So glad you asked.
ACCACC AtlanticClemson
NC State
Wake Forest
Louisville
Florida State
Boston College
Syracuse
ACC CoastalMiami
Pitt
Virginia
North Carolina
Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech
ACC CG: Clemson over Miami
Narrative: The reason I am going with Clemson has more to do with that defense - I think that sets them apart in a league that appears to be leaning heavy towards offense. All of the other Atlantic teams lack defensive prowess. While a few have some interesting offenses (NC State, Wake, Lville), I don't see that as enough of an advantage to get all the way over Clemson. That late season game with Miami for Clemson will be a serious test but I think it's one they can pass - twice. I give Miami the edge over Pitt because I like the talent on Miami's roster slightly more than what I know about Pitt as of today. That could flip the other way by the time they play each other. The rest of the Coastal is a Yahtzee throw except for Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are my prediction for "first to enter the coaching carousel" this year.
Big TenBig Ten EastOhio State
Michigan State
Penn State
Michigan
Maryland
Rutgers
Indiana
Big Ten WestPurdue
Wisconsin
Iowa
Minnesota
Illinois
Nebraska
Northwestern
Big Ten CG: Ohio State over Purdue
Narrative: The East division isn't a surprise because Ohio State is as loaded on offense as any team in the country. If they get anything - ANYTHING - remotely resembling competent defense, they should navigate that schedule towards Indianapolis and beyond. I like Michigan State and Penn State more than Michigan and the rest of the division isn't all that interesting. (Fun note: I get to see Maryland up close as they travel TO Charlotte for a game on campus this season.) The West is where I pull a "surprise," I guess. I really like Aidan O'Connell at QB for Purdue and Jeff Brohm as an offensive mind. I think Wisconsin and Iowa are interchangeable this year. Minnesota could surprise a little. I don't think Illinois, Nebraska, or Northwestern are formidable at all.
Big 12Baylor
Kansas State
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Texas
Iowa State
West Virginia
TCU
Texas Tech
Kansas
Big 12 CG: Kansas State over Baylor
Narrative: The Big 12 might be the most competitive at the top of any conference this year. That also means I think they keep themselves from the be-all end-all playoff as currently structured. I'm picking K State to win a rematch with Baylor. I like Deuce Vaughn as an explosive playmaker. Baylor has most of its team back and the word is they have upgraded at QB though that remains to be seen. I'm not buying Oklahoma in a reset. Texas will be better in November than September if they can avoid serious injury issues. The bottom four teams either feature new coaches or soon to be first coaches. Each week could feature a shuffling upset with the Big 12 this year.
PAC 12 (no divisions starts this year!)Utah
UCLA
Oregon
USC
Oregon State
Washington State
Stanford
Washington
Cal
Arizona
Arizona State
Colorado
PAC 12 CG: Utah over UCLA
Narrative: Utah's always had the up front talent to compete. Now they have the playmaker at QB to complete an offense and that's the difference here. I am banking on Chip Kelly's machinations all aligning enough to get them into striking distance of the crown, but they still have flaws. USC is flashy and fun but I don't know how a team of assembled parts can make the leap the national media want them to in one year. I think the Utes are going to "surprise" people this year.
SECSEC EastKentucky
Georgia
Florida
South Carolina
Tennessee
Missouri
Vanderbilt
SEC WestAlabama
Texas A&M
Arkansas
Mississippi State
Auburn
Ole Miss
LSU
SEC CG: Alabama over Kentucky
Narrative: Before you spit your coffee all over the monitor, allow me to explain myself. I think Georgia is really good. Like, 10-2 good. I just think that IF there is a year another team can get by them to Atlanta, it's this year and it's this Kentucky team. They have the foundation, the coaching, the QB, and the schedule to do it even though I do think they lose one or two along the way as well, so no playoffs for the Blue Cats. Behind those two, I still like Florida's roster talent (and their coaching staff) over South Carolina. I'm not buying Tennessee at all. In the West, boring wins but it's because boring (Alabama) has a killer defensive front that allows them to drop seven in coverage. Coupled with what I think will be a bit of a return to the "line up and mash people offense" with Gibbs and the rest of the RBs/OL, I think Alabama can smash their way through the schedule to the postseason. I don't like having Texas A&M that high but I don't think Arkansas or Miss. State can get over them. I think Auburn may be able to use a solid defense and run game to get over Ole Miss. Take the letters off the helmet and jersey when you look at LSU this year. That's not a good roster. They will be in the future, most likely, but not this year.
Playoff Four: Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, Utah
Title Game: Alabama over Ohio State