2013 College Football Preview

The 2013 College Football season is almost underway, so it is time for me to give a quick preview for the upcoming season.

My Preseason Top 10

1-Alabama

Until someone can prove that they can beat Alabama, the Crimson Tide belongs at the top. Nick Saban is a living legend of a head coach, and he will have his team focused once again. Yes, Alabama lost a lot of talent to the NFL, but ‘Bama doesn’t rebuild, they reload. With A.J. McCarron, T.J. Yeldon, and Amari Cooper all returning, the offense should put up plenty enough points to go along with an always stout defense.

2-Ohio State

During his first year at the helm, Head Coach Urban Meyer led the Buckeyes to an undefeated 12-0 season. Had they not been under a postseason ban, Ohio State would have likely played Notre Dame in the BCS Championship game. This season, the postseason ban has been lifted, and the Buckeyes are legitimate contenders to go undefeated once again. With dual-threat quarterback Braxton Miller back under center, Urban Meyer should have the offense rolling during his second season in Columbus.

3-Stanford

If you would have told me ten years ago that Stanford would be a perennial powerhouse, I would have said you were crazy, but that’s what they have become. Former Head Coach Jim Harbaugh laid a foundation of tough-physical play at Stanford, and current Head Coach David Shaw has kept that alive by leading the Cardinal to two consecutive BCS Bowl games. In 2013, Stanford figures to carry a great defense once again, and quarterback Kevin Hogan should continue to flourish as he did after taking over the reins mid-season.

4-Georgia

Georgia was just a few seconds or plays away from defeating Alabama in last year’s SEC Championship game, and they hope to reach Atlanta once again. With Clemson, South Carolina, LSU, and Florida on their schedule for the first 8 games of the season, the Bulldogs will be tested early and often. Luckily, Georgia will host 3 of those 4 games, so they have a legitimate chance at repeating last year’s success. With Aaron Murray, Todd Gurley, and Keith Marshall, this team is loaded offensively and should be able to give their defense a ton of points to work with.

5-Oregon

Chip Kelly is gone, but Marcus Mariota is still there. Former Offensive Coordinator Mark Helfrich takes over for Kelly, so you can expect the same type of offense at Autzen Stadium this season. Helfrich also was smart enough to keep the majority of the coaching staff in place, so the Ducks should still be considered serious BCS contenders.

6-Clemson

It seems that every year Clemson is a hyped up before the season, and they usually fall off by mid-season. Will this season prove to be any different? With Tajh Boyd back for a Heisman campaign and wide receiver Sammy Watkins also returning, the Tigers will be explosive on offense once again. Last season, they averaged 41.0 points a game, but they will be challenged to score even half that many points in their three big games versus Georgia, Florida State, and South Carolina. If Head Coach Dado Swinney can lead his team past those three teams, the Tigers have a chance to run the table.

7-South Carolina

Jadeveon Clowney. I wanted to end my summary right there, because that’s all you need to know. Clowney is the definition of a “Freak”, and will undoubtedly be the first player selected in next year’s NFL Draft. If South Carolina wants to challenge Alabama and Georgia and truly contend for a SEC or BCS Championship, then the “Ole Ball Coach” better have his offense in ready to go.

8-Texas A&M

Johnny Manziel returns as the Heisman Trophy winner…Or, does he? There are no real indications that “Johnny Football” will be suspended for allegedly accepting payments for signing autographs, but it needs to be considered when assessing the Aggies’ chances this season. Despite all of the offseason distractions for Texas A&M, they still have to find a way to overcome to losses of Luke Joeckel and Ryan Swope. The good news for A&M is that Alabama and LSU are the only preseason ranked teams on their schedule, but is that really good news?

9-Notre Dame

Notre Dame had an offseason to forget after the thrashing by the hands of Alabama in the BCS Championship game. Head Coach Brian Kelly flirted with the NFL, Manti Te’o was hoaxed, top-recruit Gunner Kiel transferred, and quarterback Everett Golson was suspended for academic dishonesty. Despite all of that, the Irish are still very talented. Brian Kelly has had multiple recruiting classes to form his team to his style of play. The defense should be one of the best in the country once again, led by arguably the best defensive line in the nation. If quarterback Tommy Rees can limit the turnovers, Irish eyes may be smiling once again in 2013.

10-Louisville

When Louisville was scheduled to play the Florida Gators in last season’s Sugar Bowl, many people thought they would get destroyed, including me. However, the Cardinals were the ones handing out the beat down in New Orleans, and they come into the 2013 season as proven BCS contenders. Teddy Bridgewater might just be the best quarterback in the country, and former Auburn running back Michael Dyer joins the Cardinals’ offense after transferring following sitting out last season. However, with a schedule that resembles one of a FCS team, Louisville will have to put up a ton of style points if they want to climb the BCS rankings during their likely undefeated season.

Conference Champions

ACC: Clemson over Miami (FL)
Big 12: Texas (No Championship game)
American: Louisville (No Championship game)
Big Ten: Ohio State over Northwestern
Pac 12: Stanford over USC
SEC: Alabama over Georgia

Top Heisman Candidates

QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State
QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
QB Tajh Boyd, Clemson
QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
WR Marqise Lee, USC
DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina

BCS Bowls

Rose Bowl: Stanford versus Northwestern
Sugar Bowl: South Carolina versus Notre Dame
Fiesta Bowl: Texas versus Oregon
Orange Bowl: Clemson versus Louisville
BCS Championship: Alabama over Ohio State

-Eric Tichelbaut

Follow me on Twitter @etichel07