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College football predictions 2018: Conference champs, Playoff teams, Heisman picks

By Patrick Schmidt

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 02: Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (90) cheers on the crowd during the game between the Clemson Tigers and the Miami Hurricanes on December 2, 2017 at Bank of America Stadium. The Tigers won 38-3. (Photo by Brian Utesch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 02: Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (90) cheers on the crowd during the game between the Clemson Tigers and the Miami Hurricanes on December 2, 2017 at Bank of America Stadium. The Tigers won 38-3. (Photo by Brian Utesch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

(*Extreme Joe Tessitore voice*) College football is back! So let’s make some predictions about the College Football Playoff and who wins the Heisman.

College football fans got a taste with a small sampling of games on Saturday, but that was barely the appetizer for the main course that awaits from Thursday-Monday.

The Week 1 slate is absolutely loaded with marquee games so fans better stock up on snacks and beverages and prepare to spend endless hours in their favorite chair in front of the tube.

As we prepare to stock our fridge with all sorts of goodies to keep us satiated, let’s take a look around the country to make predictions about who wins their conference, who makes the College Football Playoff, who wins the Heisman and which coach could be the first to get the ax.

ACC Champion: Clemson Tigers

Picking the ACC champion this year was the easiest pick among the Power 5. Clemson returns their entire starting defensive line that is the best in the nation and one of the best of all-time. Look for Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant to all be first round picks in the next NFL Draft.

The biggest question for Clemson is who the starting quarterback will be at the end of the year. Kelly Bryant is the incumbent but he’s no lock to keep the job with the presence of freshman, Trevor Lawrence, who was the nation’s top recruit. He’s got much more natural talent than Bryant, but Dabo Swinney doesn’t need to rush Lawrence’s development.

Look for Swinney to operate similarly to the way they handled Deshaun Watson’s progression. Bryant will start while Lawrence gets reps in games before, ultimately, taking the job from Bryant by mid-October. I like Virginia Tech to make the ACC Championship Game but will fall to the Tigers.

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SEC Champion: Alabama Crimson Tide

The reigning national champions didn’t win the SEC last year, but I think the Crimson Tide add another conference title to the record books. Tua Tagovailoa is likely to be the team’s quarterback, leaving Jalen Hurts to the bench.

Tagovailoa has star potential, but he won’t have to do it alone with a loaded backfield boosted by the return of Damien Harris, Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs. The run game is always going to be what Nick Saban relies on to win games, but this year, Tagovailoa’s arm gives Alabama an added dimension to keep opponents off-balance. I think Auburn is the second best team in the West with Mississippi State a close third.

In the East, I think we’re headed for a rematch of the National Championship Game with Georgia clearly the top team in the division. Kirby Smart’s team lost a lot of talent to the NFL, including Sony Michel, Nick Chubb and Butkus Award winner, Roquan Smith, but the level Georgia is recruiting is able to withstand the loss of that many marquee players. Much like Alabama, Georgia is prepared to reload.