5. Georgia
NCAA.com: “UGA loses a bunch of stars, from QB Jake Fromm and RB D’Andre Swift to its experienced offensive linemen. But when it comes to talent, Georgia will again be up there among Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State. The Bulldogs got a boost with Wake Forest transfer QB Jamie Newman picking UGA. The Dawgs will also again have one of the top defenses in the country.”
UGA WIRE: The Bulldogs lost their starting QB Jake Fromm, who helped lead them to Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl victories. Fromm will be entering the 2020 NFL Draft along with a number of former Bulldogs. The run game will be a bit of a question mark for the Dawgs this season. Star RB D’Andre Swift is also leaving for the NFL Draft, as is former senior Brian Herrien. The offensive line lost Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wilson and Solomon Kindley to the NFL Draft and lost Cade Mays to Tennessee. George Pickens and Dominick Blaylock will hold down the receiving game while Zamir White is expected to get the majority of the Dawg’s runs. Former Wake Forest QB Jamie Newman has transferred to UGA and is expected to win the starting job and have a Heisman candidate season. Kirby Smart is ready to get over the hump and help the Dawgs win a national championship for the first time in 40 years.
4. LSU
NCAA.com: “Yes, Heisman winner Joe Burrow is headed to the NFL after a historic senior season, with Myles Brennan possibly taking over for head coach Ed Orgeron. Plus Biletnikoff winner Ja’Marr Chase will be back in Death Valley. However, LSU will lose DC Dave Aranda, who’s left to become the Baylor head coach.”
UGA WIRE: The #4 ranking for LSU is a very accurate one. Yes, the Tigers won last year’s national title, but the loss of Heisman Trophy winner and projected #1 overall NFL Draft pick Joe Burrow is a massive one. The Tigers are also losing passing game coordinator Joe Brady to be the OC of the Carolina Panthers. The Tigers will need QB Myles Brennan to step up and try to replace the masterpiece that was Joe Burrow. WR Ja’Marr Chase will be returning and will also need to perform and take some pressure off of Brennan and head coach Ed Orgeron.
3. Alabama
NCAA: “Tua Tagovailoa is gone, but the offense should still be among the nation’s best — no matter which player lines up at QB. Mac Jones passed for 327 yards and three touchdowns in the bowl win vs. Michigan, plus there’s 5-star QB Bryce Young. On defense, linebacker Dylan Moses returns after missing last season with a torn ACL.”
UGA WIRE: Losing Tua to the NFL Draft definitely will rattle the Alabama offense for now, but it’s always next up for head coach Nick Saban. Mac Jones put up a stellar game against Michigan in their bowl victory. Once Saban decided on his starter for the season, he is pretty set in every other category. RB Najee Harris decided to return for his senior season, as well as WR DeVonta Smith. Both would most definitely be 1st round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft. Saban also has LB Dylan Moses holding down his defense. The Tide will be back in 2020.
2. Ohio State
NCAA: “The Buckeyes won’t have J.K. Dobbins anymore, but OSU will continue to have a potent ground game (Master Teague) and a dynamic QB in Justin Fields (51 total touchdowns in 2019). The defense will lose star Chase Young and others, but CB Shaun Wade is among those returning. Circle Sept. 12: Ohio State goes to Oregon.”
UGA WIRE: Losing J.K. Dobbins to the NFL Draft hurts the Buckeyes, but rising junior standout Master Teague should be able to handle Dobbins’ load just as well, if not better. The Buckeyes also have 2019 Heisman Trophy runner-up and former Georgia QB Justin Fields, who put on a show dominating the Big 10 last season.
1. Clemson
NCAA.com: “This was set regardless of what happened in New Orleans. QB Trevor Lawrence could be the clear Heisman favorite going into 2020, plus he’ll get to throw to Justyn Ross. And in big news, RB Travis Etienne, the Tigers’ all-time leading rusher, said he’s coming back for 2020. There will also be turnover on the offensive line and with losing key defensive standouts, but DC Brent Venables will keep this a powerful unit. The incredible recruiting class will help.”
UGA WIRE: With the nation’s Heisman Trophy frontrunner Trevor Lawrence under center, and Travis Etienne in the backfield, the Tigers will be just fine next season. They also have returning receiver Justyn Ross, who was the second-highest graded receiver in the country in 2018. Expect Clemson to roll the competition and enter the CFP undefeated.