CBS Sports Post Spring Top 25

[Blackshirts BLVD]

CBS Sports releases post-spring Top 25 rankings

Haven't even played a real game yet and we are already climbing in the polls.


"25. Iowa Hawkeyes (9-4) — From CBS Sports: Pencil the Hawks in for something like 8-4. They always seem to be hovering around that record each year.

24. Northwestern Wildcats (9-5) — From CBS Sports: Clemson QB transfer Hunter Johnson arrives with a chance for the Wildcats to go back-to-back in the Big Ten West. Doubt them at your peril.

23. Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-6) — From CBS Sports: P.J. Fleck is making real progress in Year 2 with the Gophers. He at least gets the Big Ten culture.

22. Auburn Tigers (8-5) — From CBS Sports: Gus Malzahn is back to calling plays, which means the buck stops with him offensively. The Tigers backslid to a 8-5 record in the first season of Gus' seven-year, $49 million contract.

21. Washington State Cougars (11-2) — From CBS Sports: Eastern Washington transfer Gabe Gubrud will be the latest quarterback to become a star under Mike Leach. The Cougars will continue to play quality defense under Tracy Claeys.

20. Penn State Nittany Lions (9-4) — From CBS Sports: The loss of Tommy Stevens to the dreaded transfer portal has to hurt. Stevens was in the running for quarterback job vacated by Trace McSorley.

19. Army Black Knights (11-2) — From CBS Sports: Jeff Monken could write his ticket at a lot of places. He's sticking around to show us that academy football can be top 25 worthy.

18. Iowa State Cyclones (8-5) — From CBS Sports: The Cyclones lose RB David Montgomery and WR Hakeem Butler, but QB Brock Purdy is set to become a breakout star.

17. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-8) — From CBS Sports: Nebraska responded nicely under Scott Frost after an 0-6 start. Quarterback Adrian Gonzalez should take a giant leap forward.

16. UCF Knights (12-1) — From CBS Sports: Josh Heupel deserves loads of credit for inheriting a winning streak that reached 25 games and managing the program through the gruesome loss of McKenzie Milton.

15. Washington Huskies (10-4) — From CBS Sports: The Jacob Eason era should pick up where the Jake Browning era ended. The former Georgia quarterback transferred when Jake Fromm began his ascension in 2017.

14. Texas A&M Aggies (9-4) — From CBS Sports: There are others who think this is the Aggies' breakout year. There are too many question marks, plus a brutal schedule (check out November!) to put the Ags in the top 10.

13. Wisconsin Badgers (8-5) — From CBS Sports: The Badgers should rebound and win the return of Heisman Trophy-contending tailback Jonathan Taylor. Four starters have to be replaced on the offensive line.

12. Utah Utes (9-5) — From CBS Sports: The Utes are the Pac-12 South favorites (maybe more) with key returners at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and cornerback.

11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-1) — From CBS Sports: For the foreseeable future, the Irish are going to be playoff contenders. Brian Kelly suggested in a Yahoo story he may retire at Notre Dame. For now, the Irish could use more team speed on both sides of the ball.

 

[Blackshirts BLVD]

10. Oregon Ducks (9-4) — Mario Cristobal has stockpiled quite a bit of talent in Eugene, and he has star quarterback Justin Herbert coming back. The Ducks have all the pieces to win a Pac-12 title and vy for a bert in the College Football Playoff.

From CBS Sports: The last Pac-12 team to post consecutive top six recruiting classes might have been USC under Pete Carroll. Mario Cristobal is about to do that in 2019-20.

9. Michigan Wolverines (10-3) — The Wolverines lost quite a bit of talent on defense, but Don Brown has the ability to keep that unit among the best in the country. If new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis’ offense is effective, Michigan might be able to break through against Ohio State this year.

From CBS Sports: Shea Patterson's final season opens with the return of four offensive line starters. There are massive holes on defense with the loss of Chase Winovich, Rashan Gary and Devin Bush.

8. Texas Longhorns (10-4) — The Texas Longhorns are back to challenging the Oklahoma Sooners for Big 12 championships, and they may be even better in 2019 than they were in 2018. Sam Ehlinger is a budding star under center, and the defense has improved quite a bit under Todd Orlando.

From CBS Sports: Is Texas back? When it starts winning championships, which may be this season. Tom Herman is rolling in Year 3. The defense returns only two starters.

7. Florida Gators (10-3) — It would be hard to find a team that improved more from Week 1 to Week 12 last season than the Gators. That’s a testament to the quick impact that Dan Mullen had on the program in Gainesville. Now he’ll look to keep Florida on an upward track toward Georgia at the top of the division.

From CBS Sports: The Gators were one of the most improved teams in the nation (4-7 to 10-3) in Dan Mullen's first season.

6. Ohio State Buckeyes (13-1) — The Big Ten could come down to Michigan and Ohio State again, which is good news for the Buckeyes considering the rivalry’s recent history. With a new starting quarterback and a new head coach, there are some questions around Ohio State. Still, the ceiling is a national title for this program if the team lives up to its potential.

From CBS Sports: The moment Justin Fields became eligible, the Buckeyes had a chance to repeat as Big Ten champions.

 

[Blackshirts BLVD]

5. LSU TIGERS (10-3) - The SEC West will be a gauntlet again this season, but LSU has the talent to navigate it fairly well. Joe Burrow looked more comfortable in the LSU offense as the season wore on, and he could take another step forward this fall. Overcoming the loss of Devin White at linebacker may be the biggest challenge for the Bayou Bengals this fall.
From CBS Sports: Ed Orgeron seemingly has everything in place to make a run at the SEC West. No Devin White, but quarterback Joe Burrow has his top five receivers back.

4. OKLAHOMA SOONERS (12-2) - Oklahoma shouldn’t miss a beat on offense with Jalen Hurts coming in to replace Kyler Murray. The Sooners will score at a frenetic pace, but they’ll need to get a couple stops on defense in order to get to Lincoln Riley’s first national championship game as a head coach.

From CBS Sports: Quarterback U welcomes Jalen Hurts, who showed flashes of improvement in the little time he played as a Bama backup. The defense has to get better under Alex Grinch ... doesn't it?

3. GEORGIA BULLDOGS (11-3) - Will the third time be the charm for the Bulldogs in 2019? In two consecutive seasons, Georgia has had Alabama on the ropes on the national stage and let the Crimson Tide off the hook. The two teams look to be on a collision course for another meeting this fall. Can Georgia finish the job this time around?

From CBS Sports: How do you wish to think of these Dawgs -- the team that had Bama down by two touchdowns in the SEC Championship Game or the team that was worn down by Texas in the Sugar Bowl?

2. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (14-1) - At this point, it looks like we’ll be getting an Alabama-Clemson matchup in the College Football Playoff for the fifth straight season. They are clearly the top two teams with the country’s top two quarterbacks, and it’s just a matter of sorting out which team has the slight edge over the other. For now, it’s Clemson that boasts the advantage.

From CBS Sports: The only sign of offseason weakness has been Saban's new hip. Even then, the football program's official website sent out a tweet showing Saban working (standing up) the day after surgery.

1. CLEMSON TIGERS (15-0) - Clemson doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone to be worthy of this No. 1 spot. After what happened in last season’s national title game, the Tigers will be atop many top 25 rankings prior to the 2019 season. Still, Trevor Lawrence went out and looked great in his team’s spring game to cement Clemson as a national championship favorite yet again.

From CBS Sports: Trevor Lawrence is good enough to play in the NFL. Another round of game changers is about to populate the defensive line. It's the best time ever to be a Tiger."

 

[TheReal_NU]

17. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-8) — From CBS Sports: Nebraska responded nicely under Scott Frost after an 0-6 start. Quarterback Adrian Gonzalez should take a giant leap forward

Nebraska got a new QB??
I missed that.

 

[Blackshirts BLVD]

Nebraska got a new QB??
I missed that.

You gotta keep up on the transfers. This one is from Rhode Island College of Gender Studies

 

[mutiger]

7. Florida Gators (10-3) — It would be hard to find a team that improved more from Week 1 to Week 12 last season than the Gators. That’s a testament to the quick impact that Dan Mullen had on the program in Gainesville. Now he’ll look to keep Florida on an upward track toward Georgia at the top of the division.

From CBS Sports: The Gators were one of the most improved teams in the nation (4-7 to 10-3) in Dan Mullen's first season.

 

[AlaskaGuy]

CBS Sports releases post-spring Top 25 rankings

15. Washington Huskies (10-4) — From CBS Sports: The Jacob Eason era should pick up where the Jake Browning era ended. The former Georgia quarterback transferred when Jake Fromm began his ascension in 2017.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

Seems weird to finish the top 25 with 3 B10 west teams. One of those teams might finish in the top 25, I doubt 3 of them do. It's more likely that two finish 7-5 or worse than it is they finish in the top 25.

 

[NU_FTW]

Seems weird to finish the top 25 with 3 B10 west teams. One of those teams might finish in the top 25, I doubt 3 of them do. It's more likely that two finish 7-5 or worse than it is they finish in the top 25.

dont be ghey, ur vag is showin

 

[outofyourmind]

This Poll is such bullshit.
Only 6 SEC teams.

CBS is slipping big time.

 

[OldDevilDawg]

GO DAMN DAWGS!!!

 

[RTR...USN (ret)]

GO DAMN DAWGS!!!

[/QUOTE

I'm curious to see which backup QB Bama uses to beat UGA this year!

 

[OldDevilDawg]

I'm curious to see which backup QB Bama uses to beat UGA this year!

Prolly a walk on. Amirite?

 

[RTR...USN (ret)]

Prolly a walk on. Amirite?

Just talking a little shit my jarhead friend! Sidenote, wife is looking forward to the trip this fall! I hope nothing changes so we can all meet up!

 

[steelerssb]

This Poll is such bullshit.
Only 6 SEC teams.

CBS is slipping big time.

ESPN will pick up the slack for them

 

[OldDevilDawg]

Just talking a little shit my jarhead friend! Sidenote, wife is looking forward to the trip this fall! I hope nothing changes so we can all meet up!

Just a warning. Once she experiences time with all of us, she will understand and demand more of it. All of our wives were amazed and addicted to the meet ups after my wedding.

 

[RTR...USN (ret)]

Just a warning. Once she experiences time with all of us, she will understand and demand more of it. All of our wives were amazed and addicted to the meet ups after my wedding.

She's put up with me for 32 years and hasn't shot me (yet) so she's a glutton for punishment!

 

[steelerssb]

24. Northwestern Wildcats (9-5) — From CBS Sports: Clemson QB transfer Hunter Johnson arrives with a chance for the Wildcats to go back-to-back in the Big Ten West. Doubt them at your peril.

 

[BoiseStateFan27]

Seems weird to finish the top 25 with 3 B10 west teams. One of those teams might finish in the top 25, I doubt 3 of them do. It's more likely that two finish 7-5 or worse than it is they finish in the top 25.

Big 10 West might be the most exciting division race of the year

I've seen people consider Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Northwestern, AND even Minnesota as a potential favorite to win it

Can't rule out Jeff Brohm and Purdue either

sucks to be Illinois lol

 

[OldDevilDawg]

Big 10 West might be the most exciting division race of the year

I've seen people consider Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Northwestern, AND even Minnesota as a potential favorite to win it

Can't rule out Jeff Brohm and Purdue either

sucks to be Illinois lol

All Lovie needs is a good tight end. The NCAA sucks balls for not letting Luke Ford play immediately.