The new NCAA football season is closer than ever, and all the fans should come prepared. We made this article to ensure you haven't missed all the most significant concerns most people had during the off-season.
Covid-19 might still affect the season
Football without fans is impossible. Without support, the line between home and away games blurs, and the advantage the stadium offers disappears. Along with it, the results of the leaders went down, and the underdogs got a chance.
But it's important to understand that it was hard to imagine what the season would look like last summer and whether it would happen at all. Fortunately, all conferences were able to take part in one form or another.
The stands in 2021 would be more filled, but there is no certainty that the league will maintain such conditions throughout the season. The delta variant of covid-19 continues to spread across the country, and the vaccination rate is still unimpressive. So the virus will impact this year, but let's hope that last season's experience can help the league management keep losses to a minimum.
Georgia on their way to glory
The Athletic recently put Dawgs fans in a huge dilemma: it's better for their team to win the long-awaited title or consistently finish in the top 5. Surprisingly, in a vote with two such options, participants were split almost 50/50.
The result seems surprising for fans of a team with one of the most talented squads, consistently making the play-offs, but enormous pressure: Georgia won their last title in 1980.
Still, 2021 will not be a "do or die" situation for a club with such support. But many experts, such as William Hill betting operator, which review you can find here https://bookmaker-ratings.com/review/william-hill-review/, place Georgia among the top favourites for the season.
Many coaching changes
Many teams concluded that they need a change. Most of them decided to make that through the new coach. Some even came as big surprises. So that you are not shocked when the tournament starts, here are the most significant moves.
Arizona
Previous coach: Kevin Sumlin (fired)
Current coach: Jedd Fisch (last job: New England Patriots assistant)
Auburn
Previous coach: Gus Malzahn (fired)
Current coach: Bryan Harsin (last job: Boise State head coach)
Boise State
Previous coach: Bryan Harsin
Current coach: Andy Avalos (last job: Oregon assistant)
Illinois
Previous coach: Lovie Smith (fired)
Current coach: Bret Bielema (last job: Wisconsin, Arkansas head coach)
Kansas
Previous coach: Les Miles (fired)
Current coach: Lance Leipold (last job: Buffalo head coach)
Marshall
Previous coach: Doc Holliday (fired)
Current coach: Charles Huff (last job: Alabama assistant)
South Carolina
Previous coach: Will Muschamp (fired)
Current coach: Shane Beamer (last job: Oklahoma assistant)
Tennessee
Previous coach: Jeremy Pruitt (fired)
Current coach: Josh Heupel (last job: UCF head coach)
Texas
Previous coach: Tom Herman (fired)
Current coach: Steve Sarkisian (last job: Alabama OC, HC at USC, Washington)
UCF
Previous coach: Josh Heupel
Current coach: Gus Malzahn (last job: Auburn head coach)
Vanderbilt
Previous coach: Derek Mason (fired)
Current coach: Clark Lea (last job: Notre Dame DC)
Talented QB prospects deserve recognition
Despite the departures of such stars as Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, or Mac Jones, teams find exciting players. Spencer Rattler (6' 1", 205 lbs) has the best chance of making the NFL Draft 2022, according to most journalistic polls. Some of the pros include his live arm and athleticism.
Equally impressive is Sam Howell (6' 1", 220 lbs) from North Carolina, but with caveats. Although this QB has spent two seasons at an extraordinary level, he sometimes makes unforced errors and will lose several strong partners who helped produce impressive stats.
Other QBs to look out for: JT Daniels (Georgia), Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati), Carson Strong (Nevada), Malik Willis (Liberty).
