Below is my updated way-to-early 2017 top 25. Put a fair amount of work into this, so I'm interested in your opinions. I'm sure there will be plenty of disagreements...
1. Alabama
- Offense: 3 seniors (Dieter - WR, Kirven - RG, Howard - TE)
- Defense: 5 seniors (Allen - DE, Thomlinson - DE, Williams - JLB, Anderson - SLB, Foster - WLB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Griffith - P)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Robinson - OT, Humphrey -CB)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 5 Defense, 1 ST
Let's be honest, until somebody knocks Bama off the throne they're on they are going to be #1. From 2014-2017, they have landed 21 five star players... a quarter of a normal 85-man roster. Saban continues to lose assistant coaches and continues to replace them seamlessly. Kiffen to Sark will be no different. Oh, andJalen Hurtsis a TRUE FRESHMAN. Running backBo Scarboroughis just the next in line of excellent Bama backs. Oh and the defense? Reload, reload, reload. Bama also signed the #1 class in the country… again… for 2017 including seven 5* players. OT Alex Leatherwood has the size and ability to challenge for Robinson’s vacated OT spot as a true freshman.
2. Florida State
- Offense: 3 seniors (Whitfield - WR, Are - LG, Stevenson - FB)
- Defense: 2 seniors (Walker - DE, White - CB)
- Special Teams: 0 senior (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Cook - RB, Johnson - LT)
- Total returning starters: 6 Offense, 9 Defense, 2 ST
People look at the drubbing Louisville laid on the Seminoles September 17th like it will define them forever. Ask Penn State and USC how much September beat downs mean. Their other two losses were a stunner by 2 to UNC and a close 3-point loss to Clemson - who is in their second straight national title game. Additionally, the cupboard is overflowing with talent to replace the few missing ingredients they need for a ACC title run and a CFP push.Deondre Francios- just a RS-FR - is tough as nails and has grown more and more each week. FSU came in at #5 for the 2017 recruiting rankings and pulled 3 of the top 6 players in the country. Expect DT Marvin Wilson to make an immediate impact up front. DE Josh Kaindoh may see significant time as well. I’m keeping an eye on RB Cam Akers, he could end up being a future Heisman candidate.
3. Ohio State
- Offense: 1 seniors (Elflein - C)
- Defense: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Special Teams: 2 senior (Durbin - PK, Johnston - P)
- Likely early NFL entries: 4 (Conley - CB, Hooker - S, McMillan – LB, Brown – WR, Samuel –WR/RB)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense, 0 ST
It's uncommon to go 11-2 and have people consider it a failure of a season. After OSU's thrashing at the hands of Clemson, most have written them off as an afterthought for 2017 and just another case of an overrated B1G conference. What most people forget is that OSU is one of the youngest teams in the country and, barring any additional NFL declarations likethey could return as many as 16 starters from an 11-1 regular season team that disrobed Oklahoma, beat Michigan and Wisconsin, and lost by 3 on the road to an excellent Penn State squad. Don’t overlook the special teams losses, though. CanJT Barretdevelop more as a passing threat? If so, Urban Meyer has a team poised to make yet another CFP run in 2017. OSU’s #2 recruiting class includes six 5* players, but DE Chase Young, DB Shaun Wade, and LB Baron Browning are the cream of the crop.
4. Oklahoma
- Offense: 2 seniors (Westbrook - WR, Wren - C, )
- Defense: 4 seniors (Wade - DT, Roberts - DE, Evans - ILB, A. Thomas - FS)
- Special Teams: 0 senior (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Perine - RB, Walker - DT)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 6 Defense, 0 ST
Remember what I said about Florida State's loss to Louisville in September? Same can be said for Oklahoma's no-show in Norman against the Buckeyes. A lot has been made about the youth of teams like Ohio State, Penn State, and USC, but not many people realize that Boomer Sooner returns 8 starters on offense including QBBaker Mayfieldwho finished 3rd in the 2016 Heisman voting. A lot has also been made of Penn State and USC's poor Septembers and incredible turn arounds, yet the 1-2 start for OU has defined their year despite winning 10 straight (including the Big XII and Sugar Bowl) to close out the year. Don't sleep on this team. If they can get a road win in Columbus next September, they shouldn't be challenged again until Bedlam. OU came in at #7 in the recruiting rankings. Can WR Cedarian Lamb fill the void left by Westbrook?
5. Southern California
- Offense: 4 seniors (Rogers - WR, Wheeler - LT, Banner - RT, McNamara - TE)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Tu'ikolovatu - NT, Hutchings - ILB, McQuay - SS)
- Special Teams: 0 senior (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Smith-Schuster - WR, Jackson - CB)
- Total returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense, 2 ST
Looking back at the year, the emergence ofSam Darnoldthis year may be one of the biggest stories of 2016. A redshirt freshman with a bazooka arm, pocket presence and awareness well beyond his years, and good mobility to boot, Darnold could end up a future first-round NFL draft pick. of course, it helps to play behind arguably the best OL in college football. The Trojans allowed a combined 4 sacks in their last 9 games of 2016 (all wins). Replacing both OT will not be an easy task nor will losingRogersandSmith-Schusterwho are two of the most physically gifted WR in the nation. Don't be thrown off by Penn State's 49-point performance in the Rose Bowl, SC returns 7 starters to an extremely athletic defense in 2017. I think the "instant classic" Rose Bowl may have overvalued USC's 2017 projection a little, but I do expect them to be the Pac 12 Champions and in the CFP discussion. The Rose Bowl victory certainly helped SC close down the stretch on the recruiting trail. They climbed all the way to #6 in the rankings thanks to six 4* commitments on National Signing Day. RB Stephen Carr is the best player you never heard of.
6. Clemson
- Offense: 2 seniors (Guillermo - C, Legget - TE)
- Defense: 4 seniors (Watkins - DT, Boulware - WLB, Johnson - SS, Tankersley - CB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Teasdall - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 5 (Watson - QB, Williams - WR, Scott - WR, Gallman - RB, Crowder - RG)
- Total returning starters: 4 Offense, 7 Defense, 1 ST
Clemson will inevitably take a step back next year from back-to-back national title games, but don't expect them to fall off the face of the earth. The Tigers will have a stout defense built around a young and very talented DL (Wilkins, Lawrence, Farrell). Clemson hasn't had trouble recruiting elite skill position players, but they need to replace their QB (35 starts), #1 RB (37 starts), and top two WR (combined 163 receptions, 1,875 yards, 15 TD), #1 TE (39-641-7), and two offensive linemen. Too much fire power to replace for another NC run, but they are a win against FSU away from another ACC title. Don’t let Clemson’s #22 ranked class fool you. With only 14 kids, they had to take quality over quantity. They did that with 5* QB Hunter Johnson, 5* WR Tee Higgins, and 5* DB AJ Terrell. A small class also means very little roster turnover. While the Tigers need to replace key starters, they have a boatload of experience returning in 2017.
7. Penn State
- Offense: 1 seniors (Gaia- C)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Schwan - DE, Bell - LB, Golden - SS)
- Special Teams: 0 senior (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Sickels- FS, Godwin - WR)
- Total returning starters: 9 Offense, 7 Defense, 2 ST
The best story in college football for 2016, Cinderella State's clock struck midnight in Pasadena Monday night (maybe because the game was 4 hours and 15 minutes). Still, the resurgence of Penn State cannot be overlooked. Picked against in nearly every game during their 9-game winning streak, the Nittany Lions defied all odds and was a few miscues away from snatching the Rose Bowl title away from pseudo-home team USC. A couple of big losses to the NFL include WRChris Godwinand emerging star DEGarrett Sickels. Run-stuffing safetyMarcus Allensnubbed the NFL to return for his senior year giving Penn State an anchor at the back of the secondary. Even without the two early NFL draftees, Penn State still returns 16 starters from a team that went 11-2 in the regular season with a B1G championship. Oh yeah, if you haven't done so yet maybe check out someSaquon Barkleyhighlights on YouTube. Penn State came in at #12 in the recruiting rankings, James Franklin’s best class to date, and despite the abundance of returning starters and backups it’s easy to suspect that freak athlete DB Lamont Wade will not only get his feet wet in 2017, but challenge for the starting safety spot left by Golden.
8. Wisconsin
- Offense: 2 seniors (Wheelwright - WR, Houston - QB, Clement - RB)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Biegel - OLB, Musso - FS, Shelton - CB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Endicott - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Watt - OLB,Ramczyk- LT)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense, 1 ST
Running the ball, good defense, cheese, and beer. It's been a successful recipe in Madison for decades and even in the new era of spread-em-out football, the Badgers were still successful going "old-school". After one of the toughest schedules in the country (LSU, OSU, at Michigan, Penn State in the B1G title), it was nice for Wisconsin to get an "easy" matchup in the Cotton Bowl against Western Michigan (and it might not be the last time Paul Chryst goes against PJ Fleck). While the Badgers offense loses some key parts, QBAlex Hornibrookand RBDare Ogunbowaleboth played significant roles for the team.Jazz Peavyshould return which will help stabilize the offense as well as the return game. A stout defense loses it's two best playmakers Beigel and Watt, but return star ILBsRyan ConnellyandTJ Edwards. Wisconsin is rewarded with a much easier schedule in 2017 than 2016 facing Utah State and Lane Kiffin's Florida Atlantic Owls before heading to Pravo to face a tricky BYU team. They do go to Lincoln, but get Michigan in Camp Randall and replace Michigan State and Ohio State with Maryland and Indiana. Expect the Badgers to be near the top of the B1G west come November. The Big Cheese had the #35 recruiting class, but don’t take that too seriously. Wisconsin is one of the nation’s best at identifying under the radar talent and coaching up the players they get. As usual, their haul includes a stud super-sized OL in Kayden Lyles who had offers from just about every major program in the country. It helps when he’s from Madison, WI. Could QB Jack Coan be the answer to the quarterback carousel someday?
9. Washington
- Offense: 3 seniors (Eldrencamp - LG, Brostek - RG, Daniels - TE)
- Defense: 2 seniors (Wooching - LB, King - CB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Van Winkle)
- Likely early NFL entries: 4 (Ross - WR, Jones - CB, Baker - FS, Qualls - DT)
- Total returning starters: 7 Offense, 6 Defense, 1 ST
Arguably the most debated team of 2016, Washington's 12-1 regular season was only blemished by white-hot Southern Cal. Though the game was never in doubt, the Huskies put up a fight for a while against Alabama in the CFP - a game that was essentially a Tide home game. Washington has some big shoes to fill in 2017, but should still be the odds on favorite to win the Pac 12 North and face (probably) Southern Cal for the conference crown. If Peterson can sure-up the interior of his OL and find enough playmakers to replace 3/4 of the U-Dub secondary, they should easily be on their way to another 10+ win season. Biggest issue for Washington next year? To make the CFP again, they may have to go undefeated as they have a cotton-soft OOC schedule (at Rutgers, Montana, and Fresno State).Jake Browningemerged as a star in 2016, but without his go-to WR,Dante Pettiswill have to step into the role as game breaker. Maybe 4* WR Tyrell Bynum cane take some of the pressure off as U-Dub went into California to steal a star. He joins six more 4* recruits in the nation’s #23 class.
10. Oklahoma State
- Offense: 4 seniors (Seales - WR, Jarwin - TE/FB, Salako - LT, Wilson - RG)
- Defense: 6 seniors (Maile - DT, Burton - SLB, Averette - WLB, Lampkin - CB, Pipkins - CB, Sterns FS)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Grogan - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Taylor - DT)
- Total returning starters: 7 Offense, 4 Defense, 1 ST
Little surprised to see the Pokes so high? I was too when I went through the information and placed them in this spot. By now you should have this embedded in your sub-conscious: September losses are not the be-all, end-all (let alone losses that were a direct result of an officiating error). Yes, they lost to Baylor early in the year... before the bottom fell out of the Bears' season, but we'll forgive them because why? (hint, it was in September). The 38-20 loss to arch-rival OU was not enough to derail them from absolute domination of #10 Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. The Buffs, considered one of the best defenses in the nation, was picked apart in a 38-8 romping by OK State. QBMason Rudolphwill return for his season season to anchor a potent offensive attack that ranked 3rd in the Big XII. If Mike Gundy and his epic mullet can find a way to replace the production of the 2016 defense (6th in the conference in total defense, but 3rd in scoring defense), the Cowboys could surprise many as they're most difficult game (Oklahoma) is in Stillwater. Despite a great year, the Pokes still play second fiddle to the Big XII teams around them. They managed just three 4* players and the nation’s #37 class. Naturally, these 4* players include two WR and an athlete. If you can’t stop ‘em, just out score them.
11. Auburn
- Offense: 3 seniors (Stevens – WR, Kozan – LG, Leff – RT)
- Defense: 2 seniors (Adams – DT, Hosley – CB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Phillips - P)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Lawson – DE)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense, 1 ST
This Auburn team did not get much attention this season. At 8-4 (5-3), why would they? When you dig into the schedule, there is actually a lot more to like than dislike. They played 4 games this year decided by 7 or less and went 2-2. One of those games was against Clemson. For a team returning 16 starters, that experience matters. The 2017 schedule is tough (at Clemson, at LSU, at TAMU. Sean White, Kamryn Pettway, and Kerryon Johnson – sophomores in 2017 – return next year to lead a potent rushing attack, but former 5* recruit QB Jarrett Stidham transfers in and will compete for the starting spot. As team that finished #1 in the SEC in rushing yards per game and dead last in passing yards per game, the Tigers will need to find more balance in 2017 and Stidham may help with that. They will need to fill the void Carl Lawson leaves. Lawson leads the team with 9 sacks in 2016. Auburn had yet another top-15 recruiting class this year (#14), but no recruit was bigger (literally and figuratively) than DC product OL Calvin Ashley. They also bolstered up their LB depth with 4* backers Tadarian Moultry and K.J. Britt.
12. Georgia
- Offense: 3 seniors (Catalina – LT, Kublanow – C, Pyke – RT)
- Defense: 1 seniors (Smith - STAR)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (McKenzie – WR, )
- Total returning starters: 7 Offense, 10 Defense, 2 ST
2016 was a roller coaster season for first year coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs. After starting 3-0 – including wins over UNC and at Missouri – UGA went on to lose 4 of their next 5 games. What’s worst is that Georgia failed to score 17 or more points in 3 of the 4 losses. After getting back on track and beating Auburn in a 13-7 upset in Athens, the Dawgs lost a heartbreaker to in-state rival Georgia Tech. What will propel the squad into 2017 is a Liberty Bowl win over TCU 31-23. Georgia ranked #16 nationally in total defense and T-35 in scoring defense and returns nearly every starter on that side of the ball. Star QB in the making Jacob Eason is back with some experience and an off-season of film study under his belt. To make matters easier, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel return in the backfield for their senior seasons. UGA will need to replace 3 starters on the OL, never an easy task, but they have the talent and depth to do so. Remember the name Roquon Smith. The sophomore recorded 92 tackles (6th in the SEC) from his linebacker position. A September road trip to South Bend may tell us a lot about how good this team can be. A fairly favorable schedule, but trips to Knoxville and Auburn will be challenging. If Kirby Smart ends up being half the HC as he is a recruiter, the Dawgs are going to be a thorn in the side of all SEC teams. The #3 class, in addition to its usual supply of southern skill, also includes three players from the northeast: Brooklyn OL Isaiah Wilson & Pennsylvania products RB D’Andre Swift and WR Mark Webb.
13. LSU
- Offense: 4 seniors (Dural – WR, Pocic – C, Boutte – RG, Jeter – TE)
- Defense: 4 seniors (Neal – DE, Bower – OLB, Riley – ILB, White – CB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Delahoussaye - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 3 (Fournette – RB, Adams – S, Gochaux - DE)
- Total returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense, 1 ST
Yes, LSU is #13 that is not a misprint. It’s easy to look at the 7-4 (5-3) record and the fact that only half the starters return…no Fournette…. and wonder why that’s possible. Throw the 2016 record out the window, this team dealt with a lot including the firing of long-time head coach Les Miles. LSU was 2-2 before Miles was shown the door. Interim – and now full-time head coach – Ed Ogeron guided the Tigers to a 5-2 recorded through the rest of the regular season and then a 29-9 dismantling of Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson and Louisville. During the 8 games under Ogeron, the LSU defense allowed a measly 15.25 ppg. The key for 2017 hinges on the consistency of the offense. In LSU’s 6 wins under Ogeron, the Bayou Bengals averaged 41.0 ppg. In their two losses - 5.0 ppg. If WR Malachi Dupre decides to return then there is an instant impact player on the perimeter and in the kicking game. Anything through the air will help as LSU was #12 in passing yards/ gam and 4th in rushing. Even without Fournette, look for the ground game to be strong behind Derrius Guice who led the SEC in yards (1,387) despite only 183 attempts. The decision to name Ogeron as HC early paid huge dividends in recruiting. The Tigers came in at #8 landing three 5* and twelve 4* players. Known as a defensive mind, Ogeron wasted no time in strengthening his defense with 5* players DT Tyler Shelvin, DB JaCoby Stevens, and LB Jacob Phillips. All three could see the significant playing time this fall.
14. Stanford
- Offense: 4 seniors (Rector – WR, Owusu – WR, Caspers – RG, Bright – RT)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Kalambayi – OLB, Palma – ILB, Lloyd – SS)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Ukropina - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (McCaffery - RB)
- Total returning starters: 6 Offense, 8 Defense, 1 ST
I’ve always thought David Shaw was a great head coach. 2016 may have changed my opinion from “think” to “know”. Shaw was still able to guide Stanford to the most quiet 10-win season in recent memory. It’s not that long ago that a 10-win year in Palo Alto was unimaginable, but now it’s looked at as the norm which is maybe why there is so little hype surrounding this team headed into 2017. Losing Heisman candidate Christian McCaffery is a huge blow. He was dinged up for parts of the season – or just unavailable in general like in the bowl game – and was still able to collect 1600+ yards on the ground. It’ll be a challenge to replace him, but former R150 and rising junior Bryce Love will be the feature back for 2017. Love tallied 115 yards on 22 carries in the bowl game and 779 yards on 112 carries (7.0 ypc) for the season. The biggest question mark is who will be under center to start the season. Starter Keller Chryst went down with a knee injury in the second quarter of the game and Virginia product Ryan Burns looked uncomfortable. The Cardinal defense ranked #38 over and #18 in scoring defense during the 2016 season and returns 8 starters. DE Soloman Thomas and DT Harrision Phillips return after combining for 14 sacks in 2016. The schedule is tough in ’17 with trips to the LA Coliseum and Seattle as well as adding Utah and Arizona State to round out the non-divisional crossover games. Another small class like we saw with Clemson, but the 14-player #19 class from Stanford is special. Shaw got a prototypical Stanford QB in 5* Davis Mills (Georgia) and two 5* freak-OL stars to protect him in Walker Little (Texas) and Foster Sarell (Washington).
15. Kansas State
- Offense: 1 seniors (Burton – WR, Johnson – RG, Jones - RB)
- Defense: 4.5* seniors (Willis – DE, Davis – LB, Moore – LB, Starks – NB, Barnett – SS)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 0 (N/A)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense*, 2 ST
I’ll admit it, I’m probably definitely over-rating KSU here, but I love what Bill Snyder has done with this team. 9-4 (6-3) and a win over TAMU in the AdvoCare bowl, yet nobody is talking about the Cats and their 15 returning starters. KSU’s 3 Big XII losses came to WVU (road by 1-point), Oklahoma (road), and Oklahoma State (lead 37-28 with 12:21 before the Cowboy comeback). KSU ranked 5th in the conference scoring 32.2 ppg, but was #1 in defensive scoring (22.3 ppg) and rushing defense (115 ypg). An area of weakness was the aerial attack… on both sides of the ball. KSU was dead last in passing offense and 9th in passing defense. Qb Jesse Ertz returns for his senior year after rushing for over 1,000 yards in 2016 but will need to find a way to keep defenses honest with his arm. Defensively, LB Elijah Lee and his 110 tackles (3rd in the conference) return to lead a solid defensive unit. They will miss senior DE Jordan Willis who lead the conference with 11.5 sacks. Look for former 4* Tanner Wood to take over the vacated DE position. As usual, the ‘Cats struggled on the recruiting trail coming in with just the #61 class in the nation and – as usual – expect coaching guru Bill Snyder to get the most out of what he has. There aren’t many candidates for immediate playing time, but Oregon product and 4* LB Daniel Green fits the bill. Given the vacancies left by Davis and Moore, I expect to see Green early and often.
16. Florida
- Offense: 1 senior (Appleby – QB)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Ivey – NT, McMillian – SLB, Davis – MLB)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 3 (Anzalone – LB, Sharpe – LT, Tabor – CB, Wilson - CB)
- Total returning starters: 10 Offense, 4 Defense, 2 ST
Florida has too much talent to underperform again, right? Right? Riiiiiight? One of the most ferocious defenses in college football in 2016, the Gators will need to replace 7 starters. NT Khairi Clark, LB Vosean Joseph, LB Kaylan Johnson, CB Joseph Putu, and CB Chris Williamson will have the biggest shoes to fill. Don’t be surprised in true freshmen DE Zachary Carter and DB Elijah Blades see time for the Gator defense. When it comes to 2017 success, the discussion begins and ends with offensive production. You can always count on an athletic and talented defense, but Florida has had no offensive identity since Urban Meyer left. Florida was 14th out of 14 in the SEC in total offensive yards (4,472… 46 yards less than anemic South Carolina). They ranked 6th in passing yards per game but a disappointing 14th in rushing per game. Luke Del Rio, the starting QB to begin 2016, will need to take a major step forward in 2017 after losing his job to Austin Appleby. If not, former 4* recruit Felipe Franks will likely take the reins. Florida returns 4 of its starting 5 OL, so look for more consistency there. Opening the year in Arlington against Michigan might seem like an impossible task, but the Wolverines will be replacing anywhere from 17 to 21 starters. Good of a time as any for the Gators to steal one. Also get Tennesse, LSU, and Florida State in the Swamp. Schedule sets up perfectly for them if they can just figure out how to score. Jim McIlwain set himself up for the future with a great class in 2017. Checking in at #9, the Gators gobbled up fifteen 4* players with much of the work concentrated on the trenches. OL Kadeem Telfort, DE Zachary Carter, and DT Elijah Conliffe can be viewed as the jewels of the class.
17. Georgia Tech
- Offense: 2 seniors (Burden – C, Thomas – QB)
- Defense: 4 seniors (Kallon – DT, Gamble – DT, Rook-Chungong – DE, Davis – OLB)
- Special Teams: 2 seniors (Butker – P, Rodwell - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 0 (N/A)
- Total returning starters: 9 Offense, 7 Defense, 0 ST
Let me just say that I love the triple option. When a team that ranks #1 in the conference in rushing returns 9 starters, I like that even more. QB Justin Thomas moves on and finding another signal caller will be imperative to the Yellow Jackets’ success. Jordan Matthews will probably get the first crack at it. If the Ramblin’ Wreck offense can be as effective in 2017 as they were in 2016, then expect the defense to be much better. They will return 7 starters from a team that was middle of the pack in the ACC, but the added experience should yield better results. Any time a team replaces ¾ of a defensive line, eyebrows are raised. DT Brantavious Glanton is a potential breakout star for GT. Again, with the ball possession triple-option, the defense may be needed for fewer snaps than normal. They open the year in Mercedes-Benz Dome against Tennessee and end the season as always against Georgia (at Bobby Dodd). For in-conference, they get UNC, Pitt, VT, and Wake forest at home. They go to Duke and Virginia, but also have road trips to Miami and Clemson. GT signed the #41 class in 2017 and made defense a focal point. All four 4* players were on that side of the ball: DB Gentry Bonds, DB Tre Swilling, DB Kaleb Oliver, and LB Bruce Jordan-Swilling.
18. South Florida
- Offense: 3 seniors (Adams – WR, Amichia – LT, Threatt – RG)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Harris – WLB, Godwin – SS, Ward - CB)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Mack - RB)
- Total returning starters: 7 Offense, 8 Defense, 2 ST
Lane Kiffin to Florida Atlantic took a lot of press away from what was a brilliant hire in Tampa. A USF program that was revitalized under Willie Taggart – now at Oregon – will now be led by Charlie Strong. Ignore the riff-raff from his brief time in Austin, TX and recall that Strong lead Louisville to a 23-3 record and back to back top 15 finishes in 2012 and 2013 before becoming the most coveted head coach in college football in January, 2014. What Strong inherits at USF is not a rebuilding project like he had in Texas, but rather a team loaded with talent and experience. 7 starters return on offense – including Heisman dark horse and 2016 AAC offensive player of the year QB Quinton Flowers – after finishing #13 in the nation in total yards gained. The loss of RB Marlon Mack to the NFL hurts, but D’Ernest Johnson (111 att, 543 yards) has the experience to transition into the starting role. There is no doubt that the Bulls are going to score points, but where they need to grow is on the defensive side of the ball. That’s where defensively-minded Strong should really help. 8 starters return from a team that allowed 482 yards per game and 31.6 ppg, but MLB Auggie Sanchez returns to build off a special 2016 where he finished 2nd in the AAC with 119 tackles as well as adding in 6 sacks and an interception. DT Hector Bruce and CB Deatrick Nichols also return. The Bulls have an easy OOC schedule, but do have to travel to Philadelphia, Houston, and Tulsa in conference play. It’s always tough to recruit at a non-P5 school, but particularly when there is a coaching change. Give Charli Strong some time for his 2018 class before we judge too harshly. He will be a factor in Florida as 17 of the 18 recruits signed from the Sunshine State.
19. Louisville
- Offense: 6 seniors (Staples – WR, Quick – WR, Hunter – LG, Hughley – C, Towbridge – TE, Radcliffe - RB)
- Defense: 5 seniors (Bailey – RDE, Brown – NT, Kelsey – ILB, Fields – OLB, Harvey-Clemons – S)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 0 (N/A)
- Total returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense, 2 ST
To be completely honest, I didn’t buy Louisville in 2016. Now after losing 11 starters – including 2 of Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson’s #2 and #3 WRs, 2 offensive lineman, and a starting running back – I’m selling them even more. A defense that ranked 3# in the ACC in yards per game loses 5 senior starters including 4 in the front 7 and 4 of their top 7 tacklers in 2016. DE Chris Williams will go into his senior season with a lot of responsibility taking over the right side of the DL. He had 29 tackles including 5.5 TFL in 2016. Issac Stewart and Jonathan Greenard will need to step into their respective LB positions and perform at a high level. The two combined for 46 total tackles in the 2016 season. They benefit from a pillow-soft OOC schedule featuring Purdue, Kent State, and Murray State before the Bluegrass showdown against Kentucky. They also get Clemson at home, but travel to Florida State, NC State, and North Carolina. Considering the schedule, the Cardinals should be expected to win at least 8 games with a few 50/50 games mixed in. Lamar Jackson struggled down the stretch and loses 3 of his top weapons next year. If the Cards can manage a 9-3 season, it should be considered a major success. Lamar Jackson’s fame wasn’t enough to get the Cards into the top 25 for recruiting in 2017, but their #28 class still has some nice parts. The top 6 players from the class come in on the offensive side of the ball. WR Russ Yeast is my pick to be the biggest early contributor.
20. Northwestern
- Offense: 2 seniors (Car – WR, Olson – R )
- Defense: 1 seniors (Robbins – DE)
- Special Teams: 1 seniors (Mitchell – PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 3 (Walker – MLB )
- Total returning starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense, 1 ST
A 6-6 (5-4) regular season before beating Pitt in the Pinstripe Bowl would likely be considered a “bad” season by Pat Fitzgerald’s standards, especially coming off a 10-3 season in 2015. When really break down the Wildcats’ season, you see tremendous growth which will catapult them into 2017. After starting 0-2 with losses to MAC champion Western Michigan (doesn’t look as bad in hindsight) and a head-scratching 9-7 loss to FCS Illinois State (no way to spin that one), the season looked bleak. The Cats eventually started the year 1-3 before going 6-3 the rest of the way including a 4-point loss in Columbus. Over their last 9 games, NW averaged almost 29 ppg offensively and allowed about 22 ppg. While the offense will need to find a replacement for All-B1G WR Austin Carr, the future is bright for QB Clayton Thorson. It also helps immensely that star RB Justin Jackson is returning for his senior season. Defensively, a unit that steadily improved as the year went on will have 9 returning starters. The vacancy that their leader and MIKE Anthony Walker, Jr. left will be priority #1 for Fitzgerald and the staff, but Texas product Nathan Fox will look to take control of the position in his RS sophomore season. The biggest 2017 tests will be a September 30th trip to Madison followed by a home matchup Oct 7th against Penn State. NW gets troubled Michigan State and rebuilding Maryland as their other East crossover games with the Spartans visiting Ryan Field. NW could be in the thick of the B1G West race. The Wildcats failed to land a 4* player out of high school this recruiting cycle, but landed a clutch transfer in WR Jalen Brown. Brown, formerly an Oregon Duck, may be able to fill in nicely for the graduating Austin Carr.
21. Ole Miss
- Offense: 1 seniors (Adaboyejo – WR, Engram – TE, Judd - RB)
- Defense: 5 seniors (Jones – NT, Brown – DT, Mageo – MLB, Conner – Nickel, Jones – BCB)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Stringfellow - WR)
- Total returning starters: 9 Offense, 6 Defense, 2 ST
How did a team that had huge leads on FSU and Alabama in September finish the season with a dreadful 5-7 (2-6) record? Well losing Ken Webster and Eric Swinney for the season in Week 1 didn’t help. They then lost their second RB Jordan Wilkins to ineligibility, WR D.K. Metcalf in week 2, leading tackler DeMarquis Gates got banged up in Week 3, OL Robert Conyers and Sean Rawlings weren’t at 100% if they could even get on the field, DE John Youngblood had his share of bumps and bruises, and then QB Chad Kelly blew out his knee ending his season and his college career. There is no team – not named Alabama – that could overcome those issues. The good news is that injuries forced the Rebs to develop depth and give players experience headed into 2017. There may be no player that benefited from playing time than freshman Phenom QB Shea Patterson who lead Ole Miss back to upset then top-25 Texas A&M in College Station, TX. That’s about where the charm ended in the 2016 season as the Rebels were destroyed by Vanderbilt and Egg Bowl Rival Mississippi State to end the year. Still, there is enough talent and experience on this team to battle back into the top 25. Freshman WR Van Jefferson emerged as a big threat. A team that finished 3rd in the SEC in yards per game should continue to move the ball and put points on the board. The big concern here is defense where Ole Miss was 13/14 in sacks and interceptions in 2016. They have to replace 4 of their front 7, but head coach Huge Freeze has recruited well on that side of the ball. An 8-4 season may be setting the bar high, but it is not unrealistic. Maybe the most disappointing recruiting class of 2017’s cycle came out of Oxford. The Rebs signed just four 4* players and finished ranked #39. Not bad class for most schools, but when you finish #8, #21, #19, and #7 the previous 4 years, it’s a letdown. Linebackers Breon Dixon and Mohamed Sanogo are going to be big time players, but Ole Miss may have to rely on 3* DT Tae-Kion Reed to supply depth this fall.
22. Notre Dame
- Offense: 2 seniors (Harrell – RG, Smythe – TE)
- Defense: 4 seniors (Jones – DT, Rochell – DE, Onwualu – OLB, Luke – CB)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Kizer - QB)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense, 2 ST
I feel weird putting the Irish in this spot. An abysmal 4-8 record during the 2016 season and loss of QB Deshone Kizer usually are the recipe for a top-25 team. Something just tells me that when backup up against a wall and sitting on a seat that is growing ever hotter Brian Kelly will find a way to put a solid product on the field. There is far too much talent on the ND roster to duplicate a season like last. The Irish add Georgia to the schedule in 2017, but get them in South Bend. Aside from that game, ND will likely be considered the favorite in the rest of the games through the first half of the schedule. A 5-1 ND squad has a bye week before the SC Trojans come into town. The biggest toss-up I see is going to Miami to take on the Canes late in the year. Right now, I see Notre Dame as a 9-3 team. Running back Josh Adams is developing into a star and somebody the Irish can lean on early in the year as the new QB settles in. At this point, it looks like Jersey product Brandon Wimbush is the odds on favorite to win the job. A veteran OL, anchored by tackle Mike Mclinchey, should also be a strength for the team. Leading tackler MLB Nyles Morgan will be back and will look to outdo his 94-tackle season. ND Finished at lucky #13 in the recruiting rankings and stockpiled some great talent at the TE position: Brock Wright and Cole Kmet. Grabbing OL’s Robert Hainsey and Josh Lugg as well as DT Kurt Hinish out of western Pennsylvania were huge grabs despite a big season from Penn State and a horrendous one for ND.
23. Michigan
- Offense: 8 seniors (Darboh – WR, Chesson – WR, Braden – LT, Kalis – RG, Magnuson – RT, Butt – TE, Hill – FB, Smith – RB)
- Defense: 10* seniors (Wormley – DE, Godin – NT, Glasgow – DT, Charlton – DE, Gedeon – LB, McCray – WLB, Lewis – CB, Stribling – CB, Thomas – SS, Hill – FS)
- Special Teams: 1* seniors (Allen – *P and PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Peppers – OLB)
- Total returning starters: 3 Offense, 0 Defense, 0 ST
I thought long and hard about this. I had them as high as #15 to as low as being out of the top 25, but I settled on a happy medium. I do think there is substantial talent on the roster despite losing almost every single starter from a year ago. Guys like Rashaan Gary, Grant Newsome, Chris Evans, and Devin Bush played important snaps for the Wolverines last year and had plenty of starts as well. Jim Harbaugh is also a great X’a and O’s coach with an impressive track record so it’s hard to imagine him letting things slip too far. As much of a pro-style, I-formation offense as they’ve run in the past, it’ll be interesting to see how QB Wilton Speight responds when he is called on to be the guy making plays – especially without his two superstar wideouts. Chris Evans is going to be a star, this fall might be the season he becomes a household name. The season starts off with a major test when UM faces Florida in Jerry World Week 1. The schedule is fairly manageable before a road test in Happy Valley October 21st. Michigan also has to travel to Wisconsin, but gets OSU at home to close the regular season. Michigan should handle most of their schedule putting them in the 8 to 10 win range. Not bad for a “down” year. Once again the draw to UM was strong in recruiting. Michigan ended with the #4 class with three 5* and sixteen 4* players. Look for 5* DT Aubrey Solomon to play a big role in 2017. WR Donavon Peoples-Jones could slide into a starting role on the perimeter and linebackers Jordan Anthony and Drew Singleton should be expected to get significant PT.
24. Texas
- Offense: 3 seniors (Warrick – WR, Perkins – RG, Blueitt – TE)
- Defense: 1 seniors (Haines - SS)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Dominigue - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Foreman – RB)
- Total returning starters: 7 Offense, 10 Defense, 1 ST
So the coach for the #19 team gets run out of town for the team I have listed at #25? How does that make any sense? Maybe it’s partially due to brand-bias and the fact that Texas should be perennially good. Or maybe it’s because they were one of the youngest teams in the country and return almost their entire team. 10 starters return on defense and should certainly improve on their 2016 effort. The Longhorns averaged 31.9 ppg and allowed an average of 31.5 ppg. Even Iowa State allowed less ppg than Texas. An offense that seemed to lack explosive plays now loses its workhorse in RB D’Onta Foreman who ran a whopping 323 times for 2,028 yards which accounted for 34.4% of all offensive yardage gained and nearly 71% of the rushing yardage by Texas in 2016. Despite a trip to Southern Cal in September, the burnt orange gets most of their toughest opponents at home or on neutral sites (KSU, OU, OK State). New head coach Tom Herman has been innovative with his offenses in the past and with a roster full of 4 and 5 star mega recruits, you have to think he’ll have a field day against Big XII defenses. First team All-Big XII LT Connor Williams returns as does 2nd teamer DL Breckyn Hager. Qb Shane Buechele returns for his sophomore campaign and ultra-talented. Honestly, this is more about a new coach and change of pace than anything. Herman might just click with these players better than hard-nosed Charlie Strong ever did. It’s very strange to look through recruiting rankings and need to scroll two, three, or four times to get to the iconic Longhorn logo, but Texas hauled in just the #31 class in the 2017 cycle. Blame part of it on the turmoil surrounding Charlie Strong, but Herman isn’t completely off the hook. He lost some major in-state prospects, including kids he had relationships with while recruiting at Houston. Even still, there is nice talent coming in. LB Gary Johnson can move with the best of em and lay the boom as well. WR Damion Miller may get a chance to shine early and impress his new coach.
25. Oregon
- Offense: 3 seniors (Hunt – RG, Mundt – TE, Brown – TE)
- Defense: 1 seniors (Ragin – WLB)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 0 (N/A)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 10 Defense, 2 ST
Oregon has fallen hard and fast…. and it wasn’t for love. Playing in the BCS championship game seems so long ago for Duck fans, especially after a horrible 4-8 (2-7) season. That record lost Mike Helfrich his job and brought in new CEO Willie Taggert. Taggert, who lead one of the most explosive offenses in college football during the 2016 season and USF, will attempt to bring back excitement to Autzen Stadium. It’s been a rocky start and there are already questions about whether or not his disciplinary technique will be a good fit, but make no mistake, this guy can coach. He has some nice pieces to build around including QB Justin Herbert, RB Royce Freeman, and a very young but talented OL where 4 freshmen starters will return as experience sophomores. The loss of Pharaoh Brown to graduation and WR Jalen Brown to transfer will hurt, but the Ducks rebuilding process does not start and end with them. Oregon returns 10 starters on defense – a defense that ranked 11th in the conference in scoring defense, total defense, and rushing defense and 10th in pass defense. Rising sophomore LB Troy Dye finished top-10 in the conference in tackles in 2016 with 91 and also finished the year with 6.5 sacks. CB Aaron Springs has 12 PBUs as a backup last year and should compete for a starting spot in 2017. There are bright spots on the defense, but they’re young. It’s worth noting that Oregon finished #18 in the country for their 2017 recruiting class, quite an accomplishment. Athlete Deommodore Lenoir is a much needed star in the defensive backfield and will be on the field this fall. Linebackers Sampson Niu and Issac Slade-Matautia have bright futures and the future may be sooner rather than later.
1. Alabama
- Offense: 3 seniors (Dieter - WR, Kirven - RG, Howard - TE)
- Defense: 5 seniors (Allen - DE, Thomlinson - DE, Williams - JLB, Anderson - SLB, Foster - WLB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Griffith - P)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Robinson - OT, Humphrey -CB)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 5 Defense, 1 ST
Let's be honest, until somebody knocks Bama off the throne they're on they are going to be #1. From 2014-2017, they have landed 21 five star players... a quarter of a normal 85-man roster. Saban continues to lose assistant coaches and continues to replace them seamlessly. Kiffen to Sark will be no different. Oh, andJalen Hurtsis a TRUE FRESHMAN. Running backBo Scarboroughis just the next in line of excellent Bama backs. Oh and the defense? Reload, reload, reload. Bama also signed the #1 class in the country… again… for 2017 including seven 5* players. OT Alex Leatherwood has the size and ability to challenge for Robinson’s vacated OT spot as a true freshman.
2. Florida State
- Offense: 3 seniors (Whitfield - WR, Are - LG, Stevenson - FB)
- Defense: 2 seniors (Walker - DE, White - CB)
- Special Teams: 0 senior (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Cook - RB, Johnson - LT)
- Total returning starters: 6 Offense, 9 Defense, 2 ST
People look at the drubbing Louisville laid on the Seminoles September 17th like it will define them forever. Ask Penn State and USC how much September beat downs mean. Their other two losses were a stunner by 2 to UNC and a close 3-point loss to Clemson - who is in their second straight national title game. Additionally, the cupboard is overflowing with talent to replace the few missing ingredients they need for a ACC title run and a CFP push.Deondre Francios- just a RS-FR - is tough as nails and has grown more and more each week. FSU came in at #5 for the 2017 recruiting rankings and pulled 3 of the top 6 players in the country. Expect DT Marvin Wilson to make an immediate impact up front. DE Josh Kaindoh may see significant time as well. I’m keeping an eye on RB Cam Akers, he could end up being a future Heisman candidate.
3. Ohio State
- Offense: 1 seniors (Elflein - C)
- Defense: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Special Teams: 2 senior (Durbin - PK, Johnston - P)
- Likely early NFL entries: 4 (Conley - CB, Hooker - S, McMillan – LB, Brown – WR, Samuel –WR/RB)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense, 0 ST
It's uncommon to go 11-2 and have people consider it a failure of a season. After OSU's thrashing at the hands of Clemson, most have written them off as an afterthought for 2017 and just another case of an overrated B1G conference. What most people forget is that OSU is one of the youngest teams in the country and, barring any additional NFL declarations likethey could return as many as 16 starters from an 11-1 regular season team that disrobed Oklahoma, beat Michigan and Wisconsin, and lost by 3 on the road to an excellent Penn State squad. Don’t overlook the special teams losses, though. CanJT Barretdevelop more as a passing threat? If so, Urban Meyer has a team poised to make yet another CFP run in 2017. OSU’s #2 recruiting class includes six 5* players, but DE Chase Young, DB Shaun Wade, and LB Baron Browning are the cream of the crop.
4. Oklahoma
- Offense: 2 seniors (Westbrook - WR, Wren - C, )
- Defense: 4 seniors (Wade - DT, Roberts - DE, Evans - ILB, A. Thomas - FS)
- Special Teams: 0 senior (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Perine - RB, Walker - DT)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 6 Defense, 0 ST
Remember what I said about Florida State's loss to Louisville in September? Same can be said for Oklahoma's no-show in Norman against the Buckeyes. A lot has been made about the youth of teams like Ohio State, Penn State, and USC, but not many people realize that Boomer Sooner returns 8 starters on offense including QBBaker Mayfieldwho finished 3rd in the 2016 Heisman voting. A lot has also been made of Penn State and USC's poor Septembers and incredible turn arounds, yet the 1-2 start for OU has defined their year despite winning 10 straight (including the Big XII and Sugar Bowl) to close out the year. Don't sleep on this team. If they can get a road win in Columbus next September, they shouldn't be challenged again until Bedlam. OU came in at #7 in the recruiting rankings. Can WR Cedarian Lamb fill the void left by Westbrook?
5. Southern California
- Offense: 4 seniors (Rogers - WR, Wheeler - LT, Banner - RT, McNamara - TE)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Tu'ikolovatu - NT, Hutchings - ILB, McQuay - SS)
- Special Teams: 0 senior (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Smith-Schuster - WR, Jackson - CB)
- Total returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense, 2 ST
Looking back at the year, the emergence ofSam Darnoldthis year may be one of the biggest stories of 2016. A redshirt freshman with a bazooka arm, pocket presence and awareness well beyond his years, and good mobility to boot, Darnold could end up a future first-round NFL draft pick. of course, it helps to play behind arguably the best OL in college football. The Trojans allowed a combined 4 sacks in their last 9 games of 2016 (all wins). Replacing both OT will not be an easy task nor will losingRogersandSmith-Schusterwho are two of the most physically gifted WR in the nation. Don't be thrown off by Penn State's 49-point performance in the Rose Bowl, SC returns 7 starters to an extremely athletic defense in 2017. I think the "instant classic" Rose Bowl may have overvalued USC's 2017 projection a little, but I do expect them to be the Pac 12 Champions and in the CFP discussion. The Rose Bowl victory certainly helped SC close down the stretch on the recruiting trail. They climbed all the way to #6 in the rankings thanks to six 4* commitments on National Signing Day. RB Stephen Carr is the best player you never heard of.
6. Clemson
- Offense: 2 seniors (Guillermo - C, Legget - TE)
- Defense: 4 seniors (Watkins - DT, Boulware - WLB, Johnson - SS, Tankersley - CB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Teasdall - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 5 (Watson - QB, Williams - WR, Scott - WR, Gallman - RB, Crowder - RG)
- Total returning starters: 4 Offense, 7 Defense, 1 ST
Clemson will inevitably take a step back next year from back-to-back national title games, but don't expect them to fall off the face of the earth. The Tigers will have a stout defense built around a young and very talented DL (Wilkins, Lawrence, Farrell). Clemson hasn't had trouble recruiting elite skill position players, but they need to replace their QB (35 starts), #1 RB (37 starts), and top two WR (combined 163 receptions, 1,875 yards, 15 TD), #1 TE (39-641-7), and two offensive linemen. Too much fire power to replace for another NC run, but they are a win against FSU away from another ACC title. Don’t let Clemson’s #22 ranked class fool you. With only 14 kids, they had to take quality over quantity. They did that with 5* QB Hunter Johnson, 5* WR Tee Higgins, and 5* DB AJ Terrell. A small class also means very little roster turnover. While the Tigers need to replace key starters, they have a boatload of experience returning in 2017.
7. Penn State
- Offense: 1 seniors (Gaia- C)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Schwan - DE, Bell - LB, Golden - SS)
- Special Teams: 0 senior (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Sickels- FS, Godwin - WR)
- Total returning starters: 9 Offense, 7 Defense, 2 ST
The best story in college football for 2016, Cinderella State's clock struck midnight in Pasadena Monday night (maybe because the game was 4 hours and 15 minutes). Still, the resurgence of Penn State cannot be overlooked. Picked against in nearly every game during their 9-game winning streak, the Nittany Lions defied all odds and was a few miscues away from snatching the Rose Bowl title away from pseudo-home team USC. A couple of big losses to the NFL include WRChris Godwinand emerging star DEGarrett Sickels. Run-stuffing safetyMarcus Allensnubbed the NFL to return for his senior year giving Penn State an anchor at the back of the secondary. Even without the two early NFL draftees, Penn State still returns 16 starters from a team that went 11-2 in the regular season with a B1G championship. Oh yeah, if you haven't done so yet maybe check out someSaquon Barkleyhighlights on YouTube. Penn State came in at #12 in the recruiting rankings, James Franklin’s best class to date, and despite the abundance of returning starters and backups it’s easy to suspect that freak athlete DB Lamont Wade will not only get his feet wet in 2017, but challenge for the starting safety spot left by Golden.
8. Wisconsin
- Offense: 2 seniors (Wheelwright - WR, Houston - QB, Clement - RB)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Biegel - OLB, Musso - FS, Shelton - CB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Endicott - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 2 (Watt - OLB,Ramczyk- LT)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense, 1 ST
Running the ball, good defense, cheese, and beer. It's been a successful recipe in Madison for decades and even in the new era of spread-em-out football, the Badgers were still successful going "old-school". After one of the toughest schedules in the country (LSU, OSU, at Michigan, Penn State in the B1G title), it was nice for Wisconsin to get an "easy" matchup in the Cotton Bowl against Western Michigan (and it might not be the last time Paul Chryst goes against PJ Fleck). While the Badgers offense loses some key parts, QBAlex Hornibrookand RBDare Ogunbowaleboth played significant roles for the team.Jazz Peavyshould return which will help stabilize the offense as well as the return game. A stout defense loses it's two best playmakers Beigel and Watt, but return star ILBsRyan ConnellyandTJ Edwards. Wisconsin is rewarded with a much easier schedule in 2017 than 2016 facing Utah State and Lane Kiffin's Florida Atlantic Owls before heading to Pravo to face a tricky BYU team. They do go to Lincoln, but get Michigan in Camp Randall and replace Michigan State and Ohio State with Maryland and Indiana. Expect the Badgers to be near the top of the B1G west come November. The Big Cheese had the #35 recruiting class, but don’t take that too seriously. Wisconsin is one of the nation’s best at identifying under the radar talent and coaching up the players they get. As usual, their haul includes a stud super-sized OL in Kayden Lyles who had offers from just about every major program in the country. It helps when he’s from Madison, WI. Could QB Jack Coan be the answer to the quarterback carousel someday?
9. Washington
- Offense: 3 seniors (Eldrencamp - LG, Brostek - RG, Daniels - TE)
- Defense: 2 seniors (Wooching - LB, King - CB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Van Winkle)
- Likely early NFL entries: 4 (Ross - WR, Jones - CB, Baker - FS, Qualls - DT)
- Total returning starters: 7 Offense, 6 Defense, 1 ST
Arguably the most debated team of 2016, Washington's 12-1 regular season was only blemished by white-hot Southern Cal. Though the game was never in doubt, the Huskies put up a fight for a while against Alabama in the CFP - a game that was essentially a Tide home game. Washington has some big shoes to fill in 2017, but should still be the odds on favorite to win the Pac 12 North and face (probably) Southern Cal for the conference crown. If Peterson can sure-up the interior of his OL and find enough playmakers to replace 3/4 of the U-Dub secondary, they should easily be on their way to another 10+ win season. Biggest issue for Washington next year? To make the CFP again, they may have to go undefeated as they have a cotton-soft OOC schedule (at Rutgers, Montana, and Fresno State).Jake Browningemerged as a star in 2016, but without his go-to WR,Dante Pettiswill have to step into the role as game breaker. Maybe 4* WR Tyrell Bynum cane take some of the pressure off as U-Dub went into California to steal a star. He joins six more 4* recruits in the nation’s #23 class.
10. Oklahoma State
- Offense: 4 seniors (Seales - WR, Jarwin - TE/FB, Salako - LT, Wilson - RG)
- Defense: 6 seniors (Maile - DT, Burton - SLB, Averette - WLB, Lampkin - CB, Pipkins - CB, Sterns FS)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Grogan - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Taylor - DT)
- Total returning starters: 7 Offense, 4 Defense, 1 ST
Little surprised to see the Pokes so high? I was too when I went through the information and placed them in this spot. By now you should have this embedded in your sub-conscious: September losses are not the be-all, end-all (let alone losses that were a direct result of an officiating error). Yes, they lost to Baylor early in the year... before the bottom fell out of the Bears' season, but we'll forgive them because why? (hint, it was in September). The 38-20 loss to arch-rival OU was not enough to derail them from absolute domination of #10 Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. The Buffs, considered one of the best defenses in the nation, was picked apart in a 38-8 romping by OK State. QBMason Rudolphwill return for his season season to anchor a potent offensive attack that ranked 3rd in the Big XII. If Mike Gundy and his epic mullet can find a way to replace the production of the 2016 defense (6th in the conference in total defense, but 3rd in scoring defense), the Cowboys could surprise many as they're most difficult game (Oklahoma) is in Stillwater. Despite a great year, the Pokes still play second fiddle to the Big XII teams around them. They managed just three 4* players and the nation’s #37 class. Naturally, these 4* players include two WR and an athlete. If you can’t stop ‘em, just out score them.
11. Auburn
- Offense: 3 seniors (Stevens – WR, Kozan – LG, Leff – RT)
- Defense: 2 seniors (Adams – DT, Hosley – CB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Phillips - P)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Lawson – DE)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense, 1 ST
This Auburn team did not get much attention this season. At 8-4 (5-3), why would they? When you dig into the schedule, there is actually a lot more to like than dislike. They played 4 games this year decided by 7 or less and went 2-2. One of those games was against Clemson. For a team returning 16 starters, that experience matters. The 2017 schedule is tough (at Clemson, at LSU, at TAMU. Sean White, Kamryn Pettway, and Kerryon Johnson – sophomores in 2017 – return next year to lead a potent rushing attack, but former 5* recruit QB Jarrett Stidham transfers in and will compete for the starting spot. As team that finished #1 in the SEC in rushing yards per game and dead last in passing yards per game, the Tigers will need to find more balance in 2017 and Stidham may help with that. They will need to fill the void Carl Lawson leaves. Lawson leads the team with 9 sacks in 2016. Auburn had yet another top-15 recruiting class this year (#14), but no recruit was bigger (literally and figuratively) than DC product OL Calvin Ashley. They also bolstered up their LB depth with 4* backers Tadarian Moultry and K.J. Britt.
12. Georgia
- Offense: 3 seniors (Catalina – LT, Kublanow – C, Pyke – RT)
- Defense: 1 seniors (Smith - STAR)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (McKenzie – WR, )
- Total returning starters: 7 Offense, 10 Defense, 2 ST
2016 was a roller coaster season for first year coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs. After starting 3-0 – including wins over UNC and at Missouri – UGA went on to lose 4 of their next 5 games. What’s worst is that Georgia failed to score 17 or more points in 3 of the 4 losses. After getting back on track and beating Auburn in a 13-7 upset in Athens, the Dawgs lost a heartbreaker to in-state rival Georgia Tech. What will propel the squad into 2017 is a Liberty Bowl win over TCU 31-23. Georgia ranked #16 nationally in total defense and T-35 in scoring defense and returns nearly every starter on that side of the ball. Star QB in the making Jacob Eason is back with some experience and an off-season of film study under his belt. To make matters easier, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel return in the backfield for their senior seasons. UGA will need to replace 3 starters on the OL, never an easy task, but they have the talent and depth to do so. Remember the name Roquon Smith. The sophomore recorded 92 tackles (6th in the SEC) from his linebacker position. A September road trip to South Bend may tell us a lot about how good this team can be. A fairly favorable schedule, but trips to Knoxville and Auburn will be challenging. If Kirby Smart ends up being half the HC as he is a recruiter, the Dawgs are going to be a thorn in the side of all SEC teams. The #3 class, in addition to its usual supply of southern skill, also includes three players from the northeast: Brooklyn OL Isaiah Wilson & Pennsylvania products RB D’Andre Swift and WR Mark Webb.
13. LSU
- Offense: 4 seniors (Dural – WR, Pocic – C, Boutte – RG, Jeter – TE)
- Defense: 4 seniors (Neal – DE, Bower – OLB, Riley – ILB, White – CB)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Delahoussaye - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 3 (Fournette – RB, Adams – S, Gochaux - DE)
- Total returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense, 1 ST
Yes, LSU is #13 that is not a misprint. It’s easy to look at the 7-4 (5-3) record and the fact that only half the starters return…no Fournette…. and wonder why that’s possible. Throw the 2016 record out the window, this team dealt with a lot including the firing of long-time head coach Les Miles. LSU was 2-2 before Miles was shown the door. Interim – and now full-time head coach – Ed Ogeron guided the Tigers to a 5-2 recorded through the rest of the regular season and then a 29-9 dismantling of Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson and Louisville. During the 8 games under Ogeron, the LSU defense allowed a measly 15.25 ppg. The key for 2017 hinges on the consistency of the offense. In LSU’s 6 wins under Ogeron, the Bayou Bengals averaged 41.0 ppg. In their two losses - 5.0 ppg. If WR Malachi Dupre decides to return then there is an instant impact player on the perimeter and in the kicking game. Anything through the air will help as LSU was #12 in passing yards/ gam and 4th in rushing. Even without Fournette, look for the ground game to be strong behind Derrius Guice who led the SEC in yards (1,387) despite only 183 attempts. The decision to name Ogeron as HC early paid huge dividends in recruiting. The Tigers came in at #8 landing three 5* and twelve 4* players. Known as a defensive mind, Ogeron wasted no time in strengthening his defense with 5* players DT Tyler Shelvin, DB JaCoby Stevens, and LB Jacob Phillips. All three could see the significant playing time this fall.
14. Stanford
- Offense: 4 seniors (Rector – WR, Owusu – WR, Caspers – RG, Bright – RT)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Kalambayi – OLB, Palma – ILB, Lloyd – SS)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Ukropina - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (McCaffery - RB)
- Total returning starters: 6 Offense, 8 Defense, 1 ST
I’ve always thought David Shaw was a great head coach. 2016 may have changed my opinion from “think” to “know”. Shaw was still able to guide Stanford to the most quiet 10-win season in recent memory. It’s not that long ago that a 10-win year in Palo Alto was unimaginable, but now it’s looked at as the norm which is maybe why there is so little hype surrounding this team headed into 2017. Losing Heisman candidate Christian McCaffery is a huge blow. He was dinged up for parts of the season – or just unavailable in general like in the bowl game – and was still able to collect 1600+ yards on the ground. It’ll be a challenge to replace him, but former R150 and rising junior Bryce Love will be the feature back for 2017. Love tallied 115 yards on 22 carries in the bowl game and 779 yards on 112 carries (7.0 ypc) for the season. The biggest question mark is who will be under center to start the season. Starter Keller Chryst went down with a knee injury in the second quarter of the game and Virginia product Ryan Burns looked uncomfortable. The Cardinal defense ranked #38 over and #18 in scoring defense during the 2016 season and returns 8 starters. DE Soloman Thomas and DT Harrision Phillips return after combining for 14 sacks in 2016. The schedule is tough in ’17 with trips to the LA Coliseum and Seattle as well as adding Utah and Arizona State to round out the non-divisional crossover games. Another small class like we saw with Clemson, but the 14-player #19 class from Stanford is special. Shaw got a prototypical Stanford QB in 5* Davis Mills (Georgia) and two 5* freak-OL stars to protect him in Walker Little (Texas) and Foster Sarell (Washington).
15. Kansas State
- Offense: 1 seniors (Burton – WR, Johnson – RG, Jones - RB)
- Defense: 4.5* seniors (Willis – DE, Davis – LB, Moore – LB, Starks – NB, Barnett – SS)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 0 (N/A)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense*, 2 ST
I’ll admit it, I’m probably definitely over-rating KSU here, but I love what Bill Snyder has done with this team. 9-4 (6-3) and a win over TAMU in the AdvoCare bowl, yet nobody is talking about the Cats and their 15 returning starters. KSU’s 3 Big XII losses came to WVU (road by 1-point), Oklahoma (road), and Oklahoma State (lead 37-28 with 12:21 before the Cowboy comeback). KSU ranked 5th in the conference scoring 32.2 ppg, but was #1 in defensive scoring (22.3 ppg) and rushing defense (115 ypg). An area of weakness was the aerial attack… on both sides of the ball. KSU was dead last in passing offense and 9th in passing defense. Qb Jesse Ertz returns for his senior year after rushing for over 1,000 yards in 2016 but will need to find a way to keep defenses honest with his arm. Defensively, LB Elijah Lee and his 110 tackles (3rd in the conference) return to lead a solid defensive unit. They will miss senior DE Jordan Willis who lead the conference with 11.5 sacks. Look for former 4* Tanner Wood to take over the vacated DE position. As usual, the ‘Cats struggled on the recruiting trail coming in with just the #61 class in the nation and – as usual – expect coaching guru Bill Snyder to get the most out of what he has. There aren’t many candidates for immediate playing time, but Oregon product and 4* LB Daniel Green fits the bill. Given the vacancies left by Davis and Moore, I expect to see Green early and often.
16. Florida
- Offense: 1 senior (Appleby – QB)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Ivey – NT, McMillian – SLB, Davis – MLB)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 3 (Anzalone – LB, Sharpe – LT, Tabor – CB, Wilson - CB)
- Total returning starters: 10 Offense, 4 Defense, 2 ST
Florida has too much talent to underperform again, right? Right? Riiiiiight? One of the most ferocious defenses in college football in 2016, the Gators will need to replace 7 starters. NT Khairi Clark, LB Vosean Joseph, LB Kaylan Johnson, CB Joseph Putu, and CB Chris Williamson will have the biggest shoes to fill. Don’t be surprised in true freshmen DE Zachary Carter and DB Elijah Blades see time for the Gator defense. When it comes to 2017 success, the discussion begins and ends with offensive production. You can always count on an athletic and talented defense, but Florida has had no offensive identity since Urban Meyer left. Florida was 14th out of 14 in the SEC in total offensive yards (4,472… 46 yards less than anemic South Carolina). They ranked 6th in passing yards per game but a disappointing 14th in rushing per game. Luke Del Rio, the starting QB to begin 2016, will need to take a major step forward in 2017 after losing his job to Austin Appleby. If not, former 4* recruit Felipe Franks will likely take the reins. Florida returns 4 of its starting 5 OL, so look for more consistency there. Opening the year in Arlington against Michigan might seem like an impossible task, but the Wolverines will be replacing anywhere from 17 to 21 starters. Good of a time as any for the Gators to steal one. Also get Tennesse, LSU, and Florida State in the Swamp. Schedule sets up perfectly for them if they can just figure out how to score. Jim McIlwain set himself up for the future with a great class in 2017. Checking in at #9, the Gators gobbled up fifteen 4* players with much of the work concentrated on the trenches. OL Kadeem Telfort, DE Zachary Carter, and DT Elijah Conliffe can be viewed as the jewels of the class.
17. Georgia Tech
- Offense: 2 seniors (Burden – C, Thomas – QB)
- Defense: 4 seniors (Kallon – DT, Gamble – DT, Rook-Chungong – DE, Davis – OLB)
- Special Teams: 2 seniors (Butker – P, Rodwell - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 0 (N/A)
- Total returning starters: 9 Offense, 7 Defense, 0 ST
Let me just say that I love the triple option. When a team that ranks #1 in the conference in rushing returns 9 starters, I like that even more. QB Justin Thomas moves on and finding another signal caller will be imperative to the Yellow Jackets’ success. Jordan Matthews will probably get the first crack at it. If the Ramblin’ Wreck offense can be as effective in 2017 as they were in 2016, then expect the defense to be much better. They will return 7 starters from a team that was middle of the pack in the ACC, but the added experience should yield better results. Any time a team replaces ¾ of a defensive line, eyebrows are raised. DT Brantavious Glanton is a potential breakout star for GT. Again, with the ball possession triple-option, the defense may be needed for fewer snaps than normal. They open the year in Mercedes-Benz Dome against Tennessee and end the season as always against Georgia (at Bobby Dodd). For in-conference, they get UNC, Pitt, VT, and Wake forest at home. They go to Duke and Virginia, but also have road trips to Miami and Clemson. GT signed the #41 class in 2017 and made defense a focal point. All four 4* players were on that side of the ball: DB Gentry Bonds, DB Tre Swilling, DB Kaleb Oliver, and LB Bruce Jordan-Swilling.
18. South Florida
- Offense: 3 seniors (Adams – WR, Amichia – LT, Threatt – RG)
- Defense: 3 seniors (Harris – WLB, Godwin – SS, Ward - CB)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Mack - RB)
- Total returning starters: 7 Offense, 8 Defense, 2 ST
Lane Kiffin to Florida Atlantic took a lot of press away from what was a brilliant hire in Tampa. A USF program that was revitalized under Willie Taggart – now at Oregon – will now be led by Charlie Strong. Ignore the riff-raff from his brief time in Austin, TX and recall that Strong lead Louisville to a 23-3 record and back to back top 15 finishes in 2012 and 2013 before becoming the most coveted head coach in college football in January, 2014. What Strong inherits at USF is not a rebuilding project like he had in Texas, but rather a team loaded with talent and experience. 7 starters return on offense – including Heisman dark horse and 2016 AAC offensive player of the year QB Quinton Flowers – after finishing #13 in the nation in total yards gained. The loss of RB Marlon Mack to the NFL hurts, but D’Ernest Johnson (111 att, 543 yards) has the experience to transition into the starting role. There is no doubt that the Bulls are going to score points, but where they need to grow is on the defensive side of the ball. That’s where defensively-minded Strong should really help. 8 starters return from a team that allowed 482 yards per game and 31.6 ppg, but MLB Auggie Sanchez returns to build off a special 2016 where he finished 2nd in the AAC with 119 tackles as well as adding in 6 sacks and an interception. DT Hector Bruce and CB Deatrick Nichols also return. The Bulls have an easy OOC schedule, but do have to travel to Philadelphia, Houston, and Tulsa in conference play. It’s always tough to recruit at a non-P5 school, but particularly when there is a coaching change. Give Charli Strong some time for his 2018 class before we judge too harshly. He will be a factor in Florida as 17 of the 18 recruits signed from the Sunshine State.
19. Louisville
- Offense: 6 seniors (Staples – WR, Quick – WR, Hunter – LG, Hughley – C, Towbridge – TE, Radcliffe - RB)
- Defense: 5 seniors (Bailey – RDE, Brown – NT, Kelsey – ILB, Fields – OLB, Harvey-Clemons – S)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 0 (N/A)
- Total returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense, 2 ST
To be completely honest, I didn’t buy Louisville in 2016. Now after losing 11 starters – including 2 of Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson’s #2 and #3 WRs, 2 offensive lineman, and a starting running back – I’m selling them even more. A defense that ranked 3# in the ACC in yards per game loses 5 senior starters including 4 in the front 7 and 4 of their top 7 tacklers in 2016. DE Chris Williams will go into his senior season with a lot of responsibility taking over the right side of the DL. He had 29 tackles including 5.5 TFL in 2016. Issac Stewart and Jonathan Greenard will need to step into their respective LB positions and perform at a high level. The two combined for 46 total tackles in the 2016 season. They benefit from a pillow-soft OOC schedule featuring Purdue, Kent State, and Murray State before the Bluegrass showdown against Kentucky. They also get Clemson at home, but travel to Florida State, NC State, and North Carolina. Considering the schedule, the Cardinals should be expected to win at least 8 games with a few 50/50 games mixed in. Lamar Jackson struggled down the stretch and loses 3 of his top weapons next year. If the Cards can manage a 9-3 season, it should be considered a major success. Lamar Jackson’s fame wasn’t enough to get the Cards into the top 25 for recruiting in 2017, but their #28 class still has some nice parts. The top 6 players from the class come in on the offensive side of the ball. WR Russ Yeast is my pick to be the biggest early contributor.
20. Northwestern
- Offense: 2 seniors (Car – WR, Olson – R )
- Defense: 1 seniors (Robbins – DE)
- Special Teams: 1 seniors (Mitchell – PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 3 (Walker – MLB )
- Total returning starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense, 1 ST
A 6-6 (5-4) regular season before beating Pitt in the Pinstripe Bowl would likely be considered a “bad” season by Pat Fitzgerald’s standards, especially coming off a 10-3 season in 2015. When really break down the Wildcats’ season, you see tremendous growth which will catapult them into 2017. After starting 0-2 with losses to MAC champion Western Michigan (doesn’t look as bad in hindsight) and a head-scratching 9-7 loss to FCS Illinois State (no way to spin that one), the season looked bleak. The Cats eventually started the year 1-3 before going 6-3 the rest of the way including a 4-point loss in Columbus. Over their last 9 games, NW averaged almost 29 ppg offensively and allowed about 22 ppg. While the offense will need to find a replacement for All-B1G WR Austin Carr, the future is bright for QB Clayton Thorson. It also helps immensely that star RB Justin Jackson is returning for his senior season. Defensively, a unit that steadily improved as the year went on will have 9 returning starters. The vacancy that their leader and MIKE Anthony Walker, Jr. left will be priority #1 for Fitzgerald and the staff, but Texas product Nathan Fox will look to take control of the position in his RS sophomore season. The biggest 2017 tests will be a September 30th trip to Madison followed by a home matchup Oct 7th against Penn State. NW gets troubled Michigan State and rebuilding Maryland as their other East crossover games with the Spartans visiting Ryan Field. NW could be in the thick of the B1G West race. The Wildcats failed to land a 4* player out of high school this recruiting cycle, but landed a clutch transfer in WR Jalen Brown. Brown, formerly an Oregon Duck, may be able to fill in nicely for the graduating Austin Carr.
21. Ole Miss
- Offense: 1 seniors (Adaboyejo – WR, Engram – TE, Judd - RB)
- Defense: 5 seniors (Jones – NT, Brown – DT, Mageo – MLB, Conner – Nickel, Jones – BCB)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Stringfellow - WR)
- Total returning starters: 9 Offense, 6 Defense, 2 ST
How did a team that had huge leads on FSU and Alabama in September finish the season with a dreadful 5-7 (2-6) record? Well losing Ken Webster and Eric Swinney for the season in Week 1 didn’t help. They then lost their second RB Jordan Wilkins to ineligibility, WR D.K. Metcalf in week 2, leading tackler DeMarquis Gates got banged up in Week 3, OL Robert Conyers and Sean Rawlings weren’t at 100% if they could even get on the field, DE John Youngblood had his share of bumps and bruises, and then QB Chad Kelly blew out his knee ending his season and his college career. There is no team – not named Alabama – that could overcome those issues. The good news is that injuries forced the Rebs to develop depth and give players experience headed into 2017. There may be no player that benefited from playing time than freshman Phenom QB Shea Patterson who lead Ole Miss back to upset then top-25 Texas A&M in College Station, TX. That’s about where the charm ended in the 2016 season as the Rebels were destroyed by Vanderbilt and Egg Bowl Rival Mississippi State to end the year. Still, there is enough talent and experience on this team to battle back into the top 25. Freshman WR Van Jefferson emerged as a big threat. A team that finished 3rd in the SEC in yards per game should continue to move the ball and put points on the board. The big concern here is defense where Ole Miss was 13/14 in sacks and interceptions in 2016. They have to replace 4 of their front 7, but head coach Huge Freeze has recruited well on that side of the ball. An 8-4 season may be setting the bar high, but it is not unrealistic. Maybe the most disappointing recruiting class of 2017’s cycle came out of Oxford. The Rebs signed just four 4* players and finished ranked #39. Not bad class for most schools, but when you finish #8, #21, #19, and #7 the previous 4 years, it’s a letdown. Linebackers Breon Dixon and Mohamed Sanogo are going to be big time players, but Ole Miss may have to rely on 3* DT Tae-Kion Reed to supply depth this fall.
22. Notre Dame
- Offense: 2 seniors (Harrell – RG, Smythe – TE)
- Defense: 4 seniors (Jones – DT, Rochell – DE, Onwualu – OLB, Luke – CB)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Kizer - QB)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense, 2 ST
I feel weird putting the Irish in this spot. An abysmal 4-8 record during the 2016 season and loss of QB Deshone Kizer usually are the recipe for a top-25 team. Something just tells me that when backup up against a wall and sitting on a seat that is growing ever hotter Brian Kelly will find a way to put a solid product on the field. There is far too much talent on the ND roster to duplicate a season like last. The Irish add Georgia to the schedule in 2017, but get them in South Bend. Aside from that game, ND will likely be considered the favorite in the rest of the games through the first half of the schedule. A 5-1 ND squad has a bye week before the SC Trojans come into town. The biggest toss-up I see is going to Miami to take on the Canes late in the year. Right now, I see Notre Dame as a 9-3 team. Running back Josh Adams is developing into a star and somebody the Irish can lean on early in the year as the new QB settles in. At this point, it looks like Jersey product Brandon Wimbush is the odds on favorite to win the job. A veteran OL, anchored by tackle Mike Mclinchey, should also be a strength for the team. Leading tackler MLB Nyles Morgan will be back and will look to outdo his 94-tackle season. ND Finished at lucky #13 in the recruiting rankings and stockpiled some great talent at the TE position: Brock Wright and Cole Kmet. Grabbing OL’s Robert Hainsey and Josh Lugg as well as DT Kurt Hinish out of western Pennsylvania were huge grabs despite a big season from Penn State and a horrendous one for ND.
23. Michigan
- Offense: 8 seniors (Darboh – WR, Chesson – WR, Braden – LT, Kalis – RG, Magnuson – RT, Butt – TE, Hill – FB, Smith – RB)
- Defense: 10* seniors (Wormley – DE, Godin – NT, Glasgow – DT, Charlton – DE, Gedeon – LB, McCray – WLB, Lewis – CB, Stribling – CB, Thomas – SS, Hill – FS)
- Special Teams: 1* seniors (Allen – *P and PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Peppers – OLB)
- Total returning starters: 3 Offense, 0 Defense, 0 ST
I thought long and hard about this. I had them as high as #15 to as low as being out of the top 25, but I settled on a happy medium. I do think there is substantial talent on the roster despite losing almost every single starter from a year ago. Guys like Rashaan Gary, Grant Newsome, Chris Evans, and Devin Bush played important snaps for the Wolverines last year and had plenty of starts as well. Jim Harbaugh is also a great X’a and O’s coach with an impressive track record so it’s hard to imagine him letting things slip too far. As much of a pro-style, I-formation offense as they’ve run in the past, it’ll be interesting to see how QB Wilton Speight responds when he is called on to be the guy making plays – especially without his two superstar wideouts. Chris Evans is going to be a star, this fall might be the season he becomes a household name. The season starts off with a major test when UM faces Florida in Jerry World Week 1. The schedule is fairly manageable before a road test in Happy Valley October 21st. Michigan also has to travel to Wisconsin, but gets OSU at home to close the regular season. Michigan should handle most of their schedule putting them in the 8 to 10 win range. Not bad for a “down” year. Once again the draw to UM was strong in recruiting. Michigan ended with the #4 class with three 5* and sixteen 4* players. Look for 5* DT Aubrey Solomon to play a big role in 2017. WR Donavon Peoples-Jones could slide into a starting role on the perimeter and linebackers Jordan Anthony and Drew Singleton should be expected to get significant PT.
24. Texas
- Offense: 3 seniors (Warrick – WR, Perkins – RG, Blueitt – TE)
- Defense: 1 seniors (Haines - SS)
- Special Teams: 1 senior (Dominigue - PK)
- Likely early NFL entries: 1 (Foreman – RB)
- Total returning starters: 7 Offense, 10 Defense, 1 ST
So the coach for the #19 team gets run out of town for the team I have listed at #25? How does that make any sense? Maybe it’s partially due to brand-bias and the fact that Texas should be perennially good. Or maybe it’s because they were one of the youngest teams in the country and return almost their entire team. 10 starters return on defense and should certainly improve on their 2016 effort. The Longhorns averaged 31.9 ppg and allowed an average of 31.5 ppg. Even Iowa State allowed less ppg than Texas. An offense that seemed to lack explosive plays now loses its workhorse in RB D’Onta Foreman who ran a whopping 323 times for 2,028 yards which accounted for 34.4% of all offensive yardage gained and nearly 71% of the rushing yardage by Texas in 2016. Despite a trip to Southern Cal in September, the burnt orange gets most of their toughest opponents at home or on neutral sites (KSU, OU, OK State). New head coach Tom Herman has been innovative with his offenses in the past and with a roster full of 4 and 5 star mega recruits, you have to think he’ll have a field day against Big XII defenses. First team All-Big XII LT Connor Williams returns as does 2nd teamer DL Breckyn Hager. Qb Shane Buechele returns for his sophomore campaign and ultra-talented. Honestly, this is more about a new coach and change of pace than anything. Herman might just click with these players better than hard-nosed Charlie Strong ever did. It’s very strange to look through recruiting rankings and need to scroll two, three, or four times to get to the iconic Longhorn logo, but Texas hauled in just the #31 class in the 2017 cycle. Blame part of it on the turmoil surrounding Charlie Strong, but Herman isn’t completely off the hook. He lost some major in-state prospects, including kids he had relationships with while recruiting at Houston. Even still, there is nice talent coming in. LB Gary Johnson can move with the best of em and lay the boom as well. WR Damion Miller may get a chance to shine early and impress his new coach.
25. Oregon
- Offense: 3 seniors (Hunt – RG, Mundt – TE, Brown – TE)
- Defense: 1 seniors (Ragin – WLB)
- Special Teams: 0 seniors (N/A)
- Likely early NFL entries: 0 (N/A)
- Total returning starters: 8 Offense, 10 Defense, 2 ST
Oregon has fallen hard and fast…. and it wasn’t for love. Playing in the BCS championship game seems so long ago for Duck fans, especially after a horrible 4-8 (2-7) season. That record lost Mike Helfrich his job and brought in new CEO Willie Taggert. Taggert, who lead one of the most explosive offenses in college football during the 2016 season and USF, will attempt to bring back excitement to Autzen Stadium. It’s been a rocky start and there are already questions about whether or not his disciplinary technique will be a good fit, but make no mistake, this guy can coach. He has some nice pieces to build around including QB Justin Herbert, RB Royce Freeman, and a very young but talented OL where 4 freshmen starters will return as experience sophomores. The loss of Pharaoh Brown to graduation and WR Jalen Brown to transfer will hurt, but the Ducks rebuilding process does not start and end with them. Oregon returns 10 starters on defense – a defense that ranked 11th in the conference in scoring defense, total defense, and rushing defense and 10th in pass defense. Rising sophomore LB Troy Dye finished top-10 in the conference in tackles in 2016 with 91 and also finished the year with 6.5 sacks. CB Aaron Springs has 12 PBUs as a backup last year and should compete for a starting spot in 2017. There are bright spots on the defense, but they’re young. It’s worth noting that Oregon finished #18 in the country for their 2017 recruiting class, quite an accomplishment. Athlete Deommodore Lenoir is a much needed star in the defensive backfield and will be on the field this fall. Linebackers Sampson Niu and Issac Slade-Matautia have bright futures and the future may be sooner rather than later.
