Sporting News 2019 preseason Top 25

[AlaskaGuy]

College football rankings: SN's pre-preseason top 25 for 2019

1. Alabama
Surprise! We know Clemson won the latest meeting, but Alabama still has a little more depth heading into 2019. The beat goes on for the Crimson Tide, and Tua Tagovailoa will be the Heisman front runner with Biletnikoff Award winner Jerry Jeudy back in the fold. Alabama will have to weather the usual set of NFL defections, new coordinators on offense and defense and a SEC schedule that features road trips to South Carolina, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Auburn. Since when has any of that stopped Nick Saban?

2. Clemson
The Tigers are the defending national champions and will take a run at a fifth straight ACC championship around sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne and high-flying receivers Justyn Ross and Tee Higgins. Both are game-breaking Heisman contenders. The defense will have to rebuild a once-in-a-generation defensive line around sophomore Xavier Thomas, Sporting News' player watch in 2019. We'll find out how good that unit is in the first three weeks against Georgia Tech, Texas A&M and Syracuse.

3. Georgia
We know about the Sugar Bowl flop against Texas, but that still doesn't change our opinion. The Bulldogs will be ranked in the top three in most polls given the talent around junior quarterback Jake Fromm and running back D'Andre Swift. The defense has another year under its belt, and Kirby Smart has shown this team can compete with Alabama into the fourth quarter. A September matchup with Notre Dame should set the tone for another run toward the SEC championship game.

4. Oklahoma
Too high? You said that last year when Baker Mayfield left, and critics will try it again without Kyler Murray. Trust third-year coach Lincoln Riley and a high-flying offense that will be good enough to win the Big 12 with playmakers Kennedy Brooks and CeeDee Lamb. Alabama transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts, the big offseason addition, can work with that. The defense must improve under new coordinator Alex Grinch if the Sooners want to evolve from Playoff regular to national champion.

5. Ohio State
Ryan Day takes over as head coach, but he's off to an aggressive start. The Buckeyes brought in new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison from Michgan. If Georgia transfer quarterback Justin Fields is cleared to play right away, then the Buckeyes also will have a flashy quarterback, too. Defensive end Chase Young has All-American potential on the defensive line, and it will be interesting to see if five-star defensive end Zach Harrison breaks in right away. The schedule is set up for a fast start, but the Buckeyes' season will be defined in the last two weeks against Penn State and Michigan.

6. Texas
Tom Herman has another cycle of four- and five-star talent to work with, and the Longhorns are will get another chance to show they're ready for the big stage. Herman also has an experienced quarterback in Sam Ehlinger and a defense led by safety Caden Sterns. A huge September game against LSU will determine how right (or wrong) this preseason billing is.

7. LSU
The Tigers had an impressive season under Ed Orgeron, and Joe Burrow, who had a good game against UCF in the Fiesta Bowl, has another year to work in offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger’s system. The defense can offset some NFL Draft depatures around SN All-American safety Grant Delpit. The road trip to Texas and the usual date with Alabama on Nov. 9 will determine the Playoff possibilities, but the rest of the schedule is friendly enough to set up those opportunities.

8. Notre Dame
The Irish took the next step by reaching the College Football Playoff, and Ian Book must break in some new skill position talent. Notre Dame’s depth through recruiting will be tested under Brian Kelly, but there should be no complaints about a schedule that features road trips to Georgia, Michigan and Stanford. The early test against the Bulldogs will be a season-shifting game, too.

9. Florida
This is the first of four SEC teams in the top 10. That's not perception. It’s the reality of the conference's depth, and Dan Mullen showed what he can do with an offense in his first year in Gainesville. The quarterback competition between Feleipe Franks and Emory Jones will draw headlines, and the September schedule includes Miami, Kentucky and Tennessee. High expectations are back in Gainesville, and that's a good thing.

10. Michigan
The Wolverines have the seventh-best record among Power 5 teams since Jim Harbaugh arrived at Ann Arbor in 2015, but the only record that gets air time is 0-4. Harbaugh still hasn’t beat Ohio State, and the schedule features the same potholes with an early matchup against Army and road trips to Wisconsin and Penn State. The rivalry games against Michigan State, Notre Dame and Ohio State are home this time. With quarterback Shea Patterson and a talented group of receivers back, Harbaugh can let the offense take flight with new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis.

 

[AlaskaGuy]

Continued ...

11. Texas A&M
Jimbo Fisher returns a talented team that includes quarterback Kellen Mond, and the Aggies have enough four- and five-star talent to be an SEC West contender. The Sept. 7 trip to Clemson won’t be easy, and the Oct. 12 matchup with Alabama will again be a measuring stick. Texas A&M will have a tough challenge with consecutive road trips at Georgia and LSU to end the season.

12. Penn State
Tommy Stevens will take over at quarterback, and he’ll have an explosive talent to throw to in KJ Hamler. Edge rusher Micah Parsons could have a breakout season, too. Close losses to Ohio State have kept the Nittany Lions out of the Playoff race the last two seasons. James Franklin still has the talent capable of a breakthrough.

13. Oregon
The Ducks will be a hot pick to win the Pac-12 with quarterback Justin Herbert returning and Mario Cristobal bringing in a top-10 recruiting class. The right pieces are in place. Now it’s time for the Ducks to win big conference games again. Road trips to Stanford, Washington and USC make that possible, but not until after the season opener against Auburn at Jerry World.

14. Washington
Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin are gone, and the defense must replace five seniors from the front seven. It’s time for transfer quarterback Jacob Eason to seize the opportunity, and the schedule is set up for a quick start after the opener against FCS powerhouse Eastern Washington. Chris Petersen still has one of the best teams in the Pac-12, but the competition up top in the division will be fierce.

15. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs won four of their last five regular-season games and offered a glimpse of what could be with second-year coach Joe Moorhead. There are huge losses on the defensive line with Montez Sweat and Jeffery Simmons, and Nick Fitzgerald was a program-building quarterback — but backup Keytaon Thompson played well when given a chance. If the Bulldogs can get through midseason road trips to Auburn and Tennessee, then November could be a lot of fun in Starkville.

16. Auburn
This is a pivotal season at Auburn for Gus Malzahn, who will be more involved in the offense than he was in 2018. The Tigers have had four or more losses in each of the last five seasons. The good news? Alabama and Georgia must come to The Plains this year. The spring battle between Malik Willis and Joey Gatewood should be heated.

17. Army
The Black Knights won a record-11 games in 2018, and have a 21-5 record the last two seasons under Jeff Monken. Star quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. returns on a team that has experience on both sides. Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s departure to North Carolina is the only downer heading into next season. The Black Knights gave Oklahoma a scare in 2018; if they can do the same at Michigan on Sept. 7, this independent team could work into the New Year’s Day Six conversation.

18. UCF
UCF remains the best team in the AAC, and quarterback McKenzie Milton's status will be talked about, given the long recovery from a gruesome leg injury. There is intrigue at the position with the addition of Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush. Darriel Mack Jr. also proved he can play. UCF faces FAU, Stanford and Pitt in nonconference play. They will know where they stand heading into conference play.

19. Washington State
Mike Leach won't have Gardner Minshew, but he continues to make it work with a pass-happy system where it's next man up. Anthony Gordon, Trey Tinsley and Cammon Cooper are candidates for the job. The Cougars have been close to a Pac-12 championship, but that next step won’t happen until they unseat rival Washington in the Apple Cup. The Cougars travel to Utah, Oregon and Washington this season. That won't be easy.

20. Syracuse
Dino Babers has the best-equipped team to challenge Clemson in the ACC Atlantic, something the Orange have proven the last two seasons. The Orange have to replace quarterback Eric Dungey and an experienced offensive line, but most of the skill position players return on a team that averaged 40.2 points per game. Clemson visits the Carrier Dome on Sept. 14.

21. Stanford
This is a default setting of sorts for Stanford, which will be in the Pac-12 hunt as usual under David Shaw. It's time for K.J. Costello to lead this team to something more than just a steady contender. The Cardinal will get all the attention they need in season-opening stretch that includes Northwestern, USC, UCF and Oregon.

22. Wisconsin
The Badgers slipped in Paul Chryst's fourth season and didn’t handle preseason expectations well, but there are enough pieces, starting with Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor, to believe the Badgers can get back atop of the Big Ten West. They did not win the cross-over draw with games against Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State, however. Can Alex Hornibrook — or whoever is under center — rejuvenate the passing game?

23. Iowa State
Matt Campbell continues to impress as the Cyclones' coach, and there’s an excitement around sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy. Iowa State plays four of its first five games at home and is set up for a fast start, but it will have to win at Oklahoma and West Virginia to keep their Big 12 championship hopes alive.

24. Northwestern
Pat Fitzgerald typically does more with less, and the Wildcats have improved facilities and recruiting to back up the success that has come both in the division and bowl games. It will be a test to do it all over again without Clayton Thorson, but the steady success under Fitzgerald comes with interchangeable parts. Five-star Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson will be a player to watch this spring.

25. Minnesota
"Row the Boat, indeed." We know the risks of ranking the Gophers, but P.J. Fleck had this team playing at a high level with blowout wins against Purdue and Wisconsin in November before an impressive bowl rout against Georgia Tech. Plus, the Gophers' schedule is a little easier than the other Big Ten West contenders.

 

[AlaskaGuy]

14. Washington
Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin are gone, and the defense must replace five seniors from the front seven. It’s time for transfer quarterback Jacob Eason to seize the opportunity, and the schedule is set up for a quick start after the opener against FCS powerhouse Eastern Washington. Chris Petersen still has one of the best teams in the Pac-12, but the competition up top in the division will be fierce.

 

[Texas Jefe]

damn, forgot Washington has Eason cooling his heels this year.

 

[AlaskaGuy]

damn, forgot Washington has Eason cooling his heels this year.

 

[LizardBoy]

TCU not in that?! FAIL.

Can't believe Texas isn't #1. This is heresy....along with the flea that floats down the river on a leaf yelling, "RAISE THE DRAW BRIDGE!!!"

 

[Justin Tyme]

7. LSU
The Tigers had an impressive season under Ed Orgeron, and Joe Burrow, who had a good game against UCF in the Fiesta Bowl, has another year to work in offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger’s system. The defense can offset some NFL Draft depatures around SN All-American safety Grant Delpit. The road trip to Texas and the usual date with Alabama on Nov. 9 will determine the Playoff possibilities, but the rest of the schedule is friendly enough to set up those opportunities.


Well I'll be damned. Steve Ensminger has a system?

 

[AlaskaGuy]

7. LSU
The Tigers had an impressive season under Ed Orgeron, and Joe Burrow, who had a good game against UCF in the Fiesta Bowl, has another year to work in offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger’s system. The defense can offset some NFL Draft depatures around SN All-American safety Grant Delpit. The road trip to Texas and the usual date with Alabama on Nov. 9 will determine the Playoff possibilities, but the rest of the schedule is friendly enough to set up those opportunities.


Well I'll be damned. Steve Ensminger has a system?

The Big Game!

 

[Justin Tyme]

The Big Game!

How come this couldn't have been 3 or 4 years ago when Texas wasn't worth a fuck? Now LSU has Farmer Fran and Steve Ensminger's system! Fuck!


It should be a Jim Dandy, tho! They both get to warm up the first week with their cupcake game, then get down to some serious football.

 

[HawkFan]

Continued ...

11. Texas A&M
Jimbo Fisher returns a talented team that includes quarterback Kellen Mond, and the Aggies have enough four- and five-star talent to be an SEC West contender. The Sept. 7 trip to Clemson won’t be easy, and the Oct. 12 matchup with Alabama will again be a measuring stick. Texas A&M will have a tough challenge with consecutive road trips at Georgia and LSU to end the season.

12. Penn State
Tommy Stevens will take over at quarterback, and he’ll have an explosive talent to throw to in KJ Hamler. Edge rusher Micah Parsons could have a breakout season, too. Close losses to Ohio State have kept the Nittany Lions out of the Playoff race the last two seasons. James Franklin still has the talent capable of a breakthrough.

13. Oregon
The Ducks will be a hot pick to win the Pac-12 with quarterback Justin Herbert returning and Mario Cristobal bringing in a top-10 recruiting class. The right pieces are in place. Now it’s time for the Ducks to win big conference games again. Road trips to Stanford, Washington and USC make that possible, but not until after the season opener against Auburn at Jerry World.

14. Washington
Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin are gone, and the defense must replace five seniors from the front seven. It’s time for transfer quarterback Jacob Eason to seize the opportunity, and the schedule is set up for a quick start after the opener against FCS powerhouse Eastern Washington. Chris Petersen still has one of the best teams in the Pac-12, but the competition up top in the division will be fierce.

15. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs won four of their last five regular-season games and offered a glimpse of what could be with second-year coach Joe Moorhead. There are huge losses on the defensive line with Montez Sweat and Jeffery Simmons, and Nick Fitzgerald was a program-building quarterback — but backup Keytaon Thompson played well when given a chance. If the Bulldogs can get through midseason road trips to Auburn and Tennessee, then November could be a lot of fun in Starkville.

16. Auburn
This is a pivotal season at Auburn for Gus Malzahn, who will be more involved in the offense than he was in 2018. The Tigers have had four or more losses in each of the last five seasons. The good news? Alabama and Georgia must come to The Plains this year. The spring battle between Malik Willis and Joey Gatewood should be heated.

17. Army
The Black Knights won a record-11 games in 2018, and have a 21-5 record the last two seasons under Jeff Monken. Star quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. returns on a team that has experience on both sides. Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s departure to North Carolina is the only downer heading into next season. The Black Knights gave Oklahoma a scare in 2018; if they can do the same at Michigan on Sept. 7, this independent team could work into the New Year’s Day Six conversation.

18. UCF
UCF remains the best team in the AAC, and quarterback McKenzie Milton's status will be talked about, given the long recovery from a gruesome leg injury. There is intrigue at the position with the addition of Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush. Darriel Mack Jr. also proved he can play. UCF faces FAU, Stanford and Pitt in nonconference play. They will know where they stand heading into conference play.

19. Washington State
Mike Leach won't have Gardner Minshew, but he continues to make it work with a pass-happy system where it's next man up. Anthony Gordon, Trey Tinsley and Cammon Cooper are candidates for the job. The Cougars have been close to a Pac-12 championship, but that next step won’t happen until they unseat rival Washington in the Apple Cup. The Cougars travel to Utah, Oregon and Washington this season. That won't be easy.

20. Syracuse
Dino Babers has the best-equipped team to challenge Clemson in the ACC Atlantic, something the Orange have proven the last two seasons. The Orange have to replace quarterback Eric Dungey and an experienced offensive line, but most of the skill position players return on a team that averaged 40.2 points per game. Clemson visits the Carrier Dome on Sept. 14.

21. Stanford
This is a default setting of sorts for Stanford, which will be in the Pac-12 hunt as usual under David Shaw. It's time for K.J. Costello to lead this team to something more than just a steady contender. The Cardinal will get all the attention they need in season-opening stretch that includes Northwestern, USC, UCF and Oregon.

22. Wisconsin
The Badgers slipped in Paul Chryst's fourth season and didn’t handle preseason expectations well, but there are enough pieces, starting with Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor, to believe the Badgers can get back atop of the Big Ten West. They did not win the cross-over draw with games against Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State, however. Can Alex Hornibrook — or whoever is under center — rejuvenate the passing game?

23. Iowa State
Matt Campbell continues to impress as the Cyclones' coach, and there’s an excitement around sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy. Iowa State plays four of its first five games at home and is set up for a fast start, but it will have to win at Oklahoma and West Virginia to keep their Big 12 championship hopes alive.

24. Northwestern
Pat Fitzgerald typically does more with less, and the Wildcats have improved facilities and recruiting to back up the success that has come both in the division and bowl games. It will be a test to do it all over again without Clayton Thorson, but the steady success under Fitzgerald comes with interchangeable parts. Five-star Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson will be a player to watch this spring.

25. Minnesota
"Row the Boat, indeed." We know the risks of ranking the Gophers, but P.J. Fleck had this team playing at a high level with blowout wins against Purdue and Wisconsin in November before an impressive bowl rout against Georgia Tech. Plus, the Gophers' schedule is a little easier than the other Big Ten West contenders.

Horse shit. Iowa State and MN and no Iowa.

 

[LizardBoy]

The college football media should be executed for not ranking Texas #1.

ESPN has to pay for the LHN, by Buddha!

 

[7Samurai13]

Minnesota?

 

[BamaDude]

All in all, not a bad way-too-early preseason poll; but I think Wisconsin & Minnesota are probably rated too high. Might want to slip either Boise St. or Fresno St. into one of those lower tier spots & swap out Bama & Clemson.

 

[iowajerms]

Iowa, not on the list.

 

[AlaskaGuy]

Iowa, not on the list.

Because from here on out the Cyclones run this state.

 

[iowajerms]

Because from here on out the Cyclones run this state.

They can get off-season and preseason honors. That is fine with me.

 

[Neilcar]

The guy talks about depth in the sec ... but looking at the 2018 Bowl season I am thinking he may be stuck in a rut in his sec coverage.

 

[outofyourmind]

No way Clemson isn't #1.
Better players than Bama.
Better Coaching than Bama.
Better QB returning than Bama.
And Clemson just, literally, kicked their ass.\


Poll fail

 

[AlaskaGuy]

Where's @78Cyclones

 

[78Cyclones]

NY6 Bowl Projections using this Top 25:

Peach: #1 Alabama vs. #4 Oklahoma
Fiesta: #2 Clemson vs. #3 Georgia
Rose: #5 Ohio State vs. #13 Oregon
Sugar: #6 Texas vs. #7 LSU
Orange: #8 Notre Dame vs. #20 Syracuse
Cotton: #9 Florida vs. #17 Army OR #18 UCF - depending on how the Committee treats Army).