College Football 2016 - My oppugnant predictions for the year

Go ahead, raise your hand if you had to google that word.  That's right, oppugnant.  Sounds like something related to a skunk doesn't it?  Well, close...sorta.

Here are my predictions for this coming college football season.  They're probably all wrong, but hey, that's why they play the games.  Let the antagonizing begin:

• We will not have a championship rematch this year.  Yup, I said it.  Lock this "bold" prediction in.  However, when you consider that Alabama and Clemson are both ranked 1 and 2 respectively in most polls, a "rematch" may be more likely than you think...

• But let me stop you right there.  There won't be a rematch because...wait for it...Alabama will be dethroned from the SEC (and SEC West) dominance.  Yessir.  LSU will win the SEC West.

• I'm not buying the Michigan hype.  The problem is, when you look at their schedule, anything less than 7-0 when they roll into East Lansing is failure.  Michigan will win the Big Ten, but lose in the playoffs.

• While we're on the topic of hype trains, let's move to the west coast.  Washington will win the Pac-12.  I'm not saying they'll go undefeated.  In fact, they may go 9-3...and still win the Pac-12.

• Tennessee.  Oh that ugly ugly orange, how I loathe you.  Could this be the year?  Could you finally put it all together and beat Florida AND Georgia?  I'm not going to go that far, it may be ugly, actually it's most certainly going to be ugly, but yes...Tennessee will win the SEC East.

• Don't look past those other tigers in the SEC West.  Auburn will be much improved this year, and I see a very impactful upset coming from Auburn in 2016.

• Notre Dame is going to wreck havoc on the playoff committee.  Worst case scenario, they roll into Thanksgiving 10-1 to play what is likely to be a 9-2 USC (or better).  If they can figure out that QB situation, they could be looking at 11-0 with a playoff bid on the line.

• Vandy won't go to a bowl.  Yes they'll be much improved.  Yes they have a good defense.  But when two of your out of conference games have the best QBs in the Conference USA, and you have to play that yellow jacket option offense sandwiched between, it's hard to see 6 wins.  As unfortunate as it is, their bowl chances likely hinge on their opening night game against South Carolina.

• There will be two teams from the same conference...wait, correction, same division in the playoff, and no, it won't be the SEC West.  The ACC Atlantic will have two teams in the playoffs.

So what are your oppugnant predictions for this year?  Feel free to debate at will in the comments below.

“Here's a guy who can use his arms and legs at the same time.”
 - DWhit