First-time voter contributes to preseason AP Top 25
The preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll is here, sparking conversations about hopes and expectations, why one team is ranked so high and why one was ignored. That discourse is one of many reasons why college football is as enthralling as it is.
This year adds a bit more intrigue for me, as I’ll be an AP Top 25 voter for the first time. As such, I submitted my preseason rankings last week.
In all its glory — and by the end of the season, maybe all its horror — below is my initial top 25 poll with an explanation for each selection.
1. Alabama: After capturing last year’s title, the Crimson Tide lost the Heisman Trophy winner (DeVonta Smith), the Davey O’Brien Award winner (Mac Jones) and, of course, the Doak Walker Award winner (Steelers draft choice Najee Harris). Yet, here they are. This is what Nick Saban does: Win and reload. Rinse, lather, repeat.
2. Clemson: Few programs could withstand the departure of a player like Trevor Lawrence. Clemson is one of them. D.J. Uiagalelei looked the part in
two spot starts. He’ll be bolstered by the return of star receiver Justyn Ross. Interestingly, Clemson didn’t have a defensive player drafted in April, setting the stage for last year’s contributors to shine.
3. Oklahoma: Before the Sooners bolt for the SEC, they’ll have at least one more year trampling the Big 12. QB Spencer Rattler is the Heisman favorite. And after allowing 29.1 points per game the previous four seasons, Oklahoma gave up only 21.7 per in 2020, a marked improvement for a program that’s allowed 201 points in four playoff appearances.
4. Ohio State: Whoever replaces Justin Fields will have, perhaps, the country’s best group of targets at his disposal. Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave could be firstround draft picks and tight end Jeremy Ruckert is a threat, too. Considering its secondary (122nd in passing yards allowed per game in 2020) expect the Buckeyes to be in a lot of high-scoring affairs.
5. Georgia: Kirby Smart has done everything but win a national title at Georgia. Whether or not this is the year falls on quarterback J.T. Daniels and how he’s utilized. Georgia kicks off its campaign against Clemson in Charlotte, N.C., no less. But the rest of the slate sets up nicely for the Bulldogs, avoiding Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M in the regular season.
6. Iowa State: Breece Hall, the nation’s leading rusher in 2020, and fourth-year QB Brock Purdy are running it back as head coach Matt Campbell looks to lead Iowa State to the Big 12’s first nonOklahoma playoff berth. After they finished in the top 10 last year, dismiss the Cyclones at your own peril.
7. Cincinnati: Lofty expectations are conjured by Heisman sleeper Desmond Ridder. Defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is off to Notre Dame after the Bearcats were eighth nationally in points allowed. But unlike Group of Five playoff hopefuls of the past, Cincinnati has chances to prove itself with games at Notre Dame and Indiana.
8. North Carolina: This season is all on Sam Howell’s shoulders. Fortunately for the Tar Heels, Howell has grown since Pitt beat him in 2019, featuring a 68.1% completion rate and a 30-7 TDINT ratio last year. WR Dyami Brown and running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams are gone. But the Heels do avoid Clemson in the regular season.
9. Texas A& M: Here comes a run of programs packed with promise but looking to replace quarterbacks. Kellen Mond and his 9,661 yards are gone. But Jimbo Fisher’s team — after barely missing out on the playoff — has a light schedule before hosting Alabama in October.
10. Oregon: Former Boston College QB Anthony Brown will be the full-time starter in Joe Moorhead’s system. Pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is a top-five talent. An early season game at Ohio State will be a test, but Mario Cristobal has the program humming on the recruiting trail. Perhaps it pays off in Year 5.
11. Notre Dame: No, Ian Book won’t be back for yet another season of college ball. What Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan and the Fighting Irish do in Book’s stead will determine how they follow up their second playoff berth. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree lead all backfield duos in carries.
12. Florida: Kyle Trask ranked second nationally in passing yards per game 2020. The Gators could look different at QB with Emory Jones, described by Dan Mullen as a “dynamic playmaker.” They certainly won’t be as explosive without Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney stretching defenses. Drawing Alabama and LSU from the SEC West won’t help, either.
13. USC: The Trojans are typically more hype than bite, and this year could be the same. If it is, Clay Helton likely will be out of a job. Kedon Slovis, who threw for 1,921 yards in six games in 2020, could be Helton’s saving grace. The Trojans are favored to win their first six games, according to ESPN’s FPI, before a trip to Notre Dame.
14. LSU: A year removed from winning a title, LSU was a 5-5 dumpster fire. But Max Johnson, LSU’s projected starting QB, played well in the Tigers’ upset at Florida. Bo Pelini is also out as defensive coordinator after a woeful solo season. A retooled unit, headlined by star corner Derek Stingley Jr., ought to be better than allowing 34.9 points per game.
15. Miami: Like USC and Texas (we’ll get to the Longhorns later), Miami often fails to deliver on preseason buzz. The Hurricanes can make a statement in the opener against Alabama — or they could get waxed as 17-point ’dogs. Either way, a healthy D’Eriq King, assuming he comes back fine from a torn ACL, should give them a chance every week.
16. Wisconsin: Behind Ohio State, there’s a cluster of Big Ten teams that probably won’t be playoff contenders but could realistically attain nine or 10 wins. Wisconsin, a program that won 52 times in Paul Chryst’s first five years, is best positioned to do that.
17. Penn State: Which Sean Clifford will show up? The one that led Penn State to an 11-2 mark two years ago? Or the 2020 turnover machine? This is a talented roster that can prove last year’s 4-5 record was a oneoff. But if new OC Mike Yurcich wasn’t hired, the Nittany Lions would be ranked lower. Facing Wisconsin, Auburn, Indiana and Iowa in the first six weeks could determine their season.
18. Iowa: The Hawkeyes could start 0-2 against Indiana and Iowa State. But Iowa lost its first two last year and finished with six consecutive wins. Its Oct. 30 matchup at Wisconsin will likely decide the Big Ten West. An off week ahead of time ought to help quarterback Spencer Petras, tailback Tyler Goodson and the
Hawkeyes look their best at Camp Randall.
19. Indiana: The Hoosiers were on cloud nine last year. They beat Penn State and Michigan, and only lost at Ohio State by a touchdown. Tom Allen is a heck of a coach, but will Indiana catch lightning in a bottle twice? Michael Penix Jr. is on track to start the season after tearing his ACL (for the second time) in November. That’s still a concern.
20. Arizona State: Recruiting investigation aside, this team has what it takes to win the Pac-12. QB Jayden Daniels has star potential, and he’s one of 21 returning starters. The Sun Devils travel to Washington and Utah, but play host to USC and wouldn’t face Oregon until the conference title game. Arizona State is favored by ESPN’s FPI in nine of its 12 games for a reason.
21. Texas:” Is Texas back? No. Do the Longhorns have talent? Of course. They always do. RB Bijan Robinson is a Doak Walker Award candidate, and whoever starts at quarterback will have offensive wizard Steve Sarkisian calling plays. We’ll have to wait and see if that’s enough for Texas to win its first Big 12 title since 2009.
22. Mississippi: Matt Corral’s 3,337 yards were secondmost among quarterbacks who played 10 games or fewer in 2020 as he took advantage of Lane Kiffin’s pass-happy scheme. Corral also threw 11 picks against LSU and Arkansas. At the very least, the Rebels going to be fun.
23. Louisiana-Lafayette: If Cincinnati fails to carry the Group of Five torch, the Ragin’ Cajuns are a good bet to reach a New Year’s Six bowl. Billy Napier has won 10 games in back-to-back seasons, beat Iowa State in Ames last year and has 20 starters returning. Keep an eye on their opener at Texas.
24. Washington: The Huskies would have competed for a Pac-12 title last year but couldn’t due to COVID-19-related roster limitations. Maybe they’ll have their chance this fall. Jimmy Lake’s team returns its entire offensive line and all-conference tight end Cade Otton. Replacing defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski could prove difficult.
25. Utah: Has won at least nine games in five of its past six full seasons under head coach Kyle Whittingham. That’s about as consistent as you’ll get. All-American linebacker Devin Lloyd and the Utes will be expected to contend for the Pac-12 South, if not the conference crown.