25 Bold Predictions For the 2013 College Football Season
25 Bold Predictions For the 2013 College Football Season
With the college football season approaching quickly approaching, most college football fans are wondering the same thing – can anyone stop the Alabama Crimson Tide? Probably not, but that does not mean that there will not be any big surprises.
College football brings with it so many twists and turns that it is hard to make any predictions at all. Every year there seems to be major upsets, disappointments and BCS game inclusions/exclusions that leave people reeling.
For example, how many people would have said that the Texas A&M Aggies would beat Alabama? Or that the Northern Illinois University Huskies would make it into a BCS game? Or that the Louisville Cardinals would destroy the Florida Gators in the Sugar Bowl?
Not very many people predicted any of that. If you did, you must be psychic, a crazed fan or a liar, because last season was more unpredictable than any season in a long time.
This college football season hasn’t even started yet and there are already huge college football surprises. Current Heisman winner Johnny Manziel can’t stay out of trouble, the Tennessee Volunteers have the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, etc. Imagine what the season will be like when games are actually being played.
I understand some of these will probably be completely wrong, but where would the fun in college football be if you couldn’t make outrageous predictions every once in a while? Feel free to comment and leave your own bold predictions, whether they are based off facts or completely arbitrary thoughts.
Here is my take on 25 bold predictions for the upcoming 2013 college football season.
Taylor Sturm is an SEC Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS.
No. 25 Texas A&M Gets Crushed By Alabama
The Aggies take on the Crimson Tide in their SEC opener. It won’t go well for Texas A&M. Revenge is sweet, and Nick Saban wants revenge.
No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers Start Winning Again
Head Coach Butch Jones has a star-studded recruiting class coming in the next year, but this year he’s not as bad off as he could be. Tennessee has the best offensive line in the SEC, and Rajion Neal is no pushover.
No. 23 Oregon Shows Signs of Missing Chip Kelley
The Ducks will still put up points all over their opposition, but will not win the PAC-12. A BCS bowl could be in their future, however.
No. 22 Clemson Doesn’t Go to BCS Game
I just don’t think Tajh Boyd has what it takes down the stretch in a strong ACC this season. Virginia Tech and Miami (Fl) look like they could be better teams.
No. 21 Nevada Is Better Than Boise State
I love Boise State’s blue field as much as the next guy, but Nevada’s quarterback is just too good. Expect the Wolf Pack to win the Mountain West.
No. 20 UCLA Wins the PAC-12
Stanford is suffering some growing pains, and Oregon is going to lose a game or two without Chip Kelly. Someone is going to drop a game to Oregon State, but it will all come down to what Brett Hundley can do.
No. 19 Johnny Manziel Has Down Season
He had his one spectacular season. The SEC is coming for Johnny “Football.”
No. 18 Ohio State Goes Undefeated
I’m not sure this is a prediction as much as it is a statement. The Buckeyes are a different class of team than anyone else in the Big 10 – that’s Urban Meyer for you.
No. 17 Virginia Tech Wins the ACC
Logan Thomas is ready to have a breakout year, and Clemson will once again fail to live up to expectations. The Hokies are a lot better than many predict.
No. 16 South Carolina Has At Least 4 Losses
Vanderbilt and Tennessee both had the opportunity to defeat the Gamecocks last year. Don’t expect USC to be that lucky this season. They tend to be very shaky offensively, despite having a few spectacular offensive weapons.
No. 15 Jadeveon Clowney Keeps Crushing Opponents
Clowney is the best player in the country, hands down. He’s not going to stop as he works his way up to the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick in 2014.
No. 14 Marqise Lee Has Great Season
The USC Trojan’s receiver is their lone bright spot. With Lane Kiffin’s job on the line, he’ll come through and give the Trojans a chance at a decent season. He is considered the best receiver in the country.
No. 13 No One Can Stop Todd Gurley
He scored 18 times as a freshman. Let that sink in. This Georgia Bulldog is something special.
No. 12 Vanderbilt Isn’t As Good As Everyone Thinks
The Commodores may be getting better under James Franklin, but, in the SEC, all the three-star players in the world aren’t going to help you beat some of the opposition.
No. 11 Cincinnati Wins American Athletic Conference Over Louisville
Louisville is a great team, but this isn’t last year. QB Teddy Bridgewater still has a Heisman caliber performance, but Cincinnati pulls off the surprise upset.
No. 10 Jeff Driskel Has an Average Season
Driskel is a great quarterback, but Florida is all about its running game and defense. He won’t throw for any spectacular numbers.
No. 9 The Best Linebacker in the Country?
A.J. Johnson for the Tennessee Volunteers will be the best LB in the country. He is the only real leader this rebuilding team has, and that will show on the stat sheet. He may not be the most NFL ready, but expectations should be high.
No. 8 The Most Improved Team in the Country?
The Auburn Tigers will be the most improved team in the country. They are too talented to have a terrible season like they did last year.
No. 7 Michigan Doesn’t Win More Than 9 Games
The Wolverines seem to do nothing but disappoint. They seem to panic under pressure and that will continue this season.
No. 6 Northern Illinois Gets Into BCS Talk
Jordan Lynch is the best leader in college football. This team does nothing but surpass expectations, and, in a weak conference, should continue to win.
No. 5 Texas Wins the Big 12 Behind Johnathan Gray’s Running
It’s about time for Texas to start being an elite team again. Gray’s running, along with David Ash’s passing ability, will lead the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and a BCS bowl.
No. 4 Alabama Wins the SEC Championship Over Georgia, Again
Sorry, Bulldogs. You just can’t stop the Crimson Tide.
No. 3 Notre Dame Has Another BCS Caliber Season
Notre Dame has a majority of their team returning and will be formidable opponents if they can keep a consistent quarterback.
No. 2 Braxton Miller Wins the Heisman
He can run and throw better than nearly anyone in the country. Ohio State should roll over opposition, and he should continue to rack up yards.
No. 1 Ohio State Loses to Alabama in the National Championship
The Ohio State Buckeyes are good, as is Braxton Miller, but no match for an SEC defense like Alabama’s. The Crimson Tide will continue their dynasty and win the last non-playoff National Championship.
Be sure to check out the Rant Sports 100 in 100 Series, a preview of the top 100 College Football Teams for the 2013 Season!
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