Category: College Football

Image Courtesy: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Is Sam Pittman the right guy for Arkansas? Is he a bridge coach? All of the answers will be made in Sam Pittman’s fourth season as head coach. Pittman replaced both of his coordinators from the previous three seasons with veteran Dan Enos (offensive coordinator) and the younger Travis Williams (defensive coordinator). In addition, defensive backs guru Marcus Woodson has come on the staff and the hogs have had success on the recruiting trail defensively since he joined the staff. Will the coordinator replacements be as good as Barry Odom and Kendal Briles were during the 2021 season? If the answer is yes, the Razorbacks must get through a tough four game stretch away from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium from late September through the middle of October.

Multiple Game Previews (to be hyperlinked to post when published)
Nonconference Slate (to be published 6/24)
LSU, Texas A&M (7/8)
Ole Miss, Alabama, Mississippi State (7/15)
Florida, Auburn, Missouri (7/22)

Projected Depth Chart

QB
Starter
KJ Jefferson, Senior
Bench
Jacolby Criswell, Junior
Cade Fortin, Senior (RS)
Malachi Singleton, Freshman

KJ Jefferson is the unquestioned leader of this team. Under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Dan Enos, Jefferson’s passing needs to be refined. If that can be combined with his terrific running game, the hogs offense will be poised to be even better in 2023. The hogs finally get a veteran QB out of the portal that many expect to come in and support the hogs offense if Jefferson gets hurt and that is Arkansas native Jacolby Criswell, a North Carolina transfer who has a similar play style because of his similar size. Malachi Singleton is the future of the team, a talented QB from Georgia.

RB
Starter
Rocket Sanders, Junior
Bench
AJ Green, Junior
Rashod Dubinion, Sophomore
Dominique Johnson, Senior

If KJ Jefferson is the leader of the team, Rocket Sanders is the best player on his team, rushing for the second most in the SEC as a sophomore. If he continues his rise, Sanders can be a guy that not only gets awards at the end of the season but he can be an early NFL Draft pick. AJ Green, Rashod Dubinion, and the injured Dominque Johnson make up one of the best rooms in the country, coached by one of the best in the business, Jimmy Smith.

WR
Starters
Slot: Isaiah Sategna, Freshman (RS)
Outside: Andrew Armstrong Senior (RS)
Outside: Isaac TeSlaa, Senior
Bench
Bryce Stephens, Sophomorw (RS)
Tyrone Broden, Senior
Dazmin James, Freshman

The most inexperienced group on the roster has to replace the production of Matt Landers and Jadon Haselwood, who led the unit a season ago. Isaiah Sategna shined in the spring game with multiple receiving touchdowns while Andrew Armstrong and Isaac TeSlaa come in from lower levels where they both put up big numbers. Tyrone Broden, who came in from Bowling Green got injured during spring ball so he will have a chance to prove himself again during fall camp.

TE
Starter
Var’Keyes Gumms, Sophomore
Bench
Nathan Bax, Senior (RS)
Luke Hasz, Freshman

Former Stanford tight ends coach Morgan Turner brings in great experience from northern California where he coached many NFL talents such as the Dallas Cowboys’ Dalton Schultz. Turner replaces Dowell Loggains, an Arkansas alum who took the South Carolina offensive coordinator job. With Pittman’s offensive line scheme, the hogs should focus more on their tight end talent and the depth they brought in from the high school 2023 class and from the transfer portal. Former North Texas pass catcher Var’Keyes Gumms comes in and is expected to start as a sophomore after a terrific freshman season. Veteran Nathan Bax and talented freshmen Luke Hasz and Shamar Easter should also get playing time in the upcoming season.

OL
Starters
LT: Devon Manuel, Sophomore (RS)
LG: Brady Latham, Senior (RS)
OC: Beaux Limmer, Senior (RS)
RG: Josh Braun, Junior (RS)
RT: Patrick Kutas, Sophomore
Bench
Andrew Chamblee, Freshman (RS)
Cole Carson, Sophomore (RS)
Amaury Wiggins, Sophomore (RS)
Ty’Kieast Crawford, Senior
E’Marion Harris, Freshman (RS)

Cody Kennedy has done a terrific job with the offensive line during Sam Pittman’s tenure in Fayetteville. His line may be a little younger but is full of veterans like multiple year starters such as left guard Brady Latham and center Beaux Limmer. The line may need a little depth but the group definitely improved overall when it added Florida transfer Josh Braun to plug into the right guard position and young linemen such as E’Marion Harris, Cole Carson, and Amaury Wiggins.

DL
Starters
DE: Landon Jackson, Junior
DT: Cam Ball, Sophomore (RS)
DT: Taurean Carter, Senior
DE: Trajan Jeffcoat, Senior (RS)
Bench
Jashaud Stewart, Senior
Anthony Booker Jr., Senior (RS)
Eric Gregory, Senior (RS)
Zach Williams, Senior

For me, the Arkansas defense’s most talented unit is its defensive line. Led by upstart junior Landon Jackson, the defensive end who starred during spring practice, the line should get more sacks than it did a season ago where linebackers Drew Sanders and Bumper Pool ate up all of the tackles. Taurean Carter returns to the team after an injury riddled season as Cam Ball and Missouri transfer Trajan Jeffcoat continue their success making tackles in the backfield. The thing most improved on the defensive line is the depth with Maryland transfer Anthony Booker, Jashaud Stewart, Eric Gregory, and Zach Williams.

LB
Starters
Chris Paul Jr., Sophomore (RS)
Antonio Grier, Senior (RS)
Bench
Jordan Crook, Sophomore
Jaheim Thomas, Junior (RS)

Chris “Pooh” Paul should be the next in line after a long line of successful linebackers in Barry Odom’s defense: Grant Morgan, Drew Sanders, and Bumper Pool. In Travis Williams defense, the team will be pressuring the quarterback more so Paul and Central Florida transfer Antonio Grier can have success rushing the passer. Talented sophomore linebacker Jordan Crook and Cincinnati transfer Jaheim Thomas give reliable backup options to Paul and Grier.

Secondary
Starters
CB: Dwight McGlothern, Senior (RS)
CB: Jaheim Singletary, Sophomore
FS: Hudson Clark, Senior (RS)
SS: Lorando Johnson, Junior (RS)
NB: Alfahiym Walcott, Senior (RS)
Bench
Keey’von Stewart, Senior
AJ Brathwaite Jr., Senior (RS)
Malik Chavis, Senior (RS)

The Arkansas secondary was the absolute worst in the country after many injuries without much depth in 2022. However, Sam Pittman brought in Marcus Woodson, who turned a terrible Florida State unit into one of the best in the country. Woodson will look to do the same thing in Fayetteville with former LSU transfer Dwight McGlothern (4 picks in 2022) and transfers Lorando Johnson (Baylor), Alfahiym Walcott (Baylor), and Jaheim Singletary (Georgia). All four of the incoming defensive back transfers played significant times on their old teams.

Special Teams
Starters
Kicker: Cam Little, Junior
Punter: Max Fletcher, Sophomore
Kick-Off: Tyler Larco, Senior (RS)

Cam Little has brought stability to the Razorbacks’ kicking game with an 82% kicking percentage while Max Fletcher struggled to punt far consistently. Tyler Larco will take over kick-off duties as Little continues his success kicking extra points and kick-offs.

Incoming 2023 Class (via 247sports)
135.Jaylon Braxton (#15CB) Frisco,TX Lone Star HS
168.Shamar Easter (#9TE) Ashdown,AR Ashdown HS
196.Luke Hasz (#10TE) Bixby,OK Bixby HS
323.Isaiah Augustave (#21RB) Naples,FL Naples HS
362.Luke Brown (#19IOL) Paris,TN Henry County HS
373.Malachi Singleton (#22QB) Kennesaw,GA North Cobb HS
398.Davion Dozier (#57WR) Moody,AL Moody HS
427.Quincy Rhodes Jr. (#43DE) North Little Rock,AR North Little Rock HS
518.Dazmin James (#72WR) Clayton,NC Clayton HS
527.TJ Metcalf (#49S) Pinson,AL Pinson Valley HS
545.Dallas Young (#55CB) Gardendale,AL Gardendale HS
565.Paris Patterson (#44IOL) East St. Louis,IL East St. Louis HS
653.Christian Ford (#58S) McKinney,TX McKinney HS
677.Kaleb James (#74DL) Mansfield,TX Mansfield HS
754.Carson Dean (#71DE) Carrollton,TX Hebron HS
754.Alex Sanford (#63LB) Oxford,MS Oxford HS
814.RJ Johnson (#58ATH) McDonough,GA Eagles Landing Christian Academy
893.Joey Su’a (#69IOL) Bentonville,AR Bentonville HS
977.Brad Spence (#94DE) Houston,TX Klein Forest HS
NA.Ian Geffrard (#93OT) Mableton,GA Whitefield Academy
NA.Dylan Hasz (#135S) Bixby,OK Bixby HS

Transfer Additions (Year each player is going into)
Isaac TeSlaa, WR (Senior) Former School: Hillsdale College
Al Walcott, S (Senior) Former School: Baylor
Antonio Grier, LB (Senior) Former School: South Florida
John Morgan, DE (Senior) Former School: Pittsburgh
Trajan Jeffcoat, DE (Senior) Former School: Missouri
Anthony Booker, DT (Senior) Former School: Maryland
Jaheim Thomas, LB (Senior) Former School: Cincinnati
Tyrone Broden, WR (Senior) Former School: Bowling Green
Keivie Rose, DT (Senior) Former School: Louisiana Tech
Francis Sherman, TE (Senior) Former School: Louisville
Keeyon Stewart, CB (Senior) Former School: TCU
Andrew Armstrong, WR (Junior) Former School: Texas A&M-Commerce
Joshua Braun, OL (Junior) Former School: Florida
Jacolby Criswell, QB (Junior) Former School: North Carolina
Lorando Johnson, CB (Junior) Former School: Baylor
Jaheim Singletary, CB (Sophomore) Former School: Georgia
Var’Keyes Gumms, TE (Sophomore) Former School: North Texas

Schedule Preview
There will be doing multiple game breakdowns coming in the following Saturdays on the blog. My predicted results on this post are subject to change.
Schedule
9/2 West Carolina (Little Rock) Win
The hogs should cruise in the opener after a slow start in their home away from home in the central part of the state.
9/9 Kent State Win
In their Fayetteville opener, Arkansas should dominate Kent State.
9/16 BYU Win
The hogs dominated BYU on the road in Provo last season in one of QB KJ Jefferson’s best games as a hog. With BYU in the Big 12 and in Fayetteville for the return trip, the hogs will do the same thing they did to the cougars last season.
9/23 @ LSU Loss
LSU almost lost to the hogs without KJ Jefferson in Fayetteville last season. The tigers are poised to be talented again after an SEC West Championship season and should take care of the hogs late in Baton Rouge.
9/30 Texas A&M (Arlington) Loss
After a fast start in Arlington last season, Arkansas faltered late and lost their tenth game in eleven seasons to Texas A&M. A&M will be even more talented in 2023 and they will beat the Razorbacks yet again.
10/7 @ Ole Miss Loss
It will be tough for the hogs to beat the rebels for a third time in four seasons, especially again on the road in Oxford.
10/14 @ Alabama Loss
Alabama is still the standard bearer in the SEC. The hogs have not beaten Alabama since 2006 and they will not end the streak in 2023.
10/21 Mississippi State Win
Mississippi State crushed Arkansas at home in 2023 but with a first-year head coach, the Razorbacks will give the same game to the bulldogs they did in 202.
10/28 Off
11/4 @ Florida Win
Arkansas will go into Gainesville and pull out a much needed win in “The Swamp”.
11/11 Auburn Loss
Hugh Freeze’s offense gave Arkansas fits with Liberty in 2022 resulting in a loss and at Auburn, it will do the same thing.
11/18 Florida International Win
Arkansas needs to win this game if they want to become bowl eligible and they should beat the panthers.
11/24 Missouri (Senior day/night) Win
Arkansas has struggled to beat Missouri since 2016, some of the worst years of the Arkansas football program’s history. This could very well be KJ Jefferson’s last career game in Fayetteville and he will not go out with a loss.

Projected Record: 7-5 (3-5) SEC

Image Courtesy: The Journal Record

The only Power 5 football conference that will play eight conference games is the great SEC.

In Destin at the 2023 SEC Spring Meetings, Greg Sankey and the sixteen coaches agreed upon a one-year eight-game conference schedule for the 2024-2025 season. Each team will be required to play one opponent from the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, or Notre Dame when the Sooners and Longhorns join the league. The conference will eliminate divisions and the conference championship game will now feature the top two teams in the standings. According to Sankey, the one-year model allowed the conference members to play schools they were already under contract to play out of conference. He also believes a long term plan for football scheduling will be in place at next year’s meetings (that will likely be a nine-game format with three permanent rivals). Each school’s opponents will be announced on June 14th on the SEC Network. Although there are no “permanent” opponents according to the SEC’s official announcement, I would anticipate the SEC slating teams with their secondary rivals even though only a single permanent rival will be included in this single year slate. So, expect Alabama to draw Tennessee, Georgia to play Auburn, and Texas A&M to play Texas even though those two games are not expected primary rivals in the one year eight-game conference schedule. Here are the expected primary rivals according to sources for this one year format (they will play seven other SEC opponents on their schedule in 2024):

Alabama/Auburn
Arkansas/Missouri
Florida/Georgia
Kentucky/South Carolina
LSU/Texas A&M
Oklahoma/Texas
Ole Miss/Mississippi State
Tennessee/Vanderbilt

Image Courtesy: ESPN

August 26
Studio Show
While I could see the crew go to Ireland for Notre Dame-Navy, most of the time week 0 is a studio show.

September 2
Colorado at. TCU
Deion Sanders’ D1 coaching debut will be in Fort Worth against the 2022-2023 national runners up TCU. ESPN’s College Gameday will likely go there but a trip to Charlotte for North Carolina-South Carolina makes sense as well with it likely being a game that will be televised.

September 9
Texas at. Alabama
The crew went to Austin for this match up last season and it did not disappoint. Barring a disappointing start from Texas, they will be in Tuscaloosa.

September 16
South Carolina at. Georgia
The back to back reigning champs versus an improving South Carolina program should be the choice this week.

September 23
Florida State at. Clemson
A return to the Ohio State-Notre Dame game like last season could be possible but if FSU and Clemson are both undefeated it’s hard to imagine GameDay not going to Death Valley with the game likely being in ABC.

September 30
USC at. Colorado
Pac-12 favorite USC will head to face a Deion Sanders-led Colorado team for the first time next fall. A trip to Boulder for the first time in awhile might be fun for the preview show.

October 7
Texas vs. Oklahoma (Dallas, TX)
I had a very hard time picking between the final Big 12 edition of the Red River Rivalry and Alabama-Texas A&M. Because it is likely the final edition on FOX and the aforementioned Big 12, GameDay should choose to go here with all of the southeast flair in their selections the first few weeks.

October 14
Oregon at. Washington
The crew will head back to Seattle for the first time in a few seasons when the Washington faces Oregon. In what will be a loaded Pac-12 this season, this game will have conference championship steaks on the line.

October 21
Penn State at. Ohio State
GameDay should pass on Alabama-Tennessee if they want to go to Alabama-LSU a few weeks later. Plus, with Penn State and Ohio State atop the Big Ten East with Michigan, this may be a scenario where three teams are 11-1 at the end of the season and all have cases to make the College Football Playoff. A game between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions will have some determination in this playoff race.

October 28
Clemson at. NC State
The Clemson-NC State rivalry has heated up over the past few seasons and with the ACC making it a permanent rivalry in their new format, this game will have ramifications for the ACC title near the middle of the season, making it a possible choice for ESPN.

November 4
LSU at. Alabama
Like I said previously, GameDay will go to this game likely if they don’t go to Alabama-Tennessee two weeks earlier. I anticipate CBS making this game or the Alabama-Tennessee their nightcap SEC game so if this is the one, the crew should be headed back to Tuscaloosa.

November 11
Michigan at. Penn State
What seems like a three team race for the Big Ten East in the pre-season should be very competitive. Just weeks after going to Columbus for the Buckeyes versus the Nittany Lions, ESPN should make the decision to head to State College for Penn State versus Michigan.

November 18
Georgia at. Tennessee
The likely battle for the SEC East will be on everyone’s radar the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Even if this game will be on CBS, this should not impact GameDay’s decision.

November 25
Ohio State at. Michigan
GameDay goes to this annual rivalry game in Ann Arbor or Columbus for this game every season now: no reason for them to stop doing it.

December 2
SEC Championship Game (Atlanta)
If the SEC has two top ten teams playing in their conference championship, GameDay should be headed to Atlanta.

December 9
Army vs. Navy (Foxborough)
The only game in week 15 will host the crew in Foxborough this season.

Image Courtesy: Eleven Warriors

Back in May of 2022, “The NCAA Division I Council announced Wednesday that it will relax restrictions on college football’s conference championship games, allowing conferences to determine the teams that would participate in their respective title game” per this ESPN article.

Many conferences have missed out on getting teams in the College Football Playoff because some divisions are so much better than others and so now conference championship and Playoff games can be better.

So, let’s go through each Power 5 conference and discuss:

ACC
With divisions:
Atlantic
Boston College
Clemson
Florida State
Louisville
NC State
Syracuse
Wake Forest

Coastal
Duke
Georgia Tech
Miami
North Carolina
Pittsburgh
Virginia
Virginia Tech

Here are each ACC team’s three yearly opponents (each team rotates every other opponent) (beginning in 2023; one division look):

Boston College – Miami, Pittsburgh, Syracuse
Clemson – Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State
Duke – North Carolina, NC State,Wake Forest
Florida State – Clemson, Miami, Syracuse
Georgia Tech – Clemson, Louisville, Wake Forest
Louisville – Georgia Tech, Miami, Virginia
Miami – Boston College, Florida State, Louisville
North Carolina – Duke, NC State, Virginia
North Carolina State – Clemson, Duke, North Carolina
Pittsburgh – Boston College, Syracuse, Virginia Tech
Syracuse – Boston College, Florida State, Pittsburgh
Virginia – Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech – Pittsburgh, Virginia, Wake Forest
Wake Forest – Duke, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech

With this new format, conference powers Clemson and Florida State not only play each other annually but could match up in the conference championship with the new format. The winner of that game would likely go to the College Football Playoff. Media Rights Deal: Disney, ABC, ESPN

Big 12

Since the Big 12 lost Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas A&M to other conferences, the league has been a one division, ten team league. They add BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, and Houston to make the league fourteen ahead of Texas and Oklahoma’s departure to the SEC in a few years. Update: Since, Texas and Oklahoma have agreed to leave the conference in the summer of 2024 for the SEC.

2o23 look:
Baylor
BYU
Central Florida
Cincinnati
Houston
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Texas
Texas Christian
Texas Tech
West Virginia

Future look (2024; annual opponents to be determined)
Baylor
BYU
Central Florida
Cincinnati
Houston
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Oklahoma State
Texas Christian
Texas Tech
West Virginia

This new Big 12; a true 12 team Big 12; is going to hope continue its basketball prowess. New Media Rights Deal: ESPN, FOX

Big Ten
The Big Ten will likely move to a one-division format when UCLA and USC join the conference in 2024 by leaving the Pac-12. Here is the former division look:

East
Indiana
Maryland
Michigan
Michigan State
Ohio State
Penn State
Rutgers

West
Illinois
Iowa
Minnesota
Nebraska
Northwestern
Purdue
Wisconsin

Future look (2024; annual opponents to be determined):
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Maryland
Michigan
Michigan State
Minnesota
Nebraska
Northwestern
Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue
Rutgers
UCLA
USC
Wisconsin

If I had to guess, the Big Ten will go with the 3-6-6 format like the SEC. Each school would get two teams in the top half of the conference on average and one permanent opponent in the bottom half conference on average. Here is a projection for those permanent opponents by CBS Sports. New Media Rights Deal: CBS, FOX, NBC

Pac-12
The Pac-12 was the first conference to move to a single division format following the NCAA’s new ruling in May. Here is what the 12-team Pac-12 looks like ahead of UCLA’s and USC’s departure to the Big Ten in 2024:
Arizona
Arizona State
California
Colorado
Oregon
Oregon State
Stanford
UCLA
USC
Utah
Washington
Washington State

Future Look:
Arizona
Arizona State
California
Colorado
Oregon
Oregon State
Stanford
Utah
Washington
Washington State

In a single conference format without the two LA schools, it has been incredibly difficult for the conference to secure a media rights deal. So far FOX, ESPN, or CBS have not agreed with the conference on a deal and not even mobile media companies like Apple are not interested. New Media Rights Deal: TBD

SEC
According to multiple sources, once Oklahoma and Texas join the league, the SEC will likely move to a one division format and a 3-6-6 format where each school plays three permanent rivals annually in football, play six other opponents one season and play the six other opponents the next season. In that format, the conference would move from an eight game conference schedule to a nine game conference schedule and in a four year period, every SEC team would play every opponent home and away. I have guessed what three teams every SEC team will play annually in a post last summer. Here’s what the SEC looks like with divisions:

East
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Missouri
South Carolina
Tennessee
Vanderbilt

West
Alabama
Arkansas
Auburn
LSU
Mississippi (Ole Miss)
Mississippi State
Texas A&M

With one division (With Oklahoma and Texas in 2024)
Alabama
Arkansas
Auburn
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
LSU
Mississippi (Ole Miss)
Mississippi State
Missouri
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Texas A&M
Vanderbilt

The SEC will look to continue dominating all sports, namely football and baseball, under their new media rights deal with ESPN. New Media Rights Deal: Disney, ABC, ESPN

Next Read – Take a look at my original thoughts when the ACC and Pac-12 announced they got rid of divisions.

Image Courtesy: KU Sports

Round of 64

Des Moines
1.Kansas
16.Howard
Kansas, who would have likely been the top overall seed with a win over Texas in the Big 12 Tournament Championship, should handle Howard, who had a great regular season.

8.Arkansas
9.Illinois
In a game of up and down teams this season, either team can win this game. I lean Arkansas because of the coaching of Eric Musselman.

Albany
5.Saint Mary’s
12.VCU
VCU is a dangerous team to play for Saint Mary’s but the Gaels lock you up on defense so they will win against the Rams.

4.Connecticut
13.Iona
Led by coach Rick Pitino, Iona returned to the NCAA Tournament. Too bad the Gaels face a Connecticut team with talent to make the Final Four.

Denver
6.TCU
11.Arizona State/Nevada
TCU has been playing great basketball of late and they will face Arizona State after they beat Nevada, the final team in the tournament, in my opinion. TCU should advance but it will not be easy against hot shooting Arizona State.

3.Gonzaga
14.Grand Canyon
Bryce Drew’s Grand Canyon team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season. The Zags may not be a top seed this season but they are dangerous and again led by forward Drew Timme.

Sacramento
7.Northwestern
10.Boise State
Boo Buie, Northwestern’s star guard, will lead the Wildcats past Boise State.

2.UCLA
15.UNC-Asheville
UNC-Asheville has a talented roster but they will face a UCLA team that can not only play tremendous defense but they score with ease.

Round of 32

Des Moines
1.Kansas
8.Arkansas
Arkansas is good enough talent wise to beat Kansas but they have not shown me enough all season. Kansas moves on.

Albany
4.Connecticut
5.Saint Mary’s
Connecticut will dominate Saint Mary’s in the second half and move onto Las Vegas.

Denver
3.Gonzaga
6.TCU
The Zags should be troubled by TCU’s tough defensive play and the Horned Frogs will move on.

Sacramento
2.UCLA
7.Northwestern
UCLA will have to play well against a tremendous defense in Northwestern but if they can score on it, they will move on to Las Vegas and the Sweet 16.

Sweet 16
Las Vegas
1.Kansas
4.Connecticut
Kansas finally plays the defense that can stop stars Jalen Wilson and Grady Dick. Connecticut’s big man play moves them on to the regional final.

Las Vegas
2.UCLA
6.TCU
UCLA’s defense helps the Bruins move on to the Elite 8.

Elite 8

Las Vegas
2.UCLA
4.Connecticut
In what would be a terrific match up, Connecticut wins the west region over UCLA.

West Regional Champion: 4.Connecticut

2023 West Region Preview, Predictions Video

Image Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

Early Thursday evening The Athletic reported that Oklahoma and Texas reached an agreement with the Big 12 to exit the conference one year early (previously expected to leave the conference in 2025) and join the SEC in 2024 for the 2024-2025 academic year and athletic season.

The two schools will pay the Big 12 $100 million to leave the conference as new Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark voiced his excitement for being able to move to a 12-team league after the Sooners and Longhorns make their move. The Sooners and Longhorns will now join the SEC when the conference’s new TV deal with ABC and ESPN begins.

Oklahoma and Texas will play in a fourteen-team Big 12 with expansion members BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Houston in 2023-2024. It will be interesting to see how the SEC schedule looks in all sports and who Oklahoma and Texas’ main opponents will be in the conference a year from now.

Image Courtesy: YouTube

Capital One Orange Bowl
6.Tennessee vs. 7.Clemson
December 30, 8 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: Tennessee – Hendon Hooker (QB), Jalin Hyatt (WR), Cedric Tillman (WR), Lyn J Dixon (RB), Nick Evers (QB), Jimmy Calloway (WR) Clemson – Myles Murphy (DE), DJ Uiagalelei (QB), Decari Collins (WR), Sergio Allen (LB), Fred Davis II (DB), EJ Williams (WR)
Can Tennessee defeat Clemson without signal-caller Hendon Hooker, receiver Jalin Hyatt, and receiver Cedric Tillman? Joe Milton, a former Michigan transfer is definitely good enough to get them a win but without playmakers like Hyatt and Tillman offensively the Vols will have to use running back Jaylen Wright, who’s rushed for 10 TDs. Tennessee’s secondary has been a weakness and Cade Klubnik, who has replaced DJ Uiagalelei (who has since entered the transfer portal) as the permanent starter, will look to get the ball to leading receiver Antonio Williams and in the running ame with Will Shipley. Projected Score: Tennessee 24, Clemson 21

Allstate Sugar Bowl
5.Alabama vs. 9.Kansas State
December 31, 12 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: Alabama – Aaron Anderson (WR), Traeshon Holden (WR), Christian Leary (WR), JoJo Earle (WR), etc. Kansas State – N/A
With Bryce Young and Will Anderson not opting out of the Sugar Bowl, Alabama is bolstered on both sides of the ball. Even without receivers and other playmakers Alabama usually has, Young has been terrific at the quarterback position and he will look to continue to prove his skill without four receivers who have entered the transfer portal. Without any opt-outs, Kansas State is looking great for their match-up with Alabama after their Big 12 title game win. QB Will Howard (15 passing TDs) has been terrific since taking over for Adrian Martinez and with the help of tail back Deuce Vaughn (1,425 yards rushing). The wildcats will be a tough opponent for the Crimson Tide but after another “tough” 10-2 season for Nick Saban and Alabama, I think Bryce Young wills his team to a win. Projected Score: Alabama 31, Kansas State 28

CFP Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
2.Michigan vs. 3.TCU
December 31, 4 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: TCU – N/A Michigan – Cade McNamara (QB), Erick All (TE), Blake Corum (RB)
Michigan QB JJ McCarthy was huge for the Wolverines in their wins over Ohio State and in the Big Ten title game against Purdue. Donavan Edwards (872 yards, 7 TDs), who backs up injured star running back Blake Corum, has also proven to be more than capable of replacing him in his role for Michigan. Ronnie Bell (3 TDs) and Cornelius Johnson (6 TDs) lead the Wolverines in receiving. TCU’s QB Max Duggan has been tremendous this season, throwing for 3,321 yards and 30 touchdowns. Tail back Kendre Miller has rushed for an incredible 17 touchdowns this season. Linebacker Johnny Hodges, who leads the Horned Frogs in tackles, will have to step up after him and the rest of the defense gave up a lot of yards in the loss to Kansas State in Arlington at the Big 12 Championship. Without any opt-outs, the Horned Frogs are going to be tough to deal with for the Wolverines. Projected Score: Michigan 34, TCU 28

CFP Semifinal at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl
1.Georgia vs. 4.Ohio State
December 31, 8 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: Georgia – N/A Ohio State – TreVeyon Henderson (RB), Teradja Mitchell (LB), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR)
Without star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for much of the season, Ohio State QB CJ Stroud (37 passing TDs and 3,340 yards passing) has been fine. Unlike last season after their loss to Michigan, they have an opportunity to win the national championship. Marvin Harrison Jr. (1,157 yards and 12 receiving TDs) has developed into the target Stroud needs and he and fellow receivers Julian Fleming (6 TDs) and Emeka Egbuka (9 TDs) will play a crucial role in helping the Buckeyes beat Georgia. Tail back TreVeyon Henderson has opted out but the Buckeye’s other running back Miyan Williams has been even better than Henderson (817 rushing yards and 13 TDs). Ohio State’s defense has improved somewhat since the hiring of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles but will have to be ready for Georgia’s offense led by former walk-on QB Stetson Bennett, who has passed for almost 3,500 yards and 20 passing touchdowns, and tight end Brock Bowers, who leads the Bulldogs in receiving. The reigning national champions also rely on their running game, led by starter Kenny McIntosh (10 TDs, 709 rushing yards). The Bulldogs’ terrific defense was just as good or better than their historic 2021 unit, led by defensive back Kelee Ringo and defensive lineman Jalen Carter. Ohio State wants a rematch with Michigan in the championship but Georgia’s defense should be the toughest one Ryan Day’s team has seen this season and the Bulldogs should return with a chance to go back to back on January 9 in SoFi Stadium. Projected Score: Georgia 42, Ohio State 31

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
10.USC vs. 16.Tulane
January 2, 1 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: Tulane – Dea Dea McDougle (WR) USC – Jordan Addison (WR), Ralen Goforth (LB)
USC had a successful last three weeks of the season (wins over ranked UCLA and Notre Dame) before getting handled by Utah when Heisman-winning QB Caleb Williams (37 passing TDs) got hurt. Williams will be tough to defend for a Tulane team that will play its first New Year’s Six Bowl game ever. Williams’ star receiver Jordan Addison, who has caught balls from Williams this season more than 1,000 yards and has 8 TDs, has opted out of the bowl game. The Trojan’s defense will be the side of the ball that determines the outcome of the game. They unraveled against Cam Rising and Utah in the second half of the Pac-12 Championship Game and will have to deal with QB Michael Pratt (25 TDs and 2,776 passing yards) and running back Tyjae Spears (15 TD and 1,376 rushing yards). Tulane’s defense has played well and are led by linebackers Dorian Williams (72 tackles) and Nick Anderson (59 tackles). I have to pick an upset and this is the one. Projected Score: Tulane 35, USC 31

Rose Bowl Game
8.Utah vs. 11.Penn State
January 2, 5 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: Penn State – Parker Washington (WR), Joey Porter Jr. (CB), Caziah Holmes (RB), Ken Talley (DL), Christian Veilleux (QB), Rodney McGraw (DL) Utah – Dalton Kincaid (TE), Tavion Thomas (RB), Malone Mataele (DB)
After losing to Florida to open the season, Utes QB Cam Rising has been terrific, beating USC twice. The Utes will be without top pass catcher Dalton Kincaid (9 TDs and almost 900 receiving yards)and top running back Tavion Thomas (7 TDs and 687 rushing yards). Their defense will only be without defensive back Malone Mataele so the talented defense should be able to help an offense without their top two weapons. Penn State’s only losses are to Michigan and Ohio State, who are both in the College Football Playoff. Nittany Lion QB Sean Clifford, who has been with the program forever, passed for over 2,500 yards 22 touchdowns. Nick Singleton has paced the running game for Penn State, rushing for close to a 1,000 yards and 10 TDs. The Nittany Lions defense is always talented and is led by safety Ji’Ayir Brown in tackles with 50 tackles. Without many of Utah’s offensive playmakers, this a game Penn State should win. Projected Score: Penn State 24, Utah 21

Image Courtesy: Arkansas Razorbacks Athletics

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Arkansas vs. Kansas
December 28, 5:30 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: Arkansas – Jadon Haselwood (WR), Bumper Pool (LB), Drew Sanders (LB), Ricky Stromberg (C), etc.
Kansas – Steven McBride (WR), Shaad Dabney (DB), Edwin White-Schultz (DB), Gavin Potter (LB), Kevin Orange (DE), etc.

I was honestly pretty worried about the state of the Arkansas football program this week. But in his early signing period press conference, coach Sam Pittman said that “he feels good” about where he thinks his program is at this point. Arkansas will be without two starting receivers, their starting center, both of their starting linebackers, and other players due to the draft and transfer portal. The point being that if it weren’t for QB KJ Jefferson and tailback Rocket Sanders, there is no way I could see Arkansas winning this game. Kansas is appearing in their first bowl game in a long time and will face an Arkansas team that did the same thing just a year ago. The Arkansas defense will have to deal with dual threat Jayhawks QB Jalon Daniels, who has thrown for almost 1500 yards, 13 passing touchdowns and 6 rushing touchdowns. Running back Devin Neal led Kansas in rushing this season rushing for over a thousand yards and 9 touchdowns while Lawrence Arnold led the Jayhawks in receiving with almost 500 yards and 4 touchdowns this season. Star safety Kenny Logan Jr. has 96 tackles and 3 interceptions this season. The Razorbacks counter with KJ Jefferson, who has thrown for 26 TDs while throwing for 2,361 yards and rushed for 510 yards and 7 TDs. Arkansas has truly played through Rocket Sanders this year, as he finished second in the SEC in rushing with 1,426 yards and 10 TDs. Matt Landers came on for the hogs at receivers with 3 TDs in the final two games of the regular season and helped him get 7 TDs for the season. Pittman’s team will be without Drew Sanders and Bumper Pool, who lead the team in tackles but Chris “Pooh” Paul has proven to be a good replacement. Paul has managed 50 tackles this season in a back-up role but he will be starting in place of Sanders and Pool. To me, this game stays close for two or three quarters, but Jalon Daniels outduels KJ Jefferson with more starters on the roster for the game. Projected Score: Kansas 42, Arkansas 35

Image Courtesy: Fox News

With the College Football Playoff moving to a 12-team format in 2024, let’s take a look at what it would look like this season:

The format includes the top four conference champions, followed by six at-large bids and the two highest ranking conference champions. It guarantees the top “Group of 5” champion will participate. That also hurts the chances of an independent squad ever being in the top four of the rankings. The rankings will be based on the final College Football Playoff rankings of the season.

The opening round will consist of seeds 5-8 hosting seeds 9-12 at their home stadiums while seeds 1-4 get byes for the weekend. In the quarterfinals, the number one seeded team will get to choose first which bowl they play at followed by the second, third, and fourth seeds. The highest ranked team remaining will do the same by picking their bowl destination in the semifinals just like in the quarters. The Championship will always be played at a neutral site.

Here is the bracket

1st Round
Salt Lake City
8.Utah
9.Kansas State

Tuscaloosa
5.Alabama
12.Washington

Knoxville
6.Tennessee
11.Penn State

Clemson
7.Clemson
10.USC

Quarterfinals

TBD Bowl Game
1.Georgia
8.Utah/9.Kansas State

TBD Bowl Game
4.Ohio State
5.Alabama/12.Washington

TBD Bowl Game
3.TCU
6.Tennessee/11.Penn State

TBD Bowl Game
2.Michigan
7.Clemson/10.USC

Image Courtesy: Touchdown Wire — USA Today

CFP Top 6
1.Georgia 12-0 (8-0) This week: 14.LSU (Atlanta)
2.Michigan 12-0 (8-0) This week: Purdue (Indianapolis)
3.TCU 12-0 (8-0) This week: 10.Kansas State (Arlington)
4.USC 11-1 (8-1) This week: 11.Utah (Las Vegas)
5.Ohio State 11-1 (7-1) This week: N/A
6.Alabama 10-2 (6-2) This week: N/A

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)
Pac-12 Championship
11.Utah vs. 4.USC (Las Vegas) (Friday, 8 PM ET, FOX)
Utah beat USC by a single point back on October 15th. The Trojans, led by Heisman favorite Caleb Williams, will look to solidify their case for a spot in the College Football Playoff with a third consecutive win over a top twenty-five team. Utah QB Cam Rising and RB Tavion Thomas will look to defeat Southern Cal for a second time this season and create chaos at this Sunday’s Selection Show. Projected Score: USC 38, Utah 24

Big 12 Championship
10.Kansas State vs. 3.TCU (Arlington) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
Kansas State had a double-digit lead at multiple points in their regular season game against TCU but like many of the Horned Frogs’ other games, they came back and won that game. The Horned Frogs’ QB Max Duggan has been spectacular this season even after getting replaced in spring ball. He replaced the injured Chandler Morris and never looked back. Duggan will lead TCU’s offense to another big win. Projected Score: TCU 42, Kansas State 31

SEC Championship
14.LSU vs. 1.Georgia (Atlanta) (Saturday, 4 PM ET, CBS)
Despite losing many players to the 2022 NFL Draft in April following a national championship win, Georgia coach Kirby Smart has led the Bulldogs to another perfect regular season. Without a surprising loss in their backyard of Atlanta on Saturday, they will be in the College Football Playoff as the top seed, playing on New Year’s Eve. On the opposite sideline, Brian Kelly led LSU to Atlanta in his first season as head coach. The tigers were upset last week by a previously struggling Texas A&M team and fell to 9-3. Thinking that LSU would be at the SEC Championship game following their season-opening loss to Florida State in their backyard of New Orleans is crazy to think and with a record that is now out of contention of making the CFP. Projected Score: Georgia 27, LSU 17

ACC Championship
23.North Carolina vs. 9.Clemson (Charlotte) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, ABC)
With a win last Saturday, Clemson would have been in good shape when it comes to their chances for this year’s College Football Playoff. But, they fell to instate rival South Carolina for the first time since 2013 and will face a North Carolina team that has lost its last two games. Tar Heel QB Drake Maye has not carried his team the entire year but a disappointing year for the Carolina defense has made it seem clear this team was not good enough to make a run at the CFP. This game, to me, comes down to who can make timely stops, and Clemson’s defense is one of the best in the country. Projected Score: Clemson 35, North Carolina 28

Big Ten Championship
Purdue vs. 2.Michigan (Indianapolis) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, FOX)
Michigan ran their way to 242 rushing yards in the second half in a dominant win over Ohio State, 45-23. With a win over Purdue, the Wolverines will be back in the College Football Playoff for a second consecutive season. Purdue will have to pose a threat to the dominant Michigan offensive line if they want to stop the Wolverine ground game and pull the upset. Aidan O’Connel, the Boilermaker QB, will also have to pace his offense well as opposing signal-caller JJ McCarthy threw three long passing touchdowns in Michigan’s win over Ohio State last Saturday, which means the Wolverines can score in a hurry. Projected Score: Michigan State 42, Purdue 24

Image Courtesy: The New York Times

CFP Top 6
1.Georgia 11-0 (8-0) This week: Georgia Tech
2.Ohio State 11-0 (8-0) This week: 3.Michigan
3.Michigan 11-0 (8-0) This week: at.2.Ohio State
4.TCU 11-0 (8-0) This week: Iowa State
5.LSU 9-2 (6-1) This week: at.Texas A&M
6.USC 10-1 (8-1) This week: 15.Notre Dame

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)
Mississippi State at. 20.Ole Miss (Thursday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
Even if Ole Miss will be ultra-focused following their terrible loss to Arkansas last Saturday, they still play with Lane Kiffin, their head coach, potentially on the way out to Auburn. This game will be close but Mississippi State QB Will Rogers will lead the Bulldogs to a win and hand the Rebels a third consecutive loss and get their first win in the rivalry in a long time. Projected Score: Mississippi State 35, Ole Miss 28

South Carolina at. 8.Clemson (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
Clemson has “struggled” to a 10-1 record and will play in the ACC Championship next Saturday no matter what the game result is in “Death Valley” on Saturday. The tigers have to face a red hot South Carolina team who just eliminated Tennessee from the College Football Playoff picture by scoring 63 points on them, led by QB Spencer Rattler’s 6 TDs in the game. Clemson should have the want to get to the Playoff because if TCU loses and they win out, they could very well be in contention for that fourth spot, most likely taking on Georgia if they get there. Projected Score: Clemson 27, South Carolina 17

3.Michigan at. 2.Ohio State (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
Ohio State’s players and coaches have been thinking about their game with Michigan last season the entirety of last year. They fell to their arch rival, the Wolverines, for the first time in sixteen years. Something tells me Ohio State will take some time to get going and then get a big lead and cruise in this game, claiming their spot in the Big Ten title game and putting themselves one step closer to another College Football Playoff bid. With the way Michigan played against Illinois last week (it was not very good) and needing a game-winning field goal to beat the Illini, the Buckeyes should win this game. Projected Score: Ohio State 45, Michigan 31

9.Oregon at. 21.Oregon State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
Will Oregon State upset Oregon’s chances at another Pac-12 championship game appearance? The Beavers have had an incredible season but Bo Nix should lead the Ducks to a win and a chance at ending USC’s College Football Playoff chances. Projected Score: Oregon 31, Oregon State 17

Auburn at. 8.Alabama (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Auburn has looked better and more inspired as a team with “Cadillac” Williams as their interim coach. But Alabama has used wins over Ole Miss and Austin Peay to get back on their feet. Alabama needs Bryce Young to get them going and lead them to a win in the Iron Bowl. Projected Score: Alabama 38, Auburn 20

5.LSU at. Texas A&M (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
With a win, LSU will still have a shot at the College Football Playoff. Playing an Aggie team with not much to play for is dangerous as they will want to end LSU’s chances at the postseason. No matter what, LSU will be in Atlanta next weekend for the SEC Championship and they should be fine in College Station on Saturday. Projected Score: LSU 34, Texas A&M 17

15.Notre Dame at. 6.USC (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
With a Pac-12 Championship Game appearance already locked up, USC will need a win over Notre Dame to jump LSU in the rankings and help themselves before they face one of Oregon, Utah, or Washington in their conference championship game. Notre Dame has also played better since their terrible start to the season and will pose a great challenge for Caleb Williams and the Trojans. Projected Score: USC 38, Notre Dame 27

Image Courtesy: Daily Bruin

CFP Top 6
1.Georgia 10-0 (7-0) This week: at.Kentucky
2.Ohio State 10-0 (7-0) This week: at.Maryland
3.Michigan 10-0 (7-0) This week: Illinois
4.TCU 10-0 (7-0) This week: at.Baylor
5.Tennessee 9-1 (5-1) This week: at.South Carolina
6.LSU 8-2 (6-1) This week: UAB

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)
1.Georgia at. Kentucky (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Georgia needs to stay focused and not look ahead to Atlanta even if they are playing a struggling Kentucky team, who just lost to Vanderbilt and previously came up short against South Carolina. The Bulldogs’ defense is hitting on all cylinders and it will help them head into Georgia Tech week with another win. Projected Score: Georgia 42, Kentucky 21

7.USC at. 16.UCLA (Saturday, 8 PM ET, FOX)
In the Battle for LA, USC can lock up a bid to the Pac-12 Championship with a win over the Bruins. UCLA could have made this game have even more stakes with a win over Arizona last week but they lost. UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson will look to get the Bruins going again at home on his senior day. Projected Score: USC 38, UCLA 27

10.Utah at. 12.Oregon (Saturday, 10:30 PM ET, ESPN)
Oregon’s loss to rival Washington hurts their College Football layoff chances dramatically while they are trying to clinch a spot in the Pac-12 Championship game. Since their loss to Florida to open the year, Utah has not been talked about much despite defeating USC, the lone Pac-12 squad ahead of them in the CFP rankings. With the game in Eugene and in Autzen Stadium, I will lean with the Ducks but this one will be close. Projected Score: Oregon 28, Utah 24

Image Courtesy: Texas Athletics

CFP Top 6
1.Georgia 9-0 (6-0) This week: at.Mississippi State
2.Ohio State 9-0 (6-0) This week: Indiana
3.Michigan 9-0 (6-0) This week: Nebraska
4.TCU 9-0 (6-0) This week: at.18.Texas
5.Tennessee 8-1 (4-1) This week: Missouri
6.Oregon 8-1 (6-0) This week: 25.Washington

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)
22.Central Florida at. 17.Tulane (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN2)
In a battle for both the American Athletic Conference and the Group of Five’s spot in the New Year’s Six, Gus Malzahn’s UCF Golden Knights face the talented Tulane Green Wave. Tulane will be led to victory by Michael Pratt, the QB for Tulane. Projected Score: Tulane 31, Central Florida 24

9.Alabama at. 11.Ole Miss (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Many have been asking this week if the Nick Saban dynasty has fallen since their loss to LSU last Saturday. It will be determined in Oxford when Alabama comes in to face the Rebels who have nothing to lose and everything to gain against Alabama. Projected Score: Alabama 38, Ole Miss 27

25.Washington at. 6.Oregon (Saturday, 7 PM ET, FOX)
Oregon should keep rolling against Washington, led by Bo Nix and that talented defense. Projected Score: Oregon 24, Washington 14

4.TCU at. 18.Texas (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
ESPN’s College GameDay makes a return trip to Austin, this time for the Longhorns showdown with instate, undefeated rival TCU. Former TCU head coach Gary Patterson is now on the Texas sideline but new coach Sonny Dykes will have his team, led by QB Max Duggan, focused on the goal, winning in a difficult Austin environment. Projected Score: TCU 38, Texas 31