The college football season is moving rapidly, as it does every season, and we are now into conference play and more enticing matchups. In terms of entertainment and surprise, the 2015 season is shaping up to be a good one.
As typical with the majority of college football pre-season gurus that place their bets in March, they got it wrong when constructing their playoff matchups for 2015. Nationally, everyone and their mother had Auburn in the playoff, some tagging them as national title favorites.
The Trojans of USC were expected to put up a great year and contend for a playoff spot. Plus, even with questions on the offensive side of the ball, Nick Saban and Alabama were seen as a lock for the playoff. Or was it just me thinking that? Currently, they sit outside of the top ten in the polls.
Auburn isn’t even ranked. Although, if one thing has been cemented thus far, it is that the Heisman Trophy will be heading down to Baton Rouge at the end of the year. A emergence of talented, playoff-hungry teams have infiltrated the college football realm.
Believe it or not though, the fun has yet to begin. Still a lot of football to be played in 2015, but it is never too early to take a stab at who will be playing for it all come January.
1. Ohio State
The Buckeyes are still the team to beat in college football. Although they have struggled to find their offensive identity in 2015, which team hasn't? They will be fine and make quick work of their rather soft schedule. I foresee the Buckeyes squeaking past Sparty in the horseshoe and winning the Big Ten for the second year in a row.
2. Clemson
With Deshaun Watson leading the offensive attack for the Tigers, I see a great season ahead for Dabo Swinney's 2015 squad. Arguably, their toughest games will be held in Death Valley, when they host Georgia Tech on October 10, and Florida State on Nov. 7. The Tigers have a legitimate shot at not only winning the ACC, but landing a spot in the 2015 CFB playoff.
3. Michigan State
The Spartans already have a top-notch victory, they defeated Oregon 31-28 in Week two at home. Like their Big Ten counterpart, Ohio State, they have a fairly easy 2015 campaign. All eyes look toward their match up with the Buckeyes, in Columbus, on Nov. 21. Win or lose, the Spartans won't fall too far in the rankings if defeated by Ohio State. But, they may be left out to dry when championship week rolls around. We will see how it goes for Sparty.
4. Alabama
A loss early to Ole Miss has Alabama out of the top ten in the rankings. It goes without saying that the Tide has lots to get together on both sides of the football, specifically the offense. Everything is still in front of them and a win at Georgia certainly would give them a boost. Plus, all the pressure is on Chad Kelly in Oxford and LSU is still trying to find an identity at quarterback.
We will see how it plays out, but wins against Georgia and LSU could surge the Tide back into the big picture. Inexperience and inconsistency, at most of the offensive positions, has several Tide fans and national media writers skeptical about their playoff chances.
Still a lot of football to be played, and we see how an early loss to Ole Miss in 2014 propelled that squad to the first ever CFB playoff.
