NWADG College Football

45 NWA COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 9.20.2020 NOAH TRISTER AP SPORTS WRITER Last year, we published our own version of a dream college football road trip — an itinerary that could allow a particularly obsessed fan to see each team in the preseason Top 25 at least once in person. Needless to say, 2020 isn't the year for something like that. The coronavirus pandemic has shut down much of Division I football. Only three of the Power Five leagues are still playing, meaning several teams from the preseason Top 25 are out of action. Michigan-Ohio State? That game is on hold right now, along with the rest of Big Ten football. Ditto for the Pac-12. But there are still plenty of big matchups to look forward to. There's no guarantee these games will be played — a quick look at Major League Baseball tells you all you need to know about how quickly a schedule can be jolted by postponements. And because football teams don't play doubleheaders, college football may face an even bigger challenge completing a credible season. But here are a few games to look forward to, if the current schedule holds up. Each team's preseason ranking is included. Oct. 3: No. 11 Auburn at No. 4 Georgia Auburn-Kentucky on Sept. 26 could be interesting, but this stands out as the first really big game on the SEC schedule. After Jamie Newman's decision to opt out, Georgia won't have too much time to get its quarterback situation in order. Oct. 10: No. 5 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 Texas The State Fair of Texas has been canceled, but this rivalry game at the site of the Cotton Bowl is still on. Oklahoma has won the Big 12 in all three seasons under Lincoln Riley — with three different quarterbacks, each of which finished no worse than second in the Heisman Trophy race. Redshirt freshman Spencer Rattler takes over this year. Oct. 10: No. 8 Florida at No. 13 Texas A&M Jimbo Fisher is in Year 3 as coach and Kellen Mond is in Year 4 as the starting quarterback. Time for Texas A&M to take a big step forward, although the Aggies have to play Alabama the week before this showdown with the Gators. Nov. 7: No. 1 Clemson at No. 10 Notre Dame For this year at least, the Fighting Irish are in the ACC, and they're even showing off the logo on the field to prove it. Clemson — which was supposed to play Notre Dame this year anyway — now has to outlast the Irish to win a sixth straight conference title. Nov. 14: No. 3 Alabama at No. 6 LSU This game now takes place the same weekend as another major Southern sporting event — the Masters. LSU beat the Crimson Tide on the road en route to a national title last season, and Alabama will now try to return the favor. The Tigers were already facing major losses this year before coronavirus opt-outs left them with an even bigger challenge. It's hard to say what kind of shape they'll be in by the time this matchup rolls around. Nov. 28: Mississippi State at Mississippi Yes, the Iron Bowl will likely mean more in terms of the SEC title race, but the Egg Bowl is developing a well- deserved reputation for silliness — and is now must-see TV after the way last year's game ended. Both teams have new big- name coaches: Lane Kiffin at Mississippi and Mike Leach at Mississippi State. (Alas, Kiffin isn't scheduled to face his old friends at Tennessee this season.) BIG GAMES STILL HIGHLIGHT SCHEDULES BEDNARIK AWARD (defensive player of the year) • Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama. Back from injury to tighten up the Tide's run defense. • Jalean Phillips, DE, Miami. An off-the- board pick. Phillips is a former five-star recruit and transfer from UCLA who is primed to break out as a senior. • Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State. A force inside for the rebuilding Seminoles. • Who's missing? Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, just a sophomore, is a game-wrecker. The winner will be: Wilson. OUTLAND TROPHY (outstanding interior lineman) Defensive linemen are eligible for the Outland, but because the o-linemen don't get much love, we will focus on them: • Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama. The next in a long line of Crimson Tide tackles to become a first-round draft pick. • Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee. After health issues threatened to derail his career, Smith has become a dominant player. • Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma. Anchors what should be another potent Sooners offense. • Who's missing? Oregon tackle Penei Sewell, last year's Outland winner. The winner will be: Smith. BILETNIKOFF AWARD (outstanding receiver) • Dyami Brown, North Carolina. One of two dynamic receivers in Chapel Hill, along with Dazz Newsome. • George Pickens, Georgia. Record- setting bowl Sugar Bowl performance was preview of what's to come in the Bulldogs' new offense. • Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State. Former All-American comes back strong after knee injury cut short last season. • Who's missing? Southern California's Amon-Ra St. Brown is poised to become the Trojans' top target. The winner will be: Pickens. DOAK WALKER AWARD (outstanding running back) • Travis Etienne, Clemson. It was a shocker that Etienne returned to Clemson after averaging more than 7.0 yards per carry in each of his first three seasons. • Harris, Alabama. Maybe the best all- around back in the country. • Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State. Another surprising returnee after a 2,000-yard season in 2019. • Who is missing? Buffalo's Jaret Patterson is coming off a 1,799-yard season for a team that likes to play power football. The winner will be: Harris. BUTKUS AWARD (outstanding linebacker) • Moses, Alabama. The Tide has had three Butkus winners since 2009. • Nick Bolton, Missouri. Underrated last year, Bolton gets the credit he deserves in 2020. • Rayshard Ashby, Virginia Tech. Led the Atlantic Coast Conference in tackles last season with 120. • Who's missing? Oregon State's Hamilcar Rashed led the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss in 2019. The winner will be: Moses. EXTRA POINTS • Thorpe Award (outstanding defensive back): Derek Stingley Jr., LSU. • Mackey Award (outstanding tight end): Kyle Pitts, Florida. • Groza Award (outstanding kicker): Nick Sciba, Wake Forest. • Guy Award (oustanding punter): Trenton Gill, North Carolina State. COLLEGE FOOTBALL P R E V I E W

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