that’s currently replacing Malik Willis. Quarterback Charlie Brewer is the new starter. If he can perform at the level he did with Baylor, Liberty looks at a possible 9 to 10-win season.

Army could shock the nation with plenty of experience. Even with some turnover on defense, the consistency is still there and they have plenty of experience, led by Andre Carter II. Like Liberty, they could be looking at a 9 to 10-win season too.

The rest of the Independent is under new management, but let’s have a look:

UConn, UMass, and New Mexico State have new coaches (Jim Mora, Don Brown, and Jerry Kill) and works with a young roster hoping to build for the future.

Out of the three, UMass is the only team that hasn’t reached the .500 mark at the FBS level, but they have coach Don Brown who’s a winner anywhere he goes. It’s his second stint with the Minutemen, but this is a new era and it remains to be seen if Brown could revive UMass to what they once were when they were an FCS squad.

Jim Mora hopes to stabilize UConn when they were relevant a decade ago. It’ll take transfers and recruiting development to see progress being made in a couple of years. Although, they could shell out 4 wins to begin with this season.

New Mexico State moves to C-USA next season. Coach Jerry Kill is known for restoring down-on-their-luck programs. The Aggies are capable of doing it and C-USA could be beneficial to them in the future. For now, don’t be surprised if they improve their win total this season.

Can Notre Dame or BYU vie for a playoff spot?

There’s a world where even BYU can make it thanks to Cincinnati’s meddling with the College Football Playoff last season. They have experience and depth to run the tables, but their schedule is tough with an-improved Baylor team, road games at Oregon and Notre Dame, home game against Arkansas, and the last two road games at Boise State and Stanford. If they can win those crucial matchups, they will be in the conversation for sure. Notre Dame can return, even with a new quarterback. But can they do it with their new coach? Their schedule has them up against four ranked teams, BYU, and a couple of not-so-nice ACC teams outside of Clemson.