Staff predictions for the 2016 college football season
The Cats Illustrated staff goes roundtable to give predictions for the 2016 college football season.
This installment of our season preview deals with the SEC and the national landscape. In other words, it's not specific to Kentucky.
Who will play in the SEC Championship Game and who emerges victorious?
Derek Terry, Staff Writer: I picked LSU to win the SEC West at SEC Media Days, so I'll stick with that and predict LSU-Tennessee to meet up in Atlanta. Tennessee finally has its breakout year under Butch Jones by winning 10 games, but the Volunteers fall to Leonard Fournette and the Tigers in a hard-fought championship game.
Josh Ellis, Staff Writer: LSU and Tennessee will square off in Atlanta on December 3rd. Tennessee has a roster from top to bottom that no other team in the East can compete with, and I think LSU finishes the regular season undefeated. I think it will be an even game in the first half, but in the second half Dave Aranda and the Tiger defense will adjust and pull away. LSU wins 31-23.
T.J. Walker, Basketball Recruiting Analyst: I can't imagine any other team winning the SEC East besides Tennessee. They are top two at every position in the division and have few question marks heading into the season. The West is a little bit more complicated but the schedule sets up better for LSU. It may seem silly to pick against Alabama, and it probably is, but having questions at quarterback isn't ideal with that kind of road schedule. Expect Tennessee to pull the upset over the Tigers.
Justin Rowland, Publisher: I'll go with the very popular Tennessee-Alabama pick, which would be a rematch of the traditional Third Saturday in October game that we'll see in the regular season. Tennessee's league schedule isn't exactly easy and they do play Georgia on the road, but I think the Bulldogs have more questions. I like Alabama to defeat the Vols in Atlanta -- although I'm less sure of how the regular season game plays out.
Who will be the SEC's Player of the Year and why?
Derek Terry, Staff Writer: Leonard Fournette. Tennessee's Josh Dobbs should have a huge year and a healthy Nick Chubb could potentially make a push for player of the year, but Fournette is the easy choice. After carrying the ball for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns as a sophomore, Fournette enters the season as a favorite for the Heisman Trophy.
Josh Ellis, Staff Writer: Texas A&M's Christian Kirk. I'm a little higher on the Aggies than most, but in my eyes the Texas A&M schedule favors Trevor Knight and Kirk in the passing game. As a true freshman Kirk averaged 14.3 yards per play and nearly 140 yards per game. I think this year will be his breakout year and he'll finish north of 2,000 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns.
T.J. Walker, Basketball Recruiting Analyst: I tried to find a way to go against the grain and pick someone other than Leonard Fournette, but I just couldn't do it. He's the best player in the SEC and it's not even close. Being a 6-foot-1, 235-pound running back with his speed is a cheat code. As long as he stays healthy he will have a monster year on one of the best teams in the country.
Justin Rowland, Publisher: Just because Leonard Fournette is the obvious choice doesn't mean he's the wrong choice. This specimen went for nearly 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. If LSU's passing game is improved then that will open things up for Fournette even more. He's a durable back who will log a ton of carries for a very good team. That's a recipe for a huge season.
Who makes the third College Football Playoff and what are your picks for the outcome?
Derek Terry, Staff Writer: I think Clemson finishes the season as the No. 1 team and will matchup with Michigan as the No. 4 seed. The Wolverines start the season ranked high and their two toughest games are on the road against Michigan State and Ohio State. I think Michigan wins both of those games. Clemson beats Michigan to advance to its second straight national championship appearance.
On the other side, I'll take LSU as the two and Oklahoma as the three. Fournette carries LSU into its first national championship game since 2011. Clemson then defeats LSU to take home its first national title since 1981.
Josh Ellis, Staff Writer: LSU (1) v. Michigan (4), Florida State (2) v. Alabama (3). LSU gets the No. 1 overall seed and finds itself in a close game with the Wolverines. However, I think the Tiger defense is too much for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan to overcome, and LSU gets the win 21-17. I like Florida State to win the ACC and go undefeated...until they play Alabama (who will only have one loss). I think this game will be back-and-fourth throughout, but with the game tied I think the Tide kick a field goal as time expires to launch them into their second straight National Championship appearance.
LSU v. Alabama Part II for the National Championship. Obviously since I had LSU in the SEC Championship game I've got them beating Alabama in the regular season, but in the title game I think it's a different story. Just like the 2011 season, Nick Saban and his team are eager for another shot against the Tigers and take full advantage. Alabama repeats with a 33-16 victory.
T.J. Walker, Basketball Recruiting Analyst: For the first time in the college football playoffs it doesn't feel like there is a sure thing, which makes for an exciting college football season.
No.4 Ohio State vs. No.1 Florida State in the Peach Bowl and No.3 Tennessee vs. No.2 Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.
I don't believe these are necessarily the four most talented teams in college football, although they're close, but I think these are the teams that have the most favorable schedules. Seriously, take a look at Notre Dame. They have Michigan State and Stanford at home. Traveling to Texas and USC may not be easy, but the Irish will still be favored in both of those games.
In the National Championship game, expect Florida State to square off against Tennessee, and the Vols bring another national title back to the SEC.
Justin Rowland, Publisher: I'll take Michigan (4) against Alabama (1) in one game and Florida State (2) against Oklahoma (3) in the other. I'm not just picking the Wolverines to get there because I'd love to see a Nick Saban-Jim Harbaugh match up, although that'd certainly be a nice bonus. I think Michigan's schedule sets up well. They might have to run the table unless they make up for a loss at Ohio State with a win in the Big Ten Championship Game.
If those match ups materialized I would take the Crimson Tide over the Wolverines and Florida State over Oklahoma. And, maybe surprisingly, I'd take the Seminoles over the Tide for all the marbles.
Who wins the Heisman Trophy?
Derek Terry, Staff Writer: Deshaun Watson. Watson accounted for 47 touchdowns last season while leading the Tigers to the playoff. If he's able to stay healthy, his numbers should be just as good if not better this season. He threw 35 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season, so a few more TD passes and less interceptions seems doable for Watson in what will surely be his final college season.
Josh Ellis, Staff Writer: I think Leonard Fournette wins the Heisman this year. He was the leading rusher in all of college football last year and I expect him to be the same this year. He could've won the Heisman last year, but I think Brandon Harris will force defenses to respect the pass, opening the offense up for Fournette. He'll surpass 2,000 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns in 2016.
T.J. Walker, Basketball Recruiting Analyst: He's not the best player in college football or even the best at his position, but Christian McCaffrey will put up monster numbers this year for Stanford. Stanford should win the Pac-12 and being on a contender while putting up those numbers will result in the Heisman Trophy heading to Stanford. McCaffrey is an extremely talented back that is an underrated receiver out of the backfield. But sheer numbers alone will set McCaffrey apart from the field. He had three games last season with over 30 carries. That number will grow this year.
Justin Rowland, Publisher: Beating Florida State and leading Clemson to an undefeated regular season might be enough for Deshaun Watson, the Tigers' talented quarterback. Watson is a phenomenal talent who will again orchestrate a high-octane offense. Clemson is a national championship contender and the offense will need to carry more of a load this season. Expect him to put up huge numbers and, as we know, Heisman voters love quarterbacks.