The Flex's College Football Preview

We know, you're more than ready for some football. Some real football, not that football like substance that is preseason NFL football. Well the wait is just about over and the college season will be here in less than a week and there are plenty of questions headed into the 2013 season and who better to answer than us here at The Flex. So naturally, I enlisted the help of The Flex's own Michael Herrmann to answer the most burning questions before the gridiron opens for business next Saturday. Have another question we didn't answer? Be sure to leave a comment and let us know what other knowledge we can impart on the pigskin.

Can Alabama Pull Off The 3-Peat?

Davey: Of course they can. Have they given us any reason to doubt them? As hard as it is to win back-to-back titles in any sport they pulled it off and didn't make it look too hard. Normally I would take the field on a question like this, but with Bama I'm almost inclined to say they will. Nick Saban is either Satan come to reign over college football, or the reincarnation of Bear Bryant on steroids. It wouldn't shock me if they won four in a row honestly. The guy brings in top talent every single year and shows no sign of slowing up. He has an NFL factory running and hitting on all cylinders so who are we to doubt him as mere mortals? All hail Saban and god help us all.

Michael: They can, of course, but I'm not convinced that they will. In the past, Alabama have more than proven a dynastic program and Nick Saban (All hail!) is, far and away, the greatest recruiter in the history of amateur athletics, but a three-peat is a difficult task. Given that only nine collegiate programs, even in the most obscure of sports (yay USC water polo!) have ever collected three consecutive National Titles and only one of those major men's sports post-1950 - USC Baseball, 1970-74 - Alabama faces a difficult task. All said, I think if any football program ever will, it's a Saban-led Alabama squad.

Is Louisville A National Championship Threat?

Davey: Simply put, NO. They are a threat to go undefeated based on their marshmallow soft schedule, but other programs with more on their resume will be placed above the Ville at the end of the year even with a loss or two. Would anyone think an undefeated Louisville squad deserves a title shot more than a one loss Alabama or Georgia team? No chance in hell. They may not even be a threat for a BCS bowl since they lose the automatic bid of the Big East this year that got them there in years past. They could very well beat every orphanage that they have managed to schedule this year, but I think they will slip up and drop a game at some point. They will end the year with one loss and Teddy Bridgewater will begin his career as a Raider and will never be heard from again.

Michael: Any given Saturday, this Chuck Strong-led bunch of great athletes and great men-sans-Michael Dyer can beat any team in the country. I'm never, never, betting against a team featuring the great Ezekiel Pike as a third-string Tight End. Granted, being a fan may sway my vote, but I truly believe Louisville can be worthy adversary to the SEC. Who else can beat an SEC team than a former SEC coach?

Can Johnny Manziel Win Back-To-Back Hesimans?

Davey: Not only can he, Money Manziel will win his second Heisman this year and I hope he accepts it with sparklers dangling out of his mouth and throws money on Mark Ingram on stage. Manziel is still the best player in college football this year and when is comes to quarterbacks it isn't even close. Clowney could give him a run for his money (no pun intended) but I just don't see a defensive player having the season needed to take home the Heisman, even a player of the caliber of Clowney. Johnny is going to have another great year and while he may not top last season, I don't expect any drop off. He may take the field vs. Alabama drunk and wearing a Tebow jersey and STILL manage to slay the Crimson Tide. People allow the off-field "issues" to cloud their memories of just how dynamic Johnny Football was last year and with a year under his belt, he will make sure they don't forget his ability ever again. #TeamManziel

Michael: Nope. Not a chance. If Tim Tebow, the most composed, most professional, most mature athlete to ever grace a field, pitch, court, rink, etc. can't win two, a man who can't stay sober long enough to coach at a QB camp or avoid being thrown out of a frat party certainly cannot. But Michael, you say, Archie Griffin won two! To you, I say, 1975 was quite a different time. Johnny Manziel isn't the special athlete that, say, Jimmie Johnson is. Johnny Manziel is a real talent, but he certainly isn't composed enough to win another Heisman. Be it Tajh Boyd, Jadaveon Clowney, Teddy Bridgewater, or some Jason White type that comes out of nowhere, Johnny Manziel isn't winning the Heisman Trophy again.

Who Is The Dark Horse With a Real Shot To Win It All?

Davey: I'm not sure that there is a dark horse with a real shot, simply because of the nature of college football. The heavy favorites (Bama, Ohio State, Georgia) are heavy favorites for a reason and there is a big gap between them and the rest of the nation. However, one team to keep an eye on is Clemson. Led by Tajh Boyd who is the best NFL quarterback prospect that will grace the gridiron this year they could have a case to make if they run the table. It will all depend on the play of Boyd and will be up to him to vault the Tigers into that upper echelon of teams in the 2013 season and that will be no easy task. Simply because of Tajh I give Clemson the best shot of any dark horse to hoist the crystal football, but lets be real here, one of the favorites will be the kings of college football at the end of the year. There's no avoiding it.

Michael: Naturally, I want to say Boise State. I think Chris Petersen is an admirable coach with a bright future. I don't, however, think Boise State makes a real push this season. Clemson will make a title run, but they're hardly a dark horse with a Heisman front-runner at the helm. Northwestern is a team that could make a great run, but they're a year, at least, away from making any true BCS run. Michigan State, based solely on their locker room pranks, are a team to look out for, as are that husking bunch led by Taylor Martinez (who have the potential to be the greatest Nebraskan anything since Elliott Smith or Bright Eyes), but I can't really pin any true dark horse contenders. Nebraska is my bet, if necessary, but I'll stick to the top-10 for now.

What Top 10 Team Will Disappoint?

Davey: The Fighting Brian Kellys barely missed the top ten or they would surely be the pick here, but since they were on the outside of the top 10 looking in, my pick has to be South Carolina. Clowney is the big story coming out of the Gamecocks' preseason hype as he should be, but as good as he is and that defense is they just wont be able to compete in the SEC. They have an offense that I believe will self destruct at times especially against top level competition and will cost them at least one game if not more. They are a solid team despite Steve Spurrier being a certified crazy person but they aren't an SEC top tier caliber team and they will fall down the rankings throughout the season and wont be in the BCS conversation once it gets cold outside. Sorry Steve.

Michael: Texas A&M. Texas A&M. Texas A&M. I know, I know, Johnny Football this, Johnny Football that, but I don't think Texas A&M are nearly as good as they were. Losing Luke Joekel will hurt far more than expected and I think A&M are lacking too much talent outside of the offensive skill positions. The tl;dr version: Texas A&M.

Will Oregon Struggle Without Chip Kelly?

Davey: In the short term we will still see the same swagged out, faster than hell Oregon team that we have seen under the command of Chip. This year will go smoothly with the return of Marcus Mariota and of course De'Anthony Thomas, but in the coming years there bee some drop off in the elite play in Eugene as we see the effect of Chip's recruiting prowess leaving for the NFL. They will still be good with the extreme influence they receive from Nike but they will no longer be competing for national titles without Chip once his guys make the jump to the next level. So this year, rest easy Duck fans, just enjoy it while it lasts because it is very much fleeting right in from of your eyes.

Michael: Nope. Offense. By promoting the offensive coordinator, I think Oregon won't miss a beat in their offensive attack, which, well, is their entire game plan. Marcus Mariota and De'Anthony Thomas are superstars, and their high-paced attack will allow for plenty of ransacking in the Pac-10 - until Stanford. Stanford, I believe give the Nikes a run for their money, even if the green uniforms are still allowed (see Boise State uniform ban).