Who Will Dethrone the Defending Champs?: SEC Preview

 The last four Champions and five of the last six have all resided in the SEC with Georgia coming out on top the past two seasons. This conference doesn't rebuild it reloads and 2023 is no exception. I've heard a lot of people complain about how the SEC is overrated, but honestly, one of the reasons I designed my poll the way I do is to try and eliminate bias and simply look at who teams are playing. Aside from that almost consistently awful second to last week's scheduling where everyone has their homecoming game against Alcorn State, the SEC schedule is tougher than anything any other college faces. Not to mention, the reason they play SE Louisiana in November is because they schedule Texas, Florida State, UNC, Miami (FL), Utah, and Kansas State in September while the Big Ten plays MAC schools.

If you want SEC fans to shut up then the only way is to beat them and Clemson is the only team to do that since 2015. Ohio State fans know the incredible feeling of silencing SEC fans in 2014, but that's almost a decade ago and in this what have you done for me lately world, that's ancient history.

Georgia is vulnerable in the early going, but if they get clicking then look out. Alabama is always right there and LSU wants to recapture that 2020 magic. The SEC has 9 of their 14 teams ranked in my Top 50, tied for the most with the Big 12, but a few of those are former AAC members. This conference runs deep and with the exception of Vanderbilt, any one of them could easily win the Big Ten West.

Here's a look at the most annoyingly successful conference in college football:

East

Georgia 

Head Coach: Kirby Smart

Last Year Record (Rank): 15-0 (National Champs)

Preseason Rank: 1

Prediction: 11-1

What's Ahead: All that hype about scheduling in the SEC kind of goes out the window for the two-time Champs. Georgia has the weakest non-conference of any school in the SEC with their only real test coming seemingly at Tennessee in late November. Most of the defense is back and the offense brings back All-American tight end Brock Bowers, but the question will be, who is throwing him the ball? Carson Beck will get a lot of looks, but his competition is lurking in the wings if things are sloppy in their early season cake walks against UT Martin (FCS) and Ball State. They probably sneak into the SEC Championship again, but whoever emerges from the West seems to be the stronger opponent.

Tennessee 

Head Coach: Josh Heupel ()

LYR: 11-2 (8)

PR: 8

Prediction: 9-3

What's Ahead: The Volunteers get many returning faces from their big run in 2022. Joe Milton will take over under center full-time after filling in for the injured Hendon Hooker. He struggled in a loss to South Carolina but recovered to put up big wins over Vanderbilt and Clemson to end the season on a high note. The former Michigan QB has plenty of weapons to work with and Tennessee can make waves if they can beat either Alabama or Georgia. In a fantasy world, I see them getting into a trap game with UTSA, but I don't think that's realistic.

South Carolina

Head Coach: Shane Beamer

LYR: 8-5 (45)

PR: 29

Prediction: 8-4

What's Ahead: The Gamecocks were playoff wreckers in 2022 upending Tennessee and Clemson's hopes with big wins in November. Then they choked away a bowl game win to Notre Dame to leave a sour taste in their mouths. Spencer Rattler is back under center, but there are a lot of pieces that need to be replaced on both sides of the ball. They get North Carolina in an early test in Week 1 before heading to Georgia in Week 3.

Kentucky

Head Coach: Mark Stoops

LYR: 7-6 (58)

PR: 43

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: The Wildcats get some big transfers as running back Ray Davis moves over from Vanderbilt, and quarterback Devin Leary transfers in from NCST. Leary was injured for most of 2022, but he'll hopefully get an upgrade in protection as the Wildcats also bring in three offensive linemen through the transfer portal. Kentucky will jump out to a fast start, but can they capitalize on that momentum when they face Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee in a four-week span?

Florida

Head Coach: Billy Napier

LYR: 6-7 (77)

PR: 52

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: Look, they went out and got Graham Mertz from Wisconsin to play quarterback, but that's not enough to replace 15 starters on offense and defense. The Gators could be chomped early with a trip to Utah in Week 1 and a visit from Tennessee in Week 3.

Missouri

Head Coach: Eli Drinkwitz

LYR: 6-7 (80)

PR: 60

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: The Tigers return 16 starters, but six of the last seven weeks are absolutely brutal and the non-conference is unforgiving with Kansas State coming to Columbia in a meeting between old Big 12 foes.

Vanderbilt

Head Coach: Clark Lea

LYR: 5-7 (91)

PR: 74

Prediction: 5-7

What's Ahead: Sure I could've used stud receiver Will Sheppard's picture, but Matt Hayball is up for the Ray Guy award and he looks to be pretty busy in the second half of the season.

West

Alabama

Head Coach: Nick Saban

LYR: 11-2 (6)

PR: 3

Prediction: 10-2

What's Ahead: Who is going to play quarterback for Nick Saban in 2023? After a long list of NFL talented QBs coming through Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide find themselves in a shortage of stars at that position. Tyler Buchner transferred in late from Notre Dame to try and seize the opportunity to play for his former offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees. The defense will also need to piece some things together, but Kool-Aid McKinstry is back to lead the secondary before he starts playing on Sundays in 2024. The quarterback situation needs to be addressed in a hurry as they welcome future SEC foe Texas in Week 2.

LSU

Head Coach: Brian Kelly (2nd Season, 10-4)

LYR: 10-4 (21)

PR: 12

Prediction: 11-1

What's Ahead: Jayden Daniels was great with ball security last season, throwing only three interceptions in 388 attempts last season. He leads a bevy of returning starters on the offensive side, but the defense saw a lot of talent graduate last season. So, Brian Kelly hit the transfer portal and brought in First-Team All-Pac-12 linebacker Omar Speights from Oregon State to bolster the defense. A tough opener with Florida State in one of many tough tasks, but the Tigers looked poised for a big run in 2023.

Ole Miss

Head Coach: Lane Kiffin

LYR: 8-5 (49)

PR: 28

Prediction: 9-3

What's Ahead: The Rebels return many key pieces including all-time single-season rusher Quinshon Judkins, who ran for over 1,5000 as a true freshman! Jaxson Dart is back at quarterback and the defense brings back about half the squad from last season. The biggest concern is that they have to travel to Alabama and Georgia this year, while also hosting LSU. Even the sneaky road trip against Tulane could be a trap after what the Green Wave did to USC in the Cotton Bowl last year.

Mississippi State

Head Coach: Zach Arnett (1st Season, 1-0)

LYR: 9-4 (27)

PR: 32

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: The Bulldogs return some key pieces including quarterback Will Rogers, but how will this team look after the death of the legendary Mike Leach at the end of last season? Zach Arnett passed the first test with an emotional bowl victory over Illinois, but can he manage a full season in the SEC?

Arkansas

Head Coach: Sam Pittman

LYR: 7-6 (57)

PR: 39

Prediction: 7-5

What's Ahead: Bumper Pool has graduated and my interest in this team immediately dwindled. Still, they look to play a thorn in the side of their West counterparts, especially running back Rocket Sanders. In 2022, he ran for over 1,400 yards.

Texas A&M 

Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher

LYR: 5-7 (85)

PR: 58

Prediction: 7-5

What's Ahead: Who actually knows what's ahead in College Station. Year after year the hype train around Jimbo Fisher's recruiting classes result in dud after dud including last year's losing season. Quarterback will still be an issue, but the top-rated pass defense returns most of its starters, which should keep the Aggies in games.

Auburn

Head Coach: Hugh Freeze (1st Season)

LYR: 5-7 (89)

PR: 63

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: The defense brings back eight starters, but Hugh Freeze inherits a starting quarterback and that's about it on the offensive side of the ball. The Iron Bowl could be particularly ugly this year.

Westward Expansion: Big 12 Preview

 The Big 12 was one of the few conferences that added teams in 2023 in an effort to combat Texas and Oklahoma leaving for the SEC in 2024. Then they capitalized on the collapse of the Pac-12 and will welcome Colorado (back), Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State. BYU, Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston will be the newcomers in a crowded field for Big 12 supremacy. All four teams have had recent success, even within the College Football Playoff with all but BYU participating in a New Year's Six Bowl.

Texas begins the season as the favorite in their final year of the Big 12 and honestly, they might regret heading to the SEC if they get manhandled at Alabama in Week 2. Oklahoma looks to shake off a rough first year for Brent Venables, but can either blue blood dethrone TCU, who made their first-ever appearance in the College Football Championship last season.

Here's a look at the final installment of this version of the Big 12.

TCU

Head Coach: Sonny Dykes (2nd Season, 13-2)

Last Year Record (Rank): 3

Preseason Rank: 7

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: The Horned Frogs stunned college football by going undefeated in the regular season before losing to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship. Then they stunned Michigan with a barrage of big plays that prevented a Wolverine comeback. The dream was shattered when Georgia reminded how much better the SEC is and dismantled them 65-7. That team of overachievers lost 8 starters on offense, including charismatic QB, Max Duggan. Chandler Morris was injured in Week 1 and will take back the reins of the offense in 2023. Still, a lot of questions loom for Sonny Dykes and the Horned Frogs might take a big step backward with the rise of some of the new talent in the Big 12.

Kansas State

Head Coach: Chris Klieman (5th Season, 30-20)

LYR: 10-4 (20)

PR: 16

Prediction: 10-2

What's Ahead: The Wildcats' disrespect is thick with how in love everyone is with Texas, but KSU might be right up there with them. The Wildcats could score and stop opponents from scoring in 2022, but most of the defense will need to be replaced. Will Howard returns as the quarterback and has a whole offensive line, including 1st Team All-American Cooper Beebe protecting him. Treshaun Ward transfers in from Florida State to bolster the running game. Chris Klieman was a winner at North Dakota State (FCS) and he's bringing that energy to Manhattan.

Texas

Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian (3rd Season, 13-12)

LYR: 8-5 (43)

PR: 20

Prediction: 9-3

What's Ahead: The hype train for Texas continues to run despite the Longhorns not really doing anything of note. Heck, they haven't won the Big 12 since Mack Brown did it in 2009 and they want to go play in the SEC? Quinn Ewers is back for year two after he briefly pretended he wanted to go to Ohio State in 2021. Ewers will have Arch Manning breathing down his neck anytime things don't go the Longhorns' way. The breathing will get even heavier if he throws 15 picks to just 6 touchdowns like he did in 2022. There's a chance they can get to the big game in December, but they probably will collapse at some point, derailing them from the College Football Playoffs.

Texas Tech

Head Coach: Joey McGuire (2nd Season, 8-5)

LYR: 8-5 (41)

PR: 26

Prediction: 9-3

What's Ahead: That prediction is if Tyler Shough stays healthy enough for a whole season. Shough has been great going 8-1 at Texas Tech after transferring from Oregon, but that's in two seasons of work including just five in 2022. The Red Raiders were pass-happy in 2022 and look to continue the trend against some of the weaker competition in the Big 12. Circle week 2 when Oregon comes to town because a win over the Ducks gives this team scary confidence.

UCF

Head Coach: Gus Malzahn (3rd Season, 18-9)

LYR: 9-5 (37)

PR: 40

Prediction: 8-4

What's Ahead: The Golden Knights have something the rest of the old AAC buddies don't when making the transition to the Big 12, a quarterback. John Rhys Plumlee is mobile enough to cause the opposing defense's fits and played in the much tougher SEC while at Ole Miss. He's still got plenty of weapons joining him despite leading receiver Ryan O'Keefe transferring to Boston College. If the defense can improve look for the Knights to be a dark horse in year one.

Oklahoma

Head Coach: Brent Venables (2nd Season, 6-7)

LYR: 6-7 (76)

PR: 45

Prediction: 8-4

What's Ahead: It was a rough year in Norman after Lincoln Riley took many talented players with him to USC including Heisman winner Caleb Williams, but it could be a bounce-back year for the Sooners. That or Venables is exposed as a head coach. Either way, I don't see the Sooners making it to the Big 12 Championship in their final season.

Cincinnati

Head Coach: Scott Saterfield (1st Season)

LYR: 9-4 (33)

PR: 46

Prediction:4-8

What's Ahead: The Bearcats welcome Scott Satterfield as their new coach from Louisville, but most of the talent left for the draft or with Luke Fickell. Emory Jones transfers in to play quarterback and he may be best known for playing terribly at Florida and losing to Eastern Michigan while at Arizona State. Fortunately, West Virginia is in this conference because UC might be this year's doormat.

Oklahoma State

Head Coach: Mike Gundy (19th Season, 156-75)

LYR: 7-6 (59)

PR: 48

Prediction: 7-5

What's Ahead: The Cowboys have a near-fresh slate to start working with as only two defensive starters and four offensive starters return from last season. Alan Bowman is with his third different school after previously quarterbacking at Texas Tech and beginning his career at Michigan. He likes to throw the ball and Brennan Presley should be his go-to target after hauling in 67 catches for 813 yards last season.

Baylor

Head Coach: Dave Aranda (4th Season, 20-16)

LYR: 6-7 (74)

PR: 50

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: The Bears only return four starters from an offense that ranked in the top 50 last season. Aside from Utah and Texas (both coming to Waco), the Bears have a manageable schedule that should allow them to at least become bowl eligible.

BYU

Head Coach: Kalani Sitake (8th Season, 56-34)

LYR: 8-5 (51)

PR: 53

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: The Cougars will play in a conference for the first time since they were in the Mountain West in 2010. They bring with them the well-traveled transfer Kedon Slovis, who was previously seen at Pitt and USC. He will be one of many new faces on the offense, but a softer non-conference should help BYU jump out to a 2-0 start before things get tougher.

Houston

Head Coach: Dana Holgorsen (5th Season, 27-20)

LYR: 8-5 (48)

PR: 57

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: The Cougars have to replace Clayton Tune and his 11,000 career passing yards. They'll do so with Texas Tech transfer, Donovan Smith, who is at least familiar with the conference. Still, Houston may not be quite ready for the Big 12, but luckily gets to face two familiar foes from the AAC late in the season.

Kansas

Head Coach: Lance Leipold (3rd Season, 8-17)

LYR: 6-7 (75)

PR: 65

Prediction: 7-5

What's Ahead: The Jayhawks were one of the biggest surprises and Lance Leipold returns 16 starters from that squad. It's been a while since the Jayhawks had a winning season, but 2023 could mark the first of the Leipold era.

West Virginia

Head Coach: Neal Brown (5th Season, 22-25)

LYR: 5-7 (88)

PR: 83

Prediction: 2-10

What's Ahead:

Look for Neal Brown to start cleaning out his office if things get as bad as I think they will. The Mountaineers haven't been very competitive during his tenure and don't bring back that much to be desired. A quarterback competition will likely occur throughout the season and they may never find out who can overcome their shortcomings.

Iowa State

Head Coach: Matt Campbell (8th Season, 46-42)

LYR: 4-8 (105)

PR: 84

Prediction: 4-8

What's Ahead: They return many starters, but the offense was pretty putrid and must improve significantly. The benefit is that among those starters are six defensive starters on a unit that ranked 4th in total yards allowed last season. Still it's an uphill climb from Ames to the Big 12 Championship.

Putting the West in Midwest: Big Ten Preview

I don't know if I've fully expressed this or not, but this realignment situation is stupid. College football has always been about the regional traditions that make each conference unique and now it's about chasing the almighty dollar. I don't want a season schedule that includes a trip to Seattle and a visit from USC wedged in between a trip to Madison and a visit from Northwestern. At least I have MACtion to comfort me with their stability.

Let's talk about the name. The Big Ten was quirky when they added Penn State to make it 11 teams. Then came Nebraska and it was funny that the Big Ten had 12 teams and the Big 12 had 10. For some reason, they added Rutgers and Maryland to bring it up to 14 and now with Washington, Oregon, UCLA, and USC, it's 18! Then again, remember the fiasco that was the Legends and Leaders conferences, so maybe rebranding isn't the Big Ten's biggest strength. 

As for 2023, Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State lead the way as the top contenders and maybe Wisconsin makes a run with Luke Fickell in charge. Michigan will be without Jim Harbaugh for the first four games because of recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead period and also his lack of cooperation during the investigation. But Harbaugh didn't even have the worst off-season for a Big Ten coach, that honor belongs to Pat Fitzgerald. The longtime Northwestern coach was fired after allegations of abuse within the program and failure to control the locker room. Allegations have also popped up against Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck for similar reasons, but the Gophers have not had the same reaction as their division foes.

For the final time, let's take a look at the 14 teams that comprise the Big Ten:

East

Michigan

Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh (9th Season, 74-25)

Last Year Record (Rank): 13-1 (2)

Preseason Rank: 2

Prediction: 11-1

What's Ahead: First let's talk about that Harbaugh suspension for the back-to-back Big Ten Champs. These suspensions of big-name head coaches in these situations are almost laughable. The four games Harbaugh will be suspended for ECU, UNLV, BGSU, and Rutgers. Michigan should win all four games with their second string, which is more of an indictment of this cupcake schedule up until the last three weeks of the season. The Wolverines are at Penn State before traveling to Maryland and then returning home for tOSU.

The Wolverines bring back a ton of talent on both sides of the ball including quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, and corner Will Johnson. The biggest holes to fill are those left by DL Mike Morris, corner DJ Turner, center Olusegun Oluwatimi, and kicker Jake Moody. Most of those holes will be filled with senior experience, including kicker James Turner who comes over from Louisville. Still, if they can't find a reliable corner opposite Johnson, then there could be some long Saturdays in October and November. There's a lot of firepower to overcome most of the Big Ten teams, but those last three weeks should reveal who this team really is.

Ohio State

Head Coach: Ryan Day (5th Season, 45-6)

LYR: 11-2 (9)

PR: 4

Prediction: 10-2

What's Ahead: Unlike the Wolverines, the Buckeyes have been given a tougher course to navigate in 2023, especially on the road. That may be a recipe for disaster if they can't figure out who is going to throw the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr. Kyle McCord and Devin Brown Fortunately, whoever has the ball can just turn and give it to TreVeyon Henderson or the numerous other productive backs in the stable. The Buckeyes are so deep and productive at receiver and running back that it's mind-numbing that this team consistently finds ways to ignore them in games that matter in the past few years (Rose Bowl against Utah as the exception).

Back to the schedule if I may, the Buckeyes open on the road in Indiana before playing the Jim Tressel Bowl with Youngstown State (FCS). Another home game with a sneaky Western Kentucky team that will likely lose, but could expose any issues in the secondary. That all comes before a road test to Notre Dame and a visit from Penn State three weeks later (in Columbus). The Buckeyes head to Wisconsin the following week against former coach Luke Fickell and then they finish the season in the best place to go play pinball and win a Viking helmet, Ann Arbor. With too many questions under center and a few on the offensive line as well, this might be a step back for Ohio State, albeit a 10-win season and maybe a New Year's Bowl kind of setback.

Penn State

Head Coach: James Franklin (10th Season, 78-36)

LYR: 11-2 (7)

PR: 5

Prediction: 11-1

What's Ahead: This might be the best defense in the Big Ten as they return many starters from their top ten defenses in college football last season, allowing 18 points (10th), 111 yards rushing (16th), and 323 total yards (16th) per game. They even had a +11 turnover margin also putting them in the top ten. For as good as the linebacking corps is the offense is full of question marks. The Nittany Lions bring two of the best young backs in college football as Nick Singelton and Kaytron Allen ran for nearly 2,000 yards as Freshmen. With Sean Clifford gone though, the reins have been handed over to the top quarterback prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, Drew Allar. If he's as good as projected, Penn State can make some noise, but they still have to figure out how to beat both Michigan and Ohio State in the same season if they want to make it back to the Big Ten Championship.

Maryland

Head Coach: Mike Locksley (6th Season, 21-28)

LYR: 8-5 (52)

PR: 38

Prediction: 8-4

What's Ahead: The Terrapins could be a thorn in the sides of many in the Big Ten if they can finally slay one of the giants on their schedule. It's tough to be the fourth-best team in a conference let alone one's division. Taulia Tagovailoa is back under center and he's hoping to turn the corner in his senior season to get a big win for Maryland. The schedule is favorable enough with Penn State and Michigan coming to College Park and they won't have to face Iowa, Wisconsin, or Minnesota. It still looks like an uphill battle that's simply to big to climb.

Michigan State

Head Coach: Mel Tucker (4th Season, 18-14)

LYR: 5-7 (87)

PR: 64

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: This team wasn't very good in 2022 and it doesn't seem to have made much improvement on that front. They'll get a visit from future Big Ten foe Washington in Week 3 and if that isn't bad enough, they'll have trips to Iowa and Minnesota to go with their usual gamut of Penn State, Michigan, and Ohio State. It's looking to be another tough year in East Lansing, but I think a bowl game will be back on the table after a year hiatus.

Indiana

Head Coach: Tom Allen (7th Season, 30-40)

LYR: 4-8 (104)

PR: 92

Prediction: 4-8

What's Ahead: This team has a lot of young talent in key positions and it will be hard to find wins with this schedule. They do have Jaylin Lucas, who won Return Specialist of the Year as a Freshman, and that's great because he should be returning a lot of kicks after Ohio State, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Purdue repeatedly find the end zone.

Rutgers

Head Coach: Greg Schiano (15th Season, 80-89)

LYR: 4-8 (108)

PR: 93

Prediction: 5-7

What's Ahead: The defense was surprisingly in the top 40 in total yards allowed, but the offense was so putrid that they ranked in the bottom ten in nearly every offensive category. The defense returns a lot of experience, but the offense still has some questions. Their growth will see some upsides and surprising results, but in the end, there will be more lumps and bruises than they can overcome.

West

Iowa

Head Coach: Kirk Faerentz (25th Season, 186-115)

LYR: 8-5 (44)

PR: 25

Prediction: 9-3

What's Ahead: Cade McNamara heads west to lead an offense that was 129th out of 132 teams in total offense. The reason this team was able to win more than they lost in 2022 was the fact that they also ranked second in total defense. Nine opponents scored 10 points or less against the Iowa defense that returns seven starters. They only have to worry about Penn State from the East on their schedule, so if they get any sort of offense going, look for them to represent the West as the sacrificial lamb to enter the playoffs.

Minnesota

Head Coach: PJ Fleck (7th Season, 44-27)

LYR: 9-4 (34)

PR: 31

Prediction: 8-4

What's Ahead: P.J. Fleck has been busy squashing reports that he runs a cultlike locker room that breeds a toxic culture, allegations he called, "baseless." On the field, he'll have to replace 14 starters on both sides of the ball, and with Wisconsin gaining momentum and Iowa maybe finding some offense, the Gophers could be sliding down the hill that is the Big Ten West. They could find themselves back in the lower middle of the Big Ten once the four new squads join in 2024.

Wisconsin

Head Coach: Luke Fickell (1st Season)

LYR: 7-6 (61)

PR: 37

Prediction: 10-2

What's Ahead: Luke Fickell to Wisconsin seems on brand and with the arrival of Tanner Mordecai from SMU to play quarterback, the Badgers may have made the right upgrades to be a threat to the East. The defense brings back nearly half the starters from a squad that was ranked in the Top 10 for total defense. Even better is that they get both Iowa and Ohio State coming to Camp Randall. It's really between them or Iowa for the West.

Illinois

Head Coach: Bret Bielema (3rd Season, 13-12)

LYR: 8-5 (50)

PR: 44

Prediction:7-5

What's Ahead: The Fighting Illini were the surprise of the Big Ten in 2022 as they jumped out to a 7-1 start, but faded with four losses in their final five games. They lost the Brown brothers (Sydney and Chase) who are both getting ready for the NFL season, but Isaiah Williams is back as the top receiver in a talented bunch. Consistency is key, but they'll have to avoid the MACtrap in Week 1 when the Toledo Rockets look to test their merit in Champaign.

Purdue

Head Coach: Ryan Walters (1st Season)

LYR: 8-6 (56)

PR: 55

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: Head coach Jeff Brohm left for his alma mater and Ryan Walters took over the job at his alma mater to try and maintain the steady success at Purdue. The defense has been gutted, but they get a big arrival in Texas transfer Hudson Card to take over the quarterback position. It will likely be a rebuilding year, with a tough slate in 2023.

Nebraska

Head Coach: Matt Rhule (1st Season)

LYR: 4-8 (101)

PR: 79

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: Matt Rhule hopes to have the kind of success he had at Baylor and not with the Carolina Panthers. Then again success in a previous job didn't help Scott Frost or Mike Riley be successful in Lincoln. Rhule has an empty cupboard when it comes to the offense and the defense was torched last year, but brings experience. They get to be one of the first tests for the Deion Sanders hype train when they head to Colorado in Week 2. Rhule had a quick turnaround at Baylor, so the blackshirt faithful are hoping that they didn't strike out for the sixth time since Tom Osborne retired in 1997.

Northwestern

Head Coach: David Braun (1st Season)

LYR: 1-11 (129)

PR: 106

Prediction: 2-10

What's Ahead: Turmoil and scandal rocked Evanston, which also saw the Wildcats fire their baseball coach for creating a similar toxic culture. The Wildcats will be set back after the departure of arguably one of the most successful coaches in school history. David Braun may only be here for one year before they find a long-term solution and that could setback the Wildcats even further. That and the addition of four more teams.

14 Teams Looking to Rebound from Disappointment: ACC Preview

 Realignment has been rearing its ugly head the past few weeks, and it seems the ACC is not immune to having their teams at risk of being poached. Florida State has been very vocal about their displeasure when it comes to revenue sharing and alongside Clemson, have been linked to the Big Ten.

Overall, the conference was a huge letdown with Clemson struggling early on in the season, UNC never living up to the hype, while NCST and Wake Forest squandered opportunities to make up ground. In the end, it was Clemson on top of the ACC again, but two non-conference losses kept them out of the playoff discussion. One big change for the conference championship is that the Atlantic and Coastal divisions have been removed and all 14 teams will compete in one division with the top two teams facing each other in Charlotte.

With all the shuffling in Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC heading into 2024, the ACC is at risk of falling off the map of relevance in the college football landscape. Who will rise up and assert themselves as a powerhouse in 2023?  

Florida State

Head Coach: Mike Norvell (4th Season, 18-16)

Last Year Record (Rank): 10-3 (15)

PR: 9

Prediction: 9-3

What's Ahead: The Seminoles salvaged the season after three consecutive losses when they won their final six games. Quarterback Jordan Travis is here to carry that momentum into the 2023 season and they'll need all those good vibes when they face LSU in Orlando in Week 1. A trip to Clemson rounds out a tough September. The Noles bring a lot of talent back from an offense that was 15th in scoring last season. Can Florida State overcome its two SEC foes and their nemesis Clemson? If they take care of at least two of the three look for them to get some playoff consideration. Just in time to join the Big Ten in 2024?

Clemson

Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (16th Season, 161-39)

LYR: 11-3 (11)

PR: 11

Prediction: 11-1

What's Ahead: The Tigers will not go away and don't expect them to be anywhere but in the conversation for January. Clemson has a plethora of talent returning on both sides of the ball and was in the top 30 in scoring offense and defense last season. The biggest concern is how well Cade Klubnik will play in a full season after D.J. Uiagalelei transferred to Oregon State. Aside from a season-ending trip to South Carolina, the Tigers have most of their toughest tasks (Notre Dame, Florida State, UNC) coming to Death Valley. 

North Carolina

Head Coach: Mack Brown (15th Season, 99-68-1)

LYR: 9-5 (36)

PR: 23

Prediction: 9-3

What's Ahead: The second stint of the Mack Brown era has featured some of the most overhyped teams in college football. Part of the reason is quarterback Drake Maye, who will likely be a first-round pick in 2024. The defense returns a lot of starters, but they also were 101st in defensive scoring, allowing 30 points a game.

Duke

Head Coach: Mike Elko (2nd Season, 9-4)

LYR: 9-4 (29)

PR: 24

Prediction: 8-4

What's Ahead: What a first-year turnaround for Mike Elko at Duke. The Blue Devils took down some of the big dogs in the ACC and won their bowl game over UCF. There are a lot of familiar faces on both sides of the ball, but the schedule is much tougher in 2023. They start with Clemson before welcoming Notre Dame and NCST. After all that, they head to Florida State and North Carolina. They have the pieces to be playoff wreckers, but probably not enough to make the playoffs.

NCST

Head Coach: Dave Doeren (11th Season, 72-54)

LYR: 8-5 (42)

PR: 33

Prediction: 7-5

What's Ahead: NCST hasn't won a league title since 1979, but it doesn't look like the streak ends in 2023. Brennan Armstrong takes over as quarterback after transferring in from Virginia. He has support on both sides of the ball, but not enough to get through the top dogs in the pack.

Pitt

Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi (9th Season, 62-41)

LYR: 9-4 (28)

PR: 34

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: The Panthers get Phil Jurkovec from Boston College to play quarterback this season, but there are a lot of questions in key spots. The schedule is full of big match-ups with Cincinnati coming to the Burgh followed by a trip to West Virginia in a series of old Big East foes. They also head to Notre Dame, welcome Florida State, and play Syracuse at Yankee Stadium. It will be a great year of experiences, but Pitt fans might have to embrace the ups and downs.

Louisville

Head Coach: Jeff Brohm (1st Season)

LYR: 8-5 (40)

PR: 35

Prediction: 8-4

What's Ahead: Jeff Brohm takes over at his alma mater and brought his quarterback, Jack Plummer, from Purdue with him. It will be a learning year, but the Cardinals have a slightly easier schedule than those above them, which could lead to better results. Also, they have a transfer named Storm Duck on defense, so that's pretty cool.

Wake Forest

Head Coach: Dave Clawson (10th Season, 59-53)

LYR: 8-5 (47)

PR: 42

Prediction: 7-5

What's Ahead: Dave Clawson will have to find a decent replacement for his record-setting quarterback, Sam Hartman, who will face the Demon Deacons when they head to Notre Dame in November. Wake Forest is one of the not-so-lucky schools that has Clemson, Florida State, and Notre Dame on their schedule. At least their SEC opponent is Vanderbilt, so that should help.

Syracuse

Head Coach: Dino Babers (8th Season, 36-49)

LYR: 7-6 (60)

PR: 54

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: The seat is hot for Dino Babers after he had the Orange out to a 6-0 start, but then dropped five straight and six of their last seven. There's a chance they'll get out to a 3-1 or 4-0 start again, but then it's Clemson, UNC, and Florida State to bring them back down to Earth. Fortunately, Babers has Senior quarterback Garrett Shrader and tight end standout Oronde Gadsen II to help guide the offense.

Miami

Head Coach: Mario Cristobal (2nd Season, 5-7)

LYR: 5-7 (98)

PR: 68

Prediction: 7-5

What's Ahead: It couldn't have gone much worse for Mario Cristobal in year one. They failed to make a bowl game thanks in part to a 45-31 beatdown handed to them in Miami by Middle Tennessee State. The schedule is full of tough tasks and it could be considered another down year for the Hurricanes.

Georgia Tech

Head Coach: Brent Key (2nd Season, 4-4)

LYR: 5-7 (86)

PR: 81

Prediction: 4-8

What's Ahead: The Yellow Jackets showed great improvement after Geoff Collins was fired, as they nearly made a bowl game despite starting 1-3. There are a lot of changes and the conference seems poised for a bounceback season, so it might be tough to find wins in Atlanta.

Virginia Tech

Head Coach: Brent Pry (2nd Season, 3-8)

LYR: 3-8 (113)

PR: 95

Prediction: 5-7

What's Ahead: The Brent Pry era started with a loss to Old Dominion, and then included a seven-game skid before they barely beat Liberty, 23-22 in the final week. The team should improve, but it still likely won't produce a trip to a bowl game.

Boston College

Head Coach: Jeff Hafley (4th Season, 15-20)

LYR: 3-9 (115)

PR: 96

Prediction: 7-5

What's Ahead: Who needs a quarterback when you have this soft of a schedule. I think the Eagles will have a much improved season. Knowing my luck, they'll be so bad that Jeff Hafley gets fired.

Virginia

Head Coach: Tony Elliott (2nd Season, 3-7)

LYR: 3-7 (112)

PR: 100

Prediction: 3-9

What's Ahead: The defense has got some studs at linebacker, which is good, because the defense will probably be on the field a lot for the Cavaliers.