All 4 Downs Podcast

Welcome to another edition of All 4 Downs.  We are two weeks away from the start of the 2022-23 College football season and this past Monday, August 15, the AP Preseason Top 25 Poll was published.  The top 5 teams mirror the coaches poll. 

The top ten teams are the same but in different order.  Sticking with the top ten teams from the AP rankings is my focus as I make a prediction of this season’s record.  

Starting with number 10, The Big 12 Champions and the Allstate Sugar Bowl winner, the Baylor Bears.   Head Coach Dave Aranda changed the team around in his second season and went 12-1.  This season, he may have Blake Shapen as the starting QB.  And that raises some concern in the offense.  In the three starts, Shapen performed mediocre in the second half games against Kansas State, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State.  Only three touchdowns in 6 quarters.  The offense did not stay on the field much as their opponents outscored the Bears.  Can the Bears improve in the second half?  Former starting QB Gerry Bohanon transferred to South Florida in the offseason.  I predict Baylor to finish 7-5 with Iowa State and Texas upsetting the Bears.  

Number 9

The Oklahoma Sooners have first year head coach Brent Venables.  He was hired after Lincoln Riley escaped to USC.  Venable is a defensive minded coach that can help improve the defense, which lacks coverage like the entire Big 12 conference.  Venable was part of the Clemson national championships and seeks to continue his awesome resume and lead the Sooners to the top.  There are two games to watch out for and that is at Nebraska and hosting Oklahoma State.  I predict the Sonners to finish 10-2.

Number 8

The Big Ten Champions, Michigan Wolverines return from the college football playoff loss hoping to repeat and head back there.  But they may find it hard to accomplish that task.  The Wolverines will host Penn State and Michigan State, back to back, and go on the road to their rivalry Ohio State.   I predict Michigan going 9-3.

NUmber 7

Utah Utes

I do not have Utah in the top ten but many believe with so many caliber players returning this season, Utah can run the conference and win it, plus reach the college football playoffs.  Cameron Rising will be the starting QB  The Utes lost four games last season to BYU, San Diego State, Oregon State, and Ohio State.  Utah’s season opener will be against SEC opponent Florida Gators.  It is hard to tell how well the team will finish with Head Coach Kyle Whittingham never to have a perfect season.  And in the PAC 12, in order to reach the playoffs, the teams need to finish perfect.  Utah Utes finish the season at best, 10-2.  

Number 6

Texas A&M Aggies

The Aggies finally defeated Alabama last season.  But, can they do it again?  That is a hard task especially when they are in the same division.  How can you reach the college football playoffs without playing a conference championship?  Only Notre Dame has done it as they are an independent conference.  Jimbo is entering his 5th season and many games in the SEC you have to watch out for.  But two in particular without the Alabama game you may want to watch closely, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.  The Aggies finished 10-2.

Number 5

Notre Dame

The Irish have Marcus Freeman as the new head coach of the organization.  Freeman coached a loss in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State.  This season, the team will start by playing against the Ohio State Buckeyes.  They will also play Clemson and USC.  Tyler Buckner was named the starting quarterback over Drew Pyne.  This will be a tough task and the Irish are seeking to go back to back season to the college football playoffs. Being number 5 now is too high and I predict Notre Dame to finish 9-3.  

Number 4

Clemson Tigers

Dabo Swinney is entering his 15th season.  He has an impressive total record with 150 wins, 36 losses.  Clemson has won 2 National Championships out of 4 appearances, all within the college football playoff format.  Despite having a turbulence, in and out of the field last season, the Tigers are set to make a comeback.  I am predicting a wild card or a Cinderella story on how the Tigers, who finished 10-3, QB DJ Uiagalelei having an underachieving season, bounce back to the finals and potentially have DJ winning the Heisman.  It can be that type of season with Clemson finishing undefeated.  

Also, Number 3 Georgia

Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs are the defending national champions.   But there are questions concerning the team.  Majority of the starters have gone on to the NFL.  QB Stetson Bennett returns for his final year, and wonders if this is a rebuilding year or do the Bulldogs have enough talent to repeat.  I predict Georgia to finish undefeated and a rematch with Alabama in the SEC Championship.  

Number 2 is no surprise, Ohio State

Head Coach Ryan Day is entering his fifth season with a 34-4 record, 23-1 in the Big Ten.  The Buckeyes fell short of the playoffs, losing to Michigan in the Big Ten Conference.  There are only two key games for Ohio State that I am looking at, and that is Notre Dame and Michigan.  Both games are home and I do not see the Buckeyes losing at home this season.  I predict Ohio State to finish the regular season 12-0.  

And finally, number one, Alabama.  

The Crimson Tide lost the national championship game to the Georgia Bulldogs.  Injuries prevented Alabama from repeating.  This season, it's all about revenge.  Nick Saban against his former assistance.  Should the Crimson Tide remain healthy all season long, and with the backup talent, they should redeem themselves against A&M and Georgia.  It does not look like any team in the SEC can defeat Alabama and therefore expect Alabama to be 12-0 and be the top team for the college football playoffs.  

Two other college teams that the AP and Coaches Polls did not consider and should be the wild card teams this season, and they are the Texas Longhorns and Oregon Ducks.  

In the next episode of All 4 Downs, I will make bold predictions on the national championship finals and Heisman Trophy winner.  

This podcast is presented by CMGSports.  If you are wanting to start your own podcast, visit clovercrestmedia.com to get started.  Thankyou for watching All 4 Downs.  Please hit the subscribe button and leave a comment about the show.  I’m Ovi Muniz, on ALL 4 DOWNS.