Top 10
This is not merely putting the National Champion as the number one slot for the next year. Florida State still has a ton of talent and returns arguably the top QB in the nation. Their schedule shouldn't be too difficult either.
2. Stanford Cardinal
Stanford has the potential to be loaded next year returning practically all their top pieces. They'll need to find a replacement for Trent Murphy and Shayne Skov on defense, but they always tend to. Add in that they have Oregon's number and we should see the Cardinal in the title contention.
3. Auburn Tigers
Auburn isn't going anywhere. Losing Tre Mason would be huge, but Malzhan has proven to find quality backs and their scheme helps them out. Add in their young talent on defense and the Tigers should be the favorite in the SEC West.
4. Baylor Bears
When they locked up Art Briles this season that confirmed that the Bears would be players for years to come. QB Bryce Petty is back and that is the key. He's an NFL QB and knows Briles system like the back of his hand. But it's the Bears defense that will get them here.
5. Georgia Bulldogs
I hate ifs and buts more than anybody, but it's hard to ignore all the injuries they suffered this year. Coming into next year at full strength and having a defense with another year of experience, the Bulldogs should be the favorite to win the SEC East.
6. Oregon Ducks
I almost put the Ducks at #2, but Stanford has their number and they'll have to prove it on the field before I belive it. It helps that the Ducks return QB Marcus Mariota, but they do lose long time defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti who was vastly underrated.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes
Defense was the big question mark for the Buckeyes this past season and losing LB Ryan Shazier and CB Bradley Roby will hurt. However they did play a lot of freshman and sophomores that showed a lot of potential. If they take that next step, they could easily shoot up this list.
8. South Carolina Gamecocks
Every year the Gamecocks don't look like an elite team, but always end up in the top 10. This year should be no different. They'll always have elite defensive players (even with Clowney), but look for them to put a heavy load on RB Mike Davis who is one of the best backs in the nation.
9. UCLA Bruins
With Head Coach Jim Mora and QB Brett Hundley coming back, the Bruins are the favorite to win the Pac 12 South. But they'll need to make sure they find somebody to replace the pass rushing presence of Anthony Barr if they want to challenge for the conference title.
10. Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin under first year coach Gary Anderson were phenomenal last year and could be next year's Michigan State. They return RB Melvin Gordon who should be even better and another year in the 3-4 could pay dividends for a secondary that was torched this past year.
Likely to Surprise: Texas Longhorns
I'm not really going out on a limb here with this pick, but I really see Strong making a big impact immediately at Texas. The Longhorns have been a soft team for a while and Strong will toughen them up for the better. If he can get QB David Ash to stay healthy they should challenge Baylor for the Big 12 Title
Likely to Disappoint: Alabama Crimson Tide
It's hard to have a team that's loss only seven games since the 2009 season and won three National Titles to be a disappointment. However they lose a lot more this year than previously. Mainly QB AJ McCarron who often gets overlooked. Now I don't think they finish the season unranked, but don't be shocked to see a three loss Crimson Tide team.
Conference Title Games (Champions)
SECAuburn Tigers vs Georgia Bulldogs
Winner: Auburn
Pac 12
Stanford Cardinal vs UCLA Bruins
Winner: Stanford
ACC
Florida State Seminoles vs North Carolina Tar Heels
Winner: Florida State
Big 10
Wisconsin Badgers vs Ohio State Buckeyes
Winner: Ohio State
Big 12 Champion
Baylor Bears
American
Cincinnati
Four Team Playoff
Semi Finals1. Florida State Seminoles vs 4. Baylor Bears
2. Stanford Cardinal vs 3. Auburn Tigers
National Title Game
1. Florida State Seminoles vs 2. Stanford Cardinal
National Champion: Stanford Cardinal
Coaching Carousel
This is an easy one. Plain and simple, the Gators have to have success this season for Muschamp to save his job. He easily could have been fired this past season but was given another shot. Muschamp ditched Brent Pease as OC and brought in Kurt Roper from Duke to try and jump start an offense that has been awful ever since Muschamp came in. But I think the Gators will be looking for a new coach next year.
Utah State provided Wisconsin with one heck of a coach in Gary Anderson and in his first season taking over for Anderson, Wells nearly won the Mountain West. Another good season and one of the Power Conferences will come calling.
His name has been mentioned a little bit here and there, but it's only a matter of time before Mason gets a chance to lead a team. Just look at what he's done with Stanford's defense. Standford doesn't always get the elite athletes and Mason has still been able to have one of the best units in all of college football. That's a skill most ADs will love.
Heisman Trophy
Heisman Favorite: Marcus Mariota QB OregonFor a better part of this past season Mariota was leading the Heisman race, but a poor game against Stanford, and injury and two losses dropped him completely out of the race. Mariota is putting off the NFL for another year and should be the favorite. He'll be a three year starter and knows the offense like none other. It should also help that OC Scott Frost will be entering his second year as play caller to add more familiarity.
Heisman Darkhorse: Mike Davis RB South Carolina
The trend lately has been that the Heisman winner has come out of nowhere to win the award. That very well could happen again this season. One guy to really watch is Davis. He's one of the best backs in the nation and with Connor Shaw gone the Gamecocks are going to be leaning pretty heavy on him. Add in that South Carolina should finish in the top ten and he has all the factors to be a contender.
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