College Football Transfer Market: Ranking the Quarterbacks On the Move

Justin Fields, Georgia to Ohio State

The world of modern college football looks a lot different then it did ten years ago. Offenses are getting faster and relying more and more on the pass, conference realignment has introduced brand new rivalries and competition, and the Playoff system continues to evolve. Another stark difference is the growth of the transfer market, which has essentially become college football free agency. The advent of the NCAA transfer portal makes it easier for players to get offers and find better opportunities, and this off-season it has been active, with plenty of big names on the move. While there are important transfers at every position, the QB position has the biggest names, and will likely have the largest impact on the Playoff chase. It seemed like the perfect time to look at this ever-growing transfer market, and rank the quarterbacks changing schools. These guys will play a huge role in the college football landscape in 2019, and the list could get even larger by the time the sport kicks off in late August.

1. Jalen Hurts, Alabama to Oklahoma
After leading Alabama to two National Championship Game appearances and coming in clutch in the 2018 SEC Championship, Jalen Hurts will likely begin 2019 as the most decorated active player in college football. Now, he'll team up with the innovative mind of Lincoln Riley and a Sooners' offense that has big-play threats everywhere. Riley has groomed the last two Heisman quarterbacks and made Playoff appearances with both of them, and Hurts has the tools to do much the same. He isn't quite the passer Baker Mayfield or Kyler Murray were, but he is an excellent athlete and he understands what he needs to do to win games. With receiver CeeDee Lamb back on the outside and a strong offensive line to protect him, Hurts is going to have a monster year in Norman, and should be able to add another conference championship to his belt.

2. Justin Fields, Georgia to Ohio State
Fields shocked plenty when he decided to commit to Georgia as a five-star recruit, despite the play of Jake Fromm, who was just a year older. Fields did see some action in a limited role and looked like he may be able to overtake Fromm for the starting job, but in the end he decided to head elsewhere. He enrolled at Ohio State, promptly leading to the transfer of their projected starter Tate Martell and giving new head coach Ryan Day a huge piece to build around. As of right now, Fields' status for 2019 is uncertain. He has applied for a waiver to play right away for the Buckeyes, but there remains a strong chance he'll have to sit out a year. Even if he does, he'll be well worth the wait; the dual threat has all the tools to be a superstar in today's college football and he is a great fit for Day and this offense.

3. Jacob Eason, Georgia to Washington
Its easy to forget about Jacob Eason, who announced he would transfer to Washington following the 2018 season, but he could be in store for a big year in Seattle. Eason is another five-star recruit who was pushed out of Athens by Fromm, but should be in store for a starting role with Jake Browning graduating. Sitting out a year should actually help Eason; he'll have great command of Chris Petersen's offense and is now more acclimated to the Pac-12 way of life. While Oregon may be rising fast, Eason's arrival should be able to keep Washington as the favorite in the North Division.

4. Kelly Bryant, Clemson to Missouri
Much like Jalen Hurts, Kelly Bryant was one heck of a player but was unseated by a younger guy that just happened to be better. After a long drawn out process of deciding where he would play in 2019, Bryant settled on Missouri, who is replacing future NFL Draft selection Drew Lock. Bryant won't quite have the tools Hurts has at his disposal, but does have All-SEC tight end Albert Okwuegbunam to work with, and offensive coordinator Derek Dooley had a really good debut in 2018. It will be interesting to see whether the addition of Bryant can help the Tigers break a likely Georgia-Florida lock on the SEC East.

5. Tate Martell, Ohio State to Miami
Martell is a controversial character to be sure, but there isn't much denying the potential of the guy once hailed as "the next Johnny Manziel" when he originally committed to Texas A&M in high school. Martell played sparingly in 2018 for Ohio State, only showing up in goal-line packages but his spring game showing previously should have Miami fans excited. Martell still has to prove himself as a passer but his running ability should immediately find success in the ACC, and the Hurricanes are desperate for a new face of the offense after a dismal '18.

6. Ben Hicks, SMU to Arkansas
He might not have the name recognition of some of the other quarterbacks on this list, but Ben Hicks could be in store for a big 2019 at Arkansas. Hicks became SMU's all-time leading passer under the guidance of former head coach Chad Morris and after falling out of favor there, he decided to follow Morris to the SEC. It will obviously be a tough transition going from American Athletic football to SEC football, but Hicks is a savvy, veteran guy who should be up for it. Don't be surprised if Hicks has a big year under his old coach, and ends up having a better year than most on this list.

7. Austin Kendall, Oklahoma to West Virginia
With Jalen Hurts coming to Norman, Austin Kendall decided it was time to move on himself, deciding to move inside the conference to West Virginia. Its an under-the-radar move that could end up being a huge move for both Kendall and WVU, who is breaking in a new head coach in Neal Brown. The Mountaineers have really hit on transfer quarterbacks over the last few seasons, with Will Grier, Skyler Howard and Clint Trickett all having success in their second stop in their college careers. Kendall, who has two years of eligibility remaining, should be the next in that line.

8. Hunter Johnson, Clemson to Northwestern
One of the guys who Kelly Bryant beat out for the Clemson starting job in 2017, Hunter Johnson should be a huge addition for Northwestern in 2019. Johnson sat out all of last season but the former four-star recruit now looks like the clear-cut heir at the position with Clayton Thorson graduating. Johnson is a polished pocket passer who impressed in short spurts of playing time with the Tigers, and he is an ideal fit for this Wildcats offense. He also has three years of eligibility remaining, giving him plenty of time to make an impact in Evanston.

9. Brandon Wimbush, Notre Dame to UCF
After starting 15 games the past two seasons with the Irish, Brandon Wimbush was overtaken by backup Ian Book, who ended up leading ND to the Playoff. That shouldn't discredit what Wimbush can do, as he is an excellent running quarterback with a great feel for the game. His decision to go to UCF was an interesting one considering the circumstances. The Knights do have a former Heisman finalist on their roster in McKenzie Milton, but his status for 2019 and beyond is murky following a scary injury at the end of the year. Wimbush is a little bit of an awkward fit in Josh Huepel's spread offense but the veteran should still play a crucial role for UCF in '19.

10. Riley Neal, Ball State to Vanderbilt
Much like Ben Hicks, Riley Neal is a guy that won't get as much attention as some other transfers on this list because he started playing at a Group of Five school in Ball State. Don't let that fool you; Neal is a very good quarterback who should have a big impact for Vanderbilt this next season. Neal totaled 2,675 in just nine starters in 2015, before notching over 3,000 total yards in '16. He hopes that being fully healthy and moving up to big-time SEC football will be the right move for his final season of college football.

Just Missed the Cut
Josh Jackson, Virginia Tech to TBD
Shane Buechele, Texas to TBD
Alex Delton, Kansas State to TCU
Nick Starkel, Texas A&M to TBD
Ross Bowers, Cal to TBD

Could 2019 Be the Year Somebody Dethrones Kansas in the Big 12?

LaGerald Vick, Kansas

In an environment where one-and-dones are the norm, coaches leave for bigger money and
opportunities the first chance they get, and transfers are at all-time high, remaining consistent in the world of college basketball seems near impossible. Yet, Kansas hoops has been able to overcome these trends and even use them to their advantage, entering this season with a streak of 14 straight regular season Big 12 Titles. In any league that would be incredible, but it becomes even more impressive when you consider the amount of talent that arrives in the league every year, and the big-time money other athletic departments have put down to stop the Jayhawks. The preseason No. 1 entering 2018-2019, the Jayhawks looked well-prepped to once again defend their conference title streak and impressed in the non-conference beating Michigan State, Tennessee and defending National Champion Villanova. However, early Big 12 play has been extremely precarious; the Jayhawks were pounded by 17 on the road against Iowa State early on and just recently lost to West Virginia, who was 0-5 in the conference at that point. The Jayhawks have still managed to get out to a 5-2 conference record, and still remain the favorite in the unforgiving league. Yet, at some point, their streak in the Big 12 has to end. Could this be the season somebody finally dethrones the Jayhawks?

Its important to realize that while this team has suffered some hiccups, they still are one of the most talented teams Bill Self has ever coached in Lawrence. Thats saying a lot, considering Self has been to three Final Fours, but there is depth, experience and clear NBA potential dripping from the roster. Dedric Lawson, who transferred from Memphis along with his brother K.J., has been nearly unstoppable for much of the season. Lawson is posting numbers of 19.5 PPG and 10.9 RPG while shooting 53% from the field, and if not for some of the big-time shots he hit in their rematch this week against ISU, KU may have fallen to 4-3 in the conference. On the wings, veteran LaGerald Vick and Marcus Garrett are crucial defenders and do the small things really well. There is also the backcourt, guided by skilled freshman Quentin Grimes and a number of transfers. Yet, this particular Kansas team also differs from past editions pretty significantly. Self has really relied on savvy, veteran guards to engineer his offense for some time (Sherron Collins, Frank Mason, Devonte Graham), something he sorely lacks on this team. He just doesn't have the veteran presence on the court he needs at such a crucial position, which has really hurt this team when they can't get into an offensive flow or need a big basket. Defensively, this team is also much weaker than past Jayhawk teams, particularly down low. The loss of big man Udoka Azuikbe for the season to a hand injury, has really hurt this team on both sides. Azuikbe is a load to handle on the offensive end, but is perhaps even more important defensively, where he can block shots and anchor the paint. Lawson nor many of the other Kansas big men are great defenders, which has lead to teams averaging just over 70 points per game against KU, 146th nationally. It will be a unique challenge, but Self has proven he can adjust on the fly with his teams, and the depth this roster has overall is much less of an issue than in past years. However, even with a skilled team the road is never easy in this conference, and they'll face plenty of resistance. Here is a look at the teams with the best shot at ending a 15th consecutive KU conference title:

Kansas State Wildcats (15-4 overall, 5-2 Big 12): The Jayhawks' instate rival won't roll over, as last year's Sweet 16 team still has plenty of fight left in them. The Wildcats aren't a very explosive offensive team, but their defense is top-notch, allowing just 58.5 PPG (4th in the nation). This team becomes even more dangerous once veteran forward Dean Wade gets fully healthy, as he is still recovering from a foot injury suffered in December. They aren't a flashy team but they are well-coached and experienced, they should offer plenty of challenges to KU.

Texas Tech Red Raiders (15-4 overall, 4-3 Big 12): Chris Beard has done a tremendous job rebuilding in Lubbock after coming over from Arkansas-Little Rock, and this Red Raiders squad is a legit contender to win the conference. Much like K-State, the Red Raiders are led by a suffocating defense, although they do have some really dangerous offensive weapons. That includes talented guard Jarrett Culver (18.7 PPG) and South Dakota transfer Matt Mooney. Can that defense be enough to end the Jayhawks' streak?

Iowa State Cyclones (14-5 overall, 4-3 Big 12): Even though Iowa State recently lost at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, they're still a very dangerous team in this conference. After all, they did smack around Kansas by 17 at home at the start of league play, and they're led by possible Big 12 Player of the Year Marial Shayok, a transfer from Virginia.

Baylor Bears (12-6 overall, 4-2 Big 12): After a weak non-conference showing, Baylor has played very well in conference play and they're still a threat to win the Big 12. They've beat Iowa State and Texas Tech at home and went toe-to-toe with Kansas, losing by five. Superb guard Makai Mason continues to lead an efficient offense with sophomore Tristan Clark swatting away everything in the post (3rd in conference with 2.3 BPG). Of course, any hope of a Big 12 Title would center around beating KU on the road, but don't count out the Bears just yet.

Its still less than halfway through Big 12 play at this point, and plenty of time for the conference title picture to further figure itself out. Right now, despite some frustrating losses on the road against ISU and to a lowly West Virginia team, the Jayhawks still remain in prime position. However, they're going to have to deal with the continued drain of a long conference season, and their schedule only gets tougher, with four of their last seven games being difficult road treks. Yet, if I had to put money on it, I'd still roll with Kansas over the field. There is so much talent and depth on this roster, and the Jayhawks also have a clear-cut No. 1 scorer in Lawson. To fully lock down a 15th straight title, the Jayhawks really need one of their guards to really step up and be the leader they've lacked at times. Whether that is Grimes, Devon Dotson or Charlie Moore, it will be a crucial first step towards any postseason run. Figuring out their defensive woes will also be crucial: how are the Jayhawks going to win if they struggle to score against defensive-oriented teams like Texas Tech or Kansas State? At some point, this title run has to end, but if Self can figure out these issues and adjust like he does so well, they should be ready to hang yet another banner in Lawrence.

Big Ten Power Rankings 2019: Edition 1

Jordan Poole, Michigan

1. Michigan Wolverines 17-0 overall, 6-0 conference
Michigan has not slowed down at all following last spring's National Championship Game appearance, and they appear to be the clear favorite right now in the Big Ten. Newcomer Ignas Brazdeikis has been a revelation, coming out of nowhere to lead the team in scoring (15.6 PPG) in the place of NBA bound Moritz Wagner. Just as crucial for the Wolverines has been the play of their backcourt, which is stocked with guys that can hurt defenses. Versatile Charles Matthews is one of their most reliable options and a tough guard for anybody in the Big Ten, while NCAA Tournament hero Jordan Poole has become a legitimate No. 1 option. Michigan is so hot and playing so well offensively, they've won their last four conference games by an average of 13.5 points. The schedule does start to get tougher, road trips to Madison and Bloomington on the near horizon, but UM is simply on fire. There is certainly an argument to be made that they are playing the best basketball in the country right now, and look to be the clear favorite in the always-competitive Big Ten.
2. Michigan State Spartans 15-2 overall, 6-0 conference
While Michigan remains undefeated, their in-state rival in East Lansing is right on their tail, also jumping out to a 6-0 conference start. The Spartans don't quite have the offensive firepower that Michigan possesses, but they've made up for it be playing intelligent, efficient basketball. Junior guard Cassius Winston has been terrific, averaging 17.4 PPG and 7.4 APG while shooting 45 percent from three-point. Winston is the guy that makes this team run, but credit should also go to swingman Joshua Langord and fellow guard Matt McQuaid, whose floor-spacing ability is absolutely crucial for this team. If the Spartans continue to play under control and Winston doesn't slow down, MSU is quit the worthy challenger to the Wolverines, which they'll have time to prepare for (their first meeting is in late February).
3. Maryland Terrapins 14-3 overall, 5-1 conference
He doesn't get the attention of some of the other coaches in this conference, but Maryland's Mark Turgeon has proven himself as one of the best in the Big Ten. Once again, Maryland had to replace a number of key contributors over the off-season, but they've recovered incredibly well, rising to a 5-1 conference record. Included in those victories have been wins over then-ranked Nebraska and Indiana, as well as a huge road win over Minnesota. Much like Michigan State, the Terrapins are fueled by a do-it-all point guard in Anthony Cowan, who leads the team in scoring and assists. However, the big surprise on this team has been the improved play of Bruno Fernando, who has given this team the legit post presence they need to contend in such an unforgiving league. Maryland as a whole still seems to be underrated, but this is a well-rounded, balanced team that has proven they can beat some really good teams in this conference.
4. Minnesota Golden Gophers 13-3 overall, 3-2 conference
After suffering through a brutal 2018 where nearly nothing went right, this year's Minnesota squad has played with significant more energy and urgency. Just as crucial has been their improved health, namely junior Amir Coffey and sophomore Eric Curry. Coffey was never 100 percent during Big Ten play a year ago, but has absolutely taken over at times for this Gopher team. He recently put up 29 points in a win over Rutgers and notched 32 in a huge victory over Nebraska earlier in the season. Curry missed all off last season but has been crucial in improving this frontcourt, as has the addition of freshman Daniel Oturu. The Gophers still have to establish more consistency and solve their offensive woes when facing a zone defense, but they're playing well and have an incredibly favorable upcoming schedule.
5. Nebraska Cornhuskers 13-4 overall, 3-3 conference
Overlooking Nebraska would be a huge mistake, as this is the type of sneaky good team that could cause significant chaos in the top half of this league. The 'Huskers are fresh off a huge road win over a strong Indiana team, and they've been unbeatable in Lincoln, going 9-0 at home. An extremely talented offense has been the fuel for this team over the first chunk of the season, but the defense may end up being why this team ends up contending in the Big Ten. They have the 13th best scoring defense in America, and their stingy defense will be obviously important if they have any shot at up-ending either of the Michigan schools at the top of the conference.
6. Iowa Hawkeyes 14-3 overall, 3-3 conference
A very slow start to Big Ten play, which included a 22-point beatdown on the road against Michigan State, threatened to doom the Hawkeyes, but they have recovered nicely. They have now won three straight in league play, showcasing a high-scoring offense that continues to get better. Forward Tyler Cook has proven to be a legitimate No. 1 scoring threat, while other supporting pieces like Jordan Bohannon have played important roles. A late January and early February stretch of games could be the deciding factor whether this team is really ready to step into serious contention. In a four-game stretch, they get Michigan State, at Minnesota, Michigan and another road trip to Indiana.
7. Wisconsin Badgers 11-5 overall, 3-2 conference
One of the youngest teams in the Big Ten a season ago, Wisconsin has proven that they've taken big steps forward going further into 2019. They already clearly have one of the conference's best players in veteran big Ethan Happ, and have surrounded him with skilled, cerebral guards. Brad Davison has really grown into his role as leader of this team, while D'Mitrik Trice and Kobe King have really been spark plugs. Rough losses over the last few weeks to Western Kentucky and at home against Minnesota and Purdue have certainly dropped Wisconsin in these rankings, but this team has potential, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them re-emerge as more complete threats down the stretch.
8. Indiana Hoosiers 12-5 overall, 3-3 conference
After starting off 3-0 in league play, the Hoosiers have faltered down the stretch, with three straight losses. Considering two of those games were on the road against very strong teams, it isn't extremely worrying, but clearly Indiana has some work to do to get back on track. Any chance of making a run in this conference will center around talented youngster Romeo Langford, who is not only an incredibly explosive scorer, but very efficient. Indiana also needs a number of their other young guys to step up, which has not been an easy task for second-year head coach Archie Miller. This Hoosiers team is talented but they are going through some growing pains, which is to be expected with their inexperience.
9. Ohio State Buckeyes 12-4 overall, 2-3 conference
A rough stretch of play has Ohio State in a tough spot early on, but this is still a strong team that should be capable of returning to contention. They've lost their last three games due largely to an offense that has lacked much punch. Guard C.J. Jackson has been okay, but hasn't played the efficient way he did throughout most of 2018. The Buckeyes have also certainly missed the leadership of versatile forward Keita Bates-Diop, and others need to step up. With of their next six games being at home, Ohio State is certainly not dead. They could regain some momentum and push themselves back into the top half of this conference.
10. Purdue Boilermakers 10-6 overall, 3-2 conference
Purdue suffered through a very tough non-conference slate that included Virginia Tech and Florida State, but they look to be turning the corner. They've won four of five, and have a reasonable schedule going forward. They also have the top guard in the league in Carsen Edwards, who is averaging 25.2 PPG, but must be more consistent. The lack of quality scoring options beyond Edwards and guard Ryan Cline have hurt, and this team doesn't have the post presence recent Purdue teams have had. The Boilermakers are yet another team that may sit low at this point in the season, but there is ample chances to rise up in the competitive Big Ten, and this team has loads of talent.
11. Northwestern Wildcats 10-7 overall, 1-5 conference
There is a significant drop-off here between the top ten teams in this conference, and the bottom four. However, Northwestern is still a disciplined team with solid experience, meaning they could still cause some chaos in this league. Yet, when squaring off against the best teams in this conference, the Wildcats have been blown out. They lost to Michigan State by 26 on the road, and were pounded by twenty recently in Ann Arbor. Can somebody in this backcourt step up beyond Ryan Taylor and make a difference? Any chance of the Wildcats contending for a .500 conference mark will absolutely depend on it.
12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 8-7 overall, 1-4 conference
It hasn't been an easy few years in Steve Pikiell's rebuild at Rutgers, but this 2019 edition looks pretty fun. They have some talented guards who can make plays, but their lack of depth could doom them as we get deeper in conference play. The potential of this team was on full display in their recent upset of Ohio State, which was one of their biggest wins in a long time. Rutgers does have a pretty favorable schedule upcoming in the next few weeks, and while they still remain flawed, they could still put together some interesting performances.
13. Penn State Nittany Lions 7-10 overall, 0-6 conference
It has obviously not been the start the Nittany Lions were hoping for one-third of the way through Big Ten play, but there are still some pieces that could help them down the stretch. Lamar Stevens has proven himself as a valuable scorer and versatile weapon, but he hasn't been efficient at all throughout the season. If he can get figure out a way to get better shots, and play better late in games, this team may still be able to rise up the ladder at some point.
14. Illinois Fighting Illini 4-12 overall, 0-5 conference
Its been a painful second year of Brad Underwood's tenure in Champaign, as the Illini have really struggled on their way to a 4-12 start. They've had some moments offensively, but their defense has doomed them consistently all season long. Illinois has still been competitive over their last three games, but they haven't found a guy that can make the important shots all season. Even if they do identify a go-to guy, they can't take any steps forward until they figure out the defensive issues.

Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 for 2019

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama at No. 3

1. Clemson Tigers
Could Clemson be ready to overtake Alabama as the top program in college football? Maybe not just yet, but they should enter 2019 once again the favorite to win it all. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence will undoubtedly top preseason Hesiman lists, and he'll be joined by most of his other offensive weapons, namely budding receiver Justyn Ross and explosive running back Travis Etienne. The defense is going to have to recover from a number of losses across their front seven, but coordinator Brent Venables has proven time and time again that he can reload as well as anybody. Sophomore Xavier Thomas showed flashes last year and looks ready to become the team's next elite pass rusher and the back-end should still be solid, with corner A.J. Terrell likely back, as well as safety Isaiah Simmons. With all this talent returning, and a coaching staff that has proven themselves as one of the best in America, the Tigers should once again be hosting the Playoff Trophy come early January 2020.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Life after Urban Meyer began with a splash early this off-season, when former five-star recruit Justin Fields announced he would transfer from Georgia and enroll in Columbus. Fields will apply for a waiver to play immediately, but there is still a chance Tate Martell will be the Day One starter for new head man Ryan Day. Martell is a former high profile recruit himself, and has flashed serious scrambling ability in his time with the Buckeyes. Whoever starts at QB will have the help of plenty of playmakers, namely back J.K. Dobbins and returning wide out K.J. Hill. The defense will have a new coordinator, and hopefully a new energy, even with some heavy losses in the front seven.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
It wouldn't be surprising at all to see Alabama come back with a fury in 2019,  and they'll have plenty back to return to the sport's largest stage. The most important returnee is clearly Heisman runner-up Tua Tagovailoa, assuming he can stay healthy after being beat up down the stretch this year. Tagovailoa will also have his favorite target, Jerry Jeudy, returning as well as the support of a deep backfield, where Josh Jacobs and Najee Harris will return. Again, the Tide will have to rebuild a defense sure to be picked apart this spring in the NFL Draft. The D-Line lacked depth this year and will likely see Raekwon Davis and Quinnen Williams move on, but the linebacker corps should still be solid, with Dylan Moses leading the way. The secondary was very young this season, but should be able to take some steps up in '19, even with All-American safety Deionte Thompson moving on.
4. Georgia Bulldogs
While Georgia has suffered some rotten luck with transfers and NFL defections early this off-season, the stage is set for them to once more rule the SEC East. Running back D'Andre Swift was never fully healthy in 2018, but if he can get back to 100 percent he is a legitimate Heisman threat. He'll be aided by youngsters Zamir White and James Cook in the backfield, while working behind a strong O-Line. The defense is going to lose some leadership, but there are plenty of young defenders ready to step up, namely linebacker Monty Rice and safety J.R. Reed. The big question, however, is at quarterback where Jake Fromm will return for his junior campaign. Fromm has had his moments, but really struggled in a couple of UGA's losses in 2018.
5. Texas Longhorns
Is this the year somebody is finally overtake to four-time reigning conference champion Oklahoma in the Big 12? It looks like Texas has the pieces to do just that, as they enter Tom Herman's third year in Austin. Sam Ehlinger is going to be the top returning quarterback in the Big 12, and his top receiver, Collin Johnson, recently announced he was also remaining. Running back Keontay Ingram will also be back, and should take over the feature back role from former Cal transfer Tre Watson. The defense will lose some veterans, but coordinator Todd Orlando still has some impressive pieces remaining. Safety Caden Sterns earned Freshman All-American honors last year and is ready to lead the secondary, while Malcolm Roach appears ready to be the team's top pass rusher up front.
6. LSU Tigers
Another Alabama-Georgia SEC Championship will surely be challenged by LSU, who has a ton back from a 10-3 team. The offense has the chance to be the best it has been in some time, with veteran QB Joe Burrow set to return, along with four starters on the offensive line. Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be the top returning tailback, but Tigers fans are already getting excited for incoming freshman John Emery Jr., a consensus five-star recruit. LSU is almost surely going to miss linebacker Devin White and corner Greedy Williams, but guys like safety Grant Delpit and corner Kelvin Joseph will ensure there is not too much of a dip in production.
7. Oklahoma Sooners
Can Lincoln Riley coach up another future Heisman winner after coaching the last two? Junior Austin Kendall is expected to take the reigns of the offense, although he'll face resistance from incoming freshman Spencer Rattler. Whoever does take control of the offense will have the assistance of one of the game's best offensive minds, as well as a number of elite playmakers around them. Sure-handed wide out CeeDee Lamb looks ready to be the team's No. 1 receiver, while Kennedy Brooks emerged as a very reliable option on the ground this past season. The Sooners' biggest problem the last few years has been a porous defense, but the hope is that new hire Alex Grinch can turn things around as coordinator. Grinch did great things as Washington State's D-coordinator before spending this past season at Ohio State.
8. Florida Gators
It looks like Texas football may be "back", can the same be said about Florida? Head coach Dan Mullen will try to dampen expectations heading into 2019, but the Gators looked ready to become something special en route to a 10-3 season capped off by a dominant victory over Michigan in the Peach Bowl. Feleipe Franks had a surprising '18 and is back to engineer what should be a very explosive offense. Former Ole Miss transfer Van Jefferson should be back as the team's leading receiver, as will leading rusher Lamical Perine. The defense will lose significant NFL talent, but UF has proven they can reload on that side of the ball. Don't be surprised if already, in just year two of Mullen, the Gators are seriously battling Georgia for SEC East supremacy.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
A disappointing loss to Clemson in the Cotton Bowl cast a shadow over what was otherwise a successful campaign in South Bend. Its important to remember the Irish won double-digit games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the early 1990's, and Brian Kelly's offense still was pretty young. QB Ian Book is going to return, hopeful to avenge a lackluster showing in that semifinal. Wide receiver Chase Claypool will join him, as will a number of key contributors from an O-Line that played very well despite losing plenty of leadership last spring. DC Clark Lea will haev his work cut out for him rebuilding a defense that will miss stars Te'Von Coney, Jerry Tillery and Julian Love. With that being said, Kelly has recruited well, and ND should be able to recover on that side of the ball just fine.
10. Oregon Ducks
There is significant momentum in Eugene these days, as head coach Mario Cristobal landed a superb recruiting class punctuated by five-star pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and top NFL QB prospect Justin Herbert announced he would return for his senior season. Herbert has proven himself as one of the top signal-callers in the country, and another off-season getting comfortable in Cristobal's offense will work wonders for him. The rest of the offense should also be in good hands, with five starters returning up front, and a two-headed monster in the backfield, with C.J. Verdell and Travis Dye. The defense should continue to take steps forward, and the Ducks are very hopeful tackling machine Troy Dye returns at linebacker. Even if he doesn't, the young talent on this roster should be able to step up, including Thibodeaux, who is already wowing NFL scouts.
11. Washington Huskies
While Oregon will enter 2019 with momentum, the three-time reigning Pac-12 North champion Washington Huskies won't let them take the division without quite a fight. Gone will be Jake Browning and back Myles Gaskin, who played a pivotal role in UW's rise, but were unable to get the team over the top. The quarterback reigns will pass to former five-star recruit Jacob Eason, who was supposed to be the guy at Georgia before injury hit. He has a much better arm than Browning, and Chris Petersen should be able to acclimate him to football on the West Coast. Talented offensive tackle Trey Adams' surprising return was a huge win for this offense, as is the likely return of promising tight end Hunter Bryant, who will be back from injury. The defense is going to lose a lot, but again, Petersen has recruited well, and young guys should be able to step up.
12. Michigan Wolverines
For all the great moments the Wolverines achieved in 2018, losing to Ohio State and Florida to end the year put more pressure on Jim Harbaugh and this program than ever before. The good news is that this team still will return plenty of talent, but playing in the unforgiving Big Ten East will still pose quite a challenge. QB Shea Patterson might be the most crucial returnee after flirting with the idea of going pro, but he has to prove he can become more consistent. He'll have two key targets back in Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black, although the offensive line will have to gel quickly. DC Don Brown will lose star Chase Winovich and rangy linebacker Devin Bush, but the cupboard is far from bare. Linebacker Josh Uche looks ready to break out, and Khaleke Hudson and Lavert Hill should be leaders in the secondary.
13. Texas A&M Aggies
Jimbo Fisher arrived and immediately made an impact in College Station, as Texas A&M won nine games for the first time since 2013. Even bigger things are going to be on the horizon, likely right away in 2019. The Aggies will miss the SEC's leading rusher in Trayveon Williams, but they have an underrated veteran QB returning in Kellen Mond (31 total touchdowns in '18) and plenty of other offensive weapons. New coordinator Mike Elko worked magic on A&M's defense this past season, but will have to reload with a number of key leaders moving on. That shouldn't be too much of a problem, as Fisher notched the No. 3 class in the 2019 recruiting cycle, which includes guys like DeMarvin Leal, a five-star D-Linemen.
14. UCF Knights
Don't think that UCF's loss in the Fiesta Bowl to LSU will stop this program from making noise. Second-year head coach Josh Huepel still has talent everywhere, especially at the most important positions. UCF hopes quarterback McKenzie Milton can return from a gruesome injury suffered late in the year, and if he does he will once more be a Heisman threat. Even if he isn't fully 100 percent to start 2019, Adrian Killins can help out at running back and Tre Nixon and company return at receiver. The defense missed Mike Hughes and Shaqueem Griffin quite a bit this past season, but they should have a good crop of returnees back in '19. Don't expect the train to stop rolling just yet in Orlando; UCF will likely once again be the Group of Five favorite entering next year.
15. Penn State Nittany Lions
While Penn State may lose three-year starter Trace McSorley at quarterback, don't expect too much of a dropoff from James Franklin and this program. Longtime backup Tommy Stevens should finally get the chance to show what he can do, and will have plenty of offensive support returning. Seven other offensive starters are expected to return, including a strong group of receivers. The defense understandably had a rough 2018 with nine starters gone from the year prior, but expect a bounce-back campaign in 2019. The D-Line has plenty back, and big things are expected of Micah Parsons, a former five-star recruit who showed flashes of dominance in his first year in Happy Valley.
16. Utah Utes
The Pac-12 South was a disaster in 2018, but the Utes came out as Champions, and they should be improved entering '19. Quarterback Tyler Huntley will be fully healthy after missing the final three games of the season, and a number of other contributors are also back. Running back Zack Moss decided to return for his senior season, and the O-Line could be one of the nation's best. There is also going to be a ton back on a defense that was the Pac-12's stingiest this past season. Cornerbacks Jaylen Johnson and Julian Blackmon could end up forming one of the best 1-2 punches at the position in the entire country.
17. Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin was one of the most disappointing teams in college football this past fall, going from within an inch of the Playoff to an 8-5 year. However, this program has proven they can reload, and I firmly expect them to take back the Big Ten West in 2019. Jonathan Taylor quietly had another amazing season in Madison this past year, and he should once again top Heisman lists. He'll operate behind an offensive line that should miss some pieces, but still be incredibly strong. The question is at quarterback, where the Badgers were dismal in '18. Alex Hornibrook has eligibility remaining but his status is unknown for 2019, and backup Jack Coan wasn't too inspiring starting in his place. Could Paul Chryst turn to highly touted true freshman Graham Mertz right away? Either way, the defense has to regain their 2017 form after a rough season.
18. USC Trojans
Considering how young the USC Trojans were in 2018, it wasn't surprising they slipped to a 5-7 record. Head coach Clay Helton will enter the new year firmly on the hot seat, but this offense has a chance to save his job. Kliff Kingsbury was slated to be the team's next OC before taking the Arizona Cardinals job, but USC still has plenty of remaining talent. QB J.T. Daniels should take a major leap after an up-and-down freshman season, and he has loads of talent helping him at receiver. Tyler Vaughns will be back as the No. 1 guy, but don't be surprised if Amon-Ra St. Brown proves himself as the best player on this entire team after a fabulous true freshman season. The defense is a more pressing concern with some important veteran leadership departing, but the talent the Trojans have waiting in the wings should be ready to step up.
19. Auburn Tigers
Head coach Gus Malzahn is firmly on the hot seat in the Plains entering 2019, but this team has the tools to be much improved. The biggest question will be at the game's most important position, with Jarrett Stidham moving on. However, youngster Joey Gatewood is a great fit for Malzahn's offense, and if he can learn on the fly, could actually be an improvement in some areas. JaTarvious Whitlow and Kam Martin will form a 1-2 punch at running back, and the line should be productive. The defense was inconsistent at times in '18, but is still the team's strength. Derrick Brown decided to return on the D-Line as did edge rusher Marlon Davidson, which is huge for this team. Also important to note: Malzahn will return as the team's play-caller after OC Chip Lindsey joined the staff at Kansas. That should be a good thing for an offense that just seemed out-of-sync this past fall.
20. Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern recovered from a bad non-conference start to go 8-5 and win the Big Ten West, which earned head coach Pat Fitzgerald some suitors this off-season. The long-time head coach and former NU linebacker should stay put, and could be ready for an impressive encore in 2019. Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson should be ready to take over the reigns of the offense, which will also including budding star Isaiah Bowser at running back. Linebacker Paddy Fisher was one of the conference's premier defenders this past season, and he should once more be back to lead a very physical and disciplined group.
21. Virginia Tech Hokies
Injuries and youth hurt the 2018 Virginia Tech Hokies, who faltered to a 6-7 record in Justin Fuente's third year in Blacksburg. The good news is that that youth should be able to grow up fast, and VT now has two capable quarterbacks in Kansas transfer Ryan Willis and former starter Josh Jackson. They also return a quickly improving star at receiver in Damon Hazelton, who had 802 yards and eight touchdowns last season. D-coordinator Bud Foster did the best he could with a very young and injured Hokie defense this past season, but he'll have more help in 2019. Nearly everybody returns to this unit, including linebacker Dax Hollifield, who had 62 tackles and 8 TFL as a true freshman.
22. Iowa State Cyclones
Losing leading rusher David Montgomery and electric receiver Hakeem Butler to the NFL will undoubtedly hurt the Cyclones, but head coach Matt Campbell still has plenty to work with looking ahead to 2019. QB Brock Purdy quietly put together an extremely impressive freshman season leading the offense and he should take even bigger steps forward next year. He'll have the luxury of working behind an offensive line expected to return all five starters. The defense is going to lose some standout names, including All-American Brian Peavy, but there is a big chunk still coming back to guide the Big 12's best scoring defense this past fall.
23. Army Black Knights
If you haven't taken notice of Army yet, its time to start. The Black Knights have morphed into one of the Group of Five's premier programs, and head coach Jeff Monken doesn't appear to be stopping anytime soon. They'll once again employ their tough-to-stop triple-option offense, with the mastermind behind it all, speedy quarterback Kelvin Hopkins, returning. There is also a ton returning on a defense that contained Kyler Murray and Oklahoma in a near upset last season. Army will play Michigan in Ann Arbor on September 7th; don't be surprised in Monken and the Knights are able to pull off a major upset.
24. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Could my hometown bias for Minnesota be showing through here? Perhaps, but there is no denying the tear Minnesota ended the year on, despite being the youngest football team in America. Nearly every big name contributor should be back, along with a number of guys returning from injury. Mohamed Ibrahim and a healthy Rodney Smith will form a potent 1-2 punch at running back, and P.J. Fleck is hopeful wide outs Tyler Johnson and budding Rashod Bateman remain in the fold. The defense played superb down the stretch in 2018, and leader Carter Coughlin should return. The biggest question marks will be the health of corner Antonine Winfield Jr., who is the best player on this team when healthy, and how the Gophers will respond to a rapidly improving Big Ten West.
25. Washington State Cougars
Washington State will miss departing quarterback Gardner Minshew, a former transfer who seemingly came out of nowhere to finish fifth in Heisman voting. Yet, Mike Leach has proven he can work some magic in Pullman, and I expect this team to once more be in the Pac-12 Title hunt. The top four receivers are all slated to return in an offense that leans on them, and the O-Line should prove to be very solid. On the other side of the ball, DC Tracy Claeys was honored as the Pac-12's top assistant, and outside of the loss of leading tackler Peyton Pelluer, nearly every big name should return.

Just Missed the Cut
Iowa Hawkeyes
Missouri Tigers
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Cincinnati Bearcats
Boise State Broncos
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Virginia Cavaliers

College Football Playoff Championship Prediction 2019

Justyn Ross, Clemson

Even with 126 other teams vying for the same trophy, Alabama and Clemson will meet in the College Football Playoff Championship Game for the third time in four seasons. Some are tired of the two program's dominance over the sport, but you have to appreciate the consistency and reliability of the two, especially in the Playoff era. The amazing thing is that these actually might be the two best editions of each team that will meet in the National Championship. Clemson is absolutely loaded on defense and seems to only be getting better with Trevor Lawrence running the show, while Alabama has their best offense in the Nick Saban era and is stocked defensively as well. Its understandable to have some fatigue when it comes to Clemson-Alabama, but this game should be extremely exciting, and feature so much of the stuff that makes college football great.

Since Trevor Lawrence took over for veteran Kelly Bryant at quarterback (with the exception of the Syracuse game, which he left with injury) Clemson has been averaging nearly 48 points per game and moving the ball at a pretty incredible rate. That begs the question: could this Clemson offense be even better than the 2015 and 2016 units that Alabama saw, which included Deshaun Watson and a bunch of other future NFL players? With the versatility, balance and playmaking potential at their disposal, it might not be crazy to say it is. Lawrence has played with a confidence and maturity well beyond his years; he dismantled a strong Notre Dame defense in the Cotton Bowl and he should be ready for the Crimson Tide. Alabama will also have to contain receivers Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross on the perimeter, as well as Hunter Renfrow, who has played a huge role the last couple times these two have met. The Tigers will also feature a great combo at running back in Travis Etienne and Tavien Feaster. Etienne was quiet in the Cotton Bowl, but his explosiveness is key for this offense, while Feaster is sure to see plenty of action as the short yardage option. These weapons do all this working behind a skilled offensive line, spearheaded by future NFL tackle Mitch Hyatt. There is speed all over the field, as well as a physical nature when need be. The thing is, that this Alabama defense is of course light years ahead of what Clemson saw for most of their schedule in the ACC. It should be quite an interesting challenge for Lawrence and Etienne especially; those two have been terrific all season but haven't faced much adversity or the types of hits Alabama defenders can lay down. How will Lawrence react when Quinnen Williams and company are bearing down on him every play? If Etienne struggles early, will he shut down? Beating Alabama is so difficult that you need nearly everything to go right, and also likely get a fair bit of luck. If Lawrence and company aren't ready or get pushed around early and let it get to them, the Tigers chances of coming out on top in this one slim significantly.

The Crimson Tide are also going to counter with their own explosive offense, which is led by Heisman runner-up Tua Tagovailoa and Biletnikoff Award winner Jerry Jeudy. Tagovailoa plays well beyond his years as well, and already has ample experience on the sport's biggest stage. The most important thing for Tua in this one will be understanding when to try and make a play and when to just accept nothing is going to happen. Oftentimes, he's tried to stretch nothing into something, which can compound mistakes, or in his case, lead to injury. Tagovailoa states he is basically 100 percent recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the SEC Championship Game, but he can't continue to take on these injuries, even with a savvy backup like Jalen Hurts waiting in the wings. Much like Clemson, the Tide can hit you hard with a physical style of offense they're accustomed to, or with some really terrifying speed on the perimeter. Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs are a load to handle, especially for a Tigers' defense that is missing tackle Dexter Lawrence, who played a huge role in run support. Jerry Jeudy has proven he can open up games every time he touches the ball at receiver, as well as Jaylen Waddle, Henry Ruggs and the guy who caught last year's game winner in the Championship, DeVonta Smith. This amount of versatility and big-play potential is something we really haven't seen from an Alabama offense under Nick Saban, which is obviously scary. This is not simply a run-heavy, conservative unit, as Clemson has mostly seen in their last few matchups. This offense will pose a unique challenge to Brent Venables and the Clemson defense, which will have to be on its A game to contain it.

Even with how good both of these offenses clearly are, the fact of the matter is that the two defenses might be even better. In an era where players are leaving for the pros as fast as they can, the Tigers somehow managed to retain Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant and Clelin Ferrell, all who could have went to the NFL this past spring. The trio will definitely miss Lawrence, who was ruled out for the Cotton Bowl and this game due to a failed drug test. Yet, veteran Albert Huggins played well in the semifinal in Lawrence's place and should still be able to contribute, and even if the rotational guys have proven they can cause chaos in opposing backfields. That defensive line definitely gets a ton of attention, and for good reason, but Clemson also has a back-end that will be crucial in containing the Crimson Tide. Isaiah Simmons led this team in tackles at linebacker, and veterans Kendall Joseph and Tre Lamar have played and won countless big games. That veteran experience continues on to the secondary, where Trayvon Mullen and A.J. Terrell will have to play well to contain Jeudy and the other Alabama receivers. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables is one of the best in the business, and it will be interesting to watch how he chooses to counter 'Bama. He's well known for his exotic blitzes and ever-changing coverage looks, and my guess is he'll come at the Tide with a bunch of different personnel packages and matchups. This defense is comparable and even better than the Georgia defense that gave Alabama so much problems in the SEC Championship. Even with a healthy Tua, I don't see Alabama getting anything easy here.

Of course, Alabama is no slouch on the defensive side of the ball either, also coming at offenses with a ferocious pass rush and versatile defensive backfield. Quinnen Williams has been absolutely unblockable at times this season for the Tide, including the Sugar Bowl and victory over LSU. Clemson is going to almost have to double team, which could open up lanes for others, such as Raekwon Davis or Isaiah Buggs. Alabama's rush defense is their usual selves, thanks in large part to a rangy group of linebackers, which includes Dylan Moses and hard-hitting Mack Wilson. Then, in the secondary, they have All-American safety Deionte Thompson and a number of young guys that play much older, such as Saivion Smith and Patrick Surtain Jr. The biggest question for this defense is whether or not they can stop the big play. They have done a great job limiting it all season long, but this Clemson unit is a whole different animal.

Josh Jacobs, Alabama

Both of these teams have offenses and defenses that are pretty phenomenal top to bottom. There are also evenly matched, with neither team having a clear-cut advantage over the other one, in my humble opinion. That means that this game could end up coming down to different, seemingly less important factors such as special teams, or even motivation. Clemson seems to have the clear edge in the motivation aspect, although the Tide would of course love to add another notch in Saban's title belt. The Tigers were demolished by Alabama in last year's Playoff semifinal and Wilkins, Bryant and Ferrell all talked about wanting to come back and get vengeance. They've also had to endure talk all season about Tua and his Heisman chances, and how this could be "the best Alabama team ever". You can guarantee that they want to get out there and show what they can do. In a game with so much talent on the field at one time, expect special teams to play a role. Field position is going to be crucial, and a missed field goal or extra point will sway the momentum in a big way. Neither team has a distinct advantage here, but Alabama's kicking woes have been well documented.

I'm gone back and forth on who I think will be crowned National Champion when its all said and done. These two are clearly the best two teams in the country, but only one can take it all home. While I think stopping Tua and the Tide's collection of receivers will be incredibly difficult, I'm picking the Tigers in a close game. Trevor Lawrence will be facing down the toughest defense he probably has ever seen, but I think he'll be ready and this Clemson team has the size and strength to compete with Alabama for sixty minutes, something few others can say. I also think Venables and this staff are going to come up with some creative ways to shut down Tua and this offense, putting the Tigers in the best possible position. Even after months of football, I'm sticking with my preseason pick: the Clemson Tigers.
Clemson, 34 Alabama, 31

Texas Football Has Returned & Looks Ready to Change the Big 12

Tom Herman

A surprising, hard-fought Maryland victory over Texas in early September was a powerful and important moment for a Terrapins program recovering from the loss of one of their own, linemen Jordan McNair. Yet, it meant something completely on the Texas sideline, appearing to be the start of the latest disappointing campaign for the Longhorns. Just four months later, the Longhorns come away with a significantly different feeling, having pounded fifth-ranked Georgia to win the Sugar Bowl. The transformation of the program has been painful at times, but Tom Herman's Texas seems to have arrived. Their physical and aggressive style of play is a distinct shift from past Longhorns' teams, and puts this team in a very unique position in the pass-happy Big 12. However, that may be just what is necessary to break Oklahoma's hold on the conference, and put the 'Horns in position to compete for National Titles once more.

While serving as the offensive coordinator at Ohio State and later the head coach at Houston, Tom Herman ran offenses that were up-tempo and predicated around speed and a vertical passing game. However, the Longhorns' offense that helped propel the team to a Sugar Bowl victory looked much different, instead leaning on physicality and their ground attack to defeat the SEC runner-ups. In fact, their play all season has resembled more of a Bill Snyder Kansas State team than any other Big 12 squad, a marked shift for the program and Herman. This shows Herman's ability to adapt and evolve based on the personnel he has, and how he wants to attack opponents. The ability to adapt may seem like an important aspect of any successful head coach, but it is something Herman's predecessors in Austin, Mack Brown and Charlie Strong, weren't able to do successfully. Brown brought in offensive guru Major Applewhite to be his offensive coordinator at one point, and tried to change his offense to match modern college football. Yet, Brown's in-the-box thinking hurt him when it came to recruiting and player development, eventually leading to his dismissal. The same can be said for Strong, who wasn't able to implement a successful recruiting system, and never made the correct changes he needed on his staff. Herman has shown he can recruit and implement a system, while running it to perfection. Instead of an offense that leans on the vertical passing game and just pure speed, Texas has used the powerful running of QB Sam Ehlinger all season, along with a physical and big core of receivers, led by Collin Johnson and Lil'Jordan Humphrey, to have one of their most successful offensive years in a decade. Herman has also done a great job shaping a Texas defense from okay to superb, particularly down the stretch in 2018. He has deferred to longtime assistant Todd Orlando as the defensive coordinator, with good results. Orlando, who is compensated with a handsome 1.1 million dollar salary as a coordinator, has used an aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme. Thanks to the recruitment of personnel that fit this scheme, the Longhorns' defense improved to 68th in the country this year in total defense. That may not seem overly impressive, but considering the conference they played in and the opponents they faced, its pretty strong. In fact, UT had the second-best defense in the conference this season despite incredibly inexperienced in their secondary, where a number of true freshman played meaningful snaps. That improvement is a far cry away from some of the Texas defenses under Brown and Strong, which were absolutely thrashed time and time again.

Herman's ability to evolve and match his personnel to his scheme, while also making the right decisions on his staff, are the main reason why this Texas program really has the feeling of being "back". Brown and Strong were able to have their moments, but top-to-bottom, Herman has blown them away in terms of recruiting and improving the program. Yet, with a huge, important victory like a New Year's Six Bowl win, expectations will rise to new heights. Texas fans and boosters are going to be into this team like they haven't in years, and pretty soon, ten win seasons might not cut it. This is going to be a distinct and complicated challenge for the Longhorns, as returning to national relevancy is certainly easier said than done. Just look at Miami; after a ten-win 2017 that included a trip to the ACC Championship, the Hurricanes looked to be "back" and were a preseason Top 10 team from most college football experts. Yet, old issues and pressure cracked them, and they fell back to a 7-6 record, that included losing to fellow disappointing Wisconsin by over four touchdowns.

In order to truly be "back", the next logical step for Texas is to win the Big 12, after getting to the Big 12 Championship in 2018. That means overcoming archrival Oklahoma, who has won the league four consecutive years now, while boasting two straight Heisman winners and making the College Football Playoff three times in that span. Texas plays a significantly different brand of football than do the Sooners, and the rest of the conference for that matter. Outside of what Snyder ran for a long time at K-State, and what Matt Rhule is trying to implement currently at Baylor, the conference is clearly a spread, pass-happy league. Yet, that could actually work out in Texas' favor, as their physical, hard-nosed style of play is rare in the Big 12, but certainly not college football. While football continues to move towards passing the ball, the teams that have dominated the sport as of late still play a physical brand of football. Look no further than the SEC's continued success, or even the success of Clemson or Ohio State, both programs that know how to sprinkle in physicality with their aerial attacks. While making the jump "back" into the national spotlight is tremendously difficult in the unpredictable college football landscape, Herman already proved he can mix up and change his team as necessary en route to a 10-4 season. He will likely need to do more tweaking of his scheme in the future, but the Texas Longhorns sent a real message on New Year's Day. They are more than ready to compete once more with the big boys of the sport, and appear to have the right guy in charge to do just that.