Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

 As we prepare for the start of college football, it’s time to start making predictions for the College Football Playoff.

My first and easiest pick will be last year’s national runner up, the Clemson Tigers. Clemson was very close to becoming the first ever 15-0 team last year, and they bring back enough weapons this year to try to make that a reality. Quarterback Deshaun Watson returns for his third year s the starter after throwing for 4,000 yards and rushing for 1,000 last year. Also coming back will be running back Wayne Gallman who rushed for 1,500 yards last season as well as five of Clemson’s top six receivers from last season. Mike Williams, Clemson’s top receiver from 2014, will be back after missing 2015 due to injury.

My second pick will be the Michigan Wolverines. Jim Harbaugh showed last season why he is one of the best football coaches around when he turned a Michigan team that hadn’t been relevant in ten years into a possible playoff contender. This year, Michigan features an offense that will return eight starters including one of the nation’s top tight ends in Jake Butt. The Wolverines will have to replace their quarterback, but Harbaugh is known for being able to plug and play as well as getting above average play from average players. The defense will have to replace six starters, but getting strong defensive play is also a mainstay of any Harbaugh team. If Michigan can get past a road trip to Rival Ohio State, who suffered a mass exodus to the NFL draft, they will be in good shape.

My third pick is the one I have least faith in which is the Oklahoma Sooners.  Oklahoma went through a resurgence last season, which saw them advance all the way to the playoff, and they are in position to repeat this year. The Sooners will have to replace the bulk of their defense as well as star receiver Sterling Sheppard. However, the key this season will be returning quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield showed game changing ability last year as he flourished in Lincoln Riley’s offense and is armed this year with two elite running backs in Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon. The Sooners must watch out for upset minded Houston week 1 but after that, their schedule favors them.

My last pick is the most controversial, the Tennessee Volunteers. I have bought in to what Butch Jones has done and I am bought in to the Volunteers this year. Tennessee will be the most experienced team in the SEC this year, led by three year starter Josh Dobbs and a monster of a running attack. The Vols defense, which was formidable last year, will also get a boost as Bob Shoop was brought in to give them a more aggressive approach. Many people in this state seem to forget that the Vols very nearly ruined Alabama’s season last year. If Dobbs can improve on his deep passing game, Tennessee will be a force to be reckoned with.