By Skeeter Smith
With week 1 of college football just days away, some of the best teams in the nation are grappling with some uncertainty leading into kickoff. From quarterback dilemmas to defensive challenges and offensive transitions, these are some of the biggest unknowns going into Saturday
5. LSU – How Good is Jayden Daniels Really?
There were rumors circulating about the LSU Tigers at the end of last season, suggesting a potential change at quarterback. However, since then, Head Coach Brian Kelly has squashed those rumors by reaffirming that Jayden Daniels is the leader of this team.
Despite LSU exceeding expectations last season, there were still some lackluster offensive performances led by Daniels. If the Tigers truly want to establish themselves as genuine title contenders, quarterback consistency will be a must.
4. Alabama – Who’s Taking the First Snap at QB?
The Crimson Tide missed the playoffs for only the second time since its inception in 2014. Nick Saban and the crew are entering the season with a chip on their shoulder, as many people believe the Bama dynasty might be waning with the arrival of Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs.
The departure of Bryce Young to the NFL leaves Alabama in a quarterback competition, an unfamiliar situation given their recent success at the position. The three-way battle among Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, and Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner continues into week 1 with no clear QB1 declared by Nick Saban, making this competition likely to extend beyond the season opener against MTSU.
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Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson practice highlights.
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— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) March 21, 2023
3. Ohio St. – How Long is Kyle McCord’s Leash?
Following the theme of quarterback-centric storylines, Ryan Day has officially named Kyle McCord as the starter to open the season against Indiana. This decision follows a closely contested competition between McCord and Devin Brown that has persisted since spring. After one of the team scrimmages, Day conducted a poll among some of the coaches to determine which QB should start and stated that the poll was nearly split down the middle.
While McCord will be the first in command of the offense on Saturday, it will be interesting to see how many opportunities he gets before we see Devin Brown get his opportunity.
2. Michigan – Where Will the Wolverines’ Pass Rush Production Come From?
A significant portion of Michigan’s success on the defensive side of the ball stemmed from how effectively they could rush the passer. Ranking 2nd among the teams with the most sacks in the BIG10, it’s no surprise why the Wolverines had the season they did last year.
However, the departure of key pass rushers Mike Morris and Eyabi Okie-Anoma creates a void that the Wolverines must fill. Michigan will have to find new talent to rush the passer if they want to make it back to the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
1. Georgia – How Much Will Georgia Miss Todd Monken?
While Georgia’s recent success is often attributed to its dominant defense, it would be foolish to overlook how well the offense has run under Todd Monken. Last season, Georgia ranked 5th in total offense in all of college football. They would then go on to average 53.5 points per game in the playoffs, capping off back-to-back national championships.
With Monken’s departure to the NFL, Mike Bobo steps in as his replacement and will be tasked with continuing The Dawgs’ offensive success. Georgia will also be without Stetson Bennett this year, making it Bobo’s job to prepare Carson Beck for his first season as a starter.
