PICKING THE TOP 25

1 ALABAMA

The Crimson Tide had big losses on the offensive and defensive lines. But they have a Heisman-caliber QB in Jalen Hurts and one of the best RBs in Bo Scarbrough. And Nick Saban is still the coach. Beat Florida State in the opener, and …

2 FLORIDA ST.

The defense could be the nation’s best and QB Deandre Francois looked like the real deal last season. If freshman rRB Cam Akers makes a quick transition to the college game, look out. Beat Alabama in the opener, and …

3 OHIO ST.

QB J.T. Barrett is back and is 26-4 as a starter. He has a new offensive coordinator in Kevin Wilson, the former Indiana head coach. The defense is having to rebuild in the secondary, which will face a challenge in week 2 against Oklahoma and Baker Mayfield.

4 USC

The Trojans return three of their offensive stars — QB Sam Darnold, RB Ronald Jones II and WR Dontay Burnett — who could carry the team to the Rose Bowl (playoff semifinal) and beyond. Key early stretch: Stanford and Texas at the Coliseum in back-to-back weeks.

5 CLEMSON

The Tigers have a lot to replace from last year’s national champion (like QB Deshaun Watson) but coach Dabo Swinney has earned enough credit to think he’ll have his team back at the top. A Sept. 9 game against Auburn will be a good indication.

6 PENN ST.

QB Trace McSorley and RB Saquon Barkley are back along with seven other starters from an offense that averaged nearly 38 points in winning the Big Ten. The defense should be improved, especially on the front line.

7 OKLAHOMA

QB Baker Mayfield is back. Coach Bob Stoops is not. Lincoln Riley is at the helm after Stoops’ surprise departure. Mayfield should ease the transition while Riley looks for a new running back and shoring up the defense.

8 WASHINGTON

The Huskies return QB Jay Browning from the Pac-12 champions along with the RB combo of Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman. There are holes to fill at edge rusher and in the secondary.

9 WISCONSIN

The Badgers have been pretty consistent in two seasons under Paul Chryst. If they can find a running back to go with QB Alex Hornibrook, they look to be the class of the Big Ten West again.

10 OKLAHOMA ST.

The combination of QB Mason Rudolph and WR James Washington may be the best in the nation. If the Cowboys can have any kind of defense, their “Bedlam” matchup with Oklahoma could have a lot more than state pride at stake.

11 LSU

Derrius Guice had no trouble filling in for Leonard Fournette and gets all the carries this year. But it may still come down to finding a QB and beating Alabama. Two tall tasks for new coach Ed Orgeron and a bit harder than keeping Texas away from satellite camps.

12 MICHIGAN

No team in the country has to replace more starters than Jim Harbaugh must do in Year 3. At least QB Wilton Speight is back. Harbaugh has recruited well so it’s just a matter of the young talent earning their stars.

13 AUBURN

Jarrett Stidham, the QB transfer from Baylor, appears to be a good fit with new coordinator Chip Lindsey. That could make teams think twice about stacking up to stop RB Kamryn Pettway.

14 GEORGIA

It’s all about RB Nick Chubb in Kirby Smart’s second season coaching the Bulldogs. Chubb averaged 7.1 and 8.1 yards per carry his first two seasons but slumped to 4.8 last year.

15 STANFORD

The Cardinal open against Rice in Australia then come back to face USC on Sept. 9. David Shaw has to replace all-purpose back Christian McCaffrey and QB Keller Chryst is coming back from a knee injury.

16 LOUISVILLE

Heisman winner Lamar Jackson is back, although Houston fans are well aware of the fact he can be stopped. The offensive line needs work, but the defense is in good shape with LB James Hearns and CB Jaire Alexander.

17 FLORIDA

The Gators are going for a third consecutive SEC East title. It will be interesting to see how graduate transfer Malik Zaire fits into the offense. The defense has a new coordinator in former Miami coach Randy Shannon.

18 MIAMI

The Hurricanes have to find a way to replace QB Brad Kaaya but RB Mark Walton and WR Ahmmon Richards will make it easier for whoever lands the job. Mark Richt, in his second year, is rebuilding the Canes’ talent base.

19 KANSAS ST.

One of these years, it won’t be a surprise when Bill Snyder’s team makes a run. The consistent Wildcats return QB Jesse Ertz and Snyder always has a tough defense. Plus they host West Virigina and Oklahoma.

20 WEST VIRGINIA

The Mountaineers landed transfer QB Will Grier from Florida. The offense should be in good hands, as usual with coach Dana Holgorsen, but how far West Virginia goes may come down to defense.

21 SOUTH FLORIDA

Former Texas coach Charlie Strong landed in place where the cake has been baked. He just needs to add the icing with QB Quinton Flowers, who had over 4,300 yards of total offense last season when South Florida went 11-2 under Willlie Taggart, who moved on to Oregon.

22 COLORADO

The Buffalos were the surprise winners of the Pac-12 South last year but will have a new QB in Steve Montez. He has help in RB Philip Lindsay. The key will be replacing eight starters on defense.

23 TENNESSEE

Butch Jones has consecutive nine-win seasons but that may not be enough for the Vols’ faithful. His task this year is to find a QB to replace Joshua Dobbs and improve a defense that allowed nearly 220 rushing yards a game.

24 VIRGINIA TECH

The Hokies made it to the ACC title game in coach Justin Fuentes’ first season. The defense may have to carry the team while it looks to replace QB Jerod Evans.

25 TEXAS

Charlie Strong said he left the program in good shape after three losing seasons. New coach Tom Herman has been downplaying expectations. It may come down to health of RB Chris Warren III and if the defense becomes consistent.