2016 College Football Picks: Week Five

Mike Williams

2016 College Football Picks: Week Five
Current Record: 22-10

3 Louisville Cardinals vs. 5 Clemson Tigers
No team in college football has seen as meteoric of a rise as Louisville, who has gone from a team widely considered the third best team in the ACC Atlantic to perhaps the team to beat in the conference and a legit Playoff contender. They have been fueled by true sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has used 24 touchdowns in four games and a dominant showing against Florida State to rise to the top of the Heisman conversation. While Jackson's explosiveness and playmaking prowess has fueled the Cards, this team isn't one-dimensional. They have an experienced defense with tons of weapons, mainly outside linebacker Devonte Fields, once a TCU star. That defense will have to have a great showing on the road against one of the nation's best quarterbacks. All the hype surrounding Jackson has overshadowed the fact junior Deshaun Watson is still one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC and entire nation. Watson engineers a diverse Clemson offensive attack that includes steady tailback Wayne Gallman and plenty of weapons on the perimeter. That offense limped early in the season but appears to have things back on track, and should stretch Louisville all across the field. The pivotal matchup in this game, however, will be the Tigers defense versus Jackson. Clemson lost a ton of prime talent this offseason but still returns Carlos Watkins and plenty of help across their front seven. Even so, Jackson has absolutely shredded defenses all season long and the secondary has some holes he can exploit. If Clemson can contain Jackson slightly, it will put the Tigers in good position to grab a hold on this one. Louisville may be one of the nation's hottest teams, but they have to be in store for a poor outing, and this team hasn't shown what they can do on the road against a great team. I think the more experienced Tigers get the job done in a classic.
Clemson, 37 Louisville, 35

4 Michigan Wolverines vs. 8 Wisconsin Badgers
Entering the year, Wisconsin looked like your typical Wisconsin team: one that would run the ball behind a physical offensive line, make short passes and play tough defense. That formula has worked very well for the Badgers in the past but would it work against a brutal schedule? So far it has, as the Badgers are 4-0 with impressive wins over LSU and Michigan State. Their next two meetings will truly tell how good they are, as they get the top two teams in the conference, Michigan and Ohio State. On offense, Wisconsin will lean heavily on a healthy Corey Clement, who can dominate when he gets his openings, but has struggled with his health. Quarterback Bart Houston has done all he has needed to do to this point, but the Badgers may ask for more from the first-year starter to open things up for their running game. Michigan is superb defensively, headlined by do-it-all linebacker Jabrill Peppers and shutdown corner Jourdan Lewis, who missed the first couple games of the season. If Houston isn't able to move the ball through the air, the Badgers are going to have a tough time really getting going. If that does happen, the Badgers' defense will have to step up even more. So far the unit has been extremely impressive, despite lacking a ton of household names. Michigan has a pretty similar offense to the Badgers, although they do pass the ball better. First-year starter Wilton Speight has looked great early this season, but the Badgers' D will be the toughest opponent he has faced all year long. He will hope for his talented crop of receivers in Jehu Chesson, Amara Darboh and tight end Jake Butt to step up. Back De'Veon Smith will hope to also break open the game against a powerful Wisconsin defensive line. I have picked against Wisconsin in their last two big wins, and they have proven me wrong, which makes me hesitant to pick against them again. However, the Wolverines are the more talented team up and down their roster, and get the Badgers at home. That certainly doesn't lock in a Michigan victory 100 percent, but it is enough for me to sway towards the Wolverines becoming 5-0.
Michigan, 30 Wisconsin, 21

7 Stanford Cardinal vs. 10 Washington Huskies
As it stands right now, the Pac-12 is in a precarious position when it comes to the College Football Playoff. The Big 12 is struggling, which opens the Pac-12 to an easier road in to the four-team battle, but neither Stanford or Washington have beat anyone of significance. That will obviously change as these two teams collide in an intriguing late-night Friday clash. We know what we are getting from Stanford in this one: plenty of Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey has looked great this season and is still very much in the mix for the Heisman. However, he isn't the lone playmaker Stanford can throw at the talented Huskies' defense. Quarterback Ryan Burns won't beat a defense single-handily but he is a smart, steady leader at the game's most critical position. Receiver Michael Rector can open things up on the perimeter, and the offensive line plays with ferocity. That should be enough to test Washington's defense, which has plenty of talent and has looked great this season, but hasn't played much. Budda Baker and Sidney Jones are the stars in the secondary, and they should life more difficult for Burns. On the other side, Washington will hope for a big day from budding sophomore Jake Browning at quarterback. Browning has been terrific this year, and appears to be taking the next step he needed to make as a signal-caller. He'll be joined by back Myles Gaskin and some speed at receiver, with Chico McClatcher and John Ross III. Gaskin is an explosive running back who has had some moments this season, but is still searching for consistency. It will be interesting to see how much success he has running the ball against a Stanford front seven that includes future NFL defenders Solomon Thomas and Harrison Phillips. Browning could have some success throwing the ball, however. Stanford hasn't let up a ton of yardage through the air this season but they haven't faced anybody who really excels in that aspect and they could be unprepared. Just a few weeks into the season, this game could very well decide the favorite in the conference. Even though it is in Seattle, I like Stanford in this one. They are the more proven team and it is hard to bet against a healthy and confident McCaffrey.
Stanford, 33 Washington, 28

Other Picks
1 Alabama, 35 Kentucky, 20
11 Tennessee, 31 25 Georgia, 24
9 Texas A&M, 38 South Carolina, 17
14 Miami, 27 Georgia Tech, 23
2 Ohio State, 45 Rutgers, 16

2016 College Football Picks: Week Four

Antonio Callaway, Florida

2016 Picks: Week Four
Current Record: 16-8

14 Tennessee Volunteers vs. 19 Florida Gators
Just a quick reminder that the last time Tennessee beat Florida in football was the all way back in 2004, when Facebook had just launched and iPhones didn't even exist yet (for a full list of what has changed since then check out this crazy list by SB Nation). For the first time in years, however, Tennessee is favored by many to win this matchup. Talent-wise both these teams are incredible, but neither have looked overly impressive out of the gate. The Vols have struggled with Ohio and Appalachian State, while the Gators' offense has continued its annual tradition of struggling. Not helping the Gators is the fact that starting quarterback Luke Del Rio is out for this game, opening the door to Purdue transfer Austin Appleby. Appleby does have some experience, but the Tennessee defense is extremely talented, led by corner Cam Sutton, which could give the backup quarterback some serious issues. Tennessee also brings a talented and athletic front seven to the equation, which could give the Gators' inconsistent rushing attack some issues. The Gators will need a big day from Antonio Callaway, who come on to the scene in a big way in this game a season ago. Callaway, a true sophomore receiver, is one of the few weapons UF possesses on the perimeter. The key for Tennessee in this game will be their offense, which has been disappointing throughout much of the new season. Behind Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara, the Vols have run the ball well, but senior QB Joshua Dobbs has been unable to find any rhythm through the air. Florida's secondary, led by future NFL corner Jalen Tabor, is superb, meaning that Tennessee could struggle through the air once more. This game certainly looks like a typical, low-scoring, grind-it-out SEC football game. Florida has been amazing at finding ways to win in this rivalry, but I'm not sure if they can overcome the fact a backup QB is going into a hostile environment against a great defense.
Tennessee, 27 Florida, 17

8 Michigan State Spartans vs. 11 Wisconsin Badgers
Iowa's loss to FCS power North Dakota State opened the door for Wisconsin to be the clear-cut favorite in the Big Ten West, but they have to get past a tough Michigan State team first. Wisconsin will lean on their usual attack; running the ball, quick passes, and tough defense. The passing game will have to stretch Michigan State's defense vertically, to open up the ground attack with the talent the Spartans have in their front seven. That front seven includes future NFL defensive linemen Malik McDowell and Riley Bullough, who should be able to keep the Badgers at bay. That should put more pressure on a Wisconsin defense that has performed wonderfully to this point. This same defense held Leonard Fournette to a mediocre day, and has looked dominant against Georgia State and Akron, so they won't be intimidated at all by the Spartans. Michigan State will hand the ball off often to their workhorse, L.J. Scott, and also rely on a passing game that isn't very dangerous, but can move the ball. Senior quarterback Tyler O'Conner has done a terrific job taking over for long-time starter Connor Cook, and he'll play a pivotal role in this one. An interesting aspect to watch of this game will be Wisconsin's mindset. Head coach Paul Chryst keeps his players as focused as anyone, but there is a chance the Badgers could be looking ahead to a schedule that gets absolutely brutal after this point, with Michigan and Ohio State up next. In a battle of two evenly matched teams that play a similar, physical brand of football, I think it could come down to which passing game succeeds more. Considering they are at home and O'Conner looked great against Notre Dame last weekend, I'll give the benefit of the doubt to MSU.
Michigan State, 24 Wisconsin, 20

10 Texas A&M Aggies vs. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks
With their victories over USC and Ole Miss, one thing appears clear in the SEC West: Alabama is the team to beat. However, that doesn't mean the Tide are invincible, and a number of other teams in the division are coming after them, mainly these two teams. For the third consecutive season, Texas A&M has opened up the season on fire, but they are hoping it doesn't end like the last two, where they fell apart in the second half of the year. Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight has played well, not turning the ball over and making the right decisions. Knight doesn't have the raw talent of past Kevin Sumlin-quarterback projects like Johnny Manziel or Kenny Hill, but fits the offense just as well. Also helping out the signal-caller has been the emergence of a dangerous Aggies' rushing attack, propelled by explosive Trayveon Williams. Add in lethal receivers Josh Reynolds and Christian Kirk, Texas A&M will do what they always do: put up plenty of points. A&M's defense has improved the last few years under the leadership of defensive coordinator John Chavis, and so far it has looked terrific in '16. They'll have to keep it up against an Arkansas offense that won't put up points in a hurry, but will utilize a strong, power run game. That run game is led by Rawleigh Williams, which has had major success running behind Arkansas' massive offensive line. That O-Line will not only play a pivotal role in providing lanes for the ground game to work, but also in containing one of the most dominant players in college football. Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is considered a prime candidate for the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and he has looked great early this season, despite facing constant double teams. The Razorbacks will also obviously need some production from an average passing game, which needs a lot from first-year starter Austin Allen. Allen will need to play disciplined and smart, as the Aggies' secondary has a ton of ball-hawking defensive backs roaming around. Texas A&M has fooled plenty of people with their hot starts the last two years, but I think they are for real this season. As long as they don't turn the ball over and contain Arkansas on the ground, the should be able to get the job done.
Texas A&M, 33 Arkansas, 21

Other Picks
23 Ole Miss, 35 12 Georgia, 24
4 Michigan, 38 Penn State, 30
18 LSU, 20 Auburn, 17
16 Baylor, 41 Oklahoma State, 35
3 Louisville, 45 Marshall, 17

2016 Post-Week Three College Football Playoff Power Rankings

J.T. Barrett, Ohio State

The Four

1 Alabama Crimson Tide 3-0 (1-0 SEC)
Despite falling down 24-3 early on, Alabama recovered to avoid falling to Ole Miss for the third consecutive season. The offense continues to have its ups-and-downs, but dropped 48 in this one behind the arm of QB Jalen Hurts and their dynamic rushing attack. Defensively, the Tide surrendered more yardage in the air than they should have, considering their talent in the defensive backfield. That will have to be shored up certainly, but outside of Ole Miss, there isn't an SEC team that has that type of dangerous passing game. Overall, the Tide added another strong victory to their resume, and proved that despite their youth, they were very resilient. They are still searching for their signature win, but this one was enough to keep Alabama on top of the rankings for now.

2 Ohio State Buckeyes 3-0 (0-0 Big Ten)
Perhaps no team increased their stock this week quite as much as Ohio State (perhaps even more than Louisville). The Buckeyes came out and dominated Oklahoma without much trouble. While the Sooners aren't the team we though they were preseason, it was still a statement victory for the Buckeyes, who appear to be the favorite in the Big Ten right now. Quarterback J.T. Barrett throttled a poor Oklahoma secondary, and the ground game continues to flourish. However, the biggest statement was the defense, which flew all over the field in this one. What is most impressive about Ohio State is that they have dominated in their first three games despite their massive inexperience. They are breaking in new starters throughout their offense and defense, and have still looked unstoppable. They should only get better as the season wears on.

3 Clemson Tigers 3-0 (0-0 ACC)
After two underwhelming showings against Auburn and Troy, Clemson responded this past week by blowing South Carolina State out of the water, 59-0. The offense had struggled with turnovers early on this season, but looked cool, calm and collected against their FCS opponent. This win certainly didn't answer a whole lot, but it gave Clemson some much needed momentum as they looked ahead towards the start of ACC play. Deshaun Watson and the rest of the Tigers will get a sneaky (and undefeated) Georgia Tech team this Thursday. Weekday games have long been trap games for high-ranked teams, and the Tigers must avoid a letdown early on in the conference slate, particularly with their Louisville matchup on the horizon.

4 Louisville Cardinals 3-0 (1-0 ACC)
Entering this week, Louisville had dominated inferior opponents behind Heisman frontrunner Lamar Jackson, but could they do it against second-ranked Florida State? The Cardinals certainly answered that question, and then some. Behind Jackson's five scores (four on the ground), Louisville blew out the Seminoles 63-20. Not only does this game push Louisville to the top of the ACC, it also puts them in the Playoff mix. One caution: over the years, quarterbacks that have gotten off to hot starts in the first month have traditionally slipped up afterwards (see "September Heisman"). Jackson has put on a show, but he must continue it over the course of the season if the Cardinals, who still have Clemson and Houston on their schedule, hope to make it to the Playoff.

Four More in the Hunt

5 Michigan Wolverines 3-0 (0-0 Big Ten)
The Wolverines got their toughest test of the new season to this point in Colorado, and as expected, it was their closest game. After blowing the doors off UCF and Hawaii, Michigan looked pretty sloppy through much of this game and needed a strong fourth quarter to win 45-28. Colorado is a solid football team, but the Wolverines are going to get much tougher opponents in the Big Ten, particularly the East Division, where Ohio State and Michigan State look very good. They still have refinements to make as they look ahead to the Big Ten slate.

6 Houston Cougars 3-0 (1-0 AAC)
After rolling to victories in their first two games, Houston got an interesting challenge in Week Three. In a Thursday night game against Cincinnati, the Cougars got all they could handle, going down early in the fourth quarter in a game where they made plenty of mistakes. However, Greg Ward Jr. and the rest of the offense turned it on and UH coasted to their first conference win of the season. What is really great is that Houston gets a long stretch of relatively soft games before their huge date with Louisville, which could very well be a Playoff play-in game. Oklahoma's loss this past week hurts their resume slightly, but Houston is still firmly entrenched in the Playoff hunt.

7 Stanford Cardinal 2-0 (1-0 Pac-12)
Methodical and efficient as always, Stanford didn't have much troubles with the struggling USC Trojans this past week, rolling to a 27-10 win. Christian McCaffrey had a big day, rushing all over a Trojans' D that looked lost trying to defend the Cardinal's versatility. The Heisman candidate has 298 yards after two games and will continue to break open games. An interesting road trip to dangerous UCLA awaits this week, before a game against Washington that could very well decide the Pac-12 North.

8 Washington Huskies 3-0 (0-0 Pac-12)
Usually, a 3-0 team averaging nearly 50.0 points a game and dominating opponents will be getting a ton of hype in the polls, but I'm still cautious before I pick the Huskies to roll to a Pac-12 crown. The Huskies have been wonderful so far this season, but they have played Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State. One is currently FCS (Portland State), one is transitioning back to FCS (Idaho) and one is among the nation's worst Power Five teams (Rutgers). Quarterback Jake Browning has been terrific, and the ball-hawking defense has been even better. However, the Huskies still on the fringes of the Playoff hunt for me until they beat anybody of substance.

Others in the Mix
Michigan State Spartans
Texas A&M Aggies
Wisconsin Badgers
Tennessee Volunteers
Baylor Bears
Arkansas Razorbacks
Georgia Bulldogs
Florida Gators
Florida State Seminoles
Miami Hurricanes
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Texas Longhorns
Utah Utes
West Virginia Mountaineers

2016 College Football Picks: Week Three

Lamar Jackson, Louisvlle

2016 Picks: Week Three
Current Record: 10-6

2 Florida State Seminoles vs. 10 Louisville Cardinals
Before the 2016 season began, Florida State and Clemson were widely considered the ACC powers, and it seemed nobody was picking anybody but either the Tigers or 'Noles to win the league. Through the first couple weeks, both FSU and Clemson are still in the driver's seat, but Louisville is attempting to make things interesting. The Cardinals have opened up the season on fire behind Heisman candidate Lamar Jackson. Jackson, a true sophomore QB, has a staggering 13 touchdowns on the year after just two games, which is more than 115 FBS teams have in total. Those are insane numbers, but he will get a much bigger test in the Florida State defense than either Charlotte or Syracuse. The Seminoles bring a defense stocked to the brim with speed and athleticism, and are especially dangerous in back, where safeties Nate Andrews and Derwin James are so versatile. Jackson is a great passer but is particularly dangerous with his legs, where he can break open games. Florida State will need to play contain often up front and their defenders have to be able to tackle the quarterback in space or else he is going to wreak havoc. Jackson is one special talent, but he will also need some support around him. That means that receiver James Quick and the Cardinals' ground game will need to emerge, which could be an issue considering the Seminoles have been stout against the run all year. On the other side, FSU also has a young quarterback putting on a clinic, but not quite at the volume of Jackson. Redshirt freshman Deondre Francois has shown great toughness and resiliency early on in his career, and will be supported by Travis Rudolph and speedsters Kermit Whitfield and Jesus "Bobo" Wilson on the outside. After pounding defenses last season, Dalvin Cook hasn't quite put up the same numbers although he has got less opportunities as FSU has tried to save his legs. He is still one of the most dominant players in college football, and will face an interesting battle against a great Louisville linebacker corps led by Stacy Thomas. I have wavered back and forth on my pick in this game, which will kick off right away noon eastern time. On one hand, FSU is probably more talented up and down their roster and has beaten a proven team in Ole Miss already this season. However, Louisville is riding a wave of momentum, and gets the Seminoles on the road. Jackson probably won't put up 600 yards of total offense in this one, but I think he can do enough to help the Cards sneak away with a huge victory.
Louisville, 31 Florida State, 27

1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. 19 Ole Miss Rebels
The past two years, Ole Miss has beaten Alabama, in games that seemingly turned the college football world upside down. Alabama has recovered both times to charge into the College Football Playoff, but the wins by the Rebels were still important in showing that the bully that is Alabama could be beaten, and that Ole Miss was continuing to rise. The Rebels will try to win once more against the feared Tide, who have shown no mercy early in 2016. Ole Miss will have a quarterback who knows how to beat 'Bama in senior Chad Kelly, who played great in the matchup a season ago. The strong-armed signal-caller can make all the throws and his playmaking ability can test the Tide's defense. However, he will need some more help around him to succeed, as the Rebels' ground attack has been nonexistent early and the offensive line will have to face a terrifying Tide pass rush that includes likely All-Americans Tim Williams and Jonathan Allen. A big key for Kelly will be playing smart and under control; he has so much talent he sometimes gets lazy and makes dumb throws. He got some lucky bounces against the Tide last season but Alabama could be even better defensively, so don't expect that to happen again. Ole Miss' defense will try to rattle true freshman Jalen Hurts, who has looked good early but still has some flaws. He is a great runner and playmaker, but has gotten a ton of help from his supporting cast. In order to beat great teams on the road, he will need to make some huge throws and handle the environment, which he doesn't done just yet. Having All-American receiver Calvin Ridley and dynamic tight end O.J. Howard will help, as will having a punishing ground attack. Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough have looked like they can handle the load early and will look to feast on a Rebels' defense that isn't very deep, which is important because Alabama has their most offensive success running the ball later in games when the defense is tired. If Alabama pounds the ball against the Rebels and doesn't get flashy like they did last year (which contributed to their five turnovers), they should be in prime position to wear down Ole Miss. The past two seasons I've picked Alabama to win this matchup, and have watched as the Rebels have looked like the better team (only to fall apart a few weeks later, while 'Bama rolls to an SEC title). That shouldn't be the case this year; Nick Saban is too good of a coach and 'Bama is too disciplined to lose to the same opponent three years in a row, no matter how talented.
Alabama, 34 Ole Miss, 23

3 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. 14 Oklahoma Sooners
Few programs in college football have the history and tradition of both Ohio State and Oklahoma. The two schools have produced some amazing talent and won a ton of big games, and now get a chance to prove which one is better in an intriguing non-conference battle. Ohio State has looked terrific early on, but it is hard to get a read on them, considering the fact they've beaten down Bowling Green and Tulsa. We know senior QB J.T. Barrett can put on a show, but he didn't dominate Tulsa last week and will face an interesting matchup with the Sooners' D. Oklahoma didn't contain the pass very well in their opening-loss to Houston, but they have had time to prepare for Barrett and will try to pressure him in different ways. Barrett will be helped by an underrated Ohio State rushing attack, which is led by powerful Mike Weber and explosive Curtis Samuel, who can hurt defenses in so many different ways. Ohio State's offensive line has also played well early, which will be critical against OU's dynamic defensive end Charles Walker, who will play a key role. Big news was made this week when Oklahoma backup quarterback Austin Kendall called Ohio State's defense "basic" and bet that Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield would throw and run all over it. The Buckeyes have looked wonderful early on that side of the ball, and will try to prove Kendall wrong in a big way. The front seven is headlined by Sam Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis, two terrific pass rushers, while do-it-all linebacker Raekwon McMillan can take over games. Mayfield's elusiveness and talent will help him evade those Buckeyes, but he could still feel plenty of pressure. He'll look to expose Ohio State over the top, where they are still reloading from many NFL Draft losses. Oklahoma's ground attack hasn't been the beast many expected prior to the season, so the Sooners will be hoping Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon can get it going. Hoping to keep themselves in the Playoff mix, Oklahoma should go all out in this one, especially playing in front of the home folks. While Kendall may believe Mayfield can dominate OSU, I'm not as convinced with what the Buckeyes possess on that side of the ball. It could be a very tight game, but Ohio State has looked better early, and should be able to claim a victory on the road.
Ohio State, 35 Oklahoma, 30

Other Picks
18 Notre Dame, 28 12 Michigan State, 24
7 Stanford, 27 USC, 17
17 Texas A&M, 34 Auburn, 24
11 Texas, 33 California, 26
24 Arkansas, 23 Texas State, 10

2016 Post-Week Two College Football Playoff Power Rankings

Jalen Hurts, Alabama

While it didn't feature the high-profile matchups of Week One, the second week of the 2016 college football season was still important in the race for the College Football Playoff. It hurt many teams chances (TCU, Oklahoma State aren't out, but the road is now tougher), while giving us further insight into many top teams. After two weeks here, is how the Playoff picture shapes up:

The Four

1 Alabama Crimson Tide 2-0 (0-0 SEC)
After a big opener that displayed to the college football world they were still the team to beat, Alabama pounded Western Kentucky, as expected. After a strong but up-and-down debut, true freshman QB Jalen Hurts looked legit, throwing for 287 yards and two touchdowns. He looked in sync with top wideouts Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart, and the Tide feasted on a weak Hilltoppers' pass defense. This game didn't build Alabama's resume much, but it does give the Tide momentum for a pivotal Week Three battle with Ole Miss, who has of course topped them the past two seasons.

2 Florida State Seminoles 2-0 (0-0 ACC)
Much like Alabama, Florida State was coming off a huge victory in their opener over Ole Miss and looked to continue to build their momentum. They faced a Charleston Southern squad in the midst of a scandal, and didn't face a whole lot of competition. Redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois has lived up to the hype so far, tossing for three scores in this one. Mixed with Dalvin Cook (who had 83 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries) and a powerful, deep defense the Seminoles look every bit as much of a National Title contender as Alabama. Also like the Tide, FSU gets a huge game in the third week, getting tenth-ranked Louisville, who has looked unstoppable behind the play of Lamar Jackson. A win could further cement FSU as the team to beat in the ACC.

3 Clemson Tigers 2-0 (0-0 ACC)
Clemson got a quality win in their opener against Auburn, but it wasn't the dominating victory some may have expected from the National Runner-ups in 2015. Clemson had to survive a late rally from the other Tigers, but hung on. Their second meeting was much the same, albeit against a weaker team. The Tigers showed plenty of offensive prowess but an uneven rushing attack and two interceptions by Heisman candidate Deshaun Watson kept Sun Belt foe Troy in the game. Clemson hung on to avoid any upset, but it still wasn't the wonderful win many were hoping would prove the Tigers are once more elite. Their play may drop them a few spots right now, but considering it is still very early on in the season and the team is still hitting their stride, it shouldn't be too worrying.

4 Michigan Wolverines 2-0 (0-0 Big Ten)
Much like a wide variety of other teams in the Top 10, Michigan got a relatively soft second week game, and had no issues. They faced off against the UCF Knights, who are improved from last season, but have still won just one game over the past two seasons. The defense has been terrific early, but that was to be expected. What is surprising is the play of new quarterback Wilton Speight, who many just assumed would back up former Houston transfer John O'Korn. Speight tossed four touchdowns in this victory, and has looked poised and in control in the first two games. Next up for the Wolverines, a meeting with Colorado, who has looked good early against poor competition. It will be the toughest test of the year for Michigan so far, and will give us further indication on whether this is truly a legit Playoff contender.

Four More in the Hunt

5 Ohio State Buckeyes 2-0 (0-0 Big Ten)
After enjoying an offensive explosion in their opener against Bowling Green, Ohio State did things a little different in Week 2. The defense stepped up in a huge way, holding a mediocre Tulsa offense to just a field goal, while forcing plenty of turnovers and sacks with the speed they possess on that side of the ball. Also different was the ground game, which didn't do a whole lot in the opener, as J.T. Barrett was doing everything. Young but talented Mike Weber looks like the clear feature back, while the explosive Curtis Samuel also feasted.

6 Houston Cougars 2-0 (0-0 AAC)
After getting perhaps their biggest victory in school history on the first weekend, would Houston suffer a letdown in Week 2? Even without star quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (who was injured), the Cougars rolled past FCS foe Lamar. Not known as a rushing offense, Houston found most of their success rushing the football. Kevrin Justice had 111 yards, Mulbah Carr had 109 and Kyle Postma, who took over for Ward, ran for 106 yards and two scores. Much like many other week two games, this one really didn't give us a whole lot of info on the Cougars, but it did show their vast array of offensive versatility.

7 Stanford Cardinal 1-0 (0-0 Pac-12)
The Cardinal were on a bye this week, so obviously we didn't learn anything about the team that looked good, not great over Kansas State in the opener. The Cardinal are hoping that bye will help them be prepared for an important game against USC this Saturday . The Trojans are eager to prove to the rest of the nation that the blowout loss to 'Bama was merely a fluke, and this game could be a Pac-12 Championship Game preview.

8 Washington Huskies 2-0 (0-0 Pac-12)
Over the summer, perhaps no team in college football was receiving the hype Washington was. After a 7-6 mark in 2015, the Huskies were a popular pick to breakout in 2016 behind a young but talented offense. So far, they've matched those expectations, with wins over Rutgers and Idaho, both blowout wins. Neither of those wins are going to prove UW is a real National Title contender, but it does show what they can do. Quarterback Jake Browning has looked terrific and on the other side of the ball, the Huskies' shutdown secondary has been stout.

Others in the Mix
Tennessee Volunteers
Texas Longhorns
Oklahoma Sooners
Louisville Cardinals
Wisconsin Badgers
Michigan State Spartans
Iowa Hawkeyes
Georgia Bulldogs
Texas A&M Aggies
Oregon Ducks
LSU Tigers
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Ole Miss Rebels
Florida Gators
Arkansas Razorbacks

2016 College Football Picks: Week Two

Jalen Hurd, Tennessee

2016 Picks: Week Two
Current Record: 4-4

17 Tennessee Volunteers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies
Bristol Motor Speedway has been the site of a number of wonderful races; and now it will be the site of a football game expected to smash college football attendance records (due to the vast seating of Bristol). Tennessee is eager to prove they are still the SEC East favorite after surviving a scare against Sun Belt power Appalachian State and subsequently watching fellow division foe Georgia beat ranked North Carolina. The key for the Volunteers will be figuring out a passing game that looked completely out of sync in the opener. Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara should be able to carry the load on the ground, but the Vols won't move the ball against a well-coached Hokies' defense unless quarterback Joshua Dobbs can move the ball through the air. He will also need help from an offensive line that struggled against the Mountaineers, especially considering VT defensive coordinator Bud Foster loves to dial up exotic blitzes. It is hard to know what we are getting from Virginia Tech's offense this season. The unit had struggled quite a bit under former head coach Frank Beamer the past couple years, but looked solid in the opener, although that was against FCS opponent Liberty. Quarterback Jerod Evans is a dual threat that can open up things for the Hokies offensively, but Tennessee should counter with end Derek Barnett and a fabulous front seven. The Hokies will also hope to find their rushing attack, after it struggled a year ago. Top to bottom, Tennessee is the more talented team, but that doesn't always mean they will get the job done, as last week proved. While that may be true, I feel more confident that their offense will outscore VT then the other way around.
Tennessee, 28 Virginia Tech, 21 

BYU Cougars vs. Utah Utes
In the latest edition of the "Holy War" rivalry, both BYU and Utah will hope to increase their records to 2-0. The Cougars opened up their season with a strong showing against a decent Power-Five team, escaping with a victory over Arizona, while Utah beat up on in-state foe Southern Utah. BYU will bring an impressive rushing attack to the equation, led by dual threat quarterback Taysom Hill and long-time running back Jamaal Williams. They'll face an interesting battle against the Utes' defense, which is head by a strong front seven and has dynamic defensive back Marcus Williams in back. That should keep Utah in the game no matter what, but their offense has to prove they can move the ball. Injuries had a major impact on the team in the second half, but the offense still disappeared late in 2015 and didn't look necessarily great in the opener. Quarterback Troy Williams has shown he can move the ball on a consistent basis, and can also make plays with his legs. He will have to prove himself against a Cougars' defense that isn't as well-coached or as disciplined as the Utes' unit, but can still make plenty of plays. Utah is also hoping to rejuvenate their rushing attack, as the group struggled in their first game, and may miss the departed Devontae Booker quite a bit. This is really going to be an interesting new edition of this classic rivalry. Neither team is ranked, but both have plenty of talent and experience up and down their roster, and looked great in the opener. BYU has more explosiveness and I think Hill can move the ball even against the Utes' great D. They also have luck and magic on their side with some of the September victories they have achieved over the past couple seasons, and could use it to win a close one.
BYU, 24 Utah, 20

15 TCU Horned Frogs vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
After a relatively underwhelming opening showing, TCU is eager to prove that they are still a Big 12 favorite, much like Tennessee is trying to do against Virginia Tech. The Horned Frogs ended up with a victory in Week One, but were tied with South Dakota State at halftime. Even though it was closer than they may have hoped, their offense still definitely showed it could move the ball. Former Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill threw for 439 yards in the opener, and seems to be a good fit in the Horned Frogs' explosive offense. He'll be joined by Taj Williams and KaVontae Turpin at receiver, which give the Frogs plenty of perimeter threats. TCU won't get an easy battle with Arkansas, who is also trying to prove something. Not only did they barely survive Louisiana Tech in their opener, Arkansas also is trying to help restore the SEC West's reputation after it had a rough first week (LSU lost, Mississippi State was beat by South Alabama, Ole Miss lost). The Razorbacks are hoping for more consistency from first-year starting QB Austin Allen, who had two interceptions against La. Tech. It won't be easy against a TCU team that has great defensive ends James McFarland and Josh Carraway along with ball-hawking cornerback Ranthony Texada. Arkansas will lean on their typical power rushing attack, behind a big, bulky offensive line. Teams with that power rushing game have typically been able to out-perform spread offenses, because they control the ball and play smart. That could be the case in this one, especially if they can force Hill to turn the ball over. However, I still like TCU a little bit more in this game. They can keep Arkansas off balance with their vast abundance of playmakers and speed, and their defense should be much improved this season, even though it wasn't great in the opener. They should be able to win in a close one, particularly considering they get the tough Razorbacks at home.
TCU, 35 Arkansas, 27

Other Picks
16 Iowa, 28 Iowa State, 17
24 Oregon, 38 Virginia, 20
1 Alabama, 42 Western Kentucky, 14
2 Clemson, 33 Troy, 17
Florida, 24 Kentucky, 23

2016 Post Week-One College Football Playoff Power Rankings

DeMarcus Walker, Florida State

After a long awaited start, the 2016-2017 college football season is officially underway. The opening weekend of the year did not disappoint; a flurry of upsets occurred and plenty of early statements were made. While it is extremely early, every week has a major impact on the College Football Playoff picture down the line. After just one week of football, here is what the Playoff picture is shaping up to look like:

The Four 

1 Alabama Crimson Tide 1-0 (0-0 SEC)
It is beginning to be a pretty common theme on Labor Day weekend: Alabama smacking around an opponent. Whether it is Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech or USC, the Tide have proven they can shake off rust in a hurry. They opened up poorly this weekend against USC, but quickly found their rhythm behind a quick passing game and a powerful rushing attack. True freshman Jalen Hurts wasn't perfect but showed he could make plays, and Damien Harris and Bo Scarbough look like the terrifying backfield we expected them to be. Alabama was dominant defensively, as end Jonathan Allen and linebacker Tim Williams were nearly unblockable. The Tide should be able to keep that momentum rolling right on to SEC play in a few weeks.

2 Clemson Tigers 1-0 (0-0 ACC)
After coming within minutes of a National Title and 15-0 2015, Clemson was out to prove they were the team to beat in '16. They faced a rebuilding but dangerous Auburn team and looked like the better team. The offense was still working things out, but QB Deshaun Watson looked like a real Heisman candidate and the ground game was solid. The defense was strong for much of the game, but the youthful secondary will need to grow up quickly. The Tigers didn't blow out Auburn but it was enough to show they are a quality team this season. As expected, they look like the cream of the crop in the ACC, along with Florida State.

3 Florida State Seminoles 1-0 (0-0 ACC)
Is the 2016 Florida State team the reincarnation of the 2014 version? Much like what they did often in 2014, FSU came down from a big deficit and poor showing in the first half to come out on top in the second half. After some early issues, the offense really found its stride. Redshirt freshman Deondre Francois took a beating, and still finished with 419 total yards. Dalvin Cook didn't dominate, but should have better opportunities to gain some momentum as the schedule lightens. On defense, FSU looked absolutely dominant in the second half. They shut down the weak Ole Miss ground attack all night, and DeMarcus Walker and Derwin James were absolute beasts. The opener wasn't pretty for the Seminoles but it was a quality win over a good SEC team, and proved this team had plenty of fight.

4 Michigan Wolverines 1-0 (0-0 Big Ten)
It is hard to really get a gauge on Michigan football in 2016 after their opener. They were dominant, but beat up on lowly Hawaii, at the Big House. It was definitely reassuring to see the passing game open up under the reigns of new QB Wilton Speight, and the ground game looked great. However, it is hard to know just how the Wolverines will stack up against elite competition from one pretty easy home test. The thing is, Michigan's non-conference slate is extremely weak this season, as their toughest test is probably Colorado who went 4-9 a year ago (but did look good in their opener against rival Colorado State). That may not be a bad thing for the Wolverines, who are still working out things on their offense. For now, they are able to get into the field with losses in front of them.

Four More in the Hunt

5 Ohio State Buckeyes 1-0 (0-0 Big Ten)
Much like Michigan, Ohio State opened up their season with a relatively soft opener, although Bowling Green did win the MAC last year. Quarterback J.T. Barrett looked confident and in perfect form, chucking the ball all over the field. The defense caused plenty of havoc and took advantage of a Falcons' team breaking in a new quarterback and new head coach. Overall, it was certainly an impressive start to the year for the Buckeyes. However, much like Michigan, they will have to continue to prove themselves as the weeks progress.

6 Houston Cougars 1-0 (0-0 AAC)
How did Tom Herman and Houston back up their 13-1 2015 campaign? Only by taking down one of the most prestigious football teams in the nation, rolling past an Oklahoma team widely picked to win the Big 12. Greg Ward Jr. showed that he could dominate even against wonderful competition, and puts his name in the Heisman conversation. The Cougars also looked good defensively, which was important, considering the fact UH lost a lot of solid contributors from an up-and-down unit a year ago. Clearly being the team to beat in the American Athletic Conference, Houston has a shot to run the table if they can handle Louisville down the stretch (the Cards looked great in their opener). A 13-0 season with wins over UL and Oklahoma? Maybe that would be enough to sneak a Non-Power Five team into the bracket.

7 Stanford Cardinal 1-0 (0-0 Pac-12)
Stanford opened up their season against a sneaky Kansas State team, who has pulled some memorable upsets under head coach Bill Snyder. The Cardinal looked terrific in the first half, behind new QB Ryan Burns and Heisman candidate Christian McCaffrey. After that, Stanford struggled by comparison, and nearly let K-State back into the game. Yet, the defense was able to stop a pretty one-dimensional Wildcats attack and help the Cardinal open up the new year with a win. It wasn't a statement win for the Cardinal, but it was important to see the passing attack look crisp. This win won't stand out, but it gives Stanford a quality win to work with moving forward.

8 Oklahoma Sooners 0-1 (0-0 Big 12)
Throughout much of the offseason the big question in Norman was this: could the Sooners finally answer the bell with high expectations, after disappointing when expected to be in the National Title mix over the past few years? An opening loss to Houston wasn't the way to quell those questions. Although it was disappointing, Oklahoma is not dead in the water yet. It is much better to lose earlier in the year than later, and the Sooners have ample opportunities to prove themselves once more to the committee, as they play Ohio State non-conference, and get TCU, Texas, Baylor and Oklahoma State in the Big 12. It is looking doubtful after an uninspired opener, but if OU runs the table they will certainly be in good position.

Others in the Mix
Tennessee Volunteers
Michigan State Spartans
Washington Huskies
Georgia Bulldogs
Louisville Cardinals
Texas Longhorns
Texas A&M Aggies
Wisconsin Badgers
LSU Tigers
Iowa Hawkeyes
Florida Gators
Baylor Bears
TCU Horned Frogs
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Miami Hurricanes

2016 College Football Picks: Week One

Corey Clement, Wisconsin

2016 Picks: Week One
Current Record: 0-0

3 (4*) Oklahoma Sooners vs. 15 (6) Houston Cougars
After breaking out in his first season in Houston, Tom Herman is out to continue to prove that the Cougars are a rising and dangerous program by taking down the Big 12 favorite, Oklahoma Sooners. Houston will bring one of the nation's most explosive offenses to the equation, led by senior quarterback Greg Ward Jr., who can do it all. Ward will test a Sooners' defense that loses their top cornerback, Zack Sanchez, and may have troubles taming the dual threat quarterback. The good news for Oklahoma is that much of their defensive front returns, and they will face a Cougars team still searching for a feature back. Houston may be able to move the ball through the air, but unless their ground attack forms quickly, their offensive attack is going be very one-dimensional which could restrict their chances to win the football game. Oklahoma has a balanced, dynamic offensive attack headed by former Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield at quarterback. Mayfield will be joined in the backfield by junior Samaje Perine and junior Joe Mixon. Mayfield has a huge arm and offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley will test the Cougars' secondary deep often in his air raid scheme. With losses in that secondary, Houston could have a tough time containing Oklahoma's aerial attack. Mixed with the power and strength of Mixon and Perine, Oklahoma is going to challenge Houston, who had some issues tackling power backs last year. A big component to the game is going to be depth. In shootouts like this one is almost sure to be, depth is important late in games when everybody is tired. That advantage goes to Oklahoma, and they have a more experienced coaching staff in these types of games. Even so, Houston is going to be able to give the Sooners quite a challenge, particularly in a neutral site game. Oklahoma is the more experienced team and a more proven program, but that doesn't mean they have this game in the bag. However, in a shootout, they have more weapons that UH, which should be able to seal them a victory in a close battle.
Oklahoma, 42 Houston, 38 

5 (7) LSU Tigers vs. (NR) Wisconsin Badgers
Lambeau Field has been the site of some great football, but for the first time ever, we get to see a different type of the sport this Saturday. The historic site will be hosting its first ever college football game, which will see the hometown team, Wisconsin, take on a very tough LSU squad. The Tigers are excited to show what they could do after they ended last year playing very well, following a three-game skid in November. The Badgers will have to contain likely the best back in college football in Leonard Fournette. The key for Wisconsin will be tackling the bruising tailback, who will shed simple arm tackles like they are nothing. That means the right play calls and defenders being in the right situation at the right time. The Badgers will hope to force LSU to throw as much as possible by stacking the box against Fournette. That will force junior quarterback Brandon Harris to make some plays, which would be an advantage for Wisconsin. Harris has talent and has some playmakers at receiver, but still has not proven that he can single-handily lead LSU to a victory. On the other side, LSU will likely try to do much the same against the Badgers. Wisconsin wasn't quite the machine running the ball that they usually are last season, but that could change in '16. Senior back Corey Clement is 100 percent and motivated. He could give the LSU defense some issues, and the Badgers offensive line will give him plenty of holes to work with. The key for Wisconsin to win this football game is for their passing game to play well. It doesn't have to anything insane, but moving the ball and getting solid chunks of yardage consistently must happen. I'm not sold on that happening against an LSU secondary that has two potential All-Americans in corner Tre'Davious White and safety Jamal Adams. Neither of these teams are very balanced offensively, and this game will not have the flash and excitement that the Houston-Oklahoma battle may have earlier in the day. That doesn't mean it won't be a good matchup of two teams that should have successful seasons. LSU is the more talented team and while they have some questions offensively, they aren't quite as major as the Badgers. The Tigers should be able to get the job done on the sport's opening weekend.
LSU, 24 Wisconsin, 16 

4 (5) Florida State Seminoles vs. 11 (13) Ole Miss Rebels
In a Labor Day battle, we will get to see two extremely talented teams go at it. Ole Miss will bring a proven quarterback to the equation in senior Chad Kelly, who can stretch the field with his huge arm. Kelly can not only make all the throws, but he can test defenses because he finds creative ways to extend plays. He will have to especially excel in this one with the ground attack a major question. It already looked iffy entering the season, but could be an even bigger problem as Jordan Wilkins was ruled academically ineligible. Florida State may lose Jalen Ramsey in their secondary, but it could still be a major strength of their football team with talents like Derwin James still remaining, so this should be a great matchup. Meanwhile, Florida State is breaking in a new quarterback on their offensive side, with Deondre Francois set to take over after senior Sean Maguire was injured for a couple weeks. Francois has a vast skill set and could be a great quarterback once he becomes more comfortable in the FSU offense. However, it isn't unreasonable to believe he will have some growing pains and issues in his first start. While that may be true, he is facing a Rebels' pass defense that loses some key pieces, and Ole Miss will already be focusing on his fellow teammate, junior Dalvin Cook. Everybody knew Cook was getting the ball last season and he was still absolutely dominant, and the same could happen once more this season. Ole Miss will obviously focus on him, but it is nearly impossible to completely limit the dynamic back. Both these teams will bring wonderful talent to the equation and by the end of the year both these teams could be quite a bit better with the young talent on their rosters. However, Ole Miss doesn't have anybody that can take over the game like Cook, and their aggressive defense should be able to tame Kelly enough to secure the dub.
Florida State, 34 Ole Miss, 23

Other Picks
22 UNC, 28 18 Georgia, 21
1 Alabama, 31 20 USC, 20
2 Clemson, 37 Auburn, 17
10 Notre Dame, 27 Texas, 14
7 Michigan, 44 Hawaii, 20

*= McGowanMania power ranking

Complete College Football Preview 2016-2017

Top 25
1. Clemson Tigers -- The return of Heisman frontrunner Deshaun Watson and plenty of other offensive weapons should lead Clemson to a National Title.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide -- Outside of a murky quarterback situation, Alabama has all the talent to repeat as National Champions.
3. Michigan Wolverines -- With a stacked defense and very favorable schedule, Michigan should breakthrough in Year 2 of Jim Harbaugh.
4. Oklahoma Sooners -- Returns of QB Baker Mayfield and backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine give Oklahoma enough offensive talent to return to Playoff.
5. Florida State Seminoles -- After slipping last season, Florida State should get back into National Title hunt with the return of back Dalvin Cook and a deep defense.
6. Houston Cougars -- Tom Herman's team went 13-1 last season, and with QB Greg Ward Jr. back, they could be even better in 2016.
7. LSU Tigers -- The Tigers will lean heavily on RB Leonard Fournette but unless the quarterback situation improves, LSU will struggle to take the next step.
8. Ohio State Buckeyes -- Even after getting decimated by the 2016 NFL Draft, the Buckeyes have QB J.T. Barrett and plenty else back to compete for a Big Ten title.
9. Stanford Cardinal -- The Cardinal may struggle in the passing game, but it shouldn't matter too much with do-it-all Christian McCaffrey back.
10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- ND's 2015 was ruined by injuries but a healthy QB situation and a great running back position, the Irish will be very dangerous in '16.
11. Tennessee Volunteers -- With a veteran quarterback returning, great backfield and wonderful defense, Tennessee should breakout this year.
12. Michigan State Spartans -- Spartans will miss departed QB Connor Cook, but back L.J. Scott and an experienced defense will keep them solid.
13. Ole Miss Rebels -- The Rebels return the best quarterback in the SEC in Chad Kelly and the program keeps improving their win totals.
14. Iowa Hawkeyes -- The biggest surprise of 2015 should still be dangerous this year, behind the arm of QB C.J. Beathard and the interception abilities of corner Desmond King.
15. Oregon Ducks -- Led by typical speedy Oregon athletes like back Royce Freeman and receiver Charles Nelson, Ducks should be in the mix for a Pac-12 crown.
16. UNC Tar Heels -- After a surprising 11-3 record in 2015, North Carolina will be the team to beat in the ACC Coastal once more this season.
17. TCU Horned Frogs -- Without Trevone Boykin the Frogs may be less explosive, but the defense gets a ton of talent back healthy after an injury-riddled '15.
18. Oklahoma State Cowboys -- Expect a typical Oklahoma State team; one that will put up plenty of points but must improve on D to win the Big 12.
19. USC Trojans -- New head coach Clay Helton has wonderful talent returning on both sides of the ball but a brutal schedule may hold them back.
20. Georgia Bulldogs -- First-year head coach Kirby Smart will hope for a great, ferocious Bulldogs' defense and a healthy Nick Chubb at tailback.
21. Boise State Broncos -- After losing four games last season, Broncos hope for bigger things from their offense to return to a New Year's Six bowl.
22. Florida Gators -- After a surprising 10-4 mark in Jim McElwain's first season, defense will once more carry the Gators to a successful campaign.
23. UCLA Bruins -- A more experienced Josh Rosen at quarterback, and plenty of defensive talent will keep the Bruins as dark horse Playoff contender.
24. Louisville Cardinals -- If he improves as a passer, true sophomore QB Lamar Jackson could help lead the Cardinals to new heights.
25. Washington Huskies -- A trendy Pac-12 pick, Washington will need big years from true sophomores Jake Browning at QB and Myles Gaskin at running back.

Others in the Mix
Baylor Bears
Virginia Tech Hokies
Arkansas Razorbacks
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Texas A&M Aggies
Western Michigan Broncos
San Diego State Aztecs
BYU Cougars
South Florida Bulls
Penn State Nittany Lions

Heisman
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford (finalist, winner)
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson (finalist)
Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State (finalist)
Greg Ward Jr., QB, Houston (finalist)

College Football Playoff
1 Clemson over 4 Oklahoma
2 Alabama over 3 Michigan

National Championship: 1 Clemson over 2 Alabama

College Football Preview 2016-17: Previewing the SEC

Stanley Williams, Kentucky

Southeastern Conference

2015 In Review: After two years of no national title there were questions around many SEC programs. Was the conference still the powerhouse it once was after an unprecedented streak of national titles or had it slipped? In 2015, led by a familiar power, they asserted themselves as still the top conference in college football. Alabama won it all, coming from an early disappointing loss to Ole Miss to rule the college football world. The Tide ran the ball down team's throats and played incredible defense en route to Nick Saban's fourth title with the school. Other than the Tide, plenty of others still made news inside the conference. LSU was the hottest team in the conference before Heisman frontunner Leonard Fournette was swallowed up by Alabama. Florida was a major surprise from the East in Jim McElwain's first year in Gainesville and the trendiest program in the SEC West right now, Ole Miss, continued to improve with ten victories. The offseason saw an abundance of chaos in coaching, and it sets the stage for what will be an intriguing 2016 down South.

SEC East Power Rankings (click on Top 25 teams for more in-depth previews)

1. Tennessee Volunteers National Rank: 11
It seemed everybody in America picked Tennessee to break out last season. The Volunteers had wonderful talent, and Butch Jones' team kept improving year-in year-out. However, they were still a tad young last year and while they didn't have a bad season, they also didn't quite have the breakthrough they were looking for. Even so, they are the clear frontrunner in the East, with their rich stockpile of stars. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs will keep a solid passing attack stable, but the offense will still lean heavily on backs Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara. The defense endures some losses, but could still be elite. Defensive end Derek Barnett could be one of the top pass rushers in the conference, while shutdown corner Cam Sutton patrols the back. Tennessee is also expecting big things from former five-star recruit Kahlil McKenzie and highly touted JUCO transfer Jonathan Kongbo on the D-Line. The Vols choked away too many games last year and that was due to inexperience and depth issues. With those problems fixed and a confident team, they could very well win the conference.
2. Georgia Bulldogs National Rank: 20
After years of being good not great and losing too many close games, Georgia decided it was time to move on from Mark Richt. Richt won plenty of games in Athens, but could never quite get the Bulldogs over the top. Georgia will hope that changes under new head man Kirby Smart, who was previously the defensive coordinator at Alabama. Smart will have a tough decision ahead of him to start the year: who to start at QB. He will decide between former Virginia transfer and incumbent starter Greyson Lambert or five-star true freshman Jacob Eason. My guess is Eason, but the QB competition will be an interesting storyline for the 'Dawgs all year long. UGA should still be a run-heavy offense, and hopes that junior Nick Chubb returns healthy this season. Chubb was firmly in the mix for the Heisman last year before suffering a horrific knee injury. He has worked hard to get back to 100 percent, and appears ready to play in Georgia's opener against UNC. Even if he needs a little bit more time to heal, junior Sony Michel has proven he can carry the load. Smart will focus heavily on the defense, which was good last year but could be even better in 2016. The Bulldogs had the No. 1 pas defense in the nation last season, and return safety Dominick Sanders and corner Malkom Parrish. Up front, Georgia will be searching for new pass rushers, particularly after edge rusher Leonard Floyd left for the NFL a year early. Junior Lorenzo Carter has the huge upside to have a breakout season in Athens. Smart has a youthful team in Georgia and faces a tough schedule in Year One, but this is the right job for him to succeed. With plenty of talent in a great recruiting state, it seems only when, not if, this program gets over the top.
3. Florida Gators National Rank: 22
After a frustrating few years under Will Muschamp, Florida was a surprise in Jim McElwain's first season. They jumped out to a very hot start and appeared to be a very serious contender for the College Football Playoff. However, things quickly cooled down in Gainesville. Quarterback Will Grier was suspended for the year for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs and the offense struggled mightily in his absence. Backup Treon Harris never really found any rhythm, and the passing attack was non-existent for the final month. Florida hopes that changes in '16, even though Grier won't be apart of it (transferred to West Virginia), with new quarterback Luke Del Rio. The son of Oakland Raiders head coach Jack, Del Rio has previously lost quarterback competitions at Alabama and Oregon State but has loads of potential. He will rely heavily on a decent receiver corps, one headed by explosive sophomore Antonio Callaway and Harris, who moves to receiver. Both Callaway and Harris missing much of spring practice with disciplinary issues, but they appear ready t begin the year. Florida certainly hopes their offense can improve, but this is still a defensive-first team. The D-Line returns plenty of promise, and the rush defense should be led by senior Jarrad Davis, who had 98 tackles a year ago. In the secondary, Florida loses Vernon Hargreaves III, but could actually improve with a breakout from talented junior Jalen Tabor and the return of reliable safety Marcus Maye. The Gators will still have to find some success on offense, but the defense alone should be enough to keep Florida in the mix for the East crown.
4. Kentucky Wildcats National Rank: Unranked
After a few years of great recruiting, it is time for Mark Stoops to finally deliver on his rebuild in Lexington. The Wildcats have started the past two years red hot, but have fallen apart in the second half, compiling two straight 5-7 marks. The goal this year is definitely to make a bowl, and they have enough talent to do just that. Sophomore Drew Barker is expected to take over at quarterback after former starter Patrick Towles transferred, and will have a good core of receivers to throw to, led by Dorian Baker. The ground attack could be very good, thanks to junior Stanley "Boom" Williams, who ran for 855 yards last season but could be even better this year. Kentucky's defense has been very inconsistent under Stoops, but has enough experience that it could be very strong this season. Juniors Matt Elam and Reggie Meant bring plenty of bulk and ferocity to the middle of the defensive line, while the linebacker corps is hoping for big things from Nebraska transfer Courtney Love. The secondary has some holes, but could still be very strong. Plenty of talent and experience mixed with a schedule that isn't absolutely dreadful, it appears it is now or never time for Stoops with UK. They should be able to continue making progress and at least eclipse the .500 mark.
5. Missouri Tigers National Rank: Unranked
After 15 years at the helm in Columbia, Gary Pinkel retired from coaching dealing with a battle with lymphoma. Missouri went with a familiar name to replace him in Barry Odom, a former Mizzou linebacker. Odom will hope to re-energize a stagnant offense from a year ago. Sophomore Drew Lock will lock down full quarterback duties after previously suspended starter Maty Mauk left for Eastern Kentucky. Ish Witter and Nate Strong, a four-star newcomer, will bring stability to the ground attack, while Missouri adds in Alabama grad transfer Chris Black at receiver. Odom is a former Tiger defensive coordinator, so he will focus heavily on the defensive side. He has plenty to work with, namely edge rusher Charles Harris. Harris has physicality, strength and a high motor, and can play either end or outside 'backer. He'll be helped by a strong crop of veterans patrolling the front seven. Senior middle linebacker Michael Scherer (93 tackles in '15) could be one of the conference's leading tacklers. Overall, Missouri should make some progress this season after slipping to a 5-7 record a year ago. But, the offense will need to find their tune and the defensive backfield must improve for the Tigers to lock in much more than a bowl berth.
6. Vanderbilt Commodores National Rank: Unranked
It may not have been Coach of the Year-worthy but Derek Mason did a fine job with Vanderbilt in his second season in 2015. The Commodores still struggled, but improved from three wins to four wins this past season, which included plenty of close contests. They could contend for the bowl berth in Mason's third year, if they lock down a quarterback. Sophomore Kyle Shurmur appears to the frontrunner to take over the ever-important job, but junior Wade Freebeck has a high upside. Junior back Ralph Webb could be one of the most underrated backs in the country, and will operate behind a solid offensive line. The defense still struggles at times, but played pretty well overall last season. Junior Zach Cunningham is among the top defenders in the nation at linebacker, and fellow junior Nigel Bowden also joins him. The secondary also has plenty of talent and experience. The Commodores continue to make strides under Mason. A bowl appearance would be the most logical, attainable step in 2016.
7. South Carolina Gamecocks National Rank: Unranked
After a very successful tenure with South Carolina, Steve Spurrier opted to step down as head coach last season, in the midst of a brutal season in Columbia. He will be replaced by Will Muschamp, who has a lot to prove after he struggled in his first stint in SEC East football at Florida. Muschamp inherits a team that needs a lot of work, but also a program that has proven it can win big when handled the right way. First things first, Muschamp must find an offense that disappeared last year, particularly a quarterback. Senior Perry Orth is likely the favorite, but highly touted true freshman Brandon McIlwain has impressive talent and by the end of the season could be their guy. Muschamp must also hope some receivers step up after the Gamecocks lost one of their best playmakers in Pharoh Cooper. Defensively, South Carolina has talent, namely senior middle linebacker Skai Moore, who will be a tackling machine in 2016. The pass rush lacks any big names, but could still be a good group with a number of veterans returning. The Gamecocks are inexperienced this season, and it could be understandable if Muschamp struggles. Inside an SEC East that is the deepest it has been in awhile, ending up in the cellar could be a real possibility.

SEC West Power Rankings

1. Alabama Crimson Tide National Rank: 2
Alabama proved they were still the program to beat in the SEC last season, winning the conference in impressive fashion before taking home the College Football Playoff Championship. Not surprisingly, they were hit hard by the NFL Draft and graduation, and lose their quarterback, running back and a number of elite defenders. Even so, Alabama is still widely being picked to win the conference once more in 2016, in large part because of what they have elsewhere talent-wise. Alabama returns perhaps the SEC's top receiver corps, led by sophomore Calvin Ridley and senior tight end O.J. Howard along with a dominant offensive line. Their defense is headlined by defensive end Jonathan Allen, linebackers Tim Williams and Rueben Foster and a secondary full of stars. The only question in Tuscaloosca is the quarterback position, where OC Lane Kiffin is looking for his third starter in three years. Cooper Bateman, a junior, is the favorite to start but will get pressure from a wide range of candidates, namely Blake Barnett and David Cornwell. Whoever takes over the reigns of the offense will have enough talent around them that Alabama should still be firmly in the mix to repeat as National Champs.
2. LSU Tigers National Rank: 7
After a three-game losing streak near the end of last season threatened to end Les Miles' tenure, LSU responded by winning their final two games in impressive fashion. That ending, and the talent they return, has them very hopeful for a breakout in 2016. The Tigers return perhaps the nation's best player in junior Leonard Fournette, who bulldozed over opponents en route to 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. They also have a great 1-2 punch at receiver, in seniors Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre, and a strong offensive line. The question on the offensive side of the ball is quarterback. Junior Brandon Harris is the returning starter, but he needs to do more than complete 54 percent of his passes and average 180 yards a game, especially with prime talent around him. Harris will start the year, but if he struggles Purdue transfer Danny Etling could push him. LSU doesn't need the junior to be chucking the ball 50 times a game for 500 yards, but they need more consistency from him in order for their offense to gain some balance. Defensively, LSU has their usual NFL-level talent everywhere. The line is led by sophomore breakout candidate Arden Key and junior tackle Davon Godchaux, while the secondary includes corner Tre'Davious White, Jamal Adams and rising sophomore Kevin Toliver II. That defense, mixed with the running game, will be able to keep the Tigers in every game and in the SEC West hunt. If the passing game can take the next step, this team has all the ingredients of a National Championship team.
3. Ole Miss Rebels National Rank: 13
Ole Miss has improved their win total every year since head coach Hugh Freeze has gotten here, but there is no denying they've had a tough offseason. Not only did they see a number of key contributors leave in the NFL Draft, former left tackle Laremy Tunsil's draft night incident opened the door to NCAA investigation and questions surrounding the program. Even with that still happening on the field, the Rebels have proven they can reload, and they should still contend. Senior QB Chad Kelly proclaimed himself "best quarterback in the nation" a few weeks ago and has the arm and playmaking ability to back it up. He will be helped by a strong receiver corps, led by junior Damore'ea Stringfellow and senior Quincy Adeboyejo, along with tight end Evan Engram. The running back is an issue, as no proven back returns, and junior Jordan Wilkins was ruled academically ineligible. On defense, Ole Miss loses quite a bit but should still be pretty good. Junior Marquis Haynes is the team's premier pass rusher now that Robert Nkemdiche is gone, and the front seven is helped by the addition of Oregon State grad transfer Rommel Mageo. The secondary has long been a strength for the Rebels under Freeze and it returns enough that it could be again in '16. The Rebels have enough pure talent and the quarterback to return to a New Year's Six Bowl. However, a poor running attack and tough schedule will make it tough to get over LSU or Alabama in the division.
4. Arkansas Razorbacks National Rank: Unranked
There were big expectations in Fayetteville last season, after Arkansas ended 2014 flaming hot and went 7-6. The Razorbacks struggled early but managed to find some consistency and finished off 8-5, capping off the year with a dominant Liberty Bowl win over Kansas State. Arkansas loses a lot of offensive production as they enter 2016; top back Alex Collins, solid QB Brandon Allen and tight end Hunter Henry all depart. Even with those losses, the Razorbacks will do what they have always done under Bielema: run the ball. Senior Kody Walker appears to be the next back, and will operate behind a strong O-Line. At quarterback, Arkansas is staying in the family by likely rolling with junior Austin Allen, the younger brother of Brandon. Austin has a slightly bigger arm and more upside than his brother, which could keep the passing game going. On defense, Arkansas has enough talent to hang with the talent inside the conference, led by senior middle linebacker Brooks Ellis, who will almost surely lead them in tackles. Despite some losses, Arkansas has built some stability in their program and they are always a tough team to beat because they take care of the ball and don't make many mistakes. That formula will keep them in the hunt for the SEC West crown in 2016.
5. Texas A&M Aggies National Rank: Unranked
The pressure is on for Kevin Sumlin in College Station. Sumlin immediately became a big head coaching name after leading Texas A&M to a magical 11-2 2012 debut in the SEC behind the arm of Johnny Manziel. Since then, it has been uneven sledding for the head coach. The Aggies have started the last two years hot but has fallen apart in the second half, with two straight 8-5 records. Pair that with plenty of drama and chaos involving quarterbacks transferring, and Sumlin is on the hot seat. The good news is that the cupboard is far from bare at Texas A&M. The Aggies hope they have found a stable QB in Oklahoma grad transfer Trevor Knight, who has talent and potential, but has struggled to deliver. He has an exciting receiver corps to work with, headed by senior Josh Reynolds and do-it-all true sophomore Christian Kirk. Defense has not been the Aggies' strength since joining the conference, but it took big leaps under new defensive coordinator John Chavis last season. Junior end Myles Garrett is a sack machine, and the defensive backfield offers safety Armani Watts and plenty of other playmakers. If the Aggies can open their season with a victory over UCLA and get some momentum going, they could very well be extremely dangerous. If not, Sumlin may be in search of a new gig this offseason.
6. Auburn Tigers National Rank: Unranked
Kevin Sumlin is not the only SEC West coach with significant pressure on him entering '16. Gus Malzahn is out to prove that Auburn can reclaim the magic that occurred his first season, when the Tigers went 12-2 and were seconds away from winning it all. Since then, Auburn has gone 8-5 and 7-6, and looked extremely out-of-sync last season. Malzahn needs somebody to step up at quarterback after it was terrible last season. Sophomore Sean White has emerged as the starter for now, but JUCO transfer John Franklin III fits the offense a little better and has more upside. Running back is a critical part of Malzahn's offense and right now it is also a question, after expected starter Jovon Robinson was recently dismissed. Other than those issues, the rest of the roster is very talented and deep. The offensive line is great, the receiver corps has potential and on defense, Auburn returns Carl Lawson from injury at defensive end. Malzahn has shown he can work some magic with Auburn when nobody is expecting much, but that may be tough to do in an unbelievably deep SEC West. Making it to a bowl game should be expected, but much beyond that may be tough with the backfield in shambles.

Fred Ross, Mississippi State

7. Mississippi State Bulldogs National Rank: Unranked 
It has been a golden couple of years in Starkville, but everybody knew that one day Dak Prescott would have to graduate and he did this past season after leading Mississippi State to 19 wins over the past two seasons. Prescott's replacement at quarterback is uncertain, with sophomore Nick Fitzgerald and junior Damian Williams considered the top candidates. Other than having to replace the best quarterback in school history, Mississippi State has plenty of talent offensively. Senior receiver Fred Ross is an elite difference-maker, and senior Brandon Holloway should give solid production at running back. On defense, the Bulldogs lose plenty of pieces in the front seven but could still be stout up front, thanks to the return of seniors Will Coleman and Richie Brown and the arrival of a recruiting class that includes highly touted (and controversial) defensive ends Jeffery Simmons and Marquiss Spencer. From to bottom, Mississippi State still has a strong team and in most college football divisions, they would be in pretty good position. Unfortunately, without a proven QB in the brutal SEC West, they may struggle.

Conference Championship Prediction: Alabama over Tennessee

Projected All-SEC Team
First Team
QB Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
RB Leonard Fournette, LSU
RB Jalen Hurd, Tennessee
WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama
WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
TE O.J. Howard, Alabama
OL Cam Robinson, Alabama
OL Ethan Pocic, LSU
OL Alex Kozan, Auburn
OL Alphonse Taylor, Alabama
OL Greg Pyke, Georgia
DL Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama
DL Derek Barnett, Tennessee
DL Charles Harris, Missouri
LB Rueben Foster, Alabama
LB Jarrad Davis, Florida
LB Kendall Beckwith, LSU
CB Tre'Davious White, LSU
CB Jalen Tabor, Florida
S Eddie Jackson, Alabama
S Jamal Adams, LSU

Second Team
QB Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee
RB Nick Chubb, Georgia
RB Stanley Williams, Kentucky
WR Antonio Callaway, Florida
WR Fred Ross, Mississippi State
TE Evan Engram, Ole Miss
OL Dan Skipper, Arkansas
OL Braden Smith, Auburn
OL Martez Ivey, Florida
OL Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
OL Austin Golson, Auburn
DL Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss
DL Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama
DL Carl Lawson, Auburn
DL Lewis Neal, LSU
LB Skai Moore, South Carolina
LB Richie Brown, Mississippi State
LB Tim Williams, Alabama
CB Cam Sutton, Tennessee
CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
S Dominick Sanders, Georgia
S Armani Watts, Texas A&M