Tag: Penn State Nittany Lions

The Best and Worst Coaching Hires in College Football…..So Far.

This 2025-26 college football season has not only been completely wonky on the field, but also, off the field.

So many head coaches were fired during the season, that it was hard to keep track of who was coming and going.

The upheaval of not just the program and players on the teams, but also the families of those assistant coaches.

This “win now mentality” at programs and with the donors, is actually hurting the programs, not helping.

These schools like to complain that they’re “operating at a loss”, then they go and fire a head coach, that has a $33 million dollar buyout clause (Michigan State with Jonathan Smith).

They wonder why a significant number of fans have no loyalty or sympathy anymore, THAT’S WHY!!!

All that aside, I’m going to tell you which hires were good. Which hires were bad. Which coaches out there, deserve a chance at being a head coach.

LSU has hired Lane Kiffin away from fellow SEC rival Ole Miss. I see a lot of media pundits giving this an A to A+ grade. I DON’T SEE IT.

While I don’t think this move is as bad as the Brian Kelly hire (which I despised from the nanosecond it was announced), for what LSU wants to do, it isn’t all that much better either.

Kiffin has a career record of 13-25 against Top 25 teams.

He’s going to give the Tigers much more credibility in the south with recruits again, and the offense will be better.

This is a simple B hire.

Virginia Tech went out and hired former Penn State head coach James Franklin.

The Hokies have been mostly irrelevant since Frank Beamer retired.

This is an A hire.

Franklin is a program builder. He did it at Vanderbilt, which had been a joke for basically a half century, and turned them into a consistent winner and to bowl eligibility. He took over a Penn State program that was dead in the water after the sex abuse scandal and took them to the College Football National Championship Semi-Finals, just last season.

He knows the Eastern Midwest and Mid-Atlantic recruiting scene very well. We’ve already seen recruits that decommitted from Penn State, follow and announce their intentions to play for the Hokies next season.

I’m not saying he’s going to bring a Natty to Blacksburg, but Virginia Tech will be an ACC power player as early as next season, and beyond.

GREAT MOVE by VT.

UCLA has hired Bob Chesney away from James Madison, to be their next head coach.

From all accounts, and from JMU fans that I’ve spoken to, he’s a good guy.

Chesney is known for being a “turnaround artist”. He turned around programs such as Salve Regina (D3), Assumption University (D2), and Holy Cross (FCS), before going 20-5 at JMU.

He has a long history of coaching at programs that have rigourous academic standards.

The biggest problem is that he has 0 recruiting ties to the west coast, and doesn’t have the name recognition, that will keep players. The Bruins don’t have the cache to recruit nationwide, so keeping California kids’ home is paramount to their success.

I’m rooting for the guy, and hope he brings glory back to the gold and blue, but right now, this is a D hire.

If you’ve been following me on Twitter/X (JoeAmerican6771); I’ve been SCREAMING this guy’s name.

Bryant Haines.

He’s the current defensive coordinator for the Indiana Hoosiers and had the same role at James Madison. He followed Curt Cignetti from the Dukes to the Hoosiers.

Yes, he’s an assistant coach.

Yes, he doesn’t have head coaching experience.

He’s had staggering success at JMU and Indiana, where he turned poor defenses into top ranked defenses.

I STRONGLY believe that the aforementioned James Madison, should bring him back home, and make him their new head coach.

They’ve seen him succeed not just on the field, but off the field in recruiting the Carolinas’ and VA/DC area. Which is vital to a program like JMU, because they don’t have a nationwide network.

I think whichever team gets him, is going to get a gem.

The worst hire so far of this cycle, is the Stanford Cardinal hiring Tavita Pritchard as their next head coach.

Yes, I understand that he played QB there.

Yes, I understand that like Chesney above, he gets the difficulty of an academic power.

The truth, and fact of the matter is that he was never going to get a head coaching gig other than Stanford. This was Cardinal GM Andrew Luck keeping this cheap and in house.

To me, this is a F.

Head coach Kalani Sitake will remain at BYU, after agreeing to a long-term extension on Tuesday.

He had very heavy interest from the Penn State to make him their next head coach.

Since taking over as the head coach of the Cougars in 2016, he has an 83-44 overall record at BYU.

He has previous coaching stops at Oregon State, Utah, Southern Utah, and Eastern Arizona.

All these stops in the Mountain and Western time zones, has allowed him to build a very solid recruiting base and pipeline.

This is a solid A move by BYU.

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Question – With Penn State getting rebuffed, who do you think the Nittany Lions will end up hiring as their next head coach?

– by Sean McKenzie

Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave and SI.

December 2, 2025
College Football Mid-Season Awards.

We are halfway through the 2025-26 college football season, and what an absolutely WILD ride it has been.

Big name head coaches have already been fired this season. James Franklin (Penn State), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Trent Dilfer (UAB), Sam Pittman (Arkansas), Brent Fry (Virginia Tech), and a few others.

Teams that a lot of “media pundits” thought would be in the national title picture are fighting just to stay at .500, like Penn State, Texas, and Clemson.

There have been teams that have “overachieved”, so far this season, like Indiana, Georgia Tech, USF, and Virginia.

Heisman “front runners” like Arch Manning, Drew Allar, and Cade Klubnik, have not lived up to the hype.

For the best coffee and lattes in Van Wert County, stop in at The Rebel Bean. Check out their Facebook page for hours and drink menu.

The race for the college football playoff spot in the “Group of 5” is ABSOLUTELY LIT!!!

Navy, Memphis, USF, Tulane, Western Kentucky, UNLV, San Diego State, and James Madison, are all either undefeated or only have 1 loss. As much we all love the “Power 4” conference games, the “G5” school games are just as fun to watch. I highly recommend everyone watch these games, as the race for that spot, is going to be so much fun.

I could go on and out, but, without further ado, HERE are your mid-season awards.

Heisman Trophy – Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt Commodores.

The Heisman Trophy is an INDIVDUAL award, not a team award.

Without Diego Pavia, the Vanderbilt Commodores are probably 0-6, instead of 5-1.

He’s the best dual quarterback in the country right now.

He’s thrown for 1,409 yards, with 14 TDs to 4 INTs, as well as running for 60 carries, for 352 yards, with 2 TDs.

Pavia IS Commodore football.

Runner-up – Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor Bears.

Coach of the Year – Curt Cignetti, Indiana Hoosiers.

Nobody, and I mean, nobody, including myself, thought that the Indiana Hoosiers, would be a Top 3 football team in the country.

He won the award last season, and is the front runner this season, as they are currently undefeated (6-0) and ranked #3 in America. He has this team playing hard, playing fast, and most importantly, playing smart. Only 19 penalties in 6 games.

Runner-up – Brent Key, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Bronco Nagurski Award – Bryun Parham, EDGE/LB, UConn.

Boo Hoo Hoo, he doesn’t play for a “Power 5” school.

Go watch the film, and tell me another player that is playing as consistently, and demanding the double and even triple teams, that Parham is?

I’ll wait…….

He has 47 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries.

He’s ALWAYS around the football and making plays.

Runner-up – Aamaris Brown, DB, UNLV.

– by Sean McKenzie

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Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, MSN, clutchpoints, and courant.

October 13, 2025
Week 6 College Football Recap and Helmet Stickers.

WOW!!!

That’s the only word that can describe Week 6 of the college football season.

Then ranked #7 Penn State got beat 42-37, by a UCLA Bruins team, that hadn’t won a game all season.

Then #9 Texas lost to unranked Florida 29-21, in the swamp.

FYI, the final scores of those games do not indicate the true picture of how bad PSU and UT actually looked on the field.

Then #14 Iowa State could not overcome losing BOTH their starting CBs for the season, during the week, and lost to unranked Cincinnati 38-30.

The #3 Hurricanes and then ranked #18 Seminoles gave us a great game, as Miami won 28-22.

#10 Alabama got revenge on then ranked #16 Vanderbilt 30-14. In a game that was closer than the final score as well.

Then ranked #24 Virigina beat Louisville, in overtime, 30-27. The ACC has been completely whack-a-doo so far this season.

With so many performances to choose from, HERE are the Week 6 college football Helmet Stickers Awards.

(Team) UCLA Bruins.

The Bruins hadn’t won a game all season AND already fired their head coach. EVERYONE had written them off for this season, but they reminded the whole college football world to, NEVER POKE A BEAR.

Congratulations to all the players and staff.

(Offense) Blake Horvath, QB, Navy Midshipmen.

When you hear “Navy football”, you think Option and Wing-T offense. However, in the 1st leg of the Commander-in-Chiefs Trophy, Horvath set a school record with 469 total yards. He went 20 of 26 passing, for 339 yards, with 3 TDs and 0 INTs, as well as having 17 carries, for 130 yards, and 1 TD, in a 34-31 win over Air Force.

(Defense) Nathan Voorhis, DE, Ball State.

The defensive end had 8 total tackles, and 3.5 sacks on the day, as his timely defensive plays, helped lead the Ball State Cardinals to a 20-14, come from behind win, over the defending MAC champion Ohio Bobcats.

Who would you give a helmet sticker to???

– by Sean McKenzie

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Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, yardbarker, and thestarpress.

Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.

October 7, 2025
Week 5 College Football Recap and Helmet Stickers.

(all rankings are current)

What a banger of a college football weekend it was!!!

We had instant classics, as the #2 Oregon Ducks, went into Happy Valley, during a whiteout game, and beat the #7 Penn State Nittany Lions 30-24 in double overtime.

The #10 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide went in “Between the Hedges” and ended the nation’s longest home winning streak, as they beat the #12 ranked Georgia Bulldogs 24-21.

The Virigina Cavaliers pulled a major upset in double overtime, beating the (then #8), #18 Florida State Seminoles 46-38. Then followed that by having the fastest storming of the field, that I’ve ever seen. LOL. (see final play and students storm the field in video below.)

The #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes went into Husky Stadium and ended the nation’s 2nd longest home winning streak, beating the Washington Huskies, 24-6, in a very workman like performance.

It also took overtime for #15 ranked Tennessee and #16 ranked Georgia Tech to get wins over Mississippi State and Wake Forest (41-34 and 30-29).

Unfortunately, we had another head coach lose their job, as Arkansas fired Sam Pittman (really dumb move in my personal opinion) after getting their butt whooped by #22 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish 56-13, at home. Bobby Petrino has been named interim head coach.

With so many performances to choose from, HERE are the Week 5 College Football Helmet Stickers.

(Team) #22 Illinois Fighting Illini.

After getting absolutely molly-whopped last week, the Fighting Illini, showed some fight. They went toe-to-toe with (then ranked#21) USC Trojans and won the game, 34-32, on a 41-yard field goal as time expired. This was a great game, that showcased the best of both teams. Illinois showed the country, that they are going to get up and fight, after being knocked down. Statement win.

(Offense) Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech

The senior quarterback did everything, and then some, as he led the Yellow Jackets to a hard fought victory.

King went 28 of 42, for 243 yards, with 1 TD and 0 INTs. He also had 21 carries, for 106 yards, with 2 TDs.

Because of him, Georgia Tech is not only highly ranked, but undefeated at 5-0.

(Defense) Noah Avinger, CB, Utah State.

The 6’0 senior cornerback, was all over the field on Saturday afternoon, as he helped the Utah State Aggies, give the #18 ranked Vanderbilt Commodores, all they could handle, in a 55-35 loss.

He had 12 tackles, and an interception.

Who would you give a helmet sticker to?

– by Sean McKenzie.

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Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, on3, and kslsports.

September 30, 2025
Top 3 College Football Games to Watch for Week 5.

Week 5 of the college football season starts tonight, with the Army Black Knights (1-2) at East Carolina Pirates (2-2), at 7:30 PM (EST) on ESPN.

With conference play underway, the games start to have serious meaning towards season goals, and ultimately, the college football playoffs.

With so many great games available to watch, I’m here to give you the 3 games that you should.

1) #6 Oregon Ducks (4-0) at #3 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0).
Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on NBC and Peacock.

The highflying Ducks offense is traveling across the country to take on the Nittany Lions, in Penn State’s “White out game”.

Sophomore QB Dante Moore has thrown for 962 yards with 11 TDs to only 1 INT. He’s completing 74.7% of his throws so, and the offense just hums along with quick strikes. The defense plays fast and downhill, making it difficult for opposing offenses to get anything started.

The Penn State offense has been anemic to say the least. Has head coach James Franklin been holding back so far?

The Nittany Lions have arguably the best running back tandem in the country with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. They have a combined 8 TDs so far. QB Drew Allar was some people’s “QB1”, and he’s only thrown 4 TDs through 3 games. Their defense as always is tough and gets pressure on the quarterback. DC Jim Knowles will scheme something up for this big matchup.

Prediction – Penn State is 13-8 in “White out games”, make it 13-9, as Oregon wins this game 31-27.

2) #17 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-1) at #5 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0).
Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on ABC.

Where is the running game? They’ve only rushed for a combined 371 yards and 4 TDs, through 3 games. Where is the defense? They only have 4 sacks total. Can junior QB Ty Simpson carry this team? He’s thrown for 862 yards, with 9 TDs and 0 INTs so far. He just might have to find some magic.

The Bulldogs have found their running game. They have 3 HBs already over 100 yards each, and as a team, have run for 627 yards and 10 TDs. That means that junior QB Gunnar Stockton just need to not make mistakes, and he’s done that so far, throwing for 722 yards, with 4 TDs and 0 INTs. It’s Georgia, which means fast and active linebackers and safeties flying all over the field making tackles.

Prediction – I think this game is going to be ugly for Alabama. Give me Georgia to win 42-21.

3) #1 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) at Washington Huskies (3-0).
Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on CBS and Paramount+.

The Buckeyes have arguably the best WR tandem in America, with WRs Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. That means sophomore QB Julian Sayin has a big edge. He’s thrown for 779 yards, with 8 TDs and 3 INTs. Projected starting HBs James Peoples and CJ Donaldson have been disappointing, but freshman HB Bo Jackson has done great in his brief appearances. On defense, S Caleb Downs is a playmaker that every team avoids, so LBs Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, are free to fly all over and wreak havoc.

The Huskies offensive gameplan is simple; get the ball to senior HB Jonah Coleman, as much as possible. He has 51 carries, for 347 yards, and 9 TDs. Sophomore QB Demond Williams Jr, is a dual threat as well. He’s thrown for 778 yards, with 6 TDs and 0 INTs, but he’s also ran the ball 34 times, for 220 yards, with 2 TDs.

KEY STAT: Washington has won 22 straight games at home.

TRAP GAME ALERT!!!

Prediction – The Huskies are going to give the Buckeyes, all they can handle. I won’t be shocked if they pull off the massive upset. However, I’m going with Ohio State to win a close game 42-38.

– by Sean McKenzie.

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Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, USAToday, ESPN, and CBSSports.

Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.

September 25, 2025
The Real College Football Power Rankings For Week 3.

Week 2 of the college football season has come and gone.

We saw a big upset in USF over Florida.

Oregon absolutely smoked Oklahoma State.

Georgia and Clemson struggled offensively against inferior opponents in Austin Peay and Troy.

Arch Manning and Texas rebounded against San Jose State.

As things start to settle in with teams, I’m here to give you the REAL Power Rankings. Not that bias crap that ESPN and the AP spits out there.

1) Ohio State Buckeyes. (2-0).
2) Oregon Ducks. (2-0),
3) LSU Tigers. (2-0)
4) Miami Hurricanes. (2-0).
5) Penn State Nittany Lions. (2-0).
6) Georgia Bulldogs. (2-0).
7) Florida State Seminoles. (2-0).
8) Tennessee Volunteers. (2-0).
9) Illinois Fighting Illini. (2-0).
10)South Florida Bulls. (2-0).

Yes, I put the USF in the Top 10.

They are the only team with two, Top 25 wins so far this season. If a Power 4 school had won at Boise State and at Florida, in back-to-back weeks, the mainstream sports media would be heaping praise on them.

Since they weren’t “ranked” before the season started, they’re being ignored, and given a “courtesy ranking” by the clowns at ESPN and the AP.

I omitted the Texas Longhorns, because their offense is struggling. Yes, Arch Manning threw for 4 TD’s, but 3 of those were on busted coverages and most of his passes, were under 4 yards.

BOLO – Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Texas A&M Aggies, and Vanderbilt Commodores.

– by Sean McKenzie

Pictures courtesy of…..drroto and wallpapercave.

September 9, 2025
Top 10 Returning College Football Players (Non-QB).
With the 2025-26 college football season starting in just under 100 days; I thought we should look and talk about the best returning players in the sport.

This list does not include quarterbacks. Yes, it’s the most important position. There will be a sperate list for that.

Y’all know me, so let’s get right into it.
1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State.
2024 stats – 76 receptions, for 1,315 yards, with 15 TDs.

Smith broke multiple records at Ohio State in his freshman season with ease. He was the Big Ten Receiver of the Year, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and was a First-Team All-American.

The crazy thing is that the 6’3″, 215 lbs sophomore, still has 2 years of college football to play. He was unguardable last season and will continue to improve under OC/WR coach Brian Hartline.

Smith could walk into the NFL and be WR1 for most teams today. He has the size, speed, and hands to dominate the game for the next decade.

2, Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State.

2024 stats – 81 total tackles, .5 sacks, 2 INTs, 6 PDs, 1 Punt Return TD.

The 6’0″, 205 lbs junior can do everything on defense. He can come down and play in the box. He’s an excellent blitzer, hitting the gaps with speed. He can deliver big hits. He can drop back and play the deep safety. He can come up and play in the slot. He does it all.

He adds additional value in the return game, as evidenced by his punt return touchdown against Indiana.

As a sophomore last season, he won Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year Award. He was a finalist for the Thorpe Award, and the Nagurski Award. He was also named a unanimous first team All-American.

3. Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas

2024 stats – 113 total tackles, 8 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 1 PD.

The 6’3″, 235 lbs junior was a second-team All-American last season. He has the speed and burst to beat the offensive tackle off the snap and is able to drop back in coverage. He goes for the football, evidenced by his 4 forced fumbles.

4. Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama.

2024 stats – 48 receptions, for 865 yards, with 8 TDs.

The 6’0″, 185 lbs Williams started his freshman season very strong, scoring a touchdown in his first five games. The first thing that comes to mind when talking about him is SPEEEEEEDDDD.

Williams is very fast, and if you don’t get hands on him at the line of scrimmage, you’re eating dust and seeing his numbers.

He faded in the second half of last season. Teams figured out that he can be bullied on the LOS and be taken out of the play because of his small size.

I think that changes this season, and he’ll be better using his hands of the snap. He was first-team All-SEC and Freshman All-American.

5. Jeremiyah Love, HB, Notre Dame.

2024 stats – 163 carries, for 1,125 yards, with 17 TDs. 28 receptions for 237 yards, with 2 TDs.

The 6’0″, 212 lbs junior is the best running back in the country, especially when he’s healthy. All those numbers you see above and the highlights on YouTube, he did all that while battling a number of injuries.

He has the speed to score from anywhere on the field. The power to break tackles and run between the lines. He has the hands to catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s improved his pass blocking and blitz pickup as he’s progressed in his time in South Bend.

Fighting Irish OC Mike Denbrock even said that he was going to “deploy Love in the slot this season”, showing the he can be a playmaker anywhere.

6. T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson.

2024 stats – 57 total tackles, 11 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 PD.

The 6’3″, 265 lbs junior set a new school record for forced fumbles and had the most sacks in a season for Clemson, since 2018. He has good burst at the snap, and he’s always looking for the football.

Even if the offensive tackle gets his hands inside on him, Parker still has the strength to force him into the pocket and force the quarterback to get out of his rhythm.

Parker was the only FBS player in 2024 to finish in the Top 10 nationally in sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles.

7. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech.

2024 stats – 127 total tackles, 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT, 4 PD, 1 Defensive TD.

The 6’1″, 230 lbs senior is a tackling machine. He has the speed to play sideline-to-sideline. He has the strength to take on DT (see Iowa State game), and the toughness to take on the strongest of HBs at the LOS (see the hit on Arizona State HB Cam Skattebo).

He has great hand usage, to get off of blockers and make the tackle. He wraps up and doesn’t let go.

He was named Captain as a junior and has the complete trust of his teammates and coaches.

8. Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn State.

2024 stats – 42 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 3 PD.

The 6’5″, 265 lbs, senior has ideal size and length at the position. He has the burst to win off the edge and strength to bull rush through the offensive tackles body.

He more than held his own, playing opposite of #3 draft pick Abdul Carter last season.

He played his best football in the college football playoffs, getting 4.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and an INT in those 3 games.

With new DC Jim Knowles now running the defense, he’ll have even more opportunities to make his mark this upcoming season.

9. Matayo Uiagalelei, OLB/EDGE, Oregon.

2024 stats – 38 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 INT, 1 PD.

The 6’5″, 270 lbs junior led the Big Ten in sacks last season. He had at least one sack in nine straight games. He’s a straight pass rushing LB.

He’s not going to go out there and keep up with TEs on verts and crosses.

He’s going to give you strength, effort, a relentless motor, and more often than not, he wins his matchups.

10. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson.

2024 stats – 26 total tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 5 QB hurries.

The 6’3″, 315 lbs junior is the best DT in America, and possibly the best overall defensive lineman in college football.

That’s right, I said it.

Woods has the strength and speed inside, to demand double teams on every play. You absolutely cannot have him one on one. What makes him even better, is that he can kick out and not only play DE but play it well.

He can play in either a 4-3 or a 3-4, and be just as productive in both schemes.

He plays his best games, against the best teams (see Georgia and Texas games) last season.

Putting my “fan cap” on, I’d LOVE to see him in my Cleveland Browns Orange next season.

There you go, the 10 best non-QB returning players for the upcoming college football season.

Do you agree or disagree?

Who would put in or take out?

Let me know.

– by Sean McKenzie

Follow me on X (Twitter) at JoeAmerican6771 and allsportsfancom.

Stats and information courtesy of…..ESPN and NCAA.

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, athlonsports, on3, 247sports, clutchpoints, tigernet,texasfootball, clemsontigers, cnn.
May 23, 2025
My College Football 2025 Way Too Early, Top 10 Rankings.

The sparse spring football games are over.

The spring transfer portal is closed.

The college football calendar has a brief lull in it, as graduation ceremonies start taking place, and summer break coming up.

So, I figured now is the time to get my 1st “rankings” article out.

There is NO “clear cut” number 1 team out there this upcoming season. They all have weaknesses, they’ve lost a lot of starters, they got a new quarterback, got to rebuild the offensive line, etc, etc.

So, here we go….

#1 Penn State Nittany Lions.

WE ARE PENN STATE!!!

The Nittany Lions have my #2 ranked returning QB returning in Drew Allar. They have my #1 returning backfield in HBs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. They always have a guy that can rush the quarterback.

They got 2 EXCELLENT transfer WRs in Trebor Pena (84 catches, for 941 yards and 9 TDs at Syracuse), and Devonte Ross (76 catches, for 1,043 yards, and 11 TDs from Troy).

They get the Oregon Ducks at home on September 27th. They have back-to-back road games against Iowa on October 18th, then get 13 days off before going into Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 1st.

#2 Texas Longhorns.

The “Arch Manning Era” has officially begun.

He did well, when he had to start for the injured Quinn Ewers, going 61 of 90, for 939 yards, with 9 TDs and 2 INTs, PLUS, don’t forget about his running ability. 25 carries, for 108 yards and 4 TDs. Can he stand up to a full season of college football? We’ll see.

They brought in 4 defensive linemen from the transfer portal (Maraad Watson, Travis Shaw, Cole Brevard, and Lavon Johnson). They’re going to rely on 2 freshmen at WR in Ryan Wingo and transfer Emmett Mosley V, to come in and keep the recent trend of strong play, going at that position.

They open the season at Ohio State on August 30th. That will be a HUGE game for both teams. Of course, you have the Red Rivalry against Oklahoma on September 11th, but their 2nd hardest game isn’t until November 11th at Georgia.

#3 Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Buckeyes have the #1 offensive player in the country in WR Jeremiah Smith AND the #1 defensive player in the country in S Caleb Downs.

YES, they have to replace 14 players that were drafted into the NFL in April, but they always have one of the top recruiting classes every year, so the cupboard is never bare, let alone dearth. Transfer TE Max Klare (51 catches, for 685 yards and 4 TDs) from Purdue will add a different dimension to the passing game over the middle. DE Beau Atkinson (35 tackles, and 7.5 sacks) the transfer from North Carolina will look to ease the loss of Sawyer and JTT.

The biggest question is….Who is the starting QB?

My source in Columbus has told me that Julian Sayin has already wrapped it up, the coaching staff is just keeping it to themselves.

Ohio State gets Texas at home in the season opener. That game will say a lot about where this team is with all the new players and new staff. Of course, the biggest game in ALL of college sports is Ohio State vs Michigan on November 29th.

#4 Georgia Bulldogs.

HC Kirby Smart is always going to put a tough defense on the field. He went out and got LB Elo Modozie (34 tackles and 6.5 sacks) from Army, to add to returning LBs CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson.

Transfer HB Josh McCray (117 carries, for 609 yards and 10 TDs) from Illinois will add some old-school between the tackles toughness, to compliment the speed of returning HB Nate Fraizer. They’re hoping that transfer WRs Noah Thomas (Texas A&M) and Zachariah Branch (USC) add some much needed production outside.

They do get Alabama (9/27) and Texas (11/15) at home this season. They have no real “road test” in 2025. They play Florida in their rivalry game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

#5 Clemson Tigers.

The Tigers have my #1 ranked QB in all of college football in Cade Klubnik. He has returning playmakers at WR in Antonio Williams and Bryant Westco, and an experienced offensive line in front of him.

They have no running game to speak of, as Phil Mafah went to the NFL and Jay Haynes is still recovering from a torn ACL. Freshman HB Gideon Davidson COULD start from day one. He was the #3 ranked HB in the 2025 recruiting class.

They open the season against LSU at home on August 30th. That’ll be a tough game. The ACC isn’t what it once was. Their toughest conference games are home against SMU (10/18) and at Louisville (11/14).

#6 LSU Tigers.

My #3 ranked QB Garrett Nussmeimer threw for over 4,000 yards and 29 TDs last season. He got help at WR in the transfer portal with Nic Anderson (Oklahoma) and Barion Brown (Kentucky) coming in.

They did lose 4 starters on the offensive line, so that is a problem. HC Brian Kelly is hoping that transfers C Braelin Moore (Virginia Tech) and G Josh Thompson (Northwestern) will step in and sure up that weakness.

The defense is hoping that LB Harold Perkins Jr is able to get back to his freshman and sophomore numbers, after only playing in 4 games last season, due to injury.

The Tigers play the afore mentioned Clemson Tigers on the road to start the season. They play Alabama (11/8) on the road, but they do get Florida (9/13), South Carolina (10/11), and Texas A&M (10/25) at home this season.

#7 Oregon Ducks.

There is a tight QB battle between former 5-star recruit Dante Moore and Austin Novosad. Whoever wins that race just needs to not do anything stupid. This is a young team on offense, that will probably really on the running game. Big time transfer HB Makhi Hughes comes in from Tulane, where he had 265 carries, for 1,401 yards, and 15 TDs.

HC Dan Lanning always has a good defense on the field, and this season is no exception, as LBs Devon Jackson, Teitum Tuioti, Matayo Uiagalelei, and leading tackler Bryce Boettcher return.

They get Oklahoma State at home September 6th, which is a sleeper great game. Conference games at Penn State (9/27) and at Iowa (11/8) are their toughest in conference opponents.

#8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

The Fighting Irish have arguably the #1 ranked HB in the country Jeremiyah Love back. Junior HB Jadarian Price isn’t a slouch as a backup either (120A-746Y-7TDs).

They got some much needed help at WR in the portal with Malachi Fields (Virginia) and Will Pauling (Wisconsin).

They lost 3 contributors along the offensive line, so that vaunlted depth that ND usually has is gone this season.

They have a QB battle between freshman CJ Carr and sophomore Kenny Minchey. According to reports, Carr had the edge coming out of spring practice.

Notre Dame has a tough 2 games to open the season. They play at Miami(FL) on (8/31), then they have Texas A&M at home on (9/13).

#9 Alabama Crimson Tide.

Yes, HC Kalen DeBoer had a rough first season as the HC, but there is too much talent on this team to fall completely off the map.

WR Ryan Williams is back after his breakout freshman season. He added 6’5″ transfer WR Isaiah Horton from Miami (FL) to add some size. The offensive line returns 3 starters, including LT Kadyn Proctor.

Experienced LBs Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson return. CB Domani Jackson and S Keon Sabb are back in the secondary.

Alabama plays Georgia in Athens on (9/27) but gets LSU at home on (11/8). The Iron Bowl against in-state rival Auburn, is in Auburn on (11/29).

#10 Illinois Fighting Illini.

That’s right I said it!!!

The Fighting Illini won 10 games last season, and are returning their starting QB Luke Altmyer, all 5 starting offensive linemen, their entire starting secondary, and their best LB Gabe Jacas.

They got WR Hudson Clement (West Virginia) in the portal, along with DL James Thompson Jr (Wisconsin), Curt Neal (Wisconsin), and Tomiwa Durojaiye (Florida State).

They should be undefeated heading into their home game against USC (9/27). They get Ohio State at home on (10/11). They have to face Wisconsin (11/22) in Madison, and I know that Luke is angry about losing starters to Bielema.

This team could absolutely sneak into the Big Ten title game and maybe the College Football Playoffs.

Question – Who is your surprise team for the upcoming college football season?

– by Sean McKenzie

Stats and information courtesy of…..ESPN and NCAA.

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapersafari and on3.

May 9, 2025