Dylan Rubino – The Daily Mississippian – Sports editor
Ohio State – Urban Meyer is close to building a dynasty in Columbus, and it may be solidified after this season. With depth at quarterback, a great running back in Ezekiel Elliot, one of the best defenses in the country and a favorable schedule, the Buckeyes are likely to run the table.
TCU – My personal pick to win it all. The Horned Frogs return 10 starters on offense, all of which are seniors. Led by quarterback Trevone Boykin and another strong defense led by head coach Gary Patterson, TCU is bound to reach the playoff if they can get through their tough schedule.
Auburn – With the addition of Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator, expect drastic improvements from a Tiger defense that struggled immensely last season. With the talented Jeremy Johnson at quarterback and a fast tempo offense led by a strong running game, Auburn should be the top dog in the big, bad SEC.
Michigan State – My wild card pick to make the playoff. The two high-profiled games for the Spartans are home against Oregon and at Ohio State. If Michigan State can split those two games and go undefeated the rest of the way, look for Michigan State to be there by New Years. A breakout season is coming for quarterback Connor Cook.
Logan Kirkland – The Daily Mississippian – Editor-in-chief
I am going to be honest with everyone. I love sports and think they are fun to watch, but I am also not a sports fanatic. I feel like I’m the average sports fan: I spend games cursing and cheering in turn. My picks may seem obscure, but hear me out.
Ohio State- I am from Tuscaloosa and a strong supporter of the SEC, so last year’s national championship game was a tough one for me. Ohio State has a strong run game and depth at quarterback, which gives them the credentials for the playoffs.
TCU- Man, TCU really beat up an already hurting Ole Miss team. They, without a doubt, should have been in the college playoffs, and in my opinion could have won the Championship against any of those teams. TCU is fast — fast enough to make a run for the contention for the playoffs.
Notre Dame- I really did not know who I wanted to fill this spot. I’m Catholic, so I figured, why not?
Ole Miss- The SEC has an abundance of candidates for the playoffs, but picking who will actually make it seems impossible. The Rebels have some tough games this year. We could win some close ones or lose some close ones. If Ole Miss goes undefeated, it will be by the skin of their teeth. Fans, be ready for another exciting (terrifying) season.
Browning Stubbs – Newswatch 99 – Station manager
Ohio State – The most talented team in the country returns over half its starters from a season ago and has a very favorable schedule. My money is on the Buckeyes to be in the playoff, even if they drop a game.
TCU – The Horned Frogs were robbed of a playoff spot last year by some experts. This time around, the committee will put TV cameras all over Fort Worth as they host Baylor in the final game of the season.
Alabama – There’s always going to be an SEC team in the playoff and Alabama, arguably, has the toughest schedule in America. Alabama could get some votes even if they drop a game in the tough SEC.
USC – This came down to a coin flip between USC and Oregon. The answer came down to the quarterback play as the Trojans’ Cody Kessler is poised for another breakout season to bring the Trojans back to a familiar place in the championship discussion.
Brian Scott Rippee – The Daily Mississippian – sports reporter
TCU – The Horned Frogs made a statement against Ole Miss after being left out of the college football playoff. TCU returns 8 starters from a loaded defense as well as experience at the quarterback position in Trevone Boykin. Look for Gary Patterson’s team have a chip on its shoulder after being snubbed last season.
Auburn – There are high expectations for junior quarterback Jeremy Johnson and the Auburn offense this year. The Tigers get Ole Miss, Georgia, Mississippi State and Alabama at home this year and seem to have the most favorable path to make it out of the gauntlet that is the SEC West.
Ohio State – The Buckeyes were the first team ever to be unanimously voted number one of the preseason AP poll. Whether it’s JT Barrett or Cardale Jones under center, I see the Buckeyes picking up right where they left off last year and returning to the playoffs.
Clemson – A little bit of a dark horse here, but with Oregon’s quarterback uncertainties, I don’t see the PAC 12 getting a team in. Head coach Dabo Sweeney has won at least 10 games in four consecutive years at Clemson and will be looking to improve this year with a younger squad. I like Deshaun Watson’s explosiveness at the quarterback position to lead Clemson to win the ACC and into the playoff.
