NFL Mock Draft 2016: Edition 2

Jared Goff to Cleveland

1. Tennessee Titans Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
Although still very early, Tennessee appears to have hit on the Marcus Mariota selection a year ago, as the young quarterback showed flashes of brilliance throughout his rookie campaign. Though, he was absolutely beat up this past season and suffered numerous injuries. Laremy Tunsil is by far the best offensive linemen prospect in the 2016 cycle, and he would give the Titans a piece to protect their franchise quarterback for years to come.

2. Cleveland Browns Jared Goff, QB, California
The arrival of head coach Hue Jackson indicates one sure thing in Cleveland: Johnny Manziel's time has come to a close. The frustrating part about it is that Manziel actually showed potential when he wasn't partying in Las Vegas or in rehab. The Browns should acknowledge they made a poor choice selecting Manziel (over Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr, by the way), and search for a new quarterback to mold under Jackson, who has proven to be magical working with some quarterbacks. Jared Goff is the right choice; he put up huge numbers throughout his collegiate career and has ideal arm strength and a wonderful feel for the game.

3. San Diego Chargers Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Right now, the Chargers' organization sits in a weird state of limbo. They could very well relocate to Los Angeles, as early as next season. They also sit with an aging quarterback who has won a lot of games but not a lot of big ones, and a roster that has potential but hasn't cashed in on all of it. Even with all the question marks, San Diego could come out of this Draft a major winner if they can land Joey Bosa. Bosa is the type of rare pass rusher that doesn't come around much, and he would fit in perfectly on the Chargers' defense, which could use Bosa's versatility.

4. Dallas Cowboys Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Dallas is also in an interesting position during the 2016 off-season. Injuries burnt out what could have been a successful year in Dallas, and Tony Romo's health is a major concern. Even though selecting a quarterback in this year's Draft could be a possibility, the Cowboys should fix their major defensive woes first. The linebacker corps was unhealthy much of the season, and Sean Lee has struggled with injuries his whole career. Myles Jack is the most versatile linebacker in the entire draft and should bring an immensely high ceiling to the Cowboys' defense.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
For the first time in awhile, Jacksonville enters the off-season with a pretty weird feeling: significant hope. Second-year QB Blake Bortles took huge leaps, and the rest of the offense includes a budding T.J. Yeldon and young studs Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. Though, the Jags were still brutal defensively, and they need a ton of help in the secondary. Ramsey would be the ideal selection for Jacksonville; he can aid at corner or safety and can be a difference-maker all across the field.

6. Baltimore Ravens Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The Ravens certainly could use a receiver, due to the advanced age of Steve Smith and the fact last year's first rounder Breshad Perriman, didn't play at all this season. Even so, Baltimore has a pressing need at tackle, with Eugene Monroe likely moving on this offseason. Ozzie Newsome should select Stanley, the top tackle available, and work on Joe Flacco's weapons, later on.

7. San Francisco 49ers Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Chip Kelly will arrive in the Bay Area with an interesting roster. San Francisco has talent, certainly, but there is a reason they lost 11 games this past campaign. A major issue last season was the passing game, which Kelly will hope to improve in a big way. His offense may fit Colin Kaepernick's skill sets, but Kap needs more weapons to be successful. Treadwell is the best overall receiver in this year's draft. He has terrific size, solid speed and amazing play-making ability. He would immediately give Kelly a new toy to work with on the offensive side of the ball.

8. Miami Dolphins Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
This past season was an absolute disaster for Miami, as nearly everything went wrong for the organization. Statistically, their pass defense was the worst in franchise history, allowing the franchise record for opposing QB completion percentage, and opposing QB TD's in a season. Brent Grimes should be back but he is aging, meaning Miami should stay in the Sunshine State and select Hargreaves. Hargreaves is a little undersized, but he is a legit shutdown corner that should reinforce that porous secondary.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon
In the first year of the Jameis Winston era in Tampa, the Bucs showed significant progress, improving from a 2-14 mark to six wins this past year. Though, there are still holes to be addressed throughout the roster, starting in the front seven. DeForest Buckner was an absolute monster at Oregon this past year, and is one of the most athletic pass rushers in this year's draft. He could very well be a steal for the Bucs at nine.

10. New York Giants Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss
The Giants finally decided to move on from Tom Coughlin at head coach, and hope they can snag someone at the ten spot that can give the stagnant franchise a major lift. Robert Nkemdiche is one of the best all around players in this draft, but off the field concerns could drop him slightly. Even so, New York needs some defensive line help, particularly with Jason Pierre-Paul's future in doubt after losing half of his hand in a fireworks incident.

11. Chicago Bears A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama
Standing at 6'4", 320 pounds, A'Shawn Robinson looks exactly like an NFL defensive linemen. The massive Alabama product can play anywhere across the D-Line, something that would greatly help Chicago. The Bears have been playing with a mediocre defensive line for years, something that needs to change. Robinson would also be a nice fit in the Windy City, and would improve their rush defense for years to come.

12. New Orleans Saints Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
The Saints' defense has been absolutely pitiful the past couple years, and they seem to be wasting the final years of the Drew Brees era because of it. While picking up Paxton Lynch or Carson Wentz at QB may intrigue the Saints they should stick with Brees at quarterback for the time being and continue to work on their defense. Billings isn't a complete NFL tackle yet; but he has the size and motor to be a great one in a few years, and he would absolutely upgrade New Orleans defensively.

13. Philadelphia Eagles Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
It is a new day in Philadelphia, as the Eagles are moving on from the chaotic and pretty unsuccessful Chip Kelly era with Doug Pederson, former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator. Pederson will take over a talented team, but one with a fair amount of holes. Perhaps the most obvious is at the sport's most important position: quarterback. Sam Bradford could be back but he was mediocre a year ago and Mark Sanchez is no long term plan. Carson Wentz has been shooting up draft boards for weeks now and could even be discussed as the top signal-caller in this draft. Wentz would give Pederson a building block to work with as he begins to shape this team and make it his own.

14. Oakland Raiders Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Charles Woodson's illustrious football career came to a close this season, leaving Oakland's secondary in a tough spot. The cornerback position was bad this past season no matter what Woodson did at safety, and the Raiders need to upgrade it. It would be a major steal for the franchise if they were able to snag Alexander here. Although still very young, Alexander has incredible athleticism and potential.

15. Los Angeles Rams Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
For years, the Rams have been mired in mediocrity. They have talent on both sides of the ball and have been able to pull out some memorable wins but are yet to see a breakthrough. Now, as the franchise makes its move to Los Angeles, they should strike on a quarterback that can get them out of their average ways. Paxton Lynch has incredible size, athleticism and arm strength and he helped completely turn around Memphis football. Nick Foles struggled so much down the stretch Case Keenum was named stater, so this is a move that needs to be made.

16. Detroit Lions Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
The future of the Detroit Lions is completely blurred as they head into the 2016 offseason. Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson have produced plenty of wins, but are yet to make any noise in the Playoffs. And, Johnson might even be retiring soon. Detroit has a lot of needs overall, and pass rusher is one of them. Lawson is a legit Top 10 prospect, and picking him up here would be a very suitable move.

17. Atlanta Falcons Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
A major reason for the Falcons collapse after a 5-0 start was the lack of a pass rush and a weak rush defense. A major improvement from second-year end Vic Beasley would greatly help the pass rush, meaning Atlanta should work on their rush defense. Ragland was a monster at Alabama, and Tide linebackers have transitioned very well to the NFL over the years.

18. Indianapolis Colts Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
The Colts decided not to address major needs on both lines this past offseason and instead spend big money on washed up veterans like Frank Gore and Andre Johnson and draft wide receiver Phillip Dorsett in the first round. They were rewarded with an 8-8 mark, although Andrew Luck's injuries did play a role. Indy shouldn't make the same mistake; Decker is an experienced tackle who could anchor the unit in upcoming years.

19. Buffalo Bills Kenny Clark, DL, UCLA
DT Kyle Williams missed a big chunk of the 2015 season with injuries and will turn 33 soon, while Mario Williams could be a cap causality. That makes it clear the Bills should invest in defensive line in this draft, and Clark would be a nice fit. He has the high motor Rex Ryan loves and he had dominant moments at UCLA.

20. New York Jets Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
One of the NFL's most underrated backs, Chris Ivory put together a very impressive year in New York this past season. Though, Ivory hits free agency this offseason, as does Bilal Powell. The Jets could actually get an upgrade by selecting Elliott as a replacement. Elliott is quick, agile and powerful and he has enough durability that he won't flake out of the league in a few years due to injury.

21. Washington Redskins Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama
The Redskins' defensive line was a disappointment this past season, and bringing in a new, young defensive linemen will help big time. Jarran Reed is not much of a pass rusher, but he is a physical linemen with good size and a nose for the football. He would immediately upgrade Washington's rush defense.

22. Houston Texans Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
It may be a little bit dull but the fact of the matter is that Houston needs a quarterback, as seven different quarterbacks have taken snaps over the past two years. Unfortunately, if Goff, Wentz and Lynch are off the board, Houston would be in a tough spot. Bill O'Brien coached Hackenberg at Penn State, and did wonders with the young QB. Hackenberg has no business going in the first round, normally, but under extreme circumstances Houston could take a swing at him, with O'Brien's backing.

23. Minnesota Vikings Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
Teddy Bridgewater has been terrific over the course of his first two years in Minnesota, but he will need more assistance from his receivers. Stefon Diggs was a very nice surprise, but Mike Wallace wasn't wonderful, and promising Charles Johnson disappeared off the face of the Earth. Michael Thomas didn't put up insane numbers at Ohio State but he was very reliable. He will use his great size and speed to become a go-to target for Bridgewater on the perimeter.

24. Cincinnati Bengals Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
Another Playoff berth, another heartbreaking loss in Cincinnati. Many Bengals' fans may be eager to shake things up, but Cincy is a talented team without a ton of holes. Their only major one is on the line, as the unit wasn't very effective this past year. While Cincy may be in the market for an interior linemen, Dodd is a rising edge pass rusher who was wonderful towards the end of the year for Clemson.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
The Steelers had one of the NFL's worst pass defenses last season, and they have lacked a true No. 1 cornerback for a long time. Eli Apple isn't a perfect prospect; he has blazing speed and unbelievable potential but he isn't very strong and struggled at times at OSU. Though, beyond Ramsey, Hargreaves and Alexander, the market for defensive backs is extremely weak in this draft, so Pittsburgh will stick with Apple.

26. Seattle Seahawks Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
The future of Russell Okung in Seattle is in serious question as the proven tackle hits free agency this offseason. Whether or not he does leave, the Seahawks would be smart to fortify their offensive line with a young talent, such as Conklin. Conklin is a gritty, hard-working tackle out of Michigan State that should be able to contribute right away.

27. Green Bay Packers Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
A freak knee injury in a Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State significantly hurt Smith's draft stock. Possibly a Top 10 prospect previously, he very well could slide into the later part of the first round if teams are concerned about his knee. Green Bay needs help on run defense, and can afford to wait a little for Smith. When he does become fully healthy, he could form one scary combination with Clay Matthews.

28. Kansas City Chiefs Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida
The Chiefs' defense was very impressive this past season, but it enters this offseason with uncertainty. Sean Smith and Eric Berry will hit free agency in the secondary, and one has to assume the Chiefs will spend big time money to bring them back. That means that a number of defensive linemen who will also become free agents; such as Mike DeVito, could be afterthoughts. Jonathan Bullard would get them younger in the front seven, and bolster their trenches.

29. Arizona Cardinals Noah Spence, DE/LB, Eastern Kentucky
Dwight Freeney may have had some good moments this past year in the Desert, but shouldn't be back next season. That means the Cardinals' pass rush could miss some serious bite, making a pass rusher a smart choice here. Noah Spence is a major risk; he has some serious off-the-field issues that led to his demise at Ohio State. But, talent-wise, he is a Top 10 prospect. Arizona has a stable enough organization that they can take a chance on him here.

30. Denver Broncos Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor
The good news for Denver is that tackle Ryan Clady will be back from injury next season, giving them a Pro-Bowler make in the mix. Though, Evan Mathis hits free agency, and the offensive line as a whole could use some reinforcement. Drango is about as versatile on the O-Line as you can get, and could even fill in for Mathis at guard.

31. Carolina Panthers Emmanuel Ogbah, DL, Oklahoma State
Carolina will have to say goodbye to Jared Allen this offseason, as his career appears to be coming to a close. They could also be without Charles Johnson at the other end spot due to the high interest he will get on the open market, making defensive end a priority. Luckily for the Panthers, Ogbah could slip a little bit, as the market for edge pass rushers dips a bit after the Top 10. Ogbah is a freak with excellent athleticism who would be a steal here.

Big Ten Power Rankings 2015-2016: Edition 1

Rasheed Sulaimon

1. Maryland Terrapins 17-2 overall, 6-1 conference
Struggles by Michigan State have left the door wide open inside the Big Ten where some surprising upstarts like Iowa and Indiana are playing very well. Even so, Maryland comes in as the top dog in the first Big Ten power rankings of the new year. The Terps haven't won pretty much this year; they have survived tons of close games. But, they are about as versatile as you can get, as Melo Trimble and Rasheed Sulaimon lead an explosive backcourt, and the young frontcourt guys, Diamond Stone and Robert Carter, are figuring it out. A bad loss to a Michigan team without Caris LeVert was certainly worrying, but no team in the conference has the amount of pure talent as Maryland. But, in this sport that obviously doesn't always mean consistent success. Though, without a clear-cut frontrunner, Maryland fills in.
2. Iowa Hawkeyes 14-3 overall, 5-0 conference
After the football team's unexpected success and rise to the Big Ten Championship Game, not a whole lot was expected of the basketball program. Sure, an NCAA Tournament bid seemed likely, but few fans could have predicted the Hawkeyes' flaming hot start to conference play. A 5-0 start has been highlighted by a sweep of Michigan State, and a thrilling comeback victory over Purdue. Iowa isn't the flashiest team, but they get by with stud forward Jared Uthoff (perhaps the Big Ten POY frontrunner) and a very experienced and deep lineup. Iowa has already risen to a Top 10 ranking behind their scorching play. If they keep it up, they could be sitting in firm grasp of the Big Ten.
3. Indiana Hoosiers 16-3 overall, 6-0 conference
Expectations were high in Bloomington this season, and the opening month for Indiana did not seem too promising. The Hoosiers dropped games to Wake Forest and UNLV and then played very uninspired in a 20-point drubbing at the hands of Duke. Since then, they have gone 11-0 and undefeated in conference play behind the play of veteran guard Yogi Ferrell and Robert Johnson. Though, their schedule so far in conference play has been very soft, and it is hard to know if the Hoosiers truly have turned the corner. Not helping is the loss of electric guard James Blackmon, who could be out for the remainder of the year.
4. Michigan State Spartans 16-4 overall, 3-4 conference
For much of the non-conference slate, MSU held the nation's No. 1 spot and looked like perhaps the nation's best overall team. Though, as conference play has begun, the Spartans have struggled. They have lost four games inside the Big Ten, two to Iowa and one to a not great Wisconsin team, and then a brutal showing against Nebraska. Maryland awaits next and a loss there would certainly be a wake up call that something needs to change. Earlier losses in the year could be blamed on the fact stud guard Denzel Valentine wasn't playing. Valentine is healthy, and the Spartans just look stagnant offensively. Though, counting out Tom Izzo and MSU is certainly never a good thing.
5. Purdue Boilermakers 17-3 overall, 5-2 conference
Give Matt Painter plenty of credit for what he has done with his Purdue program, which looked dead in the water a few years back. The Boilermakers have rocked a dominant front line this season, that includes senior A.J. Hammons and big-time recruit Caleb Swanigan. Though, just as important has been the play of guard P.J. Thompson and a suddenly deep bench. Purdue has beat up on some low-tier Big Ten teams but also lost to Illinois. As Maryland and MSU awaits, we will truly see what the Boilermakers are made of.
6. Michigan Wolverines 14-5 overall, 4-2 conference
The Wolverines appear as a confusing team in the landscape of the Big Ten and the entire nation. They have played very poor in a number of big games this season (SMU, UConn), but have also beat Texas and Maryland, without their best player, Caris LeVert. LeVert who has struggled with injuries throughout his time in Ann Arbor, will have to stay healthy. Though, the play of guard Duncan Robinson, an absolute sniper, and rock steady point guard Derrick Walton has lifted Michigan to the top ranks of the conference, and a clear cut NCAA Tournament team.
7. Northwestern Wildcats 15-5 overall, 3-4 conference
Could this finally be the year? Could this year be the year Northwestern finally makes their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance? What Chris Collins has done in Evanston has been unbelievably impressive. The son of NBA legend Doug Collins, Chris has Northwestern playing terrific, and nearly upsetting Maryland. Bryant McIntosh leads the way, a fearless guard averaging 15.6 points per game and 7.1 assists per game. Alex Olah gives the Wildcats strength underneath, and the roster just overall has more versatility. The 'Cats get a rough three game stretch of Indiana, MSU and Iowa before a pretty easy slate. If they can steal a victory in either of those games and take care of business against inferior teams, they very well could be playing in March.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers 12-8 overall, 4-3 conference
Not much was expected out of Nebraska entering this year. They were coming off an extremely disappointing year that included head coach Tim Miles locking them out of the locker room because of their struggles, and had just lost Terran Petteway and Walter Pitchford early to the NBA (neither were drafted). Instead, the addition of former Kansas Jayhawk Andrew White has re-energized the offense that also includes the streaky Shavon Shields. An NCAA Tournament bid may be out of the question, but a NIT run would certainly be a nice way to wrap up the year in Lincoln.
9. Ohio State Buckeyes 12-8 overall, 4-3 conference
Life after D'Angelo Russell has not been easy for Ohio State. The Buckeyes began their year 2-4, with losses to Texas-Arlington and Louisiana Tech. Though, the Buckeyes have mostly settled the ship to playing competitive basketball. Jae'Sean Tate and JaQuan Lyle are unbelievably young but are starting to show signs of becoming a lethal backcourt. The versatile Marc Loving has been solid, and Ohio State has a relatively soft stretch. It could be the perfect opportunity for them to prove themselves towards some type of postseason bid.
10. Wisconsin Badgers 11-9 overall, 3-4 conference
For years Wisconsin has been the model of consistency in a chaotic and ever-changing sport. Their swing offense, large group of seniors and selfless attitude has made them a consistent NCAA Tournament squad. But, the hangover after two straight Final Fours has been rough. Bo Ryan ended his long and wonderful career abruptly and the Badgers have clearly missed Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker. Though, quietly Nigel Hayes is having a big junior year and new head coach Greg Gard seems to be getting more comfortable. While a third straight trip to the Final Four is completely out of the question, the Badgers could still have plenty of momentum going forward.
11. Penn State Nittany Lions 11-9 overall, 2-5 conference
Overall, Penn State has been solid this season. Sure, nobody is going to be crazy about an 11-9 mark and an unimpressive conference mark, but the Nittany Lions have shown signs of life this year under Pat Chambers. But, losing to teams like Radford and Duquesne has not helped instill much confidence into the future of the program. Guard Shep Garner is a solid contributor, and forward Brandon Taylor has developed into a solid scorer. Penn State has plenty of experience and could be a dangerous player down the stretch. But, a postseason bid just doesn't seem very likely at this point in the year.
12. Illinois Fighting Illini 9-10 overall, 1-5 conference
After a brutal football year that included Illinois making a weird and ill-timed firing of Tim Beckham less than a week before the season, Illinois fans hoped basketball would be a saving grace. Instead, it has instilled more belief that the entire athletic department needs a makeover. John Groce is trending in the complete wrong direction, after a great start to his tenure in Champaign. Malcolm Hill has been an electric scorer this season for the Illini but he has been really the only good thing. The offense is one-dimensional, they turn the ball over way too much and they don't play hard. Unless things change quick, Groce could very well be looking somewhere else for a new gig.
13. Minnesota Golden Gophers 6-13 overall, 0-7 conference
The third year of the Richard Pitino era in Minneapolis has been brutal. The Gophers are sitting at 6-13, winless in the conference and have lost to South Dakota, South Dakota State and UW-Milwaukee. Even so, there may be a glimmer of hope for the team. Guard Nate Mason has been playing great lately, and swingman Jordan Murphy has a bright future. With the amazing amount of youth on the roster, a dip this season was expected. Gopher fans are already looking ahead to next year, when high profile in-state recruit Amir Coffey arrives on campus.
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 6-14 overall, 0-7 Big Ten
The aftermath of the Mike Rice scandal is still felt in the Rutgers basketball program. The team has made little progress under alum Eddie Jordan, and they lost by 50 to Purdue just days ago. Guards Corey Sanders and Bishop Daniels are solid, if rather underwhelming playmakers. But, there is little talent beyond them in Piscataway, New Jersey. Jordan will continue to recruit, but at some point the product has too change on the court.

College Football 2016-2017 Sneak Peek

Artavis Scott

For the fourth time in seven years under Nick Saban, Alabama reigns as the best team in college football. Sure, their season was not short of adversity and question marks. Yet, behind the powerful running of Derrick Henry, the electric play of Calvin Ridley, the methodical Jake Coker and a top notch defense, the Tide rose to the occasion, winning a thriller over Clemson. That leaves college football fans with nearly eight months before the return of wonderful fall Saturdays. So much is going to happen between now and then but as it stands today here are the top teams and storylines to watch in college football next year:

Top Five

1. Clemson Tigers
Clemson was unable to complete what would be a historical 15-0 season, but fans shouldn't be too worried. The Tigers should enter next year as the national favorite, thanks in large part to junior quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson, coming off a torn ACL and just a true sophomore, threw for over 4,000 yards and rushed for over 1,000 more. He could very well enter 2016-2017 as the Heisman favorite. Joining him will be underrated back Wayne Gallman and dangerous receiver Artavis Scott. The defense has severe losses, as defensive ends Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, along with defensive backs Mackensie Alexander and Jayron Kearse are leaving for the NFL early. Though, Brent Venables has done a wonderful job with the unit and has young talent ready to step up. The ACC will no breeze this upcoming year, but Clemson has enough talent to win it and a national title.

2. Florida State Seminoles
This past season was a weird and awkward transition year in Tallahassee, away from the Jameis Winston era. The Seminoles threw in Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson then flip flopped between him and Sean Maguire and ended up 10-3, with a Peach Bowl loss to Houston. Golson's career is done, leaving the job solely to Maguire, who has shown plenty of ability when given the chance. Though, the real thing that can put FSU over the top is Dalvin Cook. Cook was absolutely dominant as a true sophomore and should only get better next season. He'll be joined by breakout candidate Travis Rudolph at receiver and a youthful defense that has plenty of blue-chippers ready to rise up in a big way.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide
The defending champs will not have an easy road back to the Championship. Not only is Heisman winner Derrick Henry departed, Coker is gone at QB, and the defense suffers numerous losses through their ranks. Though, it is Alabama and the cupboard is far from dry. Cooper Bateman, David Cornwell and Blake Barnett will compete for the quarterback gig, while there is talent at running back. And, the receiver position should be in very good hands with the return of Ridley for a sophomore campaign, and possibly Playoff star O.J. Howard at tight end. Expect the defense to still be stout, with safety Eddie Jackson back, and breakout candidates including Minkah Fitzpatrick, Rueben Foster and Rashaan Evans.

4. Michigan Wolverines
In just one year, Michigan transformed into a very legit threat under Jim Harbaugh, winning ten games and surviving in the thick of the Big Ten race. Iowa transfer Jake Rudock is going to graduate, but there remains hope Houston transfer John O'Korn could in fact be an improvement, with his huge arm. De'Veon Smith is set to return for his senior season at running back, while vastly underrated Jake Butt is also likely to return at tight end. Plus, the offensive line and entire defense is stocked with experience and leadership, meaning magical things could be in store in Ann Arbor this year.

5. Baylor Bears
Even with injuries essentially ruining their season, the Bears finished off 10-3 and should enter the 2016-2017 campaign as the Big 12 favorite. The quarterback position will be in great hands; Seth Russell should be fully healthy after missing the second half of the year, while Jarrett Stidham gained valuable experience in his absence. Russell will be joined by backs Shock Linwood and Johnny Jefferson along with plenty of experience at receiver, even with Corey Coleman declaring early. The defense could have some growing pains as the departures of Andrew Billings and Shawn Oakman will decimate the front seven. But, linebacker Taylor Young is as good as they come in the conference.

Others in the Mix

LSU Tigers
His Heisman candidacy may have unraveled quickly, but Leonard Fournette was still scary dominant in his true sophomore year. Imagine how good he could be with another offseason to grow stronger and quicker? Junior Brandon Harris showed progress at quarterback a season ago, and the defense should have plenty of serious talent back.

Stanford Cardinal
A wonderful showing in the Rose Bowl only confirmed Christian McCaffrey was the nation's best player in 2015-2016. Now, the back will lead a Stanford team breaking in a new quarterback, junior Keller Chryst, a local product. David Shaw will also be helped by his usual, hungry and aggressive Cardinal defense.

Oklahoma Sooners
Baker Mayfield put on an absolute show in his first year in Norman and will continue to hone his skills under rising OC Lincoln Riley. Mayfield will be joined by a two-headed monster at running back in Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, but a new receiver will have to step up with the departure of steady Sterling Shepard.

Houston Cougars
What Tom Herman has done in a short time in Houston has been unbelievable. He has quickly grown the Cougars into a legit player on the national stage, and easily the American Athletic's most complete team. Expect this team to be a dark horse National Championship pick, thanks to the return of senior Greg Ward at quarterback and a vastly underrated defense.

Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes are going through a mass exodus of NFL talent. To name just a few: Ezekiel Elliott, Cardale Jones, Michael Thomas, Joey Bosa, Jalin Marshall and Darron Lee. Though, there is still loads of talent in Columbus, starting at quarterback, where J.T. Barrett will take over full time. Junior Curtis Samuel could break out at running back, while Raekwon McMillan has the chance to be special at linebacker.

Storylines to Watch
Alabama's Quest for Repeat: While this is pretty obvious. The Tide will lose significant talent from this year's 14-1 team, but will still likely be SEC favorites, at least while Nick Saban is around.
Kirby Smart at Georgia: Speaking of Alabama, their former defensive coordinator Kirby Smart made the long-awaited jump to a major Power Five job this offseason, taking over at Georgia after a decade and a half of Mark Richt. Will Smart be able to get the Bulldogs over the hump? Only time will tell.
Mark Richt at Miami: While Smart took over his job in Athens, Mark Richt went South to take over a Miami program stuck in mediocrity. Richt was a major splash for the program, and his presence is already paying dividends on the recruiting trail. It will be interesting to see how Richt adjusts to the ACC and how well he works with young QB Brad Kaaya.
"Chosen Rosen": While UCLA will lose a lot from their average team this offseason they won't lose their most interesting piece, sophomore QB Josh Rosen. Rosen was wonderful as a true freshman this past year and the former five-star recruit is already drawing rave reviews from NFL scouts. If Rosen can take some big leaps he could grow into one of the nation's best players.
Hot Seats: Even though the 2016 college football season is clearly months away, a number of head coaches at pretty major programs could be already feeling a little bit uncomfortable. James Franklin hasn't been able to beat anybody of note since he took over at Penn State, while Charlie Strong is very much on a hot seat in Austin, Texas. Over at Auburn, the Tigers are desperately looking for answers following a 8-5 mark then a 7-6 mark after rising to the BCS National Championship in Gus Malzahn's first year.

College Football Playoff Championship Prediction 2016

Derrick Henry

What a bust this college football bowl season was. Usually the most wonderful time of the year in the sport, the last couple weeks have been filled with an absurd amount of blowouts and pretty unexciting match-ups that included two noncompetitive Playoff games. Though, as the 2015-2016 season wraps up, the National Championship has a chance to redeem what has been a rough December and January in the sport. It pits a rising Clemson program that ran through the ACC with ease en route to a 14-0 start, against an Alabama team that has shut down everybody since a September loss to Ole Miss. While there is no clear favorite entering this one, one thing is clear: the blowouts in the sport we witnessed this bowl season won't continue in the sport's Championship.

Alabama has been absolutely dominant since that early season loss to Ole Miss. The Tide allowed 40-plus that night to an explosive Rebels' offense, and their five turnovers raised serious questions about the state of the program moving forward. Since then, Alabama has shut down every single offense they've faced, with a quick and aggressive defense, and one that forces turnovers like crazy. That defense has used a defensive line stocked with future NFL talent to hold opposing running backs in check all year. The Tide use a rotation of eight skilled linemen that all have different strengths, which keeps them fresh and ferocious. They will be joined by a strong group of linebackers, headed by the veteran Reggie Ragland, who recognizes plays as well as anybody in the nation. That front seven should help Alabama quite a bit against an underrated Clemson rush offense. Not only can Deshaun Watson run the ball when needed, running back Wayne Gallman has quietly put together a huge year. Gallman isn't the most talented back Alabama has faced (Leonard Fournette, Alex Collins and more), but he is a versatile runner with excellent burst. He won't get much space, but when he does, he will have to be able to do something. In the defensive backfield, Alabama also has incredible depth and two shutdown cornerbacks, Eddie Jackson and Cyrus Jones (who is also a major factor on special teams). Clemson not only has a very legit passer in Watson, he is aided by a number of weapons on the perimeter, that include a number of deep threats. It will be interesting to see just how aggressive the Tigers are against this Alabama secondary. The Tide have proven that any mistakes against them will be serious problems, as they are easily one of the best in the nation at forcing turnovers and producing off of them. Another major storyline to watch is Watson himself versus the Tide's defense. Strong-armed quarterbacks with great running ability have given Alabama's defense fits over the years, and they weren't great against a pretty similar player earlier in the year in Chad Kelly and Ole Miss. Inside the SEC, Alabama has faced some great running backs and overall strong offenses, but they haven't faced a quarterback with the skills of Watson. It will be interesting to see how Kirby Smart, in his finale as defensive coordinator at Alabama, handles Watson.

On the other side of the ball, Alabama will bring their typical, grind-it-out style of offense, but most likely with a twist. Throughout the Nick Saban era, the Tide have always run the ball with power, and that hasn't changed at all this year, with Derrick Henry leading the way. But, Lane Kiffin has added a new element to the 'Bama offense since he arrived in Tuscaloosca, adding an up-tempo attack and leaning slightly more on the passing attack. Alabama's aerial attack hasn't exactly been scary this year, but is seemed to find it's full rhythm last week in their 38-0 drilling of Michigan State. QB Jake Coker looked poised and confident as he dissected the Spartans, and he will enter his final game in college with significant momentum. He'll be helped by rising superstar Calvin Ridley, a true freshman, who has already broken records in his short time with Alabama. Along with Ridley, Coker will search for tight end O.J. Howard. Howard is crazy talented but slumped mightily throughout the season. Though, he seemed to find some space in the Cotton Bowl, and he is an absolute nightmare matchup for the Tigers. Outside of the passing game, Clemson will have to prove they can contain Henry, which few teams have managed to do this year. Henry is an absolute monster who seems to never tire. And, even when he does, Kenyan Drake can bail him out as a change of pace, with more speed and explosiveness. Clemson's rush defense has been strong all year, but they will certainly get tested by the punch of Henry and Drake. Though, this Clemson defense did do a great job earlier in the year when they managed to contain Florida State's Dalvin Cook, a similar runner to Henry.

While Clemson's offense obviously gets a lot of attention (and they rightfully should), the defense has been surprisingly terrific. Talent was never a question mark for the unit but there was so much experience and leadership gone entering the campaign. The Tigers have found a number of weapons up front, led by defensive end Shaq Lawson (who will play in this game after injuring knee against Oklahoma) and tackle Carlos Watkins.  They will also be joined by a strong group of linebackers, including senior Ben Boulware, and a well-coached defensive backfield, that includes cornerback Mackensie Alexander. Boulware will help give Clemson's defensive line a fighting chance against Alabama's rushing attack, while Alexander will be tasked with shutting down Ridley. Ridley's speed and great route running ability have given teams fits, but Alexander has the advantage in size and experience. That matchup could very well change the game; if Alabama succeeds they have a huge edge up against the Tigers. If Alexander can tame Ridley, a major component of Alabama's offense is lost.

On the other side of the ball, Clemson will be led, clearly, by sophomore Deshaun Watson, who finished off third in Heisman voting this year. Watson has been great all year despite coming off a torn ACL last season. He has the type of arm that can make all the tough throws, and he plays with a maturity and confidence well beyond his years. Watson will also be supported by Gallman, and a solid crop of weapons at receiver. Artavis Scott is an absolute burner who has emerged as Watson's favorite target over the past two seasons, while veteran Charone Peake is a reliable player who is great at finding space. Meanwhile, tight end Jordan Leggett has quickly become a very lethal red zone weapon, with seven touchdowns on the year. It will be interesting to see just how successful he is though, as Alabama's defensive versatility allows them a number of defenders to contain the tight end.

This looks like it will certainly be an intriguing battle sure to come down to the wire. It features two teams that move the ball in very different ways. Clemson has a number of explosive playmakers to work with and can move the ball in bunches, while Alabama will still lean heavily on their power and grit. Both teams have proven defenses that could have some success, but Alabama has had more proven success against proven offenses. It is hard to bet against a defense that has shut down everybody they have played in the season's second half, and they should still have success even against Watson. Clemson should get all the credit in the world for an impressive campaign they have put together, and they could very well enter next year as the title favorite (with Watson, Scott and more set to return), but the Tide are the nation's hottest team. They have been absolutely dominant and become even more scary if Coker plays like he did against MSU. Most importantly, they have the edge in experience. Saban and Smart know these big games and know what needs to be done to win a national title. While Clemson is clearly on the rise and has been for awhile, they haven't played in a game this big under Dabo Swinney, and it will be interesting to see how they handle it.
Alabama, 28 Clemson, 24

Power Ranking Early College Basketball POY Candidates

Kris Dunn, Providence

A fresh new year has begun, and for college basketball that means one important thing: the start of conference play, the bulk of the year. Thrilling games over the past couple nights that included LSU-Kentucky, Oklahoma-Kansas and Oklahoma-Iowa State have only indicated that this college basketball season should continue to be crazy. Early in January, we weed out the top National Player of the Year candidates for the 2015-2016 campaign.

Ben Simmons, F, LSU Tigers
You should probably have heard of Ben Simmons by now. But in case you haven't here is just a few things to know: he has been hailed as the best NBA prospect since LeBron James, is 6'10", 225 pounds with insane athleticism and is putting up a gaudy stat-line that includes 20.5 points per game, 13.1 rebounds per game and 5.4 assists per game. He was pivotal in a huge upset victory for LSU over Kentucky, which not only helped his POY candidacy but was also huge for the Tigers' program. Considered a rising program entering the year, LSU had started the year slow but now have a couple legit wins on their resume (Vanderbilt, Kentucky). If Simmons continues to put up crazy stats and make highlight reel dunks it is hard not for him to earn serious Player of the Year consideration, before he almost certainly is the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft this summer.
Verdict: 2nd

Buddy Hield, G, Oklahoma Sooners
Although Oklahoma, ranked No. 2 in the nation, was unable to get a massive victory on the road against top-ranked Kansas, it was a huge day for Buddy Hield. Already an established stud as a senior, Hield has been on absolute fire all year long, with 26.3 points per game. Just as impressive as the actual number is how efficient he is doing it: shooting over 50 percent from both the field and three-point line, as well as nearly 90 percent at free throw. His 46 points against Kansas the past night absolutely showed to the world just how deadly the vet can be. If the Sooners continue to play at a very high level, Hield should continue to be a frontunner for the nation's top player.
Verdict: 1st

Denzel Valentine, G, Michigan State Spartans
Give all the credit to Denzel Valentine for Michigan State's great start on the year. Valentine has improved every year since arriving in East Lansing, and is at the peak of his game at the moment. The senior is averaging 18.5 points per game, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game, and has recorded numerous double-doubles. Plus, it just so happens that the one game that the guard missed happened to be MSU's only loss on the season, to Iowa. Health has been a concern on the year for Valentine, who has missed a couple games. But, when he has been healthy he has been absolutely terrific, even against great competition. If he continues his wonderful play, he very well could ascend past Simmons and Hield on this list.
Verdict: 3rd

Kris Dunn, PG, Providence Friars
Providence is not your typical destination for Player of the Year candidates. But, head coach Ed Cooley has completely rebuilt the program, who stands at No. 8 in the nation (although they just suffered a rough loss to Marquette). The main reason for the Friars turnaround over the past few seasons has been Dunn, who much like Valentine and Hield, is a senior. Dunn, much like his company on this list, is putting up great numbers across the board, he truly does it all. He is posting 17.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 3.1 steals per game. But, even more than that, Dunn has been the heart and soul of a team that has been on absolute fire lately and has been a complete surprise. His play not only has him shooting up to the top of draft boards, but has him firmly entrenched in Player of the Year talk.
Verdict: 4th

Kyle Collinsworth, G, BYU Cougars
Talking about players that can fill a stat-line let me introduce Kyle Collinsworth. Collinsworth showed just how good he could be last year, with 13.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG and six assists per game, while recording triple-double after triple-double. This year, Collinsworth just keeps on chugging away, with 14.7 PPG, 7.3 APG and 8 RPG, while adding 2.1 steals per game on top of it. The senior doesn't get a lot of press because he plays for BYU, who is in the little known West Coast Conference and doesn't play insanely tough competition. But, Collinsworth just keeps on putting up crazy numbers, and seems to have improved as a shooter this season. If he keeps it up, the Cougars (10-5) could very well be a sneaky team down the stretch.
Verdict: 5th

Others in the Mix:
Kay Felder, G, Oakland
Georges Niang, F, Iowa State
Frank Mason, G, Kansas
Perry Ellis, F, Kansas
Jamal Murray, G, Kentucky
Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky
Brandon Ingram, F, Duke
Anthony Barber, G, NC State
Kyle Wiltjer, F, Gonzaga
Stefan Moody, G, Ole Miss
Brice Johnson, F, North Carolina
Grayson Allen, G, Duke
Shawn Long, F, Louisiana-Lafayette

CFB Playoff 2015-2016: Previewing Cotton Bowl

Connor Cook, Michigan State

For the second straight year, it felt like the sky was falling in Tuscaloosca. The Tide sputtered offensively, committing five turnovers, and looked over-matched against Ole Miss in early September, in a game that looked terrifyingly similar to the 2014 loss. Was the Alabama dynasty under Nick Saban finally drawing to a close? Well no. Not at all actually. All Alabama did after that was completely shut down everyone else they played including LSU, Auburn, Mississippi State, Georgia and Tennessee. Then, Alabama completed their ascension back into the Playoff by taking down a weak Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Now, Alabama is trying to do something they didn't do by losing to Ole Miss: make good on some of their few mistakes in 2014, by winning a Playoff game.

The Tide, for the second consecutive year, will get a Big Ten team standing in their way. Pretty quietly, Mark Dantonio has built an absolute powerhouse at Michigan State, winning 11 or more games in five of their last six seasons, and winning four pretty notable bowl games in that span. The Spartans immediately jumped into the Championship picture by beating Oregon in a thriller, but things looked like they were bound to unravel after that. Michigan State sneaked by some absolutely terrible teams in some wacky ways (cough, cough, Purdue and Rutgers) and looked doomed against a flaming hot Michigan team. But, then absolute craziness happened. If you haven't seen Blake O'Neill's fumble that was returned to the house by the Spartans by now, you probably don't know college football. Then, it seemed like luck had caught up with him, as they lost in a thriller to Nebraska, that featured a very controversial call. So, MSU was out of the Playoff race right? The season shifted completely once more, as MSU shut down Zeke Elliott and Ohio State en route to a huge win, clinching them the Big Ten East essentially. A pretty boring, physical win over Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game clinched Michigan State a spot in the Playoff. Much of the success over the year was due to senior QB Connor Cook, who kept the team grounded despite constant chaos. Cook threw for 2,921 yards and 24 touchdowns over the season, not insane numbers but consistent. He also cut down on turnovers and seemed to play better when Michigan State need him most. Joining Cook will be a solid group of backs, headed by true freshman L.J. Scott, who had a great Big Ten Championship. Completed with Aaron Burbidge, a truly dynamic weapon on the perimeter, and an experienced offensive line, Michigan State will bring a very balanced and consistent offensive approach to the table against a scorching hot Alabama defense.

That Alabama defense seemed to take offense when they were questioned after the loss to Ole Miss. All they have done since then is shut down a number of great offenses and players, namely Leonard Fournette, Dak Prescott, Kyle Allen and Peyton Barber at Auburn. The Tide defense shouldn't suffer much even with Kirby Smart ditching to take the Georgia job. They have a ton of guys that are definitely going to be playing on Sundays, in typical Alabama fashion. Linebacker Reggie Ragland is a hungry, aggressive tackler, while the secondary is stocked with Eddie Jackson and rising Minkah Fitzpatrick, a young but superb defensive back. Up front, the Tide plug any holes for running backs, led by A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed and more, all who weigh in at 300-plus pounds. Michigan State's offensive line is experienced and battle-tested, but even they haven't faced a defense with as much bulk and power as Alabama's. Though, Mark Dantonio is a great coach and he should have Michigan State's offense completely well prepared.

Alabama does what Alabama does, and that means running the ball, a lot. They ran Derrick Henry to a Heisman, as the junior plowed over anything that dared stand in his way. Henry ended up rushing for 1,986 yards and 23 touchdowns en route to becoming the best player in college football. Most of Henry's success came in late in games, when the opposition was just too tired defensively to stop the mack truck of a back. He is also flanked by Kenyan Drake, a more change of pace back with more speed than Henry. That give defenses absolutely nightmares, containing a two-headed monster of a backfield. Though, if there remains a team that can stop the pair, it is Michigan State. Their defense is stocked with experienced leaders, who have faced plenty of hard runners in the Big Ten. They play sound, correct defense and are extremely disciplined. Just as important, they are good tacklers, as Henry runs through arm tackles like they are absolutely nothing. The Spartans will have to stop Henry for 60 minutes, which will obviously be one heck of a challenge, but they should fight admirably. Certainly the goal for the Spartans defensively is to force Alabama to throw the ball as much as possible. Florida State transfer Jake Coker has done a good job taking over the Alabama offense, but he still is pretty limited. He isn't good throwing done the field, and often panics if the pocket collapses. If massive Shilique Calhoun and the rest of the MSU defense can get some serious pressure on him, they will have a serious advantage. They will also make sure to stop true freshman Calvin Ridley, who has been on an absolute tear this season, quickly becoming Coker's favorite target. Michigan State's defense struggles if you can complete deep throws against them, like most do it isn't rocket science.. They communicate well for the most part, but diversity in the passing attack is a must. Unfortunately, Alabama just doesn't have much of it, which could play well into the Spartans' hands.

This Cotton Bowl should be a pretty typical, grind-it-out football game, and should replicate a typical Alabama slugfest. Though, I think Michigan State is completely prepared for the battle. Alabama has not faced an offense as balanced or multidimensional as the Spartans' offense since Ole Miss, when they let up over 40 points. Alabama will still run the ball heavily, and they should still find at least some success in that aspect of the game. Even with an experienced group and a disciplined unit, Michigan State won't be completely able to contain Henry and Drake. Though, they should at least slow it down and force Coker's hand. Coker could very well have a great game, but the better chance is he won't, especially with a very cunning and ball hawking MSU secondary. Maybe I'm dumb for picking against Alabama. After all, they have only been beating down everything that comes near them for months on end now in the nation's toughest conference. But, there is just something about this Michigan State team. Maybe their luck has ran out, maybe they just won't be able to move the ball. Or maybe, their strengths can completely attack Alabama's minimal weaknesses, and the Spartans can firmly prove to a national audience that this is a football program prepared to play on a Championship level for the foreseeable future.
Michigan State, 24 Alabama, 20

CFB Playoff 2015-2016: Previewing Orange Bowl

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma

It is easy to understand why there was anxiety around the Oklahoma football program entering 2015-2016. The Sooners were coming off a 8-5 year, a year in which they were a trendy Playoff pick. They were coming off major staff changes, that included bringing in 32-year-old Lincoln Riley as offensive coordinator. They were losing a number of players to the NFL, and above it all were the face of a university going through questions after a video of a racist frat went viral. And yet, what happened? The Sooners used Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield to engineer an improbable and entertaining rise to the College Football Playoff, where they will get their shot at taking down the nation's top squad, the Clemson Tigers in an Orange Bowl set to be a great one.

Mayfield arrived from Texas Tech to Norman as a walk-on. He had his moments at Texas Tech, but Kliff Kingsbury would soon fall in love with another young quarterback, Davis Webb, essentially forcing Mayfield out. Mayfield came out of nowhere to take over the quarterback job from incumbent Trevor Knight and threw 3,389 yards and 35 touchdowns. Just as impressive is the fact that he had just five interceptions and showed amazing efficiency despite being in air raid offense. Mayfield is a fearless, exciting player and Clemson's defense will have their hands full containing the junior. They will also have their hands full with the two-headed backfield, headed by Samaje Perine. Perine is a bulldog, amazingly strong for his size, but also possessing great speed and explosiveness. He will be joined by youthful Joe Mixon, who has had some moments this season. Expect big things as well from receiver Sterling Shepard. Shepard is truly a great story, a guy who grew up with the Oklahoma program and had to endure some tough years earlier in his career. Now though, he is the star receiver on the Big 12 Champion Sooners. The Tigers will attempt to counter Shepard with their top defensive back Mackensie Alexander, a proven NFL prospect. The former five-star recruit has amazing agility and great awareness, but Shepard should still find ways to make plays. Expect junior college transfer Dede Westbrook and underrated Durron Neal to help out Mayfield in the lethal Oklahoma passing game as well.

On the other side, Clemson is far from a slouch on the offensive side of the ball. Sophomore Deshaun Watson, along with a suffocating defense, was a major reason why the Tigers went 13-0 and finished off the regular season with the nation's No. 1 spot. Watson built on a very promising true freshman year by throwing for 3,512 yards and 30 touchdowns and also showing he can be very dangerous with his legs, helping him finish off third in Heisman voting. Oklahoma's defense has been productive all season long, and it will be interesting to see how they handle Watson. The Sooners do have a number of solid players in their front seven that should help them succeed. Joining Watson is back Wayne Gallman, who put together a quietly huge year. With many teams focused intently on Watson, Gallman took advantage and ran for 1,332 yards and 10 scores. Gallman isn't an absolutely electrifying player, but he is a hard runner that can move the chains consistently. The Sooners will have to stop a number of Clemson weapons on the perimeter, mainly Artavis Scott, who has been Watson's favorite target over the past two years. Expect cornerback Zack Sanchez to be the one tasked with slowing down Scott. Sanchez has long been an established defensive back for Oklahoma, and has been even better this season.

While both teams will get a lot of attention because of their offenses, the talent on the other side of the ball is undeniable. Behind underrated defensive coordinator Brent Venables, Clemson held opponents to just 20 points per game, and showed a knack for forcing turnovers. Not only will Alexander play a big role in defending Shepard, but expect a big day from defensive end Shaq Lawson (in what should be his final game in a Tiger uniform) and the experienced crop of linebackers Clemson possesses. For Oklahoma, Sanchez will obviously play a huge role, as will linemen Charles Tapper. But, the player that may wreak the most havoc in this one is Eric Striker. Striker made a name for himself in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama in 2014, and is a physically imposing outside linebacker. Striker is blessed with a powerful first step and incredible stamina. He should definitely be dialed in and ready to get after Watson. Expect Clemson to install special blocking packages just so tame Striker.

In the two Playoff semifinals, this matchup holds the most intrigue for me. Not only does it feature two exciting offenses that can put points up in a hurry, it features two interesting squads. Clemson isn't familiar to being the team everyone wants to take down nationally, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust. Meanwhile, Oklahoma feels like a underdog, and is on absolute fire since a midseason drubbing at the hands of Texas. The more I watch Oklahoma, the more I see last year's Ohio State team. So many of the pieces fit together. Mayfield represents Cardale Jones, a highly doubted, but strong-armed and strong-willed quarterback. Mixon and Perine represent Ezekiel Elliott running all over opposing defenders. And, Shepard represents Devin Smith from a year ago, a senior ready to go out in a big way. Clemson is a heck of a football team and they might win against either Michigan State or Alabama. But, they drew a motivated and hungry Oklahoma team that nobody wants to play.
Oklahoma, 35 Clemson, 31

Bowl Picks 2015: Birmingham Bowl to Holiday Bowl

Lamar Jackson, Lousville, Music City Bowl

Birmingham Bowl, Birmingham (AL), @ Legion Field (Dec. 30th, 11 pm CT on ESPN)
Memphis Tigers (9-3) vs. Auburn Tigers (6-6)

Memphis football took a major step forward this season, as evidenced by their nine wins and just as importantly, a pretty substantial victory over Ole Miss. The Tigers will try to take down another SEC West opponent in 2015, as they square off against Auburn in the Birmingham. While Memphis exceed expectations this year, Auburn went the completely opposite direction. A popular preseason SEC favorite and Playoff pick, the Tigers struggled mightily en route to a 6-6 mark. Quarterback Jeremy Johnson, a popular dark horse Heisman candidate entering the year, was a complete disaster, and the offense overall lacked much punch. Also disappointing was the defense's performance, which didn't improve altogether much, despite the addition of Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator. Auburn will still look to their ground attack for their offensive production in this one, as youthful Peyton Barber showed plenty of promise throughout the campaign, with 976 yards and 13 touchdowns. The issue for Auburn offensively is their passing game, which has been nearly nonexistent this season. Neither Johnson nor Sean White has separated themselves at the team's most important position, and it is unclear who will start this one. Only hurting the pair of quarterbacks is the fact they no longer have stud wide receiver Duke Williams to pass to on the perimeter, as he was kicked off the team earlier in the year. Memphis, meanwhile, is very explosive on the offensive side of the ball, particularly through the air. Quarterback Paxton Lynch is not only making NFL scouts blush, but has put up big numbers all year long. Lynch had one of his best showings of the year against Ole Miss, and he could very well pick apart the Tigers' secondary. Moses Frazier remains his top target on the perimeter, a speedy quick deep threat that will challenge Auburn every which way. Although Auburn was a major disappointment on the defensive side of the ball this year, they still have some very good players that should look to play a huge role in this game. Linebacker Cassanova McKinzy is a tackling machine that should be tasked with containing Memphis' run attack, while defensive end Carl Lawson has had his moments. Gus Malzahn is feeling significant pressure at Auburn; after a 12-2 debut, he was followed it up with an 8-5 mark last year and this year's struggle. Though, the Tigers could at least make up for the tough season by taking down Memphis in an interesting battle. Unfortunately, I don't think they have the personnel on defense to contain Lynch, and the offense is just way too one-dimensional.
Memphis, 35 Auburn, 26

Belk Bowl, Charlotte, @ Bank of America Stadium (Dec. 30th, 2:30 pm CT on ESPN)
NC State Wolfpack (7-5) vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (8-4)

Mississippi State had an absolute breakthrough 2014, winning ten games and holding down the No. 1 spot in the entire land for a number of weeks. But, just as impressive perhaps, has been their encore. Sure, the Bulldogs have been far from great, but their eight wins and solid showing in the SEC prove the program has staying power under Dan Mullen. It has helped that senior quarterback Dak Prescott has clearly evolved into one of the nation's top quarterbacks. Prescott is a dual threat who is as quick as a running back, but also possesses a great deep arm. Mississippi State's adversary, NC State, will certainly have their hands full with Prescott. Though, the Bulldogs also have a number of other weapons on the offensive side of the ball, with receivers Fred Ross and De'Runnya Wilson and a solid stable of running backs. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack struggled after a 4-0 start (due mainly to easy scheduling), but will still pose a challenge. Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett has found new life at NC State, and put together a strong finale this season. The gunslinger, though, continues to search for weapons on the edge to work with, something NC State does not have an abundance of. Running back Matt Dayes has put together a strong year, but Mississippi State has been stout against the run all year long. The Wolfpack's best bet will certainly be with Brissett through the air, especially considering Mississippi State is without their best corner, Will Redmond. Redmond, an established NFL prospect, has a torn ACL. Though, Brissett has struggled with turnovers at all stages of his career, and the Bulldogs will certainly be groomed to go after the ball in this one, expect them to jump a lot of routes. Mississippi State is not as good of a team as they were a season ago; but they still possess the dynamic Prescott and enough weapons on the offensive side of the ball to put up a nice sum of points. Unless NC State gets an unreal day from Brissett or finds a way to shut down Prescott, they don't have much of a chance in this one.
Mississippi State, 38 NC State, 27

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, Nashville, @ LP Field (Dec. 30th, 6 pm CT on ESPN)
Texas A&M Aggies (8-4) vs. Louisville Cardinals (7-5)

What a tale of two seasons it was for both of these teams. Texas A&M for the second consecutive year, opened the year flaming hot behind a young sophomore quarterback. Kyle Allen was on an absolute tear and the Aggies opened up 5-0 with a win over Arizona State to their credit. Things went downhill quick, as the Aggies once more looked fruitless against Alabama, resulting in a decent, but disappointing 8-4 mark. Even more worrying was the sudden transfers of Allen, and then backup (although he did start a number of games) Kyler Murray, who was a five-star recruit. That left the job to Jake Hubenak, a former JUCO transfer, for the time being. He will square off against Louisville, who on the other end of the spectrum, began the year 0-3. Wins against Samford and NC State next got them back on track, but a bad loss to Florida State seemed to indicate they had a lot of work to do. Instead, the Cards ended the year five of their final six. Sure, none of the wins were overly impressive and were generally close, but it gives Louisville tons of momentum coming into this one. The Cardinals will lean on freshman quarterback Lamar Jackson, who quickly become a star for the team. Jackson won't pass the ball much but he is an exciting runner, who led the Cards in rushing on the year, with 734 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has plenty of experience against good defenses, squaring off against Auburn, Clemson and Houston earlier in the year, meaning he should be ready for the Aggies. Under John Chavis though, Texas A&M's defense has taken tremendous strides. Sure, it can still be a major liability, but there should be no denying the improvement. Watch out for defensive end Myles Garrett; the sophomore is so similar to Jadeveon Clowney, it is scary. He is absolutely massive, has been dominant since he stepped on campus, and was a former five-star recruit. He should find ways to make an impact in this game. Outside of Hubenak, the Aggies will hope for big days from back Tra Carson and their talented bunch of receivers. Carson was perhaps the quietest Power Five 1,000 yard rusher, while true freshman Christian Kirk is an absolute weapon on the outside. Defensively, Louisville has been good all year long, but did struggle against elite competition. They certainly will try to keep the hands away from Kirk, Josh Reynolds and the rest of the Aggies' playmakers at receiver. Texas A&M has undeniably talent throughout their roster, but there are questions about the state of the program with an eye towards 2016. Unless Hubenak is secretly Johnny Manziel, or Myles Garrett and the defense smother Jackson and Louisville, the Aggies should finish off 8-5 for the second straight year.
Louisville, 31 Texas A&M, 21

National Funding Holiday Bowl, San Diego, @ Qualcomm Stadium (Dec. 30th, 9:30 pm CT on ESPN)
USC Trojans (8-5) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (9-3)

USC and Wisconsin are nearly complete opposites. USC has long been the flashy West Coast team, and has had a tumultuous 2015. From the pure disappointment of five losses to the wacky Steve Sarkisian situation, to still somehow winning the Pac-12 South. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is a grind-it-out program located in the dull Midwest, who quietly just kept winning under new head coach Paul Chryst, going 9-3. Now, the polar opposites will collide in a very intriguing Holiday Bowl. Perhaps just as impressive as the nine wins this season for the Badgers has been the fact they have done it mostly without back Corey Clement, who all but disappeared this season. The Badgers still feature a back that can make plays when needed in Dare Ogunbowale, but the rushing attack has really lacked this season by normal Wisconsin standards. Though, senior Joel Stave has been strong at quarterback, and the Badgers have showed a much more multidimensional passing game. It also helps they have the nation's top defense, letting up just 13 points per game. Linebackers Vince Biegel and Joe Schobert have been monsters, while Michael Caputo leads a strong defensive backfield. That defense will have to be up to the task against a Trojans' offense that can certainly move the ball. Quarterback Cody Kessler can chuck the ball all over the place, and he has plenty of tools to work with. Adoree' Jackson can literally do everything; from receiver to cornerback, to return specialist. No matter what he is doing, expect Jackson to be impressive doing it. JuJu Smith is another dangerous weapon, over at receiver. Not only is Smith a dangerous speedster, but he also is very powerful, with great size. Also, running back Ronald Jones has had a huge freshman year, coming out of nowhere to lead USC in rushing. On defense, expect USC to lean heavily on do-it-all Su'a Cravens. The former five-star prodigy will be playing in his final game at 'SC, and will hope to come out on top. A hard-hitter who is excellent in coverage, Cravens can dominate at either safety spot or even at outside linebacker, due to his ideal size. This game may feature complete opposites, but the motivation for both sides is certainly there. Both teams are stocked with seniors and juniors heading to the NFL hoping to go out in a big way. Meanwhile, Clay Helton is trying to prove he was the right choice for the Trojans, while Chryst is hoping to end his first year at Wisconsin with a bowl win. USC is crazy explosive and if Kessler can find some holes in the Badgers' secondary they should come out on top.
USC, 34 Wisconsin, 23

Bowl Picks 2015: Arizona Bowl, Texas Bowl

Malachi Dupre, LSU, Texas Bowl

NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, Tucson, @ Arizona Stadium (Dec. 29th, 6:30 pm CT on Campus Insiders)
Colorado State Rams (7-5) vs. Nevada Wolfpack (6-6)

The bowl season can create some interesting and exciting matchups. And, they can also produce some weird ones, like this battle between Mountain West foes. Colorado State, who went 7-5 in the first year of life after Jim McElwain, will square off with 6-6 Nevada. The Rams certainly missed the leadership of McElwain (who of course took the Florida job) and their offense also missed a number of key pieces. Though, receiver Rashard Higgins put on a solid encore to his breakout 2014-2015, with eight touchdowns and 933 yards. Nevada will also have to account for explosive Dalyn Dawkins out of the backfield and a growing-in-confidence Nick Stevens at quarterback. The Wolfpack have been solid defensively this year, but are still growing, which should make for an intriguing battle. On offense, Nevada will lean heavily on the services of back James Butler, who ran for 1,156 yards and eight touchdowns on the year. Butler is a dynamic weapon with excellent vision and burst. Colorado State is a decent run defense team, but if they aren't prepared they could find themselves in a tough matchup. Nevada is rather one-dimensional offensively though, as the passing game has lagged behind. Junior Tyler Stewart has had his moments, but still lacks consistency, while receiver Hassan Henderson is a great talent, but hasn't got the touches he needs to fully succeed. Overall this bowl appears to be a meeting of solid, if rather underwhelming teams. Both don't have any gaping weaknesses, and don't exactly have an overly special unit either. I'll give the nod to the Rams, who seem to have a more proven defense and a dangerous weapon like Higgins equipped on the perimeter.
Colorado State, 28 Nevada, 24

AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl, Houston, @ NRG Stadium (Dec. 29th, 8 pm CT on ESPN)
LSU Tigers (8-3) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-5)

Things can change amazingly quick in college football, and LSU this season is the perfect example. The Tigers were smack dab in the Playoff picture at the season's midway point, and it appeared Leonard Fournette was poised to run away with the Heisman. Then, the Alabama loss, and the bottom fell out. Though, LSU did stick with head coach Les Miles, and Miles will hope to instill back some confidence into the program with a bowl win over a good Texas Tech team. The Red Raiders recovered nicely from a disappointing 4-8 slip in 2014 by winning seven games this year (and nearly beating TCU). The main reason for their success has been the play of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who went off in Kliff Kingsbury's offense this season. He had 4,283 yards and 32 touchdowns and was pretty efficient, surprising considering he was in an air raid system. He will be joined by a great group of receivers, headed by Jakeem Grant, along with one of the nation's most underrated backs. Only because he plays in the TTU system, DeAndre Washington has been largely overlooked. But, he had 1,455 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season, and showed plenty of playmaking ability in the open field. LSU lost so much on the defensive side of the ball to the NFL Draft this past offseason, as they typically do. That, combined with the loss of John Chavis to Texas A&M resulted in a relatively pedestrian season, by LSU standards, on the defensive side of the ball. They still have a great crop of defensive backs, including corner Tre'Davious White and safety Jamal Adams. That secondary should hold up pretty well against the Red Raiders, which will put LSU in a good position. Texas Tech just plain doesn't possess any personnel on the defensive side of the ball to stop Leonard Fournette. Sure, Fournette slowed down significantly down the stretch but still ran for 1,741 yards and 18 touchdowns, and abused defenders on the way. Texas Tech is not a great tackling team, so they could be in real trouble. They will definitely try to force LSU to throw the ball in this one. Sophomore Brandon Harris has been improved this year, but still has a ton of work to do. He does have a number of weapons to work with, particularly Malachi Dupre on the perimeter (who had 602 yards and six touchdowns in a very limited attack). LSU's struggles late in the year have been troubling and Miles will enter 2016 with a burning hot seat. But, they have the better team in this bowl game, and could make a statement as they sneak a peek towards their future by beating down Texas Tech.
LSU, 30 Texas Tech, 20

Bowl Picks 2015: Military Bowl to Russell Athletic Bowl

Keenan Reynolds, Navy, Military Bowl

Military Bowl (presented by Northrop Grumman), Annapolis (MD), @ Jack Stephens Field (Dec. 28th, 1:30 pm CT on ESPN)
Pittsburgh Panthers (8-4) vs. Navy Midshipmen (10-2)

Although neither were major national stories, the success of both Pittsburgh and Navy were very surprising this season. Pitt won eight games in the first year of the Pat Narduzzi era, and stuck in the ACC Coastal race for much of the year. Meanwhile, Navy went 10-2, beating Memphis, and being in the American Athletic Conference race for a big chunk of the season. Now, both will hope to end their seasons on a high note in the Military Bowl. Just as surprising as the Panthers' overall success has been the fact they have done it without star running back James Conner. Conner tore his MCL early on and was expected to miss the entire year. Then, a rough year continued for him, as he was diagnosed with Hogkin's Lymphoma. The good news for both Conner and Pitt is that he has made his presence felt on the Panthers' sideline and helped the younger players. Running back Qadree Ollison has been a revelation in Conner's absence. He has 1,048 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year and while he doesn't have the pure power of Conner, he is excellent at finding holes on the defense. The passing game has also been solid, helped by senior Tyler Boyd, who has 873 yards on the campaign. Though, Navy has put out one of the nation's most underrated defenses, one that stifled a number of explosive AAC offenses. They should certainly be up for the task against Ollison, Boyd and more. On offense, Navy should be led by one of the best quarterbacks in college football history, one that has been criminally underrated. Senior Keenan Reynolds has run the Midshipmen's triple-option offense to near perfection throughout his time in Annapolis, but he was somehow not a Heisman finalist this year. Reynolds won't be asked to throw too much in Navy's offense but he has shown impressive accuracy. Though, his obvious strength is his speed, ball-carrying, and impressive awareness and feel of the game. Narduzzi led some great defenses when he was DC at Michigan State, so he will think of some creative schemes to tame Reynolds. The Midshipmen will also bring a number of other dangerous weapons in their backfield, including Chris Swain (909 yards, 10 scores) and bruising senior Quentin Ezell, who has six touchdowns on the season. This game could certainly turn into a nailbiter; both teams have similar strengths and both sides have plenty of motivation. Reynolds and Navy just might have a little bit more in the tank to get the job done.
Navy, 28 Pitt, 23

Quick Lane Bowl, Detroit, @ Ford Field (Dec. 28th, 3:00 pm CT on ESPN2)
Central Michigan Chippewas (7-5) vs. Minnesota Gophers (5-7)

The MAC has had surprising success against the much, much more prestigious Big Ten over the past couple seasons, and they hope to claim yet another victim in this battle. Central Michigan, who finished off 7-5 overall and 6-2 in MAC play, will have a shot to take down the 5-7 Minnesota Golden Gophers, whose offensive struggles led them to a disappointing campaign. A popular Big Ten West pick, Minnesota desperately missed running back David Cobb and tight end Maxx Williams, contributing to an offense that was nearly completely devoid of big plays. Though, QB Mitch Leidner seemed to find his stride in the second half of the year, and back Shannon Brooks has an extremely bright future. Both will hope to put up big performances against a good, but not great CMU defense. On the other side of the ball, the Chippewas will lean heavily on the services of quarterback Cooper Rush. Rush is among the nation's most underrated quarterbacks in the entire nation, accounting for 3,703 yards and 25 touchdowns through the air, while also showing the ability to scramble. The Gophers' strength on defense is their secondary, headed by possible NFL defensive backs Breian Boddy-Calhoun and Eric Murray. That should set up for a very interesting match up against Rush, who has found success against some very stout secondaries. The Gophers' rush defense should be in good hands, particularly considering that Central Michigan's leading rusher is Martez Walker, with just 373 yards on the year. Minnesota has found all sorts of ways to lose bowl games over the years, but they should be completely expected to beat Central Michigan here. If they can, new head coach Tracy Claeys could do something his extremely popular predecessor Jerry Kill was never able to do.
Minnesota, 27 Central Michigan, 21

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, Fort Worth (TX), @ Amon G. Carter Stadium (Dec. 29th, 1 pm CT on ESPN)
California Golden Bears (7-5) vs. Air Force Falcons (8-5)

What a weird and interesting ride it has been for Cal football this season. The Golden Bears, who were starting to show significant progress last year under head coach Sonny Dykes, began the year 5-0 behind the huge arm of rising NFL prospect Jared Goff. But, the defense was atrocious in the year's second half, and Goff had his struggles contributing to five straight losses after that. The Bears would finish off 7-5, but rifts between Dykes and the athletic department continued to be distractions. Although there were rumors Dykes might leave, he ended up agreeing to an extension. Now, Cal will hope to end a weird season on a high note, against a solid Air Force team. The Bears will still certainly rely on the big arm of Goff, who still put up crazy numbers, with 4,252 yards and 37 touchdowns. Turnovers have been a problem (like his five interceptions against Utah) but Goff can still go off on any given night, which is obviously a worry for the Falcons. Air Force will also have to contain a number of playmakers at receiver, led by deep threat Bryce Treggs (813 yards, six touchdowns). While Cal moves the ball through the air in Dykes' air raid style, Air Force is completely the opposite. Their offense is all about their triple-option, which has been very productive all year long, and a major reason why they won the Mountain Division in the Mountain West. Senior Karson Roberts has been terrific all year long. He has shown modest numbers through the air, understandable in this offense, but is second on the team in rushing with 674 yards and nine scores. The team's leading rusher, explosive Jacobi Owens, should also be in full force in this one, after rushing for over 1,000 yards on the year. California's defense slumped unbelievably bad in the second half of the year. It has never been particularly strong under Dykes, as the Bears have won many shootouts. Though, the Air Force offense is much different than anything they faced in the Pac-12, which could be a good thing or a very, very bad thing. Cal has had a lot of time to prepare, so there aren't a ton of excuses if the play poorly in this game. I'm not overly confident, but the Bears' rush defense has been strong enough to make me believe they can win a close one.
California, 33 Air Force, 31

Russell Athletic Bowl, Orlando, @ Citrus Bowl (Dec. 29th, 4:30 pm CT on ESPN)
North Carolina Tar Heels (11-2) vs. Baylor Bears (9-3)

Entering the year, there were questions about the state of the North Carolina football program. Although the program had never been any comparison to the school's basketball, it had been solid under Butch Davis and early on under Larry Fedora. But, the Tar Heels were coming off a disappointing 6-7 year, highlighted by a terrible defense. After a tough loss to rival South Carolina, UNC instead went on a tear, winning 11 straight and earning a trip to the ACC Championship. Even though they were screwed late in the game on a offsides call, it was still impressive what UNC accomplished all year long and in the game. They hope to continue their success against a Baylor team that had their season ruined by injuries. After a flaming hot start led by QB Seth Russell, Baylor saw him go down with a season-ending injury. Then, they found success with true freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham, only to see him go down. There was hope Stidham may be able to return for the bowl, but instead Art Briles will have to roll with his third-stringer Chris Johnson. Johnson will be without stud receiver Corey Coleman (who has played his last game at Baylor, after declaring for the 2016 NFL Draft) but will still at least have playmakers to help him. Johnny Jefferson and Devin Chafin can break open games at any moment, along with receivers K.D. Cannon and Jay Lee at receiver. And, while the 400-pound LaQuan McGowan may look comical at tight end, Briles did use him in their bowl loss a year ago. Though, the Tar Heels' defense has done a complete 180 from last season under former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik, their new defensive coordinator. Chizik has brought a disciplined defense to the table, one that can pressure the quarterback. Spencer Drango, Baylor's premier left tackle, along with the rest of the Bears' O-Line, with stopping the creative and deceptive blitzes Chizik comes up with. North Carolina has been potent at times offensively, led by senior QB Marquise Williams. Williams wasn't great in the ACC Championship game, but the veteran has a huge arm that has burned more than a few defenses. Baylor's secondary has been banged up as well, which only bodes worse for the Bears. The Bears will also have to stop rising sophomore Elijah Hood, who has been on fire at running back as of late for the Tar Heels. Ryan Switzer, a do-it-all receiver and specialist, is yet another playmaker they will have to counter. If Baylor was completely healthy, this one would be a heck of a game. It would be surely a shootout, and possibly an instant classic. But, it is hard for me to imagine Baylor winning with their third-stringer leading the offense, especially against a flaming UNC squad.
North Carolina, 42 Baylor, 27