Writer Chris V also picked UCF to make the playoff field, while the other writers picked four teams out of the group of Bama, Oklahoma, Clemson, UGA....and UF ( Feldman ).
The American continues to be the class of the Group of 5 heading into 2020. Actually, make that the Group of 3 this fall.
Since the College Football Playoff began in 2014 and added an automatic New Year’s Six spot for the G5, the AAC has earned that bid four out of six times, including each of the past three seasons. The AAC was so good last year that four teams finished in the AP Top 25, and the AAC’s West division was rated higher than both ACC divisions in the Sagarin Ratings.
1. UCF
After consecutive undefeated regular seasons in 2017 and 2018, the Knights fell to 10-3 last season, but the three losses came by a total of seven points. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel should be one of the best in the country after finishing in the top 15 nationally in yards per attempt, yards per completion and passing efficiency as a true freshman, and he brings back most of the weapons around him. Eight starters return on both offense and defense, and with a schedule that avoids SMU and gets Cincinnati at home, the Knights could make a College Football Playoff case with an undefeated season. But that trip to Memphis looms large. Head coach Josh Heupel is 22-4, with 20 wins by more than 10 points and all four losses by eight points or fewer. The man deserves some respect.
11. USF
Year 1 for new head coach Jeff Scott should be treated like Year 0, especially given this season’s unusual circumstances. The remarkable fall under Charlie Strong from 10 wins to seven to four has led to a reset, and it’ll take time for Scott to rebuild the foundation. Last year’s offense was No. 115 nationally in scoring, including seven games scoring 17 or fewer points. The defense has some talent in the backfield, which was the team’s top unit, but a lot of holes remain up front. USF is a program with a lot of potential, and Scott appears to be a good fit after coming from Clemson, but it’ll take some time to rebuild things.
Playoff picks for Chris V:
Clemson
Alabama
Oklahoma
UCF: It is time. With only three Power 5 conferences playing, there’s no better opportunity for a Group of 5 school to earn a CFP spot. If UCF goes undefeated, the Knights should make it, regardless of what happens in the Power 5. Their recent track record deserves that respect. Led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the Knights return a load of veteran starters on both sides. The trip to Memphis and the home game against Cincinnati will be the toughest games on the schedule, but they don’t play SMU and get Tulane and Temple at home.
National champion: Clemson
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The American continues to be the class of the Group of 5 heading into 2020. Actually, make that the Group of 3 this fall.
Since the College Football Playoff began in 2014 and added an automatic New Year’s Six spot for the G5, the AAC has earned that bid four out of six times, including each of the past three seasons. The AAC was so good last year that four teams finished in the AP Top 25, and the AAC’s West division was rated higher than both ACC divisions in the Sagarin Ratings.
1. UCF
After consecutive undefeated regular seasons in 2017 and 2018, the Knights fell to 10-3 last season, but the three losses came by a total of seven points. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel should be one of the best in the country after finishing in the top 15 nationally in yards per attempt, yards per completion and passing efficiency as a true freshman, and he brings back most of the weapons around him. Eight starters return on both offense and defense, and with a schedule that avoids SMU and gets Cincinnati at home, the Knights could make a College Football Playoff case with an undefeated season. But that trip to Memphis looms large. Head coach Josh Heupel is 22-4, with 20 wins by more than 10 points and all four losses by eight points or fewer. The man deserves some respect.
11. USF
Year 1 for new head coach Jeff Scott should be treated like Year 0, especially given this season’s unusual circumstances. The remarkable fall under Charlie Strong from 10 wins to seven to four has led to a reset, and it’ll take time for Scott to rebuild the foundation. Last year’s offense was No. 115 nationally in scoring, including seven games scoring 17 or fewer points. The defense has some talent in the backfield, which was the team’s top unit, but a lot of holes remain up front. USF is a program with a lot of potential, and Scott appears to be a good fit after coming from Clemson, but it’ll take some time to rebuild things.
Playoff picks for Chris V:
Clemson
Alabama
Oklahoma
UCF: It is time. With only three Power 5 conferences playing, there’s no better opportunity for a Group of 5 school to earn a CFP spot. If UCF goes undefeated, the Knights should make it, regardless of what happens in the Power 5. Their recent track record deserves that respect. Led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the Knights return a load of veteran starters on both sides. The trip to Memphis and the home game against Cincinnati will be the toughest games on the schedule, but they don’t play SMU and get Tulane and Temple at home.
National champion: Clemson
Previewing the American: A crowded race in a season with a bigger spotlight
UCF, Cincinnati and Memphis give the AAC three top championship contenders, and some sleepers could rise into the mix as well.
theathletic.com
The Athletic's preseason picks to make the 2020 College Football Playoff
If the fall season makes it all the way through its full schedule, who will be left standing in the semis? Our writers make their picks.
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