1st division college football is made up of 130 teams, divided into 10 conferences. After the regular season (12 games), if the team has won at least 6 games, it participates in a prestige game to end its season (bowl game). And if a committee votes it in the top 4 teams in the country, then the university participates in the playoffs.
Georgia Bulldogs
Honor to the two-time defending champion. Georgia will have to make a successful transition to the position of quarterback, after the draft of Stetson Bennett by the Rams. But the workforce is overflowing with talent!
The offensive line offers three players who will play in the NFL in 2024: right tackle Amarius Mims, center Sedrick Van Pran and guard Tate Ratledge. The list of targets is fabulous with the dynamic tight-end Brock Bowers, the athletic receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and the reliable Ladd McConkey.
In defense, it’s just scary! Mykel Williams seems the worthy successor to Jalen Carter, the two linebackers Dumas-Johnson and Mondon are potential top 50 picks and the secondary is the most talented in the country with Malaki Starks, Javon Bullard, Kamari Lassiter and Daylen Everette.
With a high-level coaching staff and talented players, Georgia is in a good position to pull off the three-man pass. But as in this sport everything starts with the quarterback, repeating the success of the last two seasons will not be easy.
michigan wolverines
Present in college football for 133 years, Michigan is an institution. And the 2023 season may be the right one for coach Jim Harbaugh and his men.
In 2021, the top two high schoolers at quarterback were Quinn Ewers (Texas) and Caleb Williams (USC). Drake Maye from North Carolina was 4th and Michigan recruited the 6th ranked one: the logic is respected with a JJ McCarthy who will fight to be the 4th quarterback chosen in the 2024 draft. Author of a good season with 22 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions in 2022, he must confirm and has the right entourage for it.
The offensive line has certainly lost two players in the 2023 draft, but the Guards Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan are very solid. Having become a real “mercato”, Michigan used the “transfer portal” to reinforce this line with Tackle LaDarius Henderson and Center Drake Nugent. The domination of the Wolverines offensive line is not ready to stop!
Before getting injured in the last regular season game, Blake Corum (his profile) had scored 18 touchdowns on the ground! A sign of the times, he did not appear in the 2023 draft where he could have been chosen between 50 and 100. Because in 2023, he will earn a little over 1 million dollars by associating his image with 10 companies: some local like Wolverine (shoe) and Bon Bon Bon (chocolate) or national like Subway.
In 2022, the defense was the 6th in the country (out of 130!). Mazi Smith (DT, Cowboys) and DJ Turner (CB, Bengals) were both drafted in the 2nd round but there is still plenty of talent left. Starting with linebacker Junior Colson: 101 tackles in 14 games in 2022.
USC Trojans
Caleb Williams! This quarterback has aroused enormous expectation since high school and for the moment he confirms: 42 touchdowns for only 5 interceptions in 2022! 4537 yards in the air and also 10 touchdowns on the ground!
An efficient player, he is also very spectacular: never as good as when under pressure, he has to improvise. Today, he is the big favorite to become number 1 in the 2024 draft. In the meantime, he will earn $ 2.6 million in advertising contracts!
In addition, he can express his talent within an offensive system led by a master of the genre: his trainer Lincoln Riley. He can also rely on quality receivers with the explosive Mario Williams as well as on Dorian Singer (1105 yards with the arizona wildcats in 2022). Also, on the son of legend Jerry Rice, Brenden Rice (611 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2022). The offensive line has at least 3 players who have a future in the NFL and safety Callen Bullock is top 3 in his position.
The University of Southern California, based in Los Angeles, could once again dominate the college football after the Pete Carroll years (2001-2009): twice university champion in 2003 and 2004 and finalist in 2005.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Replacing CJ Stroud will be complicated! Ohio State can of course count on quality recruits, but quarterbacks Kyle McCord and Devin Brown have no experience. Fortunately, the holder will be able to take advantage of an exceptional duo at the receiving end.
Marvin Harrison jr has managed the pressure of carrying such a name, while playing in the same position as his Hall of Famer of father! Sign of character and also of great talent. Tall, precise in his movements and possessing reliable hands, he has been the best receiver in the NCAA since last year. Emeka Egbuka was rated in 2021 as the WR1 of high school students in this huge country. His 12 touchdowns in 2022 only confirmed it (including 2 on the ground). In addition, defenders will also have to keep an eye on receiver Julian Fleming and tight-end Cade Stover: 11 touchdowns between them in 2022. Not to mention an excellent running duo with TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams.
And as usual, Ohio State is heavily equipped on defense! Jack Sawyer (DE) is the team’s best pass rusher and in addition, he knows how to defend the race: he can be compared to Sam Hubbard (Bengals) who also trained at Ohio State. At his side on the defensive line, two other potential 1st round of the draft!
JT Tuimoloau is a physical specimen and a player who can do anything. His talent is too great for his college-level opponents. His full profile will be attractive to NFL managers: he is scheduled for the 1st round in 2024, as in our first mock draft. Michael Hall (DT) is also present in this written mock draft and also in this podcast where he is compared to a ball thrown from a catapult (60th minute).
Behind them, linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (brother of the Dolphins player) is a machine: 120 tackles including 12 for losses in 2022! Cornerback Denzel Burke showed a lot of potential in 2021, but showed no progress in 2022. A strong 2023 season could propel him between picks 25 and 40 in the 2024 draft.
But as always in this region, Ohio State’s season will be successful, or not, depending on the result against Michigan!
Texas Longhorns
Without doubt the number 1 attraction in 2023: the Texas Longhorns are back! 885 victories against only 380 defeats (and 31 draws), this heavyweight of the university level once again delights their 100,000 spectators on average. For the last time in the Big 12 conference, before joining the so raised SEC in 2024, the (burnt) oranges of Texas have talent to spare.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers probably disappointed some fans by cutting his mullet! But his talent is still intact: his touch seems so natural. Capable of throwing Pitcher (Baseball) like Patrick Mahomes, he is good in all areas of the field.
In Austin (300 km south of Dallas), he will be well surrounded with the explosive Xavier Worthy, the beefy Adonai Mitchell and the reliable Jordan Whittington at the receiving end. The tight-end Ja’Tavion Sanders, with his speed, can consider being a top 50 pick in 2024!
The defense, unfortunately, is not at the same level. But there are players to watch like Byron Murphy II (DT), Jalen Catalon (S), Jahdae Barron (S) and Jaylen Ford (LB). And to respect the legacy of Justin Tucker (Ravens) and Cameron Dicker (Chargers) as a kicker, and that of Michael Dickson (Seahawks) as a punter, Texas once again offers a leading duo: Bert Auburn ( K) and Ryan Sanborn (P). They are people too!
Clemson Tigers
During the ACC Conference Finals in 2022, quarterback Clade Klubnik replaced a disappointing DJ Uiagalelei and did it brilliantly: 20 successful passes out of 24 attempted, 1 touchdown on the pass and 1 on the ground! In this match, his opponent Drake Maye (North Carolina) seemed very pale in comparison, when he is announced in the top 3 of the 2024 draft! For Cade Klubnik, it will be necessary to wait for the 2025 draft.
In attack, we must also count on a duo of runners in “lightning and thunder” mode with the explosive Will Shipley and the beefy Phil Mafah. And as always on the side of Clemson, the defense includes future NFL players: linebackers Jeremiah Trotter and Barrett Carter, safety Andrew Mukuba as well as the powerful Ruke Orhorhoro (DT).
Penn StateNittany Lions
To hope to go to the playoffs, Penn State must already win the Eastern Division of the Big Ten Conference. Not easy because it means getting ahead of Ohio State and Michigan! But the university halfway between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh has assets to put forward.
The number one quarterback of the 2022 high schoolers, the very talented Drew Allar takes the queens on offense. Protected by the excellent offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, he will be able to rely on an excellent duo of runners in Nicholas Singleton and Krayton Allen.
On defense, linebackers Abdul Carter and Curtis Jacobs form one of the best tandems in the NCAA, while cornerback Kalen King has the potential to be drafted in the 1st round in 2024. Ditto for the excellent pass rusher Demeioun “Chop” Robinson. What if Penn State was the surprise team in 2023? Unless it’s the university that follows.
Florida State Seminoles
After four seasons with a negative record, Florida State returned to its standards in 2022 with 10 wins and 3 losses. In addition, they are spectacular with the quarterback Jordan Travis and his extraordinary mobility! Specialist of QB Keeper, he knows how to keep the ball and sneak between defenders. If he still has progress to show in the aerial game, he knows how to find the immense receiver Johnny Wilson (2m01 for 107 kilos) and will also be able to rely in 2023 on two players who arrived by transfer.
Receiver Keon Coleman has been effective with Michigan State in 2022: 12 games, 798 yards and 7 touchdowns. Jaheim Bell arrives from South Carolina offering a “weapon” profile. In 2022, this training tight-end signs 2 touchdowns after receptions and 3 while wearing leather! Able to play tight-end, runner or fullback, he is this type of valuable player in a squad: the one who can fake opponents.
Florida State could cause a surprise in 2023 because they are also well equipped on defense. Defensive-end Jared Verse is announced (today) in the top 15 of the 2024 draft. Very good against the run, he also knows how to put quarterbacks under pressure: 17 tackles for losses including 9 sacks in 2022! On the other side, the young and fast Patrick Payton could take advantage of the attention paid to his teammate to burst the screen!
Others
Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Alabama Crimson Tide, Oregon Ducks, Washington Huskies, LSU Tigers
If it is always surprising that Alabama is not cited in a top 8, there are nevertheless talented players and the most respected coach at this level. But after Bryce Young promises to be difficult, especially since the workforce is not at the same level as in recent years. Notre Dame will rely on a formidable offensive trio: Sam Hartman (QB), Audric Estime (RB) and Joe Alt (OT).
Located in Seattle, the University of Washington could cause a surprise with a left-handed quarterback who can count on a superb duo of receivers: Michael Penix with Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze. Oregon, LSU, Utah, Tennessee or North Carolina also have weapons to claim.
Find every Sunday, a summary article of the previous day’s performance in the NCAA.
