Well, we did our best. And our best was actually pretty good.
In last year's prediction of the teams that could win 30 games, ESPN's 17 picks averaged 27.9 wins. Eight of the 11 squads that hit the 30-win number by season's end were featured on our preseason list. We also chose nine squads that didn't reach the mark. Some of those misses involved key injuries -- see: Texas Tech and BYU. Others fell in the Mark Pope category of teams that failed to meet expectations.
The 30-win threshold is significant.
Eight of the past 11 national champions have amassed 28 wins by Selection Sunday.