In an era where college football is evolving at a faster pace than ever before, this past summer has been one of the most eventful in recent memory.

Following last year’s emigration of USC and UCLA from the PAC-12 and the admittance of BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston to the BIG-12, the rate of conference realignment increased exponentially after the PAC-12 could not come to an extension with their television deal. Deion Sanders’ hiring was the catalyst to prompt Colorado to leave the PAC-12 for the BIG-12 creating a domino effect which then saw Utah, Arizona State and Arizona follow; Oregon and Washington go to the BIG-10 and Stanford, Cal, Oregon State and Washington State abandoned to hang in a dysfunctional conference without a television deal.

In addition, Florida State and Clemson staged a coup to almost force the disbanding of the ACC, a move that would have cost them over 100 million dollars each.

Behind the scenes, college football is at a complete crossroads, with the money in the sport floating the wealthiest programs into two super conferences and everyone else into college football purgatory.

However, while off the field there is more turmoil than the sport has seen since the Reggie Bush scandal in 2011, there are more teams that have a chance to make the college football playoff and potentially win the whole thing for the first time since 2014. Below are all the teams I believe have a shot to win the crown.

Georgia:

The two-time reigning national champion Georgia Bulldogs are a juggernaut. They have overtaken Alabama as the perennial power within college football. They also have the easiest schedule in the SEC this year of any national title contender. An undefeated Georgia team makes it in to the playoff with ease.

Alabama:

College football’s final boss for the past 15 years, the chinks in the Crimson Tide’s armor are beginning to show. After losing QB Bryce Young and RB Jahmyr Gibbs, the onus is now on Nick Saban to prove that he is truly still the best coach in college football.

Michigan:

This is a prove-it year for the Wolverines. They could be the best team in the nation with an immense amount of returning talent, but Jim Harbaugh has tested the NFL waters the past two seasons, and though they have made the college football playoff in two straight years, they have disappointed both times.

Ohio State:

The Buckeyes can never be counted out. With the top receiving room in the country led by best non-QB in the nation, Marvin Harrison Jr., the Buckeyes are a QB away from being contenders once again. Yet, they have lost to their rival Wolverines in two straight years and constant rumbles of discontent from head coach Ryan Day highlight trouble in the water at OSU.

Penn State:

Finally, six years after the departure of Saquon Barkley and Trace McSorley, the Nittany Lions are once again national title contenders. Led by five-star QB Drew Allar and one of the most well-rounded, experienced teams in the country, head coach James Franklin needs to finally beat Michigan and Ohio State and make it to the playoff or questions will arise about whether or not it is possible.

USC:

The Trojans, led by QB Lincoln Riley and best player in the country, Heisman trophy winner QB Caleb Williams, are strong offensively. The challenge will come on the defensive side of the ball with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch continuously failing to post a defensive unit on par with their high powered offense.

Oregon State:

I know this a reach, but this is the best team they have had in their program’s history. As they get screwed out of an inclusion into a power two conference, how awesome would it be if they ran through the PAC-12 and made the playoff?

Prediction

1 Georgia versus 4 Penn State

2 Michigan versus 3 USC

Heisman: Drake Maye QB (UNC)