The Farrell Five: ACC Champs, Big Ten 1,000-Yard Rushers, Double-Digit Winners

Everyone loves lists. The best this, the strongest that. Let’s apply that randomly to college football, shall we?

Best chance to win the ACC.

1. Florida State

2. Clemson

3. UNC

4. Pitt

5. Duke

Breakdown: FSU has to be the odds-on favorite to win the ACC next season with all the talent returning and added portal talent, with Clemson right up there as the most consistent power in the conference. After that? Who knows? Drake Maye, the Pitt defense, and a surprising Duke round out my list, but it’s a two-team race overall.

Sep 18, 2021; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell works the sidelines during the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Truist Field.

Most likely 1,000-yard rushers in Big Ten next season.

1. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

2. Nick Singleton, Penn State

3. Donovan Edwards, Michigan

4. Blake Corum, Michigan

5. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Breakdown: Allen, to me, is the easiest lock to predict, even with the new offense. Singleton just surpassed 1,000 yards last season, but Kaytron Allen had more carries. I have Edwards ahead of Corum for a couple of reasons. Edwards is due for a massive breakout season and could be next year’s Bijan Robinson, and Corum has that injury to recover from. After that, No. 5 is a toss-up, but assuming Henderson comes back strong and the foot issue doesn’t impact him, he’s gotta be on there.

Dec 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second half of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field.

Five programs that could jump to 10 wins next season.

1. Texas Tech

2. South Carolina

3. Texas

4. Arkansas

5. Notre Dame

Breakdown: Texas Tech has a real chance to contend for the Big 12 title, and Texas is on this list because of the immense talent they have on offense. In the SEC, I like the Gamecocks to potentially make a push based on the momentum and belief instilled from the end of last season, and I love what Arkansas has coming back despite being in the division with Alabama and LSU. For Notre Dame, Sam Hartman will improve the offense, but that schedule is sneaky tough, so a jump to 10 from 9 is hard.