On3 experts weigh in with their CFP, Heisman predictions

We asked the On3 national staff for their preseason picks for the Heisman and for the College Football Playoff.

The projections for the College Football Playoff shouldn’t be a surprise: There were only five teams mentioned. That’s it. As for the Heisman, there wasn’t that much variance, either, with just seven players getting a mention.

The College Football Playoff

Ivan Maisel’s Playoff four: Alabama, Oklahoma, Clemson and Georgia. First two out: North Carolina and Iowa State

Ivan’s take: I apologize for going with the chalk, four of the teams from the group of six we’re all so sick of. But I’m not smart enough to make a case for anyone else. Oklahoma is finally gathering enough talent on defense to actually slow down some offenses — Alex Grinch remains a coordinator to watch. Alabama and Clemson have the talent that Alabama and Clemson usually have, even if neither team has the experience that Alabama and Clemson usually have. I went with Georgia for the last spot because this looks like Kirby Smart’s best team since the one that got its heart broken by that Tua-to-DeVonta pass. 

Matt Zenitz’s Playoff four: Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Ohio State. First two out: Georgia and Cincinnati

Matt’s take: Alabama expects its defense to be back closer to an elite level. The Tide should also be just fine offensively (led by former five-star QB Bryce Young) even after losing three of the top five finishers from last year’s Heisman voting, including Heisman winner DeVonta Smith. If Clemson beats Georgia on September 4, there isn’t another currently ranked team on its regular-season schedule. While the Tigers’ offense gets most of the attention (and rightfully so, with players like QB DJ Uiagalelei and WR Justyn Ross), the defense is loaded with talent again, too. After some early growing pains in 2020 (and a 1-2 start), the Sooners were among the nation’s best teams during the final three-quarters of the season. They won each of their final eight games, claimed the Big 12 title and return key pieces such as QB Spencer Rattler and LB Nik Bonitto while also adding some potential impact transfers like former Tennessee RB Eric Gray. New Ohio State starting QB C.J. Stroud is a former highly ranked recruit and the Buckeyes have a ton of talent around him. Fourteen Ohio State players enter the year with a draftable preseason grade from at least one of the two scouting services used by NFL teams, including nine with grades of Day 2 or better.

Mike Huguenin’s Playoff four: Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Clemson. First two out: Georgia and Iowa State.

Mike’s take: Yawn. Same ol’ same ol. The reason everybody picks from that quartet plus Georgia is that those five teams have the most talent in the nation and are well-coached. It’s boring, sure. But it sure is easy to make a case for the four I picked. Alabama is a machine; seriously, this run of greatness is almost unbelievable — except we’re actually seeing it happen. Oklahoma finally has a defense (and it’s not as if OU wasn’t getting selected for the CFP field before). Ohio State and Clemson have new quarterbacks, but also an incredible amount of surrounding talent on offense; both also have the best defenses in their leagues.

The Heisman

Ivan Maisel’s four: Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler, Iowa State RB Breece Hall, North Carolina QB Sam Howell and Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder

Ivan’s take: The beauty of Heisman predictions is they go up in smoke the minute the season starts. The voters generally have done a good job in recent years of awarding what happened during the season, not who got the most attention before the season. That said, a good Oklahoma quarterback has a habit of being a Heisman finalist, if not winner, and we saw Rattler mature over the course of last season into a very good Sooners quarterback. I am old enough to remember when running backs regularly won the Heisman, and Hall is, at this viewing, the best running back on a top-10 team. As for Howell and Ridder, I threw darts at the best top-10 quarterbacks out there, and they’re the guys. Let’s all remember to forget these the day after Labor Day, shall we?

Matt Zenitz’s four: Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler, Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei, Iowa State RB Breece Hall and Alabama OLB Will Anderson

Matt’s take: An Oklahoma quarterback has been among the Heisman finalists in four of the past five years. That includes two winners (Baker Mayfield in 2017 and Kyler Murray in 2018). Rattler could be next up. He led the Big 12 in passing (275.5 yards per game), passing touchdowns (28) and completion percentage (67.5) last season. Uiagalelei’s two starts last season served as a preview for 2021. In those two starts (against Notre Dame and Boston College), the former five-star recruit threw for 781 yards and accounted for six total touchdowns. Iowa State is a legit contender in the Big 12 and Hall is a big reason. As a sophomore in 2020, Hall ran for 1,572 yards and 21 touchdowns on his way to winning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. As for Anderson: An edge defender, former Ohio State star Chase Young, was a Heisman finalist in 2019. Don’t be shocked if Anderson ends up becoming the latest edge defender to get some Heisman love. Anderson, a former five-star recruit, had seven sacks in the Tide’s final six games last season and — after tormenting Alabama’s offensive linemen in practice and scrimmages this offseason — it’s clear he’s set to be even better in 2021. He’s arguably the best player on the nation’s top-ranked team.

Mike Huguenin’s four: Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler, Iowa State RB Breece Hall, Ole Miss QB Matt Corral and North Carolina QB Sam Howell

Mike’s take: Big-time stats and a lot of wins is what’s needed to “earn” the Heisman. I’m convinced Rattler, Hall and Howell will meet that criteria; I have no doubts about Corral’s stats, but given the Rebels’ defense and their schedule, I wonder about the win total. And, yes, someone surprising will emerge and become a finalist. (Truthfully, if I knew who that was, I’m keeping it to myself — and putting some money down.)