The 2023 college football season has arrived. We know, Week 0 already happened, but the truth is Week 1 is when things officially kick off.
With that in mind, our experts have put together their picks and predictions for the year ahead.
Let’s go!
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Graphic by Bryce Wood; Jordan Travis: Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat/USA TODAY Network; James Franklin: Matthew OHaren/USA TODAY Sports; Kirby Smart: Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports; Marvin Harrison Jr.: Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY Network; Caleb Williams: Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports
Power 5 conference championship games
Pat Forde
ACC: Florida State vs. Clemson. A rematch of the game that will be played Sept. 23 in Death Valley. Winner: Florida State
Big 12: Texas vs. Kansas State. The Longhorns will wander into their first league championship game since 2018 but exit the Big 12 without a conference title since ’09. Winner: Kansas State
Big Ten: Michigan vs. Wisconsin. For the 10th consecutive season, the champion of the East will defeat the champion of the West. Winner: Michigan
Pac-12: Washington vs. Oregon State. Beavers show the rest of the Power Four leagues what they are missing by leaving them out in the cold. Winner: Oregon State
SEC: LSU vs. Georgia. This might be closer than last year. Then again, it might not be. Winner: Georgia
Sara Diggins/American-Statesman/USA TODAY Network
Richard Johnson
ACC: Clemson vs. Florida State. The Noles are back, baby. It will take a rematch to put FSU’s stamp on the league, but it will beat Clemson twice to win the ACC. Winner: FSU
Big 12: Texas vs. Kansas State. Texas will end the Big 12 era as we know it with a conference title, pouring a little cold water on commissioner Brett Yormark’s bluster. Winner: Texas
Big Ten: Penn State vs. Illinois. Finally, after all these years of hype and knocking at the door, the Nittany Lions are going to pay it off. They’ll vanquish Michigan and Ohio State in the regular season en route to the ultimate prize. Winner: Penn State
Pac-12: USC vs. Washington. Offense will be optional in this title game, but USC will come to play and scale the mountaintop it was unable to last year. It helps that Utah won’t be in the Trojans’ way again. Winner: USC
SEC: Georgia vs. Texas A&M. Despite all the jokes and all the missed expectations, the Aggies will rise to do what many believe unthinkable: win the west. They’ll do what everyone else does in the SEC championship game, however. Winner: Georgia
College Football Playoff picks
Pat Forde
Semifinal 1: Georgia over Penn State
Semifinal 2: Michigan over Florida State
Title game: Georgia over Michigan
Two representatives from the Big Ten East for the second year in a row? Yes. Neither of them winning the natty? Yes. The Bulldogs have built the perfect beast—huge, physical, fast, capable of imposing their will and executing at crunch time.
Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated
Richard Johnson
Semifinal 1: Penn State over Georgia
Semifinal 2: USC over Texas
Title game: Penn State over USC
Bring on the playoff usurpers to this year’s shindig. We got a little new blood last year, and we’ll get a lot more this year. Georgia will not repeat, and a rematch of the 2005 Rose Bowl will go the other way this time around. Nittany Lions QB Drew Allar will rise to the challenge and outduel Caleb Williams for the national title.
Heisman prediction
Pat Forde
The guess here is that USC’s defense will let down Caleb Williams just enough that voters look for an alternative, and Florida State QB Jordan Travis is that alternative.
Richard Johnson
Since DeVonta Smith proved a wide receiver can win the Heisman, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. is going to follow him to wideout immortality after a season in which he shows he’s the best player in the country, irrespective of position.
One bold prediction
Pat Forde
In addition to Oregon State winning the Pac-12 and Jordan Travis winning the Heisman? Let’s go with this: Ohio State will lose two Big Ten games for the first time since 2011 and finish third in the East.
Richard Johnson
Iowa is actually going to score 25 points per game this season and make a bowl game, in which case Brian Ferentz’s job will be safe.
First head coach to get fired
Pat Forde
West Virginia’s Neal Brown comes into the season on the hottest seat in the nation, and playing Penn State, Pittsburgh, Texas Tech and TCU in the first month isn’t going to reduce the temperature.
Ben Queen/USA TODAY Sports
Richard Johnson
Danny Gonzales, New Mexico. There aren’t many FBS wins to be had on the schedule. Maybe UMass, New Mexico State or Utah State. Beyond that, it could be an ugly season in Albuquerque.
