Another year of college football is upon us, and where last year provided some of the best plays, moments, and games in the sport's history, this year has the potential to be even bigger, starting with the way the champion will be crowned. I won't get too much into how i think the new playoffs will impact the season or who might be in the playoff, since I will do that in its own post coming soon. With that said lets get into the rankings
25. Missouri-The Tigers are coming off of a breakout season in 2013, where they were able to reach the SEC championship game and were realistically just one game away from playing for the national title game. This year could be a very different story for the Tigers who will be losing key players on both sides of the ball, not to mention the fact that the SEC East will be a lot tougher this year with Florida and Georgia both healthy again.
24. Texas-The Longhorns will look a lot different this year now that the Mack Brown era is over. In comes Charlie Strong from Louisville, and with him comes strong discipline. Multiple players have already been suspended from the team for bad behavior, but the season looks bright for the burnt orange. They will be riding a very experienced defensive line that should wreak havoc on opposing offenses.
23. Texas A&M-The question that everyone has going into the season is, 'how will Texas A&M be able to find a replacement for Johnny Football and stay productive on offense?' The answer would be in Sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill. He will lead a talented group of receivers and try to make that offense click like it has in years past. The Aggies will need offensive power as their defense which looked terrible last year hasn't improved a ton.
22. North Carolina-After a 1-5 start last year, the Tar Heels rallied to win six of its last seven games last year. This year they could be a dark horse candidate to make the playoffs. They have a fairly easy schedule, as they miss both Louisville and Florida State in conference play, and are set up for success this year.
21. Clemson-Last year was arguably the best in school history for the Tigers, but they have now lost every key part of the explosive offense that led them to last years Orange Bowl. With new starters at key positions, such as quarterback, running back, and wide receiver, the Tigers will need to rely heavily on its defense. Luckily they have a solid cast of returning starters on that side of the ball, highlighted by defensive end Vic Beasley.
20. Nebraska-The big ten has changed up the divisions and made them more regional. This somewhat helps Nebraska as it no longer has to face both Michigan State and Michigan every year. This year they are still slated to play Michigan State on the road, although they avoid both the Wolverines and Ohio State. Returning superstars such as Ameer Abdullah and Randy Gregory should provided the Huskers with enough talent and experience to compete for a spot in the Big 10 championship at years end.
19. Kansas State-Kansas State is one of the most underrated teams in the Big 12 this season. They quietly put together an 8-4 season last year with a win over Michigan in their bowl game. With many key starters returning this year, the Wildcats have a chance to be this years Auburn.
18. Notre Dame-Everett Golson will be back as Notre Dame's starting quarterback for the first time since the team's national championship loss to Alabama two years ago. The Irish have a plethora of returning starters on offense, which could make for the highest scoring team since before Brian Kelly came to South Bend.
17. Arizona State-Arizona State has one of the best home field advantages in the country, which favors well for the Sun Devils, who face most of their tough opponents in Tempe. They return multiple key players from last years team, which quietly rolled through the Pac-12 South and reached the conference championship game.
16. Ohio State-Ohio State was my favorite to win the Big 10 and was a sure top five team before star quarterback Braxton Miller re-injured his shoulder and was ruled out for the season. The Buckeyes will now turn to Freshman J.T. Barrett to lead them through the season. Ohio State still has talent at every position, but losing a leader and superstar such as Miller will most likely take them out of playoff contention.
15. Ole Miss-Ole Miss has again gained one of the top recruiting classes in the country this off season. With all of their top Freshman from last year having one year of experience under their belt, this could be the year Ole Miss finally can compete with the likes of Alabama, Auburn and the rest of the SEC West.
14. USC-A new coach doesn't always bring success to a program, but the Trojans new head coach Steve Sarkisian will inherit a very talented team. With most starters back and a stable coach, USC has all the tools it needs to get back to the top of the Pac-12.
13. LSU-The Tigers have the number one overall incoming Freshman in running back in Leonard Fournette. He, along with another great class for LSU should be able to take over the many starting positions left vacant by the new LSU tradition of early entries for most of the Schools top players from last year.
12. Wisconsin-With a very winnable schedule, the Badgers could easily go 10-2 or 11-1. They have possibly the most underrated back in the country in Melvin Gordon, who was an absolute beast backing up James White last year. Wisconsin should be able to breeze through most of the season and be in contention for a Big 10 title at seasons end.
11. South Carolina-The Gamecocks will be without the NFL's first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney along with multiple other top players, but this year could be just as good as the last. Steve Spurrier has put together another great class, again showing that South Carolina has rose to the top. If they can get past early season tests against Texas A&M and Georgia, the Gamecocks should be in good position to compete for the SEC East again.
10. Georgia-Georgia has to be one of the most talent rich teams in the nation. From a quarterback who could start almost anywhere in the country, to the best running back in all of the land, the Bulldogs are poised to not only make a run at an SEC title, but should be considered as a major contender for the college football playoff.
9. Stanford-David Shaw has his team rebuilt to be the same machine as last year, even with key departures on both the offensive line and the defense as a whole. The new linemen stepping into starting spots appear ready to carry the Cardinal's top running game throughout the season. There will be a few tough tests, but Stanford looks up to the challenge.
8. Michigan State-Michigan State took the Big 10 by storm last year, going from unranked to a conference championship and Rose Bowl victory. They did this by having, by far, the nations top defense. This year, after losing a few key defensive starters, the Spartans have retooled and look ready to continue their devastating defensive domination. They also return most of their top offensive players from a year ago, which should take some of the pressure off the defense this year.
7. Baylor-The Bears could very easily run the table and make it through the Big 12 season perfect, and with no conference championship game, they would be in prime position for a playoff spot. The offense, led by Senior quarterback Bryce Petty, will be back and better than ever. The biggest test will by trying to win against Oklahoma in Norman, where the Bears have never won before.
6. Oklahoma-The Sooners had an up and down season last year, but it was capped with a win in bedlam and a dominating victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Quarterback Trevor Knight returns as the teams official starter after Blake Bell made the switch to tight end this off season. If Knight can live up to expectations, Oklahoma should be in for a great year.
5. UCLA-UCLA is in the middle of its reign as LA's best team. They have multiple pieces back this year, as well as some of the top Freshmen in the nation. The biggest key for the Bruins this season will be Senior quarterback Brett Hundley, who decided to stay for his Senior year rather than go pro where he would have been a sure top ten pick. Hundley is getting serious Heisman consideration, and if UCLA has there way, he will be a top contender at years end.
4. Oregon-Marcus Mariota might be the only player in the nation that can be compared to Jameis Winston as the country's top quarterback. He will lead another very fast Oregon offense this year. The Ducks are the highest ranked team in the Pac-12 and of they expect to stay that way through the entire season, they will need to get past a few very tough match-ups with Michigan State, Stanford, and UCLA.
3. Auburn-They went from unranked coming off of a 3-9 season to an SEC championship and a national title appearance last year. Now Auburn won't be slept on or overlooked by anyone. Nick Marshall is back and hopes to successfully guide Gus Malzahn's unstoppable offensive scheme to another SEC title. If Auburn can have another great season like it did last year, this Iron Bowl could be the most hyped regular season game in history.
2. Alabama-The Crimson Tide had some secondary issues last seen, as showcased in the Texas A&M and Oklahoma games. This year they have both players gaining more experience there to start as well as some of the nations top Freshmen recruits. Alabama again signed the nations #1 class and with great players coming back, they should be ready to get back in the national title hunt.
1. Florida State-It is almost impossible to improve a roster for a team that just produced a Heisman trophy winner and an undefeated national championship victory, but the Seminoles might be even more talented than last year. They return many of their top players from last year, as well as signing the number two recruiting class this year. Unless Jemeis Winston suffers some freak injury, expect Florida State to be one of the top two seeds in the playoff.
