The New Faces of The Power 5

We got some news on some of the two biggest names in not just the transfer market, but all of College Football. 

Ohio State announced on Monday that Justin Fields has won the starting job for the Buckeyes, and will be the Week 1 starter vs Florida Atlantic on Aug 31st. Fields was the top ranked dual threat quarterback in the class of 2018 according to ESPN, and was competing against another SEC transfer in Gunnar Hoak. 

Fields saw plenty of action as a Bulldog, and even competed for the starting job as a true freshman, but ultimately couldn’t do enough to convince Kirby Smart to move on.

Less than 3 hours later, we got some more news that was all but confirmed before today, and that was Oklahoma naming Jalen Hurts as their Week 1 starter as well. Oklahoma will start their season off Sept 1st, in Norman vs University of Houston.

As many may know already, Hurts is a graduate transfer from Alabama, and started for the Crimson Tide for two seasons before losing his job to Tua Tagovailoa. The Sooners were deciding on Hurts, who was 26-2 as a starter for Alabama, and 5 star recruit, Spencer Rattler. 

Oklahoma and Ohio State are both ranked in the Top 5 of the AP Poll Preseason Top 25 rankings, and are both expected to be the favorites to win their individual conferences. They also share the burden of having to replace Heisman level talent at the quarterback position, something Fields and Hurts should be able to do.

Aug. 20th, 2019 Update (3:30 PM PT)

A day after #4 ranked Oklahoma and #5 ranked Ohio State named their Week 1 starters, Auburn has confirmed their single caller for Week 1.

The quarterback with the duties of replacing Jarrett Stidham is former true freshman, Bo Nix. Nix was a 5 star quarterback from Pinson Valley High School, and was 247Sports top ranked dual threat quarterback for the class of 2019. 

Auburn is getting a second helping of the Nix family, as his father was the starting quarterback for the Tigers in 1994 and 95. That makes Nix the first true freshman to start for the Tigers since 1946.

#15 Auburn looks to take their first step towards an SEC Championship on Aug 31st vs #11 Oregon.

West Virginia lost a lot of talent on offense this year but it would be hard to argue that there is no bigger role they need to replace then Will Grier’s. The Mountaineers believe they have found that guy in Oklahoma grad transfer, Austin Kendall.

Kendall played the back up role behind Baker Mayfield, and Kyler Murray and once Jalen Hurts decided to come to Oklahoma, he announced his intent to transfer as well. There was a lot of talk about this due to the fact that Oklahoma wanted to block the transfer for request even though they weren’t planning to start him.

New head coach, Neal Brown said on Tuesday “It was clear after Friday night’s scrimmage that he has earned it,”. Kendall looks to lead the Mountaineers offense to a good start against FCS opponent, James Madison, on Aug 31st.

Aug 27th, 2019 Update (4:00 PM PT)

With less than a week left until most teams first game of the season, players are still battling out for positions on the depth chart. Arkansas, and TCU have named the quarterbacks they will be going with for Week 1.

The Razorbacks and coach Chad Morris will be lead by SMU transfer, Ben Hicks. Hicks played for Morris back at SMU before he left for the Razorbacks in 2017. They will look to face off at home against Portland State on Aug 31st.

Arkansas not only had Ben Hicks transfer in, but also had former Texas A&M starter, Nick Starkel transfer to Arkansas due to Kellen Mond taking over in College Station. Chad Morris said that Hicks’ experience is what put him over Starkel, who should have two years of eligibility left with Razorbacks.

TCU had a heck of a quarterback situation last year, and hope to move past it in 2019. Kansas State transfer Alex Delton was just announced as the Week 1 starter for the Horned Frogs, beating out true freshman Max Duggan. Both should receive playing time vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and are listed as co-starters for the game.

Delton only received playing time in 7 games last year with the Wildcats, 2 starts, and only threw for 554 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He looks to put the lack luster season behind him as he said he hasn’t felt this healthy since his freshman year, and feels “mentally ready for the season” ahead. TCU will defend their home field against Arkansas Pine Bluff at 7 PM PT on Aug 31st.