Movers and Shakers for College Football in 2013

If McCarron returns is 2013, the Tide could make another run at a title.

Last night, the BCS Title was decided by Alabama and Notre Dame with the Crimson Tide coming out on top with a crushing 42-14 win. While both teams promise to once again field solid ball clubs next season, will either have enough returning to make a run at another BCS Title? If not them, then who? I’m taking a very preliminary look at some of the top teams for next season in college football.

The Contenders…

Can Miller and the Buckeyes run the table again in 2013?

Ohio State – How can you not start here? The Buckeyes under first-year head coach Urban Meyer went 12-0 and capped their season with a 26-21 win over Michigan. Because of probation, OSU was denied an opportunity to play for the Big Ten Title and ultimately the national championship. Besides QB Braxton Miller returning, the Bucks also have 21 commits at this point giving them one of the top recruiting classes in the country.

Stanford – The Rose Bowl and PAC-12 Champs could return as many as 18 starters if their top two tight ends Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo stick around for their senior seasons. QB Kevin Hogan is back, but they must replace running back Stepfan Taylor who leaves after four tremendous years. The Cardinal are strong where it matters and that’s on both lines. The schedule isn’t daunting with Notre Dame and Oregon both at home, but USC is on the road.

Oregon – The Ducks return D’Anthony Thomas who will have to prove he can carry a greater load than in previous years and of course QB Marcus Mariota returns as well. At this time, it looks like Chip Kelly is staying in Eugene where he has led the Ducks to four straight BCS games winning two. The NFL could still call, but the chances are getting slimmer. Oregon has to play on the road at Stanford but skips USC in the PAC-12 rotation this season.

Alabama – The Crimson Tide are scheduled to have both Eddie Lacy and A.J. McCarron back next year which would give them eight returning starters on each side of the ball. The offensive line will need some rebuilding and the schedule as usual is a bear with games against Virginia Tech and Texas A&M on the road right out of the gate. Having 21 commits already helps too.

Notre Dame – The Fighting Irish have no where to go but down regardless of the outcome last night and that will weigh heavily on Brian Kelly. He should expect eight retuning starters on both sides of the ball, but I have to believe Tyler Eifert will go pro leaving him with seven on offense. QB Everett Golson is back but so is another tough schedule. The Irish will play another night game in Ann Arbor, play at Stanford and will have an improved Arizona State team in Cowboys Stadium.

The Pretenders…

LSU – The Tigers are expected to be a contender for the title but just this past week have already seen three senior-to-be starters declare for the draft. Barkevious Mingo, Bennie Logan and Sam Montgomery are headed to the NFL. There are three or four other guys who could do the same from the defense including safety Eric Reid. Les Miles’ offense has become stagnant and doesn’t fool anyone. With games at Georgia and Alabama, I see a step back for the Tigers.

Florida – The Gators had a great 2012 season that ended with a tremendous thud as they were whipped in the Sugar Bowl by Louisville. The loss exposed a tremendous lack of a passing game and a limited ability to cover fast WRs on offense. The Gators schedule is a gauntlet with Georgia, at LSU, at South Carolina and at Miami,FL. I see a step or two backwards especially if seniors-to-be start declaring as Matt Elam did this week.