28 | AUGUST 2024
HUSKERS PREVIEW
CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN
Setting the scene The Southeastern Conference is bigger and better than ever. The additions of Texas and Oklahoma form a 16-team league that has every reason to believe it’s the nation’s top
GEORGIA AT MISSISSIPPI: Nov. 9 – The Rebels lost twice in 2023, an early-season hiccup at Alabama and a crush- ing 52-17 loss at Georgia. This meeting will be crucial given the expanded playoff and the timing of the game. If Mississippi can hold its own, it could inch closer to an SEC title appearance. BONUS: Clemson at Georgia (Aug. 31) – Intriguing clash to kick off the season; Alabama at Wisconsin (Sept. 14) – Kalen DeBoer’s first big test comes in Madison; Georgia at Alabama (Sept. 28) – Who is the SEC’s top dog?; Missouri at Alabama (Oct. 26) – The Tigers’ best chance to show 2023 wasn’t a fluke; Alabama at LSU (Nov. 9) – It won’t decide the SEC West, but could decide a playoff spot; Texas at Texas A&M (Nov. 30) – Lone Star Showdown gets its first revival since 2011. And the nominees are... (Projected order of finish) 1. Georgia, 2. Texas, 3. Mississippi, 4. Alabama, 5. Mis- souri, 6. LSU, 7. Tennessee, 8. Oklahoma, 9. Texas A&M, 10. Auburn, 11. Florida, 12. Kentucky, 13. South Carolina, 14. Arkansas, 15. Mississippi State, 16. Vanderbilt. canes will serve as a litmus test against the rival Gators. Miami is expected to make a jump after landing key transfers, while Florida is looking to bounce back from a five-win season. FLORIDA STATE AT NOTRE DAME: Nov. 9 – The last time these two teams met in 2021, the Irish came out on top in an OT thriller. Both squads finished in the top 15 last season with double-digit wins and all signs point to similar results in 2024. It could be a key meeting for CFP implications. STANFORD AT CALIFORNIA: Nov. 23 – Sure, it’s not the most exciting game on the schedule. Especially considering that both teams will likely finish in the bottom half. But, the longtime rivalry of West Coast foes highlights the changes in college sports. BONUS: Clemson at Florida State (Oct. 5) – A preview of the likely ACC title game; TCU at SMU (Sept. 21) – The Mustangs’ chance at establishing themselves as a legit ACC contender. And the nominees are ... (Projected order of finish) 1. Florida State, 2. Clemson, 3. Miami, 4. Louisville, 5. NC State, 6. Virginia Tech, 7. SMU, 8. North Carolina, 9. Georgia Tech, 10. California, 11. Syracuse, 12. Boston College, 13. Pittsburgh, 14. Duke, 15. Wake Forest, 16. Virginia, 17. Stanford.
Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi: Dart is back at the helm of a high-powered offense that helped the Rebels to a program-record 11 wins. He amassed 3,364 passing yards, 391 rushing yards and 31 total touchdowns a year ago. 3 blockbuster games OKLAHOMA VS. TEXAS: Oct. 12 – Red River Rivalry is gearing up for the 120th meeting and the first as an SEC game. The Longhorns only had one blemish before reaching the playoff and it came at the hands of the Sooners. Can OU steal another one or will Texas take back the Golden Hat? GEORGIA AT TEXAS: Oct. 19 – If everything falls into place, this will be the first of two meetings. It could even be three if the Bull- dogs and Longhorns meet in the playoff. Texas would make a big statement by knocking off Georgia and it’ll showcase a must-see battle between Quinn Ewers and the UGA defense.
conference. Alabama starts the post-Saban era while Georgia looks to win its third national title in four seasons. Missouri, Tennessee and LSU have legit cases to reach the playo field, and Mississippi is poised to have a historic season. The rest of the SEC looks to reload or rebuild. 3 A-list players to watch Malaki Starks, S, Georgia: First-team All- American brings experience to a secondary that will need some new names to emerge. Starks intercepted three passes, racked up 52 tackles and added 10 pass deflections. Anthony Hill, LB, Texas: Hill shared Big 12 defensive freshman of the year honors and is on the verge of being a superstar. In 14 games, he finished with 67 tackles, eight for a loss, five sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
ANTHONY HILL
Setting the scene A recurring theme across all conferences, mainly the now Power 4 leagues, is the amount of change. The Atlantic Coast Conference welcomes two teams from the West Coast and an- other from the DFW area. Despite the movement and increase to 17 teams, the conference should come down to its power- houses in Florida State and Clemson. Miami, Louisville, NC State and Virginia Tech shouldn’t be far behind in what should be a competitive 2024. And don’t be surprised to see an SMU team, that won 11 games last season, in the mix. 3 A-list players to watch Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina: In his second season with the Tar Heels, Hampton led the ACC in rushing with 1,504 yards (115.7 per game) and 15 touchdowns. That was nearly 400 more yards than the next best rusher. An improved o ensive line could keep the UNC back at the top of the conference. Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson: Carter has been a force for the Tigers in the last two seasons and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Since 2022, the Clemson LB has recorded 135 total tack- les, nine sacks, 13 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions. Cam Ward, QB, Miami: Coming from Washington State, Ward
BARRETT CARTER
was a part of the pinnacle of the air raid o ense. In 2023, Ward passed for 3,735 yards and 25 touchdowns. He is widely regarded as the best quarterback in the league and with Xavier Restrepo and Samuel Brown as his main targets, the sky’s the limit. 3 blockbuster games MIAMI AT FLORIDA: Aug. 31 – An early road trip for the Hurri-
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