WASHINGTON — How will the 2017 college football season shake out? The WTOP Sports staff takes a look into the crystal ball.
Clemson enters the year as defending champs, but Deshaun Watson is long gone. How will this year’s playoff shake out? Which teams will surprise, for better and for worse? Which of our local teams has the best chance at a great season?
The WTOP Sports staff takes its best shot at predicting the 2017 college football season.
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Who will start the most games at quarterback for Maryland this year?
Chris Cichon, sports anchor: Kasim Hill
Noah Frank, digital sports editor: Kasim Hill
Dave Preston, sports anchor: Caleb Henderson
Rob Woodfork, sports anchor: Caleb Henderson
(Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images
Which local FBS team (within the states of Maryland/Virginia/D.C.) will win the most games?
Chris Cichon: Virginia Tech
Noah Frank: Virginia Tech
Dave Preston: Virginia Tech
Rob Woodfork: Virginia Tech
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Which Group of Five team will earn the New Year’s Day bowl spot? Will they challenge for a College Football Playoff spot?
Chris Cichon: Boise State, no
Noah Frank: South Florida, no
Dave Preston: South Florida, no
Rob Woodfork: Marshall, no
(Photo by Jason Behnken/Getty Images)
Photo by Jason Behnken/Getty Images
What is the highest-ranked preseason team that will finish the year outside the Top 25?
Chris Cichon: #20 Kansas State
Noah Frank: #20 Kansas State
Dave Preston: #20 Kansas State
Rob Woodfork: #19 South Florida
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Which unranked team will finish the highest in the final College Football Playoff rankings?
Chris Cichon: Utah
Noah Frank: Oregon
Dave Preston: Notre Dame
Rob Woodfork: Notre Dame
(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Which four teams will make the College Football Playoff?
Chris Cichon: Alabama, Penn State, USC, Oklahoma State
Noah Frank: Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Georgia
Dave Preston: Alabama, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, USC
Rob Woodfork: Alabama, Ohio State, Penn State, Florida State
(AP Photo/Doug Benc)
AP Photo/Doug Benc
Who will win the National Championship?
Chris Cichon: Alabama
Noah Frank: Florida State
Dave Preston: USC
Rob Woodfork: Alabama
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Who will win the Heisman Trophy?
Chris Cichon: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Noah Frank: Deondre Francois, QB, Florida State
Dave Preston: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Rob Woodfork: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)