Dillon Gabriel, Achane, Sam Leavitt ... and 8 Other Things.

Wondering what happened to Dillon Gabriel. You remember him right ... the guy who was miles ahead of Shedeur Sanders last year according to the CLE offensive staff. He's nowhere to be found this year. Interesting.

Lane getting his hands on former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is big. Leavitt is a seasoned vet and if he and Kiffin can get on the same page, man it could get dangerous down there in Baton Rouge.

TCU will surprise a lot of people in the Big XII this year. I see them orbiting just outside of that BYU, Houston, Texas Tech range, waiting to pounce should either of those teams fall by the wayside ... they might even be the reason for the fall.

Puca Nacua needs another veteran voice to slow him down, grow him up and help him get what could potentially be a HOF career back on track. On the field, he's still lighting it up, it's off the field where things are messy.

If UCLA can get past Cal in Week 1, their only early season test is Oregon. That's a big test and while I see them falling to the Ducks, the rest of the schedule is manageable. I'm not saying the Bruins are back ... but I do think they'll be better.

DALL got a steal in Jaishawn Barham and while all the buzz centers around Caleb Downs, keep your eyes on the kid from Michigan because he too ... is a special player.

The CIN offensive line looked horrible in the preseason loss to the DET ... disappointing news for a team that has high hopes for a playoff push and possibly something deeper. Their season depends on whether they can keep Burrow upright and if Thursday was any indication ... it's going to be another long year.

Devon Dampier is back in Utah, and so is Byrd Fricklin. They're saying Dampier is the starter, but Fricklin will see his fair share of snaps. Go figure.

That Longhorns defense has a few new faces, but with Will Muschamp and Collin Simmons leading the way, I think Austin is in some really good hands ... but I am excited to see how Arch and Cam Coleman connect. I'm also looking forward to watching Jermaine Bishop, Jr., the freshman who has Austin buzzing.

Texas Tech has some quarterback issues meaning they don't have the big name they've had in the past, but their finances are in order and while they might be down this year, that West Texas oil money is ready for next year ... and the next and the next ... can you say, powerhouse loading?

Concerned about Devon Achane in MIA as all the speedy playmakers who surrounded him last year have gone ... MIA.