FAVORITE TEAMS

This is the conclusion of the Top 25 Teams Expectations of the seasons. Hope you all enjoy reading through this. I plan to do this again next season, but hopefully make some changes to this. Otherwise, this is pretty simple. It gives a concept of what each ranked team is expected to do this season.

1) GEORGIA

Just win and they’re in for the third season. Simple, right? Don’t let complacency hover over. Alabama won’t make it simple.

2) MICHIGAN

Win and they’re in. Oh, they play Iowa. Outside of the Hawkeyes’ defense, what else could challenge Michigan?🤷🏾‍♂️ At least they have Jim Harbaugh back moving forward.

3) WASHINGTON

Win and they’re in. However, they won by way of Oregon’s two questionable fourth down calls over two field goals that could’ve probably won the game. Here we go with Round 2 of this gauntlet fight!

4) FLORIDA STATE

Win and they’re in. Can they pull an Ohio State and win with their backup? Who’s their third string quarterback just to be on the safe side?

5) OREGON

Win and they’re in. The two failed fourth downs instead of going for field goals must be hanging over their beaks and heads. Coach Dan Lanning did yell “They play for clicks! We play for wins!” back when they faced Colorado. Will the Ducks play for this win???

====================================================================

6) OHIO STATE

Win and losses by Florida State, Oregon, Texas, and Alabama to have any hope for another playoff appearance off those scenarios for the second straight season. It has never been done twice. But remember, they were first to win the CFP Natty. Anything is possible!

7) TEXAS

A win and losses by Florida State and Oregon nets them in. Thank Oklahoma State for making life difficult after beating Oklahoma weeks ago. A rematch against Oklahoma could’ve helped the Longhorns cause.

8) ALABAMA

Win and losses by Florida State, Oregon, and Texas and they could get in. What a heart wrenching moment against Auburn needing a 4th and 31 play to win. This one will be for the history books. Is this enough motivation to outplay Georgia in Atlanta?

9) MISSOURI

They had a great season. They battled Georgia. Harrison Mevis kicked a 61-yard walk off against Kansas State, defeated ranked Kentucky and upset ranked Tennessee to finish second in the SEC East.

10) PENN STATE

They did everything but beat Ohio State and Michigan and finish third once again. What more can this team do to change that? No divisions next year at least.

====================================================================

11) OLE MISS

The Rebels did the same but failed to hold off Alabama and got beaten down between the hedges against Georgia. However, they played better this season than some people expected.

12) OKLAHOMA

After upsetting Texas, Oklahoma was on an upward trajectory for the Big 12 title appearance. Then they collapse after losses to Kansas and Ok State in back-to-back weeks. Not that great of a season but much improved at 10-2 after a 6-7 blunder last season. Boomer Sooner!!!

13) LSU

LSU’s a good team, but they’re not Top 10 caliber after losses to Florida State, Ole Miss, and Alabama. Quarterback Jayden Daniels was in line for a Heisman, but that might be all for not.

14) LOUISVILLE

Louisville was a legit playoff contender, but they were outplayed at Pitt where they had no business struggling. Then, they allowed Kentucky to stay in the game and outplay them in the second half (31-21). If it weren’t for that, they would’ve been in a heavy playoff conversation over Florida State. Bummer…

15) ARIZONA

The Wildcats played red hot at the right time. After back-to-back close losses to Washington and USC, they took down three straight ranked opponents and four in the last five weeks to finish with nine wins. Expect this team to be a Big 12 threat next season with quarterback Noah Fifita.

====================================================================

16) IOWA

Despite how farce the Hawkeyes are offensively, they’re in the Big Ten title game. Their all-purpose player defensive back Cooper DeJean did just about everything before he was out for the season due to his injury. Well…good luck stopping Michigan🫡

17) NOTRE DAME

The Irish was a good team, but the loss to Ohio State with only 10 players defending the goal line sent them in a downward spiral. They followed up with an upset loss to Louisville two weeks later and were unable to field any comeback opportunity after Clemson shut them down in the fourth quarter.

18) OKLAHOMA STATE

I’ll be unbiased and professional with this one (no matter how pissed I am with them). The Pokes were an enigma after a horrible loss against South Alabama at home and followed up with another one against Iowa State a week later. After back-to-back home wins against the Sunflower State, they were back on the map, including an upset over my Sooners…Now, they’re in the Big 12 title game to hopefully boot the other soon-to-be SEC team with a loss. Wouldn’t that make them the Pokes the new brand of the Big 12?

19) NC STATE

NC State’s one of two teams to come out of nowhere and be ranked in the Top 25 after some down time. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong played as best as he could to put this team in winning position. The defense was the hallmark of the team thanks to linebacker Payton Wilson. Be sure to watch out for freshmen phenom receiver Kevin Concepcion. He’s a dynamite player.

20) OREGON STATE

The Beavers were a major Pac-12 threat this season, but Wazzu exposed them leading to an eventual collapse of the Beaver dam starting in late October against red hot Arizona, and the soon-to-be Big Ten teams in back-to-back weeks (Washington and rival Oregon). Also, Jonathan Smith’s accepting the job at Michigan State.

====================================================================

21) TENNESSEE

After all the hype surrounding Tennessee with Joe Milton III as their potential guy, they drubbed against four SEC teams this season (Florida, Alabama, Missouri, and Georgia). The last three are Top 10 teams. Florida is done for the season. So much for the hype huh?

22) TULANE

The Green Wave made it clear that last season was no fluke, and quarterback Michael Pratt and coach Willie Fritz made dang sure they were real. Well, they’re here and will compete for their second straight AAC title.

23) CLEMSON

Clemson drubbed in their first eight games of the season (4-4), including losses by Duke in Week 1, the AAC’s Florida teams in overtime (Florida State and Miami), and NC State to cap off October. However, when November arrived, the Tigers turned a 180 and finished the season on a strong note, including upset wins over Notre Dame and North Carolina. That’s something positive that Dabo can take into a bowl and the offseason.

24) LIBERTY

The Flames finally arrive and make another statement with an undefeated season in coach Jamey Chadwell’s first season. Quarterback Kaidon Salter feels comfortable with the team and looks to compete for a C-USA title in Liberty’s first season as a C-USA team. Plenty must also be credited by their defense too.

25) KANSAS STATE

The Wildcats had a fair shot of defending their Big 12 title, but unfortunate losses in unfortunate events. They lost by a 61-yard walk off kick against Missouri. Then a pick-six to end the half and a crucial interception made by Ok State sunk them. Then, they lose in overtime to Texas despite a massive 16-point comeback in the 4th quarter. Lastly in snowy Manhattan, they come up short against Iowa State. Quarterback Will Howard is also transferring out. Bad beats by the Wildcats.