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I think we can lose one game up front and still make the playoffs, a la last year, especially since our schedule is front-loaded and we made it to the championship game last year.

I might even say the one-game rule applies to a loss later in the season, but at this point, everything after SC is an expected win, so unless there is a mitigating circumstance (e.g., playing in a rain storm) or one of the back end teams is a surprise, a later loss significantly reduces our chances.

I think there's slightly better than 50% chance that we run the table this year; again, the front-loaded schedule will make the first half of the season harder to manage. Putting the bye right after Miami will help, but we've got one of the hardest early schedules going, and AR, Boise State, and NC State are a tough lead up to SC.

I'd possibly rate odds of success higher BUT new DC AND the QB situation weigh heavily on chances of success.

If the DC situation is a non-issue, then I'd increase the odds to between 65% and 70%.

Prediction: 11-1 with a CFP berth.