Bold and Not So Bold Predictions for the 2014 College Football Season

Last night, the Florida State Seminoles completed one of the most remarkable comebacks in college football history to stun the Auburn Tigers. Last night, the BCS era came to a fantastic conclusion after years of controversy, but not before giving fans the best five of the best BCS bowls of all time. Last night, Jameis Winston reminded the world that "God is so blessed." Last night, was also the final college football game for more than 230 days. In honor of the end of the BCS and all the anticipation of 2014's landmark college football season and playoff, I'm going to try and make up for my atrocious 19-16 bowl record by making some predictions for what will happen next season: 

1. Jameis Winston Will Continue To Give Bad Interviews
Last night, Jameis Winston proved two things: First, he is a very good quarterback deserving of the Heisman trophy. Second, he has no public speaking abilities whatsoever. I was going to try and write this entire paragraph in 'Winston English', but the task was simply too hard. He may have "done it big" and "brought that swag back" on the football field, but I couldn't write a paragraph in 'Winston English' unless I was writing it with my teammates who wrote it with me! Instead, I'm going to let Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall explain what I thought of Winston's inspirational words following last night's game:

Adding "twerk", "YOLO", and eradicating the meaning of literally has already made the English language a laughingstock. But I mean, Famous Jameis, if you want to be taken seriously be me, please practice your public speaking skills along with your three step drops. Besides, if you have to go to court for another scandal down the road, you're going to find the English language very useful. (Also another mini prediction, look for hundreds, if not thousands of College Gameday signs taunting Winston's speaking skills next fall)

2. Brady Hoke Will Get Fired or Win a Division Title

The University of Michigan football team used to be one of the top programs in the country. Then, Rich Rodriguez happened, they stopped playing defense, and they forgot how to beat Ohio State. To ascent back to the top of the college football universe, they hired Brady Hoke. However, the Wolverine faithful are figuring out that Hoke is both figuratively (and much more literally) weighing them down. After spending more time eating chicken wings than preparing for the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, Hoke is going to have even more pressure next fall. He has recruited well, but it's not translating to any success on the field. Michigan hasn't won a conference championship since 2004 and was only able to win a bowl game in Hoke's first season. With the new Big Ten alignment, a win over Ohio State could vault the Wolverines into the Big Ten title game. And that seems to me the only way Hoke keeps his job. 

3. Alabama Will Make the Playoff 

Nick Saban's and the Crimson Tide have lost two straight football games, AJ McCarron will be gone, the defense will lose some key players, and Auburn, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and LSU can all compete with the Tide. All of those reasons, especially the first one, explain why Alabama will have success this fall. If you can believe Saban doesn't lay awake at night reliving the Chris Davis return (and more recently getting outcoached by Bob Stoops), you are too naive about Saban's outlook on life and football. Saban will spring the entire spring preparing for any possible outcomes he might face next year. What if Mike the Tiger escapes on to the sideline during their game at Baton Rouge? (I'll have two graduate assistants spaced 15 yards apart each carry a tranquilizer) What if my kicker misses three field goals again (I'll kick the damn ball myself) What if Johnny Manziel doesn't leave Texas A&M? (I'll kill him. I have no choice but to kill him) Nick Saban's drive to win will be even greater this fall, and when coupled with his threats to severely injure his players if they lose, look for the Crimson Tide to get the nod to participate in the playoff, even if Saban has to bribe a few committee members.

4. An Ohio State Buckeye Will Miss Games Due to a Suspension for Ecstasy Use

Wait, this already happened? Thanks Noah Spence! At least one of these will be right! (Actually, who am I kidding, number one is a guarantee, too).

5. UCLA Will Win the National Championship

Now, that may sound crazy. And I must admit, I nearly laughed as I typed it. That can't actually happen can it? Winston has another Heisman and championship locked up already. If not him, one of the mighty teams in Alabama will win it. Michigan State could be scary good. Oregon and Stanford both play in the Pac-12 and UCLA can't beat either of them. Well, nobody had Auburn making it all the way to Pasadena this year, and it's much more plausible for the team that plays in the Rose Bowl to make a run like that next year (Also, it's no fun to pick a team, like Bama or FSU, because everybody will pick them. Plus, if UCLA even makes it to the title game, you can bet I'll reference this January blog post to assert my sports knowledge dominance). Especially when you have a guy by the name of Brett Hundley. The kid got some major draft buzz this year, and he will likely be a top five pick if he has another solid season. When you combine his talent on offense, a stout UCLA defense, and Oregon and Stanford having to come to Los Angeles, UCLA will win the Pac-12, get into the playoff, and win it all.

Other Playoff Teams:

-Alabama: Talked about above.

-Florida State: As much as I knocked Jameis, the ACC is really bad and Florida State is really good. If they don't make it into the playoff I would be shocked.

-Oklahoma: The Sooners ended the season fire, and if Trevor Knight keeps playing like a capable quarterback, Oklahoma could be really, really good next year. 

J. Nave