Athlon Sports Preseason Top 25

[7Samurai13]

Remember when Wisconsin had that sissy schedule 2 years ago? Well, pay back is a bitch.

#4 Michigan
#5 @Ohio State
#14 Penn State
#16 Michigan State
#17 @Nebraska
#18 Iowa

and darkhorse Purdue

Going to be drinking a lot of whiskey this year

Please you final rankings to prove your point. At the time ranking is the worst rankings to use.

 

[kburjr]

Please you final rankings to prove your point. At the time ranking is the worst rankings to use.

I know but going into the season it is a lot tougher than having Maryland and Rutgers for for cross division games. Also, eliminate Penn St from the list. We don't play them this year.

 

[AlaskaGuy]

Offense is trash
Defense is top 10

College Football Players Poised for Bounce-Back Years in 2019

Brian Lewerke, QB, Michigan State

1. 
   Two years ago, Brian Lewerke helped the program forget an embarrassing 2016 season. The dual-threat quarterback threw for 2,793 yards, ran for 559 more and accounted for 25 touchdowns. Michigan State flipped its record from 3-9 to 10-3.
   
   Given the Spartans' returning production, they were expected to contend for a Big Ten title last year. On-field struggles and injuries prevented that from happening.
   
   Lewerke dealt with major accuracy issues that a shoulder injury only compounded. When available over the last seven games, he trudged to a combined 49-of-114 line for 453 yards―a horrendous 3.97 yards per attempt―with zero touchdowns and four interceptions.
   
   If MSU has better injury luck in 2019―both for Lewerke and on the offensive line―the Spartans will be a Big Ten threat again.

 

[Red_Alert]

Yup, 4 losses gets you ranked, in some cases, ranked in the Top 10.

2018 final rankings

AP Poll

9. Texas 10-4 (7-2 BIG 12)
13. Washington 10-4 (7-2 PAC 12)
16. texas A&M 9-4 (5-3 SEC)
17. Penn State 9-4 (6-3 B1G)
20. West Virginia 8-4 (6-3 Big 12)
21. Northwestern 9-5 (8-1 BIG)
25. Iowa 9-4 (5-4 B1G)

Coaches Poll

9. Texas 10-4 (7-2 BIG 12)
13. Washington 10-4 (7-2 PAC 12)
16. texas A&M 9-4 (5-3 SEC)
17. Penn State 9-4 (6-3 B1G)
19. Northwestern 9-5 (8-1 BIG)
22. West Virginia 8-4 ( 6-3 Big 12)
25. Mississippi State 8-5 (4-4 SEC)


ESPN Power Rankings

8. Texas 10-4 (7-2 BIG 12)
13. texas A&M 9-4 (5-3 SEC)
14. Washington 10-4 (7-2 PAC 12)
19. Auburn 8-5 (3-5 SEC)
20. Penn State 9-4 (6-3 B1G)
21. Northwestern 9-5 (8-1 BIG)
24. Oregon 9-4 (6-3 PAC 12)
25. Iowa 9-4 (5-4 B1G)

Yeah. As I see it they can go (8-4) regular season, miss the CCG, get a winnable bowl game, and finish 9-4.

People are putting way too much stock in the overall (4-8) record not taking into consideration the (0-6) start with a brand new coaching staff on both sides of the ball and starting a true freshman QB.

Considering they went (4-2) in their last 6 games of 2018 with those two losses coming from Ohio St and Iowa by a combined 8 points, being a pre-season #17 isn't unrealistic at all.

It's certainly an (8-4) regular season schedule at the worst IMO.

 

[Blackshirts BLVD]

Yeah. As I see it they can go (8-4) regular season, miss the CCG, get a winnable bowl game, and finish 9-4.

People are putting way too much stock in the overall (4-8) record not taking into consideration the (0-6) start with a brand new coaching staff on both sides of the ball and starting a true freshman QB.

Considering they went (4-2) in their last 6 games of 2018 with those two losses coming from Ohio St and Iowa by a combined 8 points, being a pre-season #17 isn't unrealistic at all.

It's certainly an (8-4) regular season schedule at the worst IMO.

Plus 5 losses were decided by 5 points or less...

 

[AlaskaGuy]

Plus 5 losses were decided by 5 points or less...

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/big-ten-football-2019-all-conference-team
Big Ten Football 2019 All-Conference Team

 

[ericd7633]

Remember when Wisconsin had that sissy schedule 2 years ago? Well, pay back is a bitch.

#4 Michigan
#5 @Ohio State
#14 Penn State
#16 Michigan State
#17 @Nebraska
#18 Iowa

and darkhorse Purdue

Going to be drinking a lot of whiskey this year

You don't play PSU. And this just means next year will be super easy.

 

[kburjr]

You don't play PSU. And this just means next year will be super easy.

Next year we get ND non-con. We get Indiana, Michigan and Maryland crossover. Easier by far

 

[7Samurai13]

College Football Players Poised for Bounce-Back Years in 2019

Brian Lewerke, QB, Michigan State

1. 
   Two years ago, Brian Lewerke helped the program forget an embarrassing 2016 season. The dual-threat quarterback threw for 2,793 yards, ran for 559 more and accounted for 25 touchdowns. Michigan State flipped its record from 3-9 to 10-3.
   
   Given the Spartans' returning production, they were expected to contend for a Big Ten title last year. On-field struggles and injuries prevented that from happening.
   
   Lewerke dealt with major accuracy issues that a shoulder injury only compounded. When available over the last seven games, he trudged to a combined 49-of-114 line for 453 yards―a horrendous 3.97 yards per attempt―with zero touchdowns and four interceptions.
   
   If MSU has better injury luck in 2019―both for Lewerke and on the offensive line―the Spartans will be a Big Ten threat again.

I think Michigan State could make a run at the division/conference titles as long as the offense gets their head out of their asses because that defense is great and would be even better if the offense doesn’t go 3 and out 60% of the time they are on the field. Just an average offense and we should be 10-2. They have not shown me anything to believe that they can do that.

 

[GhostRiderRushville]

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/top-25-college-football-rankings-2019

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Georgia
4. Michigan
5. Ohio State
6. Oklahoma
7. LSU
8. Florida
9. Notre Dame
10. Texas A&M
11. Texas
12. Washington
13. Utah
14. Penn State
15. Oregon
16. Michigan State
17. Nebraska
18. Iowa
19. Wisconsin
20. Auburn
21. Syracuse
22. UCF
23. Missouri
24. Iowa State
25. Virginia

View attachment 205677

 

[Codaxx]

Two playoff wins for the Big 10, one for the PAC, and a fat zero for the Big 12. 15 of the last 16 playoff games won by either Clemson or Alabama, a clear cut above.

I’m looking at some of these SEC West schedules and I mean damn. You got Auburn facing Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M, and Florida.

Hey Jimbo, nice first season at A&M. Your reward is arguably the three best teams in the country in Clemson, Alabama, and Georgia. Then we’ll throw in LSU, Auburn, and South Carolina for good measure. Oh my word. Freaking brutal.

Auburn? There is only 1 truth in College football nobody is capable of predicting how Auburn will be in the preseason.

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

Nebraska at #17 is unrealistic. I have a stainless steel colander that has less holes in it than Nebraska's depth chart.
I like the love tho.

Nebraska will have a solid record this year. You may only play 3 ranked teams all year, so they should have a nice jump with the players having a full year in Frost’s system.

Plus, the tougher games you do have, they are all at home, so you may pull off an upset or two.

 

[Tomhusker]

Nebraska will have a solid record this year. You may only play 3 ranked teams all year, so they should have a nice jump with the players having a full year in Frost’s system.

Plus, the tougher games you do have, they are all at home, so you may pull off an upset or two.

I don't disagree with that. But #17 is a pipe dream, and I'm not ready to smoke.

 

[AlaskaGuy]

Big Ten 2019 strength of schedule rankings: Michigan, Wisconsin facing incredibly tough roads

 

[Red_Alert]

I don't disagree with that. But #17 is a pipe dream, and I'm not ready to smoke.

 

[BamaDude]

Please you final rankings to prove your point. At the time ranking is the worst rankings to use.

There's a good chance Nebraska, Iowa & Michigan St. might not be in the Top 25 at the end of the season; but Minnesota might knock off a few of those highly-regarded teams.

 

[Rolltide94]

Auburn? There is only 1 truth in College football nobody is capable of predicting how Auburn will be in the preseason.

There is money to be made it betting against whatever the consensus is for Auburn. Everybody thinks they will be bad...bet the over. Pre-season National Title Contenders...SELL.

 

[Across The Field]

I don't disagree with that. But #17 is a pipe dream, and I'm not ready to smoke.

My neighbor across the street is convinced Nebraska beats OSU this year, and he might not be wrong. You guys gave us fits at home last year, and having another offseason under his belt will only help Martinez. Could be a Gameday location, honestly.

 

[Red_Alert]

My neighbor across the street is convinced Nebraska beats OSU this year, and he might not be wrong. You guys gave us fits at home last year, and having another offseason under his belt will only help Martinez. Could be a Gameday location, honestly.

You may be right. Both could be undefeated (4-0) at that point.

Nebraska

South Alabama
@ Colorado
Northern Illinois
Illinois
Ohio St

Ohio St

Florida Atlantic
Cincinnati
@ Indiana
Miami, OH
@ Nebraska

Nebraska only lost by 5 to Colorado last year (28-33). It was Nebraska's first game with a completely new coaching staff and a true freshman QB. It was Colorado's 2nd game, but also a new coaching staff. As they say, most improvement is made between games one and two. Colorado had an opportunity to work out it's kinks after beating Colorado St soundly the week before (45-13).

 

[Across The Field]

You may be right. Both could be undefeated (4-0) at that point.

Nebraska

South Alabama
@ Colorado
Northern Illinois
Illinois
Ohio St

Ohio St

Florida Atlantic
Cincinnati
@ Indiana
Miami, OH
@ Nebraska

Nebraska only lost by 5 to Colorado last year (28-33). It was Nebraska's first game with a completely new coaching staff and a true freshman QB. It was Colorado's 2nd game, but also a new coaching staff. As they say, most improvement is made between games one and two. Colorado had an opportunity to work out it's kinks after beating Colorado St soundly the week before (45-13).

You guys had the game against Colorado won, and then your idiot defensive back comes in with the late hit and gives CU new life. That was a heart-breaker.

Frost has the program on the right track. Even if Washington doesn't play, I bet that Wandale kid you flipped from Kentucky come in and has a good season. Solid weapons all around, could make for a slugfest in Lincoln, and I'm gonna guess it's a night game too. That's the weekend after I get back from my honeymoon, so I'll be nicely rested and ready.