As I look onto the gridiron horizon and think about what 2019 could possibly have in store for us, I have to ponder what could be and what probably will happen for the season. Yes, it’s impossible to predict how the top 25 will fare: You can go on last season and recruiting and coaches coming back and transfers coming in, but that can be a misfire too. Here is what I think will go down:
- Clemson will be back in the National Championship game. What Clemson did last season was nothing short of a miracle. They have an elite Quarterback and a stingy defense. It’s a winning formula and it will help them again in 2019.
- So will Alabama. Yes, it’s a status quo but this is Alabama we’re talking about. They will not go away. They will be hungry for revenge.
- A new team enters the playoff picture – Texas Longhorns. Coach Tom Herman’s second season was a success. His Longhorns went 10-4 and won the Sugar Bowl. And Sam Ehlinger looked like a Heisman QB. I see the horns winning the Big XII which will propel them to the playoffs.
- Auburn will win the SEC West. Yea, I said it. With Gus calling the O again, this team will take a leap in the right direction. I think they will play good defense too.
- Notre Dame takes a step back. If I have learned anything about a Brian Kelly Notre Dame team is that they usually have a hard time repeating greatness. 2018 was a stellar year for the Irish but they got exposed in the playoffs. I just don’t see them contending again. Maybe in 2020.
- Miami wins the Coastal. A division with a lot of parity and new coaches, Miami seems to be trending upward. If Diaz can get consistent quarterback play, the canes should have no issue winning the coastal.
- Michigan finally beats Ohio St. Michigan choked in the shoe last season, but you got to think that Harbaugh’s team has got to be ready for the bucks when they come to Ann Arbor. I mean it’s time for them to win this game, isn’t it? For Harbaugh, I believe it’s a must win and that’s why the wolverines will win.
- UCF will make another new years six bowl, but still no playoff. The Knights looked like they were going to repeat perfection in 2018 but lost to LSU in the Fiesta Bowl. Coach Hypel is a good recruiter and will continue to keep the train moving, but it still won’t be good enough for the playoff committee.
- Oklahoma will lose to Texas in the Big XII title game. Call it a hunch, but Texas played good defense down the stretch last season. Oklahoma has a ways to go on that front. If Hurts wins the job for the Sooners, he better watch his 6.
- Georgia will win the SEC East, again. The dogs lost a lot of talent to the draft and graduation, but they still have Fromm and Swift. I don’t think UT and UF are there just yet, so the dogs should win the east in 2019 with no issues.
- Army will beat Navy for 4 straight. Coach Monken has Navy’s number. Navy had a hard time moving the ball last year as well. Look for the cadets to sing second again.
- Jimbo’s Aggie’s are almost there, but not yet. Coach Fisher’s aggies have to play 4 top ten teams from in 2019. At Clemson and at Georgia will be tough. And he still has to play Bama and LSU. I just don’t see them surviving the gauntlet schedule in 2019. 2020 will be his year.
- USC wins the Pac-12. Coach Helton had a rough 2018 season. It was their first losing season since 2000! However, the hire of Graham Harrell will help boost an inept offense with his Air Raid. I see the Trojans making a 180 and winning the Pac-12.
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