Good morning, everyone! College Football is officially back. Last weekend’s games of upsets, close shaves, and close spreads for most set the tone for what the rest of the season will look like. We had the conference realignments, transfer portals, and the 12-team playoff all come circle looking like a more…NFL-ish system. For those that still haven’t figured out the whole 12-team playoff system, just think about four highest conference champions. Everyone assumes it’ll be the Power 4 before the rest, but that’s not always the case (unless you’re that biased person only thinking about the brand name).

While we all assume the Big Ten and SEC will be in the Top 4, the ACC (thanks to Florida State and SMU) and the Big 12 are most likely vulnerable to cannibalize themselves to where conferences like the Sun Belt, AAC, the Mountain West, and Liberty can take advantage of the opportunity and get at least the fourth spot in the 12-team playoff. No matter what, it’s all about getting results, but we’re all glad that now have a loss or two won’t hurt a team’s chances of missing the playoffs. Again, it’s NFL-ish. The goal is to be amongst the Top 7 At-Large teams to make the 12-team playoffs by the end of the regular season.

For now, let’s look forward to the upcoming season. Here are my chosen 12 teams that could make the College Football Playoffs. I plan to post some college football info (and NFL info) during the season. I appreciate everyone that stopped by, and please stay tuned for more during the 5- to 6-month stretch!

FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS

12) MEMPHIS (AAC CHAMPS) VS. 5) OREGON (1ST AT-LARGE)

Memphis’s offense is run by senior quarterback Seth Henigan and should be electric this season with experience, including adding Mario Anderson from South Carolina. Defense must play up to par for the whole team to compete for the AAC title game and a CFP bid. With questions from Sun Belt teams, Boise State, Liberty’s weak schedule, and the Pac-2, the Tigers should have the best shot at qualifying.

Oregon is legit Big Ten title contenders, but can they handle the Big Ten competition that includes physicality and the cold weather east of the Oregon Trail? Possibly. They lose Bo Nix to only receive Dillon Gabriel in return from Oklahoma. The skills position is talented, and the defense should be as good, if not better after adding Jabbar Muhammad from Washington. They could compete for the Big Ten title game and more, but road games at Wisconsin and Michigan in November will definitely test the Ducks migration into the cold.

11) NOTRE DAME (7TH AT-LARGE) VS. 6) TEXAS (2ND AT-LARGE)

Notre Dame likely gets there. There are changes on their roster, but Marcus Freeman built them in the past two seasons through recruiting and the transfer portal, including adding former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard. No matter what, their defense will be good and put the team in position to win every week. The matchup at College Station in Week 1 could be the tone setter for the Irish.

Texas is built to compete in the SEC. Speaking of that, they added an SEC receiver in Isaiah Bond from Alabama to help out the perimeter passing after Xavier Worthy departed for the NFL. Their massive offensive line could impose their will throughout the schedule as long as they stay healthy. If the pass coverage improves, watch out for them in the SEC title game and the playoffs.

10) ALABAMA (6TH AT-LARGE) VS. 7) FLORIDA STATE (3RD AT-LARGE)

The post-Nick Saban era could be a bad thing for Bama. But until I see it, they will be there, even as At-Large bids. It’s hard to count them out with that long-standing brand, and guys like Jalen Milroe, Jam Miller, Justin Haynes, Kadyn Proctor, and Malachi Moore will be the example at Tuscaloosa. The Kalen DeBoer hire is an interesting one. He won everywhere from Fresno State to Washington. That winning pedigree, including a National Championship game, tells that he’ll get the Tide rolling still.

After an upset loss to Georgia Tech, there’s a lot more heat in Tallahassee than before. The loss puts them in a heap of trouble early, but a bounce back could happen because the team’s too talented not to. Also, losing two games doesn’t mean it’s over because of the 12-team playoff, but they must bounce back and stay in the ACC race and the Top 7 of the rankings for an At-Large bid. DJ Uiagalelei and company must come through.

9) OLE MISS (5TH AT-LARGE) VS. 8) PENN STATE (4TH AT-LARGE)

Ole Miss should be one of the best offenses in the country, and a lot comes from the transfer players in the past couple of seasons. Quarterback Jaxson Dart leads the portal boys and could be a dark horse Heisman contender if he plays well against LSU, Oklahoma, and Georgia. It’s up to the defense to play well to get Ole Miss within striking distance of an SEC title bid while competing for a playoff spot.

Now that the 12-team playoff exists, like Ole Miss, there’s no reason that Penn State can’t be there. Their only losses were to mostly Michigan and Ohio State in the East division in the past few seasons. The divisions are gone, they don’t have Michigan on their schedule, and Ohio State goes to Happy Valley. Penn State’s offense must get over the hump against good competition in order to be in the playoff conversation, and quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton must lead them there.

FIRST ROUND BYES (TOP 4)

4) UTAH

BIG 12 CHAMPS

Oklahoma State’s likely favored to win the Big 12 and go to the playoffs. Utah says, “NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND!!!” The Utes arrive in the Big 12 with conference title hopes and CFP aspirations. Quarterback Cam Rising’s return to the team and to the Big 12 must get the people of Salt Lake City excited about their chances. As long as he and the defense are play well, this team will be legit playoff contenders.

3) CLEMSON

ACC CHAMPS

In a NOW wide-open ACC conference, there’s no reason why the Clemson Tigers can’t return to the College Football Playoff. They return a lot of offensive talent while still maintaining their defensive foundation. Dabo Swinney wanted no part of the transfer portal while proving to everyone that recruiting at a high level is still the center of college football. With Florida State losing this past weekend, Clemson’s has a chance to prove it, but it starts with ending their 4-year playoff drought by winning the ACC title game or at least appearing in the Top 7 of the rankings.

2) GEORGIA

SEC CHAMPS

The Dawgs will be back in the playoffs as National Championship contenders. They return key pieces at each level, including Heisman contending quarterback Carson Beck. He cannoned his way to nearly 4,000 yards and could gain more with the 12-team playoff now in existence. The team should bounce back in a huge way after being complacent last year. However, will these crazy off-the-field issues hold them back from winning the whole thing? Also, who besides Alabama could challenge Georgia? Maybe the team right below them.

1) OHIO STATE

BIG TEN CHAMPS

The city of Columbus is the center of a potential National Championship contending team. They may or may not have asked for these expectations, but here they are. They have a stable of running backs, including Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins, talented receivers, and a defense that’s improving each season because of defensive end JT Tuimoloau, linebacker Jack Sawyer, cornerback Denzel Burke, Alabama transfer safety Caleb Downs, and their defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. The question comes on the offensive line and quarterback. Can the line come through and be the strength for the offense like a few years ago? Can Will Howard handle the expectations, the spotlight, and the pressure as a Buckeye?