All across the United States, students are preparing to pack their bags and head back to their college dorms and dining halls. They will not be returning to an empty campus – since the end of July, student athletes have been in training to ready themselves for the season ahead. For the college football programs with dreams of conference titles and national playoffs, these early preparations are particularly crucial. Who is looking strong this summer, and who might need some extra hours on the training field?
The Southeastern Conference, or SEC, is still the powerhouse conference in NCAA football. Teams include Alabama Crimson Tide, predicted by a vast majority of coaches to win the national title this season, and the Georgia Bulldogs, who defeated the Tide in the most recent national championship game. These college football heavyweights are always in the playoff conversation, and they are dominant in a conference filled with talent. At least 1 of Alabama and Georgia has been present in the last 8 SEC championship games, and they are strong favourites for the West and East divisions respectively. LSU were national champions in 2019, but they have endured 2 difficult seasons, and it remains to be seen whether new head coach Brian Kelly can bring success back to Baton Rouge. Kentucky has done well to establish itself as a football school as well as a basketball juggernaut, but the Wildcats will struggle to unseat Georgia as the reigning champion of the SEC East.
More uncertainty surrounds the Big 12, where a number of high-profile programs are in the midst of serious overhauls. This includes the Oklahoma Sooners, who have taken on first time head coach Brent Venables and brought in a new QB, former UCF Knight Dillon Gabriel. The Sooners are a popular pick to win the Big 12 championship, but they will face a tough challenge from their local rivals, Oklahoma State. Texas offers several strong prospects, including the Baylor Bears and Texas Longhorns, but Oklahoma looks to have the advantage this season thanks to a favourable home schedule.
In the Big Ten, the conference champion is almost certainly coming from the East, where Ohio State and Michigan maintain their fierce rivalry. The Ohio State Buckeyes had won 4 Big Ten championships in a row before the Michigan Wolverines took the title last season, and both teams will enjoy twice as many home games as road games this year. The stage is set for a tight competition, and when these powerful teams meet in The Game this season, the result may be decisive for the conference as a whole. In the Big Ten West, Wisconsin and Purdue are likely to challenge last season’s winners Iowa, but the Minnesota Golden Gophers may also pose a threat.
Elsewhere in the Power Five conferences, Clemson are hot favourites to reclaim the ACC title after Pitt beat Wake Forest in the championship game last season. Defence will be key to the Clemson revival, and several new 5-star prospects should help the Tigers in their quest to win an eighth ACC championship. The Utah Utes are a frequent pick for success in the Pac-12 Conference after victory last season, and could even make a playoff run this year. Oregon looks well placed to win the Pac-12 North, while USC will give the Utes a tough battle for the South division.
With fierce rivalry contests and ascendant programs all across the country, it’s shaping up to be another thrilling season of college football. Don’t be late to school – get your tickets now!