- Alabama- Saban's dynasty is obviously number one after an impressive championship season. Even after losing key championship pieces like starters Derrick Henry, Reggie Ragland, Ryan Kelly, Jarran Reed and more they are still loaded with the likes of Cam Robinson, Bo Scarbrough, Calvin Ridley and O.j Howard on the offensive side. Beasts like Jonathan Allen, Ryan Anderson and Reuben Foster still control the defensive side of the ball. The rolling tide also have layup games against Kent State, Kentucky, and Chattanooga and I believe they can find a way to win the tough games against Ole Miss, Tennessee, and LSU to make it back to the playoff and probably the championship once again.
- Clemson- I absolutely love this team and i love there chances of winning the whole thing this year despite losing key pieces on defense like Shaq Lawson, B.J Goodson, and Mackensie Alexander and others they return what I think is the best offense in college football. Led by future Heisman trophy winning qb Deshaun Watson, returning senior Mike Williams and insanely talented running back Wayne Gallman, and more the offense figures to be one of the top n the country. The defense is going to be led by senior linebacker Ben Boulware and Cordrea Tankersley and they don't need to be an elite defense they just need to be in the middle of the pack and the offense will carry the team right to the college football playoff. The tigers have several very tough games this year starting off at Auburn, they also travel to Tallahasee which is sure to be one of the most exciting games of the year they also have what i think is a trap game at home against Louisville who took the tigers down to the wire last year in Kentucky. Still you would be a fool to not have Clemson in the playoff this season.
- Florida State- Losing Robert Aguayo is not what i would call a crushing blow but losing Jalen Ramsey should be and the reason why the Seminoles come in at number three for me is that it isn't for them. Florida state is once again going to have a talented and hard hitting defense and like rival ACC member Clemson they will have an offense that has the potential to be one of the top ones in the country because of star back Dalvin cook. The key to the Florida state offense succeeding rests in the hands of Sean Maquire if he can be an average qb the offense on this team will be dangerous. The season essentially rests on the game vs Clemson if they put up a W in that game the Seminoles could and probably will find themselves in the 4 team playoff for the second time this season.
- Oklahoma- You could argue several other teams in this spot but I think that Baker Mayfield is good enough to carry this team (not even close to as good as Deshaun Watson but still good). Losing top target Sterling Shepard does hurt but Dede Westbrook is electric and I think he can step up and replace Shepard's production. Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon can combine and become one of the best backfields in the country. The defense without Eric Striker and Charles Tapper is going to look a lot different but should still be a force with ball hawking corner Jordan Thomas leading the secondary. What scares me about putting Oklahoma here is that they have an extremely tough schedule having to play Houston, Ohio State, TCU, Baylor, and Oklahoma State plus the always interesting game with Texas makes me scared of putting them at 4 already but whats a top 10 ranking without a few risks.
- Michigan- Jim and his wolverines are finally going to be knocking on the door of the playoff this year they have several of the top players in the country on defense the secondary in particular is going to be unreal with Jourdan Lewis at cornerback and then Jabrill Peppers holding down one of the safety spots. The defensive line has Chris Wormley, Maurice Durst and Ryan Glasgow so the defense is for real this year and the offense is solid with tight end Jake Butt back for his senior year. A veteran group at receiver that includes Amara Darboh, and Jehu Chesson should be able to help out whoever wins the starting quarterback job which is the biggest question mark for this team either senior Shane Morris or sophomore Wilton Speight will take over the offense and will be looking to lead Michigan through what i believe will be a fairly easy schedule. The in conference part of the schedule vs the Spartans, Buckeyes Hawkeyes is going to be extremely challenging and will determine if Michigan can get into the programs first college football playoff.
- LSU- Les Miles was rumored to be on the hot seat for most of the year last year but I don't see that being the case at all this year should the team perform the way its capable of. Leonard Fournette and the defense are definitely going to be the reason that LSU makes some noise this season because i'm not so sure that Brandon Harris jr and anyone in the passing game will be much help in the tigers pursuit of the playoffs. Jamal Adams and Tre'Davious White are going to have to come up big time this year to help replace the production of Jalen Mills who left for the nfl but between them and Heisman contender Fournette they should be able to help lead the tigers through there tricky SEC schedule and possibly to an appearance in the playoff.
- Ohio State- Having to replace the production of so many starters on offense and defense really hurts Ohio State here and while most would say its going to be a rebuilding year for Ohio State I don't see it that way. I'm not a huge J.T Barrett fan but i think the offense can tread water and keep up with most of the other teams they play while the defense does most of the heavy lifting with Raekwon McMillan leading the way. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ohio State in the playoff this year but as of right now they are not one of the favorites especially because the big 10 this year looks dangerous. I think Michigan State, Michigan, and maybe even Iowa could knock off Urban Meyers young and inexperienced squad and squash there playoff hopes.
- Stanford- Huge losses on both sides of the ball for the Cardinals but guess who is still starting at running back for David Shaw's team? Christian McCaffrey and what else is there to say the guy can wreck defenses and win games for this team on his own. Even with the loss of Joshua Garnett the offensive line will definitely still be good enough to make some holes for McCaffery so he can truck through the defenders on the other side. Other than that the offense looks iffy with Kevin Hogan leaving for the NFL either Keller Chryst or Ryan Burns will need to fill the hole at qb. The defense has potential monsters with Solomon Thomas and young corner Quinton Meeks who is a stud in the making so I think that Stanford could be a dark horse to crash the playoff with another magical season from Heisman trophy contender McCaffery.
- Notre Dame- Last year injuries shook Notre Dame and prevented them from entering the 4 team playoff. Malik Zaire who broke his ankle vs Virginia in the second game of the year is back and ready to compete for the starting job with Deshone Kizer so the Irish have a solid man behind center no matter who takes the starting job. The same is the situation at running back where Tarean Folston or Josh Adams will win the starting job but both are solid options. That should be enough firepower to make the offense a force to be reckoned with even with the loss of Will Fuller. The defense on the other hand is another story there are big shoes to fill after losing Sheldon Day on the defensive line, Jaylon Smith at linebacker, and KeiVarae Russell in the secondary. Despite the defensive struggles that may happen early on there are scenarios where i can see the Fighting Irish getting lucky and rolling through there schedule to crash the playoff party.
- Houston- Houston lost several key pieces to the draft including stud cb William Jackson III, Elandon Roberts, and Demarcus Ayers but the Cougars do bring in 5 star defensive tackle Ed Oliver who is sure to help anchor the new look defense along with 5 returning senior starters. Greg Ward Jr is the real key to Houston's success this year he is an elusive dual threat quarterback and impressive play maker as long as he can stay healthy he can easily help Houston to a new years six bowl and if they can roll through the schedule with only one loss to lets say an impressive team like the sooners they could be looking at a playoff appearance this year.