Tag: alabama

2023 College Football Season Preview

College football is finally back in our lives, which means we’ll be treated with the best sport on the planet for the next four months. And this could be one of the craziest seasons we’ve ever seen. Here’s my preview of what should be another fantastic year of college football.

Cover photo taken from News IO.

The best sport in the world is finally back. College football has returned to us after a long seven month wait, and we could be in for one of the most fun seasons we’ve ever seen. 2022 will be a tough act to follow, but this is shaping up to be a season featuring some absolute juggernauts at the top that could provide us with some of the best games in recent memory as everyone vies to reach Houston and the National Championship. And with this being the last season of the both the four-team playoff and the Power Five as we know it before realignment takes shape, we are bound for some classic college football craziness. Here’s how I see each of the Power Five conferences playing out, along with my Heisman and Playoff picks for what could be one of the best college football seasons of all time.

Big Ten

Winner: Ohio State Buckeyes

Runner-Up: Wisconsin Badgers

If only the Big Ten got rid of their division system one season earlier. If there was ever a time to let the teams at the top of the league go at it, it’s now. The conference is as top-heavy as it has ever been with the big three of Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State boasting absolutely loaded rosters that can and will compete for this year’s national championship while the other 11 teams look up in admiration.

The two-time defending B1G champion Michigan Wolverines are undoubtedly the favorites heading into the season, and for good reason. In each of the last two seasons, they’ve thrashed their rivals from Columbus en route to conference titles and CFP berths. However, Jim Harbaugh’s squad is still chasing that elusive first Playoff victory. Despite Harbaugh’s upcoming absence due to a self-imposed suspension for recruiting violations in 2020, Michigan should cruise for the first ten weeks of their season thanks to a combination of their incredible talent — both returning and new — and one of the softest schedules in all of college football that culminates in matchups against Penn State and Ohio State in two of their final three games.

Almost all of the Wolverines’ key players from their dream 2022 season are back. QB J.J. McCarthy enters his second year a starter with perhaps the best RB duo in football behind him with returning stars Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Their offensive line has been reloaded with two senior transfers to complete a unit featuring five players with a combined 23 years of experience. The receiving corps is also led by veterans Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson. Like last season, Michigan’s defense is extremely balanced with playmakers everywhere like Will Johnson and Mike Sainristil in the secondary and the senior edge-rushing duo of Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell. Simply put, this is the most complete and talented team in the conference, and maybe all of college football. If Michigan doesn’t complete all of their three-peats, the season will be considered a failure.

Michigan RB Blake Corum is back to lead the offense after a sensational 1,463 yard, 18 TD season in 2022. (h/t 247Sports)

It might not seem like it on the surface, but Ohio State is a program in flux. The Buckeyes enter each season with three goals: beat The Team Up North, win the Big Ten, and win a national championship. They haven’t beaten Michigan since 2019 and have been embarrassed in back-to-back seasons. They haven’t won the Big Ten since 2020, and they only played in that game on a technicality. They haven’t won a national championship since 2014. Under Ryan Day, Ohio State is hitting 3-for-11 on their goals. That’s a .273 batting average, which would be solid in baseball but is absolutely dreadful for a program as proud as this one. There’s no excuse for the Buckeyes to be underachieving as much as they have been under Ryan Day. They have been blessed with countless offensive gems and have nothing to show for it. This is the season that he has to get Ohio State back to how they were under Urban Meyer. If he doesn’t, his time in Columbus might be up.

Luckily for Coach Day, his 2023 squad is another lethal one. C.J. Stroud is gone, but his replacement will be either Kyle McCord or Devin Brown (note: it is extremely strange that we are entering September and this QB battle hasn’t been settled yet), each of whom are extremely capable and talented quarterbacks. It helps that the surrounding cast is the best in the nation with two preseason first-team All-Americans at wide receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr. — the best WR in football and perhaps the most unique WR prospect I’ve ever seen — and Emeka Egbuka. The Bucks also boast a bullish RB tandem with veterans TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams. But offense is never a question in Columbus. It’s the defense that has let this team down again and again. Jim Knowles was brought in last year to fix that problem, but his first season was a resounding failure that included back-to-back embarrassments to end the year against Michigan and Georgia. This year’s unit returns every key player that suffered those embarrassments, headlined by the star pass rush duo of Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau and field general linebacker Tommy Eichenberg — a preseason first-team All-American. The secondary is significantly weaker than the front seven, and they will really need to pull their weight if the Buckeyes want to get where they want to. If young guys on this defense like C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles get their chances, the unit can take huge strides. It’s just hard to put any faith in the Ohio State defense at this point.

Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. could have a record-breaking season in Columbus. (h/t Sports Illustrated)

In Happy Valley, everything is lining up for Penn State to have their dream season. James Franklin has his most talented, complete team yet with studs all over the place and a plethora of returning talent from last season’s Rose Bowl-winning team. The running back duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen is one of the best in the country, the WR room features your typical Penn State wideout talents like KeAndre Lambert-Smith and underrated Kent State transfer Dante Cephas, and the offensive line is bolstered by perhaps the best tackle in the country in Olu Fashanu. The defense features studs like Abdul Carter, Chop Robinson, and Kalen King who should each hold down their respective sections of the field.

Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton spearheads one of the best rushing attacks in college football. (h/t Penn State Athletics)

There are only two real question marks with the Nittany Lions. The first one is new QB Drew Allar who has all the talent in the world to take this team to new heights. If Allar lives up to his potential, this team could cut through the Big Ten like a hot knife through butter. But he is inexperienced and could have some growing pains. I believe in Allar’s ability, and he should be a treat to watch. The second question mark is one that has loomed over this program for years now, and that’s James Franklin himself. There’s no doubt that he is a fantastic recruiter and — at the very least — a solid coach. But so many times he has fallen short in the biggest moments. I’d like to think that he and the program will keep the momentum from their great 2022 season where they only lost to Ohio State and Michigan and won a Rose Bowl. But it’s very hard to put any faith in a guy that hasn’t given anyone a reason to have any.

These three heavyweights will all go head-to-head this season, so it should all play out in a fairly straightforward manner… right? Not exactly. The way I see it, each of the three teams is built to beat one of the others, but not both. I think Michigan clearly has the blueprint to beat Ohio State as we have seen for two years in a row, but I think Penn State can match up with them physically. With that game being in Happy Valley, I see Penn State being the lone loss on Michigan’s schedule. However, Penn State clearly struggles with the overwhelming offensive talent that Ohio State possesses, and with the Nittany Lions traveling to Columbus for that game, I think the Buckeyes hand Penn State their only loss.

So, when this merry-go-round is all wrapped up, each of these three juggernauts will sit at 11-1. Who heads to Indianapolis? It would come down to the team whose Big Ten West opponents have the highest combined winning percentage. Ohio State plays Wisconsin, Purdue, and Minnesota while Michigan takes on Minnesota, Nebraska, and Purdue and Penn State clashes with Iowa, Illinois, and Northwestern. What stands out to me there is how awful the Nittany Lions’ trio is shaping up to be. It’s safe to say that they’ll get the short end of the stick in this scenario. And even though I believe that Michigan will notch their third straight win over Ohio State, I have the slightest feeling that Wisconsin’s success in year one of their new regime under Luke Fickell will catapult the Buckeyes to the top of the standings for a matchup with those very Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game where Ryan Day’s squad punches its ticket to the College Football Playoff with their first conference title since 2020.

But that doesn’t mean the season is cooked for Michigan or Penn State. Similar to Ohio State last season, they will certainly be in consideration for a playoff spot despite not even winning their division. The chances of one of them sneaking in are higher than you think.

SEC

Winner: Georgia Bulldogs

Runner-Up: Alabama Crimson Tide

Like the Big Ten, the SEC is as top-heavy as ever. But unlike the Big Ten, this should play out in a much more straightforward manner.

The two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs are searching for college football’s first three-peat in nearly a century (Minnesota from 1934 to 1936). History would say the odds aren’t exactly in their favor, and the sport is extremely strong at the top. But each of the contenders has to go through Georgia. Ohio State came oh so close in the Peach Bowl last season before TCU got steamrolled in the national championship.

Now, the Dawgs are back and still absolutely loaded despite losing perhaps the most decorated player in program history in QB Stetson Bennett IV. The offense will see a lot of change following the departure of OC Todd Monken, but they still have the players to move the needle. Redshirt junior Carson Beck takes over under center, and while he’s not going to blow anyone away, he’s a very talented player with a better arm than Bennett. He’ll be helped out by an experienced group of skill players including Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards out of the backfield and Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint out wide. But we all know the true star of this offense is Brock Bowers: one of the best tight ends in recent memory and a surefire 2024 top ten pick. His talent alone will make this offense virtually unstoppable. But Georgia under Kirby Smart has been known for their defense, and this year’s unit is reloaded with some absolute studs like sophomore star Mykel Williams flying off the edge and a sensational secondary trio of Kamari Lassiter, Malaki Starks, and Javon Bullard. This is perhaps the most talented team in college football and a very worthy preseason No. 1 that plays one of the most embarrassingly easy schedules I’ve ever seen. Only one team stands in their way of a 13-0 cakewalk to the Playoff.

Georgia TE Brock Bowers is a generational talent at his position. (h/t Press Democrat)

Alabama is in their longest title drought in almost a decade. That drought is two seasons. God, Nick Saban really is the GOAT. And this is a perfect year for the Crimson Tide to bounce back and return to their expected glory. For the first time in forever, Bama is seemingly being overshadowed. Letting them be the underdog is probably a mistake.

Yes, Bryce Young is gone and this offense hasn’t lived up to expectations in a while. But the new-look offense is more of a blast from the past. This Alabama team is going to beat you up and run it down your throat just like the first half of the Saban dynasty. Bill O’Brien has been replaced by Tommy Rees, so this offense should also be more watchable in general. The starting QB will either be Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner who would play the role of Jake Coker or A.J. McCarron or Jalen Milroe who would play the role of Blake Sims or a young Jalen Hurts. They’ll make the throws and plays they have to while the other guys on the offense do the heavy lifting. All the while, the defense will be thumping people left and right with their physicality and athleticism. Dallas Turner leads the way off the edge as one of the premier pass rushers in college football and one of my absolute favorite players to watch. The secondary features some of the best DBs in the nation with Kool-Aid McKinstry, Malachi Moore, and Caleb Downs — a young superstar in the making. This is going to be a team that reminds you of the Alabama teams of the early 2010s, which will be good enough to get them to an SEC Championship Game. The only question is whether or not that will be their peak. With Nick Saban leading the charge, I’ll never doubt what this team is capable of.

Alabama LB Dallas Turner could be the next great Alabama pass-rusher. (h/t Touchdown Alabama)

But I think beating Georgia could be a very tall task. They’ve previously had success with beating the Dawgs when they had the offensive athletes to do so, similar to Ohio State’s blueprint against them last year. This isn’t that kind of Alabama team. Still, they should be good for a run at a playoff spot, and I’d be shocked if they wind up on the outside looking in come Selection Sunday.

The rest of the SEC isn’t much to look at. Teams like LSU, Tennessee, and Ole Miss should linger for a while, but I just can’t see them stepping up and competing with the two juggernauts at the top. LSU is certainly the third best team in this conference with their uber-talented squad in year two under Brian Kelly, but they have a very tough opening test against Florida State and have to travel to Tuscaloosa to play Alabama. Similarly, the Vols are coming off a resurgent season of their own, but it’s hard to believe they won’t get smacked by Georgia. Ole Miss has arguably the best running back in football in Quinshon Judkins, but they don’t have enough talent elsewhere to keep up in the brutal SEC West. Barring something unforeseen, this is a two-horse race.

Pac-12

Winner: Oregon Ducks

Runner-Up: Washington Huskies

One last ride. The last dance. Insert other clichés here. 2023 is the last year of the Pac-12 as we know it, which is a fact that fills me with melancholy. This once-proud conference is one that I grew up loving and gave me and so many others lifelong memories. We are all devastated to see it fall apart the way it has. But the silver lining here is that this year’s Pac-12 is absolutely stacked and should be a treat to watch and cover.

You might think the conversation starts with the defending champion Utah Utes or headline-grabbing USC Trojans, but I would point you in a different direction. I think the Pac-12 runs through the Pacific Northwest and two bitter rivals in Oregon and Washington. These are the two best teams in the conference for very similar reasons. Each team is entering year two of a new regime under a new head coach with Oregon’s Dan Lanning and Washingon’s Kalen DeBoer. Each team is led by a quarterback in his 148th year of football who transferred in 2022 and vastly exceeded expectations with Bo Nix of the Ducks and Michael Penix Jr. of the Huskies. Each team has a star WR in Oregon’s Troy Franklin and Washington’s Rome Odunze. Everything is lining up for these two teams to be on a season-long collision course culminating in a October 14th heavyweight fight in Seattle and an eventual rematch in Las Vegas in the conference title game.

Bitter Pac-12 Rivals Washington and Oregon will be neck and neck at the top of the conference in 2023. (h/t UW Dawg Pound)

With so many similarities, what separates these two? I’d like to say defense, but neither one is particularly impressive. They both had some low lows in 2022, and neither unit stands out heading into this season. But Oregon has revamped that side of the ball with a plethora of transfers, and I think that can put them over the top. I don’t think they will beat the Huskies and their explosive offense on the road, but that loss will help them get their act together down the stretch en route to a revenge victory in the title game to secure their first actual conference championship since 2019.

But what about the others? Utah is coming off back-to-back conference titles and Rose Bowl appearances, and like the two teams I’m buying into this year, they are led by a veteran QB in Cam Rising. They have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball and some of the best program culture in the sport in year 19 under Kyle Whittingham. USC just missed out on the Playoff in 2022, has the incumbent Heisman winner in Caleb Williams — who is also one of the best QB prospects in history — among abundant offensive talent and arguably the best offensive mind in Lincoln Riley. Oregon State is in the midst of their own resurgence under Jonathan Smith and should be getting an offensive lift with the arrival of Clemson transfer QB D.J. Uiagalelei.

USC QB and defending Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is going to light up college football once again in 2023. (h/t USC Athletics)

Well, the Pac-12 is simply going to cannibalize itself as it has so often in the past. USC’s abhorrent, porous defense will be victimized all year long, and no amout of offense will be able to save them. The same can be said about Washington. Oregon is bound to have their hearts broken in typical Oregon fashion. Utah’s injury problems at QB could derail their season from the start. Oregon State simply lacks the big game experience to fully compete at the top.

All five of these teams — and maybe others like Cal and UCLA — will take turns beating each other to the point where nobody has the season they really want to have. Thus, the Pac-12 misses out on the Playoff for the seventh consecutive season. There would be no more symbolic way for the conference to go out.

Big 12

Winner: Texas Longhorns

Runner-Up: Kansas State Wildcats

Buckle up folks. The 2023 Big 12 is going to be hilarious.

This is the first season for newcomers UCF, Houston, BYU, and Cincinnati and the last season for Texas and Oklahoma before they depart for the SEC. So this is an extremely unique season where the conference has 14 teams and very different scheduling. It’s going to be strange from start to finish, but when is the Big 12 not strange?

As a whole, the conference should be as competitive as it was in 2022, if not more so. Last year’s top teams like TCU, Kansas State, and Texas should all stick around while others like Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and even Kansas should have vastly improved campaigns. It’s difficult to imagine a world where TCU replicates the success they saw last year, which means the conference should be wide open.

As always, all the eyes are on Texas. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but it really does feel like this is the year that the Longhorns figure it out. If there has ever been a season for Steve Sarkisian’s offense to finally get it done, it’s this one. Yes, Bijan Robinson is gone and Quinn Ewers hasn’t exactly lived up to his potential, but the ingredients are there for this unit to thrive. Ewers dealt with a shoulder problem for much of last year, and if he stays healthy, there’s no doubt that his talent can help this offense do big things. It helps that he’s throwing to one of the best WRs in the sport in Xavier Worthy and gets a huge lift with the arrival of Georgia transfer Adonai Mitchell, who was absolutely nails last year against Ohio State and in the 2021 national championship against Alabama. Mitchell has also dealt with some injuries, but figures to be a massive part of this offense if he can stay on the field. We know the defense has the talent to be potentially dominant, but I just can’t put any faith in a Texas Longhorns defense in 2023. They haven’t earned my respect. Still, it feels like Texas has the most talent in the conference, and if they can channel that into actually good play on the field, the Big 12 should be theirs for the taking. I can’t wait to be wrong for the trillionth time.

Texas QB Quinn Ewers has what it takes to get the Longhorns to their first conference championship since 2009. (h/t San Antonio Express-News)

Kansas State might be the most overlooked defending conference champions ever, and I can’t exactly figure out why. Losing RB Deuce Vaughn certainly hurts, but they have a great, proven QB in Will Howard and return almost the entire offense that just won a conference title and went to a Sugar Bowl last season. The defense also features many of the same cast members as last year’s team, including one of the most experienced front sevens in all of football. By all means, Kansas State should be the favorites to run it back. Unfortunately, they just don’t have a Texas or Oklahoma logo on their helmet, so they don’t get the love they deserve. I was very close to picking them to win the conference, but for some reason I’m continuing to buy Texas’ stock. But it would not be a surprise at all if the Wildcats repeat.

Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and TCU figure to be the other teams to look out for. The Sooners enter year two under Brent Venables after a disastrous 2022 which included an all-time embarrassment at the State Fair with a 49-0 loss to Texas. It’s never good when your first season is remembered for one of the lowest moments in program history. But, like so many teams in the second year of a new regime, OU figures to be better this season. Eight or nine wins is certainly on the table. Texas Tech has been a trendy media darling in the last few months thanks to their extremely experienced offense led by QB Tyler Shough which returns each of its five top yardage leaders from 2022. But the story with the Red Raiders is whether or not their defense can bounce back from a dreadful season that saw them give up nearly 30 points per game. It’s another experienced unit that has what it takes to improve, but if they don’t, it’s hard to see Tech competing for a conference title. And TCU simply lost too many key players for me to have faith in them to do what they were able to last year. But Sonny Dykes is doing great things in Fort Worth, and I’m sure they will be very competitive, perhaps playing spoiler to some of the teams at the top.

ACC

Winner: Clemson Tigers

Runner-Up: Florida State Seminoles

Once again, the ACC is the worst Power Five conference in football. But I do think it’s improving. And I do think that it is much better at the top than it was last year. The ACC has two real playoff contenders, and all eyes will be on them from start to finish in 2023.

Clemson is coming off another disappointing season that saw them miss the playoff for the second consecutive season and suffer a tough Orange Bowl loss to Tennessee. But the Tigers have all the ingredients they need to return to form in 2023. They’ll get a full year out of sophomore QB Cade Klubnik, who has all the talent to be one of the top signal-callers in the sport. Junior RB Will Shipley enters his junior season coming off a tremendous 2022 where he made first-team All-ACC and was a first-team All-American. The offense has seen some struggles, but they should be infinitely better with the addition of OC Garrett Riley from TCU. Lincoln’s younger brother burst onto the scene last season and should help give this program the lift they so desperately need on that side of the ball. The defense needs no introduction, as is usually the case with this program. There are absolute dogs all over the field from Xavier Thomas up front to Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in the middle to Andrew Mukuba in the secondary. The Tigers could very well boast the best defense in college football, and that should help carry them to another ACC title and perhaps a return to the Playoff. But it won’t be easy. They have a tough matchup against Notre Dame late in the season, and a highly-anticipated game against a media favorite to open conference play.

Clemson QB Cade Klubnik has all the tools to become the next great Tigers signal-caller. (h/t The Athletic)

That media favorite is none other than Florida State, who admittedly had a great finish to their season last year and deserve at least some of the hype they’ve received this summer. Senior QB Jordan Travis is back as one of the premier dual-threat players in the sport, and he’ll be throwing to guys like Johnny Wilson and premier Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman. Defensively, the Seminoles are anchored by star edge rusher Jared Verse who shocked the world when he announced he would forgo the NFL Draft and return for one more year in Tallahassee. Verse will help elevate this defense to a level that can compete for a conference title and maybe even a playoff berth. They’ve got some other key players like Kalen DeLoach, Virginia transfer Fentrell Cypress, and Western Michigan transfer Braden Fiske. But FSU’s problem is their schedule. They open with a very tough game against a great LSU team and have to travel to Death Valley to take on Clemson in Week 4. There’s a pretty good chance that the Noles start 2-2 and have their season be over before we even reach October.

Florida State EDGE Jared Verse enters the 2023 season as college football’s premier edge rusher. (h/t ESPN)

The only other teams I like in the ACC would be North Carolina and Duke. The Tar Heels have one of the best QBs in football in Drake Maye, who will have eyes on him all year long as he figures to be a top 5 pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Duke could be a sleeper team to compete for a conference title as Mike Elko continues to build a very solid, experienced squad led by QB Riley Leonard. The Blue Devils have a real shot to knock off some top teams on their schedule, including Clemson in Week 1. If that happens, they could easily vie for an ACC title and/or a New Year’s Six berth.

Heisman Winner: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Here’s what I wrote about Marvin Harrison Jr. and his Heisman chances for the Student Media Poll Football Column:

At this point in his college career, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. needs no introduction. 

After breaking out for the Buckeyes in the 2022 Rose Bowl against Utah with three  touchdown receptions, the son of the NFL Hall of Famer had arguably the best season of any receiver in the nation last year with 77 catches, 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

The combination of his freakish six-foot-four, 205-pound frame, incredible hands, blazing speed,  precise route-running and lightning-fast athletic ability allows Harrison to make every  possible catch and play on the field, and even some seemingly impossible ones — look no further than his acrobatic sideline grabs against Michigan State and Indiana last season. 

Harrison enters 2023 as the top receiver in college football and would likely be the best player in the country if not for one reigning Heisman winner in Southern California. Although C.J. Stroud has departed for the NFL and Ohio State’s quarterback battle between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown hasn’t been settled, there should be no doubts about whether or not Harrison can replicate his success from 2022. 

Ohio State plays in arguably the biggest game of each month of the season with a trip to South Bend to take on Notre Dame in September, a home showdown against a loaded Penn State team in October, and a rivalry matchup with Michigan in November. Harrison Jr. played his best when it was needed against top teams last year, including a combined 12 catches, 226 yards, and 3 touchdowns against No. 3 Michigan and No. 1 Georgia in the final two games of the Buckeyes’ season. 

If he keeps that trend going in the national spotlight throughout the course of this season, there’s no doubt that he’ll be in the thick of the Heisman race down the stretch. And if the Buckeyes end up in the College Football Playoff over teams with Heisman contenders of their own, Harrison could be the first Heisman receiver since Devonta Smith broke records with Alabama in 2020.

College Football Playoff Prediction

No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Penn State – Allstate Sugar Bowl

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Alabama – Rose Bowl Game

The College Football Playoff Committee is going to be in a very sticky situation in the final few weeks of the season. Three of these spots should be easy to fill: an undefeated SEC champion in either Georgia or Alabama, a one-loss SEC runner-up, and whichever team wins the Big Ten at 12-1. That leaves the fourth and final spot, which could be claimed by any number of teams. 11-1 Michigan and 11-1 Penn State would have great shouts, as could Clemson, Texas, Oregon, or any other team that finds themselves on a run late in the year like Washington, Notre Dame, Florida State, or even USC. I think the committee will be stuck with a dilemma — either put the best remaining conference champion in despite having more losses than Michigan and Penn State, or decide between one of those final two Big Ten teams. I think it’ll be the latter simply based on how dominant those teams will be down the stretch and the nature of this Big Ten merry-go-round will end up.

So, why am I giving Penn State the final slot over Michigan? There are two main reasons. The first of which is that the Nittany Lions will have a head-to-head victory over the Wolverines, which will likely end up being the top factor for this decision. The other is that Michigan will have lost later in the year (November 11) than Penn State (October 21), meaning the Nittany Lions will have more time to rise back up through the rankings and find themself with a wild, wacky playoff berth.

In the final four-team College Football Playoff, I like Georgia to beat Penn State in an old-school, physical Sugar Bowl and Ohio State to run past Alabama with their immense offensive talent to set up a rematch of last year’s Peach Bowl classic in the national championship game in Houston. Ohio State will no doubt have a massive chip on their shoulder after the way that game ended, but once again, I think the moment might prove too big for Ryan Day and company. I like the Georgia Bulldogs to once again emerge as college football’s national champion to complete the first three-peat of the 21st century and establish themselves as one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.

All stats taken from ESPN. All roster information taken from OurLads.

2023 NCAA Tournament: Second Weekend Preview and Predictions

After an incredible, historic first two rounds of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, 16 teams and 15 games remain to decide a champion. Here’s my preview of this weekend’s Sweet 16 games and predictions for who will reach next week’s Final Four in Houston.

Cover photo taken from Chron.

After one of the craziest first weekends in the history of the NCAA Tournament, we are left with 16 teams and 15 games to decide a champion. The second weekend of March Madness usually provides some of the best drama and highest quality basketball that the sport has to offer. With the matchups we have ahead of us, I have no doubt that this will be an even better four days of college hoops than what we’ve already gotten. Here’s my preview each game of the Sweet 16 as well as how I think the Elite 8 will play out.

South Regionals

#1 Alabama vs. #5 San Diego State

Unlike the bottom half of this bracket, I pretty much nailed this. This was the matchup I predicted in this Regional Semifinal, and I’m not surprised at either team being here, nor am I shocked at how they got here. Alabama easily dispatched of #16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and #8 Maryland thanks to huge second halves from both their offense and their defense. Brandon Miller looked like his usual self in the second round after a scoreless first game, and Jahvon Quinerly has looked as lethal as I knew he could, being the true X-factor on both sides of the ball. SDSU avoided the upset bid by #5 Charleston in the first round before making light work of #13 Furman in round two. Their defense has been as good as expected, and their offense has shown up in a big way, being their efficient selves by finding great looks and hitting them at a very solid clip. While I’d love to think that formula is enough to pull off this massive upset, I just don’t. You need to match the pace of the Crimson Tide on both sides of the ball if you want to keep up with them on the scoreboard. The Aztecs can slow the game down against inferior opponents like CofC and Furman, but not the best team in the field. Alabama will force SDSU to play this game at their pace, and even though I think the physicality of the Aztecs can keep them in it for a bit, they will simply be worn out by the time this one is over. A second half runaway by the Tide’s offense seems inevitable en route to the Regional Final.

Prediction: Alabama 71-60 San Diego State

#6 Creighton vs. #15 Princeton

Princeton is the third straight 15 seed to make a Sweet 16 after Oral Roberts did it in 2021 and Saint Peter’s went to the Elite 8 last year. Their style of play is much more comparable to the Golden Eagles than the Peacocks; they have simply been out-shooting their opponents and making more clutch shots. Their first round win over #2 Arizona was largely due to the Wildcats’ inability to make jumpers down the stretch, but in the second round against Missouri, Princeton shot the lights out. Missouri, like Arizona, struggled mightily from the field as well, which allowed the Ivy League champs to control the game from start to finish. But something tells me that the cold streak for the Tigers’ opponents is going to stop on Friday night. Creighton has been perhaps the most impressive offensive team in the field through two rounds. I said no one would want to see this team if they got hot, and I have been vindicated. The Bluejays’ shooting and situational offense has been a sight to behold. Ryan Nembhard has been the star of the show, including a 30-point effort against #3 Baylor on a scintillating 8-for-13 shooting performance, and Ryan Kalkbrenner has been his usual dominant self down low. They haven’t been playing the toughest of defenses, but they won’t be facing a very tough defense against Princeton either. I simply don’t see Creighton going cold and the Tigers continuing to get bailed out. I think this will be the biggest blowout of the Sweet 16 as the Bluejays gets one step closer to a Final Four.

Prediction: Creighton 79-56 Princeton

#1 Alabama vs. #6 Creighton

This would be a firework show. I hope this is the Regional Final we get simply because of how entertaining it would be. Creighton is one of the few teams in the field that can match Alabama on both sides of the ball, and it would make for an instant classic in Louisville. The Bluejays guards are arguably better than those of Alabama, and they could simply out-shoot them down the stretch. But the thing that would put the Tide over the top would obviously be Brandon Miller. I don’t know if any team has what it takes to stop him, and while I think the bigs of Creighton like Aluma and Kalkbrenner can slow him down, it might not be enough. This is the type of spot where stars shine the brightest, and there is no one more fitting than Miller to show up and show out to will his team to the Final Four for the first time in history.

Prediction: Alabama 68-64 Creighton

Midwest Regionals

#1 Houston vs. #5 Miami

This matchup is even more scintillating than I envisioned, and it’s largely due to how Miami has played in the first two rounds of this tournament. They struggled a bit with #12 Drake, but they showed up and showed out against #4 Indiana in one of the most impressive performances of any team in the field. They were able to have an inside presence defensively and limit the damage of star Hoosiers big man Trayce Jackson-Davis while the guards did their thing on the other end of the floor. Nijel Pack, Isaiah Wong, and Jordan Miller have turned their level of play up to 11, and it’s making all the difference on both sides of the ball. They will need to keep that level of play up with their toughest test yet awaiting them on Friday night. With Marcus Sasser not at 100%, Houston struggled with #16 Northern Kentucky, and the questions started flying. But with Sasser looking much better against #9 Auburn, the Cougars looked as dominant as we knew they could. I’d say the key piece has been Jarace Walker, who has been blocking everything he sees while being a monster on the glass and unstoppable down low offensively. With Miami’s guards largely being able to match up with Houston’s I think Walker will once again be the X-factor in this game. He’ll be up against Miami’s Norchad Omier and should have the upper hand. If the Canes can’t keep Walker in check, then they simply won’t be able to win. They need to control the paint and continue to let Wong, Miller, and Pack do their thing on the perimeter if they want to live to see another day. I don’t doubt the possibility of that happening. Those guys have proven themselves, and Jim Larranaga is a tremendous coach with a ton of success in March under his belt. But this might be too difficult of a test for them. Houston has a ton of great momentum on their side, and Sasser will only be healthier for the second weekend. This is going to be an absolute dogfight, but I’m rolling with the Cougars simply due to their better matchups, especially down low, and their superior defense.

Prediction: Houston 63-58 Miami

#2 Texas vs. #3 Xavier

This matchup is even harder to analyze and pick than it was when I was filling out my bracket this time last week. Both Texas and Xavier have had an interesting path to the Sweet 16. That of the Musketeers has definitely been a bit more strange, as they had to overcome a double-digit deficit in the final ten minutes of their first round game against #14 Kennesaw State to avoid total humiliation. They were able to right the ship thanks to some timely misses from the Owls as well as some clutch buckets and defensive moments of their own. The second round was much easier as they completely dismantled #11 Pitt to reach the second weekend. Texas’ road here has essentially been the opposite with a very easy first game and a much tougher second game. After making light work of #15 Colgate, the Longhorns had their hands full with #10 Penn State and their pesky shooting. Still, some big time shots down the stretch from guys like Marcus Carr and Dylan Disu lifted Texas out of a bad spot and into the Sweet 16. So, what to make of this game? Xavier certainly has the shot-making ability to give Texas fits like Penn State did. But what if the shots aren’t falling? They’ll have to control the game inside the arc, and they’re definitely capable, as big man Jack Nunge has had a huge tournament thus far. But he hasn’t faced a player like Timmy Allen or Dylan Disu in his first two games. I just feel like Texas matches up too well with Xavier across the board; their guards are more physical and can disrupt the game and their big men are too athletic for the Musketeers to handle. It certainly won’t be easy, but I like the Longhorns to win what will be an extremely physical game.

Prediction: Texas 56-51 Xavier

#1 Houston vs. #2 Texas

If you looked up “war” in the dictionary, a picture of this matchup would show up. With the Final Four being in Houston, I don’t see a Regional Final more fitting than Houston vs. Texas. It just feels right. Two powerhouses duking it out for the right to go home and play for a national championship is something that we deserve as college basketball fans. This was the Regional Final I predicted, but I’m changing my pick. While I love both of these offenses, I think this is the type of game where defenses thrive. Shots are going to be contested from start to finish, and the game will be won inside the arc. While I previously picked Texas to win this game, I was wildly impressed with Houston’s second half against Auburn. Jarace Walker is proving himself as one of the best players in the country who can take over any game, and it’s clear how much better the Cougars play when Marcus Sasser is on the floor. Barring something unforeseen, he will be as healthy as he’s been in weeks for this weekend’s games, and I think that will make the difference for Houston. While I love the Longhorns from top to bottom, I just don’t think they’ll have an answer for someone who plays as well as Sasser. His defensive efforts against Texas’ guards and his shotmaking ability on the other end will provide the Cougs the lift that they need to go home and try to capture that elusive national championship.

Prediction: Houston 58-57 Texas

West Regionals

#4 UConn vs. #8 Arkansas

Don’t show up if you’re soft. This is going to be an absolute war. UConn’s path to the Sweet 16 has been pretty straightforward, and I pretty much predicted it to a T. They have simply beaten teams up down low with Adama Sanogo and trusted their guards to make shots. Their first two opponents, #13 Iona and #5 Saint Mary’s, were able to deal with that for about a half or so, but over the course of a full game, they just get worn down. But now they have to face a team that can match their physicality across the board in the Razorbacks. Eric Musselman is in pursuit of his third straight Elite 8 appearance, and this team can certainly get him there. They have found their winning formula, which unfortunately involves sidelining star guard Nick Smith, but the results speak for themselves. A first round dismantling of #9 Illinois and an inspiring comeback to knock off top-seeded Kansas have them in a golden position for a potential Final Four, which has eluded them for so long. These squads match up so well with one another that it’s almost impossible to find a differentiator on either side. Signs point towards it being Adama Sanogo, and he’ll have to put together his best performance yet if the Huskies are to advance. Arkansas’ guards are just as good if not better than UConn’s, and the defensive efforts of guys like Devo Davis, Ricky Council IV, and Jordan Walsh can put the Hogs over the top. But I just don’t know if their offensive performance can match that of their defense. I know UConn’s offense will show up night in and night out. I can’t say the same thing for Arkansas. If the Razorbacks make their free throws like they did against Kansas, then they can certainly win this game. But that can’t be their only win condition. I just don’t see them stopping Sanogo down low while simultaneously keeping Jordan Hawkins and Tristen Newton in check. The Huskies offense will be a bit too much, and they will reach their first Regional Final in eight years.

Prediction: UConn 64-57 Arkansas

#2 UCLA vs. #3 Gonzaga

In last week’s West region preview, I said this was the best game we could potentially get. Now it’s here. And I cannot wait. I outlined all the history and storylines last week, but now we have an actual game to play. And I can’t really make heads or tails of it. Despite two impressive wins to get here, UCLA is limping right now. Jaylen Clark is obviously out, Adem Bona is still dealing with shoulder problems, and most recently, David Singleton suffered a scary ankle injury late in the second round against #7 Northwestern that could sideline him for this contest. The Bruins will need all hands on deck to deal with Gonzaga’s explosive offense, especially with Drew Timme dominating down low. Timme absolutely took over the second half against #6 TCU in the second round, and his elite level of play is arguably the biggest reason that the Zags are in this spot. If Bona isn’t 100%, the responsibility falls on Kenneth Nwuba, who had a nice game in Bona’s absence against #15 UNC Asheville. But that was a 15 seed. This is Gonzaga. Their offense is picking up steam quickly, and UCLA figures to be trending downwards with their injury problems. But I haven’t backed the Bruins this long and this far to give up hope now. Every sign points towards them losing this game, but I’m going to continue to stick with them… for now. I think they have more clutch shot-making with guys like Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez, and that will make the difference down the stretch. I worry about their perimeter defense without Clark and potentially Singleton, and I worry about their ability to win a shootout against perhaps the best offensive team in the field. But when the chips are down, there isn’t a team in this field I trust more than UCLA.

Prediction: UCLA 69-66 Gonzaga

#2 UCLA vs. #4 UConn

Like Houston-Texas, this was the Regional Final I predicted last week. Just like that game, I’m switching up my pick. It hurts me to bail on UCLA, but I just don’t see how they can keep winning games being as shorthanded as they are. You need all hands on deck to make a championship push in March, and when several key pieces are missing, it’s just impossible. Even if Adem Bona plays in this game, he won’t be 100%, and that means Adama Sanogo will once again be able to lead UConn to victory. I actually like UCLA’s perimeter players more than those of the Huskies, but I don’t think they’ll be able to lead the Bruins to victory by themselves. Unless this turns into a complete shootout, which I don’t think it will, I don’t see a win condition for UCLA. Their defense has to give out eventually, and if it’s not against Gonzaga, then it will be against UConn, who will be headed back to the Final Four in Houston, where they won a championship in 2011.

Prediction: UConn 62-55 UCLA

East Regionals

#4 Tennessee vs. #9 Florida Atlantic

What a strange matchup. While I didn’t think top-seeded Purdue would be playing here, I certainly didn’t expect this to be the matchup. FAU certainly had the stranger path to the Sweet 16 with a bizarre victory at the death over #8 Memphis in the first round before pulling away from history-making #16 FDU late in the second round. They definitely deserve to be here, but it hasn’t been the most difficult of roads to get to MSG. Tennessee, on the other hand, looked remarkably impressive in the first weekend with a dominant win over #13 Louisiana and a defensive masterclass against #5 Duke, who everyone thought would be here in their place. Without their star PG and defensive anchor Zakai Zeigler, I thought the Vols had no chance to beat a team like Duke. But the rest of the team stepped up in a massive way on both sides of the ball as the perimeter defense was suffocating, the paint was completely taken away, and the shots fell at all the right times. It’ll be hard to replicate such an impressive performance, but I don’t think Tennessee will need to do that much against a team like FAU. I know the Owls have a great team and have had a remarkable season, but I don’t see them keeping the magic going against such a difficult defense to beat. If they make their shots, they have a real shot. But I think the Vols have been the far more impressive team, and I’m finding it impossible to pick against them.

Prediction: Tennessee 57-51 FAU

#3 Kansas State vs. #7 Michigan State

If you like guard play, you’re going to want to be seated in front of the TV for this game with a big bucket of popcorn in front of you. Both the Wildcats and Spartans have some of the most fun, electric guard play in the country, and that’s exactly what has propelled both squads to the second weekend. Surprisingly, Michigan State has been the more dominant team in this tournament with two mightily impressive wins over #10 USC and #2 Marquette when many thought they would be one and done. Tyson Walker has been the main catalyst of this run with his impeccable scoring and his ability to run the offense perfectly and control the game in the half court. Other contributors on offense like Joey Hauser and AJ Hoggard are also making key plays on both sides of the ball. Sparty’s defense is doing a great job of disrupting shots and forcing turnovers, and the offense is cashing in on those extra possessions. It’s classic Tom Izzo ball, and it’s once again working wonderfully in March. K State is also playing the role of being slightly overlooked. I personally had them losing to #6 Kentucky, and even though they came very close to doing so, they made some clutch shots down the stretch to pull away. The main reason they were in the game late was the play of star guard Markquis Nowell, who might be the most fun player to watch in this tournament. He may stand at 5’8, but he’s almost always the best player on the floor. His handles, his passing, his shotmaking, and his overall skillset has made him a force to be reckoned with offensively, and watching him hoop is like watching poetry in motion. No one has been able to slow him down yet, but this will be the toughest test yet for the Wildcats. Unlike Kentucky, MSU has the guard play to match Nowell on the perimeter. Moreover, we saw KSU struggle mightily with Oscar Tshiebwe in the second round, and while the Spartans don’t have a force like him down low, they certainly have the size to disrupt Kansas State, the worst rebounding team in the field, in the paint. And it’s just too difficult to pick against Tom Izzo in a spot like this. Jerome Tang is doing amazing things for the K State program, but this moment might be too big for them. They will battle to the bitter end, but I think Michigan State will be able to hold on for just a little bit longer to reach the Elite 8.

Prediction: Michigan State 61-60 Kansas State

#4 Tennessee vs. #7 Michigan State

Of all the Regional Finals, I think this one is the easiest to predict. Simply put, Tennessee’s luck will run out eventually. Regardless of who they play in this spot, they will be facing an offense that won’t vanish into thin air. This is where not having Zakai Zeigler will finally bite the Vols. Even if the shots aren’t falling, a team like Michigan State can beat you with their guard play if you don’t have players to match them on the perimeter. If it’s K State in this spot, I think the same thing goes. While defense is a key component to getting you far in March, I don’t think there are any two more important factors than guard play and coaching. MSU has the clear advantage in both of those areas against Tennessee. I don’t think this moment will be too big for the Spartans, and Tyson Walker will become a household name as he leads Michigan State to yet another Final Four: their ninth (!!) under Tom Izzo.

Prediction: Michigan State 60-56 Tennessee

So, I’m predicting a #1 Alabama vs. #7 Michigan State / #1 Houston vs. #4 UConn Final Four. That’s your sign to bet against that happening! Regardless of what happens this weekend, I know we’re in for some great games and a tremendous Final Four. I’ll be here to give my thoughts on that when the time comes.

2023 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown: South Region

The South Region of the 2023 NCAA Tournament features an abundance of talent and fascinating teams, including my pick to win it all. Let’s break it down and preview how the South will play out.

Cover photo taken from AL.com.

Welcome back to the Madness. The 2023 NCAA Tournament is upon us with 68 teams and 67 incredible games ahead to crown a champion. The 2022-23 college basketball season has been one of the most unique in recent memory, as the field appears to be as wide open as it has ever been. There isn’t necessarily a clear favorite in this tournament, so March Madness is sure to live up to its name in the coming weeks. To preview the tournament, I’ll be breaking down the 2023 bracket region by region. This is the preview of the South: a region with a plethora of star power and loaded teams, including the one I think will win the national championship.

Meet the 1 Seed: Alabama Crimson Tide

Not only is Alabama a 1 seed for the first time in program history, but they are the top overall seed in the field of 68. Even if Houston had won Sunday afternoon’s AAC title game, I still think the Tide would have been in this position, considering they beat the Cougars early in the year. They have been at the top of college basketball since the start of the season, running through the non-conference before dominating the SEC en route to a regular season and tournament championship. It starts with Nate Oats, the head coach who continues to do incredible things in Tuscaloosa. Bama is in their third consecutive NCAA Tournament after getting a 2 seed in 2021 and a 6 seed last year. While neither of those teams made it as far as they would have liked, this is his best squad yet, featuring many of the same standouts from previous years. Guards Mark Sears and Jahvon Quinerly dictate the backcourt; a perfect pairing of scoring and passing. Sears ranks second on the team in scoring with 12.5 points per game while Quinerly leads the Tide in assists with 3.8 per game. Freshman forward Noah Clowney has emerged as a young star with 10.1 points and 8 rebounds per game. But the real star of the show is freshman phenom Brandon Miller, a forward who is the most transcendent player in the sport and will be a top three pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Miller leads the team in scoring and rebounding with 19.6 and 8.3 per game, respectfully. His athleticism is unmatched for his size at 6’9″ and 200 pounds. No matter where Alabama plays, he is the best player on the floor. He is the clear differentiator for this team. Miller has made headlines off the court for reasons that I won’t comment on, but it clearly hasn’t slowed down his play nor that of his teammates. Alabama has one of the best defenses in the nation, ranking third in efficiency according to KenPom, and play at a lightning-quick pace, ranking fourth in tempo according to KenPom. The Tide are rolling full steam ahead, and it’s hard to foresee any team in the tournament slowing them down.

Meet the Sleeper: #6 Creighton Blue Jays

Honorable Mentions: #7 Missouri, #12 College of Charleston, #13 Furman

If you told me six months ago that Creighton would be a “sleeper” in this tournament, I would be shocked. The Blue Jays were supposed to be one of the best teams in college basketball this season, being ranked 9th in the preseason AP Poll. However, a string of six consecutive losses in the non-conference absolutely doomed them. Still, they had a nice season in the rugged Big East and were able to punch their ticket to the dance as a six seed. This team shows why they had such high expectations this season in flashes; the talent is still there, it’s just a matter of them realizing their potential. Big man and two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner leads the way in the middle along with standout forward Arthur Kaluma. The backcourt is one of the strongest in the nation with SDSU transfer Baylor Scheierman alongside sophomores Trey Alexander and Ryan Nembhard. When the Jays are clicking, they are one of the toughest teams in the nation to stop on offense, and their defense is sneakily even better. When they’re on top of their game, this is one of the best teams in basketball. They’re just not on top of their game often enough to be considered a true contender in this tournament. But March is about hot streaks, and nobody will want to see Creighton if they get even the slightest bit warm.

Upset Waiting To Happen: #13 Furman over #4 Virginia

Honorable Mention: #10 Utah State over #7 Missouri

13s beating 4s are a very rare thing, but we’ve gotten some close calls in recent years. I’m not fully sold on this upset, but if you’re looking for some madness, I think you can find it in this matchup between Furman and UVA. The Paladins are a great story, winning the SoCon and getting to the dance for the first time in a whopping 43 years. They pour in a ton of points from the outside led by the high-scoring duo of Jalen Slawson and Mike Bothwell. Moreover, this Virginia team is over-seeded. They’re barely in KenPom’s top 35 and the top 30 of the NET. They’re a big name and a big brand, but they probably shouldn’t be a 4. Finally, UVA will be without forward Ben Vander Plas, one of they key cogs to their gameplan on both sides of the ball. They struggled mightily without him in the ACC Tournament, so it remains to be seen if they can function properly without him. The Cavaliers defense is still great and certainly not easy to score on, but if you can shoot over them and hit your threes, you can beat them. We saw UMBC do that in 2018 and Ohio do it in 2021. The blueprint to beating Tony Bennett’s packline defense has been laid out, it’s just a matter of the Dins following it.

Best Potential Games: #2 Arizona vs. #3 Baylor, #1 Alabama vs. #2 Arizona

Honorable Mention: #1 Alabama vs. #3 Baylor

It’s not wise to assume chalk in any region, but man these would be incredible matchups. Zona and Baylor have two of the best offenses in the country, and both excel offensively in different ways. The Wildcats use their athleticism and size to dominate down low while the Bears use their exquisite guard play to rip defenses apart. I would love to see this matchup, however I don’t think it’s going to happen. I put all my faith in Arizona last season just for them to go out with a whimper in the Sweet 16. This year, I see them losing in the second round. I have much higher hopes for Baylor.

Apropos of above when it comes to a potential Alabama-Arizona Regional Final. 1v2 Elite 8 games are becoming increasingly rare, but this would be one hell of a way to bring them back. Each team boasts a ridiculous offense, freak athletes, and is led by one of the sport’s best coaches. It would be appointment television and an instant classic in Louisville. But as I said before, I don’t see Zona getting here. I think it will be Alabama and Baylor fighting for a Final Four spot.

My Pick For Houston: #1 Alabama

Honorable Mentions: #2 Arizona, #3 Baylor, #6 Creighton

The Crimson Tide are simply the best team in the field of 68. They have the best player in the nation in Brandon Miller. Nate Oats is coaching like the premier HC in the sport. They are as balanced as any team I have seen. Their guard play is infallible, and their defense is soul-crushing for opposing teams. I don’t think any team in this tournament is capable of stopping Alabama’s offense for 48 minutes on any given night. This team has been primed for a title push since November, and I think they’re going to achieve what they set out to do. I have Alabama beating Baylor in the Regional Final, and they will be cutting down the nets in Houston when it’s all said and done.

Full Round of 64 Picks:

#1 Alabama over #16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi: A national championship push has to start somewhere.

#9 West Virginia over #8 Maryland: The Terps have been the better team in their first season under Kevin Willard, but the Mountaineers are battle-tested after going through the Big 12 gauntlet for the last several months. I think their defense will make the difference and get them to the second round.

#5 San Diego State over #12 College of Charleston: The Cougars are perhaps the single trendiest upset pick in the first round, and for good reason. They won a staggering 31 games this year en route to the best season in program history. But I don’t know if they have what it takes to win a tournament game, especially against a team as defensively sound as the Aztecs are. The MWC better hope their champion doesn’t lose in the first round again.

#4 Virginia over #13 Furman: Although I think this is the most likely upset of the first round in this region, I can’t bring myself to pick the Paladins in this spot. UVA is typically one of the more sound teams in the field under Tony Bennett, and although they’re shorthanded, their packline defense and guard play should propel them to a hard-fought win over a potential Cinderella.

#6 Creighton over #11 NC State: These teams have each had weird seasons. The Wolfpack have been floating on the bubble for months and barely snuck into the dance. The Bluejays, on the other hand, were supposed to be one of the best teams in the nation, but dwelled in the shadow of several other teams in the Big East. Still, as I outlined above, Creighton has all the talent in the world to make a run in this tournament, and I think they’ll easily dispatch of an extremely average NC State team.

#3 Baylor over #14 UCSB: The Bears boast perhaps the best backcourt in the nation with LJ Cryer, Adam Flagler, and Keyonte George. Scott Drew’s squad might not be as formidable as it was in the previous two tournaments, but I think they’re primed to make up for last year’s shortcomings. It’ll start with a fairly easy test against the Gauchos, who had a nice run to win the Big West.

#7 Missouri over #10 Utah State: Every metric in the world favors the Aggies in this game, and they are slight favorites to advance. But I saw the Tigers win several games against very good SEC teams in recent weeks, and I think their higher level of competition has prepared them for a potential second weekend push in this tournament. This one will be close from wire-to-wire, but I like Mizzou to make more plays late to advance.

#2 Arizona over #15 Princeton: Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats let me down in a huge way last year, but they are back and ready for another run. I think they’re more than capable of doing a lot of damage in this tournament, and it’ll start with what could be the biggest blowout of the first round against the Ivy League champs.

All stats taken from ESPN.

2022 College Football Season Preview

After 9 long months of waiting, the best sport in the world is finally back. Here’s my preview of the season, from every Power 5 conference to the Heisman winner and the College Football Playoff.

Cover photo taken from Sports Illustrated.

The best sport in the world is finally back. College football has returned and is already in full swing as we dive into Week 1, which promises to be a fantastic opening weekend. If the small sample size of games that have already taken place are any indication, then we are in for another tremendous season of this beautiful game.

As always, a fresh season means a fresh set of predictions and picks for what the next few months hold in store for us. From conference picks to playoff predictions to award winners, there’s so much in this crystal ball to look into. I didn’t have as inaccurate of an outlook as I may have expected last season, but even if these don’t come to fruition, it does not matter. That’s the fun of it all. So, let’s get into it, starting with previewing the results of each Power 5 conference.

Big Ten

Winner: Ohio State Buckeyes
Runner-Up: Iowa Hawkeyes

For all intents and purposes, 2022 will be a return to the norm in the Big Ten. Last season was filled with anomalies, the most notable of which was Michigan finally getting over the hump by beating their arch rivals in Ohio State, winning the conference and reaching the College Football Playoff. I hope that they enjoyed that brief success, because this year will belong to the Buckeyes once again.

Ohio State has a roster that’s as scary as it has ever been. It’s a squad that reminds me of the 2019 one so much, and many consider that to be one of the most talented Buckeyes teams ever. Returning the three-headed monster of CJ Stroud at QB, TreVeyon Henderson in the backfield, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba lining up outside is enough to make any and all opposing defenses lose sleep. Star wideouts like Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are being replaced by incredible talents like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. The offensive firepower speaks for itself in Columbus. The questions reside exactly where they did last season: with the defense that cost them a chance at a national championship. Getting absolutely ran over by Michigan lit a fire under the program that has led to a complete reworking of that side of the ball. HC Ryan Day brought in Jim Knowles from Oklahoma State to take over as defensive coordinator after leading the Pokes to a top 5 defense last season. He inherits an incredibly talented defense, many of which return after last season’s sour ending. The defensive line of Jack Sawyer, Zach Harrison, Tyleik Williams, and JT Tuimololau is bound to wreak havoc on offensive lines all year long. The secondary has some very promising pieces like Cam Brown and Denzel Burke, who emerged as the top corner on the team last year. Tanner McCallister is a grad transfer who followed his former DC from Stillwater who will make an instant impact in the secondary as well. If the Bucks can fix their defensive woes, there will be very little that can stop them from realizing their potential, exercising their demons from 2021, and hoisting the championship trophy once again.

The rest of the conference should be fascinating to monitor. I personally think Iowa will build off of a tremendous 2021 season and run it back as champions of the B1G West, but I wouldn’t sleep on Wisconsin, especially with Braelon Allen bulldozing defenses out of the backfield. Michigan will of course have plenty of eyes on them as well, but I just don’t think they can live up to last year’s achievements after losing so much incredible talent to the NFL this year. They have a very good roster despite that, but it’ll just be too hard to compete with Ohio State in the B1G East. Michigan State also saw themselves overachieve last season, winning a New Year’s 6 bowl game in Mel Tucker’s first real season in East Lansing, but like their counterparts in-state, they suffer from being in a one-horse race in their division. A team that I wouldn’t sleep on is Penn State, who should be just as good if not better than they were last year with a very promising young team, especially defensively. Look out for the Nittany Lions to potentially finish second in the East.

SEC

Winner: Alabama Crimson Tide
Runner-Up: Georgia Bulldogs

The 2021 season was perhaps the best the SEC has had in years. The conference truly flexed its colors and showed the country that it was by far the best league in the sport. The results spoke for themselves. And the end result was a delight to watch, with Georgia using their generational defense to mercifully end their title drought and finally eclipse Alabama to be this season’s defending champions, despite losing to them in the SEC Championship Game. Could the Dawgs possibly run it back this year? Well, like the Big Ten, I see more of a return to normalcy.

Alabama is the preseason #1 team in the country according to both the AP and Coaches Poll. And by every metric, they should be. This was the #1 team in last year’s CFP and came extremely close to winning yet another national title. All they’ve done this offseason is return the Heisman-winning Bryce Young at QB and the best player in the sport in edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. Not to mention a plethora of athletic freaks at every position on both sides of the field, like Jase McClellan, Dallas Turner, Henry To’oTo’o, Jordan Battle, and so many more. But where Bama shined brightest this offseason was in the transfer portal, bringing in WR Jermaine Burton from the title-winning Georgia Bulldogs and a lightning-quick RB in Jahmyr Gibbs from Georgia Tech. Losing Jameson Williams removes a level of explosiveness from this offense, but they will still be able to carve up any team on any given Saturday. And their defense is even better, so good luck scoring on them. This is a sensational team across the board, and I’d be shocked to see them lose a game, or the #1 spot, at any point this season.

The defending champs are nothing to scoff at though. They return their star QB in Stetson Bennett, college football’s best tight end in Brock Bowers, and a very good amount of their star-studded defensive players from last season, the most notable of which being Jalen Carter, perhaps the best defensive tackle in the sport. There’s plenty of young talent to go around on both sides of the ball, and unless they return to the choking form of years past, it’s safe to say Georgia will be a playoff contender, if not one of the four teams competing for a title in late December.

The rest of the league is really anyone’s guess, as it tends to be so often. Arkansas, Kentucky, and Ole Miss are teams who had sensational years in 2021, but running that back is so hard in the SEC. I do have high hopes for the Hogs and Wildcats, but less so for the Rebels after losing their star QB to the NFL. It’s also hard to envision the traditional powers like LSU not returning to form, especially as the Tigers begin a new era with Brian Kelly at the helm. Teams like Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee seem primed to make up for the past few seasons. Perhaps the biggest question mark of the entire conference is Texas A&M, who has dominated recruiting and NIL alike with absolutely no success to show for it. This is the year it has to come to fruition for the Aggies. All of the eyes will be on them from start to finish.

ACC

Winner: Clemson Tigers
Runner-Up: Miami Hurricanes

Are you sensing the trend yet? After years of dominating college football, Clemson was perhaps the sport’s biggest disappointment in 2021. It’s not easy to replace a generational QB like Trevor Lawrence, but the Tigers’ offense was genuinely unwatchable last season. It’s hard to imagine it will be that bad again. Despite a complete assistant overhaul with OC Tony Elliott leaving fort Virginia and acclaimed DC Brent Venables going to Oklahoma, Clemson should return to form in 2022 thanks to what is, in my opinion, the best defense in college football. The defensive line is one full of guys who would start in the NFL right now in Myles Murphy, Bryan Bresee, and Tyler Davis. Trenton Simpson is an absolute stud in the middle of the defense. The secondary is stacked with names like Andrew Mukuba and Fred Davis. The offense isn’t the scariest sight, but RB Will Shipley and WR EJ Williams are tremendous young pieces who can make any play on the field. If QB DJ Uiagalelei can return to his 2020-level of play, then this team will be frightening. And if he doesn’t, there’s a very talented freshman QB in Cade Klubnik lying in wait. We know how that went last time for this team.

The ACC outside of Clemson is an absolute mess. This statement has been true for quite some time now. So many teams are in the beginning of new eras; Miami, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and several others are beginning brand new regimes. Who knows who could rise to the top amidst all the chaos? I’m betting on Miami, simply because I think they have the talent to overcome most of the teams in the Coastal. I really like Virginia Tech and the direction they’re going in, Virginia has one of the more prolific passing offenses in college football, Pitt is coming off the high of a season that is impossible to replicate, so why not throw it back and have the Canes back in the spotlight? I have high hopes for the Mario Cristobal era, and kicking it off with a division win would do tremendous things for the program, which is seemingly already back on the rise. They worked the transfer portal and seem to have a very solid lineup on both sides of the ball. If QB Tyler Van Dyke can live up to his potential, we might be talking about Miami as a top 15-20 team by season’s end.

Big 12

Winner: Baylor Bears
Runner-Up: Oklahoma Sooners

The Big 12 is perhaps the biggest mess of a conference in the Power 5. Last year was one of the weirdest in over a decade, with Oklahoma struggling to find its identity, leading to the rise of teams like Oklahoma State and Baylor. This led to a ton of turnover this offseason, and now we have one of the most fascinating seasons ahead of us in this already exciting league.

Lost in the sea of overachieving teams in 2021 were the Baylor Bears, who improbably won the Big 12 and the Sugar Bowl with one of the most stout defenses in all of college football. This season, they return almost all of that unit with almost entirely upperclassmen. The offense is a solid unit, but it will be that defense that wins Baylor games, just as it was last season. I’m not exaggerating when I say Baylor is a top 6-7 team in the country and will be a playoff contender. That’s how strong I feel about them.

Oklahoma was gouged harder than any program I have ever seen this offseason. HC Lincoln Riley left for USC and took the star QB Caleb Williams and so many recruits and other young players with him. The Sooners have brought in former Clemson DC Brent Venables to take over as head football coach, and while I think they will return to form, it’s hard to see them being as great as they were under Riley with all that tremendous QB talent they’ve had. The offense is still solid, led by transfer QB Dillon Gabriel, but don’t be shocked if it’s not even as good as it was in 2021. However, I still think Oklahoma is talented enough on both sides of the ball to bounce back from last year’s shortcomings and be a top 2 team in this league.

Two other teams with plenty of eyes on them will be Texas and Oklahoma State. The Longhorns are one of college football’s most promising teams, with Steve Sarkisian still at the helm, a shiny new QB in transfer Quinn Ewers, the best RB in the sport in Bijan Robinson, and a top 5 WR in Xavier Worthy. However, Texas has still not shown us that they can return to their glory days. If there’s any season to do it, it’s this one. The Pokes, on the other hand, were mere inches away from a Big 12 title and CFP berth last season, but a fateful goal line confrontation relegated them to a Fiesta Bowl win instead. They return a lot of talent, but it’s hard to imagine they’ll be able to replicate that level of success again with the rest of the conference catching back up. However, I still like what’s going on in Stillwater, and I can easily see them returning to the title game.

PAC-12

Winner: Utah Utes
Runner-Up: Oregon Ducks

That’s right. The PAC-12 is the only Power 5 conference that is going to play out exactly like it did in 2021. Well, maybe not exactly.

Utah turned it on harder than almost any other team in the country towards the end of last year, absolutely dominating Oregon twice en route to a conference title and Rose Bowl berth. After a slow start to their season, they ended the year 9-1 in games started by QB Cameron Rising. Now, Rising and a promising young offense is back and primed to make a real playoff push. The defense lost some key pieces, but is still a very, very good unit. I don’t see them getting shredded like they did in the Rose Bowl in any of their games this season. All in all, the Utes should make light work of what is, in all likelihood, the worst Power 5 conference in college football.

Oregon has had a tumultuous offseason that saw its beloved head coach leave and several key pieces depart for the NFL. Still, they’re the beneficiary of playing in the absolutely dreadful PAC-12 North, and they have more than enough talent to breeze to another trip to Vegas. Bo Nix comes in from Auburn to take over at QB and inherits a very solid offense with guys like Dont’e Thornton and Troy Franklin catching the ball. And the defense still has studs like Noah Sewell and Justin Flower to lock things down. If the Ducks weren’t in the midst of so much turnover, they’d probably be my pick to win this conference. Alas, they’ll have to deal with a Rose Bowl trip instead (yes, the runner up to the Rose Bowl, more on that later).

Despite all of this, no team in the conference has more eyes on them or more anticipation for this season than the USC Trojans. The program is back in full force as they’ve brought in Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma to right the ship. Riley has brought a wave of his OU recruits and players, most notably QB Caleb Williams. They’ve even added other stars from around the country via the transfer portal, such as former Oregon RB Travis Dye and last year’s Biletnikoff award winner Jordan Addison from Pitt. With so much talent and actually competent coaching, why wouldn’t USC splash in year 1 of the new era? Well, I think it’s just too soon. The Trojans will be a ton of fun this season, but not as successful as the media may think. Next year will be the one for this team to truly blossom in to the playoff contender that everyone expects them to be.

Heisman Winner: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State Buckeyes

It is a biased pick. It is a basic pick. There’s nothing fun or exciting about picking the betting favorite to win the Heisman. That is, unless he plays for your team. I went against CJ on the record early last season and he shut me up so badly that I almost never want to bad mouth him ever again. I cannot wait to see what he has in store after last year’s fireworks (4,435 yards, 44 TDs). Leading the nation’s best offense with the nation’s best weapons sounds like a very good formula for success. Other players I wouldn’t sleep on are the obvious ones: Will Anderson, Bijan Robinson, Bryce Young, and even Jalen Carter. Maybe this is the year a defensive player finally wins it again!

Playoff Prediction

(1) Alabama vs. (4) Utah – Chick Fil A Peach Bowl
(2) Ohio State vs. (3) Georgia – Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

Similar to how it was for so much of last season, college football in 2022 really is just Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and then everyone else. The Tide and Buckeyes should run the table with ease, and I think Georgia still gets in with a loss in the SEC title game by virtue of not losing in the regular season, just like they did last season. The fourth spot in the field could go to any number of teams: Baylor, Clemson, Notre Dame, and maybe even the likes of Oregon or Oklahoma State. But, I’m choosing the Utah Utes based on how they ended last season. It’s just such a solid team with so much returning talent that is bound to do huge things this year. However, the room for error is so slim, as it is with all those teams I mentioned that will be vying for the last playoff spot. With Baylor in the Big 12 which is bound to cannibalizing itself, Clemson playing Notre Dame in South Bend late in the year, Notre Dame opening against Ohio State, and so many other teams’ circumstances, I believe Utah has the best shot to get in at either 13-0 or 12-1. They need to be cautious not to slip up in games against teams like Florida, Arizona State, UCLA, USC, and Oregon, but if this team is what I think they are, they’ll be just fine. If not, then we could be looking at our first Alabama-Ohio State-Georgia-Clemson playoff ever. Either way, I think we’re in for a dandy in late December.

When it comes down to these matchups, it’s hard not to foresee the inevitable Alabama-Ohio State national championship game. And in that scenario, I’d pray every second of every day that the Bucks find a way to pull it out. Of course I’d pick them to win, but this might just be one of those years where nobody stops Alabama. However, I refuse to admit that. I’ve got the Buckeyes over the Tide in an instant classic national title game between the sport’s two biggest brands on its biggest stage. CJ Stroud has a legendary homecoming in SoCal en route to winning the program’s first title in 8 years. And we all go home happy!

The best sport in the world is back and I could not be more excited to be spending my Saturdays with my absolute favorite thing once again. Regardless of how this season plays out, I know I’m going to have the time of my life, as I always do. I hope you do as well.

All stats taken from ESPN.

2022 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown: West Region

The West Region of the 2022 NCAA Tournament features some heavyweight programs and a plethora of storylines. Let’s break it down and preview how the West will play out.

Cover photo taken by Young Kwak, AP.

Welcome to the Madness. The NCAA Tournament is finally back in its full glory in 2022, and if you’re not more excited than ever, you’re just lying. Last year was certainly fun, but the tournament was a shell of its usual self, with virtually no fans and a bubble in Indianapolis from start till finish. Now, March Madness is back to full strength with a plethora of different locations, and fans filling the stands all across the country. This promises to be a glorious few weeks in college basketball. To preview the tournament, I’ll be breaking down the 2022 bracket region by region. This is the preview of the West: a region with endless stories and potentially larger-than-life matchups.

Meet the 1 Seed: Gonzaga Bulldogs

What head coach Mark Few has done and continues to do in Spokane is nothing short of miraculous. For the second consecutive year, Gonzaga is the #1 overall seed in the tournament. Moreover, this is their third consecutive 1 seed and fourth in the last five tournaments. In each of those tournaments, they have reached at least the Elite 8, with one loss in that round (2019) and two National Championship losses (2017 and 2021). The Zags continue to recruit and play at a blue blood level, and this program is here to say. This year’s bunch might be even better than last year’s team that was one game away from completing college basketball’s first undefeated season in over 40 years. It helps when you return a star in forward Drew Timme, who leads the team in scoring with 17.5 PPG to go along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game. The Zags also boast 2021’s #1 recruit and potential 2022 #1 NBA Draft selection in forward Chet Holmgren, a true unicorn of basketball. Holmgren stands at 7 feet, 190 pounds, and can do it all on the floor. From scoring inside and outside to passing or even getting boards and proceeding to run breaks, there truly isn’t anything that Chet can’t do. Averaging 14 PPG, 10 RPG, and 4 BPG, he is the differentiator of this Gonzaga team, but that doesn’t mean they only go as far as he goes. Other role players are plenty capable, including sharpshooter guard Julian Strawther, shifty PG Andrew Nembhard, and 3pt specialist Rasir Bolton. This team can beat you in a plethora of ways with a plethora of pieces, and they are not only the favorites to get to the Final Four in New Orleans, but also to cut down the nets once they get there.

Meet the Sleeper: #3 Texas Tech Red Raiders

Honorable Mention: #4 Arkansas Razorbacks, #10 Davidson Wildcats

I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to call a 3 seed a sleeper, but in a region where the 1 is Gonzaga and the 2 is Duke, maybe it is. I’ve been high on this TTU team all season long, simply because I love the style of basketball that they play. Mark Adams’ team grinds you down with an impeccable defense that is the best in the country according to KenPom. Their offense runs slow, but efficiently and effectively, using the full shot clock to find a good shot and nail it. Led by forward Bryson Williams (14 PPG) and guard Terrance Shannon Jr. (10.4 PPG), along with several other nice pieces in Davion Warren, Kevin McCullar, and Kevin Obanor (a transfer from last year’s Cinderella, Oral Roberts), the Red Raiders are one of the more balanced teams in the field. They have already shown us that their defense can get them to a Final Four in 2019 (in a region where they were the 3 and Gonzaga was the 1, funnily enough). Who’s to say it can’t happen again?

Upset Waiting to Happen: #10 Davidson over #7 Michigan State

Honorable Mention: #11 Notre Dame over #6 Alabama

I really like the Davidson Wildcats. They ran through the Atlantic 10 all season long, and although they couldn’t capture the A10 Tournament title, they left no doubt that they were the best team in the conference. This team scores a LOT of points, highlighted by fantastic guard play and perimeter dominance. Guard Foster Loyer leads the way with 16.3 PPG and nearly 45% 3pt shooting. This MSU team isn’t one of Tom Izzo’s finest groups. As resilient and tough as they are, they simply fail to rise to the occasion too often to inspire confidence in a tournament run. I think it ends before it can start for Sparty against a Davidson team that has flown under the radar for far too long.

Best Potential Games: #2 Duke vs. #7 Michigan State, #1 Gonzaga vs. #2 Duke

Honorable Mentions: #4 Arkansas vs. #5 UConn, #1 Gonzaga vs. #3 Texas Tech

The selection committee setting up a potential Mike Krzyzewski vs. Tom Izzo matchup in the Round of 32 had to be deliberate. What better way to end the first weekend of Coach K’s final tournament with Duke than with a contest with his longterm rival from East Lansing? It would be a great matchup on the surface and would certainly draw in the ratings, but I don’t think it’d be the best game on the court. Duke is substantially better than Michigan State, and they would be able to handle them with ease. But it’s safe to say we’ll all be tuning into that one, if both teams get there.

A potential Regional Final between Gonzaga and Duke would essentially be Goliath vs. Goliath. The Zags may have played the role of David in the past, but not anymore. These two teams met earlier in the season in Las Vegas, with the Blue Devils edging the Bulldogs to the tune of an 84-81 victory. I think things would go a bit differently a second time around. Duke’s starting lineup boasts 5 potential first round picks, and they have one of the highest ceilings in all of college basketball with all that talent. But, Gonzaga has been the vastly better team since that meeting in November, and seemingly nothing stands between them and the Final Four. Not even Coach K in what could be his final game of all time.

My Pick for New Orleans: #1 Gonzaga

Honorable Mentions: #2 Duke Blue Devils, #3 Texas Tech Red Raiders

It just makes a bit too much sense. Gonzaga is easily the best team in this region, with Duke being an underachieving group and Texas Tech, Arkansas, and UConn simply lacking the talent to slay Goliath. I’ve got the Zags over the Red Raiders in a slugfest in the Regional Final to get to the Final Four, where unfinished business awaits them.

Full Round of 64 Picks:

#1 Gonzaga over #16 Georgia State: A 16 will never beat a 1 again. I truly believe that.

#9 Memphis over #8 Boise State: This is as close to a coin flip as an 8/9 can get, but I’m rocking with Memphis and their athleticism, led by star big man Jalen Duren.

#5 UConn over #12 New Mexico State: The Huskies are a solid group led by a great PG in R.J. Cole and a star big man in Adama Sanogo. This shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for them.

#4 Arkansas over #13 Vermont: I love everything about the Razorbacks and their coach Eric Musselman. Their star guard play led by J.D. Notae and dominant presence down low with Jaylin Williams will guide them to victory over a trendy upset pick in the Catamounts.

#11 Notre Dame over #6 Alabama: After getting a spot in the play-in game, the Fighting Irish fought to the very end in a 2OT classic in Dayton against Rutgers to get a shot at Alabama. People may be worried about the fatigue following such a draining game, but I’ll be optimistic and look at the momentum that Notre Dame now has. The Tide are a talented team, but they’ve underachieved all season long. This just feels like a classic 11-6 upset in the making.

#3 Texas Tech over over #14 Montana State: The Red Raiders boast the best defense in the nation, and will suffocate any opponent in this field. Their first challenge shouldn’t be too difficult.

#10 Davidson over #7 Michigan State: Sparty enters the Madness with an above average resume in the gauntlet that was the Big Ten in 2022, but I’ve seen them fall flat too many times to pick them over a Davidson squad that has been consistent all year long. The Wildcats fell in the A10 title game against Richmond, but they were the league’s best team from start to finish, and I like their chances to pull off this upset.

#2 Duke over #15 Cal State Fullerton: Coach K’s final NCAA Tournament can’t be another one-and-done against a 14 or 15 seed… right?

All stats taken from ESPN.