CFB: Week 1 Preview
Top-10 Rankings:
1. Alabama (100 Pts)
2. Clemson (96 Pts)
3. Georgia (92 Pts)
4. Ohio State (87 Pts)
5. Washington (83 Pts)
6. Oklahoma (79 Pts)
7. Miami (76 Pts)
8. Penn State (53 Pts)
9. Michigan (49 Pts)
10. Wisconsin (37 Pts)
Review: Alabama capped off last season with a 26-23 overtime victory over Georgia in the CFP title game. It wasn't the crisp season that we're used to seeing from the Tide as they slipped up against Auburn and failed to reach the SEC championship. However, they won their fifth title in the Nick Saban era, and return QB Tua Tagovailoa, RB Damien Harris, DB Trevon DIggs, and more. Just behind them is the team Alabama beat in the Sugar Bowl: Clemson. The 2016-17 champions have QB Kelly Bryant (and Trevor Lawerence), RB Travis Etienne, and a stacked defensive line with Austin Bryant, Dexter Lawerence, and Christian Wilkins. Beyond those two, Georgia, Ohio State, Washington, Oklahoma, and Miami seem to be on the next tier.
Consensus Picks:
Florida Atlantic @ No. 6 Oklahoma
No. 5 Washington @ Auburn
No. 9 Michigan @ Notre Dame
Louisville @ No. 1 Alabama
No. 7 Miami @ LSU
Review: Florida Atlantic finished last season with a resounding 50-3 victory to close out an impressive 11-3 record. To start this year, Lane Kiffin and Co. are heading up against No. 6 Oklahoma. Well take the Sooners, but don't sleep on FAU. In our second matchup, No. 5 Washington begins their CFP resume with a bout against Jarrett Stidham and the Auburn Tigers. These teams combined for a 20-7 record last year. Both have hopes to reach the playoff, but Washington gets it done in a close game. Notre Dame resumes their rivalry with No. 9 Michigan, and while the Wolverines have Shea Patterson, they can't win this one on the road. Out final two games pit the ACC vs. SEC and the conferences will split as No. 1 Alabama and No. 7 Miami are winners.
Heisman Standings:
1. Bryce Love (Stanford)
2. Jake Browning (Washington)
3. Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin)
4. Kelly Bryant (Clemson)
5. Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)
Review: Bryce Love had a great season last year, going for 2,118 yards, 19 touchdowns, and an incredible 8.1 yards per attempt. He was undoubtedly the best RB in the nation, but it landed him second in the final Heisman voting. With Baker Mayfield in the NFL, Love jumps to the top spot for the time being. A fellow Pac-12 player is our second pick at the moment. Jake Browning is going to throw for a lot of yards and that'll attract voters. He threw for 2,719 yards and 19 scores on 68.5 percent passing. Jonathan Taylor, another running back, should be in store for a great season. Taylor showed out in his freshman year for 1,977 yards on 99 carries. And to round out the top five, it's the QB for the two best teams: Kelly Bryant and Tua Tagovailoa.
Playoff Picks (Week 1):
Photo Credit: Sporting News.
