Complete College Football Preview 2016-2017
Top 25
1. Clemson Tigers -- The return of Heisman frontrunner Deshaun Watson and plenty of other offensive weapons should lead Clemson to a National Title.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide -- Outside of a murky quarterback situation, Alabama has all the talent to repeat as National Champions.
3. Michigan Wolverines -- With a stacked defense and very favorable schedule, Michigan should breakthrough in Year 2 of Jim Harbaugh.
4. Oklahoma Sooners -- Returns of QB Baker Mayfield and backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine give Oklahoma enough offensive talent to return to Playoff.
5. Florida State Seminoles -- After slipping last season, Florida State should get back into National Title hunt with the return of back Dalvin Cook and a deep defense.
6. Houston Cougars -- Tom Herman's team went 13-1 last season, and with QB Greg Ward Jr. back, they could be even better in 2016.
7. LSU Tigers -- The Tigers will lean heavily on RB Leonard Fournette but unless the quarterback situation improves, LSU will struggle to take the next step.
8. Ohio State Buckeyes -- Even after getting decimated by the 2016 NFL Draft, the Buckeyes have QB J.T. Barrett and plenty else back to compete for a Big Ten title.
9. Stanford Cardinal -- The Cardinal may struggle in the passing game, but it shouldn't matter too much with do-it-all Christian McCaffrey back.
10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- ND's 2015 was ruined by injuries but a healthy QB situation and a great running back position, the Irish will be very dangerous in '16.
11. Tennessee Volunteers -- With a veteran quarterback returning, great backfield and wonderful defense, Tennessee should breakout this year.
12. Michigan State Spartans -- Spartans will miss departed QB Connor Cook, but back L.J. Scott and an experienced defense will keep them solid.
13. Ole Miss Rebels -- The Rebels return the best quarterback in the SEC in Chad Kelly and the program keeps improving their win totals.
14. Iowa Hawkeyes -- The biggest surprise of 2015 should still be dangerous this year, behind the arm of QB C.J. Beathard and the interception abilities of corner Desmond King.
15. Oregon Ducks -- Led by typical speedy Oregon athletes like back Royce Freeman and receiver Charles Nelson, Ducks should be in the mix for a Pac-12 crown.
16. UNC Tar Heels -- After a surprising 11-3 record in 2015, North Carolina will be the team to beat in the ACC Coastal once more this season.
17. TCU Horned Frogs -- Without Trevone Boykin the Frogs may be less explosive, but the defense gets a ton of talent back healthy after an injury-riddled '15.
18. Oklahoma State Cowboys -- Expect a typical Oklahoma State team; one that will put up plenty of points but must improve on D to win the Big 12.
19. USC Trojans -- New head coach Clay Helton has wonderful talent returning on both sides of the ball but a brutal schedule may hold them back.
20. Georgia Bulldogs -- First-year head coach Kirby Smart will hope for a great, ferocious Bulldogs' defense and a healthy Nick Chubb at tailback.
21. Boise State Broncos -- After losing four games last season, Broncos hope for bigger things from their offense to return to a New Year's Six bowl.
22. Florida Gators -- After a surprising 10-4 mark in Jim McElwain's first season, defense will once more carry the Gators to a successful campaign.
23. UCLA Bruins -- A more experienced Josh Rosen at quarterback, and plenty of defensive talent will keep the Bruins as dark horse Playoff contender.
24. Louisville Cardinals -- If he improves as a passer, true sophomore QB Lamar Jackson could help lead the Cardinals to new heights.
25. Washington Huskies -- A trendy Pac-12 pick, Washington will need big years from true sophomores Jake Browning at QB and Myles Gaskin at running back.
Others in the Mix
Baylor Bears
Virginia Tech Hokies
Arkansas Razorbacks
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Texas A&M Aggies
Western Michigan Broncos
San Diego State Aztecs
BYU Cougars
South Florida Bulls
Penn State Nittany Lions
Heisman
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford (finalist, winner)
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson (finalist)
Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State (finalist)
Greg Ward Jr., QB, Houston (finalist)
College Football Playoff
1 Clemson over 4 Oklahoma
2 Alabama over 3 Michigan
National Championship: 1 Clemson over 2 Alabama
1. Clemson Tigers -- The return of Heisman frontrunner Deshaun Watson and plenty of other offensive weapons should lead Clemson to a National Title.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide -- Outside of a murky quarterback situation, Alabama has all the talent to repeat as National Champions.
3. Michigan Wolverines -- With a stacked defense and very favorable schedule, Michigan should breakthrough in Year 2 of Jim Harbaugh.
4. Oklahoma Sooners -- Returns of QB Baker Mayfield and backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine give Oklahoma enough offensive talent to return to Playoff.
5. Florida State Seminoles -- After slipping last season, Florida State should get back into National Title hunt with the return of back Dalvin Cook and a deep defense.
6. Houston Cougars -- Tom Herman's team went 13-1 last season, and with QB Greg Ward Jr. back, they could be even better in 2016.
7. LSU Tigers -- The Tigers will lean heavily on RB Leonard Fournette but unless the quarterback situation improves, LSU will struggle to take the next step.
8. Ohio State Buckeyes -- Even after getting decimated by the 2016 NFL Draft, the Buckeyes have QB J.T. Barrett and plenty else back to compete for a Big Ten title.
9. Stanford Cardinal -- The Cardinal may struggle in the passing game, but it shouldn't matter too much with do-it-all Christian McCaffrey back.
10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- ND's 2015 was ruined by injuries but a healthy QB situation and a great running back position, the Irish will be very dangerous in '16.
11. Tennessee Volunteers -- With a veteran quarterback returning, great backfield and wonderful defense, Tennessee should breakout this year.
12. Michigan State Spartans -- Spartans will miss departed QB Connor Cook, but back L.J. Scott and an experienced defense will keep them solid.
13. Ole Miss Rebels -- The Rebels return the best quarterback in the SEC in Chad Kelly and the program keeps improving their win totals.
14. Iowa Hawkeyes -- The biggest surprise of 2015 should still be dangerous this year, behind the arm of QB C.J. Beathard and the interception abilities of corner Desmond King.
15. Oregon Ducks -- Led by typical speedy Oregon athletes like back Royce Freeman and receiver Charles Nelson, Ducks should be in the mix for a Pac-12 crown.
16. UNC Tar Heels -- After a surprising 11-3 record in 2015, North Carolina will be the team to beat in the ACC Coastal once more this season.
17. TCU Horned Frogs -- Without Trevone Boykin the Frogs may be less explosive, but the defense gets a ton of talent back healthy after an injury-riddled '15.
18. Oklahoma State Cowboys -- Expect a typical Oklahoma State team; one that will put up plenty of points but must improve on D to win the Big 12.
19. USC Trojans -- New head coach Clay Helton has wonderful talent returning on both sides of the ball but a brutal schedule may hold them back.
20. Georgia Bulldogs -- First-year head coach Kirby Smart will hope for a great, ferocious Bulldogs' defense and a healthy Nick Chubb at tailback.
21. Boise State Broncos -- After losing four games last season, Broncos hope for bigger things from their offense to return to a New Year's Six bowl.
22. Florida Gators -- After a surprising 10-4 mark in Jim McElwain's first season, defense will once more carry the Gators to a successful campaign.
23. UCLA Bruins -- A more experienced Josh Rosen at quarterback, and plenty of defensive talent will keep the Bruins as dark horse Playoff contender.
24. Louisville Cardinals -- If he improves as a passer, true sophomore QB Lamar Jackson could help lead the Cardinals to new heights.
25. Washington Huskies -- A trendy Pac-12 pick, Washington will need big years from true sophomores Jake Browning at QB and Myles Gaskin at running back.
Others in the Mix
Baylor Bears
Virginia Tech Hokies
Arkansas Razorbacks
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Texas A&M Aggies
Western Michigan Broncos
San Diego State Aztecs
BYU Cougars
South Florida Bulls
Penn State Nittany Lions
Heisman
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford (finalist, winner)
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson (finalist)
Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State (finalist)
Greg Ward Jr., QB, Houston (finalist)
College Football Playoff
1 Clemson over 4 Oklahoma
2 Alabama over 3 Michigan
National Championship: 1 Clemson over 2 Alabama
No comments:
Post a Comment