FAVORITE TEAMS

Hunting Season is Open for the MAC

The MAC was susceptible to the transfer portal for a couple of seasons now, but some maintained a veteran roster and acquired replacements from the portal. Power 4 teams that play their first game of the season could be in for a tricky matchup. The MAC is notorious for causing trouble early in the season. Northern Illinois was one major example last season against Notre Dame on the road. Ohio did the exact same to Iowa State in 2023. The MAC’s upcoming Power 4 opponents in September is worth watching, especially if you’re a MAC fan. Best not to slip up if you’re a Power 4 opponent. Here’s a list of non-conference matchups MAC teams will face:

• Buffalo vs. Minnesota
• Western Michigan vs. Michigan State
• Ball State vs. Purdue
• Toledo vs. Kentucky
• Ohio vs. Rutgers and West Virginia
• Miami (OH) vs Wisconsin and Rutgers
• Northern Illinois vs. Miss State and Maryland
• Bowling Green vs. Cincinnati and Louisville

NIL and Transfer Portal Could Level the Playing Field in College Football

We’re in a new world of college football and plenty are unsure about this new world they’re experiencing. NIL is one thing, but the transfer portal became a massive thing in this recent age. I read through previews for 136 teams, and it seems like most conferences may have an equal playing field. Take the Big 12 for example, Texas Tech, Arizona State, and Kansas State look like the favorites. But there’s 6 other teams in contention, including Baylor, Utah, and Iowa State. Others could be involved based on who’s returning and who they brought in. Same goes for the SEC. While Texas is favored, LSU, Bama, and Georgia are in contention. Others like Oklahoma, South Carolina, Florida, and Ole Miss could lurk too. The Big Ten has four in contention, including Ohio State and Penn State, but they must consider six more. The ACC has Clemson but consider seven plus teams to contend too. Overall, the transfer portal (CFB free agency) could be a game-changer.

So Many Quarterbacks in New Places and New Ones in Same Places

Transferring in the past wasn’t mentioned much and its usually low key unless a big-name player or two were mentioned. Cam Newton, Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow, and even Troy Aikman were names amongst other names of the past before them that dominated the college game. Now, it’s reality and it’s about as big as the NFL’s free agency. When the NFL first had their free agency in March of 1993, its purpose was to make weaker teams more competitive. Now that college football has that aspect, these changes are more radical than decades past. Looking over the quarterback changes amongst 136 teams, 54 are returning, 55 transferred, and only 27 are newcomers. The ACC and the Sun Belt tie with the most incoming transfers (9), the Big 12 has the most returns (10), and the Big Ten has the most newcomers (8) as projected. Whether people like this new era of free agency in the transfer portal world or not, I welcome it!

A Receiver or Running Back Could Battle for Heisman Again

Why is the Heisman conversation all about quarterbacks? Why not other positions? Travis Hunter pulled it off playing both positions. After his departure, the conversation’s been amongst QBs again. Keep an eye out for skills players that may take the bulk of the touches based on new QBs taking over the starting spot this season. Look at guys like sophomore phenoms Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith. There’s also Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love who’ll gain attention if he stays healthy. Running back Makhi Hughes moved from Tulane to Oregon after a 1400-yard, 15 touchdown season. Maybe Jayden Ott from Oklahoma has a chance if he stays healthy.

Who Challenges Boise State for the Highest Group of Five Crown?

Outside of Boise being the favorite, there are teams like Tulane, Navy, a MAC team, UNLV, James Madison, etc. They all must take control of an early schedule. A few of them have a more manageable schedule, but they must have enough key pieces to control their own destiny for a playoff spot. They also must hope Boise falters against Notre Dame and their own conference schedule. Nothing comes easy until next season when Boise leaves for the new Pac-12. Good luck to the little guys.

The Big 12 Quarterbacks Go to War!

We got a glimpse at what Big 12 quarterback competition looks like with Avery Johnson and Rocco Becht. There will be plenty more during the season. The SEC has plenty of quarterback names to go through but questions loom. The Big Ten has more newcomers this season. While the ACC has some quarterbacks with names and experience, it doesn’t pack a punch like other conferences. The Big 12 has the most returns amongst all conferences and pack a punch in a conference where any team’s capable of being crowned champs. The Big 12 is worth watching if you’re all about quarterback matchups.

SEC and Big Ten Joust for Playoff Supremacy

Both conferences are subtly building a potential mega conference that could match the NFL’s someday. While both disagreed on a future playoff format while still competing for better recruits and transfers, they both are capable of fielding four playoff teams each. However, the Big Ten had more last season and won the last two Nattys while the SEC came up short twice in the semifinals with Texas (Big 12 and SEC). If the SEC wants that crown, they may want to beef up their roster and reconsider their yearly guantlet-filled schedule if they want to survive the long haul that is an entire 16-game (or 17-game) college football season.

Can Notre Dame Do It Again?

Coach Marcus Freeman put together a roster that went to the National Championship last season. He built the foundation to compete for the playoffs on a yearly basis. However, questions loom amongst the roster going through both roster changes and injuries. No position was hurt more by injury than the offensive line that was the strength last year. In football, not having a consistent, healthy linemen for the whole season spells trouble. Ask Oklahoma and Kentucky about theirs last season. Their schedule beefed up for the first time in a while, but it’s manageable. Quarterback CJ Carr has plenty of shoes to fill after Riley Leonard’s departure, so he must get it right quick.

Will College Football Have Another Playoff Crasher

We already expect at least eight teams to make the playoffs while the rest are unknowns. But they have as much of a shot as the Top 8 thanks to the transfer portal and NIL for certain programs. It’s working like NFL’s free agency to build and field a team that can compete with the upper echelons of college football. Georgia Tech and Duke have been the recent Bane of the ACC, but Va Tech, Louisville, Pitt, and NC State could be too. Minnesota tends to put nerves towards big time opponents. Indiana, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, and UCLA need a break somewhere to make the Big Ten title or playoff spot. The Big 12 as of right now doesn’t have a runaway, dominant team, which makes it more interesting if more than one makes the postseason. The SEC has four teams that are likely guarantees, but glaring questions could lead to mid-teams like South Carolina, Oklahoma, Florida, Ole Miss, Mizzou, Auburn, Arkansas and A&M to grab one spot. If it’s all true in 2025, we’ll expect a massive national shift in power moving forward.

Lee Corso’s final College GameDay appearance

I remember first watching Lee Corso on GameDay back in the mid-2000s. He was one of a kind to the college football world and it’ll be so hard to move on from him. It was weird enough not seeing him at GameDay at Berkley last season. But making his final mascot choice will be the icing on the cake for his last hoorah while millions around the world watch him make that final pick. Will he choose Ohio State, the mascot he chose for the first ever time decades ago? Will it be Texas to try and convince Longhorn fans that Texas…Is Back!!!??? We’ll find out, but I’ll be sure to watch the final 3 hours of Corso’s time of GameDay🫡🥲