SI Preseason Top 25 For The 2018-19 Season

[LSUDad]

Who had the biggest jump and who had the biggest drop? 

 

Sports Illustrated unveils preseason top 25

BySAM HELLMAN Aug 7, 2018 

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The college football season is almost upon us as teams across the country reported last week for training camp. Some teams head into the year with a fire to prove themselves or bounce back from a bad year.

Others head into 2018 with high expectations that include College Football Playoff bids and top-25 finishes. The college football team at Sports Illustrated is the latest to reveal their preseason top 25. Sports Illustrated also examines x factors for every team in the top 25, including new coaches, play callers and top players on the roster.

Sports Illustrated is the first major outlet to hand out rankings after the Urban Meyermess began at Ohio State, so how far should the Buckeyes drop with questions about who coaches this season? Meyer remains on administrative leave during Ohio State's investigation with Ryan Dayacting as head coach.

 

When it comes to teams outside of the power-five conference, multiple teams are in position to chase UCF on the hype train. In the power five, your traditional powers remain at the top but some surprise teams look to play spoiler in conference play.

Here is a deeper look at Sports Illustrated’s top 25.

SLIDE1 of 25

25. FLORIDA ATLANTIC

 

(Photo: Andrew Ivins, 247Sports)

Get on the Lane Train now. FAU remains one of the most-exciting teams outside of the power five, and projects for another year of big offense and the hunger for another perfect season within Conference USA. Devin Singletary is a star, but will need freakish numbers to enter the Heisman conversation.

SI says, “Beyond Singletary, the nation’s leader in touchdowns a year ago, the outlook for the Owls’ electric offense is murky after coordinator Kendal Briles left for Houston. It’s especially unclear who will take the reins at quarterback, and the process of answering that question might spill into the season.”

 

SLIDE2 of 25

24. NC STATE

 

(Photo: Rob Kinnan, USA TODAY Sports)

There is no way the Wolfpack do as much damage defensively with so many losses to the NFL, but there are some budding stars still in Dave Doeren’s program.  Get used to hearing the name of wide receiver Kelvin Harmon.

SI says, “NC State lost all four of its starting defensive linemen to the NFL draft, so head coach Dave Doeren had some rebuilding to do up front. Enter senior end Darian Roseboro, who is set to lead a unit that will have to hold its own for the Wolfpack to be a threat in the ACC Atlantic.”

 

SLIDE3 of 25

23. LSU

 

(Photo: Sonny Shipp, 247Sports)

The pressure is on Ed Orgeron’s offense to step things up because the defense has some of the best talent out there. Cornerback Greedy Williams and linebacker Devin White could both be first-team All-Americans.

SI says, “LSU finds itself in unfamiliar territory: None of its returning backs rushed for a touchdown in 2017. After four years of Leonard Fournette and then Derrius Guice, the Tigers have been spoiled by dominant running back talent. (The last time an LSU team didn’t have an 1,000-yard rusher was 2012.)”

 

SLIDE4 of 25

22. TEXAS

 

(Photo: Tim Warner, Getty)

While the quarterback situation remains undecided after the first week of camp, Texas has two of the best receivers in the Big 12 in Collin Johnson and Lil’Jordan Humphrey.  Tom Herman’s second year should show improvement.

SI says, “Much has been made of second-year coach Tom Herman’s ability to revive the offense after several down years under Charlie Strong, but a year ago, Texas got by on the strength of coordinator Todd Orlando’s defense while the offense tried to find a rhythm. Things appear to be more settled at QB this year—Sam Ehlinger looks like the guy—but the Longhorns will need to maintain their defensive production after losing several standouts to the draft.”

 

SLIDE5 of 25

21. MISSISSIPPI STATE

 

(Photo: © Matt Bush, USA TODAY Sports)

Much attention falls upon quarterback Nick Fitzgerald as both he and his team are dark horses to make a big run. Meanwhile, Mississippi State has a dangerous defensive line, too.

SI says, “With plenty of continuity on both sides of the ball in 2018, what most needs to go right this fall is on the sidelines after the Bulldogs’ first coaching change since 2009. Joe Moorhead, who came to Starkville after two seasons as Penn State’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, has been known as the architect of dramatic offensive improvement at his previous schools.”

 

SLIDE6 of 25

20. HOUSTON

 

(Photo: Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports)

Boise State has been the common pick to race UCF for the top team outside of the power five, but the honor from Sports Illustrated goes to Houston. When you have the best football prospect in college football AKA Ed Oliver, you are always a dangerous team.

SI says, “D’Eriq King bounced between receiver and quarterback until last season, when he took over for QB Kyle Postma at South Florida and led Houston to a win. In his four starts as a sophomore King completed 65.8% of his passes and averaged 9.4 yards per attempt while rushing for eight TDs. He looked like a faster version of Greg Ward Jr., the former Cougars QB whom King revered as a teen at Manvel (Texas) High.”

 

SLIDE7 of 25

19. ARIZONA

 

(Photo: Jennifer Stewart, Getty)

In some ways, Arizona is in a rebuilding mode with a new coach and other big chances in the Pac-12. In other ways, it is a reloading season with superstar quarterback Khalil Tate as a guy that can win games with his arm and his legs.

SI says, “In 2012 and ’13, Kevin Sumlinrevitalized Texas A&M with Johnny Manziel running the offense, but without Manziel the Aggies floundered, and Sumlin was fired last fall. Now, with junior Khalil Tate at QB, Sumlin has one of the nation’s most electric offenses, but he’ll need a lot more than highlight-reel moments to succeed.”

 

SLIDE8 of 25

18. FLORIDA STATE

 

(Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)

Florida State bounces back with a fresh outlook under WIllie Taggart. The end of the Jimbo Fisher era brought frustration to fans and players alike. Taggart’s debut has been described as a ray of sunshine in Tallahassee. It doesn’t hurt to have at least two more years of Cam Akers.

SI says, “The scheme Willie Taggart is bringing from Oregon to Florida State—he calls it “lethal simplicity”—will be a huge boon to running back Cam Akers, who broke Dalvin Cook’s school mark for rushing yards by a freshman last season (1,025 yards) despite playing in the most dysfunctional offense of Jimbo Fisher’s tenure.” 

 

SLIDE9 of 25

17. CENTRAL FLORIDA

 

(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)

It is hard enough to repeat an undefeated season when top players leave for the NFL. UCF also has to replace its entire coaching staff after Scott Frost’s move to Nebraska. The good news is McKenzie Milton’s return and plenty of belief in the program thanks to a perfect 2017.

SI says, “In 2016, Scott Frost took over a UCF program that had just gone 0–12. Two seasons later he left a program that had just gone 13–0. Needless to say, Frost’s replacement, 40-year-old Josh Heupel, will face a different set of challenges. “It’s like my wife said: All you’ve got to do is win 14,” Heupel jokes.”

 

SLIDE 10 of 25

16. NOTRE DAME

 

(Photo: Clint Jenkins — @TalkToClint, 247Sports)

Notre Dame still has a very good offensive line after losing Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey to the top of the NFL Draft. Which version of Brandon Wimbush shows up at quarterback against Michigan will say a lot about the path of the Fighting Irish this season.

SI says, “Last season running back Josh Adams rushed for 1,430 yards. Well, Adams is now with the Eagles, and replacing his yards won’t be easy; the Irish also lost two starters on the offensive line. Enter Dexter Williams, Adams’s heir apparent (especially after two other backs were kicked off the team during the offseason for violating team rules).”

 

SLIDE11 of 25

15. MICHIGAN

 

(Photo: Isaiah Hole, 247Sports)

Speaking of Michigan vs Notre Dame, College GameDay already has its eyes on the big week one matchup and the highly-anticipated Shea Patterson debut for the Wolverines. Michigan's defense is loaded, but still plays in a brutal division and ranks fourth in the Big Ten East.

SI says, “Officially, the Wolverines have no offensive coordinator, but they do have three coaches with a combined 25 years of experience as offensive coordinators at the college and NFL levels. After Tim Drevno left for USC, coach Jim Harbaughbrought in Ed Warinner (from Ohio State and Minnesota) to coach the line and Jim McElwain (from Florida) to lead the receivers. Pep Hamilton is the pass-game coordinator, in charge of QBs. The starter will be Ole Piss transfer Shea Patterson. Last year’s NFL-style offense, populated with inexperienced players, ranked 91st in scoring. The offense will have a different look, but will it translate to better results?”

 

SLIDE12 of 25

14. TCU

 

(Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)

Gary Patterson is a stellar coach, but faces a tough path with the need for a new quarterback. Shawn Robinson is the early favorite while skill player KaVontae Turpin can do it all to help whoever takes over at quarterback.

SI says, “The biggest news of TCU’s offseason came via Instagram. “Oh, you thought this was good?” defensive end Ben Banogu posted after his breakout junior year ended with a win over Stanford in the Alamo Bowl. “Just wait for the sequel. #SrSzn”. A 6'4", 249-pound edge rusher, Banogu was named the Big 12’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year after transferring from Louisiana-Monroe and finishing second in the conference with 8.5 sacks.” 

 

SLIDE13 of 25

13. MIAMI

 

(Photo: Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports)

The Hurricanes certainly have a top-25 defense, but Malik Rosier has to improve after a poor finish to last season. Rosier was a solid quarterback during Miami’s undefeated start but it turned against Pittsburgh.

SI says, “During the Canes’ 10–0 start last season, their gold Turnover Chain—worn on the sideline by a player who created a turnover—became college football’s biggest fashion statement. But the defense faltered over the final four games, allowing 124 points and intercepting just one pass. All-ACC linebackers Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney will try to revive the D’s playmaking mojo, but the biggest boost will come from tackle Gerald Willis III, who took last year off for personal issues.”

 

SLIDE14 of 25

12. STANFORD

 

(Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

There is a lot more to love about the Cardinal than a star running back. Stanford has an impressive offensive line, and KJ Costello should have a better year after overtaking Keller Chryst last season.

SI says, “You need more than Love, it turns out. Stanford’s star running back rewrote the school record book in 2017, rushing for 2,118 yards, but the Cardinal offense still sputtered behind quarterback K.J. Costello, who averaged just 8.6 yards per attempt. The junior showed potential in what was his first season as a starter, leading the team to an upset win over Washington and a victory over Notre Dame, but he completed barely 50% of his passes in losses to USC and TCU.”

 

SLIDE15 of 25

11. MICHIGAN STATE

 

(Photo: Duffy Carpenter, Spartan Nation @DuffyCarpenter1)

Ranking third in the Big Ten eastern division, the Spartans showed they are far from dead with a huge rebound from 2016 to 2017. Most of the key players are back, although Mark Dantonio just lost starting cornerback Josiah Scott for two months.

SI says, “During Mark Dantonio’s tenure, Michigan State has sent QBs Brian Hoyer, Kirk Cousins, Connor Cook and Drew Stanton to the NFL. The next Spartans signal-caller poised for the pros is Brian Lewerke, who’s as talented as any of his predecessors. He took over the starting job and led the team to a seven-win improvement from 2016.”

 

SLIDE16 of 25

10. WEST VIRGINIA

 

(Photo: Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports)

Will Grier plus David Sills equals vintage Mountaineer offense. Can the defense stop anybody?

SI says, “In any conference, defenses that can’t hold the line of scrimmage get gashed by the run. In the Big 12 especially, ones that can’t pressure get torched by air. Combine both shortcomings and you have the 2017 West Virginia defense, which allowed 6.1 yards a play (98th in the nation). WVU must be better up front—and they will be.”

 

SLIDE 17 of 25

9. OHIO STATE

 

(Photo: Twitter / @OhioStateFB)

This is as low as Ohio State has been on any preseason power ranking of note. Of course, SI has the advantage of releasing its rankings after the Urban Meyer turmoil began in Columbus.

SI says, “After four years of (mostly) J.T. Barrett at quarterback, Ohio State is set for a change. Dwayne Haskins, a 6'3" redshirt sophomore, has a big arm and has shown that he’s mobile as well. In eight games last season, he passed for 565 yards, completing 70.2% of his passes, throwing four TDs and just one interception.” 

 

SLIDE 18 of 25

8. AUBURN

 

Dontavius Russell (Photo: Greg McWilliams, 247Sports)

Auburn brought the classic “tale of two teams” vibe to the final weeks of last season. With no more Kerryon Johnson, players like Kam Martin have a chance to become stars behind a proven quarterback like Jarrett Stidham while Gus Malzahn has been hot on the recruiting trail since his massive contract extension.

SI says, “Even with the security of a new deal and 14 starters back, Malzahn faces one of his most challenging seasons. The reason? A brutal schedule that ranks as the fourth-toughest in all of college football. Auburn opens with Pac-12 power Washington and in November faces both participants from last year’s national championship, on the road, over 14 days. The Tigers have the talent to contend for a championship—but they don’t have much margin for error.”

 

SLIDE19 of 25

7. PENN STATE

 

(Photo: Harvey Levine-FOS/247)

Ohio State’s problems are Penn State’s gain as the new top dog in the division, at least according to Sports Illustrated. Fewer top teams lost more talent than Penn State on offense and defense, but a good crop of offensive linemen and Trace McSorley at quarterback are enough to pull out a lot of wins.

SI says, “The Penn State offense will have a new look to it this season, and not just because Saquon Barkley is gone. Ricky Rahne takes over as offensive coordinator and promises to give more play-calling responsibility to senior QB Trace McSorley. But Rahne’s favorite toy this season could be backup QB Tommy Stevens, a dual threat who surprisingly decided to sit behind McSorley for one more year rather than transfer and start elsewhere.”

 

SLIDE20 of 25

6. GEORGIA

 

(Photo: Christian Petersen, Getty)

Georgia came as close as humanly possible to a national championship without winning one. Talk about fuel for returning star players like Jake Fromm, Deandre Baker and D’Andre Swift. It helps when you bring in the No. 1 recruiting class in college football.

SI says, “While Kirby Smart has built stout defenses in Athens similar to the ones he coordinated at Alabama, he’ll have to be really creative to make up for the departure of six starters, including Butkus Award winner Roquan Smith. Inside linebacker Natrez Patrick, defensive back Richard LeCounte and end Jay Hayes, a Notre Dame transfer, will be the backbone of the unit, but no player will be more important—and has more upside—than Julian Rochester, a defensive lineman who was a top recruit in the 2016 class but has yet to make a dramatic impact.”

 

SLIDE21 of 25

5. OKLAHOMA

 

(Photo: Kevork Djansezian, Getty)

Losing Baker Mayfield hurts, but Oklahoma is still the cream of the Big 12 with no expectations to slow down in Lincoln Riley’s second season as Bob Stoops’ successor. How Kyler Murray evolves within Riley’s offense is one of the most fascinating stories of the season.

SI says, “With Baker Mayfield gone, junior Amani Bledsoe might be the one to keep the Sooners’ streak of straight Big 12 titles alive. That’s fine with the 6'5", 287-pound defensive end, who can’t wait to play a full season. During his redshirt freshman year in 2016, Bledsoe tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended for a year by the NCAA. (He is suing to regain that year of eligibility.) After missing the final seven games of ’16 and the first four of last season, Bledsoe made 19 tackles and had two sacks in 10 games.”

 

SLIDE22 of 25

4. WASHINGTON

 

(Photo: M. Samek, 247Sports)

Washington is a heavy favorite to win the Pac-12, but a week-one match with Auburn is what could be the difference between a New Year’s bowl game and the College Football Playoff. It feels like Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin have been there forever, and that experience makes the Huskies a team to be feared.

SI says, “For three straight seasons, Washington has led the Pac-12 in allowing the fewest total yards and points. The key to the D will once again be the secondary, which allowed only 10 TDs and has all five starters back. As hard as it is to imagine, it’s possible that the unit will be even better. Cornerback Byron Murphy missed seven games with a broken foot last year, but in the six games he played he had three picks. He is at 100%, as is safety Taylor Rapp, who finished third on the team with 59 tackles, despite being slowed by injuries.”

 

SLIDE23 of 25

3. WISCONSIN

 

(Photo: Sean Scherer, 247Sports)

The Badgers garner more respect from Sports Illustrated than any other national outlet in terms of preseason rankings. Not only do the Badgers sit atop the Big Ten rankings, but stars like Jonathan Taylor and TJ Edwards have Wisconsin in a better position than ever to chase the College Football Playoff.

SI says, “Everyone knows Jonathan Taylor can run (1,977 yards as a freshman), but the Badgers’ offense will be formidable if the receivers can stretch the field. Most important is Cephus (16.7 yards a catch in 2017), who is back after a right-leg injury ended his season last November.”

 

SLIDE 24 of 25

2. ALABAMA

 

 

Roll Tide leads the SEC, as expected, but is not Sports Illustrated’s top team in the preseason. Unlike the No. 1 team, Alabama has a lot of new faces defensively that will have to prove themselves. Alabama’s defense will be good, but how good is an unknown with the entire secondary turning over from last year’s championship squad.

SI says, “The hero of last year’s national championship game returns. So, too, does the QB with the 27–2 career record. And so the stage is set for a QB showdown between sophomore Tua Tagovailoa and junior Jalen Hurts that promises to rage on during the season. Tagovailoa flashed a mighty left arm in the national championship, but Hurts, who has rushed for 1,809 yards over the last two seasons, gives the offense a different dimension with his legs.”

 

SLIDE25 of 25

1. CLEMSON

 

(Photo: Joe Robbins, Getty) 14COMMENTS

The defensive line, the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the country and a series of exciting skill players make Dabo Swinney’s squad the top pick before kickoff. Clemson has to avoid a situation like Syracuse last season, but a trip to the College Football Playoff almost feels like a lock for the best team in the ACC.

SI says, “Like Alabama last year, the Tigers have an accomplished incumbent starter (Kelly Bryant) and a freshman generating buzz (Trevor Lawrence). The Crimson Tide didn’t make a QB switch until halftime of the national championship—and then it made all the difference. Lawrence throws a better deep ball; Bryant has earned loyalty after going 12–2 last year.”

[LSUDad]

How they finished...  

 

1. Clemson (15-0, 8-0 ACC)

These Tigers deserve consideration among the best teams of all time. So said Coach Dabo Swinney after Clemson romped previously top-ranked Alabama 44-16 on Monday night to win its second national championship in three years. Clemson's ferocious defensive front held the Crimson Tide scoreless after the first minute of the second quarter, and freshman QB Trevor Lawrence alongside fellow rookie Justyn Ross at wideout left no doubt about who was best in the 2018 season.

2. Alabama (14-1, 8-0 SEC)

InbredGumps ran roughshod through the best division and best conference and won 12 straight games by more than 20 points, a feat unmatched in modern college football history. But when adversity struck this week, there was no backup QB to bail out the Tide. History will remember Nick Saban's 12th team in Tuscaloosa as one of the best ever to not win a title.

3. Ohio State (13-1, 8-1 Big Ten)

Urban Meyer emerged victorious from his first postseason trip to Pasadena in his last game as coach of the Buckeyes. Dwayne Haskins threw for three more touchdowns to close a record-breaking season in his last game at Ohio State. With that, a storied chapter in school history closed on New Year's Day, as the Buckeyes held off Washington 28-23 to finish as just the third Ohio State team with more than 12 wins.

4. Oklahoma (12-2, 8-1 Big 12)

Another Big 12 title led to a second straight College Football Playoff appearance, but the Sooners failed again to topple an SEC giant, as Alabama scored the first 28 points, denying OU even as it converted six of its final seven drives in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Nonetheless, it has been a remarkable start for coach Lincoln Riley, with a Heisman Trophy-winning QB in each of his two seasons in Norman.

5. Notre Dame (12-1)

Time helps heal wounds. After Clemson routed Alabama, the Tigers' semifinal stomping of the Fighting Irish appears more understandable. It hurts no less, though, as Notre Dame entered with high hopes after its first unbeaten regular season since 2012. The 30-3 defeat marked its lowest point total in 37 all-time bowl games but did nothing to undermine the progress made in two years since a 4-8 finish.

6. Florida (10-3, 5-3 SEC)

The GayTurds did the SEC proud with a 41-15 rout of Michigan in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. QB Feleipe Franks accounted for a pair of TDs, and Florida increased its win total by six games over a year ago. Coach Dan Mullen, in his first season, positioned Florida as a contender nationally in spite of losses to Kentucky and Missouri in division play.

7. LSU (10-3, 5-3 SEC)

The Tigers overcame a sluggish start on New Year's Day to topple UCF 40-32, ending the Knights' 25-game win streak as Joe Burrow threw for a career-best 394 yards and four touchdowns. For the Tigers, it marked a fourth win over an AP top-10 foe, their most in a single season, and secured their first 10-win campaign since 2013.

8. Texas (10-4, 7-2 Big 12)

They're baaa-aack. Behind Swinney's aforementioned proclamation, this was perhaps the loudest statement delivered during bowl season, courtesy of QB Sam Ehlinger after the Longhorns upset Georgia 28-21 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The sophomore QB was brilliant in engineering the victory, which was forewarned by Bevo, the longhorn steer mascot, who appeared to take aim at Uga the bulldog in pregame festivities.

9. Georgia (11-3, 7-1 SEC)

The Bulldogs came out as timid as their seemingly overmatched mascot in New Orleans and never matched Texas' intensity. It was a disturbing finish to an otherwise strong season under third-year coach Kirby Smart that included a near-upset of Alabama as Georgia fell short of a second straight SEC title while serving notice that it remains a force on the conference and national stage.

10. Kentucky (10-3, 5-3 SEC)

A 10-win season and bowl victory over Penn State to cap a season that featured a takedown of Florida as the signature win in a 7-1 start is cause for celebration in Lexington. Benny Snell Jr., a generational player for the Wildcats, ran for 144 yards in his final game and kept the ball away from the rallying Nittany Lions to secure Kentucky's first win on New Year's Day since 1952.

11. UCF (12-1, 8-0 AAC)

The Knights were game in battling bigger and deeper LSU. But without injured QB McKenzie Milton, another New Year's Six upset of an SEC West power was out of reach. Still, it was quite a run: 25 straight wins over two seasons that turned UCF into the face of the Group of 5 bid for playoff expansion. It'll likely happen someday, and this bunch deserves a load of credit.

12. Washington State (11-2, 7-2 Pac-12)

The sad state of the Pac-12 and a soft nonconference slate kept the Cougars from breaking into the top 10, even after a 28-26 win over Iowa State in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Wazzu's school-record win total and a Pac-12-record 4,779 passing yards by Gardner Minshew will be remembered as the league's top accomplishments of the season.

13. Texas A&M (9-4, 5-3 SEC)

The Aggies closed the season right on track, outlasting LSU in seven overtimes, then blasting NC State 52-13 in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Sure, many hurdles await clearance if Jimbo Fisher is to meet the enormous expectations ahead, but he has started on a strong note with the Aggies, who enter next season on a four-game win streak.

14. Washington (10-4, 7-2 Pac-12)

The Pac-12 champ Huskies deserve some credit for winning four straight in November, then coming back from 25 points down to push Ohio State. But it amounted to a third straight New Year's Six defeat for Chris Petersen's team, which allowed the Buckeyes and Haskins to snap the Huskies' FBS-best, 65-game streak without allowing more than two touchdown throws.

15. Fresno State (12-2, 7-1 MWC)

The Bulldogs' reward for winning the Mountain West? To play in the Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl, first up on the postseason slate. They handled the quick turnaround with ease, earning a program-record 12th victory 31-20 over Arizona State as freshman Ronnie Rivers ran for 212 yards. Two wins over the Pac-12 -- it beat UCLA in September -- were a first for Fresno State since 2003.

16. Syracuse (10-3, 6-2 ACC)

What a feel-good finish to the season for coach Dino Babers, who took the Orange from 4-8 in his second season to 10 wins a year later for the first time since 2001. It wasn't a bad way to go out for QB Eric Dungey, who surpassed Ryan Nassib for the most passing yards in school history by throwing for 303 in a 34-18 defeat of West Virginia in the Camping World Bowl.

17. Michigan (10-3, 8-1 Big Ten)

No suitable explanation exists for the Wolverines' two-game collapse to close the season, other than to say it looked like what happened a year earlier against Wisconsin, Ohio State and South Carolina. But this time it was worse. After the Florida debacle, Michigan has lost 19 of its past 20 games against AP top-10 foes and nine of 10 under fourth-year coach Jim Harbaugh.

18. Army (11-2)

The Black Knights pounded Houston so resoundingly -- 70-14 in the Armed Forces Bowl as Army rushed for 507 yards and did not throw an incomplete pass -- that it led to the firing of UH coach Major Applewhite barely a week later. Army, which also defeated Navy for the third consecutive year, featured a legit star in QB Kelvin Hopkins Jr. and set a program record with 11 wins.

19. Auburn (8-5, 3-5 SEC)

The Tigers rocketed back into the Power Rankings on the strength of a 63-14 rout of Purdue in which Jarrett Stidham threw for 373 yards and five touchdowns in his collegiate finale. Auburn scored an all-time bowl-record 56 points in the first half, raising questions about the potency of its offense if Gus Malzahn had been calling plays all season.

20. Penn State (9-4, 6-3 Big Ten)

Trace McSorley deserved a better sendoff. The record-setting senior QB fought through injury to lead the Nittany Lions back from 20 points down, only to spend the final four minutes on the sideline as Kentucky milked the clock. That November loss by five touchdowns to Michigan -- not to mention an October setback against Michigan State -- look worse after the postseason.

21. Northwestern (9-5, 8-1 Big Ten)

The Wildcats got a nonconference win, their first of the season, in the last game of the season. True to form for this team, it was unorthodox. Northwestern scored four touchdowns in the third quarter of a 31-20 victory over Utah on New Year's Eve to overcome a 17-point halftime deficit, its largest comeback win since 2009.

22. Boise State (10-3, 7-1 MWC)

The Broncos' shot to reach 11 wins for the 12th time since 2002 was lost with the cancellation of the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl. The threat of severe weather in Dallas halted play as Boston College led 7-0 in the first quarter.

23. Cincinnati (11-2, 6-2 AAC)

A 35-31 win over Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl, the Bearcats' first bowl victory since 2012, secured the third 11-win season in school history. It came on the heels of two straight 4-8 finishes for Cincinnati, which lost only to Temple in overtime and to UCF under second-year coach Luke Fickell.

24. Oregon (9-4, 6-3 Pac-12)

Hey, a win's a win. The Ducks beat Michigan State 7-6 in the Redbox Bowl. Oregon became the first team to score fewer than 10 points in a bowl victory since 2008 as QB Justin Herbert threw a touchdown in his 28th straight game. For coach Mario Cristobal, nine wins in his first season rates as a positive step.

25. Iowa (9-4, 5-4 Big Ten)

The Hawkeyes' 27-22 win over Mississippi State in the Outback Bowl marked the lone victory for the Big Ten in four postseason matchups with the SEC. The Bulldogs held Iowa to minus-15 rushing yards, the fewest by any team to win a game in the past two seasons. But QB Nate Stanley threw for 214 yards and three scores as Iowa surpassed eight wins for the second time in the past nine years.

 

 

[LSUDad]

No thoughts? 

[houtiger]

I think Ky. is ranked too high, Benny Snell was a huge part of their offense and will not easily be replaced.  I think A&M may be too low.  LSU is about right, but I see us with our annual loss to InbredGumps, 8 wins, and 3 toss-ups at Fla., Texas, and A&M.  We could be anywhere from 8-4 to 11-1, with 9-3 or 10-2 being most likely.  I like our d-line, and our linebackers.  Stingley will be green, but supposedly has the talent to make up for it.  Fulton gives us another solid corner and maybe Vincent for the nickel back.  I think we can put some good corners out there.  Safety, Delpit will be solid, and maybe JaCoby Stevens or Kelvin Joseph moves back to safety or Todd Harris.  I think we'll have a very good defense.  We were weaker than usual on the pass rush, and hopefully Chaisson returns to form, and maybe we picked up another pass rush person in the signing period.  The offense should be better.  Lots of experience returns (and maybe Ed Ingram at OG, per rumors), Burrow should be a little better, and I am hoping for some upgrade at running back, wide receiver (due to experience) and maybe a second tight end.  I don't see us regressing, and there is significant opportunity for some upgrades.  Of course everyone else is trying to get better also.  It remains to be seen what impact Joe Brady brings, and hopefully we can notice it and it it positive.  UCF will probably have a good record, but if LSU had not been depleted at CB in the bowl, I think we would have won bigger.  I don't think they deserve that ranking, but maybe we can tell when they play Stanford and Pitt.  Notre Dame may be too high, but they play Georgia early and that will tell us something, but the press likes ND and they will be in the top 10 until they lose a bunch.  Florida will be interesting, and they will return an experienced QB in Franks, and Mullins pulled in a good class.

Hard to argue with #1 or 2.  Ohio State may be too high.  Urban will move on, as well as Haskins, that may be tough to replace.

[Herb]

4 wins against top 10 ranked teams at the time we played them...anyone else come close to that?

[LSUDad]

Remember this, LSU started out 23.

Remember this, LSU returned only 4 starters on the offensive side of the ball, Moreau, Ingram, Brumfield and Charles, but never had Ingram start a season game. So with 3 returning starters, Steve did a very good job getting to 10 wins. A return of a more sound OL, way too many WR's. Influx of a couple really good RB's, the Offense has a shot to be really good. The addition of Joe Brady will help. The WR's, were looking so much better in the Bowl Game, the help of Sullivan will show up more this year.

Much of the same on the other side of the ball. We returned only 5 players, Lawerence, Greedy, White, Delpit and Battle. Then unable to finish the first game, K'lavon Chaisson goes down. They too did a great job with this. This can be a really good Defense this year, the DL can make a statement, with Alexander being the only loss. The guys on the DL returning with total tackles, in order, Lawerence, Logan, Farrell, Fehoko and Shelvin.