Podcaster Poll

          Coming in as the sixteenth most irregular ballot in the Podcaster Poll was none other than Kansas State’s own Boscoe’s Boys. The podcast scored a 39.2 on the irregularity index, 9.8 points above the median score. 

The Big 10

          Questions loom over (4) Ohio State as to whether or not they can replace their Heisman caliber quarterback, CJ Stroud. Most importantly, can Ohio State regain its strength enough to take down a Michigan team that returns its starting quarterback and possibly the strongest running backs room in the country. Boscoe’s Boys stand by Ohio State’s capabilities saying,”I am a big believer in Ryan Day and when you look at the caliber of roster they have 1-85 they deserve to be at number two. In doing this exercise before spring ball even started I tried to with the top 10 do a gut check on who I think had the best level of talent and coaching.” Boscoe’s Boys think Ohio State will have the talent and the skill at coaching to stay at the top of the Big 10, but this is not the consensus opinion with the West Lot Pirates noting in our article on the FPI that “[Michigan] just has so much continuity. McCarthy and Corum coming back plus a bunch of key pieces from that O-Line […]” The race for the Big 10 title is on and, more likely than not, that title comes with a playoff spot.

          Another notable pick from the K-State pod came in with their decision to put Penn State at number six. The Nittany Lions are itching for a breakout season and many in Happy Valley see 2023 as the year for the dream to be realized. James Franklin’s veteran squad is ready to make waves, but can they face down Ohio State and Michigan? We asked the Boys if this is the year Penn State is a serious competitor for the race to not only the Big 10 title but the CFP,”It depends on what you define as competes for is. They have a Charmin soft non-conference schedule and ultimately everything boils down to how they compete vs Ohio State and Michigan. They will not sweep those two so in my opinion, despite being the third best team in the Big Ten, any loss vs anyone other than dropping just one vs the two titans of the division is a disqualifier for them.” And, when it comes down to it, that is most likely the case. Penn State can only afford one loss and if they want to reach any heights they have to do the impossible or, as James Franklin sees it, what has to be done no matter what.

          In any discussion of the Big 10, it all boils down to three teams: Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. A dark horse is unlikely to successfully down the titans of the conference, so the question really is: Who comes out on top of the gauntlet trio?”Ohio State won’t lose a game to anyone besides possibly Michigan or Penn State. I don’t see a scenario where their talent allows anyone else to compete with them. I’m not a believer in Notre Dame and nobody else will be in the same conversation as the buckeyes outside of M and PSU. Both Michigan under Harbaugh and PSU under Franklin have had puzzling losses and that’s why I put Ohio State a half step in front of Michigan and a full step in front of PSU.” Boscoe’s Boys see Ohio State as the consistent choice, but can consistency beat the sheer scope of Michigan and Penn State’s returning talent?

The PAC 12

The first question for any assessment of the PAC 12 is simple: Does USC slice through it or can the loyal PAC 12 teams stop them? Boscoe’s boys ranked them third and made their place on the issue clear,”If USC stays healthy this whole season then nobody in the Pac touches them.” Many Washington fans maintain that this is their year while Oregon seems poised to make a run at the stars. 

          On the topic of Washington’s promise we asked whether or not this Washington team is different. Is this the best Husky team in memory? The Boys were affirmative,”I think so. If they make a statement and handle Boise and Michigan State without stress the build up to the Oregon game and the USC game will be fun for Huskies fans. I think that Oregon game will be a classic but think USC in the Coliseum will be too much for them. An 11-1 season with a rematch with USC and maybe a NY6 bowl is what I see as a ceiling for them.” Washington has a shot at the stars and, if they could go into this hypothetical rematch with USC just right, they could propel themselves farther than anyone out of the loop of Washington football could’ve seen coming.

The Big 12

          This year has promised to unfold as one of the best Big 12 years to date. Strong teams are presenting themselves out of TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, Kansas State, and, of all places, Kansas. So what do Boscoe’s Boys see unfolding at the top of their home conference? ‘Texas has the best roster, TCU has vibes that are through the roof (despite hiring a disgusting human as their new OC) and are have Dykes preferred starting QB (remember Heisman finalist Dugan lost the job in fall camp before week 1) and K-State has the best head coach in the conference returning Will Howard at QB the entire OL room, and a good group of defenders even despite losing some stars on both sides of the ball. Ultimately I think there is next to zero chance the Big 12 Championship game involves 0 of these 3 teams.” Boscoe’s Boys, who ranked Texas, TCU, and K-State at nine, ten, and eleven, seem to see a strong season on the horizon.

          No discussion of the current Big 12 is complete without affirming or denying the most well known assertion in college football: Texas is back. 2023 promises to be the year where these beliefs are finally brought to fruition. So we asked just how back Texas was in 2023,”I drink the Texas Kool-Aid almost every year. If they don’t get back this year, they may never truly get back. They should be the runaway favorites in the Big 12. Id have them higher on my poll but, outside of one season in the last decade plus they haven’t even sniffed the level of success in the field that they should for their talent. I love the Big 12 and I think from first to last place it is the most competitive league in college football but they will never be the top dog or have the most talent in the conference possibly ever again after this year. They will have some layups in the SEC but there is a multi-layer glass ceiling over there they won’t crack anytime soon.” If Texas is going to have a superstar season anytime soon, it has to be this year. Here and now. And Sark has the biggest job any coach in college football dreads, prepare a non SEC team to start playing in college football’s big leagues. The best way to prepare might just be to start winning in the one year where that title just might not belong to the SEC. We’re faced with one of the strongest college football landscapes in memory with a powerful Big 10, Big 12, PAC 12, and the most competitive ACC in memory.

          As a team, Kansas State seems poised to make waves in not only the Big 12 but the FBS all the way around, but can K-State really compete at a level worthy of playoff talk?”Can Kansas State compete at that level? Yes. I think any Power 5 football program can. Will they? Probably not if you’re talking about the current playoff model. The depth of talent isn’t there to sustain the normal wear and tear of a college football season to go 12-1 or 13-0 before playoff selection and I don’t think they’ve ever been lucky enough (ala TCU in 2022) to have every break bounce their way. They are 100% a very real Big 12 Champion contender but calling them a 4 team playoff contender is a bit out of reach from my POV.”

          No discussion of the Big 12 is complete without discussing its most recent cinderella team, TCU. We asked if they were a one hit wonder or if they could keep the ball rolling into 2023 and beyond,”No. Dykes is making TCU into a sexy brand and will continue to recruit well and work the portal well. They will be fighting with a handful of schools to be the standard barer in the new big 12”

Notre Dame

          Marcus Freeman is poised to take Notre Dame fans into space with the faith he has instilled in them for his second season as head coach of the Irish. They bring in Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman at quarterback. But on their schedule they contend with (4) Ohio State, (5) USC, and (11) Clemson, so we asked what Boscoe’s Boys expected from the Irish given their low ranking on the pod’s ballot,”Notre Dame will not win a single marquee game this season. I think all you need to do is look at how his search for offensive coordinator went to see how the coaching world views him. He recruits well enough that they’ll go 8-4/9-3 and be deserving of a ranking of 18-25. But hey, I lost a lot of money betting against them vs Clemson last year.” But the marquee games aren’t the only place the Irish need to focus. With games against smaller teams champing at the bit for a season high upset every week, including a game against a Pitt team coming off its best two season stretch since the eighties, Notre Dame has a make or break season ahead of them.

The ACC

          In the ACC, the tides are turning. Traditional powerhouse Florida State is on its way in while recent king Clemson has been slowly crumbling. But Clemson is still a powerful team that has continued its reign atop the ACC, so can FSU really use 2023 as their comeback year?”They sure can, and I think with some of the special sauce Dabo had in keeping his top coordinators for so long has left Death Valley. If anyone is going to run off 3 or 4 ACC titles in the next 6 years I’d pick FSU.”

          But with FSU’s potential in mind, one has to ask where Clemson lies in this new ACC order. Dabo is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the sport, but he almost appears to be declining. Can Clemson turn the tide and maintain its place on the ACC’s throne?”Can they and will they are two different answers. Can they yes? Will they? I predict no. I think a lot of their Dynasty is owed to having the two best coordinators in the sport for so long. I don’t think they’ll be shut out of winning the ACC over the next 6 years but their days of being a perennial national title contender are done.” The ACC appears to only have room at the top for one annual contender, so how long can Clemson really hold on and keep trying to claw its way into success.

The Group of 5

          The G5 last season had two names above all: Troy and Tulane. But can they carry their success forward? Boscoe’s Boys said yes saying,”I believe so. They have institutional buy in and a distinct game plan on both sides of the ball allowing you to dial in on a recruiting plan. I think Troy and Tulane will be G5 contenders for NY6 bowls for the next few years. (And I pray K-State doesn’t fall victim to either of them again like 2022. Troy comes to Manhattan this season and K-State travels to Tulane in 2024)

          An undeniable cinderella team in 2022 was JMU, we asked if they were a one hit wonder and were met with a clear, concise answer,”No. They have a winning pedigree.”

The SEC

          The only question mark for Alabama in 2023 is at quarterback. Can the Crimson Tide replace Bryce Young? Can Saban turn his program back a couple years and reclaim its spot atop the sport? Boscoe’s Boys maintain that “Yes. Alabama will continue to be Alabama until Nick Saban is no longer roaming the sidelines.” 

          Similar to the traditional power of the SEC, Georgia is also losing its quarterback, although Boscoe’s Boys don’t see this as anywhere close to as much of a problem,”[…] Honestly they will probably improve at QB. They may not win as much, but I’d bet my life whoever is taking the majority of snaps for UGA this fall has more talent. 

K-State

          As per tradition, we asked about what Boscoe’s Boys see on the horizon for Kansas State, can they hold their own in a strong Big 12? Can they repeat? The answer isn’t so simple,”I could see anywhere between 7-5 and 10-2 with a repeat as the Big 12 Champions. Two tricky non-con games going to former Big 8 foe Mizzou and hosting Troy will be tough. Going to Austin and hosting TCU means you don’t get to dodge the other 2 best teams in the conference. It’s only been 2 seasons in the last decade where the starter at QB doesn’t miss time due to injury and unlike any other conference in the nation whoever the worst team in the conference ends up being (KU, Iowa State, Houston, UC, WV) any of those 5 teams could beat anybody else in the conference.”

          Make sure to follow Boscoe’s Boys for some great Kansas State content and the Podcaster Poll Twitter for more articles and posts like this. Also drop by the PodPollCast going forward for some great college football talk!