Caleb's Preseason Top 25
Top 10
1. Alabama- the two time defending National Champions, and winner's of three of the last four national titles. Enough said.
2. Ohio State- the only team to finish unbeaten last year, and if it wasn't for their bowl ban would probably have been in the title game last year. Urban Meyer has once again reloaded with enough talent to contend for the National Championship.
3. Stanford- the way Stanford played last year without Andrew Luck was a pleasant surprise to the entire nation. The Cardinal finished 12-2, won the PAC-12 title, and won the Rose Bowl for the 1st time since 1972. This year Stanford return's QB Kevin Hogan who took over during mid-season and led the Cardinal to the PAC-12 and Rose Bowl titles. Expect Stanford to push for more this year and contend for the national title.
4. Oregon- the Ducks may be under new leadership under Mark Helfrich, but don't expect the Ducks to fall off the map quite just yet. With QB Marcus Mariota and RB DeAnthony Thomas returning, expect the Ducks to continue doing what they do: running up the score and making defenses have nightmares.
5. Clemson- this could be the year that a team from the ACC makes a push to contend for the national title. Clemson returns ACC Player of the Year Tajh Boyd, as well as former All-American WR Sammy Watkins, and is expected to be improved on defense. If the Tigers can knock off Georgia in Week 1, don't be surprised if they run the table to Pasadena.
6. Louisville- I don't think I have ever seen a team from the American Athletic Conference (Better known as the defunct Big East) with so much preseason hype the way the Cardinals have this year. It may just be me, but I think the Cardinals have the best odds of making a BCS Bowl Game out of any other team in the nation. Just think about it. They have a Heisman contender in QB Teddy Bridgewater, they added former 2011 BCS Title Game MVP Michael Dyer to their backfield, and they play in the statistically worst BCS conference. I'm not saying it's a guarantee, but I will say it wouldn't shock me at all to see the Cardinals playing in January.
7. South Carolina- Jadeveon Clowney alone is enough to put the Gamecocks into the Top 10. If you don't think so, watch this. Combine Clowney with a couple of other solid defensive players, as well as an improved QB Conner Shaw, and you're looking at a team that can contend for an SEC title.
8. Texas A&M- the Aggies will be good this year, just not as good as last year. Honestly the only reason I have them this high is because of QB Johnny Manziel. If it wasn't for Manziel I don't think the Aggies would be even a Top 25 team, let alone in the Top 10. Plus if Manziel doesn't get his head together and perform the way he did last year, this team will plummet down the ranks in the dog-eat-dog SEC.
9. Georgia- the Bulldogs may have the best offense in the nation. With 10 returning starters coming back off of a 12 win season from last year, the offense alone puts this team in the Top Ten. The concern I have for Georgia though is their defense. With only 4 returning starters it's going to be tough for Georgia early on until those guys figure out how to mesh together. The problem is if they don't figure it out quick they could wind up being like the 2010 Alabama team.
10. TCU- I know a lot of other people don't have TCU this high, but I believe the Horned Frogs are the best team in the Big 12. With QB Casey Pachall returning, as well as super sophomore DE Devonte Fields and the entire Horned Frogs secondary, the Horned Frogs could run the table in the Big 12. And if they knock off LSU in the season opener they could make a push for national title contention.
Rest of the Top 25
11. Florida
12. Florida State
13. Notre Dame
14. Boise State
15. Texas
16. UCLA
17. LSU
18. Michigan
19. Oklahoma State
20. Nebraska
21. Arizona State
22. Northwestern
23. Oklahoma
24. Northern Illinois
25. Fresno State
Carter's Preseason Top 25 1. Alabama 2. Ohio State 3. Texas A&M 4. Stanford 5. Louisville 6. South Carolina 7. Oregon 8. Notre Dame 9. Georgia 10. Florida 11. Clemson 12. Michigan 13. LSU 14. Florida State 15. Michigan State 16. Boise State 17. Texas. 18. UCLA 19. Vanderbilt 20. Oklahoma State 21. Arizona State 22. Oregon State 23. Oklahoma 24. Nebraska 25. Northwestern | Cory's Preseason Top 25 1. Alabama 2. Ohio State 3. Texas A&M 4. Georgia 5. Oregon 6. Stanford 7. Clemson 8. South Carolina 9. Notre Dame 10. LSU 11. Louisville 12. Texas 13. Florida 14. Florida State 15. Boise State 16. Oklahoma State 17. Michigan 18. TCU 19. Wisconsin 20. Oklahoma 21. UCLA 22. Nebraska 23. Northwestern 24. Arizona State 25. USC |