The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Preseason Top 10, with 2017 games to watch
We listed our preseason After the Tailgate Top 10, plus games to watch and Heisman Trophy contenders.
It’s interesting to note Alabama and USC faced off in last season’s opener.
It was a disaster for the Trojans, who lost to the Crimson Tide, 52-6.
So much has changed since that game, at least from the USC side.
The Trojans have a found a Heisman candidate at QB, while Alabama keeps rolling with its own star QB.
The 2017 season no doubt will be the year of the quarterback. Here’s our preseason After the Tailgate Top 10, plus games to watch and Heisman Trophy contenders.
Preseason Top 10
1. ALABAMA » Defensive stars Jonathan Allen and Reuben Foster are the biggest losses on a unit that allowed 13 points per game in 2016, but quarterback Jalen Hurts is back as a sophomore. Anyone willing to bet against the Tide not at least making it back to the national championship game? 2. USC » Here’s how important QB Sam Darnold is to the Trojans: Before he was the starter, USC was floundering at 1-3. With Darnold (3,085 yards, 31 touchdown passes in 2016), it won nine straight, including wins over Pac-12 champ Washington and Big Ten champ Penn State in the Rose Bowl. 3. FLORIDA STATE » The defending ACC champs will be buoyed by the return of sophomore QB Deondre Francois. 4. OKLAHOMA » Coach Bob Stoops retired in the offseason, but the good news for replacement Lincoln Riley is in the form of a firstyear coach’s best friend: senior QB Baker Mayfield, who was third last year in voting for the Heisman Trophy. 5. OHIO STATE » The Buckeyes made the College Football Playoff last season, but weren’t Big Ten champs. The title went to Penn State. The teams should battle it out for the East Division so circle Oct. 28, when the Nittany Lions play in Columbus. 6. WASHINGTON » The Huskies’ only loss in Pac-12 play was to
USC. The teams don’t play this season, but since they are in opposite divisions they could play in the conference championship game. Imagine Darnold vs. Washington’s Jake Browning with the winner headed to the CFP. 7. PENN STATE » QB Trace McSorley became a lethal deep passer for the Lions, and Saquon Barkley might be the best running back in the nation. 8. OKLAHOMA STATE » QB Mason Rudolph (4,091 yards, 28 TDs) and WR James Washington (1,380 yards, 10 TDs) are big-time players. 9. AUBURN » QB Jarret Stidham, a transfer from Baylor, is the player to watch. He showed flashes at Baylor two seasons ago, and if he settles in, watch out for the Tigers’ offense. 10. CLEMSON » Deshaun Watson’s replacement at QB is the biggest question mark in Death Valley. WATCH LIST » Wisconsin, Georgia, Michigan, LSU, Louisville
Nonconference games to watch
SEPT. 2 » Florida vs. Michigan at Arlington, Texas, 3:30 p.m. (WEWS); Alabama vs. Florida State at Atlanta, 8 p.m. (WEWS) SEPT. 9 » Auburn at Clemson, 7 p.m. (ESPN); Oklahoma at Ohio State, 7:30 p.m. (WEWS); Georgia at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. (WKYC); Stanford at USC, 8:30 p.m. (WJW) SEPT. 16 » Texas at USC, 8:30 p.m., WJW
Area Division II, III games to watch
SEPT. 2 » Wisconsin-Oshkosh at John Carroll, 1 p.m. SEPT. 9 » Tiffin at Lake Erie College, noon SEPT. 16 » John Carroll at Baldwin Wallace, 2 OCT. 28 » Washington (Mo.) at Case Western Reserve, 2 p.m. NOV. 11 » Mount Union at John Carroll, 1:30 p.m.
Heisman Trophy watch
1. SAM DARNOLD, QB, USC » Last time we saw Darnold, he torched Penn State for 453 yards and five touchdown passes in the Rose Bowl. 2. LAMAR JACKSON, QB, LOUISVILLE » Remember Jackson? He won the Heisman last season with more than 5,000 total yards and 51 touchdowns. 3. J.T. BARRETT, QB, OHIO STATE » He’s finally a senior, and if he finds the magic of 2014 (3,800 total yards, 45 touchdowns), he’ll be in the Heisman mix. 4. BAKER MAYFIELD, QB, OKLAHOMA » Threw for 3,965 yards and 40 touchdowns for the 2016 Big 12 champions. 5. SAQUON BARKLEY, RB, PENN STATE » As a sophomore in 2016, Barkley rushed for 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Contact Podolski at MPodolski@NewsHerald.com; On Twitter: @mpodo