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Pretty soon we'll be flipping burgers and watching the Fourth of July fireworks before college football games.
Like it or not, the "fall" season is upon us, with some teams--though, granted, none of the "big boys"--kicking off on Saturday. So, while we have to wait another week or so for the top teams to start the real chase for the BCS playoff, it's time for us to predict just which programs will be in the mix.
Here are the teams to watch in 2018 (with 2017 won-loss records in parentheses), as of August 20, 2018:
NCAA College Football (CFB) Rankings
1. Alabama, (13-1)
The defending champs are favored to repeat. What else is new? But the Crimson Tide start the season with an early test against Louisville, and that may be a tough task given the uncertainty at the all-important QB position: Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa are fighting for the job as we type this.
2. Clemson, (12-2)
The Tigers will be back. The only question is who will be under center, senior Kelly Bryant or freshman Trevor Lawrence? Lawrence is reportedly the better pure passer; Bryant is the better athlete, and he's been through the wars. Whoever gets the nod will have the opportunity to build confidence against Furman in week one.
3. Georgia, (13-2)
We're putting UGA here to start, but we won't be surprised if they top 'Bama to win the SEC... and the national championship. RBs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb are gone, but QB Jake Fromm and back D'Andre Swift return, and their experience should help the Bulldogs.
4. Oklahoma, (12-2)
We have a Big 12 fetish. We admit it. But we also think Lincoln Riley is a heck of a coach, and we think QB Kyler Murray will be a big star at the college level before he turns pro... in baseball.
5. Penn State, (12-2)
Sure, Saquon Barkley is already earning raves in the NFL, but the Nittany Lions return QB Trace McSorley and a boatload of talent on both sides of the ball. They should win the Big 10.
6. Miami, (10-3)
Is the swagger back in Coral Gables? No doubt. Will the Hurricanes back it up on the field? We think so. QB Malik Rosier is a year older, and presumably wiser, and he's got a lot of weapons at his disposal. And the defense is tough.
7. Wisconsin, (13-1)
We spent most of last season raving about RB Jonathan Taylor. Chances are, we'll be doing that again in 2018. The Badgers win ugly, but they win. With a few breaks, they could upset Penn State in the Big 10.
8. Washington, (10-3)
This may be another instance in which we like the coach--in this case, Chris Petersen--more than we like the roster. However, QB Jake Browning is back to take another stab at it, and we have a feeling this will be the year in which he puts it all together.
9. Auburn, (10-4)
The Tigers came on strong as the 2017 season wore on, and made quite a mess of the BCS in the end. We think they'll be in the mix again--from the beginning this time. Jarrett Stidham will challenge UGA's Fromm for the mantle of best QB in the SEC. But is he an NFL prospect?
10. Ohio State, (12-2)
Most preseason polls have the Buckeyes ranked higher, but we're not most polls. Fact is, there's too much of a pall over this program heading into the season to not have it affect the performance on the field. And Oregon State, even at the 'Shoe, might be too big a test at the start. Backs J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber are worth watching for fantasy rosters, though.
More NCAA Football Analysis
