Editor’s note: This article was originally published by USA TODAY Sports and has been republished in its entirety below.
The book has closed on the memorable 2020 season that saw highs and lows along with plenty of uncertainty.
Which brings us to what lies ahead in 2021 as the start of the season is less than eight months away.
Alabama and Clemson have each made six appearances in the seven seasons of the College Football Playoff. Ohio State and Oklahoma have made four. It won’t be surprising to see this quartet again contending, though the Sooners are the only team returning significant experience at quarterback with Spencer Rattler back for his second season as the starter. The Tigers don’t have a complete unknown as D.J. Uiagalelei led the team for two games when Trevor Lawrence was out.
The other usual playoff suspects should be in the mix with Georgia, Notre Dame and Florida benefiting from years of successful recruiting. There are also some non-traditional contenders inside the top 10.
What makes guessing what happens in the upcoming season so difficult is the unexpected results of NFL draft decisions, an expected and unprecedented amount of players in the transfer portal and uncertainty about what the health situation will be in the fall.
But here goes nothing. An early look at who will be the best teams next season: