Louisville lost 10 NFL Draft picks from last season including its 3 top receivers but replaces those three pass catchers with former 5-star recruit James Quick and two transfers. The defense loses 7 starters but should still be dominant up front and the Cardinals open the season by welcoming a trending Auburn team. Upset alert?
24) Miami
This is a stretch, I know. They do not have great depth, but they do have underrated starting talent on the roster. I also believe that Brad Kayaa can be one of the best passers in the country. He doesn't have a great supporting cast and they have a lot of question marks on the team but I think with Kayaa, they have just enough talent to break into the top 25.
This is a stretch, I know. They do not have great depth, but they do have underrated starting talent on the roster. I also believe that Brad Kayaa can be one of the best passers in the country. He doesn't have a great supporting cast and they have a lot of question marks on the team but I think with Kayaa, they have just enough talent to break into the top 25.
23) Oklahoma State
Returning quarterback Mason Rudolph has the Cowboys excited with an array of play-makers around him, returning 9 of their 10 pass-catchers. The opposite side of the ball is seemingly loaded, led by defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (11 sacks, 17 tackles for loss in 2014). We likely won't know what the Cowboys are made of until the second half of the season, but this could be a good sleeper pick.
22) Tennessee
In Butch Jones' third season the Volunteers return 17 starters including a quarterback in Joshua Dobbs who some say is a Heisman sleeper. After they embarrassed Iowa in last year's TaxSlayer Bowl - which is apparently a thing - expectations are higher than they've been in a weak SEC East.
In Butch Jones' third season the Volunteers return 17 starters including a quarterback in Joshua Dobbs who some say is a Heisman sleeper. After they embarrassed Iowa in last year's TaxSlayer Bowl - which is apparently a thing - expectations are higher than they've been in a weak SEC East.
21) Wisconsin
There will be a new coach and new star player in Madison this year. Wisconsin's m.o. is a running game and solid defense and this year likely won't be any different. They gave LSU a run for their money in last season's opener, a win against Alabama in this year's opener could put them in the spotlight of college football for the entire season, as that is currently the only ranked team on their schedule (GO BIG TEN).
There will be a new coach and new star player in Madison this year. Wisconsin's m.o. is a running game and solid defense and this year likely won't be any different. They gave LSU a run for their money in last season's opener, a win against Alabama in this year's opener could put them in the spotlight of college football for the entire season, as that is currently the only ranked team on their schedule (GO BIG TEN).
20) Arkansas
It's difficult for me to buy into a team that has won just four conference games in the last three years, but Arkansas finished extremely strong last season winning 3 of its last 4 (wins over Texas, LSU, and Ole Miss). The talk is that Arkansas is home to one of the top offensive lines and backfields in the country to help returning quarterback Brandon Allen (2285 yards, 20 TD, 5 Int in 2014), but they are still in the toughest division in college football.
It's difficult for me to buy into a team that has won just four conference games in the last three years, but Arkansas finished extremely strong last season winning 3 of its last 4 (wins over Texas, LSU, and Ole Miss). The talk is that Arkansas is home to one of the top offensive lines and backfields in the country to help returning quarterback Brandon Allen (2285 yards, 20 TD, 5 Int in 2014), but they are still in the toughest division in college football.
19) Arizona State
The Sun Devils will be starting a new quarterback many think will become elite down the road in Mike Bercovici. The under-the-radar recruiting job ASU has done the last couple of years should start to prove itself this season along with what is expected to be one of the nations top secondaries.
The Sun Devils will be starting a new quarterback many think will become elite down the road in Mike Bercovici. The under-the-radar recruiting job ASU has done the last couple of years should start to prove itself this season along with what is expected to be one of the nations top secondaries.
18) Oklahoma
The Sooners had a let down season to say the least last year, and replaced their offensive coordinator. Said offense will feature one of the nation's top running backs in the nation, Semaje Perine. If Parker's name sounds familiar, it's because he is that guy that broke Melvin Gordon's ridiculous single-game rushing record last season, the week after Gordon. Oklahoma is trending downward right now and it will be a big season for Bob Stoops' reputation.
The Sooners had a let down season to say the least last year, and replaced their offensive coordinator. Said offense will feature one of the nation's top running backs in the nation, Semaje Perine. If Parker's name sounds familiar, it's because he is that guy that broke Melvin Gordon's ridiculous single-game rushing record last season, the week after Gordon. Oklahoma is trending downward right now and it will be a big season for Bob Stoops' reputation.
17) Georgia
The Bulldogs return four promising offensive lineman and running back Nick Chubb who did wonders in Todd Gurley's absence last season. Chubb will likely be relied on heavily again this season due to the uncertainty at quarterback. Georgia's defense was apparently better last season - good enough for DC Jeremy Pruitt to receive a $1.3 million raise - despite giving up 400+ yards to one-dimensional UF. We will see how they do in his second year, but I'm not big on them Dawgs.
The Bulldogs return four promising offensive lineman and running back Nick Chubb who did wonders in Todd Gurley's absence last season. Chubb will likely be relied on heavily again this season due to the uncertainty at quarterback. Georgia's defense was apparently better last season - good enough for DC Jeremy Pruitt to receive a $1.3 million raise - despite giving up 400+ yards to one-dimensional UF. We will see how they do in his second year, but I'm not big on them Dawgs.
16) Arizona
You won't find the Wildcats this high on many preseason rankings but I am extremely high on them for three reasons - Anu Solomon, Nick Wilson, and Cayleb Jones (QB, RB, and WR respectively). Solomon and Wilson each made the Pac-12's All-Freshman team last year, but even with Jones, these three aren't the only bright spots on the offense. I could easily see Arizona finishing in the top 10 by season's end.
15) LSU
One could argue that Les Miles and the gang didn't deserve a win over a top 25 team last season between the late-game collapses by Wisconsin and Ole Miss. LSU is consistently one of the most talented teams in the nation but also one of the most difficult to watch due to the combination of it's elite talent and head-scratching play. This year will likely be no different with a quarterback controversy, a couple big wins and a couple head-scratching losses.
One could argue that Les Miles and the gang didn't deserve a win over a top 25 team last season between the late-game collapses by Wisconsin and Ole Miss. LSU is consistently one of the most talented teams in the nation but also one of the most difficult to watch due to the combination of it's elite talent and head-scratching play. This year will likely be no different with a quarterback controversy, a couple big wins and a couple head-scratching losses.
14) UCLA
UCLA will replace one of last year's most overrated players in Brett Hundley with the nation's top quarterback recruit, Josh Rosen. The Bruins are loaded with talent on defense, led by linebacker Myles Jack (great name for a linebacker) despite losing play-makers at each level of the defense to the NFL.
UCLA will replace one of last year's most overrated players in Brett Hundley with the nation's top quarterback recruit, Josh Rosen. The Bruins are loaded with talent on defense, led by linebacker Myles Jack (great name for a linebacker) despite losing play-makers at each level of the defense to the NFL.
13) Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets are known for not living up to the hype when the expectations are high, but this season has a different feel. This is mainly because of a player named Justin Thomas who led the Jackets in torching the almighty Mississippi State defense last season for 49 points and 452 total yards. If this triple option success can carry over into 2015, the Jackets should have a special season.
12) Ole Miss
The Rebels were completely embarrassed by TCU in last season's Chickfila Bowl to the tune of 42-3. This year they bring in the nation's top JUCO quarterback transfer in Chad Kelly (former Clemson troublemaker) to join one of the country's best receiving groups. This team has star power from it's curious 2013 recruiting class, Ole Miss could very well find themselves in the playoff race if the cards fall right for them.
The Rebels were completely embarrassed by TCU in last season's Chickfila Bowl to the tune of 42-3. This year they bring in the nation's top JUCO quarterback transfer in Chad Kelly (former Clemson troublemaker) to join one of the country's best receiving groups. This team has star power from it's curious 2013 recruiting class, Ole Miss could very well find themselves in the playoff race if the cards fall right for them.
11) Notre Dame
After their complete implosion in the second half of last season, Notre Dame should be more experienced and more talented than in 2014. They return all but 4 starters and Will Fuller will likely have another explosive season at receiver for the Irish. This is possibly the best team Brian Kelly has coached, and, if they decide to play the entire season, they could be in for big things.
After their complete implosion in the second half of last season, Notre Dame should be more experienced and more talented than in 2014. They return all but 4 starters and Will Fuller will likely have another explosive season at receiver for the Irish. This is possibly the best team Brian Kelly has coached, and, if they decide to play the entire season, they could be in for big things.
10) Clemson
The Tiger's success relies heavily on the health of it's second-year quarterback Deshaun Watson. Dabo Swinney has somehow done an excellent job on the recruiting trail the past few seasons. Despite losing a great deal to the draft, the Tigers return a lot of star power, especially at skill positions. They also have their three biggest games at home this season.
The Tiger's success relies heavily on the health of it's second-year quarterback Deshaun Watson. Dabo Swinney has somehow done an excellent job on the recruiting trail the past few seasons. Despite losing a great deal to the draft, the Tigers return a lot of star power, especially at skill positions. They also have their three biggest games at home this season.
9) Florida State
The Seminoles are as talented as any team in the country but have been raided by the draft the past few years. Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson will have to fill the shoes of one of the best players in college football history as the only scholarship senior on offense, but he will have a great deal of talent around him. The defense should be much improved from last year (really only one way to go) led by All-American Jalen Ramsey and a very deep secondary.
8) Oregon
There shouldn't be much of a drop-off after losing Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariotta to the draft, replacing him with Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams. The ducks, like usual, have a lot of talent in the skill position areas including last year's leading rusher Royce Freeman. It will be a new era in Eugene, but Helfrich's offense seems to always show up.
8) Oregon
There shouldn't be much of a drop-off after losing Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariotta to the draft, replacing him with Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams. The ducks, like usual, have a lot of talent in the skill position areas including last year's leading rusher Royce Freeman. It will be a new era in Eugene, but Helfrich's offense seems to always show up.
7) USC
Star quarterback Cody Kessler returns with a load of talent surrounding him on offense. Scoring points shouldn't be an issue for the Trojans, but the defense will have to replace star pass rusher Leonard Williams and improve dramatically as a unit if they want to make a run for the Playoff.
6) Michigan State
Michigan State, Nebraska, and Wisconsin are consistently the most boring teams in the college football discussion, but the Spartans separated themselves from the pack in last year's Cotton Bowl. The fourth-quarter comeback was electrifying - granted it was against a Big 12 defense - and it gives a lot of promise as to how returning quarterback Connor Cook will play this season. If they defeat Oregon in week two, we could very well be looking at the game of the century on November 21st in Columbus.
6) Michigan State
Michigan State, Nebraska, and Wisconsin are consistently the most boring teams in the college football discussion, but the Spartans separated themselves from the pack in last year's Cotton Bowl. The fourth-quarter comeback was electrifying - granted it was against a Big 12 defense - and it gives a lot of promise as to how returning quarterback Connor Cook will play this season. If they defeat Oregon in week two, we could very well be looking at the game of the century on November 21st in Columbus.
5) Baylor
Art Briles is a liar, but his offenses never fail to have their way with opposing offenses. They will have to replace one of the best quarterbacks in Baylor history in Bryce Petty this season. New quarterback Seth Russell will be surrounded by talented experience including a 1,000-yard rusher, two 1,000-yard receivers, and the entire offensive line returning for 2015. The defense shouldn't be hurting either with many returning stars, but it's Baylor. They seemingly has all the pieces, how far can Briles' Bears go?
4) Alabama
Nick Saban's teams consistently have one of the most talented rosters in the nation but this year they have a huge void at quarterback. They have not yet cleared that up which may be an issue down the road, but it's hard to put this roster and this coach outside of the top five after winning 72 games in the last six years.
3) Auburn
The Tigers are the most intriguing team to me this year for two reasons. First, quarterback Jeremy Johnson seems like the second coming of Cam Newton. Second, new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp may be the best defensive mind in college and the one area where Auburn has really struggled is defense. The historically dominant offense coupled with a competent defense could create a scary-good team this season.
2) TCU
Gary Patterson has something special this year. Despite losing some defensive talent to the NFL, the Horned Frogs return 11 of 12 starters including Heisman hopeful Trevone Boykin. TCU dominated the end of last season to make up for being left out of the Playoff and I expect it to carry over into 2015.
1) Ohio State
Defending championships is hard, just ask the 2014 Seminoles, but it's easier when you play in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes have an elite group of talent this year and three All-American-caliber quarterbacks to choose from. Couple that with a schedule that currently has one ranked team on it and what do you get? Practically a cake walk to the College Football Playoff. We will see how it plays out.
I am so happy that football is finally here. Sean and I will attempt to cover the season as much as possible with more rankings, analysis and what I hope to be a helpful "what-to-watch-for" guide for each weekend of college football. Please stay tuned for more information and (*clears throat*) elite coverage of sports everywhere. Thank you for reading.
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