I think we're going to see some unexpected things due to the extra eligibility granted because of COVID last year.
Normally, blue blood teams lose a bunch of undergrads to the NFL and reload with younger guys while lesser teams tend to have more mature rosters. 'Bama lost a ton of talent, so did we, so did Notre Dame, etc. It usually doesn't matter that much because 'Bama sophomores and juniors will still whip a bunch of Houston or Louisiana 5th year seniors.
Now, a lot of lesser schools will be fielding teams full of 6th year seniors and with higher quality depth than they are used to having. Additionally, look at the PAC 10. They barely played last year--not enough for undergrads to play their way into the NFL draft. Lots of them are coming back for an extra year of college ball. Same thing is happening in mid-tier teams like Minnesota and Miami.
I think schools like 'Bama, Klimpson, tOSU, etc. will look like they normally look but I think schools like Cincinnati and Liberty will be better and deeper than normal. Additionally, I think the same will be true of several PAC 10 schools and some of the mid-tier teams from other power conferences.
Here is an article listing the "perfect storm" teams returning tons of experience and facing light schedules:
Perfect storms: the most experienced CFB teams with the easiest schedules in 2021
I have a sense this could be a crazy year with lots of blue bloods getting upset.
Cincinnati can get a playoff berth if it runs the table. They have Indiana and Notre Dame on the road in back-to-back weeks. How do you keep them out if they win those?
Speaking of Notre Dame, they were built for last year--tons of seniors. They will be young and untested this year. They start with FSU on the road in what is going to be a very emotional "win one for thegipper bobby" game.
'Bama is 'Bama...but 'Bama lost a lot and they start with Miami who is bringing everybody back (including the kind of mobile quarterback that gives Saban teams fits).
Coastal Carolina and Liberty should run the table, but their schedules are too weak to merit playoff consideration. That said, I could definitely see them whacking a power team in a bowl.
LSU is young and going up against a UCLA team on the road in UCLA's second game (cliche--your biggest improvement is between your first and second game).
Every year we pencil in the four playoff teams...'Bama, Klimpson, tOSU, and Oklahoma. I think this is the year that gets all shaken up.
Big picture? I'm looking at blue bloods underperforming and the rest overperforming.
Alex.
Normally, blue blood teams lose a bunch of undergrads to the NFL and reload with younger guys while lesser teams tend to have more mature rosters. 'Bama lost a ton of talent, so did we, so did Notre Dame, etc. It usually doesn't matter that much because 'Bama sophomores and juniors will still whip a bunch of Houston or Louisiana 5th year seniors.
Now, a lot of lesser schools will be fielding teams full of 6th year seniors and with higher quality depth than they are used to having. Additionally, look at the PAC 10. They barely played last year--not enough for undergrads to play their way into the NFL draft. Lots of them are coming back for an extra year of college ball. Same thing is happening in mid-tier teams like Minnesota and Miami.
I think schools like 'Bama, Klimpson, tOSU, etc. will look like they normally look but I think schools like Cincinnati and Liberty will be better and deeper than normal. Additionally, I think the same will be true of several PAC 10 schools and some of the mid-tier teams from other power conferences.
Here is an article listing the "perfect storm" teams returning tons of experience and facing light schedules:
Perfect storms: the most experienced CFB teams with the easiest schedules in 2021
I have a sense this could be a crazy year with lots of blue bloods getting upset.
Cincinnati can get a playoff berth if it runs the table. They have Indiana and Notre Dame on the road in back-to-back weeks. How do you keep them out if they win those?
Speaking of Notre Dame, they were built for last year--tons of seniors. They will be young and untested this year. They start with FSU on the road in what is going to be a very emotional "win one for the
'Bama is 'Bama...but 'Bama lost a lot and they start with Miami who is bringing everybody back (including the kind of mobile quarterback that gives Saban teams fits).
Coastal Carolina and Liberty should run the table, but their schedules are too weak to merit playoff consideration. That said, I could definitely see them whacking a power team in a bowl.
LSU is young and going up against a UCLA team on the road in UCLA's second game (cliche--your biggest improvement is between your first and second game).
Every year we pencil in the four playoff teams...'Bama, Klimpson, tOSU, and Oklahoma. I think this is the year that gets all shaken up.
Big picture? I'm looking at blue bloods underperforming and the rest overperforming.
Alex.
