COLLEGE FOOTBALL
With approachingthe season (Rice fast meets Stanford in Australia in late August), here are a few things to watch for.
College football season kicks off this week, well sort of. The Southeastern Conference’s media days begin Monday, so what better sign is there to signal the start of the 2017 season. It is seven weeks until the Rice Owls go Down Under to play Stanford at Sydney, Australia. The game begins at noon Aug. 27 in Australia, for a 9 p.m. kickoff in Houston on Aug. 26. Until then, a few things to ponder:
SEASON OPENERS
College football is bigger and brighter every year on opening weekend. What are the chances that two blue bloods meet in the season opener and again in the national title game in the same stadium? That could happen with Alabama and Florida State tipping off at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It is not the only blockbuster matchup scheduled Sept. 2. At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Florida faces off against Michigan, LSU takes on BYU at NRG Stadium. On Sept. 3, Texas A&M opens against UCLA in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena, Calif.
HEISMAN TROPHY FAVORITES
The list starts with last year’s winner — Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, but Southern California QB Sam Darnold is considered a strong candidate after his Rose Bowl performance last year.
Others in the mix from high-profile programs include Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, Washington quarterback Jake Browning and Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Want a dark horse? Florida State safety Derwin James might be a good choice.
THE NEXT UP: PLAYERS
Quarterback Jarrett Stidham’s winding road through Stephenville and Baylor lands him at Auburn, where the Tigers believe he is just the person to jump-start their offense. Derrius Guice isn’t Leonard Fournette, but LSU doesn’t expect a drop-off with him leading the rush out of the Tigers’ backfield. Mississippi quarterback Shea Patterson and Michigan defensive tackle Rashan Gary were among the top recruits in 2016, and both could become marquee names this year.
THE NEXT UP: COACHES
This could be a breakout year for SMU coach Chad Morris, whose Mustangs were 5-7, including an upset of then-No. 11 Houston. Clemson’s national title only shines a brighter spotlight on defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Neal Brown had Troy ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 last year, and former University of Houston and current Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando has a great opportunity in Austin under Tom Herman.
COACHING HOT SEATS
It is pretty much “win or be fired” season for Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin (pictured), Tennessee’s Butch Jones and Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly. Success hasn’t completely eluded these coaches, but it hasn’t been enough to satisfy demanding fan bases.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FAVORITES
It all starts with Southeastern Conference heavyweight Alabama. Florida State, the premier program in the Atlantic Coast Conference, is thinking national title after its Orange Bowl victory. Oklahoma, with new coach Lincoln Riley, is as loaded as ever and appears to be the class of the Big 12. Southern Cal feels bullish again in the Pac-12. Michigan, Penn State and Washington also expect to be in the playoff conversation. Graduation and the NFL hit defending national champion Clemson hard, but its stay among college football’s elite is just beginning.
THE DARK HORSES
Oklahoma State is a trendy pick because of the quarterback-receiver duo of Mason Rudolph and James Washington. The boldest of predictions have Josh Rosen’s bounceback year leading UCLA to a Pac-12 title, Bill Snyder’s coaching wizardry leading Kansas State to the playoffs or Mark Richt putting Miami back into the national title discussion after decades out of the picture.
GROUP OF FIVE CONTENDERS
Charlie Strong’s return to the Sunshine State and South Florida’s returning stars could mean a New Year’s Six bowl for the Bulls. Boise State is always in the conversation. It’s only Major Applewhite’s first year as head coach, but Houston will be mentioned. San Diego State has 22 wins over the past two seasons.
CFB PLAYOFF RANKINGS
The first one will be released by the committee Oct. 31. The playoff semifinal teams will be announced Dec. 3.
PLAYOFF ROTATION
This year, the Sugar Bowl and Rose Bowl host the College Football Playoff semifinals; the Peach, Fiesta, Cotton and Orange make up the rest of the New Year’s Six. The national championship game is set for the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 8, 2018.