College football 2023: Georgia’s quest for three-peat, Coach Prime among CBS Sports’ top spring storylines
Ahead of the 2023 college football season, there are a lot of storylines to be sorted out. The Georgia Bulldogs are targeting three spots after back-to-back national championship wins, Deion Sanders aka “Coach Prime” is making his Colorado debut, and conference realignment is one of the main storylines of the spring. according to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.
Despite losing several key players in the draft last season, the Bulldogs showed their talent and beat the upstart TCU in the championship game in January.
In terms of regrouping, Texas and Oklahoma are in their last days in the Big 12 conference, and with a move to the SEC on the horizon, the conference will be even stronger. UCLA and USC are also in their final days in Pac-12, and once the two Southern California schools head into the Big Ten, there will be serious questions about the state of the conference.
According to Dodd, here are 23 storylines to keep an eye on this spring and fall:
Dodd: “The opportunity is real and it’s impressive. The day after the Bulldogs played in a row, it became obvious that they could win three games in a row. This would be a first in the AP Top 25 era (since 1936). We have evidence that this can happen. Georgia actually got better last season after losing a record 15 players in the 2022 NFL Draft.. If trainer Kirby Smart can do that, he can reboot again instead of rebuilding.”
Georgia has very good chances for the top three this season. Yes, he is losing a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but Smart recruiting like any coach in the country right now. It has weight. If the juniors from the Bulldogs perform this fall, Georgia could lift another trophy.
Dodd: “The biggest offseason story is just getting started in Colorado. Deion Sanders makes a surprise Power Five debut at Mountain Time Zone. Think of a Hall of Fame media icon who would put herself in this position without needing the money. no fame…Surprisingly good staff. Coach Prime’s son, Schedeur, is a quarterback. Don’t be surprised if the Buffs make it to bowling in 2023.”
Colorado is one of the largest secrets ahead of the 2023 season. Sanders helped transform the roster seemingly overnight by hitting the transfer portal and convincing players from the 2023 recruiting cycle to abandon their commitment to the Buffaloes program. The Pac-12 will be competitive this fall, but the Colorado should make some noise.
Dodd: “By the time spring training is over – maybe by the time you finish reading this column – American football can rearrange. Pac-12 may fall apart. Big 12 is ready to pounce on the remains. That would leave Oregon and Washington with a decision: try to do it on the remains of the Pac-12 or knock on the door of the Big Ten.
Will Pac-12 survive when USC and UCLA leave the conference? Will other teams like Oregon and Washington go to another conference? Time will show. At the moment we are entering the season with both conferences.
Dodd: “Starting in 2023, Harbaugh has more than doubled his longest tenure at the club than any previous coaching job. Longevity is associated with typical Harbaugh baggage. He appears to have a strained relationship with his athletic director. He continues to communicate with interested NFL teams. His pledge of allegiance loses its meaning the more times he has to repeat it. It also defines a person. Harbaugh is going to do what he wants, when he wants.”
During this off-season, Harbaugh reportedly attracted huge interest from NFL teams that had a vacant head coaching position. Despite all this, he has decided to stay with his alma mater, and the Wolverines head into the 2023 season as two-time reigning Big Ten champions. The talent in the roster returning to the roster should give the Wolverine a chance to complete three rounds, but Ohio and Pennsylvania states are expecting a challenge.
Dodd: “We need to find a new quarterback (five-star Kyle McCord vs. Top 50 prospect Devin Brown in the spring). ) will be a problem. Day received a playoff mulligan after his second loss in a row to Michigan. There are no years of recovery in Columbus, Ohio, just constant demand for another Big 12 title and a spot in the CFP.”
The Buckeyes are losing to star quarterback CJ Stroud in the NFL Draft, but the team will have depth in that position. Will McCord win a spot in the starting lineup this fall? Ohio State has arguably the best wide receiver in the country, returning in Marvin Harrison Jr.
Dodd: “Penn State, however, is quietly loading into 2023. There was emotional bloodshed at the Rose Bowl. Penn State won their first such game since 1995, completely dominating Utah.. This could be a preview of 2023. Drew Allar replaces Sean Clifford as the highest-rated quarterback in program history.”
Happy Valley will begin a new era this fall with Allar taking on the role of quarterback. Clifford’s post. Allar is one of the most touted quarterback prospects in school history and the highest ranked quarterback in program history. Penn State should challenge Ohio State and Michigan for the Big Ten title.
Dodd: “Perhaps only TCU’s success last season keeps Mario Cristobal from calling him a complete failure. The 5–7 campaign was Miami’s worst since 1977. The Hurricanes lost to Middle Tennessee.. Defender Tyler Van Dyke regressed. Talented offensive coordinator Josh Gattis bombed. Defense coordinator Kevin Steele couldn’t resist Saban’s call to Alabama.”
The first season under Cristobal in Miami was just catastrophe. The Harrians went 5-7 and lost to Middle Tennessee. However, in South Florida, there is hope that the Harrians can make a difference. This season around Cristobal has a new staff.
Dodd: “Great shows no signs of slowing down. There are only comparisons with oneself. And while Georgia is a new force in the SEC — and the country — Alabama remains a solid number 2. After a subpar two-loss season — with an equal number of losses under Saban since 2010 — there’s every chance Bama can bounce back. returned with a championship campaign. Spring will be scrutinized due to the looming quarterback battle and the introduction of two new coordinators.”
What else does Saban have to prove? Heading into year 17 with Crimson Tide, Saban loses former Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and he has a quarterback. contest to determine a starter this fall. As long as Saban is at the helm, Alabama will be in contention for the national championship.
Dodd: “Paul Krist got out the door after winning 72% of games. New coach Luke Fickell didn’t bring in talented offensive coordinator Phil Longo to run the wishbone. It will be exciting to watch Wisconsin transform from its decades-old ground and pound culture. Defender Tanner Mordecai is an established starter with one of the best games of this century on his record. The Badgers will go through more, have more fun and possibly take the next step towards becoming a Big Ten contender under Fickell.”
Wisconsin made a splash and hired Fickell from Cincinnati. Under his leadership, Cincinnati became the first Group of Five team to reach the college football playoffs. Now he is faced with the task of returning the Badgers program to the number of contenders for participation in the Big Ten.
Dodd: “Nto scratch Really this time it worked out with new coach Matt Rule. Revolutionary artist who worked miracles in the Temple and Baylor returns to (college) big time, armed with more experience and some humility after he burned out with the Panthers. Rule is the master of their training – he takes unconventional talents and makes them better. At this point, Nebraska would have agreed to the bowl game.”
Scott Frost the Nebraska experiment failed. So what did the program do? Hire one of the most affordable names on the market. Rule helped change Baylor’s program before leaving to become…
Source: 247sports.com
