Coaching Carousel 2017: Is Chip Kelly the Right Fit at UCLA?

Chip Kelly

Every single season, the end of the college football season gives fans plenty of drama on the field, but a lot of chaos off it, when coaches leave and arrive throughout programs across the country. Drama was certainly the case this coaching carousel season when it came to Chip Kelly. Kelly, the highly successful former Oregon head coach, who had a less-than-successful run in the NFL, had been in serious talks to become the next head man at Florida but after plenty of rumors he ends up at UCLA. The move is an interesting one on both sides: for UCLA they get a huge name that has proven he can win, but hasn't coached at this level since 2012. For Kelly, he gets a chance to once more showcase his high-flying, up-tempo offense in the collegiate ranks, but will also have plenty of pressure on him following failed experiments with the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles. No matter what happens the Kelly hire will be a polarizing storyline for years to come. Was it the right fit, or will the Kelly hire haunt the Bruins for years to come?

The most interesting part of the Kelly hire has to be how he plans to run the program in 2017. Kelly was obviously highly successful running an extremely up-tempo style in college football that was revolutionary during that time, but the sport has changed. Spread offenses have become the norm in the sport, as has the no-huddle, go-go-go style that Kelly popularized. It will be interesting to see how Kelly runs a new-look offense, but there are many things in his favor. First off, Kelly will still coach in the Pac-12, a conference not known for its defense and a conference he knows very well. He also already has some serious talent on his roster in Westwood, even if projected first-round draft pick Josh Rosen leaves at quarterback. However, the biggest advantage for Kelly in his arrival at UCLA is the recruiting pipelines. Kelly was never considered an ace recruiter while at Oregon, but he still did a tremendous job of getting guys who fit his system and guys he knew could contribute. He'll have an even easier job getting recruits to come to sunny LA, which is a major destination improvement over Eugene, Oregon. Kelly will also be able to recruit all of southern California, which is one of the mot talent-rich areas in the United States. He has already gotten out on the recruiting trail, in fact, as he recently posed with five-star recruit defensive back Brendan Radley-Hiles.

On paper, Kelly has many of the tools he will need to succeed, but that doesn't mean that this hire doesn't have some question marks. The biggest question is on the defensive side of the ball, as it was when Kelly was originally at Oregon. For all the special things the offense was able to do, Kelly was never able to get a defense that would put him over the top. The key will be identifying a defensive coordinator that knows how to succeed in the Pac-12 and being able to consistently add young defensive talent. The tough part is that with his style of offense, the defense spends so much time on the field, which means finding depth and good conditioned athletes will be key. Another major question for Kelly will be the lack of money at UCLA. Not too say that the Bruins are in debt, but they do not have the same luxuries Oregon did. Oregon was able to get a ton of money poured in the program from legendary alum Phil Knight (the founder of Nike, of course), which helped them get top-notch facilities and crazy uniforms. Those things appealed to young recruits and also gave Oregon a brand. Kelly won't have that at UCLA, which could lead to some challenges in building a culture with the Bruins.

The key to Kelly's success in Westwood will be his ability to add depth and talent defensively, as well as develop players in the right manner. His predecessor, Jim Mora, was able to consistently land elite talent, but had a long list of players that never really adjusted to the collegiate level. In order to change that, Kelly must evolve his system and once more be able to connect with young players. There will be challenges ahead of Kelly, but all signs point to it being a successful tenure for the controversial head coach. With the recruiting area he is able to cover and his proven success on the West Coast, UCLA should be able to become the true Pac-12 title contender Mora was never able to quite create.

College Football Picks 2017: Week Thirteen

Kerryon Johnson, Auburn

College Football Picks 2017: Week Thirteen
Current Record: 69-27

(11-0) 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. (9-2) 6 Auburn Tigers
@Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn), 2:30 PM CBS on Saturday

Considering how intense of rivals Alabama and Auburn are, the Iron Bowl always is important, but that importance is at a whole new level this year. The Tide enter this one undefeated but lacking a true, overwhelmingly win, while Auburn enters 9-2 with a significant chance of crashing the College Football Playoff party. The winner takes not only the SEC West, but likely becomes the representative of the conference in the four-team field, depending on what occurs in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama has jumped out to their 11-0 start by using a familiar formula: running the ball and being physical up front. The team's committee of running backs, which includes Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough, Joshua Jacobs and Najee Harris, has a ton of versatility and the amount of depth allows the group to never tire. That ground attack will be quite a challenge for Auburn, but this is a defense that played wonderful early in the year against Georgia, who has a scary good running games themselves. The Tigers must also deal with true sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts, who continues to grow as a passer and has a couple potent wide receiving options in Calvin Ridley and Jerry Jeudy. An important key for Auburn in this one will be how their pass rush performs. When Alabama controls the line of scrimmage, they are nearly impossible to stop. If the Tigers are able to match their physicality and cause some chaos in the backfield they will disrupt the Tide rhythm, key to any upset. On the other side, Auburn will need a spectacular showing from Jarrett Stidham at QB, but he has shown he is up to the challenge. After a shaky start to 2017, Stidham has played as good as any signal-caller in the nation, including a tremendous performance against a top-flight defense in UGA. The big-armed signal-caller can really stretch defenses out, has improved as a decision-maker and has really benefitted from an offensive line that has really improved over the season's second half. Auburn will also lean heavily on feature back Kerryon Johnson, who has had a monster senior season. Johnson runs as hard as anybody, and could be in store for a big day, particularly against a 'Bama defense that is severely beat up. The Tide have lost big-time contributors throughout their front seven, and even a team that prepares as well and has as much talent as Alabama could be susceptible. On paper, these teams look incredibly even and this could come to the little things, like special teams and the turnover game. I have never had luck picking up against Alabama, and the Tide could still be the dominant team we've seen in the past once more in this one. But, I think there is something special about the way this Auburn team is playing. If Stidham can once more play the game of his life (which he can) and the defense can hold up, I like the Tigers to cause some Playoff chaos by pulling off a thrilling upset at home.

The Pick: Auburn, 31 Alabama, 28

(10-1) 3 Clemson Tigers vs. (7-3) 24 South Carolina Gamecocks
@Williams-Brice Stadium (Columbia), 6:30 PM Saturday on ESPN

While Auburn could cause plenty of chaos by beating Alabama, South Carolina could do much the same by stunning Clemson at home. The Gamecocks have quietly put together a superb 2017, jumping to a 7-3 record behind the play of quarterback Jake Bentley and a strong defense. A sophomore, Bentley has shown plenty of progress in his second year with the Gamecocks, and has some really dangerous weapons around him, including speedy sophomore A.J. Turner and wide out Bryan Edwards. The offense did take a hit when star receiver Deebo Samuel was lost for the year early on, but it still has shown the ability to move the ball down the field. The Clemson defense has some problems in the defensive backfield, but it still is superb up front. All four of the Tigers' starters on the defensive line (Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant, Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence) all have NFL futures and should present an interesting challenge for South Carolina. On offense, Clemson is the healthiest that they have been in a long time. Quarterback Kelly Bryant has had issues staying healthy and throwing the ball down the field, but he is a dangerous runner and the offense still has plenty of big-play potential. Clemson is equipped with a number of talented running backs to choose from, while also featuring a number of quality receivers. Deon Cain is the team's premier deep threat, while Hunter Renfrow and Ray-Ray McCloud give the team two possession wide outs that can spring open games. Defensively, South Carolina has played with a lot more fight and energy this season, in large part to head coach Will Muschamp's ability to recruit and develop on that side of the ball. Senior linebacker Skai Moore missed all of 2016 due to injury, but has come back and played like an All-American in his final year with South Carolina. He will be tasked with containing the Clemson rush offense, while also supporting the Gamecocks' pass defense. That secondary has played well for much of the season, but playing in the run heavy SEC East, they haven't seen much great pass offenses. Clemson and South Carolina is always quite intense, and South Carolina should be especially fired up, considering they have lost three straight to the Tigers. However, the Gamecocks will need a masterful showing from Bentley and a superb defensive performance to take down Clemson, who could be even more scary with their improved health.

The Pick: Clemson, 38 South Carolina, 27

(9-2) 13 Washington State Cougars vs. (9-2) 17 Washington Huskies
@Husky Stadium (Seattle), 7 PM Saturday on FOX

Now nearly 13 weeks into this college football season something seems pretty clear: the Pac-12 is not putting a team in the Playoff. The preseason favorite, USC, had their moments but lost two games, Washington was unable to avoid choking away two games, Washington State lost two as well, and nobody else was able to avoid the upset bug. However, Washington or Washington State could still find a way into the Pac-12 Championship Game with a win in the Apple Cup. Both teams feature high-octane offenses that want to move the ball down the field. The Cougars feature Mike Leach's patented Air Raid attack, which is especially lethal with veteran quarterback Luke Falk leading the way. Falk has already shattered countless records while at the helm in Pullman, and he would love to finish his career here with a Pac-12 title. Falk somewhat struggled against Washington's secondary last year, but this Huskies' defense is not at that level. The absence of NFL draftees Kevin King, Budda Baker and Sidney Jones has really hurt the group, which also lost possible breakout candidate Byron Murphy to injury early on. However, the Huskies still have a stout front seven that includes defensive tackle Vita Vea and linebackers Keishawn Berria and Azeem Victor, so the group should still be able to hold their own. The real question mark this season for Washington has been their offense, which has been wildly inconsistent. Quarterback Jake Browning still has his games where he is dominant, but he has also had his struggles. He'll need his offensive line, which has dealt with injuries and inexperience, to really perform to overcome a vastly underrated Washington State defense. The Cougars still struggle with their consistency as well, but Leach and staff have really rebuilt the group, and they've proven they can get after opposing quarterbacks, as they did against Sam Darnold when they upset USC. UW will hope to get some help from a talented backfield, which includes Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman, as while as some big plays from wide out Dante Pettis. Gaskin and Coleman are a superb 1-2 punch, while Pettis is deadly not only as a receiver but in the return game, where he has nine career punt returns. Neither of these teams will be going to the CFB Playoff, but they should still play with plenty of passion and fight. If Browning can have a good one, the Huskies should be able to come out on top, but I actually like the Cougars on the road. Falk has proven himself in big games before this year, and the defense seems to be playing with some significant momentum.

The Pick: Washington State, 37 Washington, 31

Other Picks
(#8) Notre Dame, 34 (#21) Stanford, 30
(#9) Ohio State, 35 Michigan, 17
(#7) Georgia, 30 Georgia Tech, 20
(#5) Wisconsin, 38 Minnesota, 17
(#4) Oklahoma, 45 West Virginia, 31

College Football Picks 2017: Week Twelve

Alex Hornibrook, Wisconsin

College Football Picks 2017: Week Twelve
Current Record: 61-27

(10-0) 5 Wisconsin Badgers vs. (8-2) 24 Michigan Wolverines
@Camp Randall Stadium (Madison), 11 AM Saturday on FOX

Despite the fact they sit undefeated deep into the season, Wisconsin hasn't got a lot of national respect because of one glaring issue: the lack of a signature win. The Badgers did play terrific last week against an Iowa team that pummeled Ohio State but they still lack a win that really jumps out at you. That could change this week as they square off against Michigan, a team that has a frustrating year at times but is still 8-2 and has looked much improved behind the arm of QB Brandon Peters. Peters, a redshirt freshman, has played with impressive confidence and composure despite his youth, but he will have to deal with one of the nation's premier defenses. Even though the Badgers have lost a big chunk of their defense to injury, it is still an incredibly stingy and hungry group. Linebacker T.J. Edwards is one of the best in the conference, while defensive backs D'Cota Dixon and Derrick Tindal ensure this is not an easy team to pass on. The Wolverines will likely run the ball early and often, particularly with underrated rusher Karan Higdon having such a good year. But, it remains to be seen whether the UM offensive line has enough to open up some holes for Higdon against this Wisconsin front. On defense, the Wolverines' defense has improved as the season has gone on, as the nine new starters this group has continue to improve. They are particularly strong up front, where defensive linemen Chase Winovich, Mo Hurst and Rashan Gary know how to create chaos and should be able to apply plenty of pressure to Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook. There should be no doubt what Michigan's defensive strategy will be in this one: stack the box and force Hornibrook to throw the ball. The redshirt sophomore has made some strides this year, but still struggles to get the ball down the field and will face a defense that has plenty of ball-hawking playmakers. However, that strategy has been used by more than a few teams this season, and they've been unable to contain true frosh Jonathan Taylor. Taylor, who wasn't even projected to be the starter prior to the season, has broken out thanks to impressive vision and burst. He is a real problem for any defense, and is especially potent when operating behind the Badgers' massive O-Line. It will be interesting to see what Michigan DC Don Brown does to counter the power and impressive efficiency of the Wisconsin offensive attack. Overall, this one has all the looks of a Big Ten slugfest where there will be a lot of big hits and not a ton of big plays. Michigan has looked much improved with Peters under center, but this is still a team that lacks the weapons Wisconsin has, on both sides of the ball. Things should be competitive, but at home in deafening Camp Randall, the Badgers should be able to come out 11-0.

The Pick: Wisconsin, 27 Michigan, 21

(9-1) 7 Georgia Bulldogs vs. (7-3) Kentucky Wildcats
@Sanford Stadium (Athens), 2:30 PM on CBS

While Georgia has dominated the SEC East for much of the season here is a crazy thought: if Kentucky had not missed a late field goal against Florida early on, this game would decide the division. Georgia now does have the division on lock, but the Wildcats are a tough opponent, and will look to attack this UGA much team the same way Auburn did last week when they pounded the Bulldogs 40-17. For the Wildcats to pull off an upset, they will need their rushing attack to be as lethal as it has all year long, and for QB Stephen Johnson to make some big throws. Johnson isn't an elite-level QB but he has proven he can run this offense and move the ball. With that being said, Georgia has one of the best secondaries in college football and will be very motivated after Auburn's Jarrett Stidham carved them up last Saturday. Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr. is extremely explosive and can also contribute as a receiving option, but he will also be in for a tough test against a strong Georgia rush defense, that is particularly good at linebacker. Kentucky's defense is vastly underrated, although it is a group that lacks much consistency, and struggles to contain the big play. They will be in store for an interesting battle against a Georgia offense that looked lost for much of last week. The Bulldogs will need true freshman quarterback Jake Fromm to regain his rhythm after last week's struggles. Fromm won't beat you deep too often, but he very good at intermediate throws and doesn't make many mistakes. His top receiving weapons, Terry Godwin and Ryan Ridley, both can break open games at any moment, which could be concerning for this Kentucky defense. The Wildcats must also find a way to contain the 1-2 punch of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel at tailback. Neither are known as speedsters but they are both workhorses who are deadly in the second half, when their fresh legs feast on tired defenses. However, Auburn found a way to keep them both contained and they showed that if you can get Fromm uncomfortable, he can really struggle. Kentucky should be very aggressive if their pass rush and lean on top linebacker Jordan Jones to stop Chubb and company. After their flawless season came to a crashing halt a week ago, keeping their focus is the top priority for Georgia. They won't go undefeated, but their Playoff path is still clear if they can win out and beat Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. They should be able to overcome some of the difficulties from the Auburn game and recover enough to avoid an upset at the hands of UK.

The Pick: Georgia, 34 Kentucky, 20


(9-2) 11 USC Trojans vs. (5-5) UCLA Bruins
@Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles), 7 PM Saturday on ABC

Neither USC or UCLA has any shot at making the College Football Playoff, but that doesn't mean there is nothing to play for in this LA rivalry. For the Trojans, a win here would lock down the Pac-12 South, and reassert them as the clear power program in the city. On the other side, UCLA needs a win to secure a bowl bid after missing out in 2016, and head coach Jim Mora could very well be coaching for his job. After a fabulous start to 2017, Josh Rosen has disappeared from the national radar, but that doesn't mean the junior isn't putting together a fine year. He has tossed for 3,094 yards and 21 touchdowns and came in clutch on more than one occasion. Unfortunately though, Rosen has not got much support. The Bruins' ground game has continued to be an issue, and the offensive line is not playing very well either. Expect UCLA to let Rosen once more throw as much as he wants, but it is hard to find a way to beat this USC defense by being too one-dimensional. The Trojans meanwhile, haven't quite been the offensive juggernaut some expected and the preseason Heisman frontrunner, Sam Darnold, hasn't absolutely dominated like some expected. Even so, they've found a way to have a successful season and Darnold has still played very well. After struggling with turnovers early on in the year the redshirt sophomore has played a lot smarter and let the game come to him, which has led to some good results. He also has found some serious chemistry with a receiver corps that doesn't have a clear-cut superstar, but has a ton of talent. UCLA's secondary has been very porous throughout much of the year, so expect Darnold to put on a show. He is also supported by running back Ronald Jones II, who has put together a marvelous season. Jones was banged up early in the season but has been terrific since getting healthy. UCLA still has yet to find a new group of defenders to replace a number of departed defensive linemen and linebackers, which leaves them susceptible on the ground. The only way this defense finds success is if they are able to find their pass rush against a USC offensive line that lacks much experience and has had an up-and-down season. Considering this is a rivalry game expect both teams to fight hard and play with a chip on their shoulder. Rosen gives UCLA a fighting chance and this defense could have success if they can get some turnovers, but I won't bet on it. The Trojans should be able to finish the job and clinch the South Division.

The Pick: USC, 38 UCLA, 34

Other Picks
(#20) LSU, 24 Tennessee, 14
(#10) Penn State, 35 Nebraska, 20
(#8) Notre Dame, 30 Navy, 24
(#3) Miami, 38 Virginia, 24
Kansas State, 33 (#13) Oklahoma State, 31

DIII Football Championship

While we are in week 3 of the CFB Football playoff rankings, it’s a good time to remember that there are three other divisions that have had a full tournament championship for many years.

• Yesterday — DII Championship
• Today - DIII Championship - championship bracket
• Next week - FCS (Football Championship Sub Division) Bracket

DIII Tournament

Division III has a 32 team tournament in four regions.   27 teams are automatic qualifiers for conference champions and 5 are at large births.  The five at large teams are: Illinois Wesleyan (CCIW), St. John’s (MIAC), Hardin-Simmons (ASC), Case Western Reserve (PAC) and Frostburg State (NJAC).  The top seeds in each region:

• West Region - UW Oshkosh (WIAC)
• North Region - Mount Union (OAC)
• South Region - Mary Hardin-Baylor (ASC)
• East Region - Delaware Valley (MAC)

Here are some comments on each of the these regions:

West Region

This is usually a tough region and this year is no different.   UW-Oshkosh is last year's national runner up, and after an undefeated season they look like the team that will advance from this region.   The first round game to watch is St. John’s at North Central.   It’s unfortunate that these two teams are meeting in the first round as in another region, both of these teams might have advanced past the second round.    The award for the winner of this game is to face UW-Oshkosh.   The other half of this region has two an undefeated teams - Wartburg and Trine.

North Region

While this Region has 3 undefeated teams, it still looks like Mount Union is the likely winner.   No team has defeated Mount Union on the road in the first round and a win over Illinois Wesleyan in the second round looks likely.   Frostburg State has the talent to come out of the other half of the bracket, but not enough to overtake Mont Union.

South Region

While there are two undefeated teams in this region, we look for St. Thomas to come out of this region.   They would have likely been a number one seed if not for a surprising first round loss to UW-Stout team.    Penalties cost them that game, while 8 turnovers cost them against UW-Oshkosh last year.  They have a very stingy defense and a strong running game.   IF they clean up the errors wining this region is well within their reach.  Mary Hardin-Baylor  will need more stable quarterback play if they hope to challenge St. Thomas or undefeated Berry.

East Region

The one guarantee is that an team from the East Region will be in the final four since all teams placed in this region are from the east region.  Much like our thoughts on St. Thomas, defense wins championships, so we are picking Brockport to come out of this region.   Delaware Valley’s chances will depend on the health of MAC Offensive Player of the year Devauntay Ellis who injured his hamstring late in the season.

McGowan Mania Picks

West Region - UW-Oshkosh

North Region 2  - Mount Union

South Region - St. Thomas

East Region - Brockport

Championship — UW-Oshkosh defeats St. Thomas.

DII Football Championship

While we are in week 3 of the CFB Football playoff rankings, it’s a good time to remember that there are three other divisions that have had a full tournament championship for many years.  McGowan Mania will cover each of them.

• Today — DII Championship -- championship bracket
• Tomorrow - DIII Championship
• Next week - FCS (Football Championship Sub Division) Bracket

DII Tournament

Division II has a 28 team tournament based 4 Super Regions.   The top seed in each Super Region gets a first round byes this coming weekend.   The top seeds by each Super Region

• Super Region 1 - Indiana (Pa)
• Super Region 2 - West Alabama
• Super Region 3 - Fort Hays State
• Super Region 4 - Central Washington

It’s hard to call each of the Number 1 seeds the favorites as much like the CFB rankings, these seeds to differ greatly from other polls and rankings taken throughout the season.    Here are some comments on each of the these regions:

Super Region 1

Indiana (Pa) is the number 1 seed overall.   They have victories over three teams that are in the 28 team field.  The game to watch this weekend is a rematch between #4 Shippensburg vs #5 West Chester.   Shippensburg cracked the top 25 this week and their lone loss of the season against un-ranked West Chester.

Super Region 2

Four teams from the Gulf Conference (West Alabama, West Georgia, West Florida, and Delta State) made the 28 team field.  (The number of teams / conference is always of interest to fans that wonder how the field is chosen).   Though ranked #17 in the last D2Football.com rankings, West Alabama gets the #1 seed after the 9-2 season in this tough conference.

Super Region 3

After an undefeated season, Fort Hays State gets the number #1 seed in this region.   This region also includes two time defending champion, Northwest Missouri State as the #6 seed after a 9-2 season.   Don’t count them out with two losses, as they have the top-ranked defense in DII averaging only 8.3 points allowed each game.   The first round won’t be easy for them as they face a 10-1 Ashland, that was ranked #3 in the nation in the final D2Football.com rankings.

Super Region 4

This region looks like the most competitive with at least three teams deserving of the #1 seed.   Puzzling that an undefeated Minnesota State team was seeded #2 in this region after being ranked #1 in the Super Region and #2 nationally just one week ago.   What did they do this week?  They defeated #11 ranked Sioux Falls on the road.   The seeding committee preferred to give an 11-0 Central Washington the #1.    Minnesota State will face a legitimate  challenge when they host 9-2 Colorado State Pueblo.   Minnesota State plays in the Northern Sun Conference that also placed Winona State, and Sioux Falls in the tournament.  Midwestern State 11-0 and ranked #5 nationally is also in this region.

McGowan Mania Picks

Super Region 1 - Indiana (Pa)
Super Region 2  - West Alabama
Super Region 3 - Norwest Missouri State
Super Region 4 - Minnesota State

Championship — Indiana (Pa) defeats Minnesota State 

Post-Week Eleven College Football Playoff Power Rankings

Travis Entienne and Christian Wilkins, Clemson

The Four

1 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-0, 7-0 SEC)
Alabama got quite the challenge this Saturday, as 16th-ranked Mississippi State played some of their best football of the season, matching the Tide for the vast majority of their matchup. However, the Tide were able to pull away late and avoid a stunning upset. The victory kept Alabama flawless, and with Georgia losing to Auburn, likely means the Crimson Tide should rise to No. 1 in the new set of Playoff rankings set to come out on Tuesday. It should be a pretty relaxed week for the Tide this week as they meet FCS foe Mercer, but it should be an opportunity to figure some things out prior to a Iron Bowl battle that has huge SEC and Playoff implications. A victory there would likely lock in 'Bama into yet another Playoff bid, no matter what happens in the SEC Championship.

2 Miami Hurricanes (9-0, 6-0 ACC)
It is probably safe to say that "The U" is officially back following the Hurricanes dominant showing against Notre Dame in primetime on Saturday. Prior to the win over ND, Miami had been undefeated but their resume paled in comparison to many other serious Playoff contenders. Beating the Irish, who have one impressive resume themselves, certainly changed that, especially the way they did it. Miami came out with a chip on their shoulder and looked locked in from the moment the first quarter started. The key going forward is for them to keep their focus the rest of the regular season and not get caught looking ahead to the ACC Championship or beyond. Neither Virginia nor Pittsburgh are serious threats but both could be trap games, and then the 'Canes finish their season with what will be back-to-back games against Clemson, one in the regular season finale and another in that ACC Championship. If they are able to run the table, the 'Canes have a serious case for No. 1 in the country but even if they lose, they could still realistically get into the four-team field.

3 Clemson Tigers (9-1, 7-1 ACC)
Before the season began, Clemson-Florida State was not only supposed to decide the ACC race, but likely the Playoff chase. That was not the case in reality, as Clemson entered the game against 3-5 Florida State simply trying to not come in overconfident. The Seminoles were able to make it pretty competitive, but Clemson still rolled to their ninth win of the year. At this point, Clemson still has the best resume of any one-loss team in the country, even though Virginia Tech losing this weekend did hurt them. What really helps the Tigers is their early-season win over Auburn, which now looks like a huge victory, considering the way Auburn dismantled Georgia. However, because that one loss was to Syracuse, Clemson really has no room for error. Any loss, even to Miami, likely would eliminate their chances of making the Playoff and defending their National Championship.

4 Oklahoma Sooners (9-1, 6-1 Big 12)
It was a big weekend in the Big 12, with Oklahoma and TCU squaring off to become the prohibitive Big 12 favorite, and Oklahoma State-Iowa State meeting in essentially a Big 12 Championship elimination game. The Sooners managed to get the job done, rolling past the Horned Frogs behind the big play of Baker Mayfield and company. The victory not only puts Oklahoma in the drivers seat in the conference, but also pushes them into a good place in the Playoff chase. Oklahoma's non-conference win over Ohio State on the road is still incredibly impressive, and a resume that includes beating Oklahoma State and TCU is not bad either. What has also seriously helped the Sooners' hopes is the fact that Iowa State has put together a good season. When the Sooners lost to the Cyclones, it was threatening to be a bad loss, but the Cyclones play has made it look a lot better, which should only help OU going forward.

Next Four Out

5 Georgia Bulldogs (9-1, 6-1 SEC)
It obviously wasn't a great weekend for Georgia, who were pounded by Auburn 40-17 then saw their most impressive win of the year, Notre Dame, get beat even worse by Miami. With that being said, UGA's Playoff hopes are not dead. They will end the regular season with Kentucky and rival Georgia Tech, two dangerous, but beatable teams, before the SEC Championship. No matter whether it is Auburn or Alabama that they meet, a win there would likely guarantee a Playoff berth. Beating 'Bama might look better just because of what the Tide have done all season long, but getting vengeance against Auburn would be extremely satisfying and give this team a ton of momentum. Either way, Georgia will now definitely have to run the table to get into the Playoff, which makes them difficult, but not impossible.

6 Wisconsin Badgers (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten)
For the first time this season, Wisconsin came out and beat a team that was ranked when they played, as they ran past Iowa at home. It wasn't exactly a signature win, but it certainly strengthened Wisconsin's resume, which is much weaker than most in the Playoff hunt. What would really help the Badgers going forward is not only for them to keep winning, of course, but some of the teams they have beaten to keep rolling. Florida Atlantic and Northwestern are two teams that they beat that have played very well down the stretch. FAU looks like they might win the Conference USA and Northwestern is quietly 7-3 and now ranked. Wisconsin's biggest game of the year is on this Saturday, when they meet Michigan. These Wolverines aren't the 2016 edition, but they have looked reinvigorated with Brandon Peters at quarterback. Handling the Wolverines and winning the Big Ten Championship would have to get Wisconsin into the Playoff, especially with some of the chaos that ensued this weekend.

7 Auburn Tigers (8-2, 6-1 SEC)
If there is one remaining wild card in the Playoff race, it has to be Auburn, who cause some serious craziness depending on how they finish up the season. The Tigers obviously beat Georgia this week, and now has two more opportunities to prove themselves to the Committee. If they are able to beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl and then beat Georgia once more in the SEC Championship, it'd be awfully hard to leave them out, even with their two losses. That is definitely easier said than done, but the way that QB Jarrett Stidham and this defense is currently playing, Auburn is incredibly scary and a team that could do serious damage.

8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-2)
Before this Saturday, Notre Dame was one of the hottest teams in the country, and a team that looked like a near Playoff lock. The Hurricanes were able to throw a serious wrench into that, and now the Irish will have to find a way to regroup. They will end the season with meetings with Navy and Stanford, who present interesting challenges. Neither is ranked currently, but the two have some of the best rushing offenses in the nation, and Stanford has stud running back Bryce Love, who is trying to make a last-ditch effort to overcome Mayfield and Saquon Barkley to win the Heisman. Beating those two may be enough to impress the Committee slightly, but Notre Dame will still probably need some chaos in front of them to have any shot at the Playoff now.

Others in the Mix
Ohio State Buckeyes
UCF Knights
Oklahoma State Cowboys
USC Trojans
Penn State Nittany Lions

College Football Picks 2017: Week Eleven

Malik Rosier, Miami

College Football Picks 2017: Week Eleven
Current Record: 57-23

(8-1) 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. (8-0) 7 Miami Hurricanes
@Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), 7 PM Saturday on ABC

For years, Notre Dame-Miami was one of the premier matchups in college football, often deciding the National Championship picture. After years of mediocre play from both programs, that appears to once more be the case in 2017, as both enter this one with a legitimate shot at earning a Playoff berth. Notre Dame is playing terrific football, and has one of the best resumes in the nation, with wins over NC State and USC, and a lone loss to top-ranked Georgia by one. On the other side, Miami proved that they were serious contenders by handling Virginia Tech last weekend, making them the clear-cut team to beat in the ACC Coastal. The Irish offense is led by an explosive rushing attack, that includes dual threat quarterback Brandon Wimbush and running back Josh Adams, who has become a Heisman candidate. Adams, just a junior, has 1,191 yards on the season while averaging an astounding 8.7 yards per carry. He presents quite a challenge to the Hurricanes' defense, which has done a fine job defending the run all season long, and has a stocked linebacker corps that includes Michael Pinckney and Shaq Quartermann. On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame's defense has taken major steps forward following a wildly inconsistent 2016. They're especially strong against the run, where they have shut down a number of quality rushing offenses. Miami's offense took a major step forward when star running back Mark Walton was lost for the season to an ankle injury, which has put a lot more pressure on the aerial attack. Veteran signal-caller Malik Rosier has improved every week of the season, and he has a ton of weapons surrounding him. Senior Braxton Berrios is a threat not only in the passing attack but in the return game, while sophomore Ahmmon Richards and Darrell Langham (one of the most clutch players in college football) provide plenty of help. This game could very well come down to whether Rosier can make some big throws down the field. He has shown impressive poise and confidence all season long, but he could be in for quite the tough game against Mike Elko's ND defense. With the way the Irish defense has played all year long, and what they have done to a number of great offenses so far this season, the Hurricanes could be in store for a tough one. It should be a highly competitive battle between two of the best historical programs in the sport, and the winner will put themselves in prime position to make the Playoff. With the way ND has played all year long and Adams making big-time plays, it looks like the Irish should be able to get the job done, even on the road.

The Pick: Notre Dame, 30 Miami, 27

(8-1) 5 Oklahoma Sooners vs. (8-1) 6 TCU Horned Frogs
@Memorial Stadium (Norman), 7 PM Saturday on FOX

Following a victory over Oklahoma State in Bedlam, Oklahoma appears to be the favorite in the Big 12, and a major Playoff threat. However, more challenges await, as sixth-ranked TCU comes to town. The Horned Frogs have put together a fine 2017 to this point, but a loss to Iowa State significantly hurt their conference title aspirations. The big reason for the loss to ISU was the poor performance by QB Kenny Hill, who fell back to his 2016 ways after a superb start to the season. The goal for Hill in this one will be to avoid turnovers, which continues to be a problem for the senior. However, if he can keep the ball out of the Sooners' hands, he certainly could have a big one, playing against a defense that has had some serious problems all year long. The Sooners must also find a way to contain wide out KaVontae Turpin, along with running back Darius Anderson, both big play threats. On the other end, Oklahoma is led by star quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is now viewed by some as the Heisman frontrunner, following his 598-yard, six touchdown showing against Oklahoma State. Mayfield is a fearless, aggressive playmaker who seems to play bigger the bigger the game. Mayfield will be aided by a talented committee of running backs, which includes Trey Sermon and Abdul Adams, along with a receiver corps that includes versatile Mark Andrews and much more. Mayfield will also operate behind one of the country's top offensive line units, which will be tasked with dealing with a blitz-happy TCU front seven. That Horned Frogs' defense is probably the conference's top group, particularly with head coach Gary Patterson leading the charge. It shut down Mason Rudolph and Oklahoma State earlier on the season and it is a group that knows how to force turnovers and capitalize. The best bet for TCU to win this game would be for them to force Mayfield into poor decisions, and hope that Hill doesn't do the same on the other side. They will also need to force some big stops late in the game, and hope that this doesn't become a complete blowout, where Oklahoma and their dominant offense would certainly have the advantage. This should still be a pretty high-scoring affair, but I don't quite expect it to be the Bedlam shootout we saw last Saturday. Mayfield should be able to overcome TCU's defense to overtake the Horned Frogs, and the home crowd should only further fuel the Sooners to a 9-1 mark.

The Pick: Oklahoma, 42 TCU, 33

(9-0) 1 Georgia Bulldogs vs. (7-2) 10 Auburn Tigers
@Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn), 2:30 PM Saturday on CBS

Despite the fact they have two losses, Auburn still has a tough, but clear path to make their first-ever Playoff berth. They will have to run the table, which will require them beating Georgia this week, Alabama in the Iron Bowl and then likely Georgia again in the SEC Championship Game. It is quite the difficult path, but the Tigers have pulled off some magic before under Gus Malzahn, and it isn't crazy to think they can do it again. To beat the Bulldogs this week, Auburn will need a big game from quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Stidham is still pretty inconsistent, but has had his fair share of great moments with the Tigers. If the Auburn offensive line can deal with a powerful and aggressive Georgia pass rush and Stidham gets time to throw, he could have a big afternoon. The Tigers will lean heavily on their ground game in this one, where dynamic veteran Kerryon Johnson has put together a terrific season. However, he will have to go up against a Bulldogs' rush defense that is among the stingiest in the nation. The real X-factor for Auburn will be on the defensive end, where they must contain a UGA offense that isn't necessarily the most explosive, but is as effective and efficient as they come. Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are one of the country's premier 1-2 punches, and are two of the toughest to tackle. Chubb, in particular, is among the best in the nation when he is 100 percent, which he should be heading into this SEC duel. At quarterback, true freshman Jake Fromm has been quite the surprise. Prior to the season, the Bulldogs were thinking former five-star prospect Jacob Eason would be the guy, but after he went down early on in the year with injury, Fromm has stepped in and done wonderful. Auburn's secondary is solid, but they'll have to contain UGA in the play action and deep, where the Bulldogs really excel. There is the chance that Fromm, with his youth, could be intimidated by the hostile environment at Jordan-Hare, but he has shown impressive poise so far this year, so things won't be too much for him. Auburn has the talent to compete with Georgia and going on the road in the SEC, particularly at a place like Auburn, is quite the challenge. Even so, I think that the Bulldogs should be able to come out on top, especially if Fromm plays well and the physical UGA defense shuts down Stidham.

The Pick: Georgia, 34 Auburn, 24

Other Picks
(#12) Michigan State, 24 (#13) Ohio State, 21
(#21) Iowa State, 35 (#15) Oklahoma State, 33
(#8) Wisconsin, 31 (#20) Iowa, 21
(#4) Clemson, 38 Florida State, 20
(#2) Alabama, 34 (#16) Mississippi State, 18

College Basketball Preview 2017-2018

Rawle Alkins, Arizona

Preseason Top 25

1. Arizona Wildcats
CONFERENCE RANK: 1
KEY RETURNEE: F Allonzo Trier
KEY NEWCOMER: F/C DeAndre Ayton
While fellow Pac-12 rivals Oregon and UCLA suffered major losses this off-season, Arizona returned the bulk of their lineup from the No. 2 seed and Sweet 16 participant. That includes wing Allonzo Trier, one of the best pure scorers in the country. Trier was limited to just 18 games last year as a result of an early suspension, but came back and put up 17.2 PPG over the season's second half. He will be joined on the wing by Rawle Alkins, who flirted with the idea of the NBA, but returns after a strong freshman year. Also returning are veterans Parker Jackson-Cartwright, a methodical, smart point guard, along with Serbian seven-footer Dusan Rustic at center. That veteran core is good enough to compete in the Pac-12 alone, but the addition of five-star big man DeAndre Ayton makes 'Zona even scarier. Ayton is 7'1" with tremendous length but moves incredibly well for size. It will obviously take time for him to adjust to the physicality of the collegiate game, but he has all the tools to be an absolute star and eventual high NBA Draft selection. The Wildcats overall have the talent, experience and depth to make their first Final Four under Sean Miller. The ongoing FBI investigation surrounding the program could be a distraction but if this time can maintain their focus, they are on their way to something special.

2. Duke Blue Devils
CONFERENCE RANK: 1
KEY RETURNEE: G Grayson Allen
KEY NEWCOMER: F Marvin Bagley III
As usual, Duke was hit hard by early NBA losses this spring, as Jayson Tatum, Luke Kennard and Frank Jackson all decided to leave Durham before their eligibility was up. Also per typical Duke standards, they reloaded with fresh, new All-American talent. 6'3" guard Trevon Dural is expected to take over the PG duties, versatile forward Wendell Carter Jr. also arrives, as does fabulous shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. However, those additions pale in comparison to the arrival of forward Marvin Bagley III, considered the top player in the 2018 recruiting class before he opted to reclassify to 2017. Bagley III is a tremendous athlete and can guard multiple positions, which gives this Duke offense so many different options. That wonderful group of newcomers will join guard Grayson Allen and center Marques Bolden. Allen had a wild junior season in which he became well-known for all the wrong reasons, but there is no denying how talented the veteran is when he's playing well. Meanwhile, Bolden didn't see much action in his true freshman campaign in '16-'17 but he's a big, bulky weapon in the low post who could have a breakout season. Expect Duke to have some growing pains as they take some time to gel, but this team could very well be the most talented in the entire country. If Dural can fix their point guard woes, Allen can stay out of trouble and Bagley is as good as advertised, there is no reason why Coach K can't add another National Title to his legendary resume.

3. Michigan State Spartans
CONFERENCE RANK: 1
KEY RETURNEE: G/F Miles Bridges
KEY NEWCOMER: F Jaren Jackson Jr.
Michigan State was abnormally young a year ago, as a team composed of mainly freshman and sophomores finished off 20-15 overall and was bounced in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The good news is that all those youngsters are back and more experienced, particularly sophomore Miles Bridges, who is considered by many to the National Player of the Year favorite. Bridges is an absolutely dominant offensive force that can beat defenders in so many ways, and he would have surely been a lottery pick if he had chosen to go pro. Also back for their second years in East Lansing are big man Nick Ward, along with guards Cassius Winston and Joshua Langford. Ward quietly had a very good freshman campaign, putting up 13.9 PPG and 6.5 RPG in under 20 minutes of play. If he can grow a more effective mid range game, he could make the jump to be one of the premier big men in the Big Ten. Winston is a quick, athletic guard with major upside, while Langford also flashed potential. More good news for the Spartans: veteran forward Gavin Schilling, who missed all of last season, is fully healthy along with former UNLV transfer Ben Carter, who took a medical redshirt last year. The return of that pair, plus the addition of highly touted Indianapolis recruit Jaren Jackson Jr. gives MSU the clear-cut best frontcourt in the Big Ten. If Bridges can keep getting better and Michigan State can stay healthy, the Spartans will return to their first Final Four since 2015.

4. USC Trojans
CONFERENCE RANK: 2
KEY RETURNEE: F Bennie Boatwright
KEY NEWCOMER: G Derryck Thornton
It is amazing that just two years ago, former "Dunk City" head coach Andy Enfield looked on his way out in Los Angeles. The Trojans struggled mightily early under the leadership of Enfield, but things have changed quickly. This is now a team riding a wave of momentum, and one that could legitimately challenge for a National Title. Nearly everybody is back from this second round team, including two of the best big men in the Pac-12. Bennie Boatwright is a very mobile, well-rounded big man who led the team in scoring a year ago and should only get better. He is joined by junior Chimezie Metu, who is just scratching the surface of what he can be. Metu averaged 14.8 PPG and 7.8 boards per game in '16-'17, but has gotten even stronger and looks like he could be a legitimate superstar this year. Also back are quality guards Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart, both guys who can take over games at any time and know how to get the job done in the tough Pac-12. Add in the addition of Duke transfer Derryck Thornton, an intelligent guard with great upside, and USC can matchup with any team in the country. Blessed with tremendous experience and great depth, I firmly expect it to a special season for the Trojans.

5. Kansas Jayhawks
CONFERENCE RANK: 1
KEY RETURNEE: G Devonte Graham 
KEY NEWCOMER: G Malik Newman
Dominance doesn't even begin to describe Kansas in the Big 12 over the past decade. The Jayhawks have won 13 straight conference titles, and seem primed to add another one. While they must replace star point guard Frank Mason, Kansas' backcourt could actually be improved. Senior Devonte' Graham remains, and should take over Mason's spot as the leader of the offense. Graham isn't quite the floor general Mason was, but he's a more natural scorer and likely the Big 12 Player of the Year favorite. He will be aided by uber-athletic swingman Lagerald Vick (7.4 PPG last year) and senior Svi Mykhailiuk, a Ukrainian who was incredibly raw when he arrived on campus, but has evolved into a well-rounded offensive player. Arriving in Lawrence this season is Mississippi State transfer Malik Newman as well as former Arizona State guard Sam Cunliffe. Newman was a five-star recruit who surprised many when he choose Mississippi State, but he never really fit in there. There is a good chance he could quickly grow into one of the best pure scorers in the Big 12. Cunliffe doesn't come in with quite as much fanfare, but he is a former Top 50 recruit who will become eligible in December. As good as Kansas is in the backcourt, the frontcourt has some question marks. Sophomore center Udoka Azuikbe is expected to be the star, but he is still unproven, after missing most of last season due to injury. Sophomore Mitch Lightfoot is a rock-solid, intelligent forward and newcomer Billy Preston has a chance to be special but depth is a huge concern. In a league with as much talent as the Big 12, that could be an Achilles Heel for this team. Even so, Kansas is once more stocked to the brim with talent and it never pays to bet against them. Another Big 12 title is not just a possibility, but an expectation.

6. Kentucky Wildcats
CONFERENCE RANK: 1
KEY RETURNEE: F Wenyen Gabriel
KEY NEWCOMER: G/F Kevin Knox
 If not for last-second, insane jumper by Luke Maye, Kentucky would have made their fourth Final Four under John Calipari, and possibly, done even more. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be, and now the Wildcats must move on from the exciting De'Aaron Fox/Malik Monk/Bam Adebayo era. Calipari has once more reloaded with countless McDonald's All-Americans, a list that includes Kevin Knox, Jared Vanderbilt, Nick Richards and P.J. Washington. All four are immensely talented, but Knox jumps out. The wing was offered millions of dollars to play in China for a year, but decided to stick with the college route. He isn't a great shooter, but he is absolutely lethal on the dribble and already a good defender. Kentucky will also lean on some returnees, even though there are very little. Guard Hamidou Diallo enrolled late and took a redshirt year before flirting with the NBA. He didn't play a minute last season in Lexington, but his practice against guys like Fox and Monk should really help him. Sophomores Wenyen Gabriel, Sacha Killeya-Jones and Tai Wynyard will see big increases in minutes, and it will be interesting to see how they do. Gabriel is a great athlete who showed flashes of brilliance last year, while Jones and Wynyard have huge potential. There is the usual collection of stud talent in Lexington this season but there is even more youth than usual. If Knox and company can step up the 'Cats should still win the SEC. If not, they could open up the door for any number of rising programs in the improving conference.

7. Florida Gators
CONFERENCE RANK: 2
KEY RETURNEE: G KeVaughn Allen
KEY NEWCOMER: G Jalen Hudson
Few say Florida's Elite Eight run coming prior to last season, but it is clear the program is once more on the rise under head coach Mike White. White will have to replace some veteran leadership, as Kasey Hill and Devin Robinson depart, but there is still plenty back in Gainesville. Junior KeVaughn Allen evolved into the team's best offensive weapon on the team last season (14.0 PPG) and is automatic from the free throw line, while speedy Chris Chiozza is expected to take over Hill's point guard spot. Virginia Tech transfer Jalen Hudson comes in and will provide an instant scoring punch. Hudson still struggles with turnovers but he brings great energy and can get to the rim. In the frontcourt, Florida is hoping center John Egbunu can return to 100 percent and grow into an All-SEC player. Egbunu is a fine defender and terrific rebounder, but he is still growing offensively and recovering from a torn ACL that took him out for the second half of last season. Junior Kevarrius Hayes was pushed into a larger role and showed real progress, while lengthy Gorjok Gak could push for more playing time. If Egbunu does return to form and some of the younger pieces can grow, this can still be a team that controls the paint. Kentucky is probably the more talented team in the SEC, but the Gators have shown they can hang with anyone. Another tournament run is not out of the question, especially if the newcomers can come in and contribute.

8. Villanova Wildcats

Mikal Bridges, Villanova

CONFERENCE RANK: 1
KEY RETURNEE: G Jalen Brunson
KEY NEWCOMER: F/C Omari Spellman
After a miraculous National Title run in 2016, Villanova fell back to Earth this past March, as they were upset in the second round by Wisconsin. The loss stopped some of the momentum the program was building, but there is still no doubt the Wildcats are the class of a balanced Big East conference. Star guard Josh Hart will be tough to replace (18.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG) but junior point guard Jalen Brunson should take over the main leadership role. Brunson, a former five-star recruit, has played very well over his first two years on campus but has been more of a second and third option on the offense. Now that he is the undisputed PG on this team, expect a breakout campaign from the Illinois product. Brunson will be joined in the backcourt by a healthy Phil Booth, sophomore Donte DiVincenzo and swingman Mikal Bridges. Booth missed nearly all of last year but was a key contributor the year prior, so big things should be expected. DiVincenzo isn't a great offensive player, but he is a hard-worker and lockdown defender. Then there is Bridges, who will compete with Brunson for Big East Player of the Year awards. Bridges is an extremely versatile athlete who can shoot the three and get to the rim as well as anybody. His ability to defend multiple positions also gives Villanova much more options on the defensive end. The Wildcats are hopeful for a big year from newcomer Omari Spellman. Spellman was a big-time recruit a season ago, but was ruled ineligible by the NCAA and took a redshirt year. Now ready to go, the athletic big man could have a huge season. Jay Wright's team may undergo some adjustment period with the absences of some stud veterans like Hart, Kris Jenkins and Darryl Reynolds. But, Villanova has proven they can reload time and time again, and with Brunson, Bridges and Spellman, they have more than enough to once more rule the Big East.

9. Wichita State Shockers
CONFERENCE RANK: 1
KEY RETURNEE: G Landry Shamet
KEY NEWCOMER: G Samajae Haynes-Jones
Gregg Marshall has done a truly tremendous job building a perennial power in Wichita, Kansas, and now he is equipped with perhaps his best team since he arrived. The Shockers have nearly everybody back from a team that went 31-5 last season and pushed Kentucky to the brink in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The backcourt is particularly strong, with sophomore Landry Shamet, senior Conner Frankamp and Markus McDuffie all returning. Frankamp really runs the offense playing the point guard role and the Kansas transfer is the Shockers' premier shooter, hitting 44 percent last year. Shamet came in last year without much attention but grew into a great two-way player who should be even better as he goes on to his sophomore campaign. Meanwhile, McDuffie, who can play guard or forward, is probably the team's greatest offensive weapon. He isn't much of a shooter, but he is blessed with impressive quickness and athleticism for his size (6'8") and he has a fearless mentality on the offensive end. Wichita is also hopeful newcomer Samajae Haynes-Jones can give them a spark off the bench. Haynes-Jones arrives from nearby Hutchinson Community College and has a diverse offensive game. Up front, senior Shaquille Morris is the key returnee. Morris isn't very lengthy, but his strength and physical nature allow him to carve out space on the low block and have success (9.6 PPG last season). Seniors Rashard Kelly and Darral Willis Jr. are two other key players back. Like much of this team, they aren't necessarily the most talented, but bring plenty of experience and unselfish mentality. There will be an adjustment for Wichita State as they move from the Missouri Valley Conference to the significantly tougher American Athletic, but this team is well-rounded, experienced and very balanced. 30-plus victories and deep tournament run should not only be a possibility, but an expectation this season for the Shockers.

10. Louisville Cardinals
CONFERENCE RANK: 2
KEY RETURNEE: G Quentin Snider
KEY NEWCOMER: F/C Malik Williams
Prior to the crazy events of this off-season, Louisville likely would've had a very serious case to be the No. 1 team in the country and the class of the ACC entering 2017-2018. However, an FBI investigation that led to the eventual firing of Hall of Fame head coach Richard Pitino and the likely departure of Top 25 recruit Brian Bowen, who is not expected to be cleared to play this year. That leaves this program in somewhat of a bad state, but the talent on this roster should still be able to keep the Cards relevant. Senior point guard Quentin Snider should be back to guide the offense after taking major steps forward last year. Snider isn't the quickest or most athletic, but he is a savvy player who knows how to win in the ACC. On the wing, Louisville will have to replace lottery pick Donovan Mitchell, but returnees Deng Adel and V.J. King should have no troubles replicating his production. Adel, a junior from Australia, emerged as a terrific offensive weapon late in the year a season ago, while King, a former McDonald's All-American has all the tools to have a big year. In the frontcourt, Louisville will lean heavily on seven-footer Anas Mahmoud. Mahmoud emerged as one of the country's premier shot-blockers last season and if he can grow offensively, he could be quite the threat in the paint. Junior Raymond Spalding isn't the defender Mahmoud is but provides great energy at the power forward spot, while true freshman Malik Williams arrives as a potential playmaker. New head coach David Padgett should be able to keep this team together, especially with some veterans like Snider helping out. However, the fallout from the FBI investigation should still impact the team, and expecting a smooth season in Louisville might be too much to ask for.

11. Minnesota Gophers
CONFERENCE RANK: 2
KEY RETURNEE: G Nate Mason
KEY NEWCOMER: G Isaiah Washington

12. West Virgnia Mountaineers
CONFERENCE RANK: 2
KEY RETURNEE: G Jevon Carter
KEY NEWCOMER: F D'Angelo Hunter

13. Miami Hurricanes
CONFERENCE RANK: 3
KEY RETURNEE: G Bruce Brown
KEY NEWCOMER: G Lonnie Walker

14. St. Mary's Gaels
CONFERENCE RANK: 1
KEY RETURNEE: C Jock Landale
KEY NEWCOMER: G Cullen Neal

15. Cincinnati Bearcats
CONFERENCE RANK: 2
KEY RETURNEE: G/F Jacob Evans III
KEY NEWCOMER: F Mamodou Diarra

16. Purdue Boilermakers
CONFERENCE RANK: 3
KEY RETURNEE: F Vince Edwards
KEY NEWCOMER: G Sasha Stefanovic

17. Gonzaga Bulldogs
CONFERENCE RANK: 2
KEY RETURNEE: G Josh Perkins
KEY NEWCOMER: G Zach Norvell

18. North Carolina Tar Heels
CONFERENCE RANK: 4
KEY RETURNEE: G Joel Berry II
KEY NEWCOMER: G Cameron Johnson

19. Texas A&M Aggies
CONFERENCE RANK: 3
KEY RETURNEE: F Robert Williams 
KEY NEWCOMER: G Duane Wilson

20. TCU Horned Frogs
CONFERENCE RANK: 3
KEY RETURNEE: G/F Kenrich Williams
KEY NEWCOMER: F Ahmed Hamdy

21. Rhode Island Rams
CONFERENCE RANK: 1
KEY RETURNEE: G E.C. Matthews
KEY NEWCOMER: F Ryan Preston

22. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
CONFERENCE RANK: 5
KEY RETURNEE: F Bonzie Colson
KEY NEWCOMER: G/F D.J. Harvey

23. Xavier Musketeers
CONFERENCE RANK: 2
KEY RETURNEE: F Trevon Bluiett
KEY NEWCOMER: F Kerem Kanter

24. Michigan Wolverines
CONFERENCE RANK: 4
KEY RETURNEE: F/C Mo Wagner
KEY NEWCOMER: G Charles Matthews

25. Missouri Tigers
CONFERENCE RANK: 4
KEY RETURNEE: F Jordan Barnett
KEY NEWCOMER: F Michael Porter Jr. 

Player of the Year Watch

Miles Bridges, F, Michigan State
Even though Bridges was nearly guaranteed to be a lottery pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, he opted to stay in East Lansing and continue to grow. As a true frosh, Bridges showed astounding athleticism and a knack for finishing through contact, but must continue to cut down on turnovers and other mistakes. If he does that, there is no reason why the sophomore can't put together a special season, perhaps culminating in a National Title.

Devonte' Graham, G, Kansas
Last season, Kansas leaned on the play of a veteran guard (Frank Mason) to win the Big 12 and make an Elite Eight trip. With Mason now gone, expect that responsibility to fall to Graham, who has proven he can take over games when needed. The senior is a better shooter than Mason, and can attack the rim very well despite not being the biggest. The star player on a Kansas team that looks to win their 14th straight Big 12 title should be enough to keep Graham in the Wooden Award conversation.

Grayson Allen, G, Duke
It wasn't a great junior season for Grayson Allen a year ago, as the veteran guard became a national villain for his multiple tripping incidents and his numbers dropped nearly across the board. However, Allen hopes that he can put everything else behind him and finish his career in Durham on a high note. The veteran is as explosive with the ball in his hands as they come, and has improved his three-point shot over the off-season. Expect him to have the type of senior season many thought he would have earlier following a breakout performance in the 2015 National Championship Game.

Michael Porter Jr., F, Missouri
Prior to Lorenzo Romar's dismissal at Washington, Michael Porter Jr. was set to become a Husky and follow the footsteps of recent No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz. But, when Romar was let go Porter Jr. decided to head elsewhere, ending up at Missouri. For the Tigers, it was the biggest get the program has ever managed, as the nation's top recruit gives them immediate star power. With jaw-dropping athleticism and impressive versatility, Porter should put up huge numbers right away.

Collin Sexton, G, Alabama
Much like Porter, Collin Sexton surprised a lot of college basketball fans by deciding to go to a school not known for its basketball prowess, deciding to play for Avery Johnson at Alabama. Sexton is a special talent who should become a walking highlight reel as soon as he steps on the court in Tuscaloosca. Sexton is absolutely lethal on the dribble and plays above the rim. He isn't a great shooter, but his ability to score in so many different ways should mask some of his deficiencies. Just because he may play at an unorthodox school, don't overlook what the five-star recruit should be able to do in '17-'18.

Breakout Players to Watch

Udoka Azuikbe, C, Kansas
A former five-star recruit, Azuikbe was expected to be the low post presence Kansas was lacking entering last season. However, Azuikbe missed the entire second half of the year due to torn ligaments in his left wrist and never really got the opportunity to show what he can do. Now healthy, expect the sophomore to have a huge year. He has the strength, stamina and power to have a special season for Bill Self's Jayhawks.

De'Ron Davis, F/C, Indiana
Davis was another big-time recruit, but unlike Azuikbe, he didn't have to deal with injuries. Even so, the sophomore still had a turbulent first season in Bloomington, finishing with mediocre numbers of 5.9 PPG and 3.1 RPG. New head coach Archie Miller worked with Davis extensively over the summer to get him more in shape, and the big man dropped 30 pounds. Indiana fans are hopeful the fitter Davis can develop into the feared center many hoped he would be when he arrived in Bloomington.

Kyle Guy, G, Virginia 
It is a new day for Virginia, who said goodbye to long-time stars London Perrantes, Marial Shayok and Darius Thompson. The Cavaliers will most likely undergo a rebuilding season, but the losses also give opportunities to new pieces, such as Kyle Guy. Guy proved to be a knockdown shooter in roughly 19 minutes per game last season, knocking down 49.5 percent of his threes. It may be hard to keep those numbers up with more usage, but the sophomore has a smooth offensive game and understands how to defend in Tony Bennett's "Packline" defense.

Storylines to Watch

Looming FBI Investigation
This off-season, a number of big-time programs were hit by FBI investigation surrounding shoe companies and paying recruits. Louisville head coach Richard Pitino has already been fired, as have a number of assistants, namely Auburn's Chuck Person, Oklahoma State's Lamont Evans and Arizona's Emanuel Richardson. Expect the effects from this investigation to continue to be felt across the country, and more dominoes to fall.

Wichita State in the AAC
With Louisville leaving a few years ago and UConn (the conference's most recognizable program) the American Athletic Conference desperately needed some help. Enter Wichita State, one of the best mid-majors in college basketball over the past few years. The Shockers will likely immediately enter the conference as the favorite, and many view them as a serious Final Four threat. A successful season by the Shockers will certainly boost the AAC's credibility.

Same faces, new places
The coaching carousel once more went crazy this off-season, as a number of big-time head coaches took big-time jobs. The biggest was probably Archie Miller, who finally left his post at Dayton to take over and rebuild Indiana. Watching how Miller and his methodical offense play in the Big Ten will be interesting, as will other new head coaches this year. Mike Hopkins proves on from assistant at Syracuse to Washington, Chris Holtmann goes from Butler to Ohio State, and Brad Underwood goes from Oklahoma State to Illinois.

The rise of the SEC
For so long, SEC football has overshadowed SEC basketball. With the exception of Kentucky and occasionally Florida, the conference has quite frankly, been a joke when it came to hoops. That changed this past March when three SEC programs made it to the Elite Eight and one, South Carolina, made the jump to the Final Four. Now, the conference could be the best it has been in years, especially with some prime talent entering the league this season, namely Missouri's Michael Porter, Alabama's Colin Sexton and Kentucky's Kevin Knox.

College Football Picks 2017: Week Ten

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma

College Football Picks 2017: Week Ten
Current Record: 53-19

(8-0) 2 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. (6-2) 19 LSU Tigers
@Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosca), 7 PM Saturday on CBS

Over the years, Alabama-LSU has emerged as one of the best games on the college football schedule, as the two square off annually in a game that usually decides the SEC West and features some astounding future NFL talent. However, the rivalry has become very one-sided, with Alabama winning the last six games. Now, the Tide enter this game at home with a chip on their shoulder, after the Playoff Selection Committee decided to rank them No. 2 in the country, pushing Georgia ahead of them. Alabama is winning games in their usual manner; using a dominant rushing attack and physical, smash-mouth defense, a formula that has proven to be obviously quite effective. Jalen Hurts is still growing as a passer, but his running ability and incredible poise should give LSU plenty of issues defensively. What will give the Tigers even more problems will be a backfield that includes Damien Harris, Najee Harris and Bo Scarbrough, as well as potent receiver Calvin Ridley on the outside. LSU defensive coordinator Dave Arranda has done a fine job this season and has plenty of talent at his disposal but facing 'Bama is quite the unique challenge. The Tide are so talented and well-rounded they can find so many ways to beat you, and they will be creative in how they choose to attack the Bayou Bengals. Any hope for an upset for LSU hinges on the passing game making a massive improvement in roughly a week. Veteran quarterback Danny Etling has had moments where he has looked pretty good, but overall, the aerial attack is still a major work in progress in Baton Rouge. There is a chance we see true freshman Myles Brennan or sophomore Justin McMillan, depending on what happens. Brennan has come in for relief for Etling, while McMillan is dangerous as a rusher. At running back, LSU has quite the stable of studs on their own end, namely powerful rusher Derris Guice. Guice hasn't been 100 percent for a big chunk of the season, but there is no denying how scary he can be when he is playing well. Unfortunately for LSU, this Tide team is proven at stopping the run. They have so much depth and playmakers up and down the defense moving the ball against them is a real chore. They will really need Etling to make some big throws to open up this ground game, which is a concern, considering he will have to throw against a Tide secondary that includes stars Minkah Fitzpatrick and Levi Wallace. This game has all the looks of a low-scoring, physical SEC duel. LSU has played a lot better since a concerning homecoming loss to Troy, but it doesn't look like this is going to be the team that ends the growing Alabama streak. I don't expect a blowout, but a comfortable win for the Tide here.

The Pick: Alabama, 20 LSU, 10

(7-1) 5 Oklahoma Sooners vs. (7-1) 11 Oklahoma State Cowboys
@Boone-Pickens Stadium (Stillwater), 3 PM Saturday on FS1

Few rivalries in college football are as intense as Bedlam, which seems to always include some plenty of craziness and excitement. Things could be even more intense this year, with so much on the line. Oklahoma has recovered from a loss to Iowa State to retake the crown as favorite in the conference and if they win out, they should be able to lock down a Playoff berth. On the other side, Oklahoma State lost to TCU but if they are able to win here, they will be able to get right back into serious Playoff contention and in turn, become the conference favorite. Both offenses know how to keep the scoreboard operators very busy, and a shootout is likely. For the Sooners, Baker Mayfield remains very much in the Heisman mix, and continues to play with a ton of swagger and confidence. Mayfield seems to play even better in the bigger games, and there is plenty of motivation, as he looks to beat the Cowboys for the third time since his arrival in Norman. Mayfield is aided by a trio of star running backs that includes Trey Sermon, Abdul Adams and Rodney Anderson, along with a terrific offensive line. It isn't unreasonable to think that Oklahoma will have a field day going up against State's defense, particularly with Ok. State struggling to defend the big play. On the other side, Oklahoma State has a star quarterback of their own in senior Mason Rudolph. Rudolph isn't quite the runner that Mayfield is, but his huge arm still gives defenses huge problems. Rudolph does a fantastic job spreading the ball to the Cowboys' playmakers on the outside, which includes Biletnikoff Award favorite James Washington Jr., Jalen McCleskey and Marcell Ateman. That, plus the dangerous running of back Justice Hill, gives Oklahoma State an offense that can score on nearly anybody. They will go up against an Oklahoma defense that is still struggling. They don't have a dearth of stars, as pass rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and cornerback Jordan Thomas are two of the best defenders in the conference, but they have still struggled mightily at times. If they can force Rudolph to turn the ball over and not make mistakes on the other end, they'll be in a good spot. There is going to be plenty of points in this one, and the fact it is a rivalry game should only make things more competitive. The game may be in Stillwater, but the Sooners seem to be entering this one with slightly more momentum and Mayfield is a difference-maker. It will be a close one, but Oklahoma should be able to come away with the victory.

The Pick: Oklahoma, 45 Oklahoma State, 42

(7-0) 10 Miami Hurricanes vs. (7-1) 13 Virginia Tech Hokies
@Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), 7 PM Saturday on ABC

Despite the fact they have yet to beat an elite-level team, there is no denying how impressive of a year it has been for the Miami Hurricanes. A historically dominant program that has slowed since their arrival in the ACC, it has been a long return to relevance for the Hurricanes. Now, this team sits undefeated, and has a decent chance at a ACC Coastal crown if they can come out and overtake Virginia Tech. Miami has been predicated on a methodical and smart offense, with QB Malik Rosier leading the charge. Rosier doesn't wow you with his arm strength but he is a cerebral, effective signal-caller. He has had to step up even more with star running back Mark Walton banged up. Rosier has been helped by the impressive play of senior wide out Braxton Berrios, who is a threat to go deep every time he touches the ball. That offense will be in for a tough task against Bud Foster's Virginia Tech D, which always plays well, but Miami should still be able to put up points. The Hokies' offense has been a significant surprise. They've had to overcome the loss of star QB Jerod Evans, along with star wide outs Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges, but haven't missed a beat. Redshirt frosh Josh Jackson has been a breakout star at quarterback, and has been a major reason why Virginia Tech is 7-1. Cam Phillips is a major weapon on the outside, and the Hokies have proven they can run the ball. That should present an interesting challenge against a good, not great, Hurricanes' D. Miami has a ton of talent in the front seven, namely Michael Pinckney and Shaq Quartermann at linebacker, but their secondary still has some question marks. Dee Delaney, a grad transfer from The Citadel, will likely be tasked with shutting down Phillips, but beyond that, this Miami secondary could be in store for a tough time. Virginia Tech was never known as a dangerous passing team under Frank Beamer, but Justin Fuente has shown that he wants to get the ball down-field. Expect him to be very aggressive against this 'Canes team, especially with Jackson's huge arm. This is a huge ACC Coastal battle, and the winner not only could take hold of the division, but assert themselves as serious Playoff contenders. Miami may be undefeated, but they haven't looked the part for a big chunk of the year. Berrios and company give this offense some bite, but I have significantly more confidence in VT's defense than the Hurricanes. It should be quite a battle, but I like the Hokies to go on the road and come out with a big win.

The Pick: Virginia Tech, 31 Miami, 23

Other Picks
(#4) Clemson, 30 (#20) NC State, 20
(#21) Stanford, 28 (#25) Washington State, 24
(#1) Georgia, 38 South Carolina, 21
(#22) Arizona, 41 (#17) USC, 33
(#6) Ohio State, 27 Iowa, 23