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Ohio State Football: 2019 CFB season predictions

By Peter Burtnett

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: The National Championship Trophy presented by Dr. Pepper is seen on the field prior to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2015 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: The National Championship Trophy presented by Dr. Pepper is seen on the field prior to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2015 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 26: Head coach P. J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers congratulates Mohamed Ibrahim #24 after a long second half run against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field on December 26, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Minnesota won the game 34-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 26: Head coach P. J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers congratulates Mohamed Ibrahim #24 after a long second half run against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field on December 26, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Minnesota won the game 34-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Dark Horse Teams to Watch:

  • Baylor Bears: Sometimes I get a little too high on returning starters and momentum from a previous season (I predicted Michigan State to win the Big Ten last year with 19 returning starters from a 10-win team). But the Bears have a talented QB, improving defense and a coach that has taken a team from 1 win to 7 in just one season. 10 wins may be over-the-top, but 8 or 9 is certainly achievable in the competitive Big 12.
  • Oregon Ducks: The Ducks have sloshed around in the middle of the Pac 12 for several seasons now, but the return of 19 total starters and an NFL-caliber QB leads Oregon to an impressive season. If the Ducks don’t slip up against the Auburn Tigers, or in conference play (at Washington and Stanford, home against Arizona [see 2013 and ’14]), they could reach the doorstep of the CFP.
  • Texas A&M Aggies: Defense will need to retool after losing 7 of 11 starters, but offense will lead the way through a tough schedule (on the road vs. Clemson, Georgia, and LSU; home against Alabama). Alabama at home is my top upset-watch of the 2019 season.
  • Minnesota Golden Gophers: Minnesota carries over momentum finishing with 3 out of 4 (and 4 out of 6) wins and face a light non-division schedule (at Rutgers and home against Maryland and Penn State). The Gophers welcome the return of 16 starters and are my sleeper candidate to win the Big Ten West.
  • Virginia Cavaliers: Favorable schedule other than two road games against Notre Dame and Miami (FL), plus momentum from last year’s successful season has the Cavaliers looking ready to make a trip to Charlotte.

All these teams could do damage in their conference divisions, but I predict none of them will win their conference championship game. Keep reading to see how I think those games will go.

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