College football 2022: Georgia goes for repeat, SEC West on the rise, new coach effect
The 2021 football season ended around 11:50 p.m. Monday night when Georgia’s Kelee Ringo ran back an interception 79 yards for a touchdown to seal the Bulldogs’ national title win.
As Dog fans celebrated and Alabama fans mourned, the rest of us college football junkies started looking ahead to September and the 2022 season - one already full of storylines.
Here are five.
Sweet redemption for Dog fans: After 41 years, Georgia Bulldogs win a college football championship
Celebrate the Bulldogs: Relive Georgia football's historic season with exclusive, commemorative book
Georgia's dynasty takes root
The Bulldogs’ breakthrough win could mean the rise of college football’s next power. Assuming JT Daniels doesn’t bolt for the NFL, Georgia will have a star at quarterback - although incumbent starter Stetson Bennett IV does have another year of eligbility remaining. The “Death Star” defense has some holes to plug but the Dogs have talent. The only thing holding Georgia back was the Saban mental block, and now that is gone.
Rise of the SEC West
Alabama looked vulnerable this year, and it wasn’t because the Crimson Tide were short on talent - others among their division rivals were better. Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Arkansas are ascending. Now LSU has Brian Kelly as coach, which should translate to a marked improvement given the Tigers’ roster.
Clemson bounces back
So many - too many - pundits are eager to deem the Tigers' run as a perennial contender as over, and the volume has only increased since highly regarded Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables left for Oklahoma. But one down year does not define a program, and Dabo Swinney still has one of the most talented rosters in the nation. In 2022, those would-be stars, such as QB DJ Uiagalelei, will meet their potential. Plus, the Atlantic Coast Conference stinks and the Tigers don't play Georgia non-conference next season.
Defense returns at Ohio State
The Buckeyes’ D against Michigan, Utah and Oregon this season and Alabama in the 2020 national title game was unrecognizable. Coach Ryan Day responded by hiring Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles away from Oklahoma State. Knowles will insist on OSU restoring its physicality up front, making the Buckeyes a juggernaut.
New coaches in new places
Don’t be surprised if USC, Oklahoma, LSU, Florida and Oregon make runs next season. Those programs all have new coaches who bring new energy and new mindsets to talented rosters. Most will need two or three years to overhaul the culture, but one could be “ahead of schedule,” as they say. Lincoln Riley at USC and Kelly at LSU seem the most likely.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Georgia Bulldogs go for repeat as college football national champions
