The 2017 college football season is upon us, and FanSided college football experts Jack Jorgensen and Patrick Schmidt sat down to discuss some hot topics regarding the upcoming campaign
As it pertains to this side of the FanSided network, the most wonderful time of the year has arrived. After grinding out the spring and summer months, the 2017 college football season is about ready to kick off. Saturday, Aug. 26 will see a few games played to wet everyone’s palate, while Sep. 2 will see the official first week of the season take place with a lot of notable matchups, as well as one that could end up being the greatest opening week game in the history of college football.
With so much to look forward to this season, FanSided.com college football experts Jack Jorgensen and Patrick Schmidt discussed numerous topics fans may be wondering about in regards to the upcoming college football campaign.
So, let’s get right into it.
Right out of the gate, we get two College Football Playoff favorites in FSU and Alabama facing off in Atlanta. Who wins and how much trouble is the loser in?
Jack Jorgensen: Those who know me may call me biased, but I do truly believe Florida State will come away with the win here in a close one. But that’s one of the keys for the loser in this one — they have to keep it close. But if Alabama doesn’t get beat convincingly, they’ll be perfectly fine as long as they take care of business the rest of the way in the SEC. The committee will probably never leave out the SEC Champion, so we could likely see a rematch of this game down the line as long as both don’t stumble during the regular season.
Patrick Schmidt: I like Alabama to win the opener. These two teams may have the best collection of talent in the country, so this should be a great game, and I think Alabama pulls away to win it late. This wouldn’t immediately remove Florida State from the College Football Playoff conversation though, but it means they have to be perfect the rest of the way. November road games at Clemson and Florida will be must-wins for Florida State and if they win both, they’ll be a lock for the Playoff where they may get a rematch against Alabama.
Florida State and Alabama, rightfully so, are getting all the hype. So what’s the most underrated game in Week 1?
Jorgensen: Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think enough people are talking about that Sunday evening matchup between UCLA and Texas A&M. This was one of the more exciting Week 1 matchups we got last season, with the Aggies nearly blowing a 24-9 lead in the fourth quarter only to ultimately win in overtime. You also have the storylines of two coaches who are on the hot seat this year in Kevin Sumlin and Jim Mora, plus we get the return of UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen following having his year cut short last season after six games with that shoulder injury.
We might learn a lot about where these two programs are headed this season after this game in Los Angeles on Sep. 3.
Schmidt: Michigan vs. Florida at AT&T Stadium is an easy call. I can’t wait to see how Michigan looks in Year 3 under Jim Harbaugh. I think Wilton Speight will make a big leap in his second year as the starting quarterback and this game represents a tough test for him right away. My biggest question for Michigan is the defense that must replace 10 starters, but Florida’s offense won’t be at full speed with the Florida’s most explosive playmaker, Antonio Callaway, serving a suspension and the Gators having an unsettled quarterback position. This game will be won by the defense that has the best day and I think that’ll be Michigan with a big game from true sophomore Rashan Gary who could be one of the best defensive players in the country.
Which coach is likely to be fired either during the season or immediately after?
Jorgensen: Yeah, I might have said this the last two years or so, but this will probably be the swan song for Sumlin in College Station. I think it starts with an opening loss to UCLA and the writing will be on the wall from there. After another regular season that just kinda has you go, “meh,” the administration will pull the plug on the Sumlin era with Texas A&M. He’ll get one more full season in, but that’ll be it.
Schmidt: Rich Rodriguez is on the hottest of hot seats. Others like Brian Kelly, Kevin Sumlin, Bret Bielema, Kliff Kingsbury, Jim Mora, Jr. and others are feeling pressure to win, of course, but Rodriguez is living on borrowed time. It was only a few short seasons ago when Arizona was playing for the Pac-12 Championship Game, but it’s been all downhill since, culminating with a 3-9 record last year. Further, one of the pioneers of the spread offense has been unable to spark the Wildcats offense that has been hampered by inefficient quarterback play. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t make it to Halloween, but I also don’t believe we’ll see anything close to last year with a coach like Les Miles getting fired in September or two years ago when Steve Spurrier resigned midseason.
Who’s a Heisman Trophy contender out there that not a lot of people are discussing as the season begins?
Jorgensen: There have been some betting odds placed on him, even before he was officially named the starter, but I’m gonna go with Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham. I’m placing him here because while he’s getting some run no one has him near the top of the lists. But I truly believe that he’ll be a near perfect fit in this offense. We got a glimpse of what he’s capable of in a fast-paced offense at Baylor and he should be able to carry that over to the Tigers. If he is the fit I believe he will be, the Auburn receiving corps is reliable and, most importantly, Auburn takes back the SEC West from Alabama, then he’ll be near the top of the Heisman conversation sooner rather than later.
There were whispers of a Heisman run for Stidham when he was in Waco, but he could finish that campaign here on The Plains this season.
Schmidt: I’m not including Sam Darnold, Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley, JT Barrett, Baker Mayfield, Derrius Guice, Jalen Hurts, Bo Scarbrough, Deondre Francois or Jake Browning for this question. All those guys are talked about plenty, but a player who could find himself getting an invite to the Downtown Athletic Club at the end of the year is Oklahoma State senior quarterback Mason Rudolph. Entering his third season as the starter, Rudolph threw for 4,091 yards with 28 touchdowns and only four interceptions last year. His 158.94 quarterback rating was tenth best in the nation, trailing Sam Darnold, and one spot ahead of No. 2 NFL Draft pick Mitch Trubisky. The stats will be there but it’s all about the win-loss record and the Pokes toughest this year will be Oklahoma, and they host their in-state rival this year. If you’re looking for a dark horse to bet on, make it the 6-5, 230-pound Rudolph.
Which program not being talked about all that much right now has a chance of crashing the College Football Playoff party?
Jorgensen: This is one of my favorite questions because it’s always fun to look back during the season when this team is floundering and say, “What the hell was I thinking?!” But, that’s part of the fun of covering this stupid, wonderful sport.
That said, on the 10-year anniversary of Mike Gundy reminding everyone at the time that he is a man and he is 40 years of age, he will get the Pokes as close to a national championship as they’ve been during his tenure.
Let’s be real, the Big 12 this season is Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma. It’ll be fun watching these two go at it twice this coming season with the conference title game making its illustrious (sarcasm) return, so all the Pokes have to do is hold off the Sooners and they’re right in there, more than likely.
They have a pretty favorable schedule this year and should they avoid some hiccups — which is one of the toughest tasks to pull off in college football — then the Cowboys could be right there finally competing for the national title that has eluded Gundy.
Schmidt: This is an annual tradition for me, but I really like Georgia this year. They’re No. 15 in the Coaches Poll so they’re liked but not quite loved in the preseason. I think there is a lot to fall in love with though, but it is dangerous as it is largely based on the potential of sophomore quarterback Jacob Eason. The former five-star recruit was thrust into the fire right away as a freshman and had up-and-down results. He finished with 2,430 yards on 55.1 percent passing and 16 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
Not bad for a true freshman in the SEC, but there is plenty of room for improvement and that’s where the trust comes into play for Georgia and Eason. I believe in Eason’s talent and the coaches to develop his natural talent and ability and make him a better college quarterback. Look for his passing numbers to rival league leaders and put him in a position to be a Heisman contender and top NFL Draft pick this time next year.
Helping Eason’s development is the return of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb who bypassed the draft to return for their senior seasons. If both stay healthy and Chubb resembles the player he was prior to his injury two years ago, they should win the SEC East. The Bulldogs return 10 starters on defense and their personnel may only be matched by Alabama and Florida State. This team has the talent, now it’s up to head coach Kirby Smart to get the most out of it.
What is your very, very early 2017 College Football Playoff field prediction?
Jorgensen: Florida State, Alabama, USC and Penn State
Once again, I don’t see much keeping Alabama from yet another trip to the College Football Playoff. Even if they lose to FSU in Week 1, it probably won’t be by a large margin, and as we mentioned earlier, it won’t do that much damage in the long run. That said, the same goes for Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles. I believe that USC is not overhyped at all and should take the Pac-12 in somewhat convincing fashion, earning them a spot in the fold. Penn State, much like USC, isn’t overhyped either. They’re a team on a mission after just being on the outside looking in as the Big Ten Champion last season with a lot of key returning pieces. As long as they can get through back-to-back road games against Ohio State and Michigan State virtually unscathed, James Franklin will justify that new contract extension of his with a trip to the College Football Playoff.
Schmidt: Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State and USC.
I like Alabama to win the SEC over Georgia. Florida State will rebound after losing to Alabama in the opener and run the table with impressive wins over Clemson and Florida and wins the ACC over an overmatched Pitt, Miami or Virginia Tech. Ohio State was fortunate to make the playoff last year despite not winning the Big Ten. I think the Buckeyes make it two straight trips and win the Big Ten over Wisconsin. USC is the class of the Pac-12 and will beat Washington in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Penn State and Oklahoma State, who I think wins the Big 12, represent the two teams that just missed the field.
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With your fields set, who reigns supreme as the National Champion come January 2018?
Jorgensen: Florida State over USC
As I stated earlier, I do believe FSU will get the win in Atlanta over the Crimson Tide and eventually will earn themselves the No. 1 spot in the CFB Playoff field. It’ll be a good matchup with Penn State in the semifinals, with the Florida State defense doing enough to slow that that PSU offense. Then we get the game USC has been waiting for since the opener last year — another crack at Alabama. This time around, though, they’ll get the best of Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, setting up a bout with FSU for the national title.
FSU vs. USC, just looking at the rosters this preseason, has the potential to be another classic championship game. When the dust settles, though, Jimbo Fisher will have his second national championship in four years.
Schmidt: Alabama over USC
As long as Nick Saban is coaching Alabama, it’s a fool’s errand to pick any other team than the Crimson Tide. They were one second from winning a second straight national championship last year. Jalen Hurts, Bo Scarbrough and a deep running attack, Calvin Ridley and a defense led by Rashaan Evans, Da’Ron Payne, Shaun Dion Hamilton and Minkah Fitzpatrick is going to be the difference in slowing down the offenses from the other top championship contenders.