Figured with no sports to watch it’d be the perfect time to breakdown the 2020 college football season. Here’s my preseason top-25 teams and the players on each of them to watch out for. Let’s pray Coronavirus doesn’t cancel football season and force us all into insanity.
25. Virginia Tech
- 2019 Record: 8-5
- Bowl Result: Lost Belk Bowl, 31-30 vs. Kentucky
- Win O/U: 8.5
Despite starting last season 2-2 with a pair of ugly conference defeats to Duke and Boston College, Virginia Tech rallied and still remained a player in the Coastal Division up until their final regular season game (39-30 loss to Virginia). The Hokies return some solid building blocks on offense including redshirt sophomore quarterback Hendon Hooker (1,555 yards, 13/2 TD/INT) and redshirt junior wideout Damon Hazelton (31 receptions, 527 yards, eight touchdowns). Watch for a big breakout season from junior wideout Hezekiah Grimsley. Virginia Tech’s offensive line is young, but its strength comes at the most important position of left tackle with sophomore Christian Darrisaw (ACC Honorable Mention) back.
Sophomore defensive back Caleb Farley is the top Hokie returning on defense after earning First-Team All-ACC as a freshman (16 PBU’s, four interceptions). Junior All-ACC second-team linebacker Rayshard Ashby (119 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles) is also back to call the signals at middle linebacker.
The Hokies host Penn State at Lane Stadium in week-two and we will find out whether or not they are for real.
24. Florida State
- 2019 Record: 6-7
- Bowl Result: Lost Sun Bowl, 20-14 vs. Arizona State
- Win O/U: 7.5
James Blackman returns at quarterback and will have a solid arsenal of weapons to throw to which includes star junior wideout Tamorrion Terry (60 receptions, 1,188 yards, nine touchdowns). New head coach Mike Norvell will look to utilize a similarly aggressive approach on offense like he did at Memphis, so expect Blackman and Terry to be the biggest beneficiaries. Another attribute of Norvell is his ability to run a successful ground attack with multiple running backs. He’ll get a solid assortment of talent to choose from in Khalan Laborn, Deonté Sheffield and Treshaun Ward as well as Texas A&M transfer Jashaun Corbin. Three of Florida State’s starting offensive lineman also return.
All-American defensive tackle Marvin Wilson (five sacks) headlines the returning Seminoles on defense. Junior Cory Durden (five sacks) is also back at defensive tackle. Hamsah Nasirildeen and Asante Samuel Jr (14 PBU’s) will lead the Florida State secondary.
This Florida State roster has a ton of potential. Mike Norvell was the perfect hire with his aggressive schemes and ability to recruit. It’s only a matter of time until the Seminoles are back competing with Clemson for the Atlantic Division title.
23. Cincinnati
- 2019 Record: 11-3
- Bowl Result: Won Birmingham Bowl 31-6 vs. Boston College
- Win O/U: 8.5
Desmond Ridder (2,814 yards all-purpose yards, 18 touchdowns) returns at quarterback. Ridder will have back wideout Alec Pierce (37 catches, 652 yards, two touchdowns) to throw to.
All-AAC defensive tackle Elijah Ponder headlines the returns on the front-seven. First-Team All-AAC cornerback Ahmad Gardner (11 PBU’s, three interceptions) and safety Darrick Forrest will lead the Bearcat secondary.
Luke Fickell turned down the Michigan State job and opted to stay at Cincinnati. I think this decision speaks volumes as to how he feels about his team heading into 2020. The Bearcats should be considered the co-favorite along with UCF to win the American and make a run at a New Year’s Six bowl game.
22. Texas A&M
- 2019 Record: 8-5
- Bowl Result: Won Texas Bowl, 24-21 vs. Oklahoma State
- Win O/U: 9.5
Kellen Mond (2,897 yards, 20/9 TD/INT) is arguably the top quarterback in the SEC. A&M also returns running back Isaiah Spiller (946 yards, 10 touchdowns) as well as leading receiver Jhamon Ausbon (66 receptions, 872 yards, five touchdowns).
Linebackers and leading tacklers Buddy Johnson and Anthony Hines III are both back. Safeties Demani Richardson and Leon O’Neal Jr will lead the A&M secondary.
The Aggies play an absolutely brutal schedule (Alabama, LSU, Auburn), but thus is life in the SEC West. Jimbo Fisher has A&M heading in the right direction with back-to-back eight-win seasons and bowl victories. A&M catches the break of not having to face either Florida or Georgia in conference play and will instead play Vanderbilt and South Carolina. They need to take advantage of that.
21. Louisville
- 2019 Record: 8-5
- Bowl Result: Won Music City Bowl, 38-28 vs. Mississippi State
- Win O/U: 6.5
Louisville surprised a lot of people last season, rebounding from a dismal 2-10 campaign in 2018 under Bobby Petrino to 8-5 and a Music City Bowl win in 2019 under Scott Satterfield. There is a lot to like about Malik Cunningham (2,065 yards, 22/5 TD/INT) at quarterback. Javian Hawkins rushed for 1,525 yards and nine touchdowns last season as a freshman. Expect him to have another monster season in 2020. Hassan Hall (551 yards, five touchdowns) will continue to serve as the No. 2 and also has star potential. Chatarius “Tutu” Atwell (69 receptions, 1,272 yards, 12 touchdowns) is back to lead the Cardinals receiving corps.
Cornerback Chandler Jones (10 PBU’s) is back to center the Louisville secondary. Lead tackler Rodjay Burns is also back at outside linebacker.
20. Utah
- 2019 Record: 11-3
- Bowl Result: Lost Alamo Bowl, 38-10 vs. Texas
- Win O/U: 8
Jake Bentley takes over at quarterback after transferring in from South Carolina. PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Year Zack Moss is gone so the Utes will need to find a way to replace his 1,800 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. Samson Nacua is a breakout candidate as the team’s new top wideout. Brant Kuithe (34 receptions, 602 yards, three touchdowns) is a dynamic playmaker returning at tight end.
Linebacker Devin Lloyd and defensive end Mika Tafua are back but the majority’s of Utah’s secondary and front seven will be composed of new faces.
It’s another weak year for the PAC-12 South. Utah won the division with relative ease last season. USC (Kedon Slovis) and Arizona State (Jayden Daniels) have the quarterback play to compete with Utah for the divisional crown, but the Utes are the more well-rounded team.
19. Baylor
- 2019 Record: 11-3
- Bowl Result: Lost Sugar Bowl, 26-14 vs. Georgia
- Win O/U: 7
Matt Rhule has moved on to the NFL but he leaves behind an extremely potent and capable offense. Charlie Brewer (3,161 yards, 21/7 TD/INT) was forced to leave both the Sugar Bowl and Big 12 championship game following subsequent hits to the head, so while he returns for his senior year, his health is a concern. Denzel Mims leaving for the NFL means Tyquan Thornton (45 receptions, 782 yards, five touchdowns) will be the new No. 1 receiver. Expect a big breakout year from Josh Fleeks. Trestan Ebner (567 yards, five touchdowns) will take over as the starting running back behind an experienced offensive line that returns three starters.
Baylor is likely to take a step back this season due to coaching change as well as having a young defense, but they’ll be in the mix with the likes of Oklahoma, Texas and Oklahoma State for a spot in the Big 12 championship game.
18. North Carolina
- 2019 Record: 7-6
- Bowl Result: Won Military Bowl, 55-13 vs. Temple
- Win O/U: 8.5
Things have quickly changed for the better under Mack Brown. Sam Howell (3,641 yards, 39/7 TD/INT) is back at quarterback after dazzling as a freshman. Dazz Newsome (72 receptions, 1018 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Dyami Brown (51 receptions, 1,034 yards, 12 touchdowns) both return at wideout. The Heels also return both of their top rushers from 2019 in Javonte Williams (972 yards, five touchdowns) and Michael Carter (1,055 yards, three touchdowns).
UNC’s defense will be led by First-Team All-ACC inside linebacker Chazz Surratt (115 tackles, 6.5 sacks).
North Carolina should be considered the clear favorite to win the ACC’s Coastal Division. A pair of tough non-conference games against UCF and Auburn to open the season will allow the Heels to prove that theory.
17. Michigan
- 2019 Record: 9-4
- Bowl Result: Lost Citrus Bowl, 35-16 vs. Alabama
- Win O/U: 9
Shea Patterson is gone so Dylan McCaffrey and Joe Milton will battle for the starting quarterback job. The Wolverines return Zach Charbonnet (756 yards, 11 touchdowns) at running back and get back a solid group of receivers which includes Nico Collins (37 receptions, 729 yards, seven touchdowns) and Ronnie Bell (48 receptions, 758 yards, one touchdowns). Mike Sainristil is a potential breakout candidate in the slot. Nick Eubanks (25 receptions, 243 yards, four touchdowns) is back at tight end. Michigan’s offensive line is rebuilding but does return starting right tackle Jalen Mayfield.
Michigan’s defense is receiving a lot of hype but the Wolverines will need to replace all three of its leading tacklers from 2019. Nickel-back Daxton Hill is drawing a lot of Jabrill Peppers comparisons and is a potential breakout star.
This is the year that Jim Harbaugh needs to produce. Fans in Ann Arbor are sick of losing to Penn State and Ohio State.
16. Texas
- 2019 Record: 8-5
- Bowl Result: Won Alamo Bowl, 38-10 vs. Utah
- Win O/U: 9.5
Sam Ehlinger (3,663 yards, 33/10 TD/INT) returns for his senior season at quarterback. The Longhorns were extremely up-and-down in 2019 but capped the season with a strong showing in the Alamo Bowl by blowing out Utah. Keontay Ingram (1,095 yards, 10 touchdowns) is back to be the Longhorns’ bell-cow at running back. Brennan Eagles (32 receptions, 522 yards, six touchdowns) and Malcolm Epps will serve as the top-two receivers with both Devan Duvernay and Collin Johnson moving on to the NFL. Three of five starters return to the Texas offensive line.
Star linebacker Joseph Ossai (90 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions) headlines the returns on defense. Ayodele Adeoye is another name to watch on the front-seven.
The Longhorns open against South Florida followed by a trip to the Bayou to face the reigning champs LSU. Texas has the pieces to compete with Oklahoma for the Big 12 title but there needs to be consistency, and that means no more losing to TCU and Iowa State.
15. Iowa
- 2019 Record: 10-3
- Bowl Result: Won Holiday Bowl, 49-24 vs. USC
- Win O/U: 7.5
You always know what you’re going to get with Iowa; stout defensive play, a hard-nosed rushing attack and solid production from the tight end position. Nate Stanley is gone at quarterback but Kirk Ferentz is high on his potential replacement in Spencer Petras. Tyler Goodson (804 yards, five touchdowns) and Mekhi Sargent (701 yards, four touchdowns) both return at running back. Top wideouts Ihmir Smith-Marsette (44 receptions, 722 yards, five touchdowns) and Tyrone Tracey Jr (36 receptions, 589 yards, three touchdowns) are also both back. Sam LaPorta is a breakout candidate at tight end. Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson and right guard Cole Banwart return on the offensive line.
Cornerback Matt Hankins will lead the Iowa secondary. Linebacker Djimon Colbert (61 tackles) will be the nucleus of the front-seven.
There is no longer a large gap between Wisconsin and the rest of the Big 10 West. Teams like Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois will make the chase for the divisional crown extremely interesting in 2020.
14. Oklahoma State
- 2019 Record: 8-5
- Bowl Result: Lost Texas Bowl, 24-21 vs. Texas A&M
- Win O/U: 8
The Pokes get back the nation’s rushing leader in Chuba Hubbard (2,094 yards, 21 touchdowns) as well as top receiver Tylan Wallace (53 receptions, 903 yards, eight touchdowns). These two will be an absolutely lethal duo once again. Spencer Sanders (2,065 yards, 16/11 TD/INT) is back under center.
Oklahoma State has the offense to compete with Oklahoma, Texas and Baylor for the Big 12 title. Like all Big 12 schools, defense remains the issue. This is a big season for head coach Mike Gundy. Failure to win Bedlam and compete for the conference championship with all the talent OSU has coming back will put Gundy on the hot seat.
13. Wisconsin
- 2019 Record: 10-4
- Bowl Result: Lost Rose Bowl, 28-27 vs. Oregon
- Win O/U: 9.5
Jonathan Taylor is gone at running back. Jake Ferguson (33 catches, 407 yards, two touchdowns) is back at tight end. Jack Coan (2,727 yards, 18/5 TD/INT) returns under center but Graham Mertz could push Coan for the starting job. Left tackle Cole Van Lanen and right tackle Logan Bruss return on the offensive line.
Leading tackler Jack Sanborn (80 tackles, three interceptions) is back at inside linebacker. Wisco also returns its entire secondary comprised of safeties Reggie Pearson and Eric Burrell as well as corners Falon Hicks and Rachad Wildgoose.
Wisconsin was able to up-end rival Minnesota to claim the Big 10 West title last season. The Badgers punched Ohio State in the mouth and hung tough for the first three quarters of the Big 10 championship game before the Buckeyes made their comeback. The fate of the West division will most likely come down to the Minnesota game once again in 2020.
12. Oregon
- 2019 Record: 12-2
- Bowl Result: Won Rose Bowl, 28-27 vs. Wisconsin
- Win O/U: 9.5
A late-season loss at Arizona State held the Ducks out of the playoff discussion despite a lopsided win in the PAC-12 championship game (37-15 vs. Utah). Justin Herbert has moved on to the NFL so Mario Cristobal will need to make due with sophomore Tyler Shough. Oregon returns C.J. Verdell (1,220 yards, eight touchdowns) at running back as well as top wideout Johnny Johnson III (57 receptions, 836 yards, seven touchdowns). One of the nation’s top left tackle prospects Penei Sewell returns to the Oregon offensive line.
Nickel-back Jevon Holland (66 tackles, four interceptions) and cornerback Thomas Graham Jr (47 tackles, 10 PBU’s, two interceptions) are back to lead the Oregon secondary. Mase Funa and Jordon Scott have breakout potential on the defensive line.
The Ducks remain the favorite to come out of the PAC-12 North. It’s now the norm for Oregon to play a tough early-season non-conference game. They’ll do it again in 2020 when the Ducks host Ohio State in week-two.
11. Auburn
- 2019 Record: 9-4
- Bowl Result: Lost Outback Bowl, 31-24 vs. Wisconsin
- Win O/U: 9
Auburn gave LSU its toughest game of the 2019 season, narrowly winning in Death Valley (23-20 defeat). A 48-45 win over Alabama in the Iron Bowl brings about reason for optimism heading into 2020. Bo Nix (2,542 yards, 16/6 TD/INT) returns at quarterback and is only going to improve with a year of experience and Iron Bowl victory under his belt. Leading rusher Jatarvious Whitlow transferred so the starting job is up for grabs between Malik Miller, Shaun Shivers and DJ Williams. The issue with Auburn’s offense resides on its completely new offensive line.
Big Cat Bryant and Tyrone Truesdell are back to anchor the Auburn front-seven. Roger McCreary (11 PBU’s) and Jamien Sherwood will lead the secondary.
Auburn’s schedule is once again absolutely brutal. An improved North Carolina program highlights the non-conference slate to go along with the normal SEC gauntlet of Texas A&M, Georgia, LSU and Alabama.
10. Minnesota
2019 Record: 11-2
Bowl Result: Won Outback Bowl, 31-24 vs. Auburn
Win O/U: 8
Tanner Morgan (3,253 yards, 30/7 TD/INT) lit it up as a redshirt freshman and will return under center. One of college football’s top wideouts Rashod Bateman (60 receptions, 1,219 yards, 11 touchdowns) is also back. Expect Mohamed Ibrahim to fill in nicely for the departed Rodney Smith at running back. He will run behind a massive and experienced offensive line that returns all five starters.
Minnesota’s defense lost a lot of talent to graduation and the NFL. Safety Jordan Howden (57 tackles, six PBU’s, one interception) and defensive back Coney Durr (45 tackles, 10 PBU’s) will lead the Gopher secondary.
It’s a tough schedule for the Gophers this season, traveling to Michigan State, Illinois and Wisconsin to go along with home dates with Michigan, Iowa and BYU. If Minnesota wants to take the next step and compete for a Big 10 championship they need to get by Wisconsin.
9. Notre Dame
2019 Record: 11-2
Bowl Result: Won Camping World Bowl, 33-9 vs. Iowa State
Win O/U: 10
Ian Book (3,034 yards, 34/6 TD/INT) is back at quarterback and is a sleeper for the Heisman. The Irish will need to replace top wideout Chase Claypool and starting running back Tony Jones Jr. Lawrence Keys III and Micah Jones figure to see increased snaps behind Braden Lenzy (454 yards, four touchdowns) at wideout. Jafar Armstrong and Jahmir Smith will split time at running back. Left tackle Liam Eichenberg is back to anchor the offensive line.
The Irish defense is loaded with talent, including co-lead tackler and sack-getter Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (80 tackles, 13.5 TFL, five sacks) at linebacker. Drew White (80 tackles) is also back at MIKE linebacker. Cornerback Kyle Hamilton (41 tackles, four interceptions) highlights the returns in the Notre Dame secondary.
Notre Dame has the playmakers on both sides of the ball to put themselves in the playoff discussion. A loaded schedule which features Clemson, Wisconsin (at Lambeau Field), Louisville, USC and Stanford gives the Irish the ability to build an exceptional playoff resume.
8. Georgia
2019 Record: 11-2
Bowl Result: Won Sugar Bowl, 26-14 vs. Baylor
Win O/U: 10
Stetson Bennett and Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman will battle for the starting quarterback job with Jake Fromm gone. The Bulldogs need Zamir White to step up at running back in place of the departed DeAndre Swift. The majority of Georgia’s offensive line is gone so there are some serious question marks. The return of top receiver George Pickens (49 receptions, 727 yards, eight touchdowns) offers reason for optimism.
Azeez Ojulari and Monty Rice will anchor the front-seven at linebacker. Richard LeCounte III (61 tackles, four interceptions) is one of the best safeties in the SEC and will lead an experienced Georgia secondary.
Defense will be the name of the game for Georgia this season. Kirby Smart has put together four consecutive top-three recruiting classes so Georgia shouldn’t have too hard of a time replacing the talent lost on offense. Despite getting exposed pretty bad by LSU in the SEC championship game last season, the Bulldogs will once again be a playoff contender in 2020.
7. Oklahoma
2019 Record: 12-2
Bowl Result: Lost CFP Semifinal (Peach Bowl), 63-28 vs. LSU
Win O/U: 10.5
Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb are gone. Tanner Mordecai and Spencer Rattler will compete for the starting quarterback job while Theo Wease and Charleston Rambo (43 receptions, 743 yards, five touchdowns) take over as the team’s top pass-catching options. Jadon Haselwood is a breakout candidate. OU still has Kennedy Brooks (1,090 yards, six touchdowns) to serve as their bell-cow at running back. Brooks will run behind an offensive line that returns all five starters including All-Big 12 center Creed Humphrey and right tackle Adrian Ealy.
Defensively, Oklahoma will need to replace linebacker Kenneth Murray who was the heart and soul of this unit in 2019. Parnell Motley is also gone at cornerback. Returning to OU’s secondary are corner Tre Brown (11 PBU’s) and safety Brendan Radley-Hiles.
Spin zone: not having a Heisman caliber quarterback like Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray or Baker Mayfield will actually force Oklahoma to improve defensively. Oklahoma’s offense will still score a ton of points this season but it will not be at the same level as it was the past three seasons. OU is the favorite to win the Big 12 but they’ll need to improve defensively in order to be taken seriously by the playoff committee.
6. Florida
- 2019 Record: 11-2
- Bowl Result: Won Orange Bowl, 36-28 vs. Virginia
- Win O/U: 9
Feleipe Franks transferring means the starting quarterback job at Florida is Kyle Trask’s (2,941 yards, 25/7 TD/INT) to lose. Tight end Kyle Pitts (54 receptions, 649 yards, five touchdowns) is a star in the making. Freddie Swain, Tyrie Cleveland and Van Jefferson are gone at receiver but the Gators do return Trevon Grimes (33 receptions, 491 yards, three touchdowns) and speedster Kadarius Toney. Look for a big breakout year from Jacob Copeland. Malik Davis and Dameon Pierce figure to split the load at running back. Four of Florida’s five starting offensive linemen are back.
Marco Wilson returning at linebacker is huge for the Gator defense. Also back at linebacker is Ventrell Miller (55 tackles, three sacks). Donovan Stiner (29 tackles, four interceptions) also returns at safety.
Dan Mullen has done an exceptional job so far at Florida. The Gators nearly beat both LSU and Georgia last season. The Tigers come to the swamp on October 10 followed by the annual annual SEC East title game against Georgia in Jacksonville on Halloween. Florida football is back and I think 2020 serves as the coming out party.
5. LSU
- 2019 Record: 15-0
- Bowl Result: Won CFP National Championship, 42-25 vs. Clemson
- Win O/U: 9
This will be a very different team than the 2019 squad that dominated its way to the national title. Heisman winner Joe Burrow, star tight end Thaddeus Moss, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, wideout Justin Jefferson as well as the entirety of the offensive line have moved on to the NFL. Back for LSU are wideouts Ja’Marr Chase (84 receptions, 1,780 yards, 20 touchdowns) and Terrace Marshall (46 receptions, 671 yards, 13 touchdowns). Chris Curry and Tyrion Davis-Price will split time at running back.
Safety JaCoby Stevens (92 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions, six PBU’s) and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr (six interceptions, 15 PBU’s) highlight the Tigers returning defensive starters. LSU will once again be “DBU” in 2020.
Ed Oregon will coach this team up and have them back competing for the SEC West title, but with so much talent lost it’s difficult seeing LSU be able to duplicate what it did last season.
4. Penn State
- 2019 Record: 11-2
- Bowl Result: Won Cotton Bowl, 53-39 vs. Memphis
- Win O/U: 9.5
Penn State’s entire offense is back. Expect quarterback Sean Clifford (2,654 yards, 23/7 TD/INT) to improve and for running back Journey Brown (1,024 yards, 13 touchdowns) to absolutely go off. Clifford’s receiving corps of KJ Hamler (56 catches, 904 yards, eight touchdowns), Jahan Dotson (43 catches, 507 yards, seven touchdowns) and tight end Pat Freiermuth (43 catches, 507 yards, eight touchdowns) is one of the best in the nation. Four of Penn State’s five starting offensive linemen are also back.
Linebacker Micah Parsons (109 tackles, five PBU’s, five sacks) is the top Nittany Lion returning on defense. Cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields (eight PBU’s, two interceptions) and safety Lamont Wade (five PBU’s) will anchor the secondary.
Penn State faces a relatively easy schedule this season. Road trips to Michigan and Virginia Tech will be difficult but the Nittany Lions get Iowa, Michigan State and Ohio State at home in front of the white-out. Penn State’s shot at a Big 10 championship and playoff bid will come down to the Ohio State game. It always does.
3. Alabama
- 2019 Record: 11-2
- Bowl Result: Won Citrus Bowl, 37-16 vs. Michigan
- Win O/U: 10.5
Tua, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs are all gone, but Alabama’s offense is still in a great place. Mac Jones showed a lot of promise as Alabama’s quarterback for the final four games including the bowl victory vs. Michigan, throwing for 327 yards and three touchdowns. However, he’ll still have to battle with the younger Tagovailoa (Taulia) for the starting job. Leading receiver DeVonta Smith (68 receptions, 1,256 yards, 14 touchdowns) is back along with Jaylen Waddle (33 receptions, 560 yards, six touchdowns). Also returning for the Tide is running back Najee Harris (1,558 yards, 20 touchdowns). All-American left tackle Alex Leatherwood is back to anchor the Alabama offensive line.
Linebacker Dylan Moses is returning from a season-ending knee injury that cost him all of last season. Patrick Surtain II (42 tackles, eight PBU’s, two interceptions) returns at safety. Linebackers Shane Lee (86 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and Christian Harris (61 tackles).
Alabama’s defense may have lost a lot of talent but they have the pieces in place to improve and get back to championship caliber. The Tide are once again favorites to win their division, the SEC and get back to the playoff.
2. Clemson
- 2019 Record: 14-1
- Bowl Result: Lost CFP National Championship, 42-25 vs. LSU
- Win O/U: 11.5
Rinse and repeat for Clemson. Tee Higgins is gone to the NFL but the Tigers still have one of the best receiving corps in the country with Justyn Ross (66 receptions, 865 yards, eight touchdowns) and Amari Rodgers (30 receptions, 426 yards, four touchdowns) both back. Running back Travis Etienne (2,046 yards, 23 touchdowns) and looks poised to eclipse 1,600 rushing yards for the third straight year. And, of course, Trevor Lawrence (3,665 yards, 36/8 TD/INT) is back at quarterback and is a preseason favorite for the Heisman. The one downside to Clemson’s offense is their inexperience on the offensive line. Given the number of skill position players the Tigers have coming back, I think Dabo’s offense will be just fine.
James Skalski (90 tackles, 3.5 sacks) is back to lead Clemson’s defense at middle linebacker. Baylon Spector (44 tackles, two sacks) is another name to watch for at linebacker. Free safety Nolan Turner (48 tackles, two interceptions, eight PBU’s) and cornerback Derion Kendrick (43 tackles, two interceptions, five PBU’s) both return to anchor the secondary.
Clemson’s season came to a tough end last year in New Orleans but they’ll be playoff bound once again in 2020. The biggest test of the season comes in week 10 when the Tigers travel to South Bend to play Notre Dame.
1. Ohio State
- 2019 Record: 13-1
- Bowl Result: Lost CFP Semifinal (Fiesta Bowl), 29-24 vs. Clemson
- Win O/U: 11
Running back J.K. Dobbins is gone, so are All-American corner Jeff Okudah and All-American defensive end Chase Young. With that said, Ohio State is the best team in college football heading into 2020 simply because they have the best player; quarterback Justin Fields (3,757 yards, 51 touchdowns). Fields should be considered the Heisman front-runner. Chris Olave (48 receptions, 840 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Garrett Wilson (30 receptions, 432 yards, five touchdowns) are both back at receiver. DeMario McCall and Master Teague (849 yards, four touchdowns) will split time at running back. Right guard Josh Myers and right tackle Wyatt Davis return to the Buckeye offensive line.
Ohio State returns just two starters on its defense but they are both big-time playmakers; middle linebacker Tuf Borland (55 tackles, one interception) and cornerback Shaun Wade (26 tackles, two sacks, one interception, seven PBU’s).
Ohio State is my pick to win the Big 10. I really like Justin Fields and think he helps lead the Buckeyes to promise after some pretty sketchy officiating cost OSU a shot at playing LSU for the national championship.
Flanny's Thoughts 