It’s time to kick off our 2019 college football coverage. This is just the beginning of what’ll be our biggest college football preview ever!
Our coverage starts with the nine teams to keep your eye on in 2019. These are teams that have intrigue, could be surprise teams or disappointments in 2019. They should all be interesting to follow this college football season.
Sign up to receive the latest College Football predictions, rankings, betting tips and more from SportsFormulator
The 2019 College Football Teams to Watch
9 – Liberty Flames
I’m sure you’re asking yourself, Liberty? They entered the FBS last season. After that season though, they hired former Ole Miss headcoach Hugh Freeze. What will he do with the Liberty offense? Freeze is in elite company having multiple wins over Nick Saban so he could get Liberty bowl eligible in 2019.
8 – Kansas Jayhawks
Les Miles takes over in Lawrence trying to get the Jayhawks out of the Big 12 cellar. How big of an impact will he have in season 1? He’s battle tested after years in the SEC at LSU.
Since 2010, KU is 18-90 including four winless Big 12 seasons. Look for him to keep KU competitive like they were after last year’s upset win over TCU. It’s a long shot they make a bowl but KU football should be exciting with the Madhatter at the helm.
7 – Michigan Wolverines
This is the make or break year for Jim Harbaugh. With Urban Meyer “retired”, expectations for the Wolverines are a win over Ohio State and a trip to the Big Ten Championship. Anything less will be a gigantic disappointment.
With QB Shea Patterson back with a new offensive coordinator, the Wolverines will run the Spread. With the talent they have around Patterson, he could become a Heisman candidate and get the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff.
6 – South Florida Bulls
I put the Bulls here at six for two reasons. First, the Bulls started 2018 6-0. Second, they entered their bowl game on a six game losing streak. They also lost the bowl game to finish 6-7. What will the Bulls be like this season? Have they put that collapse out of their mind and are ready to start fresh in 2019? Or has the seven game losing streak loomed over them all offseason?
It’ll be interesting to see how August 30, 2019 goes as they open the season hosting Wisconsin. That’d be a win that would put 2018 out of their mind.
5 – Tennessee Volunteers
Jim Chaney is in Knoxville to revitalize the offense. With eight starters back on that side of the ball, the Vols’ will be much better.
While only going 5-7 last season, wins over Auburn and Kentucky gave hope in Vols’ country, Jeremy Pruitt’s turnaround is on its way.
This team has a lot of talent but a tough SEC schedule with Alabama and Mississippi State being their opponents from the SEC West. I think they’re going to pull at least one upset, maybe two.
While they’re not ready to challenge Georgia for the SEC East, Tennessee will be in every game this season and a bowl game will help this team continue on the right track.
4 – UCLA Bruins
With 17 starters returning, Chip Kelly could make major strides in year two at UCLA. The offense picked up steam in the second half of the season. Having a roster familiar with his offensive scheme, they should run much smoother this season.
The defense must continue to improve. If they do, the Bruins could find themselves in the Pac-12 title game.
After a 3-9 record last season, the Bruins will at least go bowling in 2019.
3 – Missouri Tigers
Mizzou could start 8-0 and then head to Athens to play Georgia and follow it up with hosting Florida in Columbia. Ten wins aren’t out of the question for Missouri this year.
Losing Drew Lock will drastically change the offense. Kelly Bryant doesn’t have the arm Lock does…nor do many college QB’s. Larry Rountree will carry the load for the Tigers and keep them in the race for the SEC East.
Are the Tigers ready to takedown Georgia though? It’s unlikely but that’s going to be a huge game this season.
2 – Nebraska Cornhuskers
It’s year two for Scott Frost at his alma mater. The Huskers should be more confident in his system and with him being able to add speed to this team, they’re going to contend in the Big Ten.
Without many starters returning, it won’t be a problem. Frost recruited well and the defense will play a lot of upperclassmen.
Their division is down this season so not only will Big Red have a winning record this season, I think they’ll be in the Big Ten Championship game.
1 – Oklahoma Sooners
The Jalen Hurts transfer opened the door for two huge storylines in 2019. Can the Sooners have a third straight QB win the Heisman Trophy?
But the real story for 2019 is can the Sooners get back to the College Football Playoff and faceoff with Hurts’ former team, the Crimson Tide of Alabama.
Hurts was part of the Tide team that eliminated the Sooners in last season’s College Football Playoff after he rescued the Tide in the SEC Championship game. I know I’m not the only one hoping for a Jalen vs. Tua showdown in the CFP this year.
Get more college football here.