Season Predictions

With just a few weeks left until the pads go on and teams begin preparation for week 1, we can now officially say we are in football season. With that being said, I've never been one to buy into preseason polls but its always fun to make predictions about the upcoming season and I have a few (some more gutsy than others) for the 2013 football season. In no particular order, here they are:

1. Championships in October- It is almost a given these past couple of seasons but once again I'm confident that the winner of the Clemson-FSU showdown will not only win the Atlantic Division but most likely claim another ACC Championship as well. This year's game is in Death Valley, a place where the Seminoles haven't won since 2001. That is not a typo. The last time FSU left Clemson with a win I was Elementary school. For those who don't know me personally, I'm now a senior in college. I've grown accustomed to beating FSU (at least at home), a trend that didn't exist in my "younger" days as a Clemson fan and I hope to see this streak continue this fall.

2. High Tide- Alabama is more than capable of running the table this year and playing for another SEC and BCS Championship this season. Say what you want about Nick Saban but he's the best (active) coach in the business. Bama adds another one to the ole trophy case this year and the dynasty grows stronger. 

3. Sammy will bounce back- After a rough sophomore season plagued by an off-season arrest and injuries/sickness, Sammy should be back and ready to go full speed ahead this year. And with Deandre Hopkins playing on Sundays now, Watkins will definitely have to step up and produce big plays as he did during his freshman year. Last year was Hopkins time to shine and now 2013 belongs to Watkins. A more mature and hungry Sammy Watkins spells trouble for defenses this year.

4. Not Again- Oregon will reveal (another) new uniform-- not so gutsy here but be on the look out for Oregon to turn heads again with another (most likely) hideous uniform combination when they take the field this season. I can only imagine what they will come up with this time around. I will say though, I was big fan of the chrome helmets. The rest of the uniform though...eh, not so much. 

5. Not so fast, my friend-- Ole Miss turned many heads with their stellar recruiting class this off-season but we have to remember, Its still Ole Miss and they still play in the SEC. They get LSU, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas A&M at home in conference play but travel to Vanderbilt, Alabama, Auburn, and Mississippi State. Going .500 in those games would be a huge accomplishment for them in my eyes. 

6. Sophomore Slump- Johnny Football caught everyone off guard last season in TAMU's first year in the SEC. This year will not be as easy. Defenses will be ready for Manziel this year and he'll have a bulls eye on his chest and get every one's best shot. And speaking of shots, he will likely be taking many more of those this year as defenses put the pressure on him and try to force him into hurried throws and mistakes. 

7. Benched- Conner Shaw is a solid QB and has been a major puzzle piece in South Carolina's recent success. However, the guy can't seem to stay healthy and at times has been really suspect in his play and decision making. That being said, Dylan Thompson proved last year he is more than capable of leading his team to wins. By mid-season I see Thompson taking over the reigns as the starter for the Gamecocks.

8. Boyd in NYC- Last year Clemson's Tajh Boyd was like a different player. He dropped some weight, became more mature on and off the field, improved his accuracy and his running game. The result was a 10-2 season along with throwing for 3,896 yards and 36 touchdowns breaking record upon record along the way. If Clemson can stay healthy up front Boyd should put up big numbers again this year and have a solid argument as a finalist for the Heisman.




9. Overrated- USC struggled last season under Lane Kiffin going 7-6 overall. Though I think they will fare slightly better this season, don't expect to see them in a BCS bowl, or anywhere close to it, for that matter.  Its going to be another tough, long year for one of the most hated coaches in College Football.








10. "Don't Forget About Us"- Ohio State went undefeated last year but were ineligible for post-season play. 2nd year coach Urban Meyer will have his guys ready again this year and though I'm not calling for another undefeated record, don't be surprised if the Buckeyes are back in the top 10 and play in a BCS bowl this year.