Be honest. Is it ever too early to get pumped for the College Football season? If you’re a true fan, the answer to that question is a big fat NO.
Thanks to returning studs and elite recruiting classes, the four consensus school’s presently favorited to make it to next year’s College Football Playoff are Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, and Oklahoma. But, as is the case each year, there are a few underdogs that will make noise and ultimately disrupt the annual nail-biting race.
Let’s take a look at six teams that could rattle up the rankings before the season’s conclusion.
6. Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish will be out for blood after getting thrashed and embarrassed by the Clemson Tigers 30-3 in December’s Cotton Bowl. Running back Jafar Armstrong and quarterback Ian Book will lead the charge and fans will only feel more confident in the duo after a promising spring performance and another season under their belts.
5. Texas A&M
Most wouldn’t argue against the notion that the Aggies’ ceiling is as high as reaching the CFP. If they don’t, however, expect the program to take a massive step forward in Jimbo Fisher’s second season at the helm and play some serious spoiler as the race heats up.
4. Oregon
When you have a player as good as Justin Herbert under center, your team has as good of a chance as any to bolt up the College Football rankings. Not to mention that the Ducks have 10 returning starters on offense and another seven back on defense. If that’s not a recipe for success, we don’t know what is.
3. Ohio State
Like Oklahoma, the Buckeyes landed a top-tier quarterback transfer who has Heisman Trophy potential. Justin Fields’ transfer warranted some unwanted publicity but he finally has his feet wet in Columbus and will look to lead Ohio State to the top of the Big Ten standings. Replacing Dwayne Haskins is a demanding ask but newly appointed head coach Ryan Day has plenty of talent to work with. Look out for the Buckeyes this year.
2. LSU
Like Oregon, the Tigers have the luxury of returning a plethora of starters on both sides of the ball – seven on offense and eight on defense. LSU even landed a top-five recruiting class that will only increase their potential. Expect new passing game coordinator Joe Brady, whom head coach Ed Orgeron poached from the New Orleans Saints to make a HUGE difference. The entire SEC should be fearful of the 2019-2020 Tigers.
1. Michigan
Everybody and their mother knows that the Wolverines’ defense has NEVER been the problem. Michigan’s achilles heel has almost always been their limited offense but new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis has drawn endless praise from spring scrimmages and early practices. If both sides of the ball are clicking, then head coach Jim Harbaugh should have his team playing like one that could ascend up the late season rankings.