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College football 2018: Biggest X-factor on every Top 25 team

By Derek Grochowski

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Georgia Bulldogs linebacker D’Andre Walker (15) and Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Keyon Brown (11) look on during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 8, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Georgia Bulldogs linebacker D’Andre Walker (15) and Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Keyon Brown (11) look on during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 8, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. D’Andre Walker, Georgia Bulldogs

A lot of people would consider losing linebackers like Lorenzo Carter and Roquan Smith devastating. But the Georgia Bulldogs have been recruiting well and have the pieces ready to step in. It will not be on the same level as Smith and Carter but it will still be good. The defense will rely heavily on the secondary this year, the corners are strong and the safeties are sharp. The same can be said about the defensive line. The offense is setting up to be absolutely electric, which is needed when facing the SEC defenses.

So where is the x-factor on the team that lost a nail bitter in last year’s National Championship game? It will be in the linebacker core, specifically D’Andre Walker. In 14 games last year he totaled 39 tackles and five and a half sacks. The spotlight will be on him and he will need to play a larger role. A great performance by Walker will have the Bulldogs back in the playoffs vying for the National Championship.

After sitting and waiting Walker has earned his dues. It is his senior year and he is ready to show he can be the next top Georgia linebacker. When your top linebackers move on so does their leadership. Luckily, Walker will be able to fill that void as well. As a senior, he has seen a lot and been around a lot of talented players. He can be that mentor for the freshman coming in.

The SEC is always one of the tougher conferences in the country, it is top-heavy. Once conference play starts anything can happen. There are tough matchups sprinkled throughout the year. South Carolina early, Tennessee in the middle, LSU and Florida back to back and then a late-season matchup against Auburn will not be cupcake games for the Bulldogs.