25 sports predictions for 2017

The heavily favored Crimson Tide finished 2016 as the only undefeated team in college football. Despite the possible distraction with offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin interviewing for head coaching jobs elsewhere or moving on to LSU, Alabama has the best coaching and the best talent in the country. 

Head coach Gus Bradley's days are numbered, starting the season 2-10 with quarterback Blake Bortles regressing in his third season. The Jaguars will likely look for an offensive-minded head coach who can groom young talent if and when they finally fire Bradley. Fisher, the former offensive coordinator at LSU and Florida State, has been able to shape elite talent for the Seminoles and is an excellent fit if he can be convinced to leave for the NFL.

The NFL playoff picture looks wide open after New England lost Rob Gronkowski for the season. Despite a myriad of injuries, the Chiefs are well-positioned in the AFC and have a great recipe on defense with the pass-rushing tandem of Justin Houston and Dee Ford to take down Oakland and the Patriots. From there, a matchup vs. Dallas or Seattle could make for a classic big game.

Entering the fourth World Baseball Classic, Team USA has never even made the Final. That could change this year with new pitch count rules making the elite pitchers more likely to join the team. The roster is still taking shape but looks scary, led by NL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer.

Duke opened the season as the No. 1 team in the country but faced defeat while playing without star freshmen Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum. Even without that pair, the Blue Devils fell to Kansas by only two points. The team's roster is one of the best in college basketball over the last 10 years, and the team will be battle-tested in the tough ACC.

It's not exactly going out on a limb to predict the Huskies will win another National Championship. They've withstood some tough tests early this season, including Florida State and Baylor. The team is hoping for its fifth straight National Championship.

With the addition of Kevin Durant, the Warriors were the clear favorites to win the NBA Finals coming into the season. The team continues to mesh while leading the Western Conference and should be able to get revenge against the Cavs in 2017.

Westbrook has been spectacular following Kevin Durant's departure in OKC, ranking second in points per game and second in assists per game. While the Thunder has almost no chance to win the West, Westbrook has at least been able to make it interesting.

The Rangers have gotten off to a very hot start this season, led by Kevin Hayes, J.T. Miller and Rick Nash. They have the talent to win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1994.

While the Browns like 2016 third-round pick Cody Kessler, he's clearly not the answer to what ails them. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson has been questioned for his durability, but he has all the athletic talent in the world and a potential head coach who would know how to utilize him in Hue Jackson. 

It's almost a foregone conclusion that Romo will wind up elsewhere next season given his salary. The popular speculation has been Denver and the Jets, though the Bears could also be in the bidding. Romo attended college at Eastern Illinois, and Chicago could be closer to competing than it appears given all the injuries it's suffered this season.

Woods is just getting back to playing competitive golf in December and has a very long way to go. Still, the long layoff has given his entire body time to heal with several injury issues over the last few years. At age 41 in 2017, it would be quite the story if he could re-emerge for a big tournament victory.

Ball has been the talk of the early season in college basketball, leading UCLA to a 9-0 start that has included wins over Texas A&M and Kentucky. The point guard is a terrific distributor as a freshman and has the size at 6-6 to compete in the NBA. With the Mavericks falling hard, they could be enticed by Ball.

After losing 94 games last season, the Padres are in a dire situation in a tough NL West division. We'll see top outfield prospects Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe in 2017, but the pitching staff looks awful, especially after the team non-tendered former ace Tyson Ross.

Arenado finished tied for first home runs and first in RBI in the NL last season, while hitting .294. He continues to become a more disciplined hitter and is certainly a threat for the NL Triple Crown in Coors Field.

Despite making only 21 starts due to injury last season, Kershaw remained one of the most valuable pitchers in the game with a 1.69 ERA and only 11 walks in 149 innings. Doc Gooden's 12.2 WAR season in 1985 was the best of the modern era, and Kershaw hasn't come close to that number in his career. However, as his peripherals continue to improve, the sky seems to be the limit.

The Astros have been one of the most aggressive teams in the offseason, adding Brian McCann, Charlie Morton, Josh Reddick and Carlos Beltran. Adding to the late-season additions of Alex Bregman, Yulieski Gurriel and Joe Musgrove, the team looks primed to take another step forward in a winnable AL West division. If 2015 AL Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel can rebound, the team could be tough to beat in the playoffs. 

Cutler has seemed to wear out his welcome in Chicago following a season-ending shoulder injury. It remains to be seen if anyone will give him a starting job, but the Jets will likely have the need after similarly being disappointed with Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Osweiler has been a terrible disappointment for the Texans this season after signing a lucrative contract. One could argue they were better off with Brian Hoyer last season, and the team's passing game has regressed in 2016. If Osweiler doesn't perform well early next season, the team could be forced to make a change.

Brady continues to perform at a Pro Bowl level, but he's also closing in on age 40. At some point Father Time will take its toll, as it has for every professional athlete. With Rob Gronkowski fighting injuries and the rest of the offense aging, that time could be sooner than later.

Elliott has been everything the Cowboys could have hoped for and more during his rookie season and is well on his way to leading the NFL in rushing yards. With a phenomenal offensive line in Dallas, he has the ability to do even more in his sophomore season and could have a shot at 2,000 yards if he stays healthy.

McGregor has already challenged Mayweather to a bout, going as far as getting a boxing license in California. A potential fight between Mayweather and McGregor could be the most watched pay-per-view spectacle in sports history, so don't put it past this pair to make it happen.

Led by young quarterback Jalen Hurts, Bama should be just fine in 2017 despite all the defensive talent it's set to lose to the NFL. It would be shocking if the Tide is not the overwhelming favorite to win the National Championship going into 2017.

The Longhorns' talent continues to improve despite mediocre results on the field. Offensive mastermind Tom Herman could be all they need to get over the hump in a weak Big 12 conference and run the table.

Jackson has terrific odds to win the Heisman in 2016, and the mediocre opponents he faces will again help him pad his stats. There clearly isn't a better dual-threat quarterback in college football, and Jackson should put up huge numbers again next season.