There is perhaps not a sport where prognostication feels more futile or random than college football. It’s just too hard to say how a young kid in his fifth start will react in the hostility of a Camp Randall Stadium. Of course once that athlete becomes a known commodity, he’s off to the NFL.
So instead we cling to the history and tradition of coaches and programs, the constants in a world of yearly roster turnover, as we try to anticipate what’s to come.
It’s why we assume Nick Saban will contend for a national title on a yearly basis, even if we can’t name three players on his team.