2015 College Football Preview/Predictions

The calendar has flipped from August to September, and that means that another College Football season is upon us. The rankings are out, and fans are endlessly debating each other, furiously stating why there team will be the best, either in the conference or in the country. As an avid sports fan, I, like a lot of Americans, have my opinions on how this season will turn out, and I will share them with you right here.

Champions: Ohio State over Wisconsin in title game 

This is a no brainier. Say what you will about Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes, but it has to be recognized that Coulombs is currently home to not only the best team in the Big 10, but in the United States of America as well. In case you were living under a rock this past January, Ohio State surprised everyone when they managed to upset both Alabama and Oregon to win the first ever 4-team college football playoff. 2 things in particular are impressive and scary about the Bucks magical run. One is that Ohio State did it in spite of losing both their first and second string Quarterbacks over the course of the season. The second thing is that nearly every player who played a role in Ohio State's title is coming back. 

QB Braxton Miller was a Heisman Trophy candidate before the 2014 season started, but he tore his ACL during training camp and was never able to play a snap of what would have been his Senior year. Now as a medical red shirt, Miller is back as one of 3 stellar options the Bucks have at QB. JT Barrett was an unknown name before Miller went down, but after taking over the starting role behind center, he set the world on fire, setting a total of 19 school and conference records. But disaster struck again for OSU when Barrett broke his ankle in the last game of the season against Michigan. In came Cardale Jones to save the day. Jones proceeded to lead the Buckeyes to wins 3 straight huge wins, the last one against Oregon for the national title. It is not yet confirmed who will be the main man under center for the Bucks, but they will be in good hands with any of these 3.

The Bucks also have a beast returning at running back, and his name is Ezekiel Elliot. Elliot is a Heisman candidate coming into the season and rightfully so. Zeke rushed for 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2014, and looks to post even bigger numbers in 2015. Ohio State is also strong on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive End Joey Bosa and tackle Adolphus Washington return to anchor the D-Line, and sophomore Eli Apple is a player to watch as a defensive back. All in all, things could not be looking better for the Buckeyes. 

 So, I predict that the big 10 standing will look like this:

East
1. Ohio State 

2. Michigan State

3. Penn State

4. Michigan
5. Maryland
6. Indiana
7.. Purdue
West
1. Wisconsin
2. Nebraska
3. Minnsota
4. Iowa
5. Illinois
6. Northwestern
7. Rutgers  

Champions: Florida State over Georgia Tech 

While the talent level at FSU is not as high this year as it has been in the past, the Noles are still the team to beat in the ACC. Notre Dame transfer Evrett Golson will play a key role as the teams starting quarterback and successor to Jameis Winston, while Dalvin Cook is poised for a big year at runningback, having rushed for 1,008 yards as a freshman in 2014. The Noles have enough talent coming back to repeat as ACC Champs, narrowly edging out Clemson for the title. 

Other teams to watch: Clemson, NC State, Georiga Tech, Pitt

Coastal
1. Florida State

2. Clemson

3. NC State

4. Louisville
5. Syracuse
6. Boston College
7. Wake Forest

Atlantic
1. Georgia Tech
2. Virginia Tech
3. Pitt
4. Duke
5. Miami
6. UNC
7. Virginia  

Champions: TCU

This is the hardest power conference to predict, as both TCU and Baylor have a shot at the CFB Playoffs as well as a conference title. I am picking TCU to narrowly edge Baylor out simply because I believe the Horned Frogs are more complete on  both sides of the ball. The Horned Frogs had an explosive offense in 2014 as well as one of the nations best defenses.defenses. Trevon Boykin returnes at quarterback as a Heisman canadite, and I think he will have another huge year.

Other teams to watch: Baylor, Kansas State 

1. TCU

2. Baylor

3.  Kansas State

4.   Oklahoma State
5. Oklahoma
6. West Virginia
7. Texas
8. Texas Tech
9. Iowa State
10. Kansas

Champions: Oregon over USC
The 2014 season was a combination of triumph and heartbreak for the Oregon Ducks. After romping through Florida State in the National Semifinal game, many expected the Ducks to win their first ever national title when they came up against the cinderella Ohio State Buckeyes. Ducks fans were left surprised and disappointed when they suffered a crushing 42-20 defeat. Although the loss of quarterback and 2014 Heisman winner Marcus Mariota will hurt, I still think the Ducks are the team to beat in the PAC 12. Vernon Adams will take over for Mariota at QB, while Royce Freeman, who had 1,365 yards rushing in 2014, will be a force in the backfield as a Junior. Darren Carrington and Devon Allen will be 2 key returning receivers. All in all, the Ducks still have a lot of talent on the field, and I expect them to retain their title as champions of the PAC 12.

Other teams to watch: USC, UCLA
South
1. USC
2. UCLA
3. Arizona State
4. Utah
5. Arizona
6. Colorado

North
1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. Washington
4. Oregon State
5. Cal
6. Washington State

Winners: Alabama
Here in the mother of all conferences, I believe Alabama will repeat as SEC Champs. The Crimson Tide are a machine, and I believe that the Tide will have another successful year. Every machine needs effective parts, and the Tide have some coming back. Leading rusher Derrick Henry will return for his senior season, and I believe that receiver ArDarius Stewart will have a breakout year at wide receiver, helping fill the shoes of Amari Cooper. The Tide also have some freshman out of 2015's No. 1 recruiting class that will make an impact. I believe that the machine will keep on moving.

Other teams to watch: Everyone

East
1. Georgia
2. Tennessee
3. Missouri
4. Florida
5. South Carolina
6. Vanderbilt
7. Kentucky

West
1. Alabama
2. Auburn
3. Ole Miss
4. LSU
5. Texas A&M
6. Arkansas
7. Mississippi State

So, now that I have predicted how the regular season will turn out, let's see who I think will qualify for the playoffs.

My 4 teams are: Ohio State, TCU, Alabama, and Michigan State. Michigan State might come as a surprise at #4, but I think that Sparty will narrowly beat out Auburn and Baylor for that spot. The Spartans have a key match-up against Oregon at home in Week 2, and if they win that, even with a likely loss to Ohio State, their chances are pretty good in my opinion. Michigan State has been knocking on the door for a whille now, and I think that the door will finally open. Senior QB Connor Cook leads a talented and hungry group of Spartans that know that they can do anything.

In the national semifinals, Ohio State will beat Michigan State, while Alabama will beat TCU, setting up a rematch of the 2014 national semifinal. This years Ohio State team could be one of the better teams in a long time, and I don't see anything getting in their way. Your 2015 College Football

National Champions will be: The Ohio State Buckeyes