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College football conference breakdown, Week 1
Can Leonard Fournette make another run at the Heisman and also get LSU to the Playoff in 2016? Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

College football conference breakdown, Week 1

Of all of the sports postseasons, college football's is truly the most elitist. Only four of the 128 teams get a crack at it and you could win a Power 5 league and still be left out. That's how our weekly previews will be made.

We break down each of the Power 5 conferences as well as the "Group of Five" in order to find who has the best shot at the playoff of those six leagues and ranking the leagues accordingly. Meaning, if you aren't in the top four, you aren't in playoff position. Also, we will look at the biggest game in each league for that week along with a game that may get lost in your weekend shuffle.

1-SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

FAVORITE:  ALABAMA

Bama are the defending champs, top-ranked and still have Nick Saban as their head coach. The SEC, more than any conference out there, also has the benefit of the doubt when their top teams have one or even two losses. Meaning: the Tide don't have to be perfect in order to win the whole thing yet again. The Tide do have to be careful, as their toughest games (Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU) are all on the road.

GAME OF THE WEEK:  LSU AT WISCONSIN

Wisconsin may not be the power player they usually are, but this one will be played in historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay and the Wisconsin faithful should be quite rowdy. The Tigers will roll out Leonard Fournette again this year and we all know how strong he was in the first half of last season, plus they have a stellar defense. LSU, like Alabama, has championship hopes, so coming out of the gate with a win in the Badger State would be ideal.

UNDER THE RADAR GAME:  GEORGIA VS NORTH CAROLINA

First off, kudos to the SEC. This is Week 1 and their members have opponents like Clemson, Florida State, Wisconsin, USC, UCLA and West Virginia while South Carolina and Vanderbilt open up against each other — plus Georgia taking on North Carolina in the Georgia Dome. Both the Bulldogs and Tar Heels have a lot to prove this year.  Georgia has a beast of a backfield with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel that can control the ball and take pressure off the quarterback situation (especially if they go with freshman Jacob Eason). New head coach Kirby Smart ran that stout Alabama defense for nearly a decade so you know this Georgia defense will be much improved. They'll get a test right out of the gate with that speedy, high-flying North Carolina offense.

HEISMAN WATCH:  LEONARD FOURNETTE, LSU

Heading into the 2016 season, Fournette is the Heisman frontrunner. Last year he exploded out of the gate and was the runaway Heisman leader heading into the home stretch. However, a tough three-game losing streak in November—highlighted by a poor 31-yard rushing performance against Alabama—ended that for Fournette. Still, he is back and he's got a lot of returning talent around him at LSU. The last time we saw him, he rushed for 212 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus a receiving TD, against Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. If he can keep from that late season swoon, Fournette could be carrying the Heisman away.


2-ATLANTIC COAST CONFERNCE

FAVORITE:  CLEMSON

When you can return your Heisman-caliber quarterback on a team that went toe-to-toe in the College Football Playoff Championship game, you are set up for another run for a playoff spot. Right now, Clemson is the lead dog in the ACC—but that could change quickly. Their annual game against Florida State takes place in Tallahassee and could essentially be a playoff game in its own right. That game will come, but right now the Tigers are the team to beat.

GAME OF THE WEEK:  CLEMSON AT AUBURN

This is a big game for not only Clemson and the national championship race, but for the ACC as well. In this Tiger rumble, Clemson starts the season on SEC turf in a tough atmosphere on national television. Now, this Auburn team isn't as strong as in some years, coming off a tough 7-6 year. Still, bringing Clemson in town under the lights presents a great opportunity to get off to a strong start. Clemson, for their part, can flex their muscle on SEC turf in the state of the team that beat them for the title in January.

UNDER THE RADAR GAME:  OLE MISS VS FLORIDA STATE

This game will be played in Orlando's Citrus Bowl, which is a de facto home game for the Noles. Florida State, like Clemson, has championship dreams heading into this season and, like Clemson, starts the season with an SEC foe. Ole Miss is a top-20 squad with one of the top signal callers in the country in Chad Kelly. Like the Clemson-Auburn game, this one will also be a national prime-time affair. It would be an upset for Ole Miss to win this after a rough off season, but remember—the last time the Noles were on the field, they were soundly beaten by Houston.

HEISMAN WATCH:  DESHAUN WATSON, CLEMSON

Watson will be among the favorites for the Heisman.  He was a finalist last year when he led Clemson to the College Football Playoff Championship Game and performed outstanding even in the loss. The same is expected from both Clemson and Watson, with maybe both cashing in on the ultimate prize. Watson has receiving weapons all over the place and he is still so deadly with his legs. If Clemson can get back to the top of the heap, Watson will be the reason why.

STORYLINE

The ACC—yes, the ACC—is trying to become the first conference to get two teams into the College Football Playoff. While it isn't out of the realm that Clemson and Florida State could both make it to the playoff, it is quite an amazing feat for the league that's typically been regarded as a basketball league that has desperately trying to become a football power. It doesn't just stop at the top, though, as dark horse schools like Louisville, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Miami need to make sure the top half of the league becomes strong. By the way, you have to love the ACC expanding their wide geographic footprint by having a league game (Georgia Tech-Boston College) in Dublin, Ireland.


3-BIG 12 CONFERENCE

FAVORITE:  OKLAHOMA

The Sooners boast a great quarterback-running back trio in Baker Mayfield, Joe Mixon and Samale Perine. They also boast a lethal schedule right out of the gate. They open up at Houston (more on that later) before seeing Ohio State, TCU and Texas. All that in their first five games! Oklahoma is the most talented team in the Big 12 and were the cool kids' pick to win the playoff last year, but those landmines could keep them from reaching the playoffs.

GAME OF THE WEEK:  OKLAHOMA AT HOUSTON

This game shows up again in our breakdown, so let's take Oklahoma's side on this. This is a huge landmine game by taking on the team that could crash the playoff party in their city. This could be a huge risk by Oklahoma that could have little reward, especially if Houston falters in the American Athletic Conference and doesn't become this juggernaut. Still, it will be played and it gives Oklahoma the opportunity to have an impressive showing right off the bat and let the conference (and the nation) know it will cash in if they get to the playoffs again.

UNDER THE RADAR GAME:  NOTRE DAME AT TEXAS

The Longhorns are still in rebuilding mode and would love to take this opportunity against the Irish in Austin on Sunday night to show how far they've come—especially since Notre Dame blasted Texas 38-3 last year in South Bend. Texas thinks they can be a top-20 team and they have a great running game, so popping a high profile team like Notre Dame could be the catalyst for a comeback year. Of course, Texas could go the other way and have another 5-win season with that suspect defense and passing game.

HEISMAN WATCH:  BAKER MAYFIELD, OKLAHOMA

Mayfield, like Clemson's Watson, may win the Heisman by how far he can take the Sooners.  He got them into the College Football Playoff last season with his spectacular 36 TDs and were the sleeper pick for the title last year.  This year, he and Watson may be in a national battle for personal and team success.  Mayfield will also have some stiff Heisman competition from backfield teammate Samaje Perine, who could not only take votes away from Mayfield but production needed to wow voters.

STORYLINE

Again, the big story in the Big 12 will be expansion. Who? When? How many? While Oklahoma seems to be the popular pick to win the league, TCU and Oklahoma State will be right there with them. The rest of the Big 12 has fallen on some tough times and that is the backbone of where this league may be headed. Texas is the lead dog and if they can get out to a nice start and turn some heads then the Big 12 will be in for another interesting season.


4-BIG TEN CONFERENCE

FAVORITE:  MICHIGAN

Ohio State may be more talented, but sometimes it comes down purely to opportunity. The Wolverines could be 7-0 with a weak schedule before heading to Michigan State. Then things get dicey (games at Iowa and at Ohio State follow). Ohio State faces Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Penn State before ending the season with the two Michigan schools. I can see Michigan blasting off to this great start and Jim Harbaugh getting a ton of love heading into that home stretch.

GAME OF THE WEEK:  LSU AT WISCONSIN

Wisconsin welcomes national title contender LSU up to Lambeau Field. Doesn't get much sweeter than that. Wisconsin would love to open play by beating a top ten team in one of football's most hallowed buildings.

UNDER THE RADAR GAME:  OREGON STATE AT MINNESOTA

Well, the undercard in the Big Ten this week isn't very impressive. The Golden Gophers host Oregon State in a night game in TCF Bank Stadium and while it may not be an attention grabber, the rest of the Big Ten slate is way worse. At least both Minnesota and Oregon State were bowl teams a year ago and should be again. Minnesota begins their first full season after the Jerry Kill era.

HEISMAN WATCH:  J.T. BARRETT, OHIO STATE

Barrett was a strong Heisman candidate in 2014 (finishing fifth in voting) but broke his leg late in the season and watched Cardale Jones quarterback the Buckeyes to a National Championship and take the 2015 starting gig from him. The herky-jerky season at that position for Ohio State got Barrett his job back and Jones' leaving for the NFL makes it a given that Barrett will be given every chance to succeed. With Ohio State's playoff hopes and their tough schedule, Barrett will get his shot in the limelight.

STORYLINE

Urban Meyer vs. Jim Harbaugh. Plain and simple. Meyer is the stoic guy with three National Championships and Harbaugh is the fast-talking, controversial former NFL coach hot on his tail. Both have a team that can win the Big Ten title and, ultimately, a national championship. Plus, as usual between these two foes, Ohio State and Michigan stare right down to the end of their seasons to a possible match-up for all the marbles. In the meantime, the Buckeyes will be always in the news and Harbaugh will make sure he is. The future looks bright, as Harbaugh is quickly building Michigan back into a power while Meyer has a young team (no senior starters) who won a title two years ago and is always in the mix to do so again.


5-PACIFIC 12 CONFERENCE

FAVORITE:  STANFORD

Right now, the Pac-12 favorite is on the outside looking in. But who is the favorite in the Pac-12? Washington, UCLA, USC and Oregon are certainly candidates but I have Stanford—for now—in the top spot. Stanford has Heisman candidate Christian McCaffrey running behind that steady offensive line and should be able to keep new QB Keller Chryst from having to carry the team. One thing is for sure: Stanford will get the conference's best as they have USC and Washington State at home and must travel to UCLA, Washington and Oregon (not to mention going to South Bend and the Big Game in Berkeley). If Stanford wins the conference, they will have certainly earned it.

GAME OF THE WEEK:  USC VS ALABAMA

USC has a shot to win the wide open Pac-12 but their journey starts in Arlington, Texas against top-ranked, defending champion Alabama. While the Trojans could have a so-so season with that bruising schedule just as easily as getting to the playoff, this could set the table on how we perceive both USC and the conference as a whole. Bama could blow them out, but don't tell me your eyes won't be on this one if Southern Cal can stay in it.

UNDER THE RADAR GAME:  UCLA AT TEXAS A&M

Another game against the SEC. UCLA is another team with its sights on the Pac-12 crown. They still have Josh Rosen, which gives them an experienced quarterback who can carry his team through tough stretches. A&M isn't as good as they've been, but playing in Kyle Field is quite a chore for anyone.

HEISMAN WATCH: CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, STANFORD

McCaffrey was a beast last season when he broke the FBS single season all-purpose yards mark. He rushed for over 2,000 yards, had 645 yards receiving and was a deadly kick returner. McCaffrey finished second in Heisman voting this year so he will certainly be noticed. His main problem will be recreating such a magical season while losing four of his offensive linemen and his quarterback.

STORYLINE

The Pac-12 is in transition. Like the Big 12 in 2014, the Pac-12 is stung by not getting one of its teams in the College Football Playoff.Unlike the Big 12, it isn't scrambling to find a quick reason why.  No, the Pac-12 had plenty of solid teams and enough great players but just didn't have that dominant team last season. It may be the same this year. There are plenty of really, really, really good teams out west, but they must face each other and it is unlikely anyone will get to December undefeated, or even with just one loss. Someone could emerge, but it will be a tall order. What will be fun is that it isn't just Oregon and Stanford vying for the league crown: USC and UCLA will be back in the hunt while Washington and Washington State will be joining the party.


6-GROUP OF FIVE

FAVORITE:  HOUSTON

The Cougars are flying a bit high right now. They had a solid season last year that ended by beating Florida State in the Peach Bowl and they are working on being one of the expansion teams the Big 12 chooses. Beating Oklahoma would go a long way to accomplishing big things this fall. Houston has the talent and the schedule to become the first "group of five" school to reach the playoff.

GAME OF THE WEEK:  OKLAHOMA AT HOUSTON

We got the Oklahoma take earlier, not Houston's. There will be no bigger opponent for the Cougars on their schedule so this could be the make-or-break game for their shot at a playoff spot. All eyes will be on Houston and their athletic quarterback Greg Ward, Jr. to see if this is a Cinderella they can hitch their wagon to. It is also a huge game in other aspects, including Houston's attempt to be one of the schools the Big 12 adds in the near future. It is a free-for-all among some of the top Group Of Five programs to get in the Big 12 and a seat at the big table where earning a playoff spot isn't considered "crashing".

UNDER THE RADAR GAME:  COLORADO STATE VS COLORADO

There isn't much nationally on the line in this game, but it usually is so fun to watch. They've alternated wins over the last five seasons with last year's edition of the Rocky Mountain Showdown going in overtime (the Buffaloes won last year).

HEISMAN WATCH:  GREG WARD JR, HOUSTON

Ward's play got Houston on the map last season, especially in their drubbing of Florida State in the Peach Bowl. Can he duplicate that success as a marked man? He's a long shot to actually win the trophy, but getting an invite to the ceremony would mean a big season for the Cougars.

STORYLINE

Per usual, the story is being the underdog while trying to be one of the big dogs. Houston joins the likes of TCU and Boise State as smaller league schools trying to crash the party. Back in the BCS-crasher era, TCU and Boise State had a much larger target to reach while Houston is trying to be one of four teams invited to the postseason party. Not only do they need to stay undefeated, but they must look good doing it. In the meantime, these conferences keep moving teams as they jockey for the best way to get a seat at that Playoff table. With the Big 12 opening up for expansion, there is a free-for-all among the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA and Mountain West for possible defectors. And if/when schools leave those leagues, you better believe they will look to poach from one another. It is an awkward world where schools are openly campaigning to get into the Big 12 but trying to convince everyone that they love where they are currently at.

Can you name the top 5 Heisman Trophy finalists for each year since 2000?

Reggie Bush's 2005 Heisman Trophy was vacated. He is not listed in this quiz. 

SCORE:
0/100
TIME:
15:00
2000 / FSU
Chris Weinke
2000 / OKL
Josh Heupel
2000 / PUR
Drew Brees
2000 / TCU
LaDainian Tomlinson
2000 / NW
Damien Anderson
2001 / NEB
Eric Crouch
2001 / FLA
Rex Grossman
2001 / MIA
Ken Dorsey
2001 / ORE
Joey Harrington
2001 / FRST
David Carr
2002 / USC
Carson Palmer
2002 / IOW
Brad Banks
2002 / PSU
Larry Johnson
2002 / MIA
Willis McGahee
2002 / MIA
Ken Dorsey
2003 / OKL
Jason White
2003 / PIT
Larry Fitzgerald
2003 / OLEM
Eli Manning
2003 / MIC
Chris Perry
2003 / KSU
Darren Sproles
2004 / USC
Matt Leinart
2004 / OKL
Adrian Peterson
2004 / OKL
Jason White
2004 / UTA
Alex Smith
2004 / USC
Reggie Bush
2005 / TEX
Vince Young
2005 / USC
Matt Leinart
2005 / ND
Brady Quinn
2005 / PSU
Michael Robinson
2005 / OSU
A.J. Hawk
2006 / OSU
Troy Smith
2006 / ARK
Darren McFadden
2006 / ND
Brady Quinn
2006 / WVU
Steve Slaton
2006 / MIC
Michael Hart
2007 / FLA
Tim Tebow
2007 / ARK
Darren McFadden
2007 / HAW
Colt Brennan
2007 / MIZ
Chase Daniel
2007 / ORE
Dennis Dixon
2008 / OKL
Sam Bradford
2008 / TEX
Colt McCoy
2008 / FLA
Tim Tebow
2008 / TXTC
Graham Harrell
2008 / TXTC
Michael Crabtree
2009 / ALA
Mark Ingram
2009 / STA
Toby Gerhart
2009 / TEX
Colt McCoy
2009 / NEB
Ndamukong Suh
2009 / FLA
Tim Tebow
2010 / AUB
Cam Newton
2010 / STA
Andrew Luck
2010 / ORE
LaMichael James
2010 / BOIS
Kellen Moore
2010 / OKST
Justin Blackmon
2011 / BAY
Robert Griffin III
2011 / STA
Andrew Luck
2011 / ALA
Trent Richardson
2011 / WIS
Montee Ball
2011 / LSU
Tyrann Mathieu
2012 / TXAM
Johnny Manziel
2012 / ND
Manti Te'o
2012 / KSU
Collin Klein
2012 / USC
Marqise Lee
2012 / OSU
Braxton Miller
2013 / FSU
Jameis Winston
2013 / ALA
A.J. McCarron
2013 / NILL
Jordan Lynch
2013 / BC
Andre Williams
2013 / TXAM
Johnny Manziel
2014 / ORE
Marcus Mariota
2014 / WIS
Melvin Gordon
2014 / ALA
Amari Cooper
2014 / TCU
Trevone Boykin
2014 / OSU
J.T. Barrett
2015 / ALA
Derrick Henry
2015 / STA
Christian McCaffrey
2015 / CLE
Deshaun Watson
2015 / OKL
Baker Mayfield
2015 / NAV
Keenan Reynolds
2016 / LOU
Lamar Jackson
2016 / CLE
Deshaun Watson
2016 / OKL
Baker Mayfield
2016 / OKL
Dede Westbrook
2016 / MIC
Jabrill Peppers
2017 / OKL
Baker Mayfield
2017 / STA
Bryce Love
2017 / LOU
Lamar Jackson
2017 / PSU
Saquon Barkley
2017 / SDST
Rashaad Penny
2018 / OKL
Kyler Murray
2018 / ALA
Tua Tagovailoa
2018 / OSU
Dwayne Haskins
2018 / WVU
Will Grier
2018 / WAST
Gardner Minshew
2019 / LSU
Joe Burrow
2019 / OKL
Jalen Hurts
2019 / OSU
Justin Fields
2019 / OSU
Chase Young
2019 / WIS
Jonathan Taylor

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