2023-2024 cbhsports College Football Preview

Image Courtesy: FanSided

The 2023 college football season is just one week away! The last season of Texas and Oklahoma in the Big 12 before they head for the SEC, the final ride for the Pac-12 before the conference ends as we know it as they lost eight of their twelve members over the last year, and the final season of the four team College Football Playoff before it turns into a 12-team event. Enjoy my preview for the upcoming college football season.

*Click each conference’s link to check out my game by game predictions for each team*

2023-2024 Power 5 Projected Conference Standings:

ACC
1.Florida State 10-2 (7-1)
2.Clemson 10-2 (6-2)
3.Miami 9-3 (5-3)
4.North Carolina 8-4 (5-3)
4.Louisville 8-4 (5-3)
6.Duke 7-5 (3-5)
6.Wake Forest 7-5 (4-4)
6.NC State 7-5 (4-4)
6.Pittsburgh 7-5 (4-4)
10.Syracuse 7-5 (3-5)
11.Georgia Tech 5-7 (3-5)
12.Virginia Tech 5-7 (2-6)
13.Boston College 5-7 (1-7)
14.Virginia 3-9 (1-7)

Florida State and Clemson return as the league’s most talented teams in 2023. The biggest question is who if any will challenge the Seminoles or Tigers? Miami, North Carolina, Louisville, and Duke will look to uproot things on the east coast.

Best Non-Conference Games
1.LSU vs. Florida State (Orlando) (September 3)
One of the best games a season ago. Now, both teams are going to be in the pre-season top ten.
2.Notre Dame @ Clemson (November 4)
A huge game as the Fighting Irish and Tigers battle to get a potential CFP berth.
3.North Carolina vs. South Carolina (Charlotte) (September 2)
The second game between the Tar Heels and Gamecocks is in Charlotte this time.
4.Texas A&M @ Miami (September 9)
After battling last season, both A&M and Miami had terrible seasons for their standards. Both teams will look to bounce back this season.
5.Pittsburgh @ West Virginia (September 16)
The Backyard Brawl returns for the second consecutive season.

Best Conference Games
1.Florida State @ Clemson (September 23)
This will be the top ACC game of the season. Without divisions, FSU-Clemson will likely be a preview for the title game in the conference.
2.Miami @ Florida State (November 11)
Sunshine State residents only hope the rivalry between the Hurricanes and the Seminoles can return to a quality game.
3.Clemson @ Miami (October 21)
Clemson’s trip to Hard Rock Stadium will not be easy.
4.Clemson @ Duke (September 4)
Can Duke upset Clemson on Labor Day?
5.Duke @ North Carolina (November 18)
The Duke-North Carolina rivalry is normally known for its crazy basketball games. This could be a top 25 football game in November.

Awards
MVP: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
2022 Stats: 226-353, 3214 yards, 24 TDs, 5 INT
Offensive Player of the Year: Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
2022 Stats: 210 rushes, 1182 yards, 15 TDs
Defensive Player of the Year: Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
2022 Stats: 48 tackles, 17 TFL, 9 sacks
Newcomer of the Year: Jaheim Bell, TE, Florida State
2022 Stats: 25 receptions, 231 yards, 5 TDs, 73 rushes, 261 yards, 3 TDs (@ South Carolina)
Coach of the Year: Mike Norvell, Florida State

Conference Championship
Florida State (11-2) over Clemson (10-3)
FSU beats Clemson for the second time in a few months to win the ACC Title game.

Big 12
1.Kansas State 9-3 (7-2)
1.Texas 9-3 (7-2)
3.TCU 9-3 (6-3)
4.Kansas 8-4 (6-3)
5.Oklahoma 8-4 (5-4)
6.Texas Tech 7-5 (5-4)
7.Oklahoma State 7-5 (4-5)
8.Baylor 6-6 (4-5)
9.Central Florida 5-7 (3-6)
9.Iowa State 5-7 (3-6)
11.West Virginia 4-8 (3-6)
12.Cincinnati 4-8 (2-7)
12.Houston 4-8 (2-7)

Texas was picked to win the Big 12 by the media. But since 2009, the Longhorns have not won the conference. With Oklahoma and Texas out the door after this upcoming season, TCU looks to maintain the success it had last season and Kansas State will attempt to win the conference a second consecutive season.

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Texas @ Alabama (September 9)
Can Texas beat Alabama in 2023 after losing by just a point in 2022?
2.Oregon @ Texas Tech (September 9)
Texas Tech was improved in 2022 and will have a challenging match up against a good Oregon team.
3.Colorado @ TCU (September 2)
After appearing in the national championship in 2023, the Horned Frogs open against Coach Prime and Colorado.
4.Utah @ Baylor (September 9)
Both of these teams had high hopes in 2022. Utah won its second consecutive Pac-12 title while Baylor did not do much.
5.Pittsburgh @ West Virginia (September 16)
See Best ACC Non-Conference Games

Best Conference Games
1.Oklahoma vs. Texas (Dallas) (October 7)
The final Red River rivalry match up for the Sooners and the Longhorns should be full of storylines.
2.Kansas State @ Texas (November 4)
Reigning Big 12 champion Kansas State heads to Austin to face off against the media’s pre-season champion, Texas.
3.TCU @ Kansas State (October 21)
A rematch of the 2022 Big 12 title game should be a fun one between the Horned Frogs and Wildcats.
4.Texas @ TCU (November 11)
Texas meets TCU for the final time in the Big 12. Big 12 title hopes should be on the line.
5.Texas Tech @ Texas (November 24)
Texas and Texas Tech had much better seasons in 2022 compared to previous seasons. By November 24 we should know much better where each program is as the Longhorns play their final regular season game in the Big 12.

Awards
MVP: Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas
2022 Stats: 152-230, 2,014 yards, 18 TDs, 4 INT
Offensive Player of the Year: Richard Reese, RB, Baylor
2022 Stats: 198 rushes, 972 yards, 14 TDs
Defensive Player of the Year: Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas
2022 Stats: 119 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 INT
Newcomer of the Year: Dasan McCullough, LB, Texas
2022 Stats: 49 tackles, 6.5 TFL (@ Indiana)
Coach of the Year: Chris Klieman, Kansas State

Conference Championship
Kansas State (10-3) over Texas (9-4)
Kansas State wins the Big 12 for the second consecutive season by ending the Longhorns run in the Big 12.

Big Ten
East
1.Michigan 11-1 (8-1)
1.Penn State 11-1 (8-1)
3.Ohio State 10-2 (8-1)
4.Maryland 6-6 (3-6)
5.Michigan State 5-7 (3-6)
6.Rutgers 3-9 (1-8)
7.Indiana 3-9 (1-8)

West
1.Wisconsin 9-3 (6-3)
2.Iowa 8-4 (5-4)
3.Minnesota 7-5 (5-4)
3.Illinois 7-5 (5-4)
5.Nebraska 6-6 (3-6)
6.Purdue 5-7 (3-6)
7.Northwestern 3-9 (1-8)

While Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State are returning as the top teams in the east division while the west is wide open with Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin all being contenders to win the division. With it being the last season of divisions in the conference, these west division teams need to take advantage of their last opportunity to get into the Big Ten Championship and win it with the amount of talent Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State have every season.

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Ohio State @ Notre Dame (September 23)
Notre Dame needs to take advantage of playing both Ohio State and Clemson at home this season to make the CFP for the first time since 2020.
2.Iowa @ Iowa State (September 9)
The battle for the state of Iowa should be a good one in Ames.
3.Washington @ Michigan State (September 16)
After Washington won 11 games in 2022 and Michigan State won 5 games after 11 in 2021, both programs will be poised to get to that mark again in 2023.
4.West Virginia @ Penn State (September 2)
West Virginia will look to avoid getting blown out against what should be a fantastic Penn State team.
5.Nebraska @ Colorado (September 9)
In this former Big 12 rivalry, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule and Colorado’s Deion Sanders will look to give their new teams a win early in the season.

Best Conference Games
1.Ohio State @ Michigan (November 25)
Maybe the fiercest rivalry on the college football gridiron, “The Game” resumes on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The Buckeyes will look to beat the Wolverines for the first time in three seasons.
2.Michigan @ Penn State (November 11)
Many believe this is Michigan’s best chance to lose before their duel with Ohio State.
3.Penn State @ Ohio State (October 21)
Ohio State has not lost to Penn State since the Nittany Lions blocked the Buckeyes’ attempt at a game-winning field goal and returned it to win in 2016. It will be tough for the Nittany Lions to go into Columbus and win against one of the nation’s top offenses.
4.Ohio State @ Wisconsin (October 28)
Outside of the Big Ten East, this will likely be Ohio State’s toughest test in conference, against the Badgers and former Buckeye alum and player Luke Fickell.
5.Iowa @ Wisconsin (October 14)
This mid-October battle will likely determine who has the inside track win the west and to get to the Big Ten Championship in the last season of divisions in the conference.

Awards
MVP: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
2022 Stats: 77 catches, 1263 yards, 14 TDs, 2 rushes, 32 yards
Offensive Player of the Year: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
2022 Stats: 247 rushes, 1463 yards, 18 TDs, 11 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD
Defensive Player of the Year: Denzel Burke, DB, Ohio State
2022 Stats: 34 tackles, 3 TFL
Newcomer of the Year: Cade McNamara, QB, Iowa
2022 Stats: 14-25, 180 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (@ Michigan)
Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

Conference Championship
Michigan (12-1) over Wisconsin (9-4)
Michigan would dominate new Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell for a third consecutive Big Ten Championship.

Independents
1.Notre Dame 10-2
2.Connecticut 6-6
3.Army 4-8
4.Massachusetts 3-9

Best Games
1.USC @ Notre Dame (October 14)
A phenomenal QB match-up between reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams and Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman should be electric in a battle of CFP hopefuls.
2.Ohio State @ Notre Dame (September 11)
See Best Big Ten Non-Conference Games
3.Notre Dame @ Clemson (November 4)
See Best ACC Non-Conference Games
4.Army vs. Navy (Foxborough) (December 9)
Eyes are always on the Army-Navy game with it being a stand alone game following conference championship weekend.
5.Notre Dame @ Louisville (October 7)
With Jeff Brohm now on as head coach, Louisville is set up to win they have on the roster. A tough Notre Dame team comes to town, led by head coach Marcus Freeman.

Awards
MVP: Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame
2022 Stats: 270-428, 3701 yards, 38 TDs, 12 INT
Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame
2022 Stats: See Above
Defensive Player of the Year: Benjamin Morrison, DB, Notre Dame
2022 Stats: 33 tackles, 1 TFL, 6 INT
Newcomer of the Year: Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame
2022 Stats: See Above
Coach of the Year: Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame

Conference Championship
N/A

Pac-12
1.USC 10-2 (8-1)
2.Oregon 10-2 (7-2)
3.Washington 9-3 (6-3)
3.Utah 9-3 (6-3)
5.UCLA 8-4 (5-4)
5.Oregon State 8-4 (5-4)
7.Arizona 7-5 (5-4)
8.Washington State 5-7 (3-6)
9.Colorado 4-8 (3-6)
10.Stanford 4-8 (2-7)
10.California 4-8 (2-7)
12.Arizona State 3-9 (1-8)

The Pac-12 is expected to be the best it has been in many years as a football conference. Reigning champ Utah, USC, Oregon, UCLA, and Oregon State all have a chance to lift the conference championship trophy this December in Las Vegas.

Best Non-Conference Games
1.USC @ Notre Dame (October 14)
See Best Independents Non-Conference Games
2.Florida @ Utah (August 31)
Utah will look to avenge last season’s loss to Florida in “The Swamp”, led by QB Cam Rising.
3.Colorado @ TCU (September 2)
See Best Big 12 Non-Conference Games
4.Utah @ Baylor (September 9)
See Best Big 12 Non-Conference Games
5.Washington @ Michigan State (September 16)
See Best Big Ten Non-Conference Games

Best Conference Games
1.Utah @ USC (October 21)
A rematch of last season’s Pac-12 championship game should have massive conference implications again this season.
2.USC @ Oregon (November 11)
Oregon and USC, two longtime Pac-12 members and favorites every season to make it into the post-season meet for the final time in Autzen Stadium before the Trojans head to the Big Ten.
3.Washington @ USC (November 4)
Two 11 win teams in 2022 meet in LA. A lot should be on the line in this early November match up.
4.Oregon @ Utah (October 28)
The 2021 Pac-12 title rematch in Salt Lake City should be a good one as both teams look to make it back to Las Vegas.
5.Oregon State @ Oregon (November 24)
After losing a multiple touchdown lead late in Salem last season, Oregon will have to be ready to protect home field against what should be a good Oregon State team again in 2023.

Awards
MVP: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
2022 Stats: 333-500, 1912 yards, 42 TDs, 5 INT
Offensive Player of the Year: Michael Penix, QB, Washington
2022 Stats: 362-554, 4641 yards, 31 TDs, 8 INT
Defensive Player of the Year: Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
2022 Stats: 36 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks,
Newcomer of the Year: Patrick McMorris, DB, California
2022 Stats: 61 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT (@ San Diego State)
Coach of the Year: Dan Lanning, Oregon

Conference Championship
Oregon (11-2) over USC (10-3)
In the first Pac-12 Championship game without Utah in three seasons, Oregon denies USC its second Pac-12 title in as many years.

SEC
East
1.Georgia 12-0 (8-0)
2.Tennessee 9-3 (5-3)
3.Missouri 8-4 (4-4)
4.Kentucky 8-4 (4-4)
5.South Carolina 7-5 (4-4)
6.Florida 5-7 (2-6)
7.Vanderbilt 3-9 (0-8)

West
1.LSU 11-1 (7-1)
2.Alabama 10-2 (6-2)
3.Ole Miss 9-3 (6-2)
4.Texas A&M 9-3 (5-3)
5.Arkansas 7-5 (4-4)
6.Mississippi State 6-6 (2-6)
7.Auburn 6-6 (2-6)

Georgia looks to win a third consecutive national championship while LSU will attempt to make it back to the SEC Championship for a second consecutive season. Alabama’s QB issues in the spring will determine whether the Tide will be able to make a post-season run. Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M all look to be contenders as well.

Best Non-Conference Games
1.LSU vs. Florida State (Orlando) (September 3)
See Best ACC Non-Conference Games
2.Texas @ Alabama (September 9)
See Best Big 12 Non-Conference Games
3.South Carolina vs. North Carolina (Charlotte) (September 2)
See Best ACC Non-Conference Games
4.Florida @ Utah (August 31)
See Best Pac-12 Non-Conference Games
5.Tennessee vs. Virginia (Nashville) (September 2)
See Best ACC Non-Conference Games

Best Conference Games
1.LSU @ Alabama (November 4)
Alabama will look to beat LSU after losing on a two-point conversion by the Tigers in Death Valley last season and regain control of the SEC West as the conference ends its era with divisions.
2.Georgia @ Tennessee (November 18)
The only true bump on the road for what should be another loaded team for Kirby Smart and Georgia will be a trip to Knoxville and their game against Josh Heupel and the Vols.
3.Tennessee @ Alabama (October 21)
Alabama will not only host and look to avenge its loss against LSU, it will attempt to do the same thing against Tennessee, who they lost to in the final seconds at Neyland Stadium for the first time in 16 opportunities last season.
4.Alabama @ Texas A&M (October 7)
Alabama has only lost against Texas A&M in College Station twice since the Aggies joined the SEC (2012 & 2021). With Bobby Petrino calling the offense for the Aggies and the Tide’s normal lapses against Jimbo Fisher’s team, an upset could be on the horizon in 2023.
5.Texas A&M @ LSU (November 25)
LSU did win the SEC West in Brian Kelly’s first season as head coach. But, a puzzling loss to a 5-7 Texas A&M in College Station last Thanksgiving kept the Tigers out of the playoff. LSU should be focused this season against the Aggies after a puzzling let down to end the 2022 campaign.

Awards
MVP: Harold Perkins, DE, LSU
2022 Stats: 72 tackles, 13 TFL, 1 INT, 4 FF
Offensive Player of the Year: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ole Miss
2022 Stats: 274 rushes, 1,567 yards, 16 TDs, 15 catches, 132 yards, 1 TD
Defensive Player of the Year: Harold Perkins, DE, LSU
2022 Stats: See Above
Newcomer of the Year: Omar Speights, LB, LSU
2022 Stats: 83 tackles, 8 TFL (@ Oregon State)
Coach of the Year: Kirby Smart, Georgia

Conference Championship
LSU (12-1) over Georgia (12-1)
LSU will avenge last season’s SEC Title game loss to the Bulldogs.

National Preview:

Top 5 Non-Conference Games
1.LSU vs. Florida State (Orlando) (September 3)
2.Texas @ Alabama (September 9)
3.Ohio State @ Notre Dame (September 23)
4.Notre Dame @ Clemson (November 4)
5.South Carolina vs. North Carolina (Charlotte) (September 2)

Top 5 Conference Games
1.Ohio State @ Michigan (November 25)
2.LSU @ Alabama (November 4)
3.Florida State @ Clemson (September 23)
4.Georgia @ Tennessee (November 18)
5.Tennessee @ Alabama (October 21)

CFP and New Year’s 6 Projections

December 29
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Arlington)
Clemson (11-3) over Kansas State (10-4)
Clemson beats Big 12 champ KSU.

December 30
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (Atlanta)
Alabama (11-2) over Notre Dame (10-3)
Alabama goes to Atlanta and dominates Notre Dame again.

Capital One Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens)
Ohio State (11-2) over Florida State (11-3)
Ohio State wins the Orange Bowl after failing to make the Big Ten Championship Game.

January 1
VRBO Fiesta Bowl (Phoenix)
USC (11-3) over UTSA (13-1)
USC beats the best Group of Five Team, UTSA, after falling to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl last season.

CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game (Pasadena)
1.Michigan (13-1) over 4.Penn State (11-2)
Michigan avenges a regular season loss to Penn State in the Rose Bowl.

CFP Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
3.Georgia (13-1) over 2.LSU (12-2)
Georgia avenges its SEC Championship game loss against LSU in the Tigers’ backyard this time.

January 8
CFP Championship Game (Houston)
1.Michigan (14-1) over 3.Georgia (13-2)
Michigan beats Georgia, keeping them from winning a third consecutive title and winning Jim Harbaugh’s first collegiate championship ever.

Heisman Winner: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

Check out the top 25+ incoming recruits to college football in 2023 (per 247sports composite).