The intriguing top 25

[BamaDude]

Nice breakdown; but a few more stories that I think are just as interesting as several on your list:
a) Minnesota - how well does P.J. Fleck do in his debut season, and how much of a detriment to the team will the sexual misconduct cases be (morale, distractions, etc.) - that same question could also be asked about Michigan St.
b) How well does UAB do after a two-year layoff?
c) Does Idaho follow up its 8-win season with an even better showing?
d) Can Troy overcome its tendency to have an "off" game and put together a Sun Belt championship team?
e) Can Coastal Carolina put together a break-even season in its first FBS campaign?

 

[osubuckeye89]

No, we can't judge him for another 3 years when he really only has his players and a quarterback that he recruited but not the ones that are on the team now, because they don't count.

The spin job by the Harbaugh kool-aid drinkers if Michigan went like 8-4 this year would be hilarious. I don't think that record is that far out of the realm of possibility either, considering all of their personnel losses.

 

[Olyduck]

May do one specifically for them. Sticking with P5 on this one.

If I were doing one it would be something like this
25. Georgia State- New coach Shawn Elliott
24. San Jose State- New coach Brent Brennan
23. FIU- New coach Butch Jones.
22. Nevada- New coach Jay Norvell
21. Umass- Left MAC after struggles. still struggling as independent.
20. Boise State- Still the team most think of as the top of G5. Harsin in year 4 mostly his players now.
19. Notre Dame- Its more of a matter of when will they bounce back. this year?
18. Army- 8-5 last year. Can they keep it going?
17. New Mexico State- one last year in Sun Belt then off to independence.
16. Fresno State- New coach Jeff Tedford.
15. Eastern Michigan- Got to their first bowl in almost 30 years. how do they follow up?
14. Wyoming- People saying QB Allen could be 1st QB taken in next draft.
13. BYU- showing their move to independence has been a solid one.
12. Cincinnati- New coach Luke Fickell
11. UConn- Randy Edsall is back.
10. Houston- New coach Major Applewhite.
9. UCF- 0-12 to 6-7. whats next?
8. Western Kentucky- New coach Mike Sanford.
7. FAU- New coach Lane Kiffin.
6. USF- Share division title don't play in CCG. get a new coach Charlie Strong.
5. Temple- Share division title and get spot in CCG. Get a new coach Geoff Collins.
4. Western Michigan- earn G5 spot in big bowl. get a new coach Tim Lester.
3. Idaho- what will they do in what is supposed to be their last year of FBS. out with a bang or limping.
2. Coastal Carolina- first year of FBS. 43-10 in last 4 years of FCS
1. UAB- after 2 years off.

 

[Chewbaccer]

When you make a thread title called "the intriguing top 25" and then posters skim a list, of course there's going to be confusion. I missed the qualifying sentence within the actual post, as did the first poster in this thread. The title combined with the list makes it seem like he's making an unusual top 25 ranking, not listing teams he's interested in watching.

So get off your high horse.

I'll get off my high horse when you stop using Michigan acceptance standards as some retarded way of stroking your fragile ego and then go on to demonstrate piss poor reading comprehension.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

I'll get off my high horse when you stop using Michigan acceptance standards as some retarded way of stroking your fragile ego and then go on to demonstrate piss poor reading comprehension.

Reading comprehension implies I read it and didn't comprehend it. I simply didn't read it. Also, outside of a few jokes in my entire history posting here (and usually at the expense of OSU or MSU), I don't throw around Michigan's academic standards. You must be confusing me with someone else.

 

[Codaxx]

good read.

Thoughts:
Michigan will be interesting, seems like last year's team had like 20 out of 22 senior starters, or something like that. I'm sure it wasnt that high, just the perception I had.

South Carolina is interesting, all I can remember, didnt they have the true FR QB, who signed as a JR out or Hi school or something, and had some really good moments for the Gamecocks. If he's the real deal, gives them a shot in coming years. Of course, I may be thinking of the completely wrong guy, whatevs.

USC, personal interest here. Can the QB avoid the dreaded sophomore slump? I hope he has a great year, except for one game.

WVU, another one on a personal level. Who is the new gunslinger? Need to scout up on him.

WSU-Leach has always fascinated me. Back when at Tech, used to have me trippin. Saw him personally, twice, give up a player on a hopeless fourth and whatever, only to see them literally almost killed. Just never able to figure that guy out, thus there's an interest level there.

TCU, well hell. Kind of like a much better recruited level KSU. Maybe it's something about the color purple.

LSU, being next door. Wonder how they will do with the big O? Maybe we can start to sneak and and get a few more Louisiana boys. Charlie got one, Roach, who is going to take heads off of someone this year and become a first team All Conference player. Would like to get some more.

Texas-well WTF, of course. Can the 7 year depression really be starting to lift?

West Virginia has issues. I am surprised the word "rebuild" isn't mentioned more.
Lost:
Starting QB
2 of the top 3 WRs
5 of top 7 OL
Top 3 DL
Best LB
5 of top 6 DBs

The QB story is interesting, if you can examine his urine without a radiation suit on, but the real story is how much production they need to replace

 

[ralphiewvu]

West Virginia has issues. I am surprised the word "rebuild" isn't mentioned more.
Lost:
Starting QB
2 of the top 3 WRs
5 of top 7 OL
Top 3 DL
Best LB
5 of top 6 DBs

The QB story is interesting, if you can examine his urine without a radiation suit on, but the real story is how much production they need to replace

Yeah I'm not really overly optimistic about this season. Whole new defense outside of the linebackers. Half a new line and some new recievers. Also an unproven qb in the B12. An 5 conference road games this year. Yikes

 

[amszete]

Yeah I'm not really overly optimistic about this season. Whole new defense outside of the linebackers. Half a new line and some new recievers. Also an unproven qb in the B12. An 5 conference road games this year. Yikes

This... ^^

I think WVU could find its way but to think like Goldtard that out of the gate Grier will take you to the promised land is a bit much. Holgerson has never faced Foster defense which has mostly veterans coming back. And i think we also poached your db coach 2 years ago which can't hurt....

 

[GoldRusher]

When you make a thread title called "the intriguing top 25" and then posters skim a list, of course there's going to be confusion. I missed the qualifying sentence within the actual post, as did the first poster in this thread. The title combined with the list makes it seem like he's making an unusual top 25 ranking, not listing teams he's interested in watching.

So get off your high horse.

Its all good, its the offseason and we all need some CFB to get us through til the live rounds start flying.

 

[GoldRusher]

Nice breakdown; but a few more stories that I think are just as interesting as several on your list:
a) Minnesota - how well does P.J. Fleck do in his debut season, and how much of a detriment to the team will the sexual misconduct cases be (morale, distractions, etc.) - that same question could also be asked about Michigan St.
b) How well does UAB do after a two-year layoff?
c) Does Idaho follow up its 8-win season with an even better showing?
d) Can Troy overcome its tendency to have an "off" game and put together a Sun Belt championship team?
e) Can Coastal Carolina put together a break-even season in its first FBS campaign?

Minnesota almost made it ( and might still) I liked Fleck at WMU and I think would have been a good hire at several BIG schools, If Dana had not made it at WVU I had my eye on him as a possible replacement but I think with the mess Minnesota had last year with the players ( off field stuff) that he might need a year before we get a feel for what he might be able do at the P5 level, at least that's my gut feel but.. I could be wrong there too

 

[amszete]

In terms of intrigue I am interested to see what Okie Lite can do this year. They are getting some attention - is it warranted though? Hope so - would keep the Big 12 pretty interesting.

 

[Deep Creek]

If I were doing one it would be something like this
25. Georgia State- New coach Shawn Elliott
24. San Jose State- New coach Brent Brennan
23. FIU- New coach Butch Jones.
22. Nevada- New coach Jay Norvell
21. Umass- Left MAC after struggles. still struggling as independent.
20. Boise State- Still the team most think of as the top of G5. Harsin in year 4 mostly his players now.
19. Notre Dame- Its more of a matter of when will they bounce back. this year?
18. Army- 8-5 last year. Can they keep it going?
17. New Mexico State- one last year in Sun Belt then off to independence.
16. Fresno State- New coach Jeff Tedford.
15. Eastern Michigan- Got to their first bowl in almost 30 years. how do they follow up?
14. Wyoming- People saying QB Allen could be 1st QB taken in next draft.
13. BYU- showing their move to independence has been a solid one.
12. Cincinnati- New coach Luke Fickell
11. UConn- Randy Edsall is back.
10. Houston- New coach Major Applewhite.
9. UCF- 0-12 to 6-7. whats next?
8. Western Kentucky- New coach Mike Sanford.
7. FAU- New coach Lane Kiffin.
6. USF- Share division title don't play in CCG. get a new coach Charlie Strong.
5. Temple- Share division title and get spot in CCG. Get a new coach Geoff Collins.
4. Western Michigan- earn G5 spot in big bowl. get a new coach Tim Lester.
3. Idaho- what will they do in what is supposed to be their last year of FBS. out with a bang or limping.
2. Coastal Carolina- first year of FBS. 43-10 in last 4 years of FCS
1. UAB- after 2 years off.

I too think the UAB one is going to be real interesting to watch.

But, the most intriguing one to me is watching Matt Rhule try to get the train wreck that is Baylor football back on the rails! Maybe it is because I can't understand why he even wanted to that job. He could have had many very similar (if not better) jobs which were not nearly as big a headache as this one. He must really have an innate desire to put a puzzle with mismatched pieces together.

 

[GoldRusher]

West Virginia has issues. I am surprised the word "rebuild" isn't mentioned more.
Lost:
Starting QB
2 of the top 3 WRs
5 of top 7 OL
Top 3 DL
Best LB
5 of top 6 DBs

The QB story is interesting, if you can examine his urine without a radiation suit on, but the real story is how much production they need to replace

QB is going to be Grier, the staff has all but said so. All he had to do was maintain his eligibility requirements and he was good and he has done that.

WR is a non issue, we reload there we don't rebuild and our best pro prospect WR got injured last year but returns so.. not a big deal imo, we might even be better, especially with a better passer behind center which Grier is, no question about that.

O line We have 3 starters returning, a guard that played a lot due to rotating (that's life in the Big12 for all of us, you don't rotate then you die of exhaustion so it's rare to get a completely green lineman unless injuries kill ya) center was the biggest loss but the kid behind Orlosky has looked good and was about the same caliber recruit as Orlosky coming out of HS so.. we got some JUCO guys up front that are expected to play a lot/start and Wickline is the full time OLine coach now and not the OC/Oline guy so, upgrade there too. Should be fine.

DL graduated all 3 starters but again rotating players leaves us with younger guys that haven't started but HAVE seen slot of PT and again, some JUCOs have came in to backfill/ or start if they earn it. If we get injured then yea, we have big problems there.

He wasn't our best LB, our LB's will be far more athletic this year. He was a smart kid with a ton of heart but we will be better at LB. Anyone that knows the program knows that.

Douglas was fantastic last year but the same type of stuff was being said last year at this time about our DB's "oh the lost Joseph and Worley to the NFL, its 2012 all over again this year" ect. Rotation , knowledge/experience in the defense and far better depth will prevent that kind of drop off happening again I'm. We get our best db back that missed all of last year with an injury. I'm not a fan of the 3-3-5 under the beat circumstances but I believe the defense will be at the very least serviceable and if a few JUCO's pan out then really good and with what this offense is going to be... very very interesting situation in Morgantown imo.

 

[outofyourmind]

What's Intriguing is why WVU fans aren't accepting of reality.

16. WVU - Won 10 last year with a meh QB, lost several good/seasoned players but return talent and WILL be better at QB.

Coda said it best

West Virginia has issues. I am surprised the word "rebuild" isn't mentioned more.
Lost:
Starting QB
2 of the top 3 WRs
5 of top 7 OL
Top 3 DL
Best LB
5 of top 6 DBs

The QB story is interesting, if you can examine his urine without a radiation suit on, but the real story is how much production they need to replace

 

[Codaxx]

QB is going to be Grier, the staff has all but said so. All he had to do was maintain his eligibility requirements and he was good and he has done that.

WR is a non issue, we reload there we don't rebuild and our best pro prospect WR got injured last year but returns so.. not a big deal imo, we might even be better, especially with a better passer behind center which Grier is, no question about that.

O line We have 3 starters returning, a guard that played a lot due to rotating (that's life in the Big12 for all of us, you don't rotate then you die of exhaustion so it's rare to get a completely green lineman unless injuries kill ya) center was the biggest loss but the kid behind Orlosky has looked good and was about the same caliber recruit as Orlosky coming out of HS so.. we got some JUCO guys up front that are expected to play a lot/start and Wickline is the full time OLine coach now and not the OC/Oline guy so, upgrade there too. Should be fine.

DL graduated all 3 starters but again rotating players leaves us with younger guys that haven't started but HAVE seen slot of PT and again, some JUCOs have came in to backfill/ or start if they earn it. If we get injured then yea, we have big problems there.

He wasn't our best LB, our LB's will be far more athletic this year. He was a smart kid with a ton of heart but we will be better at LB. Anyone that knows the program knows that.

Douglas was fantastic last year but the same type of stuff was being said last year at this time about our DB's "oh the lost Joseph and Worley to the NFL, its 2012 all over again this year" ect. Rotation , knowledge/experience in the defense and far better depth will prevent that kind of drop off happening again I'm. We get our best db back that missed all of last year with an injury. I'm not a fan of the 3-3-5 under the beat circumstances but I believe the defense will be at the very least serviceable and if a few JUCO's pan out then really good and with what this offense is going to be... very very interesting situation in Morgantown imo.

I have no idea how the new players will play this year. This applies to Texas also (2 new systems), the other big question is how long does it take the new starters to gel and run the schemes efficiently. Anyway you look at it new players and new schemes lead to a lot more volatility.

 

[GoldRusher]

OU just moved up the list

 

[Cowboyinexile]

Aaaannndddd just like that we have a new no. 1

 

[OregonDucks]

Creating a rough draft of my top 25 intriguing teams heading into the season.

25. OU - interested to see what the Sooners have post Perine, Mixon and Westbrook.

24. Oregon - Oregon has some talent on the roster, what will Willie the Harbaugh disciple get out of them?

23. Michigan - Lost some solid talent, what will they look like this year?

22. Kansas State - Wizard coming off a battle with cancer with a lot coming back..

21. South Carolina - Doesn't take THAT much to be a contender in the SEC east these days, USC pretty competitive last year.. interesting team imo.

20. USC - Lost some really good players, should be good again but, is Clay as good as advertised?

19. Alabama - Lost some good ones, have some good ones returning. Kif is gone, could they be better without him?

18. VT- surprised last year, lost the QB and the buzzsaw RB. Can they turn their season around after WVU beats the bat snot out of them in week 1?

17. FSU - I liked the young QB last year but the kid took. a. beating. Will his line be better?

16. WVU - Won 10 last year with a meh QB, lost several good/seasoned players but return talent and WILL be better at QB.

15. Washington State - Leach ready to have one of "those" years and surprise some people?

14. TCU - Patterson had a young young team last year and he is a good coach. Interested to see what the Frogs have in '17.

13. Georgia - For some reason my gut says UGA took a step back when they changed coaches. Their progression interests me.

12. Penn State - prove it year coming up for PSU imo.

11. Colorado - Nice season for the Buffs last year, how will they do moving forward?

10. Nebraska - How blood thirsty will Cornhusker fans get if NU struggles?

9. Florida - ditto for the Gator fans

8. Michigan State - I have a ton of respect for Dantonio, what was THAT last year?

7. Clemson - Fine year, great run for the Tigers last few years. They lose an underrated QB imo, interesting to see what they have now.

6. Miami - I liked the Richt hire at Miami from the word go, they are gathering talent, interested to see where they go from here.

5. Tennessee - Been a bit of a circus in Knoxville, lets see how Butch handles the heat.

4. Auburn - REALLY like the QB pickup, kid looked good when I watched him at Baylor. Auburn could be fun to watch this year imo.

3. Notre Dame - another strange situation last year in South Bend, reminds me a bit of UT. Season could go either way imo.

2. LSU - Like coach O, LSU still has good talent, I want to see what that new OCord does with it, he was impressive at Pitt.

1. Texas - Just a gut feel that Texas could drop a jaw or two this year. I am REALLY interested to see how the Horns look.

What in the Hell kind of top 25 list is this?

 

[jwolt92]

What in the Hell kind of top 25 list is this?

top 25 teams that, in the OP's opinion, have the most interesting stories heading into the year.. not that difficult

 

[romeo212000]

Aaaannndddd just like that we have a new no. 1

Was just about to post this.