Football is back. Whether your favorite part is the new NFL kickoff or watching Pat McAfee and his gang on College GameDay, football has already delivered in more ways than one with amazing upsets and heart-palpitating overtime games. After the first three weeks of college football, I’m giving insight on six college football teams in the power five conferences (and one independent), three of which are in trouble and three I feel have the best chances of making the new 12-team playoffs.
Teams to watch:
The Ohio State University – As always, Ohio State will most likely be in the College Football Playoff (CFP) in January, beating their first two opponents soundly with the Buckeyes scoring in the fifties in both games. The Buckeyes’ hardest opponent this year will probably be the new-to-the-Big-Ten Oregon Ducks on Oct. 12.
University of Georgia – Much like last year, the Bulldogs have a very good chance of winning it all in the new 12-team playoff picture. The biggest hurdle that the Bulldogs face is fellow Southeastern Conference foes the Alabama Crimson Tide, who are also a team ranked highly. That game will kick off on Sept. 28. If Georgia can handle the Tide, they have the biggest chance of going 16-0 and winning it all this season. But after a narrow win against unranked Kentucky, what adjustments need to be made?
University of Southern California – USC has a very difficult schedule in front of them for their first season in the Big Ten, with matchups against ranked opponents Michigan, Penn State and Nebraska. The Trojans have a chance to take the Big Ten’s bid in the CFP, if not being one of the at-large teams come December. If they can win non-ranked matchups and beat two of the three aforementioned difficult matchups of their schedule, I predict they will face Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.
Teams in trouble:
University of Washington – The runners-up of last year’s national championship need to find their new identity. With a new head coach and veteran group of players leaving from last year, finding who they are this season is the key to getting a bowl game this year, and after their loss on Sept. 14, against Washington State, their chances to make the CFP are dwindling.
University of Notre Dame – The Fighting Irish fell on Sept. 7 against the Northern Illinois Huskies.This was one of the biggest upsets of the day and the biggest in Huskie history, but the Irish need to find their footing again after this loss, after being ranked highly in the Associated Press (AP) top 25.
Florida State University – After an undefeated season but no playoff appearance, the Seminoles failed to win their first three games. Being in the Atlanta Coast Conference, Florida State will have a hard season in front of them. With these losses, the chances of the Seminoles making it to the CFP are gone.
After just three weeks in the books, there is much uncertainty in the realm of college football, but that’s just the fun of it. Who knows? Maybe Northern Illinois will win the whole thing this year, or maybe Florida State will fail to win a single game all year. But only one thing is certain: On Jan. 20, 2025, there will be one team standing in the center of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta, Georgia, hoisting the trophy as champions.
