Repeating as conference champions in a college football power conference can come down to a lot more than just talent as it takes the right coaching, chemistry, stability and even a little luck to winning consecutive titles.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the obvious favorites to repeat in the Big Ten where they will enter this season as the outright national title favorites but which other schools are the most likely to repeat this season? Here is a look at the three conference champions most likely to repeat this college football season.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Big Ten
The Buckeyes have to replace star receiver Devin Smith, defensive tackle Michael Bennett and cornerback Doran Grant and will have four players suspended for their season opener against Virginia Tech, and yet they are still considered the favorites to repeat as national champions and it isn’t even close.
The Ohio State offense is loaded with quarterbacks J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones – both of whom proved capable of winning games last season. They also return star running back Ezekiel Elliott back in the fold running behind a powerful offensive line. Elliott is among the Heisman Trophy frontrunners.
Combine the talent with the fact the Buckeyes have the easiest schedule on paper out of the reigning conference champions according to last year’s records and it’s clear that OSU should once again win the Big Ten crown.
TCU Horned Frogs
Big 12
After getting boxed out of last year’s college football playoff, the Horned Frogs will be on a mission to repeat in the Big 12 and prove they deserve a shot at the national title. TCU is absolutely loaded including on offense where they will be led by the preseason Heisman trophy favorite in quarterback Trevone Boykin, who has a full year of experience under his belt in the “Air Raid” offense the team installed last season. The Big 12 lacks defensive quality, so expect TCU to move the ball up and down the field on pretty much everyone they face.
The Horned Frogs have a couple of holes to fill on the defense but that is head coach Gary Patterson’s strength and they should be able to overcome a couple of key departures on that side of the ball. Combined with the fact that it looks like an off year in the Big 12 – Texas and Oklahoma are rebuilding – and TCU should only have Baylor to contend with. While the Bears should provide them with some competition, TCU is the better team. That’s why it’s no surprise they are the favorites to win and repeat as conference champions this season.
Alabama Crimson Tide
SEC
Finding a new starting quarterback will once again be a priority for head coach Nick Saban but he has some talented options competing for the job and the rest of the roster is absolutely loading with talent. And let’s face it: finding a new quarterback hasn’t really been an issue as the team has smoothly transitioned to from guys like Greg McIlroy to A.J. McCarron to others.
The Tide might have to rely a little more on bruising running back Derrick Henry while Lane Kifffin’s passing attack comes together and develops some chemistry – especially after losing star wideout Amari Cooper. But Henry is more than capable of handling a big workload.
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On defense, that’s the Tide’s bread and butter. The SEC used to be known for defense but while a number of teams have fallen off in that regard, Alabama’s unit has continued to stay strong. Their front seven is once again the strength of a defense that is expected to be among the best in the country. While the secondary was a bit of an issue late last season, it wasn’t because of talent.
They have actually looked even stronger offseason workouts. When it comes to head coach Nick Saban, we know to trust his savvy on the defensive side of the ball. That’s the main reason – along with pedigree – that the Tide are favored to win the SEC.
