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Five college football teams that could surprise this season
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
With college football week one officially only a couple days away, let’s look at some teams that should be getting more attention
It is officially here. Week one of the college football season is only a few days away, and something that is always fun to watch for are teams that can overdeliver. We always focus on the teams that disappoint and are overrated, but who are some of the teams that we should be talking more about heading into week one?
Here are five teams to watch this season:
I am a big fan of NC State this season, and the main reason is transfer quarterback Grayson McCall. McCall transferred to NC State from Coastal Carolina and has been one of the best group of five quarterbacks in the country over the last three seasons. McCall went 32-8 with over 10,000 yards and an 88-14 touchdown to interception ratio as a Chanticleer.
Now, he is in the ACC with the Wolfpack and has some weapons. Kevin Concepcion is back after winning ACC Rookie of the Year honors, and Wesley Grimes and Noah Rogers (who Ohio State fans know) are coming in via the transfer portal.
The ACC is not that good, and NC State has the offense and defense to take advantage of that.
Speaking of the ACC, the Hokies are a sleeper team this season as well. Kyron Drones is the full-time starter at quarterback now, and he will need to be better at moving the ball through the air, but he is a threat on the ground and, if he can throw the ball vertically, is a true dual threat.
Again, the ACC isn’t good, and the Hokies bring back a lot of talent. They could make some noise and find themselves in the hunt late in the season.
I like the Huskers this season for two reasons. Matt Rhule and Dylan Raiola. Rhule has a history of taking his teams to the next level in his second season at the helm (the NFL doesn’t count), and Raiola is a talented enough quarterback to help the Huskers and Rhule reach that next level.
The Big Ten is tough, but Nebraska’s schedule is pretty favorable for them to make a run this season. Seven or eight wins should be a reasonable expectation for the Rhule and company.
West Virginia has one of the best chances in the country to start the season off with a bang as they host No. 8 Penn State in week one.
The Mountaineers are bringing back a lot of talent, and the Big 12 is a big question mark in general due to the addition of new teams and the departure of Texas and Oklahoma. Don’t be surprised if West Virginia keeps it close against the Nittany Lions and gives the top ten team a scare in Morgantown.
One name to remember for Boise State. Running back Ashton Jeanty. The 2023 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year is back after running for 1,347 yards on 220 attempts and 14 touchdowns and added 43 receptions for 569 yards and five touchdowns.
They also have Maddux Madsen, who has only appeared in ten games but beat out former five-star and USC commit Malachi Nelson, so he must be impressing so far this year. I think Boise State will make the playoff as the group of five automatic qualifier.
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justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
With college football week one officially only a couple days away, let’s look at some teams that should be getting more attention
It is officially here. Week one of the college football season is only a few days away, and something that is always fun to watch for are teams that can overdeliver. We always focus on the teams that disappoint and are overrated, but who are some of the teams that we should be talking more about heading into week one?
Here are five teams to watch this season:
NC State
I am a big fan of NC State this season, and the main reason is transfer quarterback Grayson McCall. McCall transferred to NC State from Coastal Carolina and has been one of the best group of five quarterbacks in the country over the last three seasons. McCall went 32-8 with over 10,000 yards and an 88-14 touchdown to interception ratio as a Chanticleer.
Now, he is in the ACC with the Wolfpack and has some weapons. Kevin Concepcion is back after winning ACC Rookie of the Year honors, and Wesley Grimes and Noah Rogers (who Ohio State fans know) are coming in via the transfer portal.
The ACC is not that good, and NC State has the offense and defense to take advantage of that.
Virginia Tech
Speaking of the ACC, the Hokies are a sleeper team this season as well. Kyron Drones is the full-time starter at quarterback now, and he will need to be better at moving the ball through the air, but he is a threat on the ground and, if he can throw the ball vertically, is a true dual threat.
Again, the ACC isn’t good, and the Hokies bring back a lot of talent. They could make some noise and find themselves in the hunt late in the season.
Nebraska
I like the Huskers this season for two reasons. Matt Rhule and Dylan Raiola. Rhule has a history of taking his teams to the next level in his second season at the helm (the NFL doesn’t count), and Raiola is a talented enough quarterback to help the Huskers and Rhule reach that next level.
The Big Ten is tough, but Nebraska’s schedule is pretty favorable for them to make a run this season. Seven or eight wins should be a reasonable expectation for the Rhule and company.
West Virginia
West Virginia has one of the best chances in the country to start the season off with a bang as they host No. 8 Penn State in week one.
The Mountaineers are bringing back a lot of talent, and the Big 12 is a big question mark in general due to the addition of new teams and the departure of Texas and Oklahoma. Don’t be surprised if West Virginia keeps it close against the Nittany Lions and gives the top ten team a scare in Morgantown.
Boise State
One name to remember for Boise State. Running back Ashton Jeanty. The 2023 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year is back after running for 1,347 yards on 220 attempts and 14 touchdowns and added 43 receptions for 569 yards and five touchdowns.
They also have Maddux Madsen, who has only appeared in ten games but beat out former five-star and USC commit Malachi Nelson, so he must be impressing so far this year. I think Boise State will make the playoff as the group of five automatic qualifier.
Continue reading...