It’s back. College football starts today, and the NFL season is right around the corner. I’ve never been more excited for college football, mainly because I barely covered games last season. Today’s schedule isn’t the prettiest, however. College GameDay is broadcasting live outside the Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia for the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge between Alcorn State and North Carolina Central. All eyes should be on the Nebraska-Illinois matchup, which is the most anticipated matchup for Week 0.
To begin season two of Saturday Selections, I will pick every FBS conference champion (with a runner up and a sleeper pick). I’ll make picks for the college football games leading up to a loaded Labor Day Weekend, my top three candidates for the Heisman Trophy, and my picks for the College Football Playoff, which seems to be staying in its original 4-team format.
So, without further ado, here are my picks:
Conference Picks:
Conference USA: Marshall over UAB
I’m taking Marshall to win the Conference USA Championship over defending champions UAB because the Thundering Herd want payback. Marshall returns nine starters on offense and four on defense. What will boost them possibly even into the Top 25 some weeks is their offense, led by C-USA Freshman of the Year and quarterback Grant Wells. UAB has won two of the last three championships, and I think a rematch of last year’s battle would be must-see TV. UAB nearly returns their entire starting group, the best-case scenario for the defending Conference USA Champions.
My sleeper pick is Louisiana Tech. Picked to finish third in the West Division, the Bulldogs are severely underrated, with one of the best defenses in the conference. The linebackers are the best in the Conference USA, and their secondary got a boost. I’m worried about their offense, however. Louisiana Tech’s offense was not impressive last year. If they can shake that off, Louisiana Tech might win the conference.
MAC: Ball State over Buffalo
Buffalo’s back seven is the strongest in the MAC, and the running part of their offense doesn’t fall apart entirely after Jarret Patterson left for the NFL. Ball State looks to go back-to-back, which would be the first time since Northern Illinois won back-to-back MAC Championships in 2011 and 2012. The Cardinals return 20 starters, 10 on both sides. Last year, they finished ranked 23rd in the nation. Running back Kevin Marks will be the game-changer for the Bulls, while Ball State’s linebackers Christian Albright and Brandon Martin highlight one of the best defenses in the MAC.
My sleeper pick is Western Michigan. The Broncos have one of the top defenses in the MAC, highlighted by Ali Fayad, Ralph Holley, and AJ Thomas. They were selected to finish third in the West Division. Watch out for the Broncos.
Sun Belt: #22 Coastal Carolina over #23 Louisiana
I’m going with Coastal Carolina because they return lots of their starters in the preseason all-conference team. The Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year is Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall, who passed for 2488 yards (19th in FBS), 26 touchdowns (t-10th in FBS), and only 3 interceptions (t-21st in FBS). He’s a threat in the air and on the ground, rushing for 569 yards and 7 touchdowns on 111 attempts. The Chanticleers also have the best tight end in the conference with Isaiah Likely, and the top defensive line in the Sun Belt. The Ragin Cajuns have the more difficult schedule, with games lined up at Texas, at Liberty, and home against Appalachian State. Levi Lewis could contend for the best quarterback in the conference, so I’d like to see a QB battle between Lewis and McCall. Bralen Trahan is the best safety in the conference and could be the best in the Group of 5.
My sleeper pick is Georgia State. They have 12 players with preseason all-conference honors, and Destin Coates is on the Doak Walker Watch List. They have a tough schedule, but that means they are battle-tested once they face Sun Belt opponents.
Mountain West: Nevada over Boise State
The Mountain West has been competitive over the years, and this upcoming season is no different. Boise State is the favorite, but Nevada has one of the best quarterbacks in the Group of 5 in Carson Strong. Strong passed for 2858 yards (11th in FBS), 27 touchdowns (9th in FBS), and only 4 interceptions. Scrambling is an issue, but if they limit that, Nevada could win the conference with ease. Strong will be throwing to Romeo Doubs, projected to be the top receiver in the Mountain West, and Cole Turner, who’s supposed to be the best tight end in the conference. Boise State will have the best offensive line, with two linemen selected to the preseason all-conference team. If quarterback Hank Bachmeier is healthy all season, Boise State should cruise their way to winning the Mountain Division. Nevada’s front seven on defense looks terrific, but their schedule gets tough, with visits to Cal, Kansas State, and Boise State. It should be a great season in the conference, nonetheless.
My sleeper pick is San Diego State. I would go with defending champion San Jose State, but they’re supposed to finish second, while the Aztecs were selected to finish third in the division. San Diego State has a tough defense, which means for lots of low-scoring games for them this season. Their offense has to improve for them to sneak into the title game because it didn’t show up last season.
American Athletic Conference: #8 Cincinnati over UCF
The Bearcats were the best Group of 5 team in college football last season, and they are looking to do the same again this season. Watching Cincinnati compete with Georgia in the Peach Bowl showed that they are here to fight with every single team in college football. Their biggest loss will be offensive lineman James Hudson, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in April. Desmond Ridder is back at quarterback, Ahmad Gardner will continue to lock up whoever he’s guarding, and Myjai Sanders will continue to bring the pressure. The Bearcats have tough games this season, with away games against #17 Indiana and #9 Notre Dame, and a home battle with UCF. I’m excited to see the QB showdown between Desmond Ridder and Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel passed for 3570 yards (5th in FBS), 32 touchdowns (4th in FBS), and only 4 picks (t-35th in FBS). Former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn takes over as head coach of Central Florida. I’m eager to find out his impact in Orlando.
My sleeper pick is Memphis. They were picked to finish fifth in the AAC Preseason Poll, which I think is disrespectful for a team that went 8-3, won the Montgomery Bowl, and were conference champions two seasons ago. I was surprised that they were selected to finish so low.
ACC: #3 Clemson over #10 North Carolina
I am excited to see how Clemson survives the post-Trevor Lawrence era. They shouldn’t be worried because DJ Uiagalelei is the starting quarterback now. While I watched the Heisman Trophy Preview show on ESPN on Thursday night, I heard that Uiagalelei had a better passer rating than Trevor Lawrence in the games Trevor was out. When Uiagalelei completed 29 of 44 passes for 439 yards and 2 touchdowns at Notre Dame, it reassured that Clemson’s dominance will remain after Trevor Lawrence leaves. What makes the offense special is the QB-WR duo between DJ and top receiver Justyn Ross. Ross was hurt last season but is ready to give it his all this season as a preseason first-team AP All-American, and Bryan Bresee is one of the top defensive tackles in the country. For North Carolina, you have Heisman candidate Sam Howell. He passed for 3586 yards (4th in FBS) and 30 touchdowns (6th in FBS). He was selected as the ACC Preseason Player of the Year. Cornerback Tony Grimes was named to the preseason All-ACC defensive team as CB2, behind Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr. Clemson won the last six ACC Championship games, and aim to make it seven championships in a row this season.
My sleeper pick is Boston College. While they are in the same division as Clemson, they have their best team in recent years. Zay Flowers looks to be one of the best wide receivers in the ACC, guard Zion Johnson was selected as a preseason first-team AP All-American, and Alec Lindstrom is supposed to be the best center in the ACC. They have the best offensive line in the ACC. It’s too bad they opted out of a bowl game last season because I think ending the season with a 43-32 loss at Virginia is not the ending you wanted. BC is projected to finish third in the Atlantic Division, behind Clemson and NC State.
Big 12: #2 Oklahoma over #7 Iowa State
I wanted to pick the Longhorns instead of Iowa State to face Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game, but I can’t just ignore the talented team the Cyclones have. The first player you should know on that team is their running back, Breece Hall, who is supposed to be the best running back in college football this season. He ran for 1572 yards and 21 touchdowns on 279 attempts last season. Another long-shot Heisman candidate is quarterback Brock Purdy, who passed for 2750 yards (13th in FBS) and 19 touchdowns (t-20th in FBS). He can also run, rushing for 382 yards and 5 touchdowns last season. The Associated Press also thinks the Cyclones have the best tight end in college football with Charlie Kolar. Oklahoma has won the last six Big 12 Championships, including the last five Big 12 Championship Games (The Big 12 didn’t hold a championship game from 2011 to 2016). They have quarterback Spencer Rattler, who’s the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy this season. He passed for 3031 yards (10th in FBS) and 28 touchdowns (8th in FBS). On the other side of the ball, linebacker Nik Bonitto looks to be one of the best linebackers in the country, with 19 solo tackles and 8.5 sacks (t-8th in FBS). Wide receiver Marvin Mims aims to be the best wide receiver in the Big 12.
My sleeper pick is Texas Tech. Their offensive line and linebacker core look to be the top strengths for the Red Raiders. Watch out for Oregon transfer Tyler Shough, who will be starting at quarterback this season. Erik Ezukanma will be his top receiver, who was selected to the preseason all-Big 12 team. Colin Schooler was named to the Bednarik Watch List, so watch out for number 17 if you’re playing Texas Tech.
Big Ten: #4 Ohio State over #18 Iowa
I think the Big Ten West is going to be a battle. Iowa, Wisconsin, and Northwestern will all compete for a spot to play Ohio State, who has won the last four Big Ten Championships. I’m interested to see how the Buckeyes do without Justin Fields. That will be a test for head coach Ryan Day. C.J. Stroud has Justin Fields’s shoes to fill in, and he was named starting quarterback when they play Minnesota on Thursday. Their top two wide receivers are arguably the best in the country. Preseason AP All-Americans Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson will help keep the offense’s foot on the gas pedal. The Buckeyes made it to the National Championship Game last season, where they lost to Alabama. Their offensive line is terrific, with Thayer Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere leading the way. The Buckeyes’ defense looks like the best in the Big Ten, with Haskell Garrett and Zach Harrison on the defensive line. I think Iowa and Wisconsin will be going the distance for the division championship, but I think the Hawkeyes have an advantage with a slightly easier schedule.
My sleeper pick is Michigan. Why? Because their defense looks great, with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and linebacker Josh Ross. You’ve heard the saying “defense wins championships” all your life, but can the offense provide enough? Don’t sleep on Maryland as well, with Taulia Tagovailoa at quarterback.
Pac-12: #15 USC over #11 Oregon
I picked USC over Oregon for the same reason I took Marshall over UAB: payback. Kedon Slovis is the starting quarterback again, and he will have a full season compared to last year’s fiasco. The Trojans were the favorites to win the Pac-12 Championship Game last year and lost. I think USC plays better when they’re the underdogs, so expect a dog fight if the Pac-12 Championship Game is a rematch of last year’s championship game. The biggest problem for USC: is Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is the best player in college football. I saw him play in the game against the Trojans and couldn’t believe the pressure he puts on other teams. He is lethal. On the other side of the ball, the Ducks don’t have the best offense, however. They lost quarterback Tyler Shough to Texas Tech. Their offense starts with running back CJ Verdell and wide receiver Johnny Johnson III. Thibodeaux isn’t the only defensive player to watch on the Ducks. They have a solid defensive back duo of Mykael Wright and Verone McKinley III. USC’s DB duo is Chris Steele and Isaiah Pola-Mao. Both teams have a linebacker that received preseason honors by the Pac-12: USC’s Drake Jackson and Oregon’s Noah Sewell. USC’s defensive line is solid as well, with Nick Figueroa and Tuli Tuipulotu leading the way.
My sleeper pick is UCLA. The Bruins were selected to finish 4th in the South Division, loaded with talented teams. UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was an honorable mention to the preseason all-Pac-12 team. Tight end Greg Dulcich will be his top target, and their receivers are underrated. I’m curious to see if the Bruins live up to their expectations or not.
SEC: #1 Alabama over #5 Georgia
Former Heisman winner Robert Griffin III said it best, “When in doubt, always bet on Bama.” The Crimson Tide are the number one team in the country. However, they did lose many players from their national championship team, including quarterback Mac Jones, running back Najee Harris, and Heisman wide receiver DeVonta Smith. I could go for paragraphs about who the Tide have lost, but as Alabama does, they reload and put even more studs on the field. Alabama has a new offensive coordinator in Bill O’Brien, so let’s hope he’s a better offensive coordinator than he is as a GM (sorry, Texans fans). They don’t return many of their starters on offense from last year, but having John Metchie III as WR1 will make Bryce Young real happy. I think Metchie will be the best wide receiver in the country. When Jaylen Waddle got hurt last season, Metchie stepped up, even though DeVonta Smith got all the praise after his incredible Heisman season. I’m interested to see Brian Robinson Jr., the new RB1. I don’t expect him to be the best running back in the SEC, but I have high expectations for Alabama at any position, except kicker. Linebacker Will Anderson Jr. leads the defense, who started on last year’s team. Georgia has quarterback JT Daniels, who started the last four games for the Bulldogs, including a Peach Bowl victory over Cincinnati after he transferred from USC. I’m worried about Georgia’s offense because they don’t have star wide receiver George Pickens until he is healthy. Their first game couldn’t be more difficult, facing rival Clemson in Charlotte.
My sleeper pick is Auburn. The Tigers are projected to finish 5th place in a loaded Western Division in the SEC. Tank Bigsby might be the best running back in the SEC, and they have Bo Nix as the Tigers’ starting quarterback. The defense is good, but Alabama’s defense takes everyone’s breath away. Expect Auburn to be ranked and competing with every team this season (except maybe Alabama). My biggest concern is how the team will do without Gus Malzahn as head coach.
College Football Playoff Predictions:
- Alabama (SEC champion)
- Clemson (ACC champion)
- Oklahoma (B12 champion)
- Ohio State (B1G champion)
- Georgia (At large)
- Iowa State (At large)
Italics mean they play each other but barely missed the cut for the CFP.
Alabama beats Ohio State, but it’s because of the Crimson Tide’s offense compared to the Buckeye’s defense. Ohio State might match Bama’s offense.
Clemson beats Oklahoma with the Tigers’ defense, which is no match compared to a Big 12 defense.
Alabama beats Clemson in the National Championship Game because of their defense, putting lots of pressure on DJ Uiagalelei and Justyn Ross.
Heisman Trophy Top 3:
- DJ Uiagalelei, Clemson
- Bryce Young, Alabama
- Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
Games:
Hawaii (0-0) at UCLA (0-0) (-17.5)
After a disappointing 3-4 shortened season, I expect the Bruins to start on the right foot with a win over Hawaii. However, last time the Rainbow Warriors opened up the college football season against a Pac-12 opponent, they beat Khalil Tate and Arizona 45-38. The Bruins have three straight home games to start the season, the first time since 2000, where they defeated Alabama, Fresno State, and Michigan. Hawaii has won the last three times they opened the season with a true road game. With UCLA at home, returning most of their starting offense from last year, I feel comfortable picking the Bruins to start 1-0.
Tune into Hawaii at UCLA at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Temple (0-0) at Rutgers (0-0) (-13.5)
I’m taking the Scarlet Knights because I think this team will be better than in past years. Temple comes to Piscataway for the first time since the two teams last met in 2013. Rutgers is on a four-game win streak against the Owls, and there will be fans in seats at SHI Stadium once again. That’s good enough for me.
Tune into Temple at Rutgers on Thursday at 6:30 PM ET on Big Ten Network.
Michigan State (0-0) at Northwestern (0-0) (-3)
I’m taking the upset with the Spartans over Northwestern. Michigan State has won the last two games against the Wildcats and has a 20-9 record in Evanston. I think without players like Rashawn Slater and Greg Newsome, Northwestern is vulnerable.
Tune into Michigan State at Northwestern on Friday at 9 PM ET on ESPN.
Boise State (0-0) at UCF (0-0) (-5.5)
Boise State looks to start the 2021 season with a win after losing to San Jose State in the Mountain West Championship Game last year. Look no further than the starting quarterback to find UCF’s star. Dillon Gabriel is supposed to be one of the best quarterbacks not only in the American Athletic Conference but in the Group of 5. The Broncos have never played against UCF, so I think the Knights being at the Bounce House pushes them over to get this win.
Tune into Boise State at UCF on Thursday at 7 PM ET on ESPN.
#10 North Carolina (0-0) (-5.5) at Virginia Tech (0-0)
I’ve already talked enough about the Tar Heels and the hype around star quarterback Sam Howell, but a full capacity Lane Stadium is an extremely tough place to play. North Carolina hasn’t won there since 2015 and the Hokies have won four of the last five matchups between the two. But that was then, and this game is a different ball game. Heels win this one.
Tune into North Carolina at Virginia Tech on Friday at 6 PM ET on ESPN.
Alcorn State (0-0) (-14.5) vs. NC Central (0-0)
Both teams have not played since the 2019 season, so throw that disadvantage out the window. The MEAC holds a 10-4 record in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. College GameDay is at the event, and Alcorn State encourages its fans to rep the purple and gold. These two haven’t played each other since the mid-70s, but Alcorn State has never lost to the Eagles. I don’t know much about FCS football except that North Dakota State has been so dominant. Alcorn State being 5-0 against NC Central is enough for me. I’ll take the Braves in Atlanta.
Tune into Alcorn State vs. NC Central at 7 PM ET on ESPN.
Nebraska (0-0) (-7) at Illinois (0-0)
Both teams are at the bottom of the Big Ten West, which means an ugly but close game in Champaign. This is the game I’m most excited about because it’s the only game between two Power 5 teams. Nebraska is 2-1 against Illinois with Scott Frost, and Bret Bielema is 2-1 against Nebraska. It’s Bielema’s first year in Champaign, so you’d expect a tone set for the new era in Illinois football. Nebraska is 13-4-1 all-time against the Fighting Illini, 6-2 as conference foes, and 4-2-1 in Champaign. The most stunning stat is that the Cornhuskers are 14-0 in August. With Adrian Martinez back for his fourth year as starting quarterback, you already know I’m taking Nebraska.
Tune into Nebraska at Illinois at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Calhoun's Corner 