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.

CFB Playoff Picks 2018-2019: Cotton Bowl & Orange Bowl

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
(#2) Clemson Tigers vs. (#3) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

If you love physical, hard-nosed football built on defense, look no further than this year's Cotton Bowl, which pits second-ranked Clemson against another undefeated, Notre Dame. These two teams have had very similar paths to a Playoff berth; replacing quarterbacks early on in the season, surviving a number of serious upset bids and even facing four common opponents on the year.
The Tigers do feature a more proven track record over the last few seasons, as this marks their fourth straight trip to the Playoff. Head coach Dabo Swinney has been here before and won, and this Clemson squad certainly has the tools to do just that once again. On offense, true freshman Trevor Lawrence has lived up to the hype, tossing for 2,606 yards and 24 touchdowns while playing with a maturity and confidence well beyond his years. He leads an extremely balanced group that can hit you from nearly everywhere. Speedy sophomore Travis Etienne broke into the Heisman conversation this season after notching 21 touchdowns, and he is the type of game-breaker needed to open things up against a physical Irish defensive front. On the outside, Lawrence is aided by rapidly improving Tee Higgins, another true freshman in Justyn Ross and the ever-reliable Hunter Renfrow, who has been crucial in a number of Tiger Playoff runs. The most crucial aspect of this game for Lawrence will be protecting the football. Considering his immense youth, its pretty crazy Lawrence has thrown just four interceptions, but he hasn't faced much defenses with the speed and power of Notre Dame's unit. If Notre Dame is able to get the youngster off-balance, there chances of winning go up in a huge way.
On the other side of the ball, Clemson was hit out-of-the-blue by suspensions to star defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence due to a failed drug test. Losing Lawrence, who eats up space in the heart of the D-Line, will hurt the Tigers, but veteran Albert Huggins should be able to come in and still provide plenty of support.
Notre Dame doesn't quite have the explosive weapons that Clemson has offensively, but they move the ball in a more methodical, deliberate manner. Ian Book took over the reigns of quarterback after just a few games for the veteran Brandon Wimbush, and Book has played well. Much like Lawrence, he has proven he can distribute the ball out and make some really impressive throws, while also limiting his turnovers. There are a number of other offensive weapons that contribute to a group that averages 33.6 points per game. Dexter Williams hasn't been 100 percent for a big chunk of the year, but the elusive running back still totaled 941 yards on the year while averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Versatile RB-WR Jafar Armstrong will also get touches out of the backfield, while Clemson will have to find a way to contain wide outs Miles Boykin and Chase Claypool. Both are match-up nightmares for opposing defenses, particularly Boykin, who has proven he has superb chemistry with Book.
However, the key for both teams in this game probably won't end up being at the offensive skill positions. They're going to center around the war in the trenches, where a number of future NFL players will be battling it out. Despite the fact they lose Lawrence, Clemson can still rotate in some astounding talent in their front seven, including Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant and youngster Xavier Thomas. Wilkins is an important player to watch not just because of what he can do defensively, but in the other creative ways Swinney and company might use him (he caught a fake punt pass in the 2015 Orange Bowl that completely changed the momentum).
For Notre Dame, it will be interesting to see how their offensive line is able to handle this group of future NFL defenders. The line has played very well for most of the year, even without Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey, who were first-round NFL Draft selections this past spring. Yet, they haven't faced a pass rush with the talent Clemson possesses, and Clemson DC Brent Venables is well-known for his interesting and unique blitzes he can draw up.
The same could be said for Clemson, as their O-Line must face down a Notre Dame front seven that clobbered Michigan to begin the season and is loaded with playmakers. It may not be dotted with quite as much big-name stars, but interior linemen Jerry Tillery had seven sacks on the year, and edge rusher Khalid Kareem can cause plenty of chaos. Notre Dame's defense is also stronger on the back-end, with guys like linebacker Te'Von Coney making tackles from sideline to sideline and a veteran defensive backfield.
This game probably isn't going to have the offensive fireworks we will see later in the day with Alabama-Oklahoma, but it should be a superb semifinal. Both of these teams exemplify what it takes to win in today's college football: balanced offenses, strength on both lines and smart, efficient quarterbacks leading the charge. I like this Notre Dame a lot more than I feel like most do, because they have the experience factor and a roster makeup necessary to take down a powerhouse like Alabama. With that being said, I'm picking Clemson to come out on top in a very competitive showdown in Arlington. They just have too much strength on their defensive front and too much weapons offensively for the Irish to keep up with for sixty minutes. In fact, with their blend of size and speed on both sides of the ball and a coaching staff that knows how to win the big games, Clemson is my pick to win it all when its all said and done in two weeks (much like they were in the preseason).
Clemson, 27 Notre Dame, 20

Capital One Orange Bowl
(#4) Oklahoma Sooners vs. (#1) Alabama Crimson Tide

Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

Between the two of them, Alabama and Oklahoma averaged roughly 109 points per game, 1,104 yards per game, had the top two Heisman finalists and nine All-Americans in 2018. Needless to say, points are going to come fast and furious in this semifinal duel between two of the sport's blue blood programs.
Alabama looked essentially invincible throughout the entirety of the 2018 regular season, but a come from behind victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship indicated this team did have some weaknesses. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is still as dominant as they come, and could be in store for a big day against a porous Oklahoma defense. Tagovailoa was not 100 percent in the SEC Championship, but says he is ready to go in this game. He'll be joined by offensive stars everywhere you look on this Alabama roster, with a deep stable of backs and the Biletnikoff Award winner, Jerry Jeudy. Damien Harris, Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs are a three-headed monster in the backfield that rotate regularly, keeping each one very fresh for sixty minutes. Thats a distinct advantage, particularly facing a defense almost sure to be on the field a lot. They all operate behind a strong offensive line, with All-Americans and future NFL starters Jonah Williams and Ross Pierschbacher leading the way. This offense is not the conservative, run-heavy unit it once was in the early years of Nick Saban. It has evolved into quite the big-play threat, with burners everywhere that can take it to the house each time they touch the ball.
Oklahoma will be able to counter with an offense that is no slouch either. Head coach Lincoln Riley has asserted himself as one of the top offensive minds in the sport, simply replacing one Heisman winner (Baker Mayfield) with another one in Kyler Murray. Murray has a rocket arm and truly eye-popping speed, and he is going to get out of the pocket and show it often in this game. Murray may be even better than his predecessor at creating plays when they break down, something that seemed impossible with what Baker did at times a season ago. The Sooners certainly miss running back Rodney Anderson, who played terrific in last year's Playoff, but they can still hit very hard with their ground game. Freshman Kennedy Brooks didn't receive much attention prior to this season but managed to rush for over 1,000 yards, while sophomore added 928 yards and 12 touchdowns. Oklahoma also doesn't lack for playmakers at receiver, where they have flaming fast Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and reliable CeeDee Lamb. While Alabama's secondary has played well for most of the season, Brown and Lamb are different types of challenges. Brown may be the fastest player on the field in this one, even quicker than Alabama's Jeudy or Jaylen Waddle.
Yet, while both offenses have proven they can score, the two defenses have been trending in completely different directions all season long. Alabama has not shown any issues with the number of NFL defections they suffered last spring, seemingly growing stronger every single week. Their defensive line is stocked with some absolute monsters, namely Quinnen Williams, who plays like a seasoned NFL veteran and is almost sure to go high off the boards this next spring. Behind that line is a group of linebackers who have been here before and know what they need to do, along with a secondary that has some impressive young talent. Safety Deionte Thompson was an All-American this past season, while true freshman Patrick Surtain Jr. has stepped up for the absence of injured corner Trevon Diggs.
The same can't be said for Oklahoma's defense, which has been their Achilles Heel for a number of years now. This year's group has really struggled to make tackles in space and has let up too many big plays, resulting in the country's 124th total defense. Coordinator Mike Stoops was fired halfway through the season and gave way to Ruffin McNeil, but that hasn't made a huge difference. They still gave up 56 in a close victory over West Virginia, and this defense is still the same group that allowed 40 points to Kansas, the most the Jayhawks have managed in a conference game since 2010. The defense has been bailed out all season long by Murray and this incredible offense, but that won't work the same way against a team like Alabama. How is a poor tackling team supposed to contain a physical, explosive offense? How is a defense that gives up too many big plays supposed to contain a collection of Tide receivers that can score every time they touch the ball?
This game won't lack for points and fireworks, but it won't end up being the competitive game the Cotton Bowl should end up being. Alabama just has too much to expect Oklahoma to keep up, even if their defense saw miraculous improvement over the past three weeks. Kyler Murray should be able to keep Oklahoma at least somewhat close, but even that could be in question. Something to remember: while Murray has certainly been superb he has also operated behind a great O-Line and has barely been hit this season. He is going to be hit hard and often by a physical SEC defense, and will he be able to pull off his usual magic after? Oklahoma might just have enough to keep things close, but I don't see much chance the Tide falter here.
Alabama, 49 Oklahoma, 34

My Favorite Moments from the 2018 College Football Season

Now that bowls have been announced and the four Playoff teams are known, the college football season has nearly reached its inevitable end. While there are still some memorable moments left to come, I took some time to reminisce on some of my favorite moments from the 2018 college football regular season: 

Kentucky Beating Florida For the First Time Since 1986

For so long, Kentucky has struggled to have their success on the football field match up with what they do on the basketball court and nowhere has that been more evident than their annual rivalry with Florida. The Wildcats have consistently found ways to choke away games against the Gators and entered this fall without a victory against UF in over three decades. That all changed the second Saturday of the year, when they shocked the 25th-ranked Gators in Gainesville, behind 175 rushing yards from running back Benny Snell Jr. Kentucky wasn't able to win the division despite their hot start, but there was no denying how successful the season was for them. They won nine games, and beating their fierce rival gave their fans something they hadn't seen in much too long. 

Ohio State-Penn State Part Three

The last two Ohio State-Penn State games prior to 2018 for some of the most thrilling college football you could hope to watch, and this year's edition didn't disappoint either. The Nittany Lions jumped out to an early lead and looked ready to take control of the Big Ten East before another furious comeback from the Buckeyes. The victory helped Ohio State later on lock up the division, making this the third consecutive OSU-PSU game that decided who would win the division. This game was also the real coming out party for eventual Heisman finalist Dwayne Haskins, and seeing the young gunslinger get better every week was one of the most exciting parts of the fall.

The Return of the Red River Rivalry

The Red River Rivalry, which features border rivals Oklahoma and Texas, is one of the most iconic and important rivalries the sport has to offer. However, the rivalry has taken a back-seat over the past decade, as Texas has struggled to return to their old, National Title-contending form. Yet, the Longhorns made the game relevant once again in early October, putting together a masterful offensive showing to win a thriller by three. Texas fans are hopeful that the victory over eventual Playoff participant Oklahoma and future Heisman winner Kyler Murray was really the first step to their resurgence as national power. Considering they came very close to their first Big 12 Title since 2009, that very well might be true.

Purdue's Upset of Ohio State & Rondale Moore's Coming Out Party

There was few upsets that were as surprising in the 2018 campaign as Purdue smacking Ohio State in front of their home crowd. Ohio State was ranked second in the country and looked like they were going to roll to another Playoff run, but that came to a crashing halt at the hands of Purdue. The Boilermakers played superb football en route to a 29-point domination, and the world was introduce to freshman receiver Rondale Moore. Many hardcore fans were aware of Moore, but few knew the true extent of what he could do. Moore accounted for nearly 200 yards of offense and two touchdowns that helped fully seal the deal. It is going to be very fun to watch the dazzling wide out for at least two more seasons, and we will see what other damage he can achieve during his time in West Lafayette.

Gardner Minshew Carried Off the Field

Carrying the quarterback off the field is one of the most sacred traditions in college football and the sport in general, and it was thrilling to see it happen at Washington State, a school not known for its football prowess. It happened following the Cougars upset victory against 12th-ranked Oregon, which asserted Washington State as the top threat in the Pac-12 North, before an eventual loss to their in-state rivals. This was particularly awesome because of Minshew, who had recently transferred from East Carolina. A transfer leaving his original school and finding success somewhere else, considering the adversity they can face. Minshew even planted himself in the Heisman race, finishing up fifth in voting, highest for a WSU player since Ryan Leaf in 1997.

Kyler Murray & Will Grier's Duel

Seeing two gunslinging Big 12 quarterbacks go at it is a different type of football, and watching Will Grier and Kyler Murray duel was eye-popping. The eventual Heisman winner led his team to a victory behind 478 total yards and four touchdowns, but Grier kept things interesting, tossing for 539 yards himself. Sure, traditional football fans may whine about the little defense that was on display, but this game was a perfect encapsulation of modern football, and went down to the wire. It didn't quite match the numbers of 2016's epic battle between Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes, but it still entertained all the same.

Minnesota Reclaiming the Axe

As a Minnesota native, I have to admit some bias comes into placing this in my favorite moments of the year, but it deserves the recognition. Minnesota had found new and unique ways to lose to Wisconsin year-in, year-out for over a decade before a superb showing in their annual battle for "Paul Bunyan's Axe". The defense looked completely different from the one once manned by fired defensive coordinator Robb Smith, while the offense jolted behind the play of young stars Mohamed Ibrahim and company. It was a huge victory for head coach P.J. Fleck, who had just four wins in nearly two seasons of Big Ten football prior to the win over the Badgers.

The SEC Championship

Nick Saban still has yet to lose to a former assistant, but Kirby Smart and Georgia really put that to the test in this year's SEC Championship. The fourth-ranked Bulldogs held a lead over the mighty Crimson Tide for most of the game, but a late rally led by former starting QB Jalen Hurts kept Alabama undefeated and No. 1 in the polls. Credit has to be given to Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm for a terrific showing against Alabama's tenacious defense, but even more to Hurts, who could have easily transferred after losing his starting job but decided to stick it out for one more season. He was rewarded handsomely, being the hero on a team that might win the National Title. Its important to note that players that chose to transfer (Minshew, Murray) and stay put (Hurts) both had different moments and successes. Players are going to do what is best for them, and we should appreciate any player making the most out of any situation.

Other Moments & Players to Recognize

• Herm Edwards shocking the critics and upsetting Michigan State early on in 2018
• Florida improving from 4-7 to 9-3 in the first season of new head coach Dan Mullen
• UCF putting together another undefeated regular season despite the loss of QB McKenzie Milton late in the season
• Northwestern playing for their first Big Ten Title since being co-champions in 2000
• North Dakota State winning the FCS Championship, their sixth National Title in seven seasons
• Breakout performances by players such as Kyler Murray, Tylan Wallace, Dwayne Haskins, Rondale Moore and Darrell Henderson
• Impact freshman including Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, Purdue wide out Rondale Moore and Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson

NFL Mock Draft 2019: Edition 1 (Early Edition)

Quinnen Williams, Alabama

The 2019 NFL Draft still remains many months away but that doesn't mean the long process hasn't begun. Every NFL team in the league has taken long looks at prospects across college football, and many teams are already waiting for their time on the clock. Expect plenty to change between now and the spring, but as things stand in early December, here is just how the 2019 NFL Draft may shape up.

1. Oakland Raiders
Nick Bosa, DL, Ohio State
Following in the footsteps of his older brother Joey, a former high first-round Draft selection himself, Nick Bosa has asserted himself as a dominant pass rusher with limitless potential. Even in a Draft filled with superb pass rushers, Bosa appears to be the top on the board with an explosive first step and incredible motor. He will immediately upgrade an Oakland pass rush that has been nearly nonexistent since the Khalil Mack trade.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama
Prior to 2018, Quinnen Williams entered the year without a lot of snaps under his belt but he has quickly evolved into one of the best defenders in the entire country. Williams' ability to play both end and on the inside, paired with his impressive size will make him a high profile NFL prospect throughout this process. San Francisco could use another impact defender in their defensive front, and turning to the Tide linemen will be in their best interest.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Ed Oliver, DL, Houston
The run on defensive linemen continues with Ed Oliver, who has been an impact defender with Houston since the first day he stepped on campus. Oliver is another playmaker that brings impressive versatility, size and potential to the table even though he dealt with injuries for a decent chunk of 2018. Arizona is yet another team that needs help up front defensively, and Oliver is a superb consolation prize.
4. New York Jets
N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
Sam Darnold has had a wildly inconsistent rookie season, but he has had to make do with a Jets' offense that lacks proven weapons. New York could remedy this issue by selecting explosive Arizona State wide out N'Keal Harry. Harry doesn't have ideal NFL size, but he can open up any games with his speed and can also support on special teams if need be.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
Jacksonville needs a quarterback, but Doug Marrone nor Tom Coughlin really seem interested in a rookie at that spot and a trade or free agent signing of a veteran seems much more likely. The Jaguars will instead turn to their offensive line, which has struggled for much of this season. There isn't a clear top offensive line prospect in this class, but the athletic and reliable Greg Little will be just fine.
6. New York Giants
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
After over a decade of Eli Manning, it appears time for the New York Giants to move on at the quarterback position. This is not a great quarterback class, but in a down year for the position, Oregon's Justin Herbert will be more than enough. Herbert still needs to improve his accuracy, but he already has NFL arm strength and should be a good fit in Pat Shurmur's offense.
7. Buffalo Bills
Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Obtaining a franchise left tackle should be top on Buffalo's priority list if they want to continue to build around Josh Allen at QB. Their offensive line has been inconsistent all season, and Allen needs all the help he can get. Williams has been a starter at Alabama since his true freshman season, and has all the talent to be a Top 10 selection.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Could Tampa Bay move on from the Jameis Winston era and select a quarterback in the first round? Perhaps, but the more pressing need lies at cornerback, as Tampa has been scorched all season by the passing attack. In a division with Cam Newton, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan, Tampa needs all the help they can get, which is where Williams comes in. A ball-hawking corner out of LSU, Williams would be a great move here.
9. Detroit Lions
Devin White, LB, LSU
The Lions need plenty of help on their mediocre defense, including the D-Line, linebackers and their secondary. Linebackers seems the most likely, considering how thin and old they are the position. One of the rangiest defenders in college football, White is the type of player that would work wonders for this Detroit team. 
10. Cleveland Browns
Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Cleveland already has a strong defensive front, but adding yet another pass rusher to the mix could really put them over the top. Derrick Brown doesn't get as much attention as other pass rushers in this class, but he proved to be extremely productive while at Auburn and he has the potential to be an extremely productive weapon for the Browns.
11. Green Bay Packers
Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky
Many scouts view Josh Allen as a Top 5 talent in this Draft, but there is a good chance one of the top defensive players in this class drop. If thats the case, Green Bay won't hesitate to select Allen, who would be an excellent fit as a standup linebacker in the Packers' 3-4 defensive look. Allen has been pivotal in UK's surprising 2018 season.
12. Atlanta Falcons 
Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
While their offense can compete with anybody in the country, Atlanta has consistently struggled to stop opponents from doing the same. They need to get more pressure on the quarterback and luckily, there are an abundance of options at this spot. Alabama's Raekwon Davis may be the best option on the board, as the physical linemen has proven he can consistently wreak havoc in opposing backfields.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
Cincinnati is another team that could use pass rushing help immediately, and they should be able to take advantage of the plethora of options in this Draft. Jeffery Simmons has Top 10-level talent, but a video of him hitting a woman prior to arrival at Mississippi State still hangs over him, and rightfully so. The Bengals have been a franchise willing to take chances on guys with questionable pasts, and Simmons fits the mold.
14. Miami Dolphins
Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
The run on defensive linemen continues here for Miami, a team looking for interior help after releasing Ndamukong Suh this past off-season. All four of Clemson's defensive linemen should be high Draft selections, but Wilkins should be the first off the board. He has been an impact player since being a true freshman, and brings excellent versatility and athleticism.
15. Tennessee Titans
DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia
Even with their recent acquiring of cornerback Malcolm Butler, Tennessee's pass defense was struggled for much of 2018. There is hope Butler and company can return to form, but the most likely solution is to select a young defensive back. DeAndre Baker proved himself as a shutdown corner during his tenure with Georgia, and he could immediately be an upgrade.
16. Denver Broncos
Dwayne Haskins Jr., QB, Ohio State
After a breakout 2018, Dwayne Haskins should take advantage of his rising stock and go to the pros. He still has things he will need to work on, but his arm talent and pocket presence should be enough to earn him a first-round selection. Denver could desperately use a fresh signal-caller to develop, and Haskins is a worthy move right here.
17. Carolina Panthers
Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
Playing on a defense that is loaded with future NFL talent, Trayvon Mullen often gets ignored at Clemson. Yet, the physical corner has the athleticism and football acumen to be well worthy of a first-round selection. He would immediately upgrade a Carolina defense that has really struggled to defend the pass ever since Josh Norman left for Washington.
18. Philadelphia Eagles
Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
It has been a disappointing season just a few months removed of a Super Bowl Title, but Philadelphia still has one of the most complete rosters in football. However, they could get even better by upgrading their pass rush and defensive front. Look no further than yet another Clemson prospect, tackle Dexter Lawrence. Lawrence isn't an elite pass rusher, but he is superb in run support and has loads of potential.
19. Washington Redskins 
Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
A devastating injury to Alex Smith a few weeks ago opened up Washington's eyes to just how thin they are at the quarterback spot. Even if Smith is able to come back healthy, he is aging and has never been the type of player that can put a team over the top. Its time for the Redskins to start anew at the position, and Drew Lock is the best on the board. He has an incredible arm that could really open up this offense.
20. Indianapolis Colts
A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
A healthy Andrew Luck has worked wonders for the Colts, who find themselves in the Playoff hunt despite some significant holes on this roster. While Luck has been superb, he needs more help from a mediocre group of receivers. T.Y. Hilton is still a factor but he is getting older and there isn't much beyond him. Indianapolis turns to A.J. Brown here, a playmaker with a huge frame who could easily be the top wide out on the board this next spring.
21. Baltimore Ravens
Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
While their pass defense has still been solid in 2018, there is significant age on the back-end. Baltimore should remedy this issue by adding Alabama safety Deionte Thompson, who is the type of prospect that will shoot up boards as the process continues. Thompson is incredibly rangy and should be able to make the plays some of the aging guys aren't able to.
22. Minnesota Vikings
Ben Powers, OG, Oklahoma
The Vikings have one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL and much of it can be blamed on an offensive line that can't get any push. They need to address the line right away in this Draft, and Oklahoma product Ben Powers would be a huge help. Powers has been crucial in the success of Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, and should open up massive lanes for Dalvin Cook to work with.
23. Seattle Seahawks
Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
Many people point to the break-up of the Legion of the Boom as the main reason for Seattle's lack of defensive success in 2018, but the D-Line has also lost important contributors and lacks a premier pass rusher. Selecting Clelin Ferrell here would be a huge move to add some much-needed bite to the front seven. Ferrell is a sack machine who could easily go as high as the Top 10.
24. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas)
Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan
Already adding Nick Bosa earlier, the Raiders continue to improve their defensive front by adding the top Draft prospect from his rival school. Rashan Gary, formerly the No. 1 recruit in the country, has had issues with injuries but possesses undeniable talent. Learning under Jon Gruden could unlock all of Gary's vast potential.
25. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago)
Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
After stocking up defensively, Oakland uses their third first-round selection on the other side of the ball here. Amari Cooper is gone, opening the door for a new No. 1 guy to step up for the Raiders, who should look no further than Marquise "Hollywood" Brown here. Brown is an absolute blazer that can change games every time he touches the ball. Paired with Derek Carr's huge arm, Brown will be a home run threat from the first snap.
26. Los Angeles Chargers
Zach Allen, DL, Boston College
Los Angeles has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2018 campaign, but they have been inconsistent against the run all season, and that needs to change if they want to get over the top. Zach Allen is yet another guy that can play inside or outside, and produce at either spot. He is an absolute beast, and maybe the most underrated prospect in this Draft.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
The latest in a long line of star inside linebackers from Alabama, Mack Wilson is a terrific NFL prospect. He has great range, is superb as a coverage 'backer and is one of the hardest hitters in the entire country. Pittsburgh's linebacker corps still misses Ryan Shazier, so selecting Wilson here makes sense.
28. Houston Texans
Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State
There shouldn't be much of a question which direction Houston should go with their first pick: offensive line. The O-Line has been absolutely terrible for all of 2018, and there is no hope Deshaun Watson takes a step forward without some help. Dalton Risner has been a crucial leader for Kansas State over the years, and he is the well-rounded prospect Houston needs.
29. New England Patriots
Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
No quarterback of the future here for New England, but instead a tight end of the future. Rob Gronkowski has made possible retirement plans well-known and injuries have crippled his time with the Patriots. Noah Fant is one of the most consistent tight ends in the nation, and while he doesn't have Gronk's size, he has a little more speed and shiftiness.
30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans)
Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
Jordy Nelson is gone, and it looks as though Randall Cobb may soon be out as well in Green Bay. As Aaron Rodgers career begins to slowly start slowing down, he is going to need a toy to play with in this offense. The Packers shouldn't hesitate to add Parris Campbell out of Ohio State. Campbell is a big play waiting to happen, and he was perhaps the most dominant player on the field in UM-OSU, a game loaded with NFL prospects.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
Equipped with three picks in the first two rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft, its hard to imagine Kansas City not improving their secondary here. The unit still misses Marcus Peters, and longtime safety Eric Berry is not getting any younger. Taylor Rapp plays like a younger Berry, with a fearless, ball-hawking attitude.
32. Los Angeles Rams
Yodney Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
Jared Goff has an incredibly bright future and could soon be vying for MVP awards. Yet, in order to do that he will have to stay healthy and stay upright, which is where the O-Line comes in. West Virginia product Yodney Cajuste would've been a high pick a year ago but instead opted to finish his career with the Mountaineers. He has the talent to develop into a franchise left tackle to pair with Goff.

2018 College Football Season Awards

Brian Kelly, Notre Dame

While we will still see conference championships this upcoming weekend, along with bowls and the Playoff, the 2018 college football regular season has come to an inevitable close. Its hard to believe considering it feels like just days ago the season kicked off, but after thirteen weeks fall Saturdays are officially done. With that in mind, I took some time to break down who I think should win the sport's officials awards, along with some unofficial ones. Without further ado, here are my picks for who should take home the college football's most important hardware.

Projected National Champion: Alabama Crimson Tide
While it may seem tiring to the average college football fan seeing Alabama rack up wins, SEC Titles and eventually, National Titles we also have to respect what they've done. Nick Saban has crafted one of the most impressive and consistent dynasties in sports history, and he isn't done just yet. In fact, there is the argument to be made this could be his best Tide team yet. The defense is as suffocating as ever, but the offense has been historical, with a deep stable of stud running backs and the Heisman frontrunner at quarterback. The route to yet another National Title won't be breezy with Clemson and Notre Dame offering plenty of resistance, but picking anyone but 'Bama at this point seems just foolish to me.
Finalists: Clemson, Notre Dame, Oklahoma (projected Playoff field)

Coach of the Year: Brian Kelly, Notre Dame
Brian Kelly's tenure in South Bend has been streaky and uneven at times, but there is no denying the superb job Kelly has done in 2018 with the Fighting Irish. Kelly had to deal with the loss of his rising defensive coordinator Mike Elko, who took a big pay increase this off-season at Texas A&M, and a number of key losses on the offensive side of the ball. Despite this, Notre Dame has put together a perfect 12-0 record that has included impressive victories over Michigan, Stanford and Syracuse. One of the main reasons for their success was the mid-season switch at QB, as Kelly opted to turn to Ian Book instead of veteran Brandon Wimbush. It was a bold move considering Wimbush was more proven, but it has worked wonders for this ND offense, and a big reason why Kelly takes home Coach of the Year honors.
Finalists: Nick Saban (Alabama), Mark Stoops (Kentucky), Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma)

Biletnikoff Award (best receiver): Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
How did Oklahoma State respond to the losses of Mason Rudolph, James Washington Jr. and a number of other playmakers this off-season? Simply by finding sophomore Tylan Wallace, who was little used in 2017, but has exploded onto the scene this fall. Wallace has caught 79 passes for 1,408 yards (with 11 touchdowns) and consistently made huge plays for the Cowboys. That included huge performances against Texas in a win (222 receiving yards) and rival Oklahoma (220) that should help lock down this award. The impressive thing about Wallace is that he could be even better in the near future, considering this was only his second season in the collegiate ranks.
Finalists: Jerry Jeudy (Alabama), Andy Isabella (UMass)

Doak Walker Award (best RB): Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
This has been an extremely disappointing 2018 for Wisconsin, who has slipped to a 7-5 record one season after coming within inches of the Playoff, but that has not been the case for Jonathan Taylor. The sophomore has had a wonderful encore to a breakout freshman campaign, rushing for 1,989 yards and 15 touchdowns. Much like Wallace, Taylor has been crucial in a number of the Badgers' victories. This includes posting 253 yards against New Mexico, 221 against Nebraska and 208 against Rutgers, where he was one time committed. It hasn't been a banner year for running backs, but Taylor has done enough to certainly still earn some hardware.
Finalists: Travis Etienne (Clemson), Darrell Henderson (Memphis)

Davey O'Brien Award (best QB): Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
There was some question whether Tua Tagovailoa would live to the preseason hype we was receiving this off-season following a magical comeback win against Georgia in last year's National Championship. He has answered those questions and then some, throwing for 3,189 yards and 36 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Those stats aren't quite as gaudy as some past O'Brien Award winners, but considering Tagovailoa has sat a number of fourth quarters with Alabama winning in blow outs, its still impressive.
Finalists: Kyler Murray (Oklahoma), Gardner Minshew II (Washington State)

Breakout Player of the Year: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
A former five-star recruit who originally signed at Texas A&M, big things were expected of Kyler Murray taking over Baker Mayfield's reigns in Norman. Murray certainly has not disappointed, with 3,674 yards through the air and 48 total touchdowns (37 passing, 11 rushing), while proving to be one of the most explosive players we've seen at the position in years. Murray's impact has certainly been felt at Oklahoma, as he has helped them overcome an atrocious defense to go 11-1 and once more return to the Big 12 Championship. Amazingly, this will be Murray's final year of college football, as he recently reaffirmed his plans to join the Oakland Athletics organization after going in the first-round of the MLB Draft this past summer.
Finalists: Tylan Wallace, WR (Oklahoma State), Gardner Minshew II, QB (Washington State), Rondale Moore, WR (Purdue), Dwayne Haskins, QB (Ohio State)

Freshman of the Year: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
There were some folks who openly questioned why former four-star recruit Rondale Moore chose to stay close to home and play at Purdue, who for years has been a mediocre program in the Big Ten. With his true freshman season now in the books, its hard to argue Moore made the wrong decision. The speedy wide out burst onto the scene with two touchdowns in the first week of the season, and finished with 1,164 receiving yards and 13 total scores. That included a magical showing in a primetime upset of Ohio State, which led many to start mentioning Moore in the Heisman conversation.
Finalists: Trevor Lawrence, QB (Clemson), Micah Parsons, LB (Penn State), Jermar Jefferson, RB (Oregon State)

Chuck Bednarik/Bronko Nagurski Award (defensive MVP): Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama
It isn't a secret Alabama produces star defenders year in year out, and this latest defense isn't short of future NFL Draft selections. However, the clear-cut best player on this defense has to be sophomore Quinnen Williams, who had a dominant 2018. On the season, Williams finished with 58 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He looked absolutely unblockable in a number of games this year, including embarrassing LSU earlier in the year. There is zero doubt Williams is going to be a high NFL Draft pick this upcoming spring, and he has the potential to get even better.
Finalists: Christian Wilkins, DL (Clemson), Josh Allen, LB (Kentucky)

Heisman: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
As I mentioned earlier, Tua has put up incredibly impressive numbers all season long, and there shouldn't be much doubt he will be hoisting the Heisman Trophy in New York in a few weeks. Tagovailoa is undoubtedly the best player on college football's best team, and his dominance this year has seemed to be almost easy. He has consistently decimated great defenses, including a showing against LSU earlier in the season where he had a 44-yard TD run that certainly looked like a Heisman moment.
Finalists: Kyler Murray, QB (Oklahoma), Will Grier, QB (West Virginia)

Other Minor Awards
Most Impressive Group of Five: UCF
Coordinator of the Year: Ryan Day, OC, Ohio State
Jim Thorpe (best defensive back): Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Outland Trophy (best interior linemen): Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
John Mackey Award (best tight end): T.J. Hockenson, Iowa

College Football Picks 2018: Week Thirteen

Karan Higdon, Michigan

(#4) Michigan Wolverines @ (#10) Ohio State Buckeyes
For the first time in years and years, Michigan is not only a favorite against Ohio State, but a favorite on the road. The Wolverines have won ten consecutive games, and have asserted themselves as the clear favorite in the Big Ten. With that being said, there is nothing quite like the UM-OSU rivalry, and the Buckeyes will be ready. Ohio State needs to find a solution to their defensive woes, which were especially evident last weekend against Maryland. Ohio State will have to contain a Wolverines' rushing attack led by backs Karan Higdon and Chris Evans, while also figuring out a way to contain QB Shea Patterson. Patterson has been incredibly efficient over the course of this season, and he has some real weapons on the perimeter, namely Donovan Peoples-Jones and a healthy Tarik Black. This Michigan team will still play physical and run the ball, but expect Jim Harbaugh to try and attack this precarious OSU secondary. If they can get some big plays on the outside, the Buckeyes are really going to be in a tough position keeping up offensively. Either way, Ohio State will need a big day from record-setting quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. Haskins has put up big numbers all season long and has benefitted from a very deep and talented receivers corps, but this game will be a tough challenge for the redshirt sophomore. UM plays a lot of physical man-to-man coverage, and coordinator Don Brown is one of the most creative defensive minds in the sport. He is going to bring the blitz early and often, and force Haskins to beat him over the top. A major factor to watch in this one has to be the health of All-American defensive end Chase Winovich; Winovich was beat up in a victory against Indiana last weekend, but there is still hope he can play in this one. Even if he can't go, the Wolverines will get plenty of pass rushing help from a healthy Rashan Gary and linebacker Devin Bush. Ohio State is also going to need to find a way to get their rushing attack going, which has been surprisingly mediocre throughout 2018. J.K. Dobbins has the talent to do serious damage and he played well a year ago, but the Buckeyes still lack a consistent rushing attack. If they can figure that out, they should have enough offensively to deal with their serious defensive problems. Michigan has not beat the Buckeyes in Columbus in nearly two decades, but this game just has a different feeling this season. Haskins should be enough to keep OSU in it, but this Michigan team is much better up and down their roster, and they enter with all the momentum. Picking the Wolverines to do something they haven't done in 18 years may be borderline crazy, but I'm just that confident in this year's UM squad.
The Pick: Michigan, 38 Ohio State, 28

Auburn Tigers @ (#1) Alabama Crimson Tide
Few rivalries in college football are as intense as the annual Iron Bowl, and things should be especially crazy this season with Alabama searching for vengeance after last year's loss to Auburn. This year, the Tide are the unquestionable favorite, but they still won't get anything easy against the Tigers. Alabama is led by an explosive offense, with QB Tua Tagovailoa, a deep running back core and some potent receivers, including Biletnikoff Finalist Jerry Jeudy. This offense has balance, experience and playmaking at every level, and Tagovailoa has not shown any signs of stopping. He will face off against a strong Auburn defensive front, that has a number of future NFL defenders, but that hasn't intimidated the sophomore before, and Auburn's secondary has been streaky all season long. This could be the icing on the cake for Tagovailoa's Heisman candidacy with a huge day. For the Tigers, any hopes of an upset will include a big day from their offense, namely quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Stidham played superb football in the Tigers' upset win over 'Bama a year ago but he has had a streaky 2018, and he faces a fearless Alabama defense. That Alabama defense has stars at every single level, beginning with the defensive front, spearheaded by Raekwon Davis and Quinnen Williams, who will very soon be playing on Sundays. On the back-end, the Tide feature rangy linebackers Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses while the secondary has some really impressive young talent, including rapidly improving true freshman Patrick Surtain Jr. Auburn needs some help from their ground game, which has been pretty disappointing for much of the year. JaTarvious Whitlow and company have had some moments, but they'll need to break open up some big runs to really open up this game. I never think rivalry games are going to be blow outs because the emotion and passion usually means the games end up being close. With that in mind, I think Auburn can keep this competitive but upsetting the Tide on the road? That just isn't going to happen in 2018.
The Pick: Alabama, 42 Auburn, 27

(#7) LSU Tigers @ (#22) Texas A&M Aggies
Neither LSU nor Texas A&M will be playing for an SEC Title or anything similar when they meet up tomorrow, but the two still hope to end their regular season with some much-needed momentum. LSU still has a great shot to end their season with double-digit victories, which seemed like a lofty goal entering 2018 with their schedule. Quarterback Joe Burrow was unable to get LSU over the top to beat Alabama, but he has still proven himself all of 2018. He continues to play efficient football, and has shown he can get this offense rolling when needed. Texas A&M will need to find a way to contain running back Nick Brossette, who has 861 yards and 13 scores on the season. The Aggies have seen massive improvement on the defensive side of the ball under the leadership of new coordinator Mike Elko, but this could still be a tough matchup for them. A&M will also have to contain LSU's plethora of receiving options, namely veteran Justin Jefferson. For LSU, the key will be containing the Aggies' ground game, especially running back Trayveon Williams. Williams has excelled in Jimbo Fisher's new pro-style attack, rushing to the tune of 1,326 yards on the season. The Tigers will counter with their fabulous front seven, including All-American linebacker Devin White, and their ball-hawking secondary. Texas A&M is going to need quarterback Kellen Mond to make some difficult throws. Mond has had some moments so far in 2018, but this LSU secondary may very well be the toughest he has seen all year long, with the lone exception being Alabama. The Tigers feature future first-round NFL Draft selection Greedy Williams at corner, along with safeties John Battle and Grant Delpit. The key for A&M will be not turning the ball over and maintaining possession, something they've done well in each of their seven victories in '18. This game is not as heated as a rivalry as some of the other ones sure to be exciting this weekend, but it should still be a hard-fought, close battle. I'll stick with LSU to avoid a road upset here; the defense is strong enough to stop the Aggies and Burrow should be just enough to help the Tigers come away with their tenth win of the year.
The Pick: LSU, 28 Texas A&M, 24

Other Picks
South Carolina @ (#2) Clemson: Clemson, 38 South Carolina, 21
(#3) Notre Dame @ USC: Notre Dame, 33 USC, 20
(#11) Florida @ Florida State: Florida, 27 Florida State, 17
Georgia Tech @ (#5) Georgia: Georgia, 35 Georgia Tech, 20
Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Wisconsin, 24 Minnesota, 21

Current Picks Record: 67-21