It’s Saturday morning and the campus has gone officially insane. Students pour onto the streets to cheer on their beloved teams and begin a weekend of festivities. It’s time for college football.
Primetime matchups such as Clemson vs. Georgia, Alabama vs. Virginia Tech and Louisiana State vs. Texas Christian headline the season’s first week, and every college football fan is excited to see their team start off on the right foot with an opening week victory. With that being said, here are five major storylines we will be following as the season goes on.
Can Alabama capture its third title in the past four seasons? It seems like the answer to that question is a resounding “yes”, but let’s not jump too far ahead. The Tide lost a number of key players, such as cornerback Dee Milliner and running back Eddie Lacy, and face another tough year in the nation’s best conference, the SEC. Alabama will have several challenges this year such as: facing Texas A&M and its Heisman winning quarterback Johnny Manziel on the road, facing a reloaded LSU team that’s out for vengeance and living up to championship expectations. Fortunately, the Tide return starting quarterback AJ McCarron, most of their starting defense and electric tailback TJ Yeldon, plus they play most of their tough SEC games at home in Tuscaloosa. If they can get past the Aggies, look for the Tide to roll into the SEC Championship and probably the National Title Game.
Will Johnny Manziel win the Heisman once again? Probably not. His field of challengers is strong, with McCarron and Yeldon looking to take the Crimson Tide back to the Title Game; South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney aiming to become the first defensive player to win the Heisman since Michigan’s Charles Woodson in 1997; Oregon’s dynamic duo of quarterback Marcus Mariota and running back De’Anthony Thomas seeking to return the Ducks back into the national title picture, and Ohio State dual threat quarterback Braxton Miller, who hopes to lead to Buckeyes to another undefeated record and BCS bowl game birth in Urban Meyer’s second year at the helm. Nevertheless, Johnny Football could become the first player since Ohio State’s Archie Griffin in the mid 1970s to win back to back Heismans, so look for him to try and top last year’s record breaking performance.
Who can beat Alabama? Not a lot of teams have a shot at doing that, but five could do it. Stanford’s smash mouth style of football and great defense likely have the best shot, but in order to get a chance at dethroning Bama, they have to get past Oregon. The Ducks’ speed and athleticism have made them the fastest team in America who can score a point a minute. Texas A&M beat the Crimson Tide last year in Tuscaloosa, and they could easily do it in College Station this year. South Carolina’s dominant offense is a great match for Alabama’s defense, and Ohio State is looking to be even better than last year’s undefeated record in an even weaker Big Ten.
What team can make an under the radar run towards the Title Game? Clemson’s team speed, elite offense and manageable schedule allow for a dash to Pasadena. If the Tigers can get past Georgia in the season opener and Florida State later in the season, they will be undefeated in time for the ACC Championship Game and possibly a January date in Southern California. Quarterback Tajh Boyd will want to end his college career on a high note.
What team is overrated heading into the season?
Despite a national title run last season, Notre Dame will be lucky to get to double digit wins this season. The loss of team leader Manti Te’o, as well as star tight end Tyler Eifert leaving for the NFL and the season long suspension of quarterback Everett Golson spell big time trouble for the Irish. Coach Brian Kelly returns most of a defense that was thoroughly beaten by the Crimson Tide this past January in Miami, and senior Tommy Rees is back at quarterback. However, a difficult schedule highlighted by matchups against Stanford, Michigan and Oklahoma make another BCS bowl game berth unlikely.
Seven months have passed since Alabama captured its second straight title, and now college football is back for its final BCS season before heading into the College Football Playoff that will begin in 2014. So sit back and relax or go and tailgate with your friends and family: it’s going to be another great season filled with tradition, rivalries and upsets abound.