Can Louisville play for the National Championship?

Louisville is equipt with not only a Heisman hopeful quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, but an impressive coach in Charlie Strong.

Strong has led the Cardinals to an overall 25-14 record under his head coaching. And although Louisville didn't impress on defense last season Strong is a defensive coach. His defense is only losing one full time player, so he will count on all his returning defensive players to step up this season.

But I know you most likely didn't click on the link to this article to read about Louisville's defense. You want to hear about Teddy Bridgewater! I hear ya!

287 completions thrown! 3,718 yards passing! 27 touchdowns tossed and only eight interceptions!  And he averaged 8.9 yards per carry. Teddy is impressive. A sure fire first round draft pick next year.

But can Teddy lead Louisville to a National Championship this year? Before we answer that, we have to answer this... will the Cardinals go undefeated this season? The answer, they absolutely should. With the only challenges on the schedule being road games against Kentucky and Cincinnati, Louisville is set up to run the table this year, in their final season in the now American Athletic Conference.

However, if Louisville gets upset, whether by Kentucky, Cincinnati, Ohio or USF, I would confidentaly predict that the Cardinals would have no chance at all at going to the National Title game.

We all know (and hate) "the computers". But we have to admit, they are part of deciding who will play in the National Championship (until the college football playoff is finally here however). And I have to say, I believe those pesky computers will favor a one-loss Alabama or a one-loss Ohio State over an undefeated Louisville. But if the Cardinals can go undefeated and win every game convincingly, why wouldn't they find themselves playing for that Crystal Ball?

Bridgewater is an amazing player. Who very well could find himself hoisting the Heisman this season. But as much as I like their chances to run the table when college football season finally gets here, I just don't see them getting the nod over teams like Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia or Oregon. Maybe next year when they're in the ACC playing the likes of Florida State, Clemson, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. But hey, I'm just a college football writer, and this is college football. You never know whats going to happen. And if you say you do, you're a liar.

- Jackson McNamara

@jacksonmcnamara

jackson.projectcfb@gmail.com

How Will Bobby Petrino do as Western Kentucky Head Coach?

After a messy split from Arkansas and surprise hiring at Western Kentucky, the college football world will be watching the Hilltoppers closely to see how coach Bobby Petrino will perform. While many may not like him, no one can dispute his coaching ability.

Western Kentucky finished fifth in the Sun Belt last season going 7-5 overall (4-4 Sun Belt) and suffered a heart breaking 24-21 loss to Central Michigan in the Little Caesars Bowl. Petrino will be looking
to improve upon Willie Taggart's last season as coach of the Hilltoppers before departing for South Florida.

Luckily for Petrino, Western Kentucky has several skilled players returning. Senior running back Antonio Andrews led the nation with 3,161 all purpose yards, joining Barry Sanders as the only players to ever eclipse 3,000 all purpose yards.

Receiver Willie McNeal returns after recording six receiving touchdowns last season. Joining him on the other side will be Austin Aikens, a sophomore who averaged 27 yards on just eight catches last season.

Petrino has always used tight ends as a focal point of his offensive schemes, and he will have plenty of options at the position. Converted receiver Tyler Higbee is tall and has good hands, while Mitchell Henry and Tim Gorski also expect to see the field.

The only question on offense comes at quarterback, although it's expected junior Brandon Doughty , who actually started as a freshman before an injury sidelined him, will likely fill the position.

Petrino's defense is largely intact, from the previos season, with the exception of the line. This was a talented squad, and one can assume it can only get better when Petrino finds the right "hogs" to anchor
the line, if you'll pardon the reference.

With all the returning talent, some early projections have Western Kentucky finishing third in the Sun Belt before leaving for Conference USA next season. The real question is, will Petrino be satisfied with
the possibility of finishing third or will he do something rarely achieved by a coach in his first season and win the conference outright? With new defensive coordinator Nick Holt, formerly of USC and Washington, implementing what is coming together as an aggressive 4-3 set, and offensive coordinator Jeff Brohm running the offense under Petrino's watchful eye, chances are Petrino has a team that should be more than capable of making the Hilltoppers last run in the Sun Belt a memorable one.

- Kevin Hicks

@kevinhicks77

kevin.projectcfb@gmail.com

The Latest with Johnny Manziel

The football season had begun and slowly one quarterback began to receive exposure. By the end of the season his name and videos of his incredible plays were everywhere. He claimed a victory over Alabama and won the Heisman Trophy, and almost immediately everyone knew his name. The player in question is not Tim Tebow. In fact, most people don't refer to him by his given name. They simply call him "Johnny Football."

Johnny Manziel has been in the news again lately, but not necessarily in a flattering light. From his courtside appearances at NBA Finals games and throwing out ceremonial first pitches at Major League Baseball games, to his apparent enjoyment of firing back at his critics on Twitter, one recent tweet may have him in hot water.

After tweeting that he could not wait to get out of College Station, speculation began that his newfound fame may be harder to handle than he originally thought. Although he deleted the post almost immediately and explained that his frustration stemmed from a parking ticket, many believe the damage was done.

The tweet came about the same time news outlets began reporting that he was considering transferring to a junior college so he could play after being suspended by Texas A&M for his arrest on June 29, 2012. He was charged with not identifying himself, being in possession of fake IDs and disturbing the peace after getting into a fight which he claimed  was to defend a friend after someone thought his companion used a racial slur.

Manziel decided to file an appeal before transferring, which included letters of support from Head Coach Kevin Sumlin and then-offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. His suspension was lifted and he was placed on probation for the 2012 season.

After winning the Heisman Trophy, among several other awards, Manziel seemed to rocket to a level of fame that led the school to organize a support system to insure he remained in compliance due to the appearances he began making all over the country.

This newfound popularity, he claims, has forced him to begin taking all of his classes online for his major, sports management. This move raised eyebrows as well, fueling the assumption that he has either become uncomfortable with his popularity, or, as some suggested, he has embraced fame and is on his way down the path of the oft-reviled diva.

Whatever the case may be, it's safe to assume that once the new season begins, the answers to the questions surrounding Manziel's ego will be answered. Will a gifted athlete cave under the weight of his own fame or will the country be in awe of Johnny Football 2.0?

- Kevin Hicks
@kevinhicks77
kevin.projectcfb@gmail.com

Will Georgia's RB Duo Take Them to the Championship?

In 2012, the Georgia Bulldogs could literally see the BCS National Championship at the end of the SEC Title Game. Unfortunately, 2012 was not meant to be their year as they watched their season come to an end just a few yards away from the endzone. Could 2013 be the year of the Bulldogs? It could happen if two very talented teammates have their

way.

Sophomore running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall developed a chemistry with quarterback Aaron Murray and between themselves that

earned the two a special nickname, not only because they could be used

interchangeably from one play to the next, but also because their

performances drew some rather lofty comparisons to a legend in Georgia Bulldog lore. So far, they have handled the comparison well. Even the man, Hershell Walker himself, has been impressed with "Gurshall's" performance.

The key to the duo's impact is largely in the hands of returning quarterback Aaron Murray. The chemistry the three of them have, as well as the fact that ten of the Bulldogs' starting offensive eleven are back this season, should translate into another season with lots of points on the scoreboard. Last season, the team set new school records in points per game (37.8), total offense (467.6 yards per game), and most yards in a single game (713 against Florida Atlantic.) It will be a tall order to improve upon such numbers, but anything may be possible when such a potent offense is virtually one hundred percent intact intact from one season to the next.

Gurley and Marshall will likely be used individually from play to

play, but rumor has it both could be in the backfield together in a

formation similar to the wishbone, with a fullback as lead blocker.

That scenario should horrify opposing defensive coordinators as they struggle to identify which fully capable back will get the ball.

Thanks to the play of the two running backs, defenses will continue

questioning themselves on whether they should crowd the line to stop

the run, or stay in coverage to defend the pass. Keeping defenses

honest will give Murray the chance to break alot of conference passing

records, which translates into as many, if not more big plays over

twenty yards this season as last season. Running a no huddle offense

doesn't hurt, either.

The Georgia Bulldog faithful have much to be thankful for over the

last couple seasons, thanks in large part to "Gurshall." Fresh off a

phenomenal season that saw them carry the Dogs to an SEC East Division title, two goals remain in sight. Odds are good that they make it back to Atlanta after the regular season, and luckily for the Georgia

fanbase, they have not just one set, but two sets of very powerful

legs to carry them all the way to Pasadena.

- Kevin Hicks

@kevinhicks77

kevin.projectcfb@gmail.com