CFB’s Biggest Predictions: Coaches, Conferences, Playoffs

**College Football Gears Up for a Season of Unpredictable Shifts and High Stakes**

As the college football season kicks off, the landscape is ripe for significant shake-ups, from a coaching carousel anticipated to spin wildly to conference realignments creating unprecedented chaos. Insiders are predicting a year defined by major moves for new opportunities, brutal conference races, and a few unlikely contenders making a splash.

**The Coaching Carousel: NFL Lures and Power Five Prospects**

The rumor mill is already churning with whispers of several prominent head coaches potentially making the leap to the NFL. Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, and Ole Miss’s Lane Kiffin are frequently mentioned as prime candidates to be courted by professional franchises.

For Ryan Day, who has maintained an impressive record at Ohio State since taking over from Urban Meyer, the pressure to consistently compete for national championships is immense. His offensive acumen is highly regarded, making him an attractive target for NFL teams seeking innovative leadership. Should Day depart, speculation points to Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell, a former Buckeyes player and coach who built a formidable program at Cincinnati before moving to Madison, as a top candidate to return to Columbus. Fickell’s defensive prowess and deep Ohio ties would make him a popular choice.

Jim Harbaugh’s NFL bona fides are undeniable, having led the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance. His recurring flirtations with NFL opportunities, coupled with recent NCAA investigations and a self-imposed suspension at Michigan, add fuel to the fire that this could be the year he makes the jump back to the pros.

Lane Kiffin, with his sharp offensive mind and previous NFL experience as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, has revitalized Ole Miss and could view an NFL offer as a chance to prove himself on the biggest stage.

Beyond the headliners, rising stars like Washington State’s Jake Dickert and Toledo’s Jason Candle are on the radar for bigger programs. Dickert has shown an ability to elevate a program under challenging circumstances, while Candle has consistently delivered success at the Group of Five level, demonstrating the kind of program-building skills highly coveted in the Power Five. The trend suggests coaches aren’t just getting fired; they’re actively seeking and receiving offers for new, often more lucrative, opportunities.

**Big 12’s November Gauntlet: A Conference in Transition**

The Big 12 Conference is bracing for a truly massive November, with predictions of three teams potentially finishing with an 8-4 record. This speaks to the remarkable parity and cutthroat competition within the league, especially with its imminent realignment. Teams like UCF, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Kansas, and Iowa State are all expected to be in the thick of a brutal schedule that could see standings shift dramatically week-to-week.

Oklahoma, traditionally a conference powerhouse, faces a particularly challenging stretch. After a rivalry game at Kansas, they host Oklahoma State for Bedlam, travel to new conference member UCF, then to another newcomer in BYU, before closing out at home against TCU. Kansas State, last year’s conference champions, also has a gauntlet, with games against Texas, at Houston, at Kansas, and then hosting Iowa State.

The impending departure of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC in 2024, coupled with the arrival of UCF, Houston, BYU, and Cincinnati this season, has created an incredibly unpredictable environment. Every game holds increased weight, not just for championship aspirations, but for establishing new pecking orders within the evolving conference.

**Oregon State’s Pac-12 Predicament: Stellar Record, Championship Miss?**

Out West, Oregon State is projected to finish with an impressive 10-2 record under head coach Jonathan Smith, showcasing the continued rise of the program. However, despite such a strong performance, the Beavers might still find themselves on the outside looking in for the Pac-12 Championship game. Their two projected losses are tough road contests against fellow contenders Utah and Washington.

This prediction highlights the stacked nature of the Pac-12 in its final season as a 12-team league. Oregon and Washington are widely considered favorites to contend for the conference title, and with USC and Utah also expected to be formidable, a two-loss team could easily miss out due to tie-breaker scenarios or strength of schedule. The Beavers’ path to Glendale would likely require an upset of one of these top-tier teams.

**Group of Five Ascendance: Two Teams in the Top 25 All Season?**

A bold call from analysts suggests that two Group of Five teams will manage to stay ranked in the AP Top 25 for the entire season – a feat not accomplished since Houston and TCU in 2011. Tulane is a strong candidate following their impressive Cotton Bowl victory last season, with a pivotal Week 12 matchup against fellow G5 power UTSA looming.

Other teams to watch in this conversation include Air Force, known for its disciplined approach and option offense, who will play Army on November 4th in Denver. Boise State, a perennial G5 contender, UTSA, with its dynamic quarterback Frank Harris, and Memphis are also in the mix. For any of these teams, maintaining a consistent ranking will require navigating challenging conference schedules and proving their mettle against occasional Power Five opponents, making their potential sustained presence in the Top 25 a significant narrative for the season.

**SEC East Showdown: Georgia vs. Tennessee for Division Supremacy**

In the Southeastern Conference, the East Division title is widely expected to come down to a single, epic showdown: the clash between Georgia and Tennessee. The highly anticipated game is set for November 18th in Knoxville, and if Tennessee, under Josh Heupel’s high-octane offense, can pull off a victory against the back-to-back national champions, they would likely secure the division crown and a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game.

Georgia, led by Kirby Smart, has established itself as the dominant force in college football, but Neyland Stadium at night against a resurgent Volunteers squad promises to be one of the season’s most electrifying atmospheres and a true test of their dynasty. The winner will hold a clear path to the conference title and potentially a College Football Playoff berth.

**CFP Dark Horses: Beyond the Preseason Top 10**

Finally, don’t be surprised if a team currently ranked outside the Top 10 on September 1st makes a furious run for a College Football Playoff spot. Several programs possess the talent and coaching to make such a leap. Penn State, USC, LSU, and Texas are all in the conversation.

Texas faces an enormous early test against Alabama on September 9th, a game that could immediately catapult them into national relevance or expose their vulnerabilities. Penn State will navigate a treacherous Big Ten schedule, including critical road games at Ohio State on October 21st and at Michigan State on November 24th, with a key contest against Michigan also in November.

USC, with Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams, needs to shore up its defense to complement its explosive offense. LSU, in Brian Kelly’s second year, looks to build on last season’s SEC West title. Any of these teams, should they navigate their challenging schedules successfully and secure a conference championship, could very well shake up the national picture and find themselves in the College Football Playoff by season’s end, proving that preseason rankings are merely a starting point for what promises to be an exhilarating season.