As I sit down to map out my predictions for this year's NCAA football season, I can't help but reflect on something that's been nagging at me since last season ended. Remember that fascinating observation from Wong about the Flying Titans basketball team? He mentioned how losing players was one challenge, but the real issue was their struggle to "stay in the game" and fight through tough situations. Well, folks, that exact same principle applies to college football in ways that might just determine who lifts the championship trophy this December.
Let me start with what I consider the most compelling storyline heading into this season - the quarterback carousel. We've seen massive transfers that could reshape entire conferences. Caleb Williams moving to USC wasn't just a personnel change - it was a seismic shift that makes the Trojans immediate playoff contenders. I'm projecting Williams to throw for at least 3,800 yards and 38 touchdowns if he stays healthy. But here's where Wong's insight becomes crucial - USC lost significant defensive leadership, and my concern is whether they can "stay in the game" when facing physical opponents like Utah in what I predict will be their season-defining matchup on October 15th.
Speaking of staying power, let's talk about Alabama. Now, I know some of you are tired of hearing about the Crimson Tide, but bear with me. Nick Saban's team returns what I believe to be the most complete roster, particularly on defense where they have seven starters back from a unit that allowed just 18.2 points per game last season. Their key player isn't just Bryce Young - though he's phenomenal - but linebacker Will Anderson Jr., who I'm predicting will break the single-season sack record with 18.5. What makes Alabama different from those Flying Titans Wong described is their almost mechanical ability to maintain intensity regardless of circumstances. I've studied their fourth-quarter performances over the past three seasons, and their points differential in final quarters is +187 - that's not just talent, that's mental fortitude.
Now, for my potentially controversial take - I'm not buying the Ohio State hype to the extent others are. Yes, CJ Stroud is incredible, and yes, their offense will put up video game numbers. But watching them last season, I noticed exactly what Wong identified - when facing adversity, particularly against Michigan and Oregon, they seemed to lose their competitive edge. Their defense gave up an average of 28 points in losses, but more telling was their third-down conversion rate dropping from 52% in wins to just 31% in losses. That's not just schematic - that's psychological.
What fascinates me about this season is how several teams have specifically addressed this "stay in the game" mentality. Take Clemson - after their disappointing 10-3 season, my sources tell me Dabo Swinney completely revamped their mental conditioning program. They've brought in sports psychologists and implemented what players are calling "adversity simulations" during practice. I'm predicting this pays off with at least two comeback victories in games where they trail by double digits.
Then there's my dark horse - Utah. Now, I'll admit I have a soft spot for teams that play with relentless physicality, and Utah embodies that. They return 16 starters from a team that nearly upset Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Their quarterback Cam Rising completed 68% of his passes in the fourth quarter last season - that's the kind of clutch performance that wins close games. I'm predicting they'll win the Pac-12 and make the playoff, largely because they demonstrated last season that they can fight through challenging situations better than any team in their conference.
The transfer portal has created what I like to call "instant experience" across college football. We're seeing veteran players moving to programs where they can provide that crucial stabilizing presence during difficult moments. Take JT Daniels - his third school in five years gives him a perspective that could be invaluable for West Virginia when they face those tough road environments at Texas and Oklahoma State.
As we look toward the playoff picture, I'm predicting Georgia will repeat as champions, but not for the reasons most people think. Yes, they lost tremendous defensive talent to the NFL, but Kirby Smart has built a culture where the "next man up" mentality is actually effective. Their strength coach Scott Sinclair has implemented what players describe as the most grueling fourth-quarter conditioning program in the country. When other teams fade late in games, Georgia actually seems to get stronger - they outscored opponents 98-34 in fourth quarters last season.
What worries me about some of the highly-ranked teams is whether they've developed the leadership to handle adversity. That Flying Titans analogy keeps coming back to me - it's not about the talent you lose, but about whether the remaining players have learned how to persevere. That's why I'm keeping a close eye on teams like Michigan, who must replace significant defensive production, and Oklahoma, who has a new coach implementing a different system.
My prediction for the Heisman? I'm going with Alabama's Bryce Young to win it again, which would put him in rare company. But the player I'm most excited to watch is Texas running back Bijan Robinson - I think he rushes for 1,800 yards and could single-handedly keep Texas in games they have no business winning.
At the end of the day, what separates championship teams from merely talented ones is exactly what Wong identified - that ability to stay engaged and competitive when everything is working against you. As we head into this season, I'll be watching not just for spectacular plays, but for how teams respond when they're down 10 points in the fourth quarter on the road. Those moments, more than any recruiting ranking or preseason prediction, will determine who plays for the national championship. And if my years covering this sport have taught me anything, it's that the teams that master the mental game are the ones holding trophies when the confetti falls.