College Football 2015 Bold Predictions

Last year I managed a 37 - 58 record in my bold predictions, and I hope to do better this year.  Let's kick things off with my overall bold predictions for the 2015 season.

1. We will see new faces at the top of at least 4 of the 5 power conferences

The defending champions of each Power Five conference have been dominant in recent years, but I wouldn't be shocked to see most of them come up short in 2015, for various reasons. Oregon has won the Pacific conference four out of the last six seasons, but they face a tough challenge this year in replacing Marcus Mariota and other key playmakers.  For the sake of this prediction, I am considering Baylor the 2014 Big 12 champs (they would have been under this year's rules).  And make no mistake - they might do it again in 2015.  The one team standing in the way is the one they shared the title with last year: TCU.  I think the Horned Frogs avenge their lone loss from 2014 with a victory over the Bears to snatch away the conference crown.  Florida State has won three straight ACC titles but lost Heisman-winner Jameis Winston to the draft and looked somewhat shaky already, despite a 13-1 record in 2014.  Alabama also faces a major rebuilding year, while many other SEC teams appear on the rise.  Ohio State has by far the best chances to repeat as a Power Five conference winner.  But they still have to get by a formidable week 1 opponent in Virginia Tech, and Big Ten foes Penn State, Michigan State, and Michigan, to name a few.  Expect to be surprised at who emerges atop the rankings by the time playoff season rolls around, that's all I'm saying.

2. A non-QB wins the Heisman for the first time since 2009

The last Heisman winner who wasn't a quarterback was Alabama running back Mark Ingram in 2009.  You have to go back an additional four ten years to find another non-QB winner.  In other words, it's really rare for anyone other than a quarterback to win the most prestigious individual award in college football, especially with the rising popularity of offensive styles that revolve around the QB.  But there are a few pretty good running backs and wide receivers out there that have a shot to take home the hardware this year, including a certain Ohio State tailback who tore through some of the nation's top defenses in the Buckeyes' 2014 postseason championship run.

3. Boise State goes undefeated in regular season

Last year, the Broncos finished off a 12-2 season with an impressive win over Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl.  They have a favorable schedule in 2015, and a 12-0 start should be a real possibility.  Their toughest tests come early, with match-ups against Washington and BYU in weeks 1 and 2, respectively.  If they make it to week 3 unscathed, look for them to finish the regular season with a perfect record, and most likely handle whomever they would face in the MWC Championship Game.  Whether that would be enough to earn a playoff spot (and how they would fare if they did) remains to be seen.

4. Notre Dame falls hilariously short of expectations (again), loses at least three games

Many have the Fighting Irish pegged as a top-10 team, even a playoff contender.  But countless times I've seen the hype for this team turn out to be just that - hype.  Just like last year, I think Notre Dame looks strong at the outset but eventually collapses, loses three or more games and drops well out of the hunt for a national title.

5. Braxton Miller scores every way imaginable

The Ohio State QB-turned-receiver will show everyone why he's still the most dynamic player in the country, by scoring at least one touchdown in every one of these categories: rushing, receiving, passing, and special teams (kick/punt return).  You've been warned, America.