Three slept on teams heading into the 2019 college football season
Three slept on teams heading into the 2019 college football season
Virginia Cavaliers 2018: 8-5 overall 4-4 conference (ACC)
This Virginia team has some pretty solid playmakers on offense heading into the 2019 season. For starters, their starting QB Bryce Perkins #3 will be returning after his electrifying junior season. He was one of two quarterbacks in the country that had over 2,600 passing yards and over 900 rushing yards. The other was Heisman winner Kyler Murray who is now with the Arizona Cardinals. The Cavaliers offense ranked 3rd in the ACC in total offense and 21st in the nation with 3,600 plus yards in total offense. He set the UVA single-season record with 34 touchdowns and tied the UVA single-season records for most 100 rushing yard games for a QB which is for four. Even though they lost Olamide Zaccheaus who left as the all leading reception leader at 210. Expect to see Joe Reed #2 and Hasise Dubois #8 to step up and be the key threats at WR this season for the Cavaliers. This offense averaged 211.6 passing yards a game and 172.9 rushing yards a game averaging 384.5 yards a game. On defense, they lose Juan Thornhill, but the second leading tackler on the team Jordan Mack #4 ILB will be back. He totaled up with 66 tackles last season 27 solo, 39 ast., 6 tfls, and 2.5 sacks and will have the 3rd leading tackler back as well Joey Blount #29 FS who had a total of 63 tackles last season. 38 solo, 25 ast., 5tfl, 2INT, 1FR, 2FF. The Cavalier defense allowed on average 183 passing yards and 147 rushing yards a game bringing that total to 330 yards a game. Look to see that defense to make more effort towards taking the ball away this season, last season they had 21 takeaways with 17 INTs and 4FR. They suffered two key loses last year, one to their rival Virginia Tech and another close loss to Georgia tech. They will be looking to get over that hump and contend for an ACC championship.
2. USC Trojans 2018: 5-7 overall 4-5 conference (Pac12)
This USC team has a lot of young talent coming back. Keyword there is “young” this will be another young team for the Trojans this season. However, it is a very experienced team. JT Daniels #18 started for the Trojans last year, and is the second QB in school history to start for them as a freshman, Matt Barkley being the first. JT is geared up to start his sophomore year and with the experience, he has from last season he will build on it. He threw for 2,672 yards going 216-363 completing (59%) of his passes. Not bad for a guy who had technically another year of high school left but was able to reclassify and leave early. He tallied up 14 TDs through the air while throwing 10 INTs in the process. To help JT have a better sophomore season the teams best receiver is back. Tyler Vaughns #21 is coming back for his senior season after a solid Junior season getting 58 receptions 674 yards receiving and snagging 6 TDs he is looking to have an even better season this year. Vaughns is not just a weapon on offense but on special teams as well. Ranked 13th nationally in punt returns with 19 punt returns for 199 yards and 1 TD. The Trojan offense averaged 248.2 yards passing and 134.4 yards rushing bringing their total to 382.6 yards a game. On Defense, they lose their leading tackler and captain Cameron Smith who is now with the Vikings. They return the teams, second-leading tackler, John Houston JR #10 ILB. Houston JR has 167 career tackles 6TFL, 2.5 sacks, 9 pass break-ups, 1FR, 1 INT, 1FF, with 23 career starts. Look for him being that leader for the Trojan defense this season. This defense will be young again but again will be experienced. Now they will have a true freshman starting at weakside defensive end. Drake Jackson #99 will be looking to make an impact early for the Trojans and help get them back on track and get them back to a bowl game this season. The Trojan defense allowed 183 passing and 147.5 yards rushing a game last year, bringing their total to 330.5 yards a game.
3. Florida Gators 2018: 10-3 overall 5-3 conference
You might be thinking why would the gators be a sleeper team if they had such a good record last season, and returning a lot of offensive weapons and defensive weapons. This offseason the Gators have had 9 players hit the transfer portal. Two of the most talked about were two early enrollees from the spring Jalon Jones and Jayden Hill. Bost in trouble for sexual assault and both no longer with the team. Now despite all the off the field issues this Gator team still has the capability to take over the SEC(East). The Gators have one of the best QBs in the country returning Feleipe Franks #13. Franks came in and had a solid Junior season completing 188-322 of his passes going for 2,457 yards tallying up 24 touchdowns through the air and only throwing 6INTs. He also got some work done with his feet, 110 carries 350 rushing yards and 7 TDs. tying Tim Tebow's single-season record, and was one of 12 QBS to throw for me than 20 touchdown passes. Also in the backfield, they will have Lamical Perine #2. Perine was a huge part in the Gators successful offensive scheme last season. With him and former gator now current Carolina Panther Jordan Scarlett splitting reps and staying fresh last season they pounded defenses combining for over 1,600 yards. Perine rushed for 826 yards on 134 attempts averaged 6.2 yards a carry while also have 170 receiving yards with 13 receptions and 1TD. They also return their key WR Van Jefferson #12. Jefferson had 35 receptions for 503 yards with 6TDS. He was the only Gator last season with a multi TD game. The Gator defense last season allowed 178 passing and 159 rushing yards bringing their total to 338 a game. The defense will have David Reese as the leader of the defensive unit. Grabbing second-team All-SEC honors, he will take what he did in 2018 and look to build on that heading into 2019. The gator defensive reloaded in some ways. The recruited very well at linebacker and have a solid pass rusher with quickness coming off the edge. The only problem with the Gators is will they have the depth to compete late in the season. They took some hard losses last year one being to Kentucky. If the Gators can stay healthy and get some of the young guys ready like Khris Bogle who I think will see the field a good bit this season, the Gators have a great shot at winning the East. Yes, again I know they are ranked 8 in the polls, but I see them finishing top 5 and maybe make a push for the college football playoffs.
-By: Zach Brenner