Jake McCreven, Campus Correspondent: Georgia
The Bulldogs have established the benchmark of continued excellence throughout the first half of the decade by sporting a win-loss record of 48-3 since the beginning of the 2021 season and winning two National Championships over Alabama and TCU, respectively. Georgia opened the 2024 season as the nation’s No. 1 team but suffered an early season loss in an SEC-clash against Alabama, sliding the Dawgs down to No. 5 and out of most conversations surrounding the nation’s No. 1 team. After suffocating former No. 1 Texas in Austin this Saturday, Georgia has again mounted itself atop the college football landscape with its salty defensive front and pass oriented offense. With what can be considered the most star-studded roster in the sport, Georgia has overcome one bad half against Alabama en route to re-entering conversations as the nation’s best team.
Jake Loomis, Campus Correspondent: Texas
My prediction is that Texas will continue to be a good football team even though they lost versus Georgia. Quinn Ewers will have a revelation after the loss to the dogs and this will be a good thing for the team. The pressure to remain perfect is no more, however they will not want to lose another game. There is something to be said though of now UT does not have a bounty on their backs. Steve Sarkisan should look to have this team in great shape and if they can handle business down the stretch, they will be dancing come February.
Connor Sargeant, Associate Sports Editor: Penn State
The Penn State Nittany Lions are No. 3 in the latest AP poll and make a convincing case at finishing atop the Big 10 and winning a national championship this year. Unlike in recent history, this Nittany Lions team has sported a high ability to close games out. Their 33-30 overtime victory at USC inspires confidence in me that this team is legit and has the highest ceiling out of any team in college football. While quarterback Drew Allar finished that contest with three interceptions, he also threw for nearly 400 yards and led the game winning drive in overtime. Not to mention Tyler Warren had arguably the greatest performance of any tight end in FBS history, snagging 17 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown. Penn State’s true test will come in two weeks, where they will host their Big 10 rivals, Ohio State. However, with what they have shown me so far this year, this team can take care of business against nearly any program and make the best case at going all the way in this expanded playoff format.
Tyler Pruneau, Campus Correspondent: Oregon
Making their presence known immediately while adjusting to the Big 10, the Oregon Ducks dominated their competition so far. After losing Bo Nix to the NFL draft, the future of the program was unknown, but Dillon Gabriel wants to tell a different story. Transferring from Oklahoma following the 2023-2024 season, Gabriel earned his team’s trust. Throwing for 2,080 yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions, the senior led the team to seven straight victories to begin this season. Unlike Georgia and Texas, who struggled to find success at the beginning of their ranked games, Oregon held their own throughout their matchup. Outplaying the former No. 2 ranked team, Ohio State, the Ducks handed them their first and only loss of the season. Living up to the hype, the clash was undecided until the clock hit zero. Falling into a deficit was not a worry for the Ducks as they kept up with the Buckeyes. The No.1 ranked Oregon Ducks have a solid chance at making a deep run in the playoffs and winning it all is a possibility.