Predictions: Convention champs, prime storylines, players to look

Factual when it appeared treasure college soccer was settling down for the closing season of a four-workforce playoff, convention realignment shook up the sport as quickly as another time.

UCLA and USC are leaving the Pac-12 for the Enormous Ten in 2024, on the aspect of Oregon and Washington. Arizona, Arizona Inform, Colorado and Utah are leaping to the Enormous 12, leaving the Pac-12 on life toughen.

What else has modified? Matt Rhule is instructing Nebraska, Deion Sanders is at Colorado, Hugh Freeze is support at Auburn and Luke Fickell might be on Wisconsin‘s sideline.

What hasn’t modified? Two-time defending nationwide champion Georgia is soundless the workforce to beat inside the FBS. The Bulldogs, 29-1 the earlier two seasons, will attempt to affix Minnesota (1934 to 1936) as the sport’s solely groups to fetch three nationwide titles in a row.

Earlier than the 2023 season kicks off with seven video games Saturday, listed beneath are predictions heading into the 12 months.

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ACC

Champion: Florida Inform
Offensive participant of the 12 months: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Defensive participant of the 12 months: Jared Verse, DE, Florida Inform
Freshman of the 12 months: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Have an effect on swap: Brennan Armstrong, QB, NC Inform
Comeback participant of the 12 months: Mike Hollins, RB, Virginia
Coach of the 12 months: Mike Norvell, Florida Inform
Coach on the recent seat: Dino Babers, Syracuse
Coordinator who might be a head coach: Garrett Riley, offensive coordinator, Clemson
Nonconference sport of the 12 months: Florida Inform vs. LSU, Sept. 3 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Convention sport of the 12 months: Florida Inform at Clemson, Sept. 23

Three predictions for the ACC

Clemson beats Florida Inform (nonetheless no longer twice): With quarterback Jordan Travis returning, on the aspect of yet one more boatload of key transfers, Florida Inform believes it lastly has ample firepower to fall Clemson. Nonetheless the Seminoles choose to play at Dying Valley on Sept. 23. The Tigers should soundless be higher on offense with Riley calling performs and quarterback Cade Klubnik getting a chunky offseason of labor inside the offense. The Tigers are another time going to be tough to dam, notably if Woods is fairly exceptional pretty much as good as marketed. Clemson will fetch the recurring-season meeting, nonetheless Florida Inform will fetch the rematch — and pause an eight-sport shedding race to the Tigers — inside the ACC championship sport. The SEC soundless obtained’t title with an invite to affix.

Maye wins the Heisman: In his first season as a starter, Maye threw for 4,321 yards with 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, USC’s Caleb Williams, and Maye have been the one FBS quarterbacks to throw for 4,000 yards with on the least 35 touchdowns and fewer than 10 interceptions closing season. Chip Lindsey takes over the offensive playcalling after coordinator Phil Longo left for Wisconsin. Maye’s prime receivers from closing season, Josh Downs and Antoine Inexperienced, left for the NFL. Including ragged Georgia Tech receiver Nate McCollum will serve drastically, and the Tar Heels are soundless hoping to accumulate Kent Inform swap Devontez Walker eligible. The Tar Heels choose to realize a wiser job holding Maye after he was sacked 40 occasions closing season.

Hollins has a 100-yard sport: There obtained’t be a wiser second inside the recreation this season than when Virginia operating support Mike Hollins runs for greater than 100 yards and rankings a pair of touchdowns in opposition to James Madison on Sept. 9. Hollins survived a capturing closing November that killed teammates Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler and D’Sean Perry. Hollins was shot inside the stomach and was hospitalized for per week. Remarkably, he returned to notice inside the spring. His comeback might be thought of considered one of primarily essentially the most inspirational tales of the season.

Enormous Ten

Champion: Michigan
Offensive participant of the 12 months: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio Inform
Defensive participant of the 12 months: Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
Freshman of the 12 months: Bai Jobe, DE, Michigan Inform
Have an effect on swap: Tanner Mordecai, QB, Wisconsin (from SMU)
Comeback participant of the 12 months: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio Inform
Coach of the 12 months: Luke Fickell, Wisconsin
Coach on the recent seat: Tom Allen, Indiana
Coordinator who might be a head coach: Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator, Michigan
Nonconference sport of the 12 months: Ohio Inform at Notre Dame, Sept. 23
Convention sport of the 12 months: Ohio Inform at Michigan, Nov. 25

Three predictions for the Enormous Ten

Michigan beats Ohio Inform another time: The Wolverines think about this season can also be their solely probability at profitable their first nationwide championship since 1997. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy is coming into his second season because the undisputed starter. Tailback Blake Corum is support after operating for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns closing season. So is Donovan Edwards, who ran for 991 yards with seven rankings in 2022. Stanford transfers Myles Hinton and Drake Nugent and Arizona Inform swap LaDarius Henderson will current skills and depth up entrance. The Wolverines will fall at Penn Inform on Nov. 11, nonetheless they’ll rebound to beat Ohio Inform, another time, on the Enormous Dwelling on Nov. 25.

Two Enormous Ten groups assemble the CFP: Ohio Inform followers might be steaming mad a pair of third straight loss to Michigan in The Sport, which is ready to be the Wolverines’ longest profitable race since taking three in a row from 1995 to 1997. The Buckeyes will receive over it after they’re thought of considered one of two Enormous Ten groups to assemble the four-workforce playoff. The Buckeyes choose to interchange quarterback C.J. Stroud; coach Ryan Day soundless hasn’t picked between sophomore Devin Brown or junior Kyle McCord. Regardless of who begins beneath coronary heart, the offense goes to be loaded with Harrison and receiver Emeka Egbuka and tailbacks Miyan Williams and Henderson coming support. The offensive line will choose to develop up mercurial, and the protection will choose to play higher than a 12 months in the past. With avenue wins at Notre Dame and Wisconsin and a house fetch over Penn Inform, the Buckeyes will agree with ample meat on their résumé to assemble the CFP even after shedding to Michigan.

Wisconsin wins the West: It’s doubtlessly a toss-up between Wisconsin and Iowa, nonetheless I’ll coast together with the workforce that obtained’t choose to take a look at to fetch each sport by preserving opponents to 10 sides or fewer. The Badgers are going to spy fully assorted on offense beneath first-year coach Luke Fickell. Mordecai threw for 3,524 yards with 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions at SMU closing season. Distinctive offensive coordinator Phil Longo is implementing his model of the Air Raid offense. Excessive receivers Chimere Dike and Skyler Bell are support, as is tailback Braelon Allen, who ran for 1,242 yards closing season. If the Badgers can reside on an early day trip to Washington Inform, they have to soundless be 5-0 heading into an Oct. 14 residence sport in opposition to Iowa.

Enormous 12

Champion: Texas
Offensive participant of the 12 months: Jalon Daniels, QB Kansas
Defensive participant of the 12 months: Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas
Freshman of the 12 months: Anthony Hill, LB, Texas
Have an effect on swap: Dasan McCullough, LB, Oklahoma
Comeback participant of the 12 months: WR AD Mitchell, Texas (from Georgia)
Coach of the 12 months: Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
Coach on the recent seat: Neal Brown, West Virginia
Coordinator who might be a head coach: Jeff Grimes, offensive coordinator, Baylor
Nonconference sport of the 12 months: Texas at Alabama, Sept. 9 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
Convention sport of the 12 months: Oklahoma at Oklahoma Inform, Nov. 4

Three predictions for the Enormous 12

Texas is support: No, if truth be told. The Longhorns agree with all of the units in construct to fetch 10 video games or extra. As extended as they comprise it between the traces off the self-discipline, they’re able to should agree with a possibility to fetch their first Enormous 12 title since 2009 of their remaining season inside the league. Within the occasion you think about coach Steve Sarkisian, quarterback Quinn Ewers impact inside the work this summer season season to strengthen and has matured. Mitchell, who had two of the best possible catches in Georgia historic earlier, is a particular athlete and should soundless rob pressure off Xavier Noteworthy. All 5 starters are support on what should soundless be an excellent offensive line. If a pair of swap portal additions — security Jalen Catalon from Arkansas and cornerback Gavin Holmes from Wake Wooded self-discipline — step up inside the secondary and Hill is fairly exceptional pretty much as good as marketed, the protection should soundless be good ample.

The Pokes fetch the closing Bedlam sport: With Oklahoma changing into a member of Texas inside the SEC in 2024, the prolonged-running Bedlam Sequence between OU and rival Oklahoma Inform will coast by the wayside treasure too many assorted colossal rivals video games which had been the victims of convention realignment. The Sooners and Cowboys agree with carried out 117 occasions since 1904. OU has a whopping 91-19-7 revenue inside the sequence. The Pokes will receive the closing snort in Stillwater with a 31-28 victory on Nov. 4.

Oklahoma bounces support: There is no scheme a Brent Venables-coached protection can even moreover be that grotesque another time. Within the ragged Clemson defensive coordinator’s first season as OU’s coach, the Sooners ranked 122nd out of 131 FBS groups in complete protection, permitting 461 yards and 30 sides. They have been ninth inside the Enormous 12 in scramble protection (187.5 yards) and pointless closing in opposition to the cross (273.5 yards). With the addition of McCullough and 5 assorted defensive linemen out of the swap portal, Venables will should agree with ample our bodies up entrance to play protection the scheme by which he is mature to. With quarterback Dillon Gabriel coming support, OU obtained’t choose to misfortune about scoring.

Pac-12

Champion: USC
Offensive participant of the 12 months: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Defensive participant of the 12 months: Laiatu Latu, LB, UCLA
Freshman of the 12 months: Dante Moore, QB, UCLA
Have an effect on swap: Dorian Singer, WR, USC (from Arizona)
Comeback participant of the 12 months: Brant Kuithe, TE, Utah
Coach of the 12 months: Kalen DeBoer, Washington
Coach on the recent seat: Justin Wilcox, California
Coordinator who might be a head coach: Ryan Grubb, offensive coordinator, Washington
Nonconference sport of the 12 months: USC at Notre Dame, Oct. 14
Convention sport of the 12 months: Washington at USC, Nov. 4

Three predictions for the Pac-12

A Pac-12 workforce makes the CFP: In what ceaselessly is the closing season of the Pac-12 as all of us perceive it, thought of considered one of its groups will lastly assemble the CFP. A Pac-12 workforce hasn’t made the four-workforce playoff since Washington fell to Alabama in a semifinal in 2016. Even worse, three of the earlier 4 Pac-12 champions in chunky seasons (no longer counting the COVID-delayed 2020 slate) had three losses or extra. With ragged Oklahoma Inform linebacker Mason Cobb and numerous key transfers shoring up the protection, USC will lastly work out ideas to sluggish down opponents and fetch the Pac-12. As a methods as a Lincoln Riley-coached workforce profitable a CFP semifinal, well, let’s concentrate on that later.

Two Pac-12 quarterbacks in Distinctive York for the Heisman Trophy presentation: Williams, who returns to USC for his remaining season at college soccer, will attempt to was solely the second participant to fetch the Heisman Trophy twice. Dilapidated Ohio Inform operating support Archie Griffin is the one two-time winner, in 1974 and 1975. Williams can even very well be even higher this 12 months with ragged Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury tutoring him. Nearly as good as Williams was closing season, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. led the Pac-12 in passing yards (4,641) and had 31 touchdowns and eight picks. Each might be Heisman Trophy finalists.

Coach Prime’s first season at Colorado is no longer fairly: There was tons of of hype and controversy surrounding Deion Sanders’ coast from FCS program Jackson Inform to Colorado inside the offseason. The Buffaloes are going to be thought of considered one of primarily essentially the most compelling groups inside the nation, nonetheless they’re no longer going to be wonderful. Colorado went 1-11 closing season, 1-8 inside the Pac-12. Sanders and his crew tried to interchange out beans and franks method for pork Wellington in a single day, on the alternative hand it obtained’t assemble exceptional of a distinction. It’ll possibly presumably no longer be stunning to spy TCU hold half of-a-hundred on the Buffaloes inside the Sept. 2 opener.

SEC

Champion: Georgia
Offensive participant of the 12 months: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Defensive participant of the 12 months: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Freshman of the 12 months: Caleb Downs, S, Alabama
Have an effect on swap: Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky (from NC Inform)
Comeback participant of the 12 months: Maason Smith, DL, LSU
Coach of the 12 months: Brian Kelly, LSU
Coach on the recent seat: Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M
Coordinator who might be a head coach: Glenn Schumann, defensive coordinator, Georgia
Nonconference sport of the 12 months: LSU vs. Florida Inform in Orlando, Florida, Sept. 3 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Convention sport of the 12 months: LSU at Alabama, Nov. 4

Three predictions for the SEC

Texas A&M’s Bobby Petrino wins the Broyles Award: Jimbo Fisher’s choice to point his offense over to Petrino, a ragged Arkansas and Louisville coach, reeked of desperation after closing season’s 5-7 debacle. What if it if truth be told works? The Aggies ranked Thirteenth inside the SEC in scoring (22.8), eleventh in dashing (141.8 yards) and tenth in passing (219.4 yards) closing season. Now no longer good. With quarterback Conner Weigman taking the next step with thought of considered one of many league’s higher receiver corps, the Aggies should soundless be exceptional higher on offense.

LSU beats Alabama in Tuscaloosa: It’s assuredly a toss-up on which workforce will fetch the SEC West, nonetheless I am going with the Tigers as a result of of quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Tigers’ enormous entrance seven on protection. Daniels should be higher throwing the ball down the self-discipline for LSU’s offense to prosper. There are additionally some holes inside the secondary at DB U. Alabama goes to be steaming mad after falling to the Tigers 32-31 in extra time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, closing season. I acceptable manufacture no longer perception Alabama’s quarterbacks and receiver corps, which was fairly underwhelming closing season. The Tide’s offensive line additionally has to play exceptional higher after surrendering 167 tackles for loss and 63 sacks the earlier two seasons mixed.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is a Heisman Trophy finalist: Beck tried solely 35 passes as a backup closing season, and he has the unenviable activity of changing Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to consecutive nationwide championships. Whereas Beck lacks Bennett’s mobility, he does agree with a stronger arm. He is additionally going to make primarily essentially the most of 1 factor Bennett did no longer agree with: a deep and proficient receiver corps. Mississippi Inform Bulldogs swap Rara Thomas and Missouri Tigers swap Dominic Lovett give Beck two extra choices to go with Ladd McConkey, Bowers and others.