College Football Preview 2018: 2. Oklahoma Sooners

2. Oklahoma Sooners

No Baker Mayfield, no problem; a bunch of other returning offensive weapons ensure the Sooners will not miss a beat

Marquise Brown

Offense: It can't be overstated how successful Oklahoma and Baker Mayfield were in his three seasons in Norman. The Sooners won the Big 12 each year, went to the Playoff twice and were awfully close to their first National Championship Game appearance in a decade. With that being said, the confidence surrounding new starting QB Kyler Murray is incredibly high. Murray originally began his career at Texas A&M as a five-star recruit and showed flashes of what he could do. However, he fell out of favor with the coaching staff in College Station before transferring to Oklahoma, where he has time to learn under Mayfield. Murray has impressive arm talent and lethal mobility, which should be quite the combo in Lincoln Riley's wide open offense. In limited action last year, he threw for 17 yards per attempt and had three touchdowns (21 passes thrown). It is a lot to expect Murray to come in and completely replicate Mayfield's impact, but the junior has all the tools to have a big season guiding this offense.

Murray shouldn't have to throw too much, as the Sooners return a stable of talented running backs, headlined by junior Rodney Anderson. Anderson split carries for most of 2017, but by the end of the year was the clear go-to guy in this backfield. He had a superb Rose Bowl game, with 201 yards and two scores against Georgia's stingy rush defense. He should be able to carry that momentum into 2018 and have a monster year. Sophomore Trey Sermon also returns as a change of pace option for Anderson. Sermon doesn't have Anderson's size, and relies more on his speed and elusiveness. True freshman T.J. Pledger could also see some action with junior Abdul Adams opting to transfer to Syracuse. Pledger is a four-star prospect from California who has the upside to be a workhorse back for this offense.

Riley and this coaching staff had plenty of fun with this talented group of receivers a year ago, and they have plenty to play with again in '18. Junior Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is as quick and explosive as they come in college football. The deep threat recorded 1,095 yards receiving, averaging nearly 20 yards per catch. He could do some serious damage against Big 12 defenses with Murray's arm. Sophomore CeeDee Lamb is also returning, after he added 807 yards and seven touchdowns. Lamb is not quite the proven deep threat Brown is but has an advantage in size and a wide catch radius. Junior Mykel Jones was buried behind more experienced options a season ago but could be a breakout candidate as the No. 3 receiver in this pass-happy offense. Oklahoma will miss Mackey Award winner Mark Andrews at tight end, who was essentially another receiver for this offense. Yet, sophomore Grant Calcaterra is a well-built tight end who should develop into a formidable red zone threat for this offense.

Mayfield also had the distinct luxury of playing behind one of the nation's best offensive lines last season. The Sooners aren't quite as loaded up front this year, but three starters return and there is a good amount of experience back. Seniors Ben Powers and Dru Samia are All-Conference candidates at the guard spots, with junior Bobby Evans set to move from right tackle to the left side. 

Its going to feel weird not having Mayfield on the sidelines this fall in Norman, considering the role he has played for this team the last three seasons. Yet, Riley is one of the best young offensive minds in the game, and he still has loads of talent at his disposal. It will be hard to match the nearly 580 yards per game (best in the country) the Sooners averaged a year ago, but this offense shouldn't struggle to light up the scoreboard.

Defense: The bigger questions for this Oklahoma team start where they have the last few years: on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops has made some strides with this Sooners' defense, but it still isn't quite at the level it needs to be for OU to win a National Title. It will be interesting to see if that will change this year, as the unit has a ton of talent but isn't very experienced.

The defensive front is going to be a strength, as a number of veterans return to a D-Line that was the strength of the defense a season ago. Defensive tackles Amani Bledsoe and Marquise Overton are key cogs in the middle that play a pivotal role in rush defense. They both should be able to put up productive seasons with plenty of game experience under their belt. Defensive end is the bigger question, where the Sooners must replace two starters. Junior Kenneth Mann has the talent to be a breakout star, but Stoops and this defense may have to lean heavily on some newcomers, including St. Louis product Ronnie Perkins.

Oklahoma will certainly miss outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, a fearless pass rusher off the edge who had 17 TFL and eight sacks last season. However, every other significant piece is set to return to the linebacker corps. Junior Caleb Kelly is a proven playmaker that will be used primarily in coverage thanks to his speed and athleticism, while sophomore Kenneth Murray may be the best defender on this entire team. Murray was forced into a key role early and didn't disappoint, finishing third on the team in tackles with 68, along with earning Freshman All-American honors. Middle linebacker is a concern, without a clear-cut starter. Sophomore Jon-Michael Terry saw the bulk of the snaps in the spring.

The Sooners' pass defense was porous in 2017, ranking 87th in the country with 238 yards allowed per game. Amazingly, this was third best in the Big 12, showing just how pass-happy of the league the conference is. The good news is the cornerback spot should be in good hands, with veterans Parnell Motley and Tre Norwood both back and set to return to starting gigs. However, true freshman Brendan Radley-Hiles could fight for starting snaps right away. The talented defensive back out of California had a superb spring after early enrolling, and he has a bright future. Safety isn't quite as clear of a strength for this team. Senior Khalil Haughton is the only senior expected to play heavy snaps in this secondary, and he'll be asked to be a leader. Depth is also a concern, as youth abounds heavily on the two-deep in the defensive backfield.

It will be interesting to see whether Stoops and the rest of this staff can engineer some improvement on defense. There is a good amount of returning experience, and the rush defense could actually be very good if the front seven stays healthy. The X-factor will be the secondary, which allowed too many big plays in 2017. If it takes a step forward, it becomes very hard to imagine anyone overtaking the Sooners in the Big 12.

Special Teams: Having a consistent kicker and punter is a luxury for any coach, and Lincoln Riley enjoys just that in senior Austin Seibert. Seibert was 17 for 21 on field goals last year and was also highly productive as the team's punter. He is fifth in OU history in career field goals made entering his final year. 

After longtime head coach Bob Stoops stepped down just weeks before the start of the 2017 season, the Sooners seemed to actually get better under Lincoln Riley. The young head coach opened up this offense even more, and he continues to recruit very well. 2018 should be a great opportunity for an even better encore; the offense has the chance to be just as dangerous, and perhaps more versatile with the ground game set to become more of a focus. On the other side of the ball there are holes, but enough experience and playmaking potential for Oklahoma to be just fine. The schedule could be tricky; the opener with Florida Atlantic is scary, and the defense will get tested early against Chip Kelly and UCLA a week later. Even so, I enter this season very confident in the Sooners. Even in the wide-open Big 12 which has had parity for a long time, the Sooners look set to win their fourth straight league title. If Murray really is as good as some think, a National Title berth may not be out of the cards either.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 12-1 (8-1 Big 12, Win Big 12 Championship Game)

Offensive MVP: RB Rodney Anderson

Defensive MVP: LB Kenneth Murray

Breakout Player of the Year: QB Kyler Murray 

College Football Preview 2018: 3. Alabama Crimson Tide

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

A QB controversy and rebuilding defense still won't stop Alabama's quest for a fifth straight Playoff appearance

Tua Tagovailoa

Offense: The most talked-about quarterback competition in the entire country rages on, as head coach Nick Saban is yet to name an official starter between junior Jalen Hurts and sophomore Tua Tagovailoa. Hurts has been instrumental in two straight National Championship Game berths for the Tide, but this looks like Tua's job to lose as the opener against Louisville approaches. Tagovailoa looked wonderful in mostly garbage time before a now legendary performance against Georgia in the 2017 Championship. He isn't quite the runner Hurts is, but he is a much better passer and has looked more in command of the offense. The hype surrounding the Hawaiian-born Tagovailoa is palpable, as many preseason prognosticators view him as a Heisman favorite, and one of the best quarterbacks in the country. That is a lot to ask from the sophomore, but the rocket-armed gunslinger seems up to the challenge.

That quarterback question has overshadowed some of the other impressive pieces Alabama returns to this offense, which averaged over 37 points per game in 2017. The running back situation is ideal, as the Tide bring back a proven veteran in Damien Harris and a budding star in Najee Harris. Damien has rushed for two straight 1,000 yard seasons and is as well-rounded a tailback as they come. Meanwhile, Najee was a former five-star recruit who showed enough last season (370 yards, three touchdowns) for people to be very excited about his potential. Josh Jacobs and Brian Robinson combined for over 400 yards a year ago despite not seeing a ton of touches and both return, giving Saban and co-offensive coordinators Josh Gattis and Mike Locksley an abundance of backs to toy around with.

The Crimson Tide should also be well-stocked at receiver, as last year's young group continues to grow and mature. Calvin Ridley will be a major loss, as the NFL-bound wide out had 63 receptions and nearly 1,000 yards, but a trio of sophomores appear ready to breakout. That trio includes Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III, all who had their moments in the spotlight in '17. Jeudy looks like he will be the go-to guy after 14 catches for 264 yards last year. Jeudy has elite-level upside with his explosiveness and massive catch radius; he could be in store for a huge year with Tagovailoa's arm. Smith and Ruggs meanwhile, should also take major steps forward in their second seasons in Tuscaloosa. Smith had the game-clinching touchdown grab in the National Championship and remains a potent deep threat, while Ruggs is an extremely reliable option that finds holes opposing defenses. This is still a very youthful group, but I'm very excited about this group of receivers. By the end of the year, this could be Saban's best group of wide outs he has ever assembled with the Tide. At tight end, senior Hale Hentges and junior Irv Smith Jr. return, giving this offense even more weapons to work with. Hentges is a superb run blocker that should open up lanes down the field, while Smith flashed serious playmaking potential as a pass-catcher in 2017, and should be even better with more snaps under his belt this year. 

Even with the dangerous weapons this offense has on the outside, we are still going to see plenty of old-fashioned Alabama football: lining up and running between the tackles behind a powerful offensive line. This O-Line has the chance to be very good, as four starters are back, and depth returns throughout the unit. Junior left tackle Jonah Williams is considered the most appealing NFL prospect, but guard Lester Cotton and center Ross Pierschbacher are ready to battle for All-American honors. Junior Matt Womack is the other returning starter, while sophomore Alex Leatherwood and junior Dallas Warmack have seen a healthy dose of snaps and will fight to get on the field.

Alabama under Saban has never really been a team that has leaned on their offense and needed them to score tons of points, but this group is different. If Tua is as good as he's looked in small sample sizes and the receivers can mature, this offense could be absolutely terrifying for opponents. There is speed, power and experience throughout the lineup, and if utilized correctly, this could be the best offense ever under Saban in T-Town.

Defense: That offense will have to play well, because the defense has the most questions it has had in a long time. Not only do the Tide lose eight starters from last year's squad, they lose defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and other important members of the staff. New coordinators Pete Golding and Tosh Lupoi will have their work cut out for them, but this is Alabama, and plenty of impressive talent still remains.

The likely strength of the 2018 defense will be the front seven, and the defensive line in particular. Defensive ends Isaiah Buggs and Raekwon Davis are both returning, and both look ready for monster seasons. Davis had 69 tackles, 10 TFL and eight sacks last year despite not being 100 percent to begin the season. The junior is an aggressive, physical edge rusher who just finds ways to make plays. He is going to be an All-American this season. Buggs is not quite as big as Davis but is another impactful defender that can create chaos (51 tackles in 2017). Sophomore Quinnen Williams can play at end, but the Tide will likely feature him at nose tackle, as they are thinner there. Williams is not yet at Davis or Buggs' level as a defender, but he might have more upside than either of them. Add in youngsters LaBryan Ray and Stephon Wynn Jr., who will find ways to get on the field, and this group is loaded.

Alabama reloads at linebacker as well as anybody out there, consistently losing them to the NFL and simply replacing them with the next in line. That appears to be the case entering 2018, as the Tide were gutted by the NFL at the position, and yet should still be very strong. Junior Mack Wilson and sophomore Dylan Moses aren't technically returning starters, but both have seen enough action in their careers that they should be ready to start. Wilson is among the hardest-hitting players in the entire country and the rangy defender is ready to become the next great Alabama inside 'backer. On the outside, the Tide also return aplenty, namely junior Anfernee Jennings and Terrell Lewis, both healthy after an injury-riddled 2017. The gem of this year's recruiting class, highly touted end/linebacker Eyabi Anoma should also be able to make an impact as a reserve. Anoma, who 'Bama went up into Baltimore and stole, has all the tools to be an absolutely dominant pass rusher.

The biggest concern for the defense is at secondary, where Alabama was hit especially hard by NFL defections. There is still some returning experience here, but youngsters will also have to step up and play important roles. Cornerback appears to still be in good hands with juniors Trevon Diggs and Saivion Smith ready to enter starting jobs. Diggs, the younger brother of NFL wide out Stefon, has played a decent time amount over the last few years and has flashed serious potential. Smith, on the other hand, was a former high profile recruit who transferred out of LSU. He is untested at this level, but all the tools are there for him to be dominant. Patrick Surtain Jr., a five-star newcomer from Florida, should also compete for snaps immediately at cornerback. Junior Deionte Thompson is the only safety who has seen significant playing time, which is worrying. Thompson is a rock-solid defender who should start at strong safety, but free safety is up for grabs. Sophomores Daniel Wright and Xavier McKinney have battled into fall camp for the starting job.

Golding and Lupoi have their work cut out replacing all the NFL talent the Tide lost this spring, but they have the luxury of a defense spotted with former four and five-star recruits to work with. The defensive line is going to be very destructive and the linebackers should be able to develop into something strong. The secondary is really going to be the X-factor; there is talent there, but so much of it is completely untested. However, if the pass defense does grow up quickly, another Top 10 defense should be in the works for 'Bama.

Special Teams: For all the success Nick Saban and Alabama have had, kicker continues to be one of their biggest weaknesses, as they've lacked consistency at the position for some time. They'll be breaking in a new one this season, with redshirt freshman Joseph Bulovas the favorite to start. The Tide will also sorely miss punter J.K. Scott, who was a Ray Guy finalist in his final season.

It speaks to Nick Saban and his ability to adjust and retool that Alabama won their fifth National Title in nine years in 2017 despite a rash of injuries and a completely one-dimensional offense. Saban once more stares down some challenges with this 2018 edition, but the tools are also there for another highly successful year from college football's top dog. The offense should open up more and be very fun to watch, with a number of rising stars ready to show what they can do. On defense, there is some rebuilding needed to be done, but there is still potential and starpower everywhere. And then, there is the schedule, which is the most favorable it has been in some time. The opener with Louisville, who will be starting post-Lamar Jackson life in that one, looks like a surefire victory and the Tide get their biggest challenger in the West, Auburn, at home. There are enough holes to make me hesitant about picking the Tide to win yet another title under the leadership of Saban, but this team still looks like a serious contender. An SEC Title and fifth straight Playoff trip seems like the likely end result in Tuscaloosa.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 12-1 (7-1 SEC, Win SEC Championship Game)

Offensive MVP: RB Damien Harris

Defensive MVP: DL Raekwon Davis

Breakout Player of the Year: WR Jerry Jeudy

College Football Preview 2018: 4. Wisconsin Badgers

4. Wisconsin Badgers

While the Big Ten East powers beat themselves up, the Badgers use their same old formula to earn program's first Playoff berth

Alex Hornibrook

Offense: Its not much of a secret what has been missing for some time in Madison: consistent quarterback play. With the exception of one season of graduate transfer Russell Wilson, the Badgers have lacked any QB that can consistently get the ball down the field and really open things up offensively. Entering 2018, however, the Badgers believe they finally have found the one thing they've lacked for some time in the form of junior Alex Hornibrook.

Hornibrook did have some major ups-and-downs in his first full season starter in 2017. He did throw for 2,644 yards and 25 touchdowns, but also struggled with turnovers, tossing 15 interceptions. Yet, the way Hornibrook played down the stretch has Wisconsin fans very excited. The lefty signal-caller threw four touchdowns against a good Miami defense in the Orange Bowl and has looked confident during the spring and early in fall camp. If he can cut down on those turnovers, Hornibrook could put together the best season by a Badger QB since Wilson.

Even if Hornibrook does take some big steps forward, head coach Paul Chryst and OC Joe Rudolph will still lean on the run early and often, in typical Wisconsin fashion. Sophomore Jonathan Taylor came out of nowhere and ended up rushing for 1,977 yards, the most ever by a freshman at the FBS level. A former three-star recruit who was once signed to play at Rutgers, Taylor proved to have excellent vision, a good feel for the offense and tremendous burst in the open field. He won't sneak up on people the way he did in '17, but a big encore should still be expected from Taylor. He is going to rack up plenty of carries playing behind the country's best offensive line. It is hard not to imagine him being a serious competitor in the Heisman race. Wisconsin will also feature junior Bradrick Shaw and Pittsburgh transfer Chris James heavily this season. Many (including me) assumed Shaw would be the feature back last season before Taylor's breakout. He ended up with 365 and four scores as a backup, a role he should play well once more this season. James is a nice change of pace option that should also see a healthy dose of action.

A good collection of receivers returns to Madison, another reason why many think Hornibrook will have a highly successful campaign. The main feature is junior Quintez Cephus, who led the team with six touchdown receptions despite missing the second half of the year. Yet, Cephus' future is in question at the moment. Just recently, he announced he would take a leave of absence from the team, due to an unspecified incident that occurred in April. As of publishing, Cephus' status for the start of 2018 is not clear, but it is expected we will see him at some point this year. Junior A.J. Taylor and sophomore Danny Davis are going to need to step up if Cephus is going to miss significant time. Taylor is a versatile playmaker that can go long every time he touches the ball, but he must work on developing consistency. Meanwhile, Davis showed flashes of stardom last season and could end up being quite the breakout star. The Badgers will surely miss All-American tight end Troy Fumagalli, who acted as Hornibrook's security blanket this past year. Yet, the position is still in good hands, as senior Zander Neuville and junior Kyle Penniston are sure-handed options in the passing game.

Wisconsin reloads on the offensive line as well as anybody in the country, and they are stacked there to enter 2018. All five starters are returning to a group that was pivotal in Taylor and this offense's success a year ago. The right side of the unit is particularly strong, with All-American candidates in tackle David Edwards and guard Beau Benzschawel. Junior Jon Dietzen is likely to move back inside to guard after starting last season at left tackle, leaving that position searching for a new starter, likely sophomore Cole Van Lanen.

With the exception of Fumagalli, nearly every major piece from last year's offense returns, which is an exciting development for the Badgers. Taylor and the ground game will almost surely be among the nation's best, but Hornibrook is the player to watch. If Wisconsin's offense becomes more balanced and lowers their turnover total, it could be among the most efficient and effective in the Big Ten.

Defense: While the offense brings back a ton, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has to do a little bit of rebuilding on the defensive side of the ball. Leonhard, a former Badger safety himself, managed to construct a Top 5 defense a season ago despite a rash of injuries at linebacker; he should be able to be creative in creating another top-notch group. 

The defensive line was hit hard, particularly at end, by graduation over the off-season. Senior nose tackle Olive Sagapolu is the only starter back, and he is an important one. Sagapolu is not going to get much recognition, but the veteran is a space-eater up front and underrated at getting after the quarterback (three sacks in 2017). At end, junior Garrett Rand and sophomore Isaiahh Loudermilk looked ready for expanded roles in the spring, but depth is a concern beyond them. 

The heart of the defense lies at linebacker, which is still in great shape. Senior T.J. Edwards shocked more than a few people when he decided to stay another year in Madison despite serious NFL interest. Edwards was a huge playmaker for this defense a year ago, with 81 tackles, four interceptions and seven pass deflections. Leonhard will allow him to roam free and make plays all over the field for this defense, which will be fun to watch. Seniors Ryan Connelly and Andrew Van Ginkel are important supporting characters. Connelly actually led the team in tackles last season (with 88) and has a real nose for the football. Van Ginkel proved to be quite the edge rusher in a reserve role in 2017, but should be ready to do more damage as a starter this season. Van Ginkel had six sacks in '17. Unlike the defensive line, depth is not a concern here, with a number of rock-solid veterans still remaining in rotational roles. Junior Chris Orr and the gem of this year's recruiting class, Illinois product Jack Sanborn, should see plenty of snaps.

If there is a serious issue on this defense it could end up being the secondary, which is very thin in some areas. The biggest question mark is going to be at cornerback, where Wisconsin will sorely miss Derrick Tindal and Nick Nelson, two superb cover corners. Sophomores Madison Cone and Dontye Carriere-Williams are sure to see plenty of action, as is newcomer Donte Burton. Unfortunately, that trio is going to need significantly more help from the Badgers' safeties, because none are polished as man coverage corners just yet. The good news is that senior D'Cota Dixon is still around, and is almost surely going to be the leader of this secondary. Dixon is a little undersized, but makes up for it with incredible instincts and great tackling form. He should be an All-Big Ten defender in his final season on campus.

Wisconsin has been one of the nation's elite defenses for some time now, and still don't expect that to change despite some of their losses. Edwards, Sagapolu and Dixon give this group a proven veteran core to build around, and Leonhard's aggressive blitzing should take some pressure off the secondary. It might not be able to hold opponents to 13.9 PPG (third nationally) this season, but UW should still be awfully stingy and tough to move the ball against.

Special Teams: Senior Rafael Gaglianone returns for his final season with the Badgers after a bounceback 2017 in which he knocked down 16 of 18 field goals. He will be joined by veteran punter Anthony Lotti, who made strides last season as a sophomore. The return game will miss Nick Nelson and Derrick Tindal, forcing somebody else to step up.

Paul Chryst has done a superb job since taking over at Wisconsin and now looks to be equipped with his best team. The offense is still going to be run-heavy, but the return of Hornibrook and some dangerous weapons at receiver should make it much more balanced, making it even more difficult. On defense, there are going to need to be some adjustments made, but there is still a lot of veteran experience returning, and the Badgers develop talent as well as anybody in the conference. There is no team in the Big Ten West that seems to have a realistic chance at overtaking the Badgers this year, but two cross-division road games against Michigan and Penn State will be awfully tall tasks. Even so, the Badgers are my pick to represent the Big Ten in the Playoff. All the tools are there on this roster, and the East Division could beat itself up, with four teams with significant Playoff aspirations. If Wisconsin does get there, they'll have to find a way to put points on the board; no Big Ten team has scored in the Playoff since Ohio State won it in 2014.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 12-1 (8-1 Big Ten, Win Big Ten Championship Game)

Offensive MVP: RB Jonathan Taylor

Defensive MVP: LB T.J. Edwards

Breakout Player of the Year: WR Danny Davis

College Football Preview 2018: 5. Georgia Bulldogs

5. Georgia Bulldogs

Last year was no fluke; Kirby Smart is building a potential superpower in Athens

Jake Fromm

Offense: Prior to 2017 if you had told any Georgia fan they would go 13-2 and make the National Championship Game, they would assume sophomore QB Jacob Eason, a former five-star recruit, had just put together a breakout season leading the Bulldogs. Yet, in reality it wasn't Eason at all but backup Jake Fromm who had the breakthrough year. After Eason went down with injury, the true freshman stepped in and delivered, looking like a multi-year veteran as he finished with 2,615 yards and 24 touchdowns. Eason has since transferred, leaving the sophomore as the likely starter, although five-star newcomer Justin Fields could make things interesting. If Fromm can continue to grow as a downfield passer and play smart football, which he did for much of 2017, he has a legit claim as one of the top signal-callers in the SEC.

Fromm will likely have to take on a larger role than the 19 pass attempts he averaged last season, due to the fact UGA loses their top two rushers, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Both entered with each other as freshmen and left as seniors, putting together illustrious Georgia careers. The pair combined for 2,572 yards and 21 touchdowns last year, leaving head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinators Jim Chaney and James Coley with plenty of production to replace. However, sophomore D'Andre Swift looks like the next in a long line of superb UGA running backs, after notching 618 yards on just 81 attempts (7.6 YPC). Swift is much more explosive than either Chubb or Michel and a better receiver than the pair, but it may be a lot to ask for him to completely replace the combo. The good news is that he will be helped by a running back committee that still includes Elijah Holyfield and Brian Herrien, two rock-solid veterans. That trio should be more than enough for UGA to once again be one of the best running teams in the SEC and college football as a whole, even if highly touted freshman Zamir White won't be able to join them, as he tore his ACL in fall camp. 

Georgia has a good core of underrated receivers, which includes senior Terry Godwin and junior Riley Ridley. Godwin is their most sure-handed option, as the veteran hauled in 38 receptions for 639 yards and six touchdowns a year ago. Meanwhile, Ridley is the most likely breakout candidate on the outside, as the younger brother of former Alabama star Calvin played well down the stretch in 2017. Smart and staff got a huge addition this off-season, when Cal transfer Demetris Robertson first announced he was transferring to Georgia, then was ruled eligible. Robertson earned Freshman All-American honors in 2016 after managing 767 and seven touchdowns before missing most of 2017 with injury. Fully healthy and ready to go, some UGA fans believe the big play Robertson is the missing piece to a Championship team. The Bulldogs should also be well-equipped at tight end, where junior Isaac Nauta, another former high-profile recruit, looks ready to finally have a breakout season.

Up front, Georgia will have the benefit of returning most of their offensive line, with the only major loss being NFL Draftee Isaiah Wynn. Seniors Kendall Baker and Lamont Gaillard are two of the best interior blockers in the country, and should clear massive running lanes for Swift and company. A pair of freshmen, Cade Mays and Jamaree Salyer, both big gets for the Georgia staff, could compete for playing time right away.

Even without Chubb and Michel to lean on, this Georgia offense has the chance to be very special. Swift and the rest of the running backs should be able to keep the ground game potent, while the aerial attack has the chance to be the best it has been in some time. Kirby Smart is a defensive-minded guy, but he has done an excellent job creating a Championship-level offense, something that shouldn't be overlooked as he enters Year 3 in Athens.

Defense: There are some heavy losses on the defensive end for Georgia, but the way Smart and this staff has recruited, it should be able to reload and still be among the best in the SEC.

The defensive line could end up being the backbone of this defense, as a number of contributors are returning. Senior Jonathan Ledbetter has had a lot of off-the-field issues that have overshadowed what he can actually do on the football field, but he hopes to have put that all behind him. The veteran pass rusher had 38 tackles and 5 TFL in 11 starts a year ago. Junior defensive tackle Tyler Clark is also back after a highly productive 2017 where he proved to be one of the better interior linemen in the conference. However, UGA seems most excited about his likely partner at tackle, junior Julian Rochester. Rochester is another former high profile recruit still trying to fulfill his vast potential, but rumors out of Athens is that he has looked great in the spring and in fall camp. It looks like if Rochester is ever going to break out, this could be the year. 

While the line has a number of veterans returning and solid overall depth, the linebacker corps is in a clear rebuilding stage. They must replace four starters, including inside linebacker Roquan Smith, whose 137 tackles and 14 TFL earned him the tenth spot in Heisman voting and a first round NFL Draft selection. Senior Natrez Patrick is the only projected starter that has seen hefty snaps, but he has also battled off-the-field problems. With that being said, the Bulldogs will likely lean heavily on the senior in run support, and he'll have to step up. Both outside linebacker positions will be interesting to watch, as a number of reserves from last year are facing incoming recruits for starting gigs. Sophomore Walter Grant and senior D'Andre Walker played well in a rotational role last season, and Georgia hopes they are able to step into larger roles. Walker is especially talented as an edge rusher, coming off a year in which he managed five sacks. The veterans will have to fend off a number of highly touted newcomers, including explosive OLB Adam Anderson and hybrid end/linebacker Brenton Cox.

In the secondary, the Bulldogs also have veteran experience, but will still hope others can step up. Senior corner Deandre Baker is considered by some as the best cornerback in the conference, as the shut-down defender is coming off a year in which he had three interceptions and nine pass deflections. Teams will most likely throw away from Baker as much as possible, putting some pressure on sophomore Mark Webb and junior Tyrique McGhee, the favorites to start at the opposite corner slot. At safety, UGA brings back steady veteran J.R. Reed, a hard-hitting strong safety that does a lot of things well. Paired with rising sophomore Richard LeCounte, Georgia could actually be pretty versatile and rangy on the back-end. Another youngster to watch: cornerback Tyson Campbell arrives from Florida with plenty of fanfare. Some believe he can compete for big-time snaps right away, considering how thin they are at corner.

Considering that Georgia lost a ton of production and leadership from last year's group, it is hard to imagine this defense not taking a step backward in 2018. Yet, Kirby Smart has a little bit of experience reloading a defense that was hit hard by NFL defections, considering he did it on a yearly basis while at Alabama. The real key will be the linebacker situation; if Patrick and Walker emerge as leaders and some of the young guys play important roles as reserves, this defense should still be very strong, and continue to hang with the best the SEC has to offer.

Special Teams: Having a consistent kicker can be key for teams with National Title aspirations, and the Bulldogs happen to have just that in junior Rodrigo Blankenship. Blankenship was 20/23 on field goals last season, and showed just how big of a leg he had, making two 50-plus yard field goals in the postseason. Punter will be a slight concern without any clear-cut starter returning, but Mecole Hardman ensures the return game will be as scary as ever.

Georgia made the jump from a middle-of-the-pack SEC East team to a National Championship team a year ago, but it didn't feel like a fluke whatsoever. Kirby Smart has come into Athens and proven he can recruit at a high level and develop that top-notch talent. The Bulldogs are starting to resemble Alabama every single day, but this season will be telling for UGA. Are they at the level where they can lose over 2,500 yards of rushing and eight starters defensively and still be a Playoff team? They have the talent to do just that, but there are likely to be some growing pains in 2018. The good news is that the schedule is pretty light, and they are still the clear favorite in a rebuilding SEC East. If Fromm can continue to grow and the defense finds some answers, a second consecutive Playoff berth could certainly be in the cards for Smart and company.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 11-2 (7-1 SEC, Lose in SEC Championship)

Offensive MVP: QB Jake Fromm

Defensive MVP: CB Deandre Baker

Breakout Player of the Year: RB D'Andre Swift

College Football Preview 2018: 6. Washington Huskies

6. Washington Huskies

They look like the clear favorite in the Pac-12, but Jake Browning will decide whether this team is ready to seriously challenge the nation's elite

Myles Gaskin

Offense: Washington's 2016 offense was one of the best in school history, as the Huskies averaged nearly 42 points per game, eighth nationally. That group took a step back in 2017, as UW missed wide out John Ross' game-breaking speed on the outside. The good news is that most of the significant pieces from that '17 offense are returning, including a veteran quarterback.

That veteran QB is senior Jake Browning, who has started 39 games in his Washington career. Browning enters 2018 with something to prove; after being a Heisman finalist and Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in '16, he was just an honorable mention pick in the league. He had 2,719 yards and 19 touchdowns, both numbers down significantly from the year prior. Browning has the arm strength and feel for the game to be an elite-level QB, and there is no denying how good of a team this is when he plays at that level. He could well be the difference between this team being a ten-win team, and them winning it all.

Running back is in good hands, as the Huskies bring back senior Myles Gaskin, who is on the verge of becoming Washington's all-time leading rusher. Gaskin isn't going to run anyone over, but he is a quick, shifty athlete that proved last year he could lead this offense, with 1,380 yards and 21 touchdowns on the season. Sophomore Salvon Ahmed impressed as a true freshman last year, and should see more action this season as an electrifying playmaker.

Despite a productive season from Dante Pettis (63 catches, 761 yards), the Huskies definitely missed John Ross in 2017. Ross stretched the defense vertically, which opened up a ton of different things for this offense. Now, UW must deal with replacing Pettis, putting a ton of pressure on this maturing receiver group. The hope is senior Chico McClatcher can rebound after suffering a broken ankle last year, or junior Aaron Fuller takes a major step forward. There is also hope the top prize of the 2017 recruiting class, Marquis Spiker, can make an instant impact. Spiker has game-breaking speed and has the look of a star receiver at this level, but he will need time. Sophomore tight end Hunter Bryant should provide a bright spot. Bryant quietly had 331 yards receiving last year and proved he could stretch the field, averaging 15 yards per catch. If he can take a step forward and some combination of McClatcher/Fuller/Spiker emerge, this unit should be able to replicate Pettis' impact.

The offensive line is going to be very good, as four starters return to a group that played very well towards the end of '17. There is loads of veteran experience, headed by the two tackles, seniors Trey Adams and Kaleb McGary. McGary was All-Pac-12 a year ago and remains one of the premier pass blockers in the conference, while Adams is hoping to regain his 2016 form after missing half of last year with a knee injury. Junior center Nick Harris and senior guard Jesse Sosebee are also returning.

Even without a clear-cut No. 1 receiver at this juncture, Washington's offense looks like one of the Pac-12's top units entering 2018. There is a ton of experience at every level, and good overall balance between the run and pass. Head coach Chris Petersen and this offensive staff should have plenty of fun trying new and unique things with this group.

Defense: Playing in the high-scoring Pac-12, Washington's defense often gets ignored. That shouldn't be the case in 2018, as this side of the ball has all the tools to be very dominant, particularly on the back-end.

UW will definitely miss high NFL Draft selection Vita Vea on the defensive line, but they should still form a formidable pass rush. Senior Greg Gaines is an All-Conference talent that should really take over in Vea's absence. The veteran has played 33 games at nose tackle, and knows how to be disruptive in this conference. Junior end Benning Potoa'e is a rock-solid pass rusher that drew good reviews coming out of the spring, but the starting spot left by Vea is still up for grabs as fall camp continues.

The Huskies had one of the nation's best rush defenses (fourth in total yardage) in 2017, thanks not only to Vea and Gaines' work, but the rangy linebacker corps. Seniors Tevis Bartlett and Ben Burr-Kirven are two of the better linebackers in the conference, a pair of smart, athletic defenders. Burr-Kirven led the team in tackles a year ago with 84, while Bartlett proved to be more of a blitzer, with 12 TFL. Washington's staff is very excited about newcomer Ale Kaho, a five-star recruit out of Las Vegas. A lot of people expect the true freshman to see snaps right away, perhaps even vie for a starting spot at outside linebacker, even though he is more natural on the inside.

2017 was a rebuilding year for Washington's secondary, as they had to replace three NFL Draftees in Budda Baker, Sidney Jones and Kevin King. It was rebuilt just fine, and now has a chance to be pretty special. Sophomore cornerback Byron Murphy went from a star on the scout team to a key cog in the back, picking off two passes and deflecting seven passes despite dealing with injuries. He will be aided by two veterans, junior Austin Joyner and senior Jordan Miller at that cornerback position. This defense often lines up with five defensive backs on the field, which should be very helpful in getting UW's talent in the secondary on the field, including safeties Taylor Rapp and JoJo McIntosh. Rapp is perhaps the most important defender on the team, a rangy defender who knows how to make the big play.

Washington allowed just 16.1 PPG and under 300 yards per game in 2017, both in the Top 10 nationally. They did that with a secondary that was retooling heavily and a front seven that wasn't incredibly deep. With both those things looking much improved entering '18, this defense should certainly be one of the elite nationally again.

Special Teams: Maybe the biggest question mark on Washington's entire team is placekicker, where they were just 13 of 22 (59%) on field goals in 2017. Sophomore Van Soderberg is the favorite to win the job, but he was just 1/3 last year and needs refinement. Punter should be in good position with junior Joel Whitford back, and the return game has a number of weapons.

Following the highs of the 2016 that included the program's first ever Playoff berth, 2017 felt a little bit disappointing in Seattle. Considering they still won ten games and played for a Fiesta Bowl, that should say something about how much Chris Petersen has elevated the program. Last year's disappointment should also serve as motivation for this 2018 squad, which could be the best Petersen has had since arriving here. There is experience at every single level throughout the offense and defense, and few clear weaknesses. The X-factor has to be Browning; if he can regain his 2016 form this Huskies team has more than enough to win the conference and seriously compete for a National Title. Yet, if Browning again has a year like 2017, this Washington team should still be good, but not yet ready to compete on a national stage. The September 1st opener against Auburn in Atlanta should give us a pretty good indication of which UW we'll see in 2018.

Team Projections
Projected Record: 11-2 (8-1 Pac-12, Win Pac-12 Championship)
Offensive MVP: RB Myles Gaskin
Defensive MVP: S Taylor Rapp
Breakout Player of the Year: TE Hunter Bryant

College Football Preview 2018: 7. Michigan Wolverines

7. Michigan Wolverines

They face a brutal schedule, but the addition of Shea Patterson should finally awake this slumbering offense

Karan Higdon

Offense: Michigan endured some of the worst quarterback play in the entire country last season, ranking 111th in the country in pass offense. Veteran Wilton Speight went down with a back injury early on in 2017, leaving the offense to John O'Korn, who had a rough year. Brandon Peters came on as a redshirt freshman and looked like he had potential, but he struggled with injuries. This off-season, Speight transferred and O'Korn graduated, leaving Peters as the last remnants of the position, which may not such a bad thing. 

That QB position got even more interesting this spring, when Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson was ruled eligible. Patterson was a five-star recruit with the Rebels who showed flashes, but suffered an injury halfway through 2017. He is taking advantage of an NCAA rule allowing any Ole Miss players to transfer anywhere without sitting out the year, per their sanctions. Many Michigan fans feel like the rocket-armed, athletic Patterson is finally the savior to their recent quarterback woes. There is no denying Patterson's talent, and he will have plenty of help. He will be aided be a revamped coaching staff that now includes Ed Warriner and Jim McElwain, two great offensive minds that should get the best out of him. However, I wouldn't count Peters out of this quarterback competition just yet; it is going to be an extremely intriguing battle to keep an eye on.

Even if Patterson is the savior at QB, Jim Harbaugh will still run the football quite a bit. Harbaugh is equipped with a deep backfield with a number of different skill sets. Senior Karan Higdon is the feature back with 994 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago, and could be even better. Higdon isn't very physical, but is incredibly shift and potent when he gets the ball in a little bit of space. Junior Chris Evans should see plenty of action, after adding 685 yards a season ago. Evans is a superb receiver out of the backfield, so expect to see the Wolverines try some different things with him to try and jolt the offense. Christian Turner, a four-star newcomer, is a guy Harbaugh could utilize as well, after Michigan managed to keep him away from a number of SEC schools in his home state of Georgia.

Michigan lacked experience and depth at wide out last season, another major contributor to their offensive pains in 2017. This group should be much better in 2018, with a number of breakout candidates ready to emerge. The most likely No. 1 guy is going to be sophomore Donovan Peoples-Jones, who has limitless potential. Peoples-Jones was a five-star recruit who came in with plenty of fanfare and had some moments, but finished with a quiet 22 receptions and 277 yards. The addition of Patterson changes things, as the new signal-caller's huge arm is a perfect fit for Peoples-Jones' blazing speed and home run ability. Fellow sophomore Tarik Black could also have a huge season after missing most of 2017. Through the first three games Black looked like the Wolverines' best receiver, but he lost the rest of the season to a broken foot. At 6'3" with terrific agility, Black looks like he could be quite the playmaker. Senior Grant Perry and junior Kekoa Crawford will be an ideal supporting cast. Perry is their most veteran receiver and was proven he can move the chains for this offense. Tight end should be a huge strength, as UM is equipped with juniors Sean McKeon and Zach Gentry, who combined for over 600 receiving yards a season ago.

It will be interesting to see how Michigan's offensive performs this season. It has been a sore spot for the team for some time, but there is some talent returning. Junior left guard Ben Bredeson looks like he can step up and be the leader, and the veteran has earned national respect, making it on to the Outland Trophy (nation's best interior linemen) watch list. Senior right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty is also a key returnee, but the left tackle spot is a major concern.

Is this the best offense Harbaugh has had since arriving in Ann Arbor? On paper, Patterson throwing to Black and Peoples-Jones on the outside with Higdon busting up the middle sounds like it is, but there are some concerns here. Patterson will need to time to develop chemistry with the young receivers, and learn a tough offense. The O-Line also needs to prove it can hang with the best the physical Big Ten has to offer. With that being said, this offense at the very minimal should be able to create some more big plays than last year's group, and is overall much more versatile.

Defense: Patterson and the offense are going to get plenty of deserved attention, but the real backbone of this Michigan team is going to be the defense. The Wolverines were decimated by the NFL Draft prior to 2017, and yet still had the country's best pass offense and third best overall defense in yardage. Now, eight starters return, and there is some really intriguing talent set to play larger roles.

Harbaugh and staff got a late Christmas present when defensive end Chase Winovich announced he would return for his senior season in early January. Winovich's tenacity and power attracted a lot of NFL attention, as did his 19 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. His return almost guarantees this defensive line is going to be special, but he isn't the only supreme talent on it. Junior Rashan Gary is the former national No. 1 recruit, and he has had his moments in limited time with the Wolverines. Now likely to start at the end spot opposite of Winovich, people are expecting big things. He has All-American talent, and had 11.5 TFL in 2017. Up the middle, the Wolverines bring back a number of veterans, including likely starters Bryan Mone and Michael Dwumfour. Sophomore Aubrey Solomon is another former high-profile recruit who looks ready to do some serious damage. He had 16 tackles as a reserve last season, but has bulked up and looks ready to go. If he is able to step up and Gary fulfills his vast potential, this D-Line is terrifying and comparable to some of the best in the country.

The linebacker corps is stacked as well, led by All-American inside linebacker Devin Bush. Bush emerged as a do-it-all, intelligent defender early on in 2017 and finished with 95 tackles, five sacks and seven pass deflections. He is a key cog in run support but his athleticism also allows him to be one of the country's top coverage linebackers. Junior outside linebacker Khaleke Hudson offers plenty of support for Bush, and he could have a huge year. Defensive coordinator Don Brown is known for aggressive blitzing, and Hudson could be his top weapon in that aspect, after the veteran had 16 tackles for loss last season. Michigan will miss Mike McCray at the other outside linebacker spot, but sophomore Josh Ross has huge upside and looks ready to take over the starting job.

This is going to be an absolutely lockdown secondary, as all four starters are coming back to a pass defense that allowed just 150 yards per game in '17, the best in the entire nation. Juniors Lavert Hill and David Long are typical Harbaugh cornerbacks; they are physical and superb in man-to-man coverage, giving this defense some serious bite. Senior free safety Tyree Kinnel is another important face back, as he had 66 tackles and two interceptions last year. There is some fascinating young talent to keep an eye, including sophomore corner Ambry Thomas, who will find a way to get on the field.

This defense is going to be terrific this season, without any real weaknesses to point to. They have stars at every unit and depth and experience throughout, not to mention one of the game's top coordinators in Brown. It could certainly make the case as the best defense in the country.

Special Teams: Even though he had some ups-and-downs, placekicker Quinn Nordin still finished 19 for 24 on field goals last season and is now returning. If he can get more consistent, he has the leg strength to be among the best in the conference. Donovan Peoples-Jones is going to be a factor in the return game, as he returned one punt to the house a year ago.

People are quick to criticize Harbaugh and his success at Michigan, where he is 1-5 against their two main rivals OSU and MSU and has yet to finish higher than third in the East, but this 2018 team looks like his best yet in Ann Arbor. The defense is so talented top to bottom, and it could get even better if some of the younger guys fulfill their potential. That will allow this offense time to figure things out and grow into what could be a pretty good group. If there is one thing not to like about this team it is their schedule, which may be the toughest in college football. Not only does UM have to deal with the Big Ten East, possibly the toughest division in college football, it gets Nebraska and Wisconsin from the West and Notre Dame in the non-conference. Yet, the schedule also allows them some wiggle room; if they impress enough and still find a way to win the conference they could theoretically still impress the Playoff Committee enough to make the four-team field. That's a real possibility but my most likely bet? The Wolverines survive the East, but come up short in the Big Ten Championship, still a fine result for a team that lost five games a year ago.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 10-3 (7-2 Big Ten, Loss in Big Ten Championship)

Offensive MVP: RB Karan Higdon

Defensive MVP: LB Devin Bush

Breakout Player of the Year: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones

College Football Preview 2018: 8. Ohio State Buckeyes

8. Ohio State Buckeyes

Urban Meyer's future is completely unclear, but the Buckeyes' talent level keeps them afloat in the Big Ten East

Parris Campbell

Offense: For the first time since 2014, Ohio State will not have J.T. Barrett under center. There is no denying Barrett's ability to win in Columbus and he will be missed, but many Ohio State fans are actually excited about the prospect of a new signal-caller. Barrett left a little bit to be desired as a passer at times and was never incredibly consistent. The hope is sophomore Dwayne Haskins can learn quickly and showcase his astounding arm talent. Haskins did face some resistance for the starting job at first, but redshirt frosh Tate Martell is too raw, and veteran Joe Burrow transferred to LSU. He is not super experienced, but people have long raved about Haskins' talent, and he looked superb against Michigan a season ago.

With Haskins still learning and figuring things out, the Buckeyes should lean heavily on the ground game early and often. That could well be the strength of this entire team, as budding star J.K. Dobbins returns, along with rock-solid Mike Weber. Dobbins took advantage of Weber's ill health to have a booming arrival 2017's opener, notching 181 yards against Indiana. Dobbins finished with 1,403 yards on the season, and looked like he was just getting started. It isn't unreasonable to think he can become a serious Heisman favorite, especially if he improves his touchdown numbers (seven a year ago). Weber is no slouch either, with 626 yards and ten scores in '17, proving to be quite the force in short yardage situations. The combo should be the Big Ten's best and one of the most fearsome in the entire country, particularly if Weber stays healthy.

Ohio State is still searching for a clear No. 1 receiver entering 2018, but there are a good list of candidates. Junior K.J. Hill has emerged as a well-rounded wide out with plenty of upside, although he needs to get stronger and more aggressive. Junior Austin Mack and senior Terry McLaurin are two other receivers sure to get plenty of targets, with McLaurin really emerging as a deep threat down the stretch last year. Then, there is senior Parris Campbell who fill the H-back role, a spot resided for Urban Meyer's most explosive athletes (ahem, Percy Harvin) and a hybrid runningback/receiver role. Campbell had 584 yards receiving last season and averaged over 13 yards per carry. Tight end is a concern without a proven playmaker returning, but junior Rashod Berry looks like he is about ready to breakout.

The offensive line won't have things easy entering 2018 without their unquestioned leader, All-American Billy Price. With that being said, the Buckeyes should still be a formidable force in the trenches, with senior Isaiah Prince and junior Michael Jordan back. Jordan, in particular, looks like he has the most upside out of anybody in this talented group. Senior guard Demetrius Knox is another veteran blocker back with significant experience. 

Life without J.T. Barrett is going to be different, but Ohio State's offense should prove to be awfully potent in 2018. Haskins has the potential to be something special, although there will be some huge growing pains. That should only mean more reliance on a ground attack that will be among the best in the country. That is an awfully huge advantage to have for a team losing a four-year starter.

Defense: It was a weird off-season for Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, who was set to become Tennessee's next head coach before a Twitter mob descended and essentially blocked the hire. It isn't a bad consolation prize for Schiano to return to Columbus and continue leading a Buckeyes defense stocked with future NFL talent. He will aided by the addition of co-DC Alex Grinch, who did a superb job leading Washington State's vastly improved defense the last few years.

Schiano and Grinch have the luxury of possessing one of college football's best defensive lines, which will constantly be causing chaos in opposing backfields. Junior end Nick Bosa is the big-time returnee to the group; the younger brother of former OSU star Joey, Nick won Big Ten Defensive Linemen of the Year in 2017 with 8.5 sacks and 16 TFL. Bosa will likely see constant double teams in '18, but he has the high motor and explosive first step to still be a major force. Up the middle, juniors Dre'Mont Jones and Robert Landers are slated to start at the tackle spots. Jones is a skilled pass rusher with significant upside, while Landers will keep the rush defense (which was sixth-best nationally a year ago) top-notch. Then, there is sophomore Chase Young, who is set to have a huge campaign. In very limited action last season, Young had 2.5 sacks and showed he could really pressure the quarterback. With Sam Hubbard off to the NFL, Young is now likely to start and he isn't dampening expectations, saying he expects himself to manage at least ten sacks. 

That D-Line will have to play well, because the linebacker situation is not very good. Sophomore middle linebacker Tuf Borland is the only player back with much experience, but suffered an Achilles injury in the spring and will miss a big chunk of time. Borland will be a pretty tough player to replace, as he had 58 tackles last season, but sophomore Baron Browning has shown flashes and should be able to lock down the MLB spot until Borland returns. Neither outside linebacker starting job is set in stone, although there is talent. Junior Malik Harrison has potential to evolve into a real dangerous edge rusher but is still learning, while sophomore Pete Werner looks like the favorite on the other side.

Ohio State has become a factory of defensive back talent over the last few seasons, with six defensive backs being taken in the last four NFL Drafts. Don't expect that trend to halt this season, as the Buckeyes are loaded with talent on the back-end. Juniors Jordan Fuller and Damon Arnette are the real veterans of the unit, with Arnette the No. 1 cornerback and Fuller starting at strong safety. Arnette will be joined by a cornerback group with experience and significant upside. Alabama transfer Kendall Sheffield is a talented veteran, but youngsters Shaun Wade or Jeffrey Okudah could start over him. Okudah in particular has OSU coaches very excited, as the sophomore already has proven his insane athleticism and impressive ball skills. 

Bringing in Grinch from Washington State was a huge get for Meyer and Ohio State. The 37-year-old is an innovative mind who specializes on the secondary, which should really help the immense talent there come out in full force. Add in the returns of Bosa, Jones, Young and a healthy Borland and this Buckeyes' defense shouldn't miss a beat from the unit that allowed just 19 PPG last season, 15th in the nation.

Special Teams: This is going to be a real strength for this Ohio State team, as they return their kicker and punter, along with a number of return weapons. Placekicker Sean Nuernberger was very important to get back for his senior season; he was 17 for 21 on field goals last year. Parris Campbell and Mike Weber are very dangerous on kick returns.

Prior to a couple weeks ago, Ohio State was my pick to win the Big Ten and be the representative from the conference in the Playoff. However, the Urban Meyer situation, which is still ongoing at the time of publishing, changes the narrative quite a bit. Even if Meyer is not removed from his post, the drama resulting from it could be quite a large distraction for this team, which already has a number of things they need to figure out. Taking a look at the Buckeyes' schedule is also pretty concerning. Ohio State will have a scary neutral site test with TCU in Arlington halfway through September, then must deal with road trips to Penn State and Michigan State once they start Big Ten play. It wouldn't surprise me if Meyer comes back with a vengeance, Dobbins becomes a Heisman favorite and Haskins is terrific, which would likely result in a great season. With that being said, there are just too many questions at this point for that to be the case. Right now, they look like a really talented team that should contend for the Playoff, but sits on the outside looking in.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten)

Offensive MVP: RB J.K. Dobbins

Defensive MVP: DE Nick Bosa

Breakout Player of the Year: DE Chase Young

College Football Preview 2018: 9. Miami Hurricanes

9. Miami Hurricanes

Last year's sour ending should leave this Miami team incredibly motivated, and the Coastal Division is theirs to lose

Travis Homer

Offense: It will be interesting to see how head coach Mark Richt and offensive coordinator Thomas Brown handle Miami's quarterback situation entering 2018. Fifth-year senior Malik Rosier is returning, but there are a wide number of people who think the incumbent starter could be replaced. Rosier started off last season strong before struggling mightily down the stretch, completing just 44.9% on the Hurricanes' three-game losing streak to end the year. He also had 14 interceptions over the course of 2017, and needs to show he can control the offense with confidence.

If Richt and staff do choose to go in a different direction than Rosier, redshirt freshman N'Kosi Perry is the likely consolation. Perry has impressed coaches with his arm strength and mobility, but is still very raw in the finer points of the game. Four-star newcomer Jarren Williams has also drawn rave reviews, but handing the reigns to a true freshman over senior veteran seems unlikely. 

No matter what direction the Hurricanes do go surrounding the QB position, they now they have a strong running back to take some pressure off. Junior Travis Homer took over the reigns for the injured Mark Walton early on and didn't disappoint, finishing with 966 yards and eight touchdowns on the year. True to his name, Homer is a home run threat who can score every time he touches the ball. He also remains a solid receiver out of the backfield, giving this Miami offense a really helpful spark at times. Sophomore DeeJay Dallas made some noise in a backup role last season and could do much the same in 2018, but more people are excited about true frosh Lorenzo Lingard. Lingard is a local star out of Orange City, Florida, and is widely considered one of the top backs in the entire country this 2018 recruiting class. He could immediately get big-time usage as a change-of-pace weapon behind Homer.

Receiver also doesn't seem like a huge concern for the Hurricanes, thanks in large part to the healthy return of junior Ahmmon Richards. Richards was an absolute monster in 2016, earning Freshman All-American honors and finishing with the most receiving yards from a freshman ever in UM history. Unfortunately, he had a knee injury late in the year that really killed this Miami offense. Now hopefully 100 percent and a little bit beefed up, this could be a Biletnikoff Award candidate. Junior Lawrence Cager and sophomore Jeff Thomas should be effective supporting characters, with Cager likely to emerge in the red zone, where is size advantage will be the most important. At tight end, the 'Canes bring back Michael Irvin II, who obviously has the lineage to really be a star. But, new freshman Brevin Jordan comes all the way from Las Vegas and has big-time potential.

 The O-Line could be a concern, although there is some healthy experience returning. Senior left tackle Tyree St. Louis should really be the leader, with another veteran, Tyler Gauthier, locking down the interior. The right side of the unit looks to be a little bit thin, which could come out down the stretch in a long year.

Miami's 2017 offense was right around the middle of the pack with in scoring and yards per game, so I envision a spike up entering this season. They should be much more healthy throughout this group, and Richt and staff brought in some really exciting new freshmen. 

Defense: Miami instantly caught fans' attention with their "Turnover Chain", a flashy piece of jewelry given out to the defender who created a turnover. This defense seemed to feed off that energy, and was a huge reason Miami was +13 in the turnover margin, fifth best in the entire country. It is likely the Chain will make a reappearance in 2018, and likely be broken out quite a bit.

Up front, DC Manny Diaz should unleash junior defensive end Joe Jackson, who seems ready to become a star. Jackson led the team in sacks (with 6.5) and played with a constant edge all year long. Sophomore Jonathan Garvin will be coming in from the other side, giving opposing quarterbacks plenty of nightmares. Senior tackle Gerald Willis will be a huge run stopper, likely eager to get back on the field after sitting out last season. 

The Hurricanes have some serious ups-and-downs leaning on a trio of three current juniors in Michael Pinckey, Shaq Quarterman and Zach McCloud. With plenty of ACC action now under their belt, the three should assert themselves as one of the best linebacker groups in the nation, if they haven't already, considering some of the astounding things they did in '17. Quarterman, the middle linebacker, was pivotal in run defense, with 83 tackles. Pinckney and McCloud focused more on getting after the quarterback and causing chaos in opposing backfields. Its reasonable to be super excited about this trio's ceiling together this year with their talent and comfortability in this system.

Diaz and Richt should also feel very comfortable about their secondary, which has some veteran leaders and some interesting young talent. Senior safety Jaquan Johnson is the main force, but senior corner Michael Jackson also plays a huge role. Johnson led the team with 96 tackles last year and added four interceptions, while Jackson consistently took on the best wide outs the ACC had to offer and shut them down. Senior Sheldrick Redwine is also returning after a strong 2017 campaign (59 tackles, six pass deflections), while sophomore Trajan Bandy looks like a budding star. Bandy had 25 tackles and one INT (which he took to the house) as a reserve last year, and should move into a starting role at the corner spot opposite of Jackson.

Once again, Miami should play a swarming, aggressive brand of defense under the tutelage of Diaz. The defensive line has proven it can wreak havoc, the linebackers are experienced and versatile and the back-end should be flying all over the place. This should be one of the best defensive teams in the conference, and the D should be a huge reason why Miami proves to be the team to beat in the ACC Coastal.

Special Teams: The 'Canes will almost certainly miss the services of kicker Michael Badgley, who graduated after hitting 17 of 23 field goals last season. His likely replacement is freshman Bubba Baxa, who has potential, but is obviously unproven at the FBS level. The return game will also sorely miss utility man Braxton Berrios, although Jeff Thomas proved he could make guys miss a year ago.

Even though their 10-0 start got slightly overshadowed by a three game skid to end the year, Miami's 2017 was a massive success. The 'Canes won the ACC Coastal, playing in their first ever ACC Championship Game, played in an Orange Bowl, and were one of the most talked about teams in the sport. It won't be an easy act to follow up, but this Hurricanes team has the chance to be even better. There is a ton of depth and experience up and down the two-deep, and playmakers at nearly level. The real X-factor will be QB play; if Rosier can cut down on turnovers and play better down the stretch this team is a legitimate National Title contender. If he doesn't, Miami looks more like a solid, fringe New Year's Six Bowl team. Even so, UM looks like the clear-cut favorite in a Coastal Division that is down this season, and should return to the ACC Championship Game, at the very least.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 10-3 (6-2 ACC, Lose in ACC Championship)

Offensive MVP: WR Ahmmon Richards

Defensive MVP: S Jajuan Johnson

Breakout Player of the Year: CB Trajan Bandy

College Football Preview 2018: 10. Auburn Tigers

10. Auburn Tigers

The SEC West is as perilous as ever, but great QB play and a deep defense keeps the Tigers in conference title conversation

Jarrett Stidham

Offense: After a slow start to 2017, former Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham turned things on at quarterback, finishing the year with 3,158 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was especially good in the big game, playing terrific football in upsets of two No. 1 teams, Georgia and Alabama. Stidham got some NFL interest but decided to return to Auburn for his junior season. With a huge arm, terrific poise and a confidence about him, you could certainly make the argument Stidham is the best signal-caller Gus Malzahn has had as head man at Auburn. That gives the Tigers a significant advantage they haven't had at times: a strong, stable passing attack.

Helping out what should be a potent aerial game will be senior Ryan Davis, who broke the schools' single-season reception record with 84 last year. Davis is small in stature, allowing him to exploit holes in defenses, and he possesses excellent burst. He should have another productive campaign catching throws from Stidham. Juniors Darius Slayton and Nate Craig-Myers are also returning as quality options. At tight end, the Tigers are hopeful a pair of little-used veterans, senior Jalen Harris and junior Sal Cannella can step up. The two combined for just four catches in 2017, but they are established blockers.

Gus Malzahn and Auburn have always been able to find quality running backs, which they will have to do this season with the departure of Kerryon Johnson. Johnson was an absolute workhorse for the Tigers, finishing the season with 1,391 yards and 18 touchdowns, good enough for ninth in Heisman voting. The expectation is that junior Kam Martin will now see the bulk of carries, and should have a breakout season. Martin managed 453 yards a year ago and while he doesn't possess Johnson's power, he is much more dangerous in open space. Two newcomers, Harold Joiner and Asa Martin, both come from inside the state and could see some early action.

If there is a concern on this offense it is the offensive line, which watched as four starters graduated this off-season. Junior right guard Mike Horton is the only returnee with significant starting experience, although there is real talent throughout this group. Left tackle Prince Tega Wanogho did see a good amount of playing time in '17, and should also be an anchor to this unit.

Auburn averaged 33.9 PPG last season, which was fourth in the SEC and 25th nationally. They managed that despite scoring just six points against Clemson and one lone touchdown versus Georgia in the SEC Championship. If they can rid themselves of some of that inconsistency, they are going to be very, very good. The O-Line will have to be figured out, but Stidham, Davis and Martin is a strong enough core for Malzahn to work his magic.

Defense: In the early years of the Malzahn era on the Plains, defense was simply an afterthought to what the Tigers could do offensively. That was certainly changed, as Auburn possesses a deep, stingy group of defenders headlined by one of the nation's strongest defensive lines.

The defensive front is led by three established veterans, juniors Marlon Davidson and Derrick Brown, along with senior Dontavius Russell. Davidson is their most natural pass rusher coming off the edge, but Brown and Russell's impact should not be understated in the interior. Russell is an elite run stopper that knows how to win in the brutal SEC, while Brown has the upside to be an absolute monster. Add in sophomores Nick Coe and T.D. Moultry, who are battling it out for a vacant end spot, and this pass rush is fast, athletic and lengthy. By the end of the season, I don't think it is going to sound crazy saying this is the best front seven in the SEC, a conference known for the talent it produces there.

Senior Deshaun Davis is the key cog back to lead the linebacker corps, which has a ton of depth. Davis is the team's top returning tackler after racking up 82 last year, but he can also get after the quarterback, with four sacks in '17. Two other seniors, Montavius Atkinson and Darrell Williams, are the slated starters at the outside linebacker positions. Expect defensive coordinator Kevin Steele to let these linebackers roam all around the field and even rush the QB pretty often.

Contrary to the front seven, Auburn's secondary isn't loaded with a ton of proven experience or depth, but this unit could still be fairly strong. The cornerback position has got to be considered a strength, with juniors Jamel Dean and Javaris Davis back. The pair is physical, confident and aggressive, which they'll need to be in the hard-hitting SEC. Another junior, Jeremiah Dinson, is also returning to fill the starting role at free safety. It will be interesting to see whether this group can force more turnovers in 2018, something they really struggled at a year ago. The Tigers had just six interceptions last season, likely a major reason why they were 71st nationally in turnover margin.

With all the fireworks Stidham and the offense will likely produce, the defense should be the real guiding force on this team, especially once conference play begins. The front seven is so nasty and the back-end has enough potential to imagine this being a Top 10, perhaps even Top 5 unit in the country.

Special Teams: It is a new day for Auburn at kicker, where they must replace the program's all-time leading scorer, Daniel Carlson. They will simply turn to his younger brother, Anders, as their placekicker. Anders has a huge leg, but the freshman obviously lacks the experience of his older brother. The return game is led by Ryan Davis, who is trying to break Auburn's spell of not being able to return a punt or kick for a touchdown, something they haven't done in over thee years.

Auburn was an weird, fascinating team a year ago who beat two No. 1s and looked like one of the country's clear-cut best teams, but also had a number of moments where they came out flat or uninspired. This team should have more consistency, thanks in large part to a stable QB situation and a defense that is only getting better. However, the real test to see whether this team really can take the next step forward is in their opener, where they square off against the Pac-12 favorite, Washington. A win there and the Tigers look like a lock to win 10-plus games and be firmly in the Playoff chase. A loss, and they enter a brutal conference slate of games (which includes a road trip in the Iron Bowl) already with one loss, likely dooming a return to a New Year's Six Bowl.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2 SEC)

Offensive MVP: QB Jarrett Stidham

Defensive MVP: DT Derrick Brown

Breakout Player of the Year: RB Kam Martin

College Football Preview 2018: 11. Penn State Nittany Lions

11. Penn State Nittany Lions

Losing do-it-all Saquon Barkley hurts, but Trace McSorley should be able to keep PSU in the Playoff hunt

DeAndre Thompkins

Offense: Penn State's offense has been among the most explosive in the Big Ten the last two seasons, but there are some significant changes entering 2018. Chief among them is the loss of running back Saquon Barkley, who accounted for 23 total touchdowns (including special teams) and was a Heisman frontrunner for a decent chunk of last year. The Nittany Lions also have to deal with the loss of offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead, who took the Mississippi State head coaching gig. Moorhead engineered a massive turnaround of the unit when he arrived prior to 2016, leaving new play-caller Ricky Rahne with big shoes to fill. Despite these losses, there is ample back on this side of the ball for PSU to still be pretty potent.

The big returnee to the unit was senior quarterback Trace McSorley, who returns for his third season as starter. McSorley is small in stature but is a big-time playmaker, throwing for 3,750 yards and 28 touchdowns. Moorhead loving to throw deep, and it will be interesting to see whether Rahne uses the veteran QB the same way. Either way, McSorley is one of the best in the conference, and should put up pretty impressive numbers in his final season in Happy Valley.

McSorley should also have the distinct advantage of throwing to a group of receivers that are extremely talented. The No. 1 option at this point has to be junior Juwan Johnson, who morphs defensive backs with his size, 6'4", 230 pounds. Johnson will be joined by senior DeAndre Thompkins, who is more of a possession receiver that does his damage in space. The pair combined for over 1,000 yards receiving last season. Junior Brandon Polk looks like he could be the guy in this group ready to breakout. Polk has shown flashes, but he hasn't got the targets to make a huge difference. He'll get significantly more in 2018, and should be able to showcase his blazing speed and agility. Big things are expected of another wide out, newcomer Justin Shorter. Shorter has the size, route running ability and athleticism to be an absolute beast. It wouldn't be too surprising to see him make a big impact in his first season with the Lions. The tight end position will have to be figured out, as All-Big Ten talent Mike Gesicki is gone.

Filling Barkley's shoes completely will be near impossible, as the playmaking back accounted for nearly 33 percent of Penn State's yards in 2017. Yet, junior Miles Sanders seems ready to become this team's feature back. Sanders was a former high profile recruit who has shown serious upside in the short moments we've seen him. He could explode onto the scene, with senior Mark Allen adding a solid weapon as a backup.

The offensive line should help out Sanders and this maturing ground game, with four starters returning. Center Connor McGovern is the real anchor of the group, with a chance to earn All-Conference honors in his junior season. 

It is easy to expect Penn State to possibly take a slight step back from the 41.1 PPG they averaged in 2017, as Moorhead and Barkley have played such pivotal roles in this team's success. However, McSorley has all the tools to step up and lead the impressive talent head coach James Franklin has assembled. It should still be one of the best in the Big Ten, and perhaps in the country.

Defense: There are more questions on the other side of the ball, where coordinators Brent Pry and Tim Banks must rebuild a group that was very good in '17. Just two starters are back, defensive end Shareef Miller and linebacker Koa Farmer, but this unit does have plenty of potential.

Miller will play an important role as the leader of a youthful defensive line. Miller has proven he can get after the quarterback, with five sacks and 11.5 TFL a year ago. It isn't unreasonable to think teams might double team him, opening up lanes for this team's other pass rushers. Juniors Keith Windsor and Kevin Givens aren't super inexperienced, as they saw a healthy dose of action as backups last year. They appear to likely be the starters at the heart of this D-Line. Franklin seems to like the freshmen he brought in here, and they could make an early impact, particularly tackle P.J. Mustipher and end Jayson Oweh.

Despite the return of Farmer, who has been a longtime contributor to this defense and is now a senior, the linebacker corps is incredibly thin. Penn State has been touted as "Linebacker U" for their long-running ability to develop the position, which they hope holds true in '18. Junior Cam Brown is the likely starter on the opposite of Farmer at outside linebacker, but middle linebacker is very unsettled. This group was so thin high profile newcomer Micah Parsons was moved from end to Will outside linebacker, where he spent the spring. Parsons is a real special talent, and it seems like he should be able to see plenty of snaps.

The defensive backfield is going to be fascinating to watch. All four starters depart, including All-Big Ten safety Marcus Allen, but there is still some experience and depth. Allen really is a massive loss, as he recorded 71 tackles and was really the heart and soul of the back-end of this defense. Sophomore Lamont Wade has impressed coaches during his time with the Nittany Lions, and he could step up and replace Allen. The cornerback situation is actually fairly good, with senior Amani Oruwariye and junior John Reid returning. Oruwariye saw lots of snaps last year and showed he could hang with Big Ten receivers, while Reid was a starter in 2016 before losing last season to injury.

There are going to be some real growing pains on this defense, and not a lot of proven depth. With that being said, there is some still good experience in some places, and Miller and Farmer should be able to step up as leaders. If some youngsters can learn quickly, this could still be a good, likely not great, group.

Special Teams: The Nittany Lions have a possible All-Big Ten candidate returning at punter in junior Blake Gilikin who has a career average of 43 yards per punt, second in school history. The same can't be said at placekicker, where PSU where there are a group of walk-ons fighting for the job, which is far from promising.

Many considered James Franklin on the hot seat entering 2016, but he has cooled things down with two consecutive New Year's Six Bowl berths. Now, the big question is whether this program has the continuity to overcome some real heavy losses on both sides of the ball. Having a veteran QB who knows how to win in the Big Ten will be critical, but the Nittany Lions may have to lean on some unproven talent in some areas. Despite this, the schedule is very favorable, even if PSU has to play in the Big Ten East, which has four teams with serious Playoff aspirations. It may be tough for this to be the year the Nittany Lions get over the top and into the four-team field, they still look like a threat. Another New Year's Six Bowl seems like a real possibility for Franklin and staff.

Team Projections
Team Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Offensive MVP: QB Trace McSorley
Defensive MVP: DE Shareef Miller
Breakout Player of the Year: WR Brandon Polk