Key notes from Brett Ciancia interview
- It's crazy, but there is a college football game scheduled and this weekend. They're the Group of 5 and FCS level, but most of the FBS and Power 5 football starts on Labor Day weekend. We're finally here. We can put some of the negative topics behind us and move forward.
- I think Alabama is going to go 9-1 because it's hard to pick them to go 10-0 with a new quarterback and a transition year. They put so many kids in the pros quickly, and they love their offseason. It's hard to pick them to go 10-0 when they didn't get a spring. I think the Georgia game is going to be close, and they have some trap games with LSU and Texas A&M, but I can absolutely see them going 9-1.
- I have Arkansas going 1-9 overall. The key is they missed Vandy in the crossover. By missing Vandy, they're missing an auto-win. I think Vandy is the worst team in Power 5. I think Arkansas will get one of Mississippi State, Ole Miss or Missouri. There is a lot of work to be done at Arkansas.
- Auburn is challenging, and I have them under seven wins. The AP and Coaches polls have them at 11, but I don't have them ranked. That's my biggest variant. Auburn is always hot and cold. The lost a lot of their strength in the trenches, which is crucial in this league. I think some teams will be able to push them around this year. When you look at their schedule, I only see four locks. I don't believe this is going to be one of Auburn's surge years. They're also going through an offense scheme change. It'll take some time to install this offense. I am a Bo Nix defender and think he will develop into a star eventually, but I don't think it's going to be this year.
- With eight wins for LSU, that's a tricky number. I think they're more likely to win seven games than they are to win nine. When you look at them, they were an amazing one-year wonder. Everything came together last year with the quarterback, coordinators, and 14 NFL starters. It's all gone. They'll have a new offensive scheme, a new quarterback, and a three-man front as opposed to a four-man front. That's a lot of change really quick. I think they lose to Alabama and Florida. A&M and Auburn as both toss-ups as well.
- I have Ole Miss going over three wins. I have both Mississippi schools at three wins ahead of the Egg Bowl, and that game is going to be a swing game. Mike Leach is so fascinating. Right now, I will side with Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl because it's an easier transition, and they have more offensive firepower. I have Mississippi State absolutely going over 2.5 wins. They have both Arkansas and Vanderbilt this year, and those are locks. I think the Bulldogs will beat Missouri as well. I think Mississippi State will be better than Missouri in year one.
- I think Texas A&M is a lock to win more than six. There are six lock wins on the schedule already. They have a puncher’s chance in all four of those challenging games. I think they are a top ten team. With all of these starters back and the third year under Fisher and Elko, there is so much continuity. All of these top five classes are finally rising. There is a ton of talent here. I think a six-win total from Vegas is incredibly low. I might go put some money on that.
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