Kirk Herbstreit gives his final preseason prediction for the College Football Playoff. (2:04)

Herbstreit gives OSU the edge over Alabama in CFP (2:04)

From breakout stars to the ultimate game-changers, Kirk Herbstreit picks his favorites for the 2017 season.

More awards

Ultimate game changer

Lamar Jackson, Louisville

Sam Darnold, USC

Derwin James, Florida State

Saquon Barkley, Penn State

Christian Wilkins, Clemson

Unsung hero

Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt

Mike Gesicki, Penn State

Courtland Sutton, SMU

Rodney Smith, Minnesota

Mike Edwards, Kentucky

All-intangibles

Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama

J. T. Barrett, Ohio State

Tegray Scales, Indiana

Azeem Victor, Washington

Andrew Motuapuaka, Virginia Tech

Best Tandems

Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Harrison, Alabama

Deshaun Davis and Trey Williams, Auburn

Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, Georgia

Michael Pinckney and Shaq Quarterman, Miami

Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith, Minnesota

Ultimate Herbie

Jason Cabinda, Penn State

Hunter Renfrow, Clemson

Shaquem Griffin, UCF

Billy Price, Ohio State

Brandon Wimbush, Notre Dame

The Enforcer

Ronnie Harrison, Alabama

Trey Marshall, Auburn

Kendall Joseph, Clemson

Malik Jefferson, Texas

Lorenzo Carter, Georgia

Welcome Back

Jarrett Stidham, Auburn

Will Grier, West Virginia

Skai Moore, South Carolina

Simmie Cobbs, Indiana

Christian LaCouture, LSU

Pass-rush specialist

Harold Landry, Boston College

Bradley Chubb, NC State

Arden Key, LSU

Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State

Dorance Armstrong, Kansas

Best dual-threat QBs

Lamar Jackson, Louisville

Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State

Quinton Flowers, South Florida

J.T. Barrett, Ohio State

Jarrett Stidham, Auburn

Best pure passers

Sam Darnold, USC

Josh Allen, Wyoming

Josh Rosen, UCLA

Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State

Luke Falk, Washington State

Best tandems

Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Harrison, Alabama

Deshaun Davis and Tre' Williams, Auburn

Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, Georgia

Michael Pinckney and Shaq Quarterman, Miami

Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith, Minnesota

Best hybrids

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama

Derwin James, Florida State

Travin Howard, TCU

Cody Barton, Utah

Rashaan Gaulden, Tennessee

Impact coordinator hires

Kevin Wilson, Ohio State

Brian Daboll, Alabama

Matt Canada, LSU

Bob Diaco, Nebraska

Mike Elko, Notre Dame

Surprise teams

Texas

NC State

Notre Dame

Wyoming

Missouri

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Best restaurants

Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse -- Nashville, Tennessee/Louisville, Kentucky

The Smokin' Pig -- Pendleton, South Carolina

City Grocery -- Oxford, Mississippi

Five Bar -- Tuscaloosa, Alabama/Knoxville, Tennessee

Ruffino's -- Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hyde Park -- Columbus, Ohio

Valter's Osteria -- Salt Lake City, Utah

Zingerman's -- Ann Arbor, Michigan

Mickies Dairy Bar -- Madison, Wisconsin

Acre -- Auburn, Alabama

Best student section

Penn State

Wisconsin

Texas A&M

Utah

Colorado and Florida (tie)

Playoff teams

Alabama, Ohio State, USC, Florida State

National champion

Ohio State over Alabama

Conference champions

ACC

Florida State over Miami

Sleeper: Clemson

Big 12

TCU over Oklahoma

Sleeper: Kansas State

Big Ten

Ohio State over Wisconsin

Sleeper: Northwestern

Pac-12

USC over Washington

Sleeper: Oregon

SEC

Alabama over Florida

Sleeper: Kentucky

MAC

Toledo over Miami (Ohio)

Sleeper: Akron

Mountain West

Colorado State over San Diego State

Sleeper: Nevada

Conference USA

Western Kentucky over UTSA

Sleeper: Marshall

American

South Florida over Tulsa

Sleeper: SMU

Sun Belt

Appalachian State

Sleeper: Louisiana