2018 Top Head Coaching Hires

There was quite a bit of offseason movement on the college football coaching front, with some big names (Chip Kelly) returning to the game after time off and a few fixtures (Jimbo Fisher) making surprising moves to new programs.

All of these coaches will have differing levels of success, especially in year one, as some inherited better programs while others will need to do a rebuild or change to a new system.

This is one man's ranking of the top coaching hires of 2018.

Scott Frost (Pioneer Press)

1. Scott Frost/Nebraska -- Frost "going home" was about as much of a slam dunk as any coaching hire this season, and after leading UCF to an unbeaten record the natives will expect big things right away. It might take a season or two, but Frost should be able to recruit better than his predecessor, and it's already apparent that he can put his players in the best position to succeed. He brought defensive coordinator Erik Chinander with him from UCF, which might be an issue -- UCF was not good defensively despite being athletically sound and fast. If the D is as bad as it was in 2017 (Nebraska ranked 101st in total defense and 116th in scoring defense), what Frost is able to get done offensively might not matter. Still, this one has the feel of a grand slam hire.

2. Chip Kelly/UCLA -- Will Kelly be able to make a seamless transition back to the college game after some time off? He does have a proven track record, and his glitzy offense should play well in Hollywood. The Bruins must get tougher, however, and Kelly's defenses at Oregon were hit and miss. There's no doubt that there will be a ton of eyes on Kelly, which is a win for the Bruins, who had become second fiddle to their crosstown rival USC. The Bruins were one of the younger teams in the Pac-12 last season, and once Kelly gets the recruiting machine they could be one of the most talented. The only question here is whether or not Kelly will once again get a wandering eye for the NFL.

3. Willie Taggart/Florida State -- The surprising move by Jimbo Fisher to leave Tallahassee for College Station opened the door for Taggart, who has improved every program he's coached and who is a tireless recruiter. He won't need to really "program build" the Seminoles as there is already a boatload of talent on hand, and he should be able to spice up an FSU offense that hasn't finished in the nation's top 20 since 2013. His lone recruiting class at Oregon was top 20, so you have to believe he will get that machine humming as well.

4. Dan Mullen/Florida -- This might end up being the best coaching hire of 2018, even if it isn't quite as high-profile as Chip Kelly returning to college football. Mullen turned Mississippi State into a very good program, and with more money, resources and better talent in Gainesville could be on the verge of returning the Gators to championship level. He was part of the last UF coaching staff to win a national title in 2006, and his work with quarterbacks should give Gators fans hope that the offense will get it going sooner rather than later.


5. Jimbo Fisher/Texas A&M -- Fisher surprised many when he decided to leave FSU for A&M -- partly because he had a better situation at FSU and partly because the Seminoles have been a better program for quite some time. Fisher is an excellent recruiter so he should be able to upgrade the depth and talent in College Station, but there could be a worry as the Seminoles regressed after Jameis Winston left for the NFL, losing 12 games in the last three seasons and looking uninspired and undisciplined doing it. Fisher should provide a short term boost for the Aggies, but may find a real breakthrough difficult as he now has to battle Alabama, Georgia, Auburn and Florida, SEC programs that historically are equal or better than A&M.

6. Joe Moorhead/Mississippi State -- Moorhead was the architect behind Penn State's resurgent offense, and has one of the brightest offensive minds in all of football. With quarterback Nick Fitzgerald returning, Moorhead has one of the most dangerous weapons in America at his disposal. Moorhead turned FCS Fordham into a team that won 12 games in his second season after inheriting a one-win squad. Moorhead gets his chance to shine at a high profile program, and the belief here is that he succeeds wildly. 

7. Chad Morris/Arkansas -- Things never worked out for Bret Bielema, who tried to bring a Midwest approach to the SEC. Morris resurrected an SMU program that was winless when he took over, and he has connections in Texas which means recruiting should pick up. His hiring of veteran defensive coordinator John Chavis is a signal that Morris is serious about making the Razorbacks a player in the SEC title race.

8. Mario Cristobal/Oregon -- Oregon's players stumped for the former Florida International coach and Ducks assistant after Taggart left for Florida State, and hiring Cristobal full time brings familiarity. His record at FIU wasn't good (27-47) but he was undertaking one of the most massive rebuilds in recent memory, so on balance he did all right. Cristobal is an elite recruiter, and Oregon has been a big brand for a number of years now, so the players should show up. How well Cristobal does with them remains to be seen.
 

Kevin Sumlin (AllSportsTucson.com)

9. Kevin Sumlin/Arizona -- Many lauded this hire, which is curious given Sumlin's results at Texas A&M (five losses in each of the last four seasons). After a bang-up start in his first two seasons, Sumlin's offense (without Johnny Manziel) did a freefall, failing to break the top 25 in scoring from 2014 forward. Also noted as a wizard with quarterback, the Aggies had little resembling a passing game after Manziel, missing on nearly everyone it brought into the program. On the plus side, Sumlin is a very good recruiter, averaging a top 10 finish over the last five seasons. With lower expectations at Arizona, and a wondrous quarterback talent in Khalil Tate, Sumlin should be good right away in Tucson. Whether or not he'll be good in a few years is the big question.

10. Steve Campbell/South Alabama -- Campbell is one of the few new coaches with a national championship under his belt -- two in fact, albeit at lower levels. He won a Division II title at Delta State and a JUCO crown in 2007 at Mississippi Gulf Coast. He went 20-5 the last two years at Central Arkansas and won this past season's Southland Conference crown, which is no mean feat given the collection of teams in that league. Campbell loves playing tempo on offense and had numerous players from his JUCO team go on to play FBS football. While the Jaguars have been competitive in the Sun Belt, there's never been a real breakthrough. Campbell could be the guy to change that.

11. Billy Napier/Louisiana -- Napier has a Power 5 pedigree, serving as Arizona State's OC last season after spending five seasons coaching receivers at Alabama. He was also at Clemson, and that kind of cache could turn into an upgrade of on-field talent for the Ragin' Cajuns. He may not be a household names to college football fans, but those in the profession know that he has the goods to be successful. He has an excellent offensive mind and has been a very good recruiter. He joins Campbell as another energetic Sun Belt coach.

12. Jeremy Pruitt/Tennessee -- Tennessee gave a blueprint on how not to handle a coaching search after it fired Butch Jones, hiring-then-not-hiring Ohio State's Greg Schiano after an uninformed fan revolt. After interviewing/pursuing some second-tier candidates, the Vols end up with Pruitt, which really was a good save, all things considered. Pruitt has been the architect of Alabama's stifling defenses the past two seasons and was at Georgia prior to that, so he knows the SEC. He's been great at developing players and is a solid recruiter but has zero head coaching experience, at any level, the main reason he doesn't get a higher grade. He should bring talent to Knoxville, but whether it will be enough to contend with Georgia and Florida in the SEC East remains to be seen.

13. Matt Luke/Ole Miss -- Given the situation Luke inherited, he did a bang up job getting the Rebels to .500 in 2017. The players seem to like him, and if is given a chance to get out from under NCAA sanctions he could have Ole Miss competitive again in a few seasons. The talent may not be there for the next couple of seasons thanks to the transgressions of Freeze, but Luke seems like a steady enough hand to get through the difficult times. Luke guided Ole Miss to wins over Kentucky and Mississippi State and was competitive against Texas A&M. Stability is the buzzword here, and Luke brings that.

14. Jonathan Smith/Oregon State -- It wasn't a sexy hire, but Smith is a former Beavers player and knows what it takes to win in Corvallis. He has spent the last six seasons working under Chris Petersen, which is a positive. He's an unknown when it comes to recruiting, but he definitely will provide passion as a former OSU player, and recruits will see that. If he can tap into the Washington and California markets, he could get enough talent to make the Beavers at least competitive.

15. Chad Lunsford/Georgia Southern -- Lunsford got the job after leading the Eagles to a 2-4 mark following the ouster of Tyson Summers (who had the Eagles at 0-6 before his firing). The players love him, and the effort and results were apparent after he took over the program. Georgia Southern is a proud program and doesn't like being down, and Lunsford was part of the very good recent past as an assistant on Willie Fritz's staff. Going back to the option, long a staple of GSU football, will warm the hearts of fans everywhere.

Sonny Dykes (APNews)

16. Sonny Dykes/SMU -- Dykes has shown his offensive chops, and he does have a good knowledge of the state of the Texas, but he has an overall losing record and has won eight games or more just three times. He wasn't good in rivalry games while at Cal (going 1-11 against USC, UCLA and Stanford), and his defenses have seldom been more than mediocre. Maybe this works out, but the feeling is this is a big step down from Morris. Even if it is, the offense should at least be entertaining.

17. Josh Heupel/UCF -- Heupel knows offense, coordinating Missouri's high powered attack in 2017. Still, this one was a bit of a head-scratcher as there were more proven candidates out there. The Knights may not be quite as prolific as they were in 2017 under Frost, though Heupel should be able to keep McKenzie Milton in the spotlight with an offense that depends heavily on quarterback playmaking. The fast-paced offense should still be a staple, but the question is will Heupel be more like he was at Missouri (successful) or Oklahoma (unsuccessful)? It was a bit odd that UCF didn't make a bigger splash given how high its profile has become, and Heupel has never been a head coach at any level. So it is a gamble, but one that could have a huge payoff.

18. Mike Bloomgren/Rice -- Bloomgren may not have the profile of a lot of coaches on this list, but he spent the last seven seasons at Stanford as David Shaw's right hand man as well as spending some time as an assistant in the NFL. Like Stanford, Rice has stringent academic requirement, so Bloomgren should be able to figure out how to win with those limitations. He has zero head coaching experience, but Rice is a good level for him to cut his teeth. If he can win there, the 40-year-old will be able to write his ticket to a Power 5 job in a few years.

19. Sean Lewis/Kent State -- Lewis is a brilliant offensive mind, orchestrating Syracuse's high-scoring offense and being with Dino Babers since his Eastern Illinois days. He knows the MAC and knows how to formulate an offense that will put up points, which was a huge issue for Haynes in his five seasons. Lewis is unproven as a recruiter, but you can bet he'll look for some diamonds in the rough types, players who might be undersized but who fit his offense. The youngest coach in FBS (31), Lewis is definitely a gamble. But Kent State is a program that needs to take one, and maybe they hit on something this time.

20. Dana Dimel/UTEP -- Dimel comes from Kansas State, where he ran the offense from 2009 to last season, and has been a head coach before (Wyoming, Houston). UTEP does not routinely get high-profile players, but Dimel has proven adept at getting more out of less working with the Wildcats offense. That has to be the hope for the admins in UTEP, which hasn't won a bowl game since 1967 and has been to the postseason just four times since 2000 and has posted just three winning seasons in that span. On the surface this seems like an odd hire, as Dimel is older (55) and may have a limited shelf life. But he knows how to recruit to remote outposts (Laramie definitely counts) and could provide a little bit of hope to the Miners downtrodden program.

21. Herm Edwards/Arizona State -- I love Herm -- who doesn't? His analytical mind, his way of turning a phrase, all of it. It's a joy to listen to. But coaching a major college football after not coaching collegiately  since 1989, or at any level since 2008? He was clumsy in his introductory press conference, and this just doesn't have the feel of something that will end well. Whether or not you agree with the decision to fire Todd Graham, who was 31-23 in league play in six seasons, the hiring of Edwards is one of the more head-scratching hires in recent memory. Maybe it works out and we got a long dose of Herm-isms. But the guess here is that it will be a jarring return to the game, and won't end well.

Rating College Football's Coaching Hires

The 2017 college football season is squarely in the history books, but that doesn't mean the sport is without relevance.

There is plenty going on during this offseason, including teams putting the finishing touches on recruiting classes, players deciding whether to turn pro or return to school, and the always turning coaching carousel.

With jobs now filled, we rate the coaching hires heading into the 2018 season.

These ratings are with the long-term in mind. Some of these guys may struggle due to the state of the program but turn things around, and some may be immediate hits before bogging down into mediocrity.

A

Chip Kelly (GoJoeBruin)

Chip Kelly/UCLA (Jim Mora Jr) -- Will Kelly be able to make a seamless transition back to the college game after some time off? He does have a proven track record, and his glitzy offense should play well in Hollywood. The Bruins must get tougher, however, and Kelly's defenses at Oregon were hit and miss. There's no doubt that there will be a ton of eyes on Kelly, which is a win for the Bruins, who had become second fiddle to their crosstown rival USC. The Bruins were one of the younger teams in the Pac-12 last season, and once Kelly gets the recruiting machine they could be one of the most talented. The only question here is whether or not Kelly will once again get a wandering eye for the NFL.

Dan Mullen/Florida (Jim McElwain) -- This might end up being the best coaching hire of 2018, even if it isn't quite as high-profile as Chip Kelly returning to college football. Mullen turned Mississippi State into a very good program, and with more money, resources and better talent in Gainesville could be on the verge of returning the Gators to championship level. He was part of the last UF coaching staff to win a national title in 2006, and his work with quarterbacks should give Gators fans hope that the offense will get it going sooner rather than later.

Scott Frost/Nebraska (Mike Riley) -- Frost "going home" was about as much of a slam dunk as any coaching hire this season, and after leading UCF to an unbeaten record the natives will expect big things right away. It might take a season or two, but Frost should be able to recruit better than his predecessor, and it's already apparent that he can put his players in the best position to succeed. He brought defensive coordinator Erik Chinander with him from UCF, which might be an issue -- UCF was not good defensively despite being athletically sound and fast. If the D is as bad as it was in 2017 (Nebraska ranked 101st in total defense and 116th in scoring defense), what Frost is able to get done offensively might not matter. Still, this one has the feel of a grand slam hire.

Willie Taggart/Florida State (Jimbo Fisher) -- The surprising move by Jimbo Fisher to leave Tallahassee for College Station opened the door for Taggart, who has improved every program he's coached and who is a tireless recruiter. He won't need to really "program build" the Seminoles as there is already a boatload of talent on hand, and he should be able to spice up an FSU offense that hasn't finished in the nation's top 20 since 2013. His lone recruiting class at Oregon was top 20, so you have to believe he will get that machine humming as well.

A-

Jimbo Fisher (Texas Tribune)

Jimbo Fisher/Texas A&M (Kevin Sumlin) -- Fisher surprised many when he decided to leave FSU for A&M -- partly because he had a better situation at FSU and partly because the Seminoles have been a better program for quite some time. Fisher is an excellent recruiter so he should be able to upgrade the depth and talent in College Station, but there could be a worry as the Seminoles regressed after Jameis Winston left for the NFL, losing 12 games in the last three seasons and looking uninspired and undisciplined doing it. Fisher should provide a short term boost for the Aggies, but may find a real breakthrough difficult as he now has to battle Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Florida and Mississippi State, SEC programs that are equal or better than A&M.

Joe Moorhead/Mississippi State (Dan Mullen) -- Moorhead was the architect behind Penn State's resurgent offense, and has one of the brightest offensive minds in all of football. With quarterback Nick Fitzgerald returning next year, Moorhead has one of the most dangerous weapons in America at his disposal. Moorhead turned FCS Fordham into a team that won 12 games in his second season after inheriting a one-win squad. Moorhead gets his chance to shine at a high profile program, and the belief here is that he succeeds wildly. 

B+
Chad Morris/Arkansas (Bret Bielema) -- Things never worked out for Bielema, who tried to bring a Midwest approach to the SEC, with poor results. Morris resurrected an SMU program that was winless when he took over, and he has connections in Texas which means recruiting should pick up. His hiring of veteran defensive coordinator John Chavis is a signal that Morris is serious about making the Razorbacks a player in the SEC title race.

Mike Bloomgren/Rice (David Bailiff) -- Bloomgren may not have the profile of a lot of coaches on this list, but he spent the last seven seasons at Stanford as David Shaw's right hand man as well as spending some time as an assistant in the NFL. Like Stanford, Rice has stringent academic requirement, so Bloomgren should be able to figure out how to win with those limitations. He has zero head coaching experience, but Rice is a good level for him to cut his teeth. If he can win there, the 40 year old will be able to write his ticket to a Power 5 job in a few years.

B
Jeremy Pruitt/Tennessee (Butch Jones) -- Tennessee gave a blueprint on how not to handle a coaching search after it fired Butch Jones, hiring then not hiring Ohio State's Greg Schiano after an uninformed fan revolt. After interviewing/pursuing some second-tier candidates, the Vols end up with Pruitt, which really was a good save all things considered. Pruitt has been the architect of Alabama's stifling defenses the past two seasons and was at Georgia prior to that, so he knows the SEC. He's been great at developing players and is a solid recruiter but has zero head coaching experience, at any level, the main reason he doesn't get a higher grade. 

B- 
Billy Napier/Louisiana-Lafayette (Mark Hudspeth) -- Napier has a Power 5 pedigree, serving as Arizona State's OC last season after spending five seasons coaching receivers at Alabama. He was also at Clemson, and that kind of cache could turn into an upgrade of on-field talent for the Ragin' Cajuns. He may not be a household names to college football fans, but those in the profession know that he has the goods to be successful. He has an excellent offensive mind and has been a very good recruiter.

Steve Campbell/South Alabama (Joey Jones) -- Campbell is one of the few new coaches with a national championship under his belt -- two in fact, albeit at lower levels. He won a Division II title at Delta State and a JUCO crown in 2007 at Mississippi Gulf Coast. He went 20-5 the last two years at Central Arkansas and won this past season's Southland Conference crown, which is no mean feat given the collection of teams in that league. Campbell loves playing tempo on offense and had numerous players from his JUCO team go on to play FBS football.

C+
Mario Cristobal/Oregon (Willie Taggart) -- Oregon's players stumped for the former Florida International coach and Ducks assistant after Taggart left for Florida State, and hiring Cristobal full time brings familiarity. His record at FIU wasn't good (27-47) but he was undertaking one of the most massive rebuilds in recent memory, so on balance he did all right. Cristobal is an elite recruiter, and Oregon has been a big brand for a number of years now, so the players should show up. How well Cristobal does with them remains to be seen.

Kevin Sumlin (AZCentral)

Kevin Sumlin/Arizona (Rich Rodriguez) -- Many lauded this hire, which is curious given Sumlin's results at Texas A&M (five losses in each of the last four seasons). After a bang-up start in his first two seasons, Sumlin's offense (without Johnny Manziel) did a freefall, failing to break the top 25 in scoring from 2014 forward. Also noted as a wizard with quarterback, the Aggies had little resembling a passing game after Manziel, missing on nearly everyone it brought into the program. On the plus side, Sumlin is a very good recruiter, averaging a top 10 finish over the last five seasons. With lower expectations at Arizona, and a wondrous quarterback talent in Khalil Tate, Sumlin should be good right away in Tucson. Whether or not he'll be good in a few years is the big question.

Chad Lunsford/Georgia Southern (Tyson Summers) -- Lunsford got the job after leading the Eagles to a 2-3 mark following the ouster of Summers. The players love him, and the effort and results were apparent after he took over the program. Georgia Southern is a proud program and doesn't like being down, and Lunsford was part of the very good recent past as an assistant on Willie Fritz's staff.

C
Sean Lewis/Kent State  (Paul Haynes) -- Lewis is a brilliant offensive mind, orchestrating Syracuse's high-scoring offense and being with Dino Babers since his Eastern Illinois days. He knows the MAC and he knows how to formulate an offense that will put up points, which was a huge issue for Haynes in his five seasons. Lewis is unproven as a recruiter, but you can bet he'll look for some diamonds in the rough types, players who might be undersized but who fit his offense.

Dana Dimel/UTEP (Sean Kugler) -- Dimel comes from Kansas State, where he ran the offense from 2009 to last season, and has been a head coach before (Wyoming, Houston). UTEP does not routinely get high-profile players, but Dimel has proven adept at getting more out of less working with the Wildcats offense. That has to be the hope for the admins in UTEP, which hasn't won a bowl game since 1967 and has been to the postseason just four times since 2000 and has posted just three winning seasons in that span.

Josh Heupel/UCF (Scott Frost) -- Heupel knows offense, coordinating Missouri's high powered attack in 2017. Still, this one was a bit of a head-scratcher as there were more proven candidates out there. The Knights may not be quite as prolific as they were in 2017 under Frost, though Heupel should be able to keep McKenzie Milton in the spotlight with an offense that depends heavily on quarterback playmaking.

Matt Luke (CBS Sports)

Matt Luke/Ole Miss (Hugh Freeze, interim to full time) -- Given the situation Luke inherited, he did a bang up job getting the Rebels to .500 in 2017. The players seem to like him, and if is given a chance to get out from under NCAA sanctions he could have Ole Miss competitive again in a few seasons. The talent may not be there for the next couple of seasons thanks to the transgressions of Freeze, but Luke seems like a steady enough hand to get through the difficult times. Luke guided Ole Miss to wins over Kentucky and Mississippi State and was competitive against Texas A&M.

C- 
Jonathan Smith/Oregon State (Gary Anderson) -- It wasn't a sexy hire, but Smith is a former Beavers player and knows what it takes to win in Corvallis. He has spent the last six seasons working under Chris Petersen, which is a positive. He's an unknown when it comes to recruiting, but he definitely will provide passion as a former OSU player, and recruits will see that. If he can tap into the Washington and California markets, he could get enough talent to make the Beavers at least competitive.

D+
Sonny Dykes/SMU (Chad Morris) -- Dykes has shown his offensive chops, and he does have a good knowledge of the state of the Texas, but he has an overall losing record and has won eight games or more just three times. He wasn't good in rivalry games while at Cal (going 1-11 against USC, UCLA and Stanford), and his defenses have seldom been more than mediocre. Maybe this works out, but the feeling is this is a big step down from Morris.

F
Herm Edwards/Arizona State (Todd Graham) -- I love Herm -- who doesn't? His analytical mind, his way of turning a phrase, all of it. It's a joy to listen to. But coaching a major college football after not coaching collegiately  since 1989, or at any level since 2008? He was clumsy in his introductory press conference, and this just doesn't have the feel of something that will end well. 

Forget The Hype, Tide And Seminoles Want To Play

Nick Saban knows his Alabama squad faces a major hurdle in Florida State (NY Times)

 Alabama coach Nick Saban was never going to make any grand proclamations about his team as it heads into its opener against No. 3 Florida State, preferring instead to toe the company line.

 He would just as soon leave the bulletin board material to the Seminoles and let his team worry about doing what it does best -- pound opponents into submission with meticulous preparation and all-world talent.

 The top-ranked Crimson Tide face off against a young but hungry FSU squad in a game that is the first-ever season opener to match a pair of top three teams. The hype has been off the charts, deservedly, but both coaches are simply looking to get their teams ready and play the game.

"I think this is a great opportunity for our team to play in a great environment, a new stadium in Atlanta against one of the top teams, no doubt, in the country," Saban said. "Both of these teams are going to be well-prepared to play this game. I'm pleased with the progress we've been able to make with a lot of players, and we've had a good couple of days of work in Florida State prep."

 Fisher sounded like a man who almost relished the stakes, someone who isn't going to be awed by the magnitude of the moment and won't let his players be, either.

 “If you’re here at Florida State playing in these games, you’re going to be in hyped games,” he said. “Every year, we play Clemson, Miami, Florida, Louisville – whoever we play, what conference, what big bowl, play Michigan, (play) in the National Championship game, that’s part of being at Florida State.”

 Both teams have jaw-dropping athleticism, especially on defense, and each is vying for "best secondary in the nation" honors.

 Bama has ballhawk Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is a safety by title but who will line up just about anywhere, hard hitting safety Ronnie Harrison and veteran corner Tony Brown, and a host of guys just waiting to be "next man up."

 The Seminoles counter with safety Derwin James, who missed all but two games last year and has been welcomed back with open arms. James can cover, can play the ball, is a leader and is maybe the most aggressive defensive player in America. Teamed with corner Tarvarus McFadden, they form a great double dare for quarterbacks to face.

 Bama seems to have a slight edge in experience in the front seven, but it's paper-thin.

 Both quarterbacks -- Bama's Jalen Hurts and FSU's Deondre Francois -- were thrust into starting roles and combined to go 24-4 as freshmen a season ago. Hurts is more of a dual threat, but has reportedly worked on his pocket passing in the offseason, while Francois has more than a little Jameis Winston in him -- big arm, unflappable demeanor, ability to take punishment.

 Hurts and Francois will both be under the microscope, and whoever plays the cleaner game will likely be the one helping his team to victory.

 Alabama can overpower opposing offenses with its base defense, and Florida State did have a propensity for allowing Francois to get hit last year. He cannot continue to absorb these kinds of hits if the Seminoles have any kind of design on vying for a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Fisher likes what he has seen from his trench men thus far in fall camp.

Jimbo Fisher leads his young and hungry Florida State team into battle

“I do. I think our lines had a really good camp,” he said. “We ran the football, we pass-blocked and did the things we had assignment-wise, and worked hard on blitz pickups and different things – the running game, the pass game, all the different scenarios.”

Even if it means an early season setback, Saban likes games such as this one because it can prove to be a measuring stick for his team.

"A game like this shows where your team is," Saban said. "You could really play a lesser opponent, not play really well, not really find out exactly where you are and who you are and what you need to do to fix it. When you play a challenging team, I think you find out most of those things about your team in terms of their ability to execute, their psychological disposition."

 Saban and Fisher go back a bit and admit to being friends -- well, as friendly as anyone can be when Saban is involved. Fisher served as Saban's quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at LSU and often gave the Bayou Bengals defense fits when designing plays. Both coaches have fertile minds and come up with little wrinkles at the proper time, but at their core both win a ton of games because they have the best players.

 They will laugh and joke a bit in the pregame, pat each other on the back and give firm handshakes and congratulations after the contest.

 But during the game? Don't look for many pleasantries.

“When it’s time to keep score, we’ll keep score,” Fisher said. “Until then, we’ll be nice.”

WHAT
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 3 Florida State
WHEN AND WHERE
Sept. 2nd, 8 pm, Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
WHO TO WATCH
ALABAMA -- QB Jalen Hurts stirs the drink with his ability to extend plays. He has very good accuracy with the ball but tends to use the passing attack as an extension of the ground game. Alabama uses short, controlled passes to move the chains and grind opponents down. When it does challenge a defense, it's usually in the form of wonderful Calvin Ridley, the latest in a line of blue-chip receivers in Tuscaloosa. The front seven is, as usual, stout, and the secondary is marvelous. The two (or three) headed monster of Bo Scarbrough, Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs (or freshman Najee Harris, who might play if Jacobs can't answer the bell) might be Alabama's most talented backfield of the Saban era, which is saying something.
FLORIDA STATE -- S Derwin James will be all over the place, and if Alabama doesn't account for him with an extra tight end or a blocking back, he will in the backfield as much as Hurts. James is excellent tracking the ball and is a fearless tackler, and will add some swagger to an FSU defense that at times last season looked average. LB Matthew Thomas is nicked up but should play, and the defensive front is wondrous, led by Derrick Nnadi, Brian Burns and Josh Sweat. Deondre Francois must play a mistake-free game, and will use the running of freshman Cam Akers to pound out the tough yardage. FSU cannot get behind the chains because Alabama feasts on teams in third and long.
WHAT DECIDES THE OUTCOME 
 It would be easy to say the team that scores more, but getting in position to score is nearly as important, and neither team is very likely to put up huge rushing numbers. That means whichever quarterback plays mistake-free football will come out on top. Hurts could get loose for a big play with his feet, while Francois' cannon of an arm could test the vaunted Tide secondary. A close second is third down conversions. Alabama was successful on just two of 15 tries in the national title game against Clemson, and Florida State's defense can be on that level, especially up front. Hurts is not polished enough in the passing game to really win the thing with his arm, so if Alabama faces adversity and is put into a lot of second- and third-and-long situations, Florida State could gain an advantage.

College Football 2017 -- 10 Questions

It won't be long until we see this beautiful sight (Getty Images)

 The 2017 college football season is just around the corner -- only a week away, despite others telling you that the REAL start is Labor Day weekend.

 To that end, we present some questions that are on the minds of fans, and do our best to provide answers, at least as things stand right now. These aren't the trivial things, like the battles over the best tailgate fare or top stadium atmosphere. No, these are questions about the actual players and product.

1. Is this the year a defensive player is truly in contention for the Heisman Trophy?
 If there is any justice, yes. It's no secret that the Heisman is nothing more than a reward for putting up ridiculous offensive numbers, which means anyone who doesn't play quarterback or running back need not bother. And that's a shame, because there are a handful of difference-making players on the defensive side of the ball who could make a legitimate claim for being the nation's best player.
 Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver proved unblockable as a freshman, and with the promise of more versatility this season -- meaning he can rush the passer from an end spot -- Oliver could truly become a household name.
 Florida State safety Derwin James missed most of last season with a knee injury, and the Seminoles defense suffered in his absence. James is back at full speed, which means the swarming, athletic, playmaking Seminoles should return in 2017. James is the catalyst, and someone offensive coordinators must account for.
 Clemson's Dexter Lawrence is another lineman who creates all kinds of headaches for the opposition. He had seven sacks and six hurries as a freshman, and teamed inside with athletic freak Christian Wilkins, Lawrence could be even more productive this year.
 Since his team isn't very good it's doubtful that Boston College defensive end Harold Landry enters the consciousness of voters, but his 16.5 sacks in 2016 says he should be on their radar.
 Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is always around the football, and his game-breaking return abilities (186 yards and two scores on six picks) and the fact the Tide will be squarely in the national title hunt means he is firmly entrenched as one to watch.

2. Has the quarterback crop ever been this good and this deep?
 If it has, it's been ages -- maybe the 1983 group, which included Dan Marino and John Elway and Jim Kelly, Hall of Famers all -- though even that group wasn't forecast to have the lasting impression on football that they have (OK, maybe Elway). But we are talking college here, not NFL stardom, and there a ton of guys in the game this year who can really spin it -- any of whom could be regarded as the best quarterback in the game.
 Most are ceding top honors to USC's Sam Darnold, and that isn't without merit. The kid has poise, accuracy and star potential, and is a big reason the Trojans are picked to do big things this year. But is he really that much better than Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield, or Louisville's Lamar Jackson, or crosstown rival Josh Rosen? See where this is going? Throw in Jake Browning from Washington, Mason Rudolph from Oklahoma State, Trace McSorley from Penn State, Ohio State's J.T. Barrett, South Florida's Quinton Flowers, Washington State's Luke Falk, Florida State's Deondre Francois, Alabama's Jalen Hurts and Wyoming's Josh Allen, and you have just a taste of the high quality quarterbacks in college football in 2017.

Kevin Sumlin (Associated Press)

3. Which coach has the shortest rope, and who are the top hot seat candidates?
 There are a number of candidates, but the top choice here is Texas A&M boss Kevin Sumlin. He teased early with an 11 win season, but hasn't gotten past the nine victory mark since, in spite of bringing in heralded recruiting classes. Quarterback issues have plagued the program for some time, and there's just a general feeling that the Aggies should be better than they are. Some feel A&M is a sleeping giant in the right hands, but aren't sure Sumlin's hands are the proper fit.
 Another obvious choice is Brian Kelly at Notre Dame, where it's looking more and more as if the 2012 national championship game appearance was an outlier. Since that 12-win campaign, the Irish have won nine, eight, 10 and four games, and there has been turmoil, transfers and lack of development. New claims from Kelly that too much time spent fundraising caused the Irish to slip last year seem hollow, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him out after the season should the Irish once again struggle.
 Other candidates include Tennessee's Butch Jones, Texas Tech's Kliff Kingsbury, UCLA's Jim Mora and Arizona's Rich Rodriguez.

4. Who are the difference-making transfers?
 The one with the quickest opportunity to shine is Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham. He played a little at Baylor before going the JUCO route, and his ability to handle Gus Malzahn's spread will be instrumental in his -- and the Tigers -- fortunes. Stidham has a very good arm, showed poise in his limited time at Baylor, and runs well enough that teams won't be able to simply load up on the pass.
 Others to watch include Pittsburgh QB Max Browne (USC); West Virginia QB Will Grier (Florida); Houston QB Kyle Allen (Texas A&M); North Carolina athlete Stanton Truitt (Auburn); Oklahoma State CB Adrian Baker (Clemson); Northwestern WR Jalen Brown (Oregon); Virginia Tech WR James Clark (Ohio State); Miami (Fla.) CB Dee Delaney (The Citadel); Rutgers RB Gus Edwards (Miami, Fla.); Maryland QB Caleb Henderson (North Carolina); Wisconsin RB Chris James (Pittsburgh); Arizona QB Anu Solomon (Baylor); East Carolina QB Thomas Sirk (Duke); Oregon DL Scott Pagano (Clemson); Nebraska QB Tanner Lee (Tulane); Oklahoma State WR Tyron Johnson (LSU)

 5. Now that it has a championship game, does the Big 12 finally become relevant, and more of a player in the College Football Playoff chase?
 A resounding yes.
 Not only has the league finally implemented a title game -- which many saw as its main obstacle toward inclusion in the College Football Playoff -- but it's doing it the right way, actually pitting the top two teams against each other rather than having division winners face off. Other conferences would do well to follow the lead of the Big 12, and might actually get better games if the actual two best teams played each other for all the marbles.
 Most people know that Oklahoma will once again be imposing, but this could be the year Oklahoma State not only wins Bedlam, but represents in the league in the CFP. Mason Rudolph, James Washington, Justice Hill and a host of offensive weapons make the Cowboys a frightening team.
 The Sooners and Cowboys appear to be the league's best shot at a CFP berth, but the league as a whole is trending upward and is quickly gaining relevance and prestige.

6. Which first year coach has the biggest impact on his team?
 This one is too close to call, so we will declare a tie between two Sunshine State bosses -- South Florida's Charlie Strong and Florida Atlantic's Lane Kiffin.
 Strong had a disastrous tenure as head coach at Texas, failing to guide the Longhorns above .500 in any of his three seasons. He inherits a team ready-made to win, and has one of the most electrifying players in college football in quarterback Quinton Flowers. He will put his stamp on a defense that allowed far too many points (31.6) a year ago, and the Bulls get most of their crucial games at home.
 Kiffin has made some waves since his mid-December hiring, appearing all over Twitter, trolling Ole Miss in the wake of the Hugh Freeze fiasco, and opening his door to players other programs might be afraid of. One thing is certain -- Kiffin has remained in the spotlight, and his team should be pretty good after securing the top recruiting class in Conference USA. Watch for QB De'Andre Johnson, a former Florida State signee with a big-time arm and the ability to lead.
 Just behind those two is new Texas top dog Tom Herman, who comes to Austin after two seasons reinvigorating the Houston program. Herman is an offensive genius, and he's already made inroads on the recruiting trail. He should be good for the development of Longhorns QB Shane Buechele, though his success could be hampered if Texas suffers a spate of injuries because there isn't enough depth -- yet.
 Others with a chance to prove their hires were good ones include Willie Taggart (Oregon), Matt Rhule (Baylor), Ed Oregeron (LSU), P.J. Fleck (Minnesota) and Jeff Brohm (Purdue)
 

Jimbo Fisher (USAToday)

7. Is the SEC still the best conference in the land?
 The talking heads who have an investment in the league will tell you yes, but it's looking more and more -- to these (admittedly old) eyes, anyway -- like the ACC has nudged to the front of the line. The measure of a conference isn't the strength at the top, but the strength of the bottom and the middle.
 The ACC not only has the defending national champ in Clemson, but also Florida State, which is a major contender for the crown this year. Add in Louisville and North Carolina State and you have an Atlantic Division full of potential. The Coastal has two definite frontrunners in Virginia Tech and Miami (Fla.), but Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh are better than most people think, and North Carolina still has athletes, though inexperienced.
 The SEC has Alabama and Auburn as true national title contenders, and Georgia and Florida in the mix if either of those two drop the ball. But LSU has a ton of question marks, Ole Miss is in free-fall, Mississippi State is very young, Kentucky is up and coming but unproven, Tennessee is likely to take a step back. It just appears that the bottom of the SEC isn't as good as the bottom of the ACC, which has only one truly bad team in Virginia.
 The Big Ten has enough dregs -- Rutgers, Illinois and Purdue -- and enough average -- Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska -- to keep it from being in the discussion, and the Pac-12, flashy though it may be, has little going for outside of Stanford, Washington and USC. UCLA was bad last year, Oregon is an unknown, Washington State is good on offense but not a complete team, Colorado will take a step back and Utah is solid but nothing special. Cal, Arizona State and Arizona are all bad, and until they get better the Pac doesn't have much of an argument.
 The Big 12 could be sneaky good, and might even rival the SEC top to bottom before the year is over. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are CFP contenders, Kansas State is a veteran team that has a chance to be very good, and Texas is energized with new coach Tom Herman. TCU should rebound because Gary Patterson squads aren't bad in consecutive years, West Virginia has potential with Will Grier at quarterback and Baylor should become a physical, defensive-minded team under the guidance of new coach Matt Rhule. Only Texas Tech, Iowa State and Kansas are truly bad, but Tech is only a year removed from a bowl game while the Cyclones and Jayhawks each showed improvement last year.

8. Are there any sneaky-good teams to keep an eye on?
 If you paid attention to our preseason rankings, you know that we are high on a few teams that may not be getting the love nationally that they maybe deserve.
 South Florida's schedule is tailor-made for success, and with Flowers running the offense and Strong putting his stamp on the defense, it would be a surprise if the Bulls aren't the Group of Five teams selected for a New Year's Six game.
 North Carolina State could be in line for big things with a defense that has athletes galore, and a quarterback in Ryan Finley that is better than many know. Do-it-all Jaylen Samuels is a game-changer on offense, and Bradley Chubb and Kentavius Street form a great pass-rushing tandem.
 Northwestern is flying under the radar, but shouldn't be, especially given the experience and talent of QB Clayton Thorsen. The senior has gotten better each year, he can move in the pocket, keeps his eyes upfield and delivers on-time throws. Justin Jackson is a hoss at running back and will keep defenses honest, and saftey Godwin Igwebuike is all over the field for the defense.
 Memphis has standout Riley Ferguson at quarterback and a dynamic offensive attack, and if the defense gets it together -- and it could with six starters returning -- the Tigers could make a real move nationally.
 Brigham Young went 9-4 last year and could be even better this year thanks to home games with Utah and Wisconsin. QB Tanner Mangum has experience, the defense returns seven starters and the recruiting class was a good one. The Cougars might be out of the spotlight at the moment, but a couple of early wins could get the train rolling.

9. Has anyone joined Nick Saban and Urban Meyer in college football coaching's top tier?
 Not yet, though Clemson's Dabo Swinney is right on the doorstep after taking the Tigers to consecutive appearances in the national title game, and a breakthrough win over Alabama in last year's contest. Swinney is heading into his 10th season, and few would have suspected things to go as well as they have upon his hiring. Promoted to head coach halfway through the 2008 season, Swinney had some fits and starts before showing his prowess on the recruiting trail, netting top five classes in 2011 and 2012. That talent helped set the stage for Clemson's ascension into the upper strata of college football, to the point that it has now become a "program", where excellence is expected every year. That pressure isn't always easy to deal with, but Swinney looks like he has the wherewithal to handle it. 

10. How much grousing will there be about the College Football Playoff selection committee and its choices?
 A ton, though truth be told they have done well the first three years. There was some grousing the first year when Ohio State got in over TCU (never mind that the Big 12 didn't declare an official champion nor did it have a title game), and last year when the Buckeyes got in over Penn State (to whom they had lost, but did have a league title and one fewer loss in their column, and a better overall schedule). The committee often talks in circles and contradicts itself afterward, but in the end it gets the four best teams more often than not.
 Results -- Clemson 31-0 over Ohio State last year and Alabama 38-0 over Michigan State a year earlier -- do not invalidate the selections, as body of work is the overriding factor. Fans who complain and say "my team would have done better" are barking up the wrong tree, because it's not about whether or not the game was close, it's about selecting the right teams with the criteria available. And if different committee members have different ideas about things, that's fine. That allows for some flexibility, for some out of the box thinking at times, and it makes for an event that, so far, has proven to be must watch television. If four blue bloods ever make it -- and this is the year it could happen, if the preseason polls are an indicator -- then it will be really special.
 There will be the customary grousing about number five being left out, but you know what? That's life. Not everyone is included, not everyone can win. And since there is no real way of knowing whether No. 5 is actually better than No. 4, I am more than willing to go along with the selections of the committee.