College football season is in full swing, so here are the basics of what you need to know about the top headlines coming in to this season in order to avoid looking like every other girl at the game in high-waist shorts and Ray-Ban Aviators taking selfies to get on the local Snapchat feed instead of paying attention to the game.
1. Ohio State is the first unanimous number one in the preseason AP poll. Every year there are two polls that come out once in the pre-season and each week during the season, the coaches' poll and the Associated Press poll. This season marks the first time a team has received ALL 61 first-place votes among the voters, so to say that the expectations are high for the Buckeyes is an understatement. The Buckeyes return a good deal of their national championship team from last season, and with two quarterbacks that could start at any Division I program in the country, they should be poised to make a good run at back-to-back titles.
2. The College Football Playoff is back. No, this is not the same system that has been crowning national champs from 1998-2013. Last season was the first season in which there was a playoff system to determine who would play for the national title, instead of just who received the most votes. Four teams make it and play two semi-final games to determine who plays for the national championship. The race to be the top four teams in the nation by the season's end should be tight again, so pay attention to that all season.
3. With the new addition of coach Jim Harbaugh from the NFL, the University of Michigan is looking to return to the top ranks. It may not happen right away, but look for them to begin to turn their program around. I know us Buckeyes are finally ready to see some competition back in this rivalry again!
4. TCU-Baylor might be the great new rivalry. With these two teams now being in the Big 12 conference together, and being the two teams on the outside looking in of the first College Football Playoff last season, their head-to-head matchup this season could be a make-or-break game for both teams. Both teams felt like they were jilted being ranked 5 and 6 at the end of last season, so look for them to start the season fired up and ready to be a lock for this season's playoffs.
5. The Pac-12 is on the rise. With six teams in the AP pre-season Top 25, this conference is looking to make a comeback after recent domination of college football by the SEC. Oregon has been a mainstay at the top of the polls in recent seasons, but some former powerhouses, such as cross-town rivals USC and UCLA, are looking to rise to glory again. After a few off-season scandals, it will be interesting to see if this conference can live up to the hype.
So here's to Saturday's full of sun, cold beer, and wins for your school!
