The college football season has concluded, and the NFL Draft deadline has come and gone. Let’s now take a look at what college football teams are expected to round out the top 10 come August.
1. Oklahoma Sooners:
After losing two of their first three games, the Sooners went on to win eight straight, capping off their run with a 55-20 shellacking over Florida in the Cotton Bowl. Quarterback (QB) Spencer Rattler has seemed to find his stride and will be a pre-season Heisman favorite. Rattler will share the backfield with running back (RB) Kennedy Brooks, who ran for over a thousand yards in 2019 but sat out in 2020. Wide receivers (WRs) Marvin Mims and Theo Wease will also be back, making OU one of the most dangerous offenses in the country next year. The defense is also expected to be strong, led by All-American linebacker (LB) Nik Bonitto, and a talented front four. The reigning Big-12 champs will be a well-rounded team with a ton of star power on both sides of the ball, making them a force to be reckoned with.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide:
Alabama will have to replace the bulk of their offense after losing star quarterback Mac Jones, Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith as well as RB Najee Harris, and WR Jalen Waddle—all of whom were first round picks in this years draft. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is also gone along with the bulk of their 2020 offensive line. The good news is Alabama reloads better than anyone. Former 5-star recruit Bryce Young is expected to step in at quarterback and is as talented as ever. Wide receiver John Metchie and tight end (TE) Jahleel Billingsley had breakout years in 2020 and seem to just be scratching the surface. The defense is supremely talented and should be a force next year. The return of defensive lineman (DL) Phidarian Mathis and outside linebacker (OLB) Christopher Allen boosts this unit immensely. With a strong defense and young talent ready to make a splash on offense, Alabama will once again be serious contenders.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes:
The Buckeyes will have a three-man competition at quarterback between C.J. Stroud, Jake Miller III, and incoming freshmen Kyle McCord to replace Justin Fields. Whoever wins the job will be surrounded by a loaded offense. The unit received a huge boost from the surprise returns of left tackle (LT) Thayer Munford and WR Chris Olave, who were both potential first-round picks. They’ll have one of the best offensive lines in football. Olave and Garrett Wilson are perhaps the best WR duo in the country right now and will be complemented by veteran TE Jeremy Ruckert, and a plethora of young talent at WR. Defensively, Ohio State is young but far more experienced than they were going into the 2020 season. Expect this team to make a strong push for a national title.
4. Clemson Tigers:
Clemson will be returning all 11 starters on defense. It is a unit that is just as experienced as it is talented. The Tigers will have one of the most complete D-lines in the country as well as returning team captain LB James Skalski controlling traffic in between the hashes. Losing generational talent Trevor Lawrence at quarterback will hurt but D.J. Uiagalelei has proven he can be a quality starter. In his only two starts, he threw for over 800 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. He will also have one of the top WRs in the nation to throw to in Justyn Ross, who missed the 2020 season with a spinal injury. The Tigers have an early test week one versus Georgia, but if the offense can get going, they will again be contenders for a title.
5. Georgia Bulldogs:
Georgia finished their season 8-2 and went undefeated after naming QB J.T. Daniels the starter halfway through the year. Daniels will be returning along with seven other starters on offense, including their leading rusher RB Zamir White and top WR George Pickens. On defense, first-team All-SEC DT Jordan Davis will anchor a fierce front seven. After finishing their 2020 season strong and returning the majority of their staters, the Dawgs are poised to make a run.
6. Iowa State Cylclones:
The Cyclones lost by just six points to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game and then went on to beat Oregon handily in the Fiesta Bowl 34-17. Now with a stunning 19 of 22 starters returning, Iowa State could make even more noise in 2021.
7. Texas A&M Aggies:
Texas A&M’s only loss of the year came week two at the hands of the eventual national champs in Alabama. The Aggies then reeled off eight straight wins including a victory over UNC in the Orange Bowl. They ranked 9th in total defense last season and are returning a majority of their playmakers. Four-year starter QB Kellen Mond is gone but almost all of their skill-position players remain. Head Coach (HC) Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies have the potential to compete for an SEC title and beyond next year.
8. Indiana Hoosiers:
Indiana proved to be Ohio State’s toughest test in conference play last year losing by only one score. HC Tom Allen seems to have established a winning culture in Bloomingdale and many of his big-time players are set to return. As long as standout QB Michael Penix Jr. recovers from the torn ACL he suffered in November, the Hoosiers look set for another big season.
9. Cincinnati Bearcats:
The Bearcats fell just three points short of an undefeated season versus Georgia in the Peach Bowl. Now, QB and AAC Offensive Player of the year Desmond Ridder has decided to run it back for one more shot at the Playoff. With several other key players returning, Cincinnati could creep up on some people in 2021.
10. North Carolina Tar Heels:
UNC is coming off of a Sugar Bowl appearance and is bringing back one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Sam Howell. Howell will be an expected Heisman candidate and HC Mack Brown has made significant progress since he arrived in Chapel Hill just two years ago. In 2021, the Tar Heels will look to take the next step.
