4 College Football Teams Not Named Alabama or Clemson That Can Win the National Title

Most expect Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide and Dabo Swinney's Clemson Tigers to once again be the top two teams in the country and meet up in the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship. Given the fact that both Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence are back, as are most of their key offensive weapons, that possibility certainly seems likely. However, these four teams that will likely slide right in behind them in the polls also have legitimate chances at winning the title this year.

4. Georgia

Kirby Smart will have to replace each of their top four receivers, but his recruiting magic should have Georgia once again among the more efficient offensive teams in college football. With another parade of NFL bodies on defense and a quarterback in Jake Fromm that will likely be a first round pick, The Bulldogs will have no problem with most of the SEC this season. The big question, however, is if this Georgia team can beat the best in the land following a choke job against Alabama and a wimpish effort against Texas in the Sugar Bowl.

3. Oklahoma

Jalen Hurts was never a special passer. In fact, he rarely looked like an average passer against elite defenses. However, Hurts is now under the watchful eye of Lincoln Riley, who made Heisman winners and No. 1 overall picks out of Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, so expect his passing to be in-line for a serious boost. If new DC Alex Grinch can finally get the Sooners playing at a respectable level, than they should be able to coast through the Big 12 and end up in the four-team playoff.

2. Ohio State

We know the Buckeyes will field a team full of All-Americans, and we know from last season that new head coach Ryan Day is a great offensive mind who can call plays with the best of them. However, little is known about Justin Fields, the über-talented quarterback who transferred from Georgia last year. If he's anywhere close to what Dwayne Haskins was able to do, or if he exceeds that given his awe-inspiring natural talent, there is no reason why the Buckeyes shouldn't be considered National Championship contenders on top of being Big Ten favorites.

1. Texas

While Texas isn't "back" just yet, they're certainly getting close. Tom Herman and Sam Ehlinger have formed one of the best coach/QB tandems in college football, and have the Longhorns equipped to end Oklahoma's reign of dominance in the Big 12. Running into the buzzsaw that was Kyler Murray and the Sooners twice last year hurt them, but they showed what they're capable of when they bullied Georgia. Provided the defense is up to snuff, the Longhorns can finally re-enter the national title race.