The Only 8 Teams That Can Win The National Championship
Here are the only college football teams that can win the national championship.
How many teams do you think can win college football's national championship this upcoming season?
10? 15? 20?
The number is probably less than you think.
In my opinion, there are only eight teams that can win this year's national championship.
The list could probably be smaller than eight, but there's a bit of uncertainty at the top of the college football world heading into this season. A couple of the elite programs have ongoing quarterback competitions. A couple others lost a ridiculous amount of talent to the NFL.
So, without further ado, here are the eight teams that can win this year's national championship.
One of these eight teams will be holding up the College Football Playoff trophy next January.
Start With No. 8 ??? >>>
8. USC
The Trojans will be a popular pick to win it all coming off their exciting Rose Bowl win over Penn State.
USC has perhaps the best quarterback in the country in Sam Darnold, a trendy Heisman Trophy pick after his ridiculous performance against the Nittany Lions.
The Pac-12 will be tough, and Washington should be a top 10 team, but we think USC is the only team in that league with the potential to win it all.
Next: No. 7 ??? >>>
7. Penn State
Speaking of that thrilling Rose Bowl game...
The Nittany Lions, like USC, also has the potential to win it all. Penn State should have one of college football's most-potent offenses this fall, led by Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley.
Both of those players could be Heisman Trophy candidates and the best in the Big Ten at their respective positions.
Penn State has a tough game at Ohio State that could prevent the Nittany Lions from making the College Football Playoff, though.
Next: No. 6 ??? >>>
6. Oklahoma
The Sooners were a popular national championship pick last season. Oklahoma disappointed a bit, falling in both of its marquee non-conference games (Houston, Ohio State).
Bob Stoops' team finished strong, though, and should contend for a College Football Playoff berth this season.
They're the Big 12 favorite.
While OU lost some of its big contributors on offense, with Baker Mayfield at quarterback, the Sooners should be in every game it plays.
A non-conference tilt at Ohio State Week 2 will be massive.
Next: No. 5 ??? >>>
5. Auburn
Yes, the Tigers have a chance to win the national championship.
Auburn had elite talent in 2016, but its quarterback play was awful. That should change this fall.
The Tigers will likely start former Baylor quarterback Jarrett Stidham behind center. He's a former top recruit and has the ability to be the best QB in the SEC this season.
With Stidham behind center, Auburn has the potential to win the league and the national title.
Next: No. 4 ??? >>>
4. Clemson
The Tigers, despite Deshaun Watson, have what it takes to win it all this season.
Maybe you haven't been paying attention, but Dabo Swinney has been stockpiling a ridiculous amount of talent in his program, close - or even at - the level of the Alabamas and Ohio States of the world.
If this team can just get solid play from the quarterback position, it could win it all.
Clemson will still be one of the sport's most-talented teams and should win at least 10 games, contending for a College Football Playoff spot.
Next: No. 3 ??? >>>
3. Florida State
While Clemson has what it takes to win it all, Florida State will probably be the best team in the ACC.
The Seminoles were one of the youngest teams in college football last season and a lot of that talent will be experienced this season.
Deondre Francois should take a step forward and five-star running back Cam Akers looks like he could replace Dalvin Cook.
Florida State is set to play Alabama Week 1. We'll learn a lot about Jimbo Fisher's team right away.
Next: No. 2 ??? >>>
2. Ohio State
There are two programs in college football that will pretty much be on this list every year.
Ohio State is one of them. The other is the next team on this list.
The Buckeyes get J.T. Barrett back, will have a ridiculous good front line on defense, and have been bringing in top recruiting classes every year.
Ohio State will be the favorite in the Big Ten, but a road contest at Michigan the last week of the season looms large. Will Jim Harbaugh finally notch a win against the Buckeyes?
Next: No. 1 ??? >>>
1. Alabama
Of course.
The Crimson Tide have been in the national title hunt - winning a bunch of them - basically every year for the past six to seven seasons.
That will be no different this season.
Yeah, Alabama lost a decent amount of talent to the NFL, but it does that every season. And every season, Nick Saban's team seems to be able to replace those guys with guys who are just as good.
Whether or not Jalen Hurts takes another step forward as a sophomore could be the difference in the Crimson Tide's national title chances this season.
Who are you picking to win it all this season?
