Way Too Early College Football Top 25; Plus Five
Well, I guess that was quite the way to end the College Football Season. After one of, if not the, greatest National Championship Game in College Football’s history, it’s never too early to begin looking forward to next season and handicapping where the top teams fall. Here is our Way Too Early Top 25 Rankings.
Alabama
Final Record: 14-1
Final AP Ranking: #2
Bowl Result: Won Peach Bowl Semifinal; Lost National Championship Game
Next Season: Nick Saban is still the head coach. That should be enough to convince you. But if it’s not, listen to this: Alabama came within one second, literally one second, from winning a National Championship with a freshman at Quarterback in Jalen Hurts. Sure he’s not the best passer, or even an above average passer, but he is dynamic in the run game and doesn’t make bad decisions. Other offensive playmakers coming back include Bo Scarbrough, Damien Harris, ArDarius Stewart and Calvin Ridley. And, oh, yes, it’s a defense that always is at or near the top of the rankings every year.
2017 Opener: vs. Florida State (in Atlanta)
Florida State
Final Record: 10-3
Final AP Ranking: #8
Bowl Result: Won Orange Bowl
Next Season: With all the talk about the Playoff and other teams such as USC and Penn State, it’s easy to forget how hot Florida State was to end the season. Following the loss at the buzzer at home to North Carolina, they won seven of their last eight with the lone loss coming to eventual National Champs Clemson by three points. And they ended the year with confidence building wins over rivals Florida (again) and Michigan in the Orange Bowl. And they did all of this without star Safety Derwin James who missed the entire season due to injury who will be back next year. On the negative side, they will lose superstars Dalvin Cook and DeMarcus Walker.
2017 Opener: vs. Alabama (in Atlanta)
Southern California
Final Record: 10-3
Final AP Ranking: #3
Bowl Result: Won Rose Bowl
Next Season: Following their stunning win in the Rose Bowl over Penn State where they trailed by fourteen points in the fourth quarter, Southern Cal heads into next season with one of the co-favorites to win the Heisman Trophy at Quarterback with Sam Darnold. The Trojans look as if they’ll have basically everyone back on defense outside of Adoree Jackson, but on the offensive side they do lose some key pieces. Darnold’s top two receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Darreus Rogers are now gone as are two starting offensive linemen Chad Wheeler and Zack Banner.
2017 Opener: vs. Western Michigan
Penn State
Final Record: 11-3
Final AP Ranking: #7
Bowl Result: Lost Rose Bowl
Next Season: Penn State was one of the best stories to follow down the stretch with their attack to win the Big Ten East, win the Big Ten Championship over Wisconsin and still fall just short of the Playoff. They followed that up by leading USC by fourteen points in the fourth quarter only to lose in the Rose Bowl 52-49. Now, Penn State comes back with just about everyone back on offense except star Wide Receiver Chris Godwin. Quarterback Trace McSorley could be a Heisman candidate and he’ll have the services of Running Back Saquon Barkley as well. Watch for Penn State to be in the middle of another great fight in the Big Ten East.
2017 Opener: vs. Akron
Ohio State
Final Record: 11-2
Final AP Ranking: #6
Bowl Result: Lost Fiesta Bowl Semifinal
Next Season: Despite the Buckeyes suffering possibly the worst loss the program has had in a long time, Urban Meyer’s team once again looks loaded with skill players on both sides of the ball. Quarterback and team leader J.T. Barrett is back, but he’ll have to better than he was in the second half of last season for the Buckeyes to be as good as they can be and hope to be on offense. Key losses for Ohio State include Running Back Curtis Samuel, Safety Malik Hooker and Linebacker Raekwon McMillan. We know Ohio State will be really good once again this year, but their schedule includes Nebraska, Iowa and Michigan all on the road.
2017 Opener: @ Indiana
Oklahoma
Final Record: 11-2
Final AP Ranking: #5
Bowl Result: Won Sugar Bowl
Next Season: Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine and Dede Westbrook are going to be very difficult to replace for Oklahoma on offense, but with Quarterback Baker Mayfield back, Oklahoma is still in good hands with their Heisman finalist signal caller. The Big 12 Title could once again come down to the Bedlam Game which will be in Stillwater this season.
2017 Opener: vs. Texas-El Paso
Washington
Final Record: 12-2
Final AP Ranking: #4
Bowl Result: Lost Peach Bowl Semifinal
Next Season: For you folks that thought Washington would be a one hit wonder, I hate to inform you that you were wrong, but you were. Quarterback Jake Browning will be back which will be a huge reason why Washington will once again compete for the Pac 12 and a Playoff spot along with returning Running Back Myles Gaskin. Superstar Wide Receiver John Ross is departing and Browning will surely miss him. It’s the defensive side of the football where the Huskies lose the most. Psalm Wooching, Kevin King, Elijah Qualls and Budda Baker will no longer be with the team and that will likely take some time to adjust to for Washington.
2017 Opener: @ Rutgers
Oklahoma State
Final Record: 10-3
Final AP Ranking: #11
Bowl Result: Won Alamo Bowl
Next Season: Quarterback Mason Rudolph will be back for another season which means that the Cowboys will once again be one of the country’s highest scoring offenses, especially being that Rudolph will still have James Washington to throw to. Mike Gundy is one of the most underrated coaches in all of football, and Gundy is expected to have yet another ten win season and contend for a Big 12 Championship.
2017 Opener: vs. Tulsa
Clemson
Final Record: 14-1
Final AP Ranking: #1
Bowl Result: Won Fiesta Bowl Semifinal; Won National Championship Game
Next Season: Okay, there’s no doubt about it, the defending National Champs are losing a LOT on offense. DeShaun Watson, Wayne Gallman, Mike Williams, Artavis Scott and Jordan Leggett are all gone now. The strength of this Clemson team now becomes their defense with key players such as Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence returning. Now we’ll get to see just how well Dabo Swinney has been recruiting over the past two years. Clemson haters, don’t expect a huge dropoff.
2017 Opener: vs. Kent State
LSU
Final Record: 8-4
Final AP Ranking: #13
Bowl Result: Won Citrus Bowl
Next Season: I’m sure everyone involved at LSU will be more than happy that there won’t be distractions surrounding Les Miles and Leonard Fournette. Instead, the storylines will be about Ed Orgeron starting his first full season as the head coach and Derrius Guice kicking off his assault for the Heisman. The Tigers are likely still to have some hiccups through the passing game and Quarterback Danny Etling, and that’s exactly why they hired Matt Canada to work as the offensive coordinator. LSU will probably be a trendy pick to upend Alabama in the SEC and take a spot in the Playoff.
2017 Opener: vs. BYU (in Houston)
Michigan
Final Record: 10-3
Final AP Ranking: #10
Bowl Result: Lost Orange Bowl
Next Season: The good news for Michigan fans is this: both Michigan State and Ohio State come to Ann Arbor this season. The bad news: the Wolverines are losing a TON, possibly the most of any team in the nation. Jabrill Peppers, Jourdan Lewis, Channing Stribling, Taco Charlton, Chris Wormley and Delano Hill are all going to have to be replaced on the defense. On the offense, they’ll have to replace receivers Amara Darboh, Jake Butt, Jehu Chesson and Running Back De’Veon Smith. That’s a lot. Quarterback Wilton Speight will be back with a lot more pressure on his shoulders this season than last. Jim Harbaugh will have some work to do, but as we know he’s been recruiting out of his mind, now we’ll get to see the results.
2017 Opener: vs. Florida (in Arlington)
Wisconsin
Final Record: 11-3
Final AP Ranking: #9
Bowl Result: Won Cotton Bowl
Next Season: Wisconsin bulldozed through a hellacious schedule en route to a Cotton Bowl win over Western Michigan. The Badgers keep doing it the same way year after year. Run the ball behind one of the best offensive lines in the nation. That’s how it’ll be this year as well. Alex Hornibrook takes over now at Quarterback and with Corey Clement gone, it’ll be Bradrick Shaw who will likely get the bulk of the carries with help from Chris James.
2017 Opener: vs. Utah State
Georgia
Final Record: 8-5
Final AP Ranking: N/A
Bowl Result: Won Liberty Bowl
Next Season: The Georgia Bulldogs promise to have one of the best offenses in the SEC with explosive playmakers everywhere, and it starts with Nick Chubb in the backfield who has chose to return for his senior season. Chubb will be joined in the backfield with Sony Michel and also Jacob Eason their sophomore Quarterback will be back and better. Georgia seems to be the favorite in the East division, and it may come down to Jacksonville to decide it.
2017 Opener: vs. Appalachian State
Stanford
Final Record: 10-3
Final AP Ranking: #12
Bowl Result: Won Sun Bowl
Next Season: In what a “down” year for Stanford, David Shaw led the Cardinal to another ten win season after a rocky start that included blowout losses to Washington & Washington State. Stanford fans had to like what they seen this season from Bryce Love and the chances he has at replacing Christian McCaffrey. Though Solomon Thomas won't be returning on the defensive side, most other starters will be back to make this another talented Stanford team.
2017 Opener: vs. Rice (in Sydney, Australia)
South Florida
Final Record: 11-2
Final AP Ranking: #19
Bowl Result: Won Birmingham Bowl
Next Season: There’s a lot to like about this South Florida team heading into the new season. Superstar Quarterback Quinton Flowers returns to lead the Bulls after a very successful eleven win season. And oh by the way, if you haven’t yet heard, South Florida has a new head coach in Charlie Strong who comes by way of Austin to lead a team who looks to be the favorites in the American.
2017 Opener: @ San Jose State
Auburn
Final Record: 8-5
Final AP Ranking: #24
Bowl Result: Lost Sugar Bowl
Next Season: Talk about a team hard to gauge, Auburn is that team every year. It seems like every time Auburn is expected to win 10+ games and contend for the SEC they only win six. Every time Auburn is expected to stumble along and barely make the postseason, they go to the Sugar Bowl, like they did this year. Auburn heads into the 2017-18 season with Quarterback Jarrett Stidham transferring in from Baylor and is likely to take over the starting job. The ground attack will once again be led by Kamryn Pettway & Kerryon Johnson who was amazing this past season. Auburn will have to be better on offense this season because the defense is taking some big losses in Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams. So because of what I stated earlier, I'm going to hold back on predicting if Auburn is going to win zero, three, six, nine or twelve games this upcoming season.
2017 Opener: vs. Georgia Southern
Kansas State
Final Record: 9-4
Final AP Ranking: Receiving Votes
Bowl Result: Won Texas Bowl
Next Season: Right when you think Bill Snyder’s career is right on the edge of being over, he pulls out another nine win season with a team that some thought would be lucky to get to six. Kansas State will head into the new season with a legitimate shot at the Big 12 Title with returning Quarterback Jesse Ertz. Oklahoma at Kansas State has the potential to be a huge game in deciding the Big 12.
2017 Opener: vs. Central Arkansas
Florida
Final Record: 9-4
Final AP Ranking: #14
Bowl Result: Won Outback Bowl
Next Season: Florida’s hard nosed defense is definitely going to have to be rebuilt with the losses the Gators are suffering heading into this season. Jarrad Davis, Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson are among the key defensive players that are departing from Gainesville. How the offense will be is still a bit up in the air as Austin Appleby is now gone from the team but Luke Del Rio is back along with a couple of freshmen who will hope to beat Del Rio out for the job.
2017 Opener: vs. Michigan (in Arlington)
Louisville
Final Record: 9-4
Final AP Ranking: #21
Bowl Result: Lost Citrus Bowl
Next Season: Heisman winner Lamar Jackson made us fall in love with him and his team after dominating every team he played early. But the Cardinals’ weaknesses were exploited late in the season as they finished the season losing their last three games. Now as Louisville heads into next season, Jackson is back, but he's lost a lot of his offensive weapons such as leading rusher Brandon Radcliff and receivers Cole Hikutini, James Quick and Jamari Staples. This season is when Lamar Jackson will really prove to us if he's a one hit wonder or an all-time great.
2017 Opener: vs. Purdue (in Indianapolis)
Colorado
Final Record: 10-4
Final AP Ranking: #17
Bowl Result: Lost Alamo Bowl
Next Season: Don’t think for one moment that Mike MacIntyre and the Colorado Buffaloes are going to be a one and done type team. As fantastic as Sefo Liufau was this past season and in his entire Colorado career, he did have to suffer through a lot of injuries which gave backup Quarterback Steven Montez quite a bit of experience against teams such as Michigan, Washington and Oklahoma State this season. The Buffaloes will be another team making up a loaded Pac 12.
West Virginia
Final Record: 10-3
Final AP Ranking: #18
Bowl Result: Lost Russell Athletic Bowl
Next Season: Quarterback Skyler Howard will now be replaced by former Florida Gator Will Grier. Yes, you remember Grier? It’s entirely possible with his skill set that he could absolutely shred up every Big 12 defense en route to a Big 12 Championship Game appearance. But can the Mountaineer defense replicate their numbers from a year ago? That may be the key to if West Virginia can repeat a ten win season.
2017 Opener: vs. Virginia Tech (in Landover)
Miami
Final Record: 9-4
Final AP Ranking: #20
Bowl Result: Won Russell Athletic Bowl
Next Season: Unfortunately for Miami, the preseason hype around the Hurricanes sounded and looked a lot better when we thought Quarterback Brad Kaaya was going to stay for his senior season. Instead, both Kaaya and Running Back Joseph Yearby has left the program to go pro. Those two pieces will be difficult to replace along with Corn Elder and Jamal Carter Sr. on the defensive end. Malik Rosier is expected to replace Kaaya at the Quarterback position as Mark Richt looks to improve on what was a great first season at Miami.
2017 Opener: @ Arkansas State
Texas
Final Record: 5-7
Final AP Ranking: N/A
Bowl Result: N/A
Next Season: “Texas is back folks!” That call from Joe Tessitore after the game winning touchdown against Notre Dame may not have totally been accurate, but the Longhorns do head into this new season with hope of at least getting back to the postseason. Tom Herman comes over from Houston to become the new man in charge in Austin and with young and talented Quarterback Shane Buechele, Texas could be a threat in the Big 12. And I wonder how many people will be paying close attention to an early season out of conference game between these Longhorns and USC in Los Angeles in September?
2017 Opener: vs. Maryland
Tennessee
Final Record: 9-4
Final AP Ranking: #22
Bowl Result: Won Music City Bowl
Next Season: It certainly was not the season Tennessee fans thought they’d have as they started the season with New Year’s Six aspirations that were only intensified after a comeback win over Florida and a miracle win over Georgia. But then Tennessee started to fall apart, but even so, they finished with nine wins. The Volunteers now lose a lot on both ends, but the SEC East still looks to be very weak and unpredictable, and Tennessee representing the East division in the SEC Title Game wouldn’t be a huge shock.
2017 Opener: vs. Georgia Tech (in Atlanta)
Washington State
Final Record: 8-5
Final AP Ranking: Receiving Votes
Bowl Result: Lost Holiday Bowl
Next Season: Sure, it was a disappointing way to end the season for Washington State. They lost to their arch rivals Washington (again) and then losing in stunning fashion to Minnesota in the Holiday Bowl. The Cougars have a lot of firepower coming back on offense, and most importantly, Quarterback Luke Falk. As long as they have Falk, this is a team that can contend for the North. Let’s just hope that Mike Leach can somehow get this team over the “Losing to an FCS Team to open the season” hump.
2017 Opener: vs. Montana State
Virginia Tech
Final Record: 10-4
Final AP Ranking: #16
Bowl Result: Won Belk Bowl
Next Season: Justin Fuente proved to everyone in Blacksburg and the ACC last season why he was the correct choice to replace Frank Beamer getting the Hokies to ten wins and the ACC Championship Game in his first year. This defense is possibly going to be the best in the conference, but the offense took some blows when Quarterback Jerrod Evans and receivers Bucky Hodges and Isaiah Ford decided to leave following their Junior season.
2017 Opener: vs. West Virginia (in Landover)
Pittsburgh
Final Record: 8-5
Final AP Ranking: Receiving Votes
Bowl Result: Lost Pinstripe Bowl
Next Season: This is a Pittsburgh team who at times showed a lot of potential in beating Penn State and Clemson. Even in the losses they suffered, Pitt played hard and took teams such as Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech and North Carolina down to the wire. Of their thirteen games, seven of them were decided by seven points or less. Losing Nathan Peterman and James Connor will be an obstacle to overcome, but Pittsburgh has a lot of talent around them to potentially battle for the ACC.
2017 Opener: vs. Youngstown State
North Carolina State
Final Record: 7-6
Final AP Ranking: N/A
Bowl Result: Won Independence Bowl
Next Season: I was constantly impressed with what I seen from North Carolina State, especially late in the season. It’s a Wolfpack team that had multiple chances (including one at the buzzer) to beat Clemson in Clemson if they could just make a kick. In my mind, the heartbreaking overtime loss to Clemson was in the heads of their players for the next couple of weeks as they lost to Boston College and then got drubbed by Louisville. But they ended the season high with a road win over a rival in Chapel Hill to get to six wins and make the postseason, and then dominated Vanderbilt in the Independence Bowl. Ryan Finley at Quarterback is very solid, and he’ll be back next season. Watch out for the Pack.
2017 Opener: vs. South Carolina (in Charlotte)
Oregon
Final Record: 4-8
Final AP Ranking: N/A
Bowl Result: N/A
Next Season: Fresh off success at South Florida in the American, Willie Taggart now comes to the Pacific Northwest and the Pac 12 to take control of an Oregon program who suffered their worst season in a long time last year as they failed to make the postseason. There’s talent throughout the roster including Running Back Royce Freeman who could spearhead an Oregon attack that could score a lot of points and make them a team to keep our eyes on in the Pac 12.
2017 Opener: vs. Southern Utah
UCLA
Final Record: 4-8
Final AP Ranking: N/A
Bowl Result: N/A
Next Season: I told myself at the start of this “Don’t trust UCLA again! Don’t fall for the trap again!” Well, as you can tell, I’ve fallen for the trap yet again. Listen, it’s really hard for me to trust this UCLA program after doing so the past two years and being nothing but disappointed. But as we head into a new season, UCLA seems to once again be trending positively. Quarterback Josh Rosen will be healthy to start the season (hopefully he’ll stay healthy) and when he’s on, he’s really good. If there’s no other reason to put some stock into UCLA, how about this? Jim Mora better have a solid season, because if they fail to make the postseason again, he’s out of LA.
2017 Opener: vs. Texas A&M
Honorable Mention: South Carolina, Notre Dame, Wake Forest, North Carolina, BYU, Nebraska, Air Force, Memphis, Navy, Duke
