2020 Oregon football predictions on the HG

If there is one team that has been on the cusp of breaking into the elite college football party it’s the Oregon Ducks.

Last year this team lost two pivotal games against Auburn and Arizona State, that cost them a birth in the College Football Playoff.

This year, the Ducks will again be faced with key moments that will decide their playoff fate.

2020 Minnesota football predictions on the HG

2019 was an unreal year for Minnesota, but 2020 could be “the banner year” for the program. P.J. Fleck brings back a ton of talent and has a schedule that is very favorable for this Big 10 team.

Key games at Wisconsin and against Iowa, Michigan and on the road at Nebraska will define this year for Fleck. Will he be above average or a chance for greatness?

2020 Alabama football predictions on the HG

Alabama looks to return to the College Football Playoff in 2020, but to do so, the Tide must find high level play at quarterback, lean on a very talented backfield and fix some defensive issues that has plagued this team in big games the last two years.

Alabama has a great schedule featuring the likes of USC, Georgia, Texas A&M, LSU and Auburn and if Alabama can stay healthy, this team will again be in the conversation of National Champion in December.

2020 Miami football predictions on the HG

Year two is a pivotal year for Manny Diaz and the Miami Hurricanes. Miami lost four games a year ago, that they were double digit favorites and one thing we have learned is college head coaches are on shorter leashes than ever before.

Miami has a good roster and another transfer quarterback and a schedule that should lead to a nice year.

2020 Arizona State football predictions on the HG

Expectations are high on the campus of Arizona State in 2020 and they should be. Herm Edwards has built the foundation fast for the Sun Devils and this year they have a schedule that could offer a spring board of sorts in year three of the Edwards campaign.

Don’t be surprised to see this bunch of devils in the PAC 12 championship in 2020.

2020 Nebraska football predictions on the HG

Nebraska shouldn’t be as bad as Nebraska has been the last few years. The Huskers have lost nine games by a touchdown or less over the last two seasons and 2020 is a pivotal year for Scott Frost and Big Red.

There will be another handful of games for Frost and team this year that come down to the wire. This year, the Huskers need to capitalize in most of these games and punch a bowl ticket.

2020 Florida football predictions on the HG

Dan Mullen has done a great job in bringing Florida back, and now the Gators are looking to make the next step.

The Gators have arguably the best quarterback, back in the SEC in Kyle Trask, and a defense that has been salty.

The question for the Gators is now can they make the plays in the biggest games and if they can do that, they could be headed to the College Football Playoff.

2020 UCLA football predictions on the HG

Year three of the Chip Kelly experiment is a big one at UCLA. So far this has not been what many thought it would be, with Kelly coming back to the PAC 12.

The Bruins have talent on the roster; if they can turn their defense around, with a seasoned quarterback at the helm, 2020 could be a season in the right direction for UCLA.

2020 Michigan football predictions on the HG

Jim Harbaugh says his club is really close to winning the National Title, but 2020 could be a rebuild of sorts for the Wolverines.

Several key match ups in late September, and early October will decide if this year is good or great in year six of Jim Harbaugh.

2020 Oklahoma football predictions on the HG

The last time we saw Oklahoma, they were trying to catch their breath against LSU in the College Football Playoff. Oklahoma is looking again to get back to the playoff, but for Oklahoma to really challenge for the National Championship, their defense has to show marked improvement.

This year, Oklahoma also will have to likely battle Texas twice if they want to punch their ticket back to the National tournament.

2020 Cincinnati predictions on the HG

Luke Fickell has won 22 games the last two years and with a bulk of that cast back for 2020, this could be the best season maybe ever in Cincinnati Bearcat football. If the Cats can learn to win the close games on the road, look out - they might punch a ticket to a New Years Six game in 2020.

2020 North Carolina football predictions on the HG

Photos courtesy of 247sports.com

Year two of the Mac Brown Era is underway and it has the opportunity to be a big one. Sam Howell returns for what should be a dynamic sophomore year, and if the Heels can figure out how to win the close games, they could be playing for an ACC Championship.

2020 Wisconsin football predictions on the HG

Wisconsin has established their program as one of the most stable, and consistent programs under head football coach Paul Chryst. The Badgers look to again be in contention come November for the BIG 10 West and the conference championship.

Early match ups against Michigan, Notre Dame and Minnesota will be the difference in good or great in 2020 for Wisconsin.

2020 Texas A&M football predictions on the HG

It’s year three of the Jimbo Fisher experiment in College Station and it’s time for this program to live up to the decades of expectations.

The Aggies have the schedule, the experience and more that should make this a now or never year for the Aggies to compete for the SEC West and be College Football Playoff relevant in late November.

Evaluating football culture in the SEC West - Five year trends

Football culture; it’s something you hear about when a team has fallen off the cliff and you might hear about it when a team hits a few years of high year winning. But, football culture is real and it never ends and can sometimes turn on a season.

Today we look at football culture in the SEC West and define each team mathematically to better show how each teams culture is affecting their on the field performance.