Wow. That's really all I can say about this past season of college football. We had unexpected runs by would-be contenders (thanks for the entertainment, Mississippi State), slight steps back from favorites (what happened, Florida State?) and third-string quarterbacks shocking the nation (Cardale Jones!!). Now that it's all behind us, it's time to start looking forward again.
Here are three interesting storylines to watch for in 2015.
1. Urban Meyer vs. Jim Harbaugh
How do you catch someone who is already at the top?
Urban Meyer just won his third National Championship and has re-established Ohio State as the team to beat in the Big Ten. It's going to be incredibly difficult for Harbaugh, who will be trying to Michigan around, or any coach in the conference to keep pace.
"Michigan State is the closest to the Buckeyes, but it took the Spartans three years to find an even serviceable quarterback," ESPN's Travis Haney wrote. "What does it say about Ohio State that it used just three different ones to win a national title? For one, the Big Ten should be concerned about the level Meyer is recruiting not only the QB position but those around it.
"Ohio State is the easy choice to win again in 2015, especially looking at its schedule."
Running back Ezekiel Elliot will join Jones as two of the marquee players returning to the Buckeyes next season. That is not welcome news for the rest of the conference.
2. FSU Replacing Jameis Winston
Florida State quarterback and 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston has declared for the 2015 NFL draft. That means Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher will have to figure out how to replace one of the most talented QBs in the nation. But it's not like Fisher is alien to this type of challenge. He had to replace former first-round talents Christian Ponder and E.J. Manuel. Perhaps he can work his magic in a similar fashion once more, though Haney doubts it.
"It's difficult to believe Sean Maguire or J.J. Cosentino can keep the program in the national title conversation. If FSU fans didn't already understand what Winston meant to the success of the program, they are about to fully grasp it."
3. What's up with Texas A&M?
Johnny Manziel helped put the Aggies on the map. Now, the team is in desperate need of a GPS to get back there. A disappointing 8-5 season is not what boosters and school officials want to see after committing $450 million to a stadium project. Head coach Kevin Sumlin has done a good job of adding helpful players. But now it's time to see some results.
"By Year 4, 'his players are now funneling into the program, and the Aggies have recruited extremely well under Sumlin," Haney wrote.
"There's talent in place. The resources are in line with anyone's in the country. Put simply, it's time for a payoff.
"Even given the depth and difficulty of the SEC West, A&M fans will lose patience if 'swag' doesn't turn into W's - and a first-place finish, even if it's merely in the division. If the Aggies aren't playing in Atlanta in one of the next two seasons, Sumlin's seat is going to get awfully toasty."
