Sportz' College Football Predictions

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE

CHAMP: Florida State. This won't be as good of a team as last season's undefeated squad, but they are good enough to repeat as conference champs. Replacing Jordan Travis at QB will be a challenge, but they think DJ Uiagalelei can come back to the ACC and fare better.

SLEEPER: Miami. They have the talent and transfer QB Cam Ward is the real deal. Will Mario Cristobal get out of the way?

WATCH OUT FOR: SMU. The newcomers have a lot of swagger entering the ACC. 

BIG TEN CONFERENCE

CHAMP: Ohio State. The Buckeyes have everything they need to win a national championship. They are arguably the most talented team in the country. Add in an urgency to, well, beat Michigan and make a title run and Ohio State has a laser focus on their goals.

SLEEPER: Penn State. Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon are the big dogs, but Penn State has been liberated by the new Big Ten. No longer muffled by being in a division with Ohio State and Michigan, the Nittany Lions have a greater shot at making a move toward a playoff spot. 

WATCH OUR FOR: Iowa. The Hawkeyes' offense has been a running joke over the last few years, but with a new offensive coordinator and Michigan transfer Cade McNamara things could be changing in Iowa. 

BIG 12 CONFERENCE

CHAMP: Utah. I just love Utah's physicality and their grit which will serve them well in the Big 12. If Cam Rising can put up another (healthy) fantastic season, I think this conference is set up for the Utes.

SLEEPER: Kansas. The Jayhawks have QB Jalon Daniels and a decent recruiting class coming in to try to ... win the Big 12? 

WATCH OUT FOR: UCF. Gus Malzahn has been successful at a high level and they nabbed Arkansas transfer KJ Jefferson to run their offense. If the defense can do anything, this could be a team that makes a run towards a conference title game. 

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE

CHAMP: Georgia. Duh. 

SLEEPER: Ole Miss. This just feels like Lane Kiffin's time in Oxford. 

WATCH OUT FOR: Missouri. The Tigers quietly went 11-2 last season and beat a weakened Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Their two losses were to LSU and their Heisman Trophy winning QB, and at Georgia. Eliah Drinkwitz has a good thing going in Columbia. 

PAC-12 CONFERENCE

CHAMP: Washington State. I just think they're the better team

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

CHAMP: Memphis. The Tigers have the best quarterback, the best receivers and just enough defense to win the AAC. 

SLEEPER: Tulane. I really think the Green Wave did well replacing Willie Fritz with Jon Sumrall. Makhi Hughes rushed for over 1,300 yards a year ago and will be a workhorse again. 

WATCH OUT FOR: South Florida. I really like what Alex Golesh has done in Tampa. He's been recruiting extremely well after finally breaking out of the basement last season. The offense has continuity. 

CONFERENCE USA

CHAMP: Liberty. Frankly they are the best team in this conference and I don't think it's close. They have an elite offense and enough playmakers on defense to stuff the rest of the league. I think they win the CUSA going away. 

SLEEPER: Western Kentucky. Probably the second most talented team in the conference. 

WATCH OUT FOR: Jacksonville State. Rich Rodriguez will usually put together a zany offense that defenses struggle to deal with.

MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE

CHAMP: Miami-OH. The defending champs bring back a large chunk of their offensive starters. 

SLEEPER: Toledo. If the Rockets can find a QB who can utilize those fantastic receivers, they could make a run at a MAC title. 

WATCH OUT FOR: Northern Illinois. Antario Brown. Antario Brown. Antario Brown.

MOUNTAIN WEST

CHAMP: Boise State. Ashton Jeanty could be the best player in the Group of 5. 

SLEEPER: UNLV. Barry Odom did wonders in Vegas last season. I expect it to get even better in 2024. 

WATCH OUT FOR: Colorado State. Jay Norvell has this program on the right track and should reach their first bowl since 2017. This defense has the potential to get much better. 

SUN BELT CONFERENCE

CHAMP: Appalachian State. The Mountaineers got hot late last season and made a run to the Sun Belt title game. I think that momentum continues into this season. 

SLEEPER: Texas State. G.J. Kinne is doing his thing at Texas State. 

WATCH OUT FOR: Arkansas State. Hey man, I like their skill guys (almost all of those starters return) and I'm taking a chance on a Butch Jones clutch moment. 

PLAYOFFS

BYES: Georgia, Ohio State, Utah, Florida State

G5 CHAMP: Memphis

AT LARGE:  Alabama, Texas, Oregon, Notre Dame, Missouri, Penn State, Miami

NATIONAL CHAMPION: Georgia