From beers and burgers, to Heisman hopefuls - college football is back and better than ever.
I'm sure it's no surprise that after a year of what many would consider to be an oddity in the realm of college sports, that the anticipation for a full college football season is at an all-time high. Whether you're like myself, patiently waiting for Jimbo Fisher's breakout season, or like a few friends of mine, drudging on about how "back" that Texas is, we all have something to look forward to.
Early Season Top Picks
I'm sure this comes as no surprise, but Alabama is the favorite to win, yet another, national title. Alabama has won seven national championships since 2009 - all under head coach Nick Saban.
Also in the conversation are notable teams such as Ohio State, Clemson, and Oklahoma.
However, this year shapes up to be an interesting one due to many of the projected top teams having lost prominent star players. Most analysts agree that this won't matter much in programs like Alabama and Clemson who have young talent that are seemingly always ready to fill a position gap with another elite-level player.
Do bear in mind though - these new faces could fall short of expectations and open a door for programs that have been on the rise in recent years to make a run at the college football playoffs. Most notably, Jimbo Fisher and those Fightin' Texas Aggies.
As my bias is clearly evident, it's still no surprise that many college football experts predict Texas A&M to make a run at the college football playoffs this year.
As Fisher goes into his fourth season with the Aggies, he now has a solid group of his own personal recruits that are fired up and ready to carry the baton a little further than years prior.
In addition, as we go into this 2021 season, I'd just like to go on the record saying that I desperately hope there's a shakeup in the college football playoffs this year. The top 3 or 4 teams that are consistently powerhouses are fun to watch and the legacy that they've been able to build is beyond impressive.
However, it's time for a change of pace in 2021.
Players Destined for Stardom
With an abundance of talent at the quarterback position this year, it's no surprise that the most likely candidates for the coveted Heisman Trophy are all lining up under center.
Here's the top QB's as predicted by pretty much everyone.
Like him or not, this Oklahoma quarterback is expected to put on a show this year as he leads a hungry Oklahoma team trying to make a statement after an up and down 2020 season.
Rattler's ability to throw on the run with his electric arm is what I believe leads most analysts to place this QB at the top of the list when considering 2021 Heisman hopefuls.
2. Sam Howell
Since many of his playmakers from the 2020 North Carolina team have left - probably due to being embarrassed by those Fightin' Texas Aggies in 2020 - quarterback Sam Howell will be left with a large load to carry this season.
Without a slew of playmakers lining up with him on offense, it will be left up to this elite pocket-passer to elevate the Tar Heels to another bowl game.
Whether this lack of supporting cast will knock Howell down a peg or catapult him to Heisman candidacy is yet to be seen.
Is This Jimbo's Year?
I feel like I'd be doing an injustice to my former school if I failed to preview the Texas A&M 2021 season. As previously mentioned, Texas A&M is knocking on the door, yet again, of becoming a college football playoff contender.
Leading the charge for the Aggies are the nine returning defensive starters and running back duo of Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane. In addition, the Aggies fill the hole left at the quarterback position with the dual-threat Haynes King - a 6'3, 200lb potential star from Longview, TX.
This season the Aggies are set to face Alabama, Auburn, and Mississippi State in Kyle Field - hopefully this will play to the advantage of the Aggies as the 12th Man tries to do their part in ensuring victories against these pivotal contenders.
There's a long road ahead for the Aggies, but they're definitely heading in the right direction. I'll keep my record predictions to myself - just know my bias might be leading my prediction in an overstated direction.
Final Thoughts
As we enter into the 2021 season I just hope that we are able to return to a sense of normalcy on college campuses.
Fans should be filling stadiums and nearby parking lots should be full of tailgaters. Parents should be pulling the travel trailers to games and students should be waking up early for those 11am kickoffs. Sports bars should be packed with fans and your team's favorite jersey should be all sold out.
Oh, and most importantly - we should all wake up to the smell of Natty Light and the sound of College GameDay.
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