-Originally published 8/22/21-
Look, we all can’t watch football all-day every day. What squads are worth flipping on the ‘ol boob tube for a couple quarters? He’s the power ranks of the top teams worth checking out based on player talent, schedule, playoff impact, and actual on-field play. The player talent rank is based on talent from both a college prospective and NFL potential. The schedule ranking is based on the strength of opponents an equal or greater level competitively that’ll make for an enjoyable watch. Playoff impact rating is based on a team’s opportunity to either make a run at the playoffs or knocked off teams that could participate in the playoffs base on schedule. It’s basically a question; “Could a win over a team on your schedule knock your opponent out of playoff picture or put you in position to make the final four? Actual on-the-field play is the greatest factor and the reason I put this list together. Plenty of teams are more entertaining than the top 10 ranked teams every week that you’re missing out on.
- Ole Miss
Matt Carroll will be one of the most electric playmakers at the QB position in the country and the best player at the position in the SEC until someone else pops. Lane Kiffin grabbed the reins for the Rebels and immediately handed the keys over the Carroll 2018 four-star prospect. The Rebels traded blows with Alabama for 3 and a half quarters last season before falling 63-48 and finished 5-5 with a 26-20 Outback Bowl win over Indiana. The offense was 7th in passing (344.9 ypg), 14th in scoring (39.2 ppg), and 3rd in total offense (555.5 ppg) and will replace Elijah Moore’s production (NY Jets) with receivers Dontario Drummond (25 Rec, 417 Yds, 7 Td) and Jonathan Mingo (27 Rec, 379 Yds, 3 Td). A trio returns for the run game in Jerrion Ealy (745 Yds, 9 Td, 5.1 Ypc), Snoop Conner (421 Yds, 8 Td, 4.5 Ypc) and Henry Parrish Jr (263 Yds, 2 Td, 4.7 Ypc).
The defense was horrific last season giving up 38.3 ppg (117th) and 519 ypg (126th).Whether it improves or not the Rebels with be a threat every week. Playing in one of the most difficult divisions in CFB, the SEC West, means a gauntlet schedule. The Kiffin/Saban rematch is early this season (Oct. 2nd) and LSU, Texas A&M, Auburn and non-conference games against Louisville and Liberty are on the docket. This squad won’t be competing for a playoff spot, but they will be Sportscenter highlight darlings.
Outside of Austin Peay, Vanderbilt, and possibly Tulane who’ll still field a decent team, every game will be an exciting challenge for Ole Miss.
Top games: Sept. 6th Louisville (in Atlanta), Oct. 2nd @ Alabama, Oct. 9th Arkansas, Oct. 16th @ Tennessee, Oct. 23rd LSU, Oct. 30th @ Auburn, Nov. 6th Liberty, Nov.13th Texas A&M, Nov. 27th @ Mississippi State
Player Talent 8
Schedule 10
Playoff Impact 10
Actual Play 10
2. Oklahoma
Oklahoma returns Heisman and No.1 2022 NFL selection favorite Spencer Rattler at QB surrounded with offensive weapons as always in Norman. Fifteen starters return. The offense averaged 43 points, 495 yards and 7 yards per play last season. Oklahoma and North Carolina are arguably the only National Title hopefuls (Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas A&M) that return full-time starting QB. The defense, an achilles heel for the Sooners under Lincoln Riley, looks to be up to the challenge of holding up their end in route to a title. Linebacker Nik Bonitto and defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey are both among Todd McShay’s top 30 NFL prospects. The non-conference features matchups @Tulane 9/4 and Nebraska 9/18 that would be respectable for middling teams but fodder for the Sooners. 10/9 Texas, 10/16 TCU, 11/20 Iowa St, and 11/27 @ Oklahoma St are the greatest challenges. TCU and ISU are home games and the Red River Rivalry is a “neutral site” in Dallas. Everything is set for a title run.
Player Talent 4
Schedule 4
Playoff Impact 5
Actual Play 5
3. LSU
The Tigers have the greatest range of outcome out of all major programs in CFB. A 2020 season that saw the Tigers pull off a major 37-34 win in the swamp over Florida (partially the Gator’s fault to due a horrific unsporsmanline conduct penalty) and a 53-48 win over Ole Miss to close the season at 5-5 will make them a gamble again this season. Fifth-year senior Myles Brennan returns after going down three games into 2020 due to injury and is slated to return to QB #1 over Max Johnson whom finished out the season. Regardless of the QB under center, he’ll be prepared to pepper the ball across the field in the spread offense that saw some reshuffling but is aiming for a repeat of 2019’s National Championship season. The entire offensive line returns. Receivers Kayshon Boutte (45 Rec, 735 yrds-308 against Ole Miss, 5 Td) and Jaray Jenkins (23 Rec, 397 Yds, 2 Td) will be the primary recipients of touchdown passes and applause. Linebacker Mike Jones Sr, and DE Ali Gaye are on NFL radars and the cornerback duo Derek Stingley Jr and Eli Ricks are best tandem in the country. The squad will be more efficient (and watchable) than last season when injuries and the NFL draft caused disruptions. Scoring 40+ every week will be in play again, stars will emerge and who doesn’t love a good Ed Orgeron press conference? Coach O has noted that Derek Stingley might play both sides of the ball this season on an interview with WWL radio New Orleans that could add another wrinkle to the offense as they try to get the talented athlete more time on the field.
The greatest challenge for LSU will be trying to get all the pieces to gel while playing a brutal schedule. The SEC West has no weekends off with Alabama, Texas A&M, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Arkansas, October dates with Florida and feisty Kentucky out of the East division loom and the Tigers will get a test early when they fly across the country to take on UCLA opening weekend. A record range of 7-5 “lower-tier” bowl participant to 11-1 playoff consideration isn’t out of the question.
Top Games: 9/4 @ UCLA, 9/25 @ Mississippi State, 10/2 Auburn, 10/9 @ Kentucky, 10/16 Florida, 10/23 @ Ole Miss, 11/6 @ Alabama, 11/13 Arkansas, 11/27 Texas A&M.
Player Talent 10
Schedule 10
Playoff Impact 10
Actual Play 8
4. Arizona State
I predicted last preseason that ASU’s Jayden Daniels and USC’s Kedon Slovis would be competing for the Heisman this season and put Pac-12 football back on a national stage. QB Jayden Daniels won’t be 21 until this winter but started as a true freshman in 2019 and was dazzling in leading the Sun Devils to a 8-5 record. He’s a duel threat with a knack for finding one of ASU’s recent line of talented wideouts (N’Keal Harry-’19, Brandon Aiyik-’20, Frank Darby-’21) downfield. Last season’s four game schedule saw a 27-28 collapse to USC opening day (Nov.7!) followed by another loss against UCLA 18-25 before stomping Arizona 70-7 and damning the Oregon State Beavers 46-33 to finish 2-2 in a forgettable 2020 for young QB. Daniels averaged less than 200 yards passing while the ground game rolled for over 260 per and the offense put up over 40ppg. The defense force turnovers on a quarter of opponent’s possessions and held opponents to less than 200 yards passing and 23ppg. Numbers are skewed based on a 4 game sample size, but almost all the talent on both sides of the ball returns. If Daniels can bounce back and find a new favorite receiver from a slew of four-star underclass man filling up the depth chart the offense with continue to light up score boards posting 40+ on a full schedule. Jermayne Lole on the defensive line is a bully in the middle and a top NFL prospect. Herm Edwards is 17-13 in his first three (or 2+) seasons but his team is finally ready to roll with a balance, high-powered offense and shut-down defense. Serious recruiting violations could lead to coaching changes and player transfers, but the story has been buried after NIL and the massive Texas/OU shift to the SEC stories occurred so who knows when punishment will be handed out.
The schedule has its soft spots like most squads, but watching this team operate should be exciting. The unpredictability of the Pac-12 does make for many intriguing matchups. The Oregon Ducks aren’t on the docket unfortunately, but BYU (Sep. 18), UCLA (Oct. 2), Utah (Oct. 16), USC (Nov. 6), Washington (Nov. 13), and Oregon State (Nov. 20) will all have to dance with the Devils.
An electric QB, a bully defense, a staff the routinely pumps out explosive wideouts, the outstanding uniform combinations, Hermy pacing the sidelines, and a team with a real chance to grab make noise nationally? What else do you want?
Player Talent 8
Schedule 7
Playoff Impact 5
Actual Play 9
5. North Carolina
Sam Howell won ACC Player of the Year in 2019 over Trevor Lawrence and will get Heisman hype this season. The offense lost top receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome and running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter from an offense that averaged over 530 yards and 41 points per game last season, good for top-10 in both categories. Howell will be looking for new weapons to step up as he makes his last audition before top QB in the 2022 draft. The defense finally looks like it’s coming around with a secondary lead by young corners Storm Duck (you read that correctly) and Tony Grimes. It maybe be a case of one side of the ball taking a slight backslide (offense) while the other side steps up (defense) and the team is more competitive for the better. Regardless, Mack Brown has been pulling in top-15 recruiting classes since he returned to the sidelines. This squad is a top ACC team and darkhourse playoff team. A top college QB, NFL prospects for 2022 and beyond, the potential for explosive games and a slim shot to break into the playoffs? Watch it before you hear about it.
Top games: Sep. 3rd @ Virginia Tech, Sep. 18th Virginia, Oct. 9th Florida State, Oct. 16th Miami, Oct. 30th Notre Dame, Nov. 11th @ Pittsburgh, Nov. 26th @ NC State.
Player Talent 9
Schedule 7
Playoff Impact 6
Actual Play 8
6. USC
Kedon Slovis is another QB that suffered last season in the wacky, shortened Pac-12 season that was played on short notice with little practice or prep. The Trojans did get six games in and finished 5-1, the lone loss 24-31 to Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship, but that should be confused for great on-field performance. The numbers were there for Slovis (17 TDs, 1,916 YDs, 67%Comp), but so were the turnovers (7 INTs), the need to throw to win (three 4th quarter comebacks), and the invisible run game (97.3 Rush/YPD-120th). That’s the bad news. What makes them must-watch? Slovis will be slinging it again this season. The offensive line returns (I know you’re not watching these guys hang tight) a group of all upperclassman to open holes for what should be a rotation at running back and keep the stud QB upright as he chucks the ball to Drake London (33 Rec, 502 Yds, 15.2 Avg, 3 Tds), five-star Bru McCoy and Colorado transfer KD Nixon. Over 75% of USC’s offense can through the air last season and the ball will continue to fly.
Both sides of the ball return most of the starters and will be led by the upper classes. Drake Johnson is penciled in as a top-10 draft pick on the edge and other candidates are primed to move up NFL boards like safety Isaiah Pola-Mao. This Trojans survived and hit 5-1 last season. They’re in position to thrive now with pieces in places on defense and a top QB under center. Top matchups include San Jose State Sep. 4th, Oregon State Sep 25th, Utah Oct 9th, @ Notre Dame Oct 23rd, @ Arizona State Nov 6th, UCLA Nov 20th, and BYU Nov 27th. An early matchup September 11th against Stanford is worth tuning in to on an otherwise slow week 2 college football slate.
Player Talent 8
Schedule 8
Playoff Impact 5
Actual Play 8
7. Georgia
A National Championship has been a whisper in the ear of Georgia fans for a long time, but this season they’ll have a real opportunity. JT Daniels is healthy and will be under center for the Bulldogs after going 4-0 as a starter last season. Former LSU tighend Arik Gilbert transferred over at receiver (35 Rec, 368 Yds, 2 Td) to join Jermaine Burton (27 Rec, 404 Yd, 3 Td) and Kearis Jackson (36 Rec, 514 Yds, 3 Td).
Zamir White averaged 5.4 yards-per-carry on 144 attempts last season to the tune of 779 yards and 11 touchdowns and the running back position has depth. Offensively the Bulldogs are loaded and the front seven is stacked but the secondary could start multiple freshmen. Corner Tykee Smith is a standout. It’s a recipe for shootouts with plenty of NFL talent involved. The biggest game of opening weekend will be a September 4th matchup against Clemson followed by a soft schedule until the SEC East deciding matchup October 30th with Florida. This will be an exciting team to watch at all skip positions and a Darkhouse playoff team if they can win the big matchups.
Top Games: 9/4 Clemson, 10/2 Arkansas, 10/9 @ Auburn, 10/16 Kentucky, 10/30 Florida, 11/13 @ Tennessee
Player Talent 9
Schedule 7
Playoff Impact 10
Actual Play 7
8. Florida
Don’t forget the Gators were in the playoff picture behind Kyle Trask last season until LSU stunned fans on a foggy day in the Swamp. 2021-21 has the same potential despite replacing most starters on both sides of the ball. Where does the fun come in? Emory Jones, two year reserve behind Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask, is a duel threat QB that’ll be tasked with maintaining the 39.8ppg (13th) averaged last season through RPOs playing to his strengths. The defense gave up an alarming 30.8 ppg (74th) and 428 ypg (83rd). Future NFL corner Kaiir Elam will be the top playmaker.
Top receivers and stud TE Kyle Pitts are gone, the offensive line is returning one starter and the defense loses half its starters but that doesn’t mean the Gators haven’t reloaded and will make a run. Top defensive prospects include DT Zachary Carter, LB Ventrell Miller, CB Kaiir Elam and FS Trey Dean III.
The Gators don’t have the most difficult schedule, games against Alabama and possible SEC East deciding game against Georgia are the only games on the slate the Gators probably won’t be favored, and eyes will be on the Swamp again in November to see if they can make a push for the playoffs. It won’t happen this season, but they could make the final four in 2022. Emory could make a run at Heisman.
Top Games: 9/18 Alabama, 9/25 Tennessee, 10/2 @ Kentucky, 10/16 @ LSU, 10/30 Georgia, 11/20 @ Missouri, 11/27 Florida State
Player Talent 8
Schedule 10
Playoff Impact 10
Actual Play 7
9. Miami
QB D’Eriq King passed on the NFL to return to Miami and the duel threat returns with most of the offensive starters. The former Houston Cougar suffered an ACL injury last season but still put up 2,686 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 538 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. The ‘Caines were embarrassed against Clemson 42-17 and North Carolina 62-26 last season but the offense should be ready to roll even if the defense steps back with NFL losses. A healthy King will keep Miami explosive, but they need better production in larger games in order to push for the ACC title.
A couple of Miami’s top targets are gone but Mike Harley (57 Rec, 799 Yds, 7 Tds) and several others return as do the top contributing running backs. The defensive line will take a step back with Gregory Rousseau and Quincy Roche off to the NFL but Nesta Jade Silvera might be next in line. The linebacking group and secondary return almost every member from last season and corner Al Blades Jr and safety Bubba Bolden are
The non-conference schedule is full of landmines. After the most difficult game of the season against Alabama in the opener the ‘Caines welcome a loaded Appalachian State squad, who’ve notched wins at Michigan, North Carolina, and South Carolina over the years, and the Michigan State Spartans before taking a breather against Central Connecticut prior to ACC play. Clemson isn’t on the schedule but fellow Coastal hopeful North Carolina and plenty of trap games stand between Miami and the ACC title game.
An electric top-10 QB, top-20 team, playoff darkhourse, and a number of potential NFL prospects. All five starters return on the offensive line and back end of the defense improving will keep Miami competitive in big games while King and his offensive weapons will keep the team exciting to watch.
Top Games: 9/4 Alabama, 9/11 Appalachian State, 9/18 MSU, 10/16 @ North Carolina, 10/30 @ Pittsburg, 11/13 @ Florida State, 11/20 Virginia Tech
Player Talent 7
Schedule 7
Playoff Impact 8
Actual Play 8
10. Kent State
The team that everyone should try to catch is Kent State. The Golden flashes lead the nation in offense (606.5 ypg, 49.8 ppg) last season despite only playing four games. Duel threat QB Dustin Crum is must-watch TV and most of the offense returns for what’ll be another top-10 offense nationally. Sophomore RB Marquez Cooper (56 Att 5 Ypc, 282 Yds, 5 Td – 4 games) is back with the entire offensive line back in front of him and Ja’Shaun Poke returns at receiver with a senior heavy group behind him. The secondary returns the more starts than any other group on the defensive side and will be led by seniors and juniors as well. This doesn’t mean they’ll win the MAC, the defense is still a question mark and other squads are more complete. However, most games should be competitive and the offense could be the highest scoring in the country at the end of the year.
Head coach Sean Lewis is 34-years-old and not far from power-5 job offers. Catch him and QB Dustin Crum, in what could be a special season before both QB and coach head off to bigger and broader horizons.
Top games: 9/4 @ Texas A&M, 9/18 @ Iowa, 9/25@ Maryland, 10/16 @ Western MI, 11/10 Central Michigan, 11/27 Miami (Ohio).
Player Talent 4
Schedule 7
Playoff Impact 2
Actual Play 10
11. Nevada
QB Carson Strong returns to Nevada as the best deep ball thrower nationally. He’s a three year starter that put up 2,858 yards, 27-4 TD-INT ratio, and 70.1% completion percentage last season and led the country with four 50+ yard touchdown throws. A “pocket” QB that’ll be dissected throughout the season as he heads towards the 2022 NFL the offense will always be in striking range. Nine other offensive starters return including top weapons Romeo Doubs (58 Rec, 1,002 Yds, 9 Td), one of the best deep receiving threats in the country, TE Cole Turner (49 Rec, 605 Yds, 9 Td) and Elijah Cooks (76 Rec, 926 Yd, 8 Td-’19) who missed ’20 due to injury. To go further, the top six receivers return for the Wolfpack providing depth and experience. The defensive side won’t be impressive but the kicking game will be reliable with kicker Brandon Talton (36-43 – career) and punter Julian Diaz (46.3 net).
With one of the best passing attacks in the country, the Wolfpack will head into a feisty Mountain West Conference that could see multiple teams peek at the back end of the Top-25 throughout the season. Nevada, San Jose State, and Boise State, should all compete for the conference title. Some combination of Air Force, Fresno State, Hawaii, San Diego and Wyoming will make a strong middle tier of quality opponents. Games against California and Kansas State, although not high quality, provide early opportunities against Power 5 opponents to build a resume for a New Year’s Day bowl if everything breaks right. Don’t turn the TV off after the east coast night games and don’t skip over the Mountain West to see what’s happing on the west coast during “Pac-12 After Dark”. Keep that channel on the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The NFL is.
Top Games: 9/4 @ California, 9/18 @ Kansas State, 10/2 @ Boise State, 10/16 Hawaii, 11/6 San Jose State, 11/13 @ San Diego State, 11/19 Air Force.
Player Talent 7
Schedule 6
Playoff Impact 0
Actual Play 9
12. Indiana
Michael Penix Jr could be the best QB in the Big 10 this season if he’s fully recovered from a November ACL tear and has more assistance up front. It’s the 2nd ACL injury he’s suffered (also a clavicle in November) and he should be on track for the opener against Iowa. Questions that remain include; how much practice time with Penix Jr have? Will the offensive line play improve? Will the Hoosiers build on the success of last season? 17 of the 22 starters return for the Hoosier that went 6-2 last season and only lost by one possession to Ohio State and Ole Miss. Should Penix have lingering issues, which would be unfortunate, Jack Tuttle looked solid in his place after his injury last year. Senior Ty Fryfogle (37 Rec, 721 Yds, 7 Td) returns as the top play maker averaging 19.5 yards per reception. His season started slow and he disappeared when Penix went down and Tuttle took over, but during a three-game stretch in November, 11 Rec, 200 Yds, 2 Tds against Michigan, 11 Rec, 200 Yrds, 2 Tds against MSU and 7 Rec, 218 Yds, 3 Tds against Ohio State, he was one of the best receivers in the country.
Corner Tiawan Mullen is cousin of Lamar Jackson and brother of Las Vegas Raiders CB Trayvon Millen and he’ll join both in the NFL next season. Other teams on this list are more explosive, but this squad is still going to be exciting television. The Hoosiers will compete with Penn State and Michigan for 2nd place behind Ohio State in the Big 10 East.
Top Games: 9/4 @ Iowa, 9/18 Cincinnati, 10/2 @ Penn State, 10/16 MSU, 10/23 Ohio State, 10/30 @ Maryland, 11/6 @ Michigan, 11/20 Minnesota
Player Talent 7
Schedule 9
Playoff Impact 10
Actual Play 8
13. Oregon
The Ducks are flush with talent, but will a plethora of QB options produce a quality piolet for the offense? Honestly, the ducks will probably be explosive regardless. Receiver and running back talent will keep the offense running even if projected starter Anthony Brown has turmoil and another QB steps in. The home schedule is a cake walk and the road schedule is tough @Ohio State, @Stanford, @UCLA, @Washington, @Utah. The Ducks miss ASU and USC. The OSU game will essentially make a 2nd loss for the loser a playoff eliminator and the Ducks won’t be favored.
Player Talent 9
Schedule 9
Playoff Impact 8
Actual Play 8
14. Alabama
The Tide reloaded and are expected playoff participants. Talent level will be at 100 but QB Bryce Young might need time to fully adjust and the offense could see nine new starters. It won’t matter for long; the Tide rolled every regular season opponents by 15+ last season (Ole Miss hung for 3 quarters) and most defensive starters return. The schedule is loaded in the SEC West plus Miami in the non-conference, but this squad will end most games by half and you’ll be channel flipping. @Texas A&M, @Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, Miami are big games but it also won’t be shocking for most of them to turn into blowouts.
Player Talent 10
Schedule 10
Playoff Impact 10
Actual Play 7
15. Ohio State
The secondary and currently QB are unsettled but former Elite 11 participant CJ Shroud at QB. The #1 QB and #2 overall recruit for the class of 2022, Quinn Ewers, finished high school earlier and is on campus as well. He won’t challenge for starter, but he’ll probably pop into a few games. Arguably the two best WRs in the country in Chris Olave Jr and Garrett Wilson are in Columbus this season and Master Teague returns to the backfield alongside another loaded cast. The schedule is difficult with Oregon visiting and @Indiana, @Michigan, @Minnesota and Penn State in-conference, but OSU will be favorites to make the playoffs. If the pieces fall into place they’ll roll through the Big10 per usual, if not, games will be tighter and they should have been higher on this list.
Player Talent 8
Schedule 8
Playoff Impact 9
Actual Play 7
16. Wisconsin
The Badgers offense opened up in 2019 when they threw the ball 70% of the time. Last season’s 3-3 covid year saw the passing percentage move closer to 61%. QB Graham Mertz become the official starter after starting as a true freshman in 2020 in place of a banged up Jack Coan. He looked excellent in the opener against Illinois before fading later in the season. With Coan having transferred to the Irish and a full offseason as the starter Mertz will look to add a potent passing attack to the always explosive ground game and stingy defense. 9/4 Penn St, 9/25 Notre Dame, 10/2 Michigan, 10/30 Iowa, and 11/27 Minnesota are key dates but the Badgers will have a shot at 12-0.
Player Talent 8
Schedule 8
Playoff Impact 8
Actual Play 8
17. Clemson
An opener against Georgia is huge for the Tigers. The remainder of their schedule probably won’t perform better than 8-4 and half-a-dozen teams probably won’t even make bowl games. I’m not sure they’ll be worth tuning into between the Bulldogs and the ACC Championship game. This squad should roll again and be full of NFL potential. DJ figures to be another top QB prospect but he won’t have many opportunities, or full games, to be challenged with a shut-down defense on the other side of the ball. 9/4 Georgia, 9/25 @NC State, 10/23 @Pittsburg, are the biggest potential pitfalls.
Player Talent 10
Schedule 4
Playoff Impact 10
Actual Play 7
18. Cincinnati
QB Desmond Ridder (66%, 2,996 pass/yds, 16/6 Td/Int ratio, 592 rush/yds, 12 rush/tds) returns with the hope of guiding the Bearcats to the playoffs after narrowly missing last season. The schedule is much tougher with road trips to Indiana (9/18) and Notre Dame (10/2) hopefully opening more doors with victories. Fourteen plus starters return for an offense that averaged 37.5ppg. 10/16 UCF, 11/6 Tulsa, and 11/20 SMU are key conference dates.
Player Talent 7
Schedule 7
Playoff Impact 9
Actual Play 8
19. Iowa State
The Cyclones return 20 starters, two Heisman candidates in QB Brocky Purdy and RB Breece Hall a top scoring offense and a stifling defense. Purdy is entering his fourth year as starter with 8,982 yards, 66%, and 66-25 Td/Int ratio. Hall averaged 5.6 ypc last season while compiling 1,572 yards and 21 Tds in 2020. If they don’t grind opponents down on the ground and shut them out defensively they’ll prove to be ranked too low on this list. A huge 9/11 non-conference matchup with Iowa is the biggest early game on the slate. 10/23 Oklahoma St, 11/6 Texas, 11/20 Oklahoma and 11/26 TCU all come in a rough 33 day stretch that also includes road trips to West Virginia and Texas Tech.
Player Talent 8
Schedule 8
Playoff Impact 10
Actual Play 8
20. Texas
Casey Thompson has played in backup duty the past couple seasons and redshirt freshman Hudson Card appeared in two games last year. Both are considered duel threats but how far they can push the ceiling of the offense can’t be gauged by the small sample sizes and the receiving core is thin. Heisman hopeful Bijan Robinson averaged 8.2 Ypc for 703 yards and 4 Tds rushing and 196 receding yards and 2 touchdowns on 15 receptions and will have command of the backfield with the QB position getting sorted. An iffy defense and decent schedule will force high scoring games and Cameron Dicker “the kicker” returns.
The conference slate includes: Sep. 25 Texas Tech, Oct. 2 @ TCU, Oct. 9 Oklahoma (Dallas), Oct. 16 Oklahoma State, Nov. 6 @ Iowa State, and Nov. 20 @ West Virginia.
Player Talent 7
Schedule 8
Playoff Impact 9
Actual Play 7