The coaching carousel always churns out fascinating changes, but never more so than this year. Both Florida and Florida State have new coaches, Chip Kelly is back in the college game at UCLA, Arizona State jumped completely outside the box in hiring Herm Edwards and Texas A&M bet a whole bunch of money — $75 million to be exact — that Jimbo Fisher will bring championships to College Station.
Speaking of coaches, think Nebraska fans are fired up for Scott Frost's homecoming? A program record 86,818 fans showed up for the spring game. Mark it down: Frost will reward that loyalty by elevating the Cornhuskers back to national prominence, although probably not immediately. The Cornhuskers road schedule includes games at Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa. Yikes.
As an offseason of coaching drama fades and the games begin, here are the story lines I'll be watching closely:
Great change: Awesome openers
The first few weeks of the season used to serve as a tune-up, a way to ease into things with cream-puff matchups. Luckily for fans, the playoff has changed scheduling philosophy. Enjoy this opening week slate: Washington vs. Auburn; Michigan vs. Notre Dame; Miami vs. LSU; Virginia Tech vs. Florida State.
Great change, II: Fresh faces
The NCAA got it right with the new redshirt rule that allows players to appear in four games without losing a year of eligibility. The new rule will have a significant impact by allowing players to gain experience without burning their redshirt.
A contender, or a backup?
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, hero of the national championship game, has been tabbed as a Heisman Trophy contender, even though he hasn't started a game in college … or even been named the starter. On Monday, Coach Nick Saban declined to say whether Tagovailoa or Jalen Hurts will start Saturday against Louisville.
Bigger is better?
Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez told CBS Sports that he wants the playoff expanded to six teams. I waffle on whether I prefer four teams or a larger field. More entrants likely would prevent a situation like last season when Central Florida went undefeated and was left out. An eight-team playoff would mean more excitement. But I also love the drama of the regular season and the importance placed on every single game.
Nick The Great
Amazing stat courtesy of Lindy's annual preview magazine: Saban has produced 30 consensus All-Americans in 11 seasons at Alabama — that's the same number as Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Georgia, Auburn, UCLA and Nebraska COMBINED.
