With the spring sessions wrapping up across the country and the countdown to kickoff 2017 officially on, there has been plenty of conversation about what to expect this college football season. From the “Year Of The Quarterback” headlines to figuring out which conference will challenge the SEC’s dominance, there is certainly no shortage of intrigue. Here is a look at the biggest college football storylines heading in to 2017.
The Year Of The Quarterbacks
2016 was considered the “Year Of The Running Back”. 2017 might very well be the “Year Of The Quarterback”. USC’s Sam Darnold is the favorite to be the first-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. UCLA’s Josh Rosen is in that conversation as well. Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield are legitimate Heisman trophy hopefuls that could force their way in to the conversation for the top pick with outstanding seasons.
Then there are the highly talented sophomore quarterbacks like Jacob Eason, Shea Patterson, Jalen Hurts and Shane Buechele, who all have extremely high ceilings. Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham, West Virginia’s Will Grier and Penn State’s Trace McSorley are dark horse potential Heisman trophy candidates and they certainly can’t be counted out either. There will be countless intriguing storylines heading in to 2017 but none will be bigger than the spotlight that is on an extremely talented quarterback class.
Lamar Jackson’s Repeat Heisman Bid
As if there weren’t enough impressive Heisman trophy-caliber quarterbacks mentioned in the previous paragraph, it’s important not to forget about Jackson. Louisville’s star quarterback threw for 3,543 yards, ran for 1,571 yards and finished with 51 total touchdowns last season. Jackson absolutely obliterated opposing defenses en route to winning a Heisman trophy. Can he do it again? Archie Griffin is the only back-to-back Heisman trophy winner in history and he did it back in 1974 and 1975. It has certainly been a long time coming but can Jackson repeat as this year’s Heisman trophy winner?
Will The Alabama Crimson Tide Be Stopped?
College football fans across the country celebrated when Clemson took down Alabama in the national championship game. Can the Crimson Tide be stopped again this season? Alabama will likely be the preseason No. 1. There is no doubt that with 11 starters returning including their star quarterback Hurts, the Crimson Tide have the potential to contend for a national title again this season. Nick Saban just signed a long-term extension that will keep him in Alabama through 2024. The Crimson Tide’s dominance as well as the SEC’s place atop the college football pyramid has not been questioned. Will Alabama be stopped in 2017?
Can The Clemson Tigers Make It Back?
The Tigers stole the show a year ago when they won the ACC and took down the Crimson Tide in the national championship game. Can Clemson make it back to the big stage? The Tigers might very well have a tougher road to the College Football Playoff with Florida State and Louisville both lining up for their shot to knock them off of their perch in the ACC. Dabo Swinney has a loaded roster but it will be extremely difficult to replace Deshaun Watson at quarterback. The Tigers have the talent to contend but they will certainly have a much tougher road in 2017.
What’s Next For The Big 12?
The Big 12 was an absolute mess last season. It all started with the issue with Baylor. Then Oklahoma didn’t live up to the hype. Then Texas flopped and fired Charlie Strong. And Oklahoma State and West Virginia just weren’t good enough.
What is in store for 2017? The conference has been America’s favorite punching bag conference or some time now and that won’t change unless they produce a legitimate CFP contender. Oklahoma has the talent to be in the mix. Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas, West Virginia and TCU could all be top-25 teams. The Big 12 needs at least two of their top programs to emerge as legitimate players on the national stage. If that doesn’t happen then the conference could be in big trouble in terms of ratings and overall revenue dollars at this time next summer.
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