Guys I know we're a few months away from kickoff but it never hurts to get excited and fired up for the season. This thread will be the list of storylines for the upcoming season and how they affect not just the season but the sport as a whole in some cases. Lets quit wasting time:
1. Alabama and the changes
When Bama opens vs Florida State in Atlanta in September they will have their 3rd different OC in their last 3 games. Kiffin left to be the HC at FAU. Sark is the OC for the Atlanta Falcons. New England assistant Brian Daboll is the new OC. Wasn't a fan of his when he was an OC in the NFL for Cleveland and Kansas City. You would see play calls like 2nd and 7 four yard pass. 3rd and 8 receiver would run a 7 yard route. When he was in KC I literally saw them on a 4th and 1 have the WR run a half yard out routeJalen Hurts IMO has gotten way too much grief this offseason and it started after the title game listening to the Finebaum callers
Also here's something to follow. Bama and FL..State open the season in Atlanta...I think they may finish the year in Atlanta
2. Charlie Strong moves on to USF
No one at this site loves Charlie Strong more than me. Hell 2 signed photos he sent me hang in my office. He lost me LY at Texas. The game where he lost me actually was when they beat Texas Tech. It was the game where Foreman ran for I believe 16,435 yards vs Tx Tech and on a 4th and 1 up 8 late they bring out Swoopes for the 18 wheeler package and Foreman wasn't on the field. At that point I was done. I realize Foreman was never on the field for the 18 wheeler package but when he's run for 330 yards...plans change
The Kansas lost sealed his fate. He got fired and moves to a good situation at South Florida. I believe he'll do well there. Strong helped "Drain the Swamp" at Texas in terms of the country club atmosphere. Its a shame he didn't get it done there. I think he's a much better fit at USF in a state he knows like the back of his hand
3. The Big 12 and its issues
How will Texas fare in year 1 under Tom Herman? Same for Matt Rhule at Baylor who takes over a toxic waste dump. Oklahoma has a ton of off the field issues. For years on here I called for Les Miles to lose his job and he did LY. I'm now going to be going after Bob Stoops who doesn't seem to be able to keep his players in line
Every year in the Big 12 we have a surprise team. A few years ago it was TCU. Baylor was 1 year. LY before I had my issues accessing the site I said that I liked West Virginia and they had a real nice year. Who will be the surprise Big 12 team in 2017? I'll tell you who and i'm not a fan of their coach or their style but the surprise team will be Texas Tech
4. Can Michigan beat Ohio State
God I hope so
5. Lane Kiffin is a HC again
Lane Kiffin for the longest time got jobs he didn't deserve whether it be in Oakland or at Tennessee and USC. Then he gets fired at USC and Nick Saban saved his career by making him the OC. Now Lane Kiffin has earned one of those great jobs... and he gets the job at FAU. So Kiffin took the backwards route
He brings in the qb who couldn't go to Florida State after the video of punching a woman surfaced. I think Kiffin will win at FAU the question is how long will he be there and what D-Bag things will he do? Stay tuned
6. New FBS teams, New stadiums and 1 team says goodbye
Tim Brando from FS1 compared what happened to UAB football as a combination of the Marshall plane crash and the SMU death penalty. UAB football returns in 2017 after their hiatus with Bill Clark back at the helm as HC. I'm going to be following this team because this is one of the most fascinating storylines in college football in a while
Coastal Carolina{And their teal field} Join FBS and the Sun Belt this year and after this year Idaho moves back to the FCS level But that's not all: News came out February 16th that Liberty is jumping to the FBS in 2018 and will play as an FBS independent
As for new stadiums. Colorado State opens their new stadium this year. San Diego State will still play at Qualcomm stadium despite the Chargers leaving. Though no one knows long term what the prospect are for SD State football. There's talk of an MLS team in San Diego would they share a stadium with the Aztecs? Would the Aztecs go to Petco Park. Hell San Diego has discontinued the Poinsettia Bowl.
7 Ole Miss
We all wondered how Ole Miss got all those good players and got so good....So did the NCAA apparently. Ole Miss self imposed a bowl ban for this year hoping that will satisfy the NCAA. No matter your thoughts on their case Ole Miss can play the spoiler all year long and now their Bowl game comes Thanksgiving Night vs Mississippi State in Starkville. Lets see the energy they play with throughout the year
8. Will the group of 5 schools break away and have their own playoff?
NIU's AD Sean Frazier floated this LY saying for a group of 5 school they have no chance to play for a spot in the CFP as it stands. So his idea is for the group of 5 conferences{MAC,C-USA,MW,Sun Belt and American plus independents}break away and have their own 16 team 4 week playoff tournament for a national title. In that format you'd have 5 conference champs and 11 at large spots
I like the idea the question would come down to the money aspect of it. I think there would be a network or networks for it. I think we're a ways away from it but you see in this new world order of CFB the gap between the Power 5 and Group of 5 is getting bigger. I'm not opposed to the Group of 5 breaking away
Your thoughts and comments guys?