STARK: Storylines aplenty for ’13 college football season

Published 11:27 pm Tuesday, July 30, 2013

If you haven’t already, check out Wright Thompson’s online article about Johnny Football.

From the links of Hollytree Country Club to the skyline of New York City, the ESPN writer’s in-depth piece paints a personal picture of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner’s offseason. And with the Tyler native’s past weekend at rival Texas frat parties having been chronicled in real time on Twitter and elsewhere, this week might be a perfect time to take a deeper look into the social media phenomenon.

Entering the 2013 season, Johnny Football will no doubt be the biggest story in college football. Not only that, the Aggies quarterback might very well be the most talked about player in the sport’s history —- Tim Tebow, included.

Some fans —- see UT frat brothers who didn’t want him at their party last Friday —- likely want to see him fail. Others, meanwhile, likely want to see him become the first player since Ohio State great Archie Griffin (1974-75) to win back-to-back Heismans.

That being said, college football figures to offer much more than Johnny Football in 2013-14. Here’s other storylines to keep an eye on:

Can Alabama three-peat as the national champion?

SEC haters will probably say no. College football realists will probably counter with “Signs point to yes!”

After all, the SEC has won seven straight BCS championships.

A loaded roster led by the most consistent quarterback in college football —- A.J. McCarron and arguably the most electrifying talent since Reggie Bush —- running back T.J. Yeldon —- appears poised to make another run. Though the SEC will once again offer the Crimson Tide challenges on a week-to-week basis, their biggest road test (Texas A&M) is during the second week of the season and, thus, they would have plenty of time to rebound in the polls with a loss in Aggieland.

Is Texas finally back?

Mack Brown has been living on the hot seat throughout his tenure in Austin, but the temperature moved up to scorching in recent seasons because of the program’s fall from national prominence. But with just about everyone returning (19 starters) from a 9-4 team that beat Oregon State in the Alamo Bowl, there’s plenty of reason to believe UT will challenge for 10 wins.

Will A&M follow through on its national championship potential?

The effects of losing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury to Texas Tech have yet to be determined. The effects Johnny Football’s offseason will have on the team hasn’t, either.

But A&M, which since moving to the SEC has been on the fast track to becoming college football’s next superpower, stormed into the offseason with an 11-2 record, a top-five national ranking and an emphatic victory against Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. And with head coach Kevin Sumlin entering his second season, the sky seems to be the limit for the Aggies.

At least one person has gone the extra mile. CBS Sports college football guru Dennis Dodd predicted the Aggies will be hoisting the national championship trophy in January.

How will Tech perform under Kingsbury?

Tech fans finally got their guy when the former Red Raiders quarterback took the head-coaching job during the offseason. Three seasons under Tommy Tuberville, who vacated the position to lead the Cincinnati Bearcats, produced records of 20-17 overall and 9-17 in the Big 12 —- not exactly what Tech hoped for when Tuberville replaced Lubbock legend Mike Leach.

How will Year 2 in the Big 12 pan out for TCU?

Quarterback Casey Pachall returns to the lineup after the Horned Frogs suffered through a 7-6 season in 2012, which followed back-to-back trips to BCS Bowls out of the Mountain West in 2009-10 and 2010-11. And with nine defensive starters returning, TCU could easily return to their former form.

Will Trey Metoyer have a breakout season at Oklahoma?

The former Whitehouse receiver was supposed to be more involved in the system last season, but became a role player en route to catching 17 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. Reportedly more comfortable with the Sooners offense, Metoyer is expected to be the third option at receiver behind Jalen Saunders and Sterling Shepherd.

Will the BCS go out with a bang?

Many college football fans got their wish when the new four-team playoff, which goes into effect next season, became a thing of reality. Wouldn’t it be perfect, though, for the BCS to somehow have five unbeaten teams heading into the bowl season, a head-scratching conundrum a four-team playoff wouldn’t even be able to figure out?

Besides Manziel, who are the other Heisman contenders?

Currently, the list includes Alabama’s McCarron, Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, Southern California receiver Marquise Lee and Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd.

But without a doubt, the best football in college football —- when that player lines up on defense, that is —- will be passed over yet again. This year, of course, that player will be South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

Other storylines to follow:

Will Baylor plug in another prolific quarterback in first-year starter Bryce Petty?

How will Oregon fare without head coach Chip Kelly, who moved to the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles?

Will Louisville, an early leader partly because of a favorable schedule, match Rick Pitino’s basketball team and claim a national title for the Cardinals?

Will now bowl-eligible Ohio State make the BCS under second-year head coach Urban Meyer?

Will Southern California head coach Lane Kiffin finally earn his multi-million dollar paycheck?

What’s next with conference realignment?

Is Notre Dame officially back —- not a one-year wonder —- following last year’s run to the national championship game?

What are you looking forward to this college football season? Email us at sports@tylerpaper.com or find us on Twitter and Facebook.