The 2014 CFB Season is finally upon us, and it is time for some bold predictions in response to some pre-season burning questions. Let’s jump right in, shall we?
Question: Who will play in the inaugural College Football Playoff?
The LWOS CFB department did a whole series on this subject, which can be read here in our CFB Playoff prediction series.
Bold Prediction: Florida State, Oregon, Auburn and Baylor
Question: Wait. No second SEC team in the playoff?
Nope. No way. The selection committee won’t have it. Not in the first year, anyway. The committee will agonize over which Power conference’s champion should be left out of the inaugural CFB playoff, and will leave out the team that will cause it to receive the least criticism. These folks will be in no rush to leave out a second conference champion, even in order to include a second team from the mighty SEC.
Question: Is there any chance that an undefeated “mid-major” will make the CFB Playoff?
No. No need to explain this one further, is there? If so, please re-read the final sentence from the reaction to the previous question.
Question: Who will travel to NYC for the Heisman Trophy Ceremony?
It is always fun to speculate on this question prior to the beginning of each college football season. It is also futile, frustrating, and pointless, as the pre-season favorite almost never wins. This award is all about in-season discovery, stats, narrative, and momentum.
Bold Prediction: Melvin Gordon III, RB, Wisconsit; Todd Gurley III, RB, Georgia; Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA; Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon; Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Question: Who will win the Heisman?
If you actually read the LWOS CFB prediction piece linked above, you know the answer already. The picture accompanying this post might’ve tipped you off also. You know who won’t win? Last year’s winner, Jameis Winston. If Tim Tebow couldn’t win a second one, Winston doesn’t have a shot.
Bold Prediction: Hundley
Question: Who will be this year’s breakout player?
This is the one question that doesn’t lean heavily in favor of the soon-to-be-autonomous Power 5 Conferences. Indulge in some Conference USA play this season, and check out Marshall QB Rakeem Cato. Dude is a stone cold stud, and will shatter every major Marshall passing record this season, likely while leading the Thundering Herd to an undefeated season. Make sure you watch this kid play at least once this year.
Question: Who are the potential sleeper teams in each Power 5 Conference?
In 2013, Auburn (and Missouri) came out of nowhere to meet in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. There are bound to be some new Cinderellas lurking within each major conference, just looking to crash the CFB Playoff. Here are some candidates:
Bold Prediction ACC: Pitt
Yeah, bold. Pitt has lost last season’s starting QB to the NFL, and will have to break in a new starter. The Panthers have a relatively favorable schedule, though, with their toughest games at home (Virginia Tech and Duke), and they miss Florida State altogether.
Bold Prediction B1G:Penn State
The Nittany Lions have a tough opener against UCF in Ireland (volcano-permitting), but they have the benefit of one of the best young returning signal-callers in Christian Hackenberg. James Franklin’s team also gets Ohio State, Michigan State and Northwestern at home. Remember, Auburn also had a first year coach last year. Just sayin’.
Bold Prediction Big-12:Kansas State
Might not be fair to call a Bill Snyder-coached team a sleeper, but here we go. KState gets a visit from 2013 national runner-up Auburn early in the year, which will be a great yardstick game for them. Other than that, Snyder’s guys have a balanced schedule that will give them a shot to make some noise in the Big-12.
Bold Prediction PAC-12: Washington
New year, new coach, new starting QB. It won’t be easy for UDub, but that’s the point, isn’t it? Both Stanford and UCLA have to visit Husky Stadium, so at the least, Washington will have a strong say in who ultimately wins the conference. Look for new HC Chris Petersen to have an immediate impact in Seattle, and do not rule out a title run in 2014.
Bold Prediction SEC:Vanderbilt
Vandy doesn’t play a game outside of Nashville until September 27th, when it visits Kentucky in Lexington. The only road game against an obviously superior team all season happens between the hedges against Georgia. Lots of home cooking could be just what the doctor ordered for new HC Derek Mason and the Dores this season. Vanderbilt Stadium should become a difficult place to play, and soon.
There you have it. Have fun watching the games this weekend, and throughout the season.
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