.png)
_edited_edited.png)
As conference media days are coming to a close, talking season is just about over and the 2023 college football season is right around the corner. When media days finish up, it is finally time to make your final predictions for the upcoming college football season.
There are so many question marks with the “usual suspects” per se and a solid field of upcoming teams that have enough talent to make a run at the College Football Playoffs or at a New Year's Six Bowl game.
The question that has to be asked heading into the 2023 season is… Can anybody dethrone Georgia and prevent a three-peat? In my opinion, only a handful of teams have what it takes to compete with the Bulldogs in 2023, but crazier things have happened.
There are so many teams that are more than capable of making a run at the College Football Playoff, some are newcomers, and others are persistent members. On the other hand, the New Year's Six Bowl race is a lot more wide open. Even if you don’t make the College Football Playoff does not mean you have had a bad season. New Year’s Bowl games still mean so much to the fan bases and to programs all around the country.
With that being said, here are the teams that I think will be playing on the biggest stages in the 2023 College Football Season…
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Dec 29)
Prediction: Ohio State vs UTSA
Ohio State has one of the most talented rosters in the country, however, with a tricky schedule and a new starting quarterback, I would not be surprised if the Buckeyes did not make the playoff.
I think UTSA will be the best group of five teams in 2023. Frank Harris is an outstanding quarterback and he will lead this UTSA program to their first-ever New Year’s Six Bowl Game.
VRBO Fiesta Bowl (Jan 1)
Prediction: Texas vs USC
In what would be one of the most exciting bowl games in years, Texas and USC both believe that they are back and are looking to make a big splash in 2023.
USC has what it takes to make a playoff run with Lincoln Riley heading into year two, and reigning Heisman winner, Caleb Williams, returning. The only thing holding the Trojans back is the gauntlet that is the Pac-12 in 2023. Even if USC does not make the playoffs, a New Year's Six Bowl win would still be big for the program and a great sign moving forward.
The Texas Longhorns believe that they finally have what it takes to win the Big 12 and I don’t think that's crazy to say. For Texas to win the Big 12 in their final season with the conference would be a fairy tale ending, and a New Year's Six Bowl game would be a cherry on top.
Capital One Orange Bowl (Dec 30)
Prediction: Alabama vs Florida State
It is crazy to say that Alabama is underrated in 2023, but that’s the truth. Alabama will be a lot better than people think, however, their quarterback problem will prevent the Tide from making it back to the playoff.
The Florida State hype heading into the 2023 season is unbelievable. The Seminoles will be a very good football team and I think that a New Year's Six Bowl is definitely in this team's future.
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (Dec 30)
Prediction: Notre Dame vs Tennessee
Notre Dame might be College Football’s wild-card team in 2023. The Fighting Irish could either go 7-5 or be as good as 10-2. I really do like Notre Dame’s team this season with Sam Hartman transferring in and Marcus Freeman going into his second season as head coach.
Tennessee lost a lot from their team a year ago, but the Vols might be the most dangerous team in the country if Joe Milton shines the way I believe he will. The Volunteer defense should improve and the Vols will be in a great position to play in a New Year’s Six Bowl for the second straight year.
Playoff Semifinal - Rose Bowl (Jan 1)
Prediction: Michigan vs Washington
Michigan will once again be one of the best teams in the country, and I believe that this will be the best team Jim Harbaugh has had at Michigan. The Wolverines have a ton of production back from a year ago and it would be a disappointment if Michigan were to miss the playoffs.
The Washington Huskies will shock a ton of people in 2023. In my opinion, Michael Penix Jr is the best player in the country and will be a huge problem for opposing teams. The Huskie defense is very underrated and the offense will be one of the best in the country.
Playoff Semifinal - Sugar Bowl (Jan 1)
Prediction: Georgia vs Penn State
Georgia is almost a lock to make the playoff. Coming off back-to-back national titles, the Bulldogs only have a couple of teams on their schedule that could even put up a fight. Bearing an absolute collapse, the Bulldogs will be right back in the playoff looking for a three-peat.
The Penn State Nittany Lions are being looked over and disrespected. Penn State has one of the best running back rooms in the country and they have a top-five defense in the country. I think Drew Allar will step in and fill in the footsteps of Sean Clifford, and the Nittany Lion offense will be tough to stop. I believe James Franklin finally breaks through, and the Penn State Nittany Lions make their first College Football Playoff appearance.
.png)
.png)
Having Tennessee over LSU? Penn State over Ohio State? Quite questionable. And don’t underrate Iowa or Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship, because one of them could win that game and end up in OSU’s spot there. Wouldn’t bet on two Big Ten teams going again.