Top 25 rerank

Every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision got better this spring, if only because it’s hard to get worse during the first few months of college football’s dreary offseason.

But a few things have changed. Clemson and Alabama might have inched closer to settling their quarterback competitions. Penn State found its next running back. Michigan landed a five-star quarterback.

Now’s a good time to rerank the USA TODAY’s way-too-early Top 25 for 2018, courtesy of staff reporter Paul Myerberg. That one had Clemson and Alabama at No. 1 and No. 2. This one does as well. But there are changes.

1. Clemson (previous rank: No. 1)

It’s a return trip to the College Football Playoff or bust for Dabo Swinney and Clemson, and the argument is there for the Tigers as the top team in the country entering the summer. The Tigers still need to settle a quarterback competition between incumbent starter Kelly Bryant and freshman Trevor Lawrence.

2. Alabama (No. 2)

The NFL draft might suggest that Alabama has a huge number of holes to fill on both sides, but that’s nothing new for Nick Saban and the Tide. It’s a good thing Saban is the best coach of defensive backs in all of football, because the Tide need to do some rebuilding without Minkah Fitzpatrick and several other key pieces.

3. Wisconsin (No. 5)

The offense is going to be Wisconsin’s best in years while the defense has just enough returning talent on the line and at linebacker to bridge the gap to a new cast in the secondary. An offensive line that brings back every single contributor from 2017 will pace the Badgers to a Big Ten Conference title.

4. Washington (No. 8)

The only thing brighter than Washington’s chances in 2018 is the program’s overall potential under Chris Petersen and his staff. What the Huskies really need is increased production from senior quarterback Jake Browning.

5. Ohio State (No. 3)

With a new quarterback, the Buckeyes need to find new leaders at tackle and center along the offensive line.

6. Georgia (No. 4)

Some big names have left the building, from star linebacker Roquan Smith through the two-headed backfield combination of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. The backfield as a whole remains a monster, with as many as five capable runners, a top-of-the-line starting quarterback in Jake Fromm and a capable backup in rookie Justin Fields.

7. Oklahoma (No. 7)

OU’s greatest asset remains not specifically its quarterback — there will be a drop-off from Baker Mayfield to Kyler Murray — but head coach Lincoln Riley and his can’t-fail offensive scheme.

8. TCU (No. 22)

Re-evaluating TCU’s odds reveals a team loaded and ready at nearly every position, though the offensive line needs to round into form before September.

9. Penn State (No. 6)

Replacing Saquon Barkley won’t be easy, but James Franklin has brought in enough talent to keep the Nittany Lions in the Playoff race. In a year short of elite quarterbacks, Trace McSorley gives PSU one of the nation’s best at the position.

10. Miami (Fla.) (No. 9)

The Hurricanes need to shake off last year’s threegame losing streak, but the team’s biggest asset might be another offseason learning Mark Richt’s system.

11. Auburn (No. 13)

Auburn has what it takes to win another Southeastern Conference West Division title. The Tigers will have an advantage at quarterback with Heisman Trophy contender Jarrett Stidham.

12. Stanford (No. 12)

Washington looks tough, but Bryce Love alone gives Stanford a chance at another division title. The Cardinal won’t reach their full potential unless quarterback K.J. Costello takes a step forward.

13. Michigan (No. 16)

The Wolverines move up three spots after Shea Patterson was made eligible. Patterson’s a major deal, but what makes Michigan dangerous is what should again be one of the stingiest defenses in football.

14. Boise State (No. 14)

In terms of depth, experience and returning production, this looks like the best team in the Group of Five. Now a senior, quarterback Brett Rypien needs to grab the reins and take full control of the offense.

15. Michigan State (No. 10)

Nine wins is the baseline for the Spartans after last year’s bounce-back finish landed them tied for second in the Big Ten East Division. The lack of proven defen- sive linemen is worrisome, though the Spartans’ track record up front eases some of those concerns.

16. Notre Dame (No. 15)

Notre Dame again is a threat for 10-plus wins and more, but almost everything hinges on quarterback play. The Irish have options up front, but it’s hard to see the offensive line maintain its recent play without two first-round picks on the left side.

17. Florida Atlantic (No. 21) Lane Kiffin plus offense plus Twitter equals what should be another fun year for FAU.

18. Virginia Tech (No. 11)

The defense needs to find some playmakers along the front seven and particularly at linebacker.

19. West Virginia (N/A)

WVU storms into the Top 25 on the expectations that the defense will be improved and Will Grier will be among the most prolific passers in the country.

20. San Diego State (N/A)

The coaches have praised new running back Juwan Washington, but it’s fair to wonder whether the junior can match the impact Donnel Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny had at SDSU.

21. Mississippi State (No. 25)

The Bulldogs and first-year head coach Joe Moorhead move up four spots after a productive spring.

22. Iowa State (No. 24)

After taking a major leap last season, Iowa State aims for another step up the Big 12 Conference ladder in 2018.

23. Oklahoma State (No. 23)

There’s a hole at quarterback and no sure answer coming out of the spring, though the competition will take on a new feel once freshman Spencer Sanders and Hawaii transfer Dru Brown hit campus this summer.

24. South Carolina (N/A)

Will Muschamp has himself a quarterback in junior Jake Bentley, who looks ready to earn all-conference honors in 2018.

25. Southern California (No. 17)

There’s talent to burn, as always, but the transition from Sam Darnold to a new quarterback — I’m betting it’ll be true freshman J.T. Daniels — will have its share of hiccups.