ESPN releases post-spring college football Top 25
ByJORDAN JAMES 5 hours ago
1
The 2019 college football season is under 90 days from kickoff, when matchups of Florida-Miami and Arizona-Hawai'i on Aug. 24 begin our journey to the next College Football Playoff.
In the aftermath of spring practices around the country, we have learned more about the projected top teams that will likely be in the national championship conversation throughout the fall. All challengers will be chasing the Clemson Tigers after they took home last season's playoff trophy, their second title victory in the past three seasons.
The team that lost to Clemson, the Alabama Crimson Tide, are once again expected to be contenders in the Southeastern Conference. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, who agreed to a 10-year contract extension with the school this offseason, would not be surprised to meet Alabama in the playoff again.
25-21
Mississippi State QB Keytaon Thompson (Photo: Jonathan Bachman, Getty)
25. Mississippi State Bulldogs
24. Army Black Knights
23. Iowa Hawkeyes
22. Syracuse Orange
21. Wisconsin Badgers
20-16
Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez (Photo: Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports)
20. Nebraska Cornhuskers
19. Washington State Cougars
18. Auburn Tigers
17. Stanford Cardinal
16. Utah Utes
The teams ranked in this group could also make some noise in their respective conferences. There is optimism for a Nebraska team entering its second season under head coach Scott Frost. The Huskers will be led by second-year quarterback Adrian Martinez, who gained valuable experience during his freshman campaign. Washington State and coach Mike Leach must replace quarterback Gardner Minshew, and the quarterback competition will play a pivotal role in deciding if the Cougars can contend in the Pac-12. Stanford does have its starting quarterback (K.J. Costello) back, but the Cardinal will have to be more consistent to compete. Utah is the defending Pac-12 South division champion with a good chance to repeat in 2019. The Auburn Tigers will have to navigate a difficult Southeastern Conference schedule, but they will have a stout defense. However, the Tigers still have to settle on a new starting quarterback — true freshman Bo Nix or redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood.
15. WASHINGTON HUSKIES | 14. UCF KNIGHTS
Washington QB Jacob Eason (Photo: M. Samek, 247Sports)
ESPN: The Huskies are totally rebuilding on defense, but the good news is that that side of the ball had a pretty productive spring, particularly late. Longtime starting quarterback Jake Browning is gone, but the hope is that former No. 1 QB recruit Jacob Eason can step right in and be even better.
——
ESPN: An offseason filled with speculation is underway, as the Knights ended spring without a declared starter at quarterback. Darriel Mack Jr., who started two games last season after McKenzie Milton got hurt, and Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush lead the group, and there was no real separation between them. Coach Josh Heupel said the competition has been good and will only help whoever eventually wins the starting job.
13. PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS | 12. TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Penn State LB Micah Parsons (Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
ESPN: Sean Clifford is the presumed starter at quarterback, but losing (Tommy) Stevens means losing a veteran player with experience at the position. With some coaching and player turnover, this is going to be a pivotal season for James Franklin. Coming off losses to Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan in 2018, the staff is looking for a better result than last season's 9-4 finish.
11. TEXAS LONGHORNS | 10. OREGON DUCKS
Texas QB Sam Ehlinger (Photo: © Chuck Cook, USA TODAY Sports)
9. LSU TIGERS | 8. FLORIDA GATORS
LSU QB Joe Burrow (Photo: Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports)
ESPN: Whether it sticks remains to be seen, but LSU is selling a new offensive vision again. You saw it during a spring game in which the Tigers hardly went under center. Coach Ed Orgeron is calling new passing-game coordinator Joe Brady an expert in the run-pass option offense, and optimism abounds.
——
ESPN: The Gators set multiple spring-game records on offense, a surprising breath of fresh air considering how poorly that unit has performed over the past decade. Perhaps the Florida faithful can truly believe the Gators turned a corner under Dan Mullen.
7. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES | 6. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
Notre Dame QB Ian Book (Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
ESPN: The expectations are high for Michigan, returning most of its offense, including quarterback Shea Patterson. Jim Harbaugh has handed the offense over to new coordinator Josh Gattis. Through the short time they've been together, Patterson and backup quarterback Dylan McCaffrey have raved about the energy level from Gattis and what the new offense will bring.
——
ESPN: Notre Dame made it to the College Football Playoff this past season, and the team has some good stability coming out of this spring. Quarterback Ian Book returns, and the defense will be anchored by a strong, experienced line.
5. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES | 4. OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Oklahoma QB Lincoln Riley (Photo: Michael Reaves, Getty)
ESPN: The Buckeyes and new head coach Ryan Day have had an interesting spring. Day added transfer quarterback Justin Fields, but Matthew Baldwin decided to transfer. The coaches have since added Kentucky quarterback transfer Gunnar Hoak and 2019 preferred walk-on JP Andrade. If Fields stays healthy, Ohio State should be in the playoff discussion.
——
ESPN: Jalen Hurts might not win the Heisman Trophy and go No. 1 in the NFL draft like his two Oklahoma predecessors, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Still, the Sooners are squarely in position to make the playoff for a fourth time in five seasons with Hurts at quarterback.
3. GEORGIA BULLDOGS | 2. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Alabama coach Nick Saban (left) & Georgia coach Kirby Smart (right) (Photo: © Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
ESPN: We're going to have to trust Jake Fromm when he says he and the offense made strides this spring, because it didn't show up on G-Day, with the exception of a seemingly rising star in wideout Jeremiah Holloman. The defense, on the other hand, was a reason for optimism.
——
ESPN: With no major injuries and no quarterback competition, it was something of a quiet spring for the defending SEC champs. Even Nick Saban's hip-replacement surgery seemed to go swimmingly. But there's still work to be done in Tuscaloosa. While Josh Jobe and a few other players created a buzz, the defense must find a way to replace a bunch of draft picks and bounce back from a rough end to last season. And looking bigger picture, having seven new assistant coaches is something worth keeping an eye on.
1. CLEMSON TIGERS
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney (Photo: Cory Fravel, 247Sports)
ByJORDAN JAMES 5 hours ago
1
The 2019 college football season is under 90 days from kickoff, when matchups of Florida-Miami and Arizona-Hawai'i on Aug. 24 begin our journey to the next College Football Playoff.
In the aftermath of spring practices around the country, we have learned more about the projected top teams that will likely be in the national championship conversation throughout the fall. All challengers will be chasing the Clemson Tigers after they took home last season's playoff trophy, their second title victory in the past three seasons.
The team that lost to Clemson, the Alabama Crimson Tide, are once again expected to be contenders in the Southeastern Conference. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, who agreed to a 10-year contract extension with the school this offseason, would not be surprised to meet Alabama in the playoff again.
25-21
Mississippi State QB Keytaon Thompson (Photo: Jonathan Bachman, Getty)
25. Mississippi State Bulldogs
24. Army Black Knights
23. Iowa Hawkeyes
22. Syracuse Orange
21. Wisconsin Badgers
20-16
Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez (Photo: Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports)
20. Nebraska Cornhuskers
19. Washington State Cougars
18. Auburn Tigers
17. Stanford Cardinal
16. Utah Utes
The teams ranked in this group could also make some noise in their respective conferences. There is optimism for a Nebraska team entering its second season under head coach Scott Frost. The Huskers will be led by second-year quarterback Adrian Martinez, who gained valuable experience during his freshman campaign. Washington State and coach Mike Leach must replace quarterback Gardner Minshew, and the quarterback competition will play a pivotal role in deciding if the Cougars can contend in the Pac-12. Stanford does have its starting quarterback (K.J. Costello) back, but the Cardinal will have to be more consistent to compete. Utah is the defending Pac-12 South division champion with a good chance to repeat in 2019. The Auburn Tigers will have to navigate a difficult Southeastern Conference schedule, but they will have a stout defense. However, the Tigers still have to settle on a new starting quarterback — true freshman Bo Nix or redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood.
15. WASHINGTON HUSKIES | 14. UCF KNIGHTS
Washington QB Jacob Eason (Photo: M. Samek, 247Sports)
ESPN: The Huskies are totally rebuilding on defense, but the good news is that that side of the ball had a pretty productive spring, particularly late. Longtime starting quarterback Jake Browning is gone, but the hope is that former No. 1 QB recruit Jacob Eason can step right in and be even better.
——
ESPN: An offseason filled with speculation is underway, as the Knights ended spring without a declared starter at quarterback. Darriel Mack Jr., who started two games last season after McKenzie Milton got hurt, and Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush lead the group, and there was no real separation between them. Coach Josh Heupel said the competition has been good and will only help whoever eventually wins the starting job.
13. PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS | 12. TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Penn State LB Micah Parsons (Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
ESPN: Sean Clifford is the presumed starter at quarterback, but losing (Tommy) Stevens means losing a veteran player with experience at the position. With some coaching and player turnover, this is going to be a pivotal season for James Franklin. Coming off losses to Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan in 2018, the staff is looking for a better result than last season's 9-4 finish.
11. TEXAS LONGHORNS | 10. OREGON DUCKS
Texas QB Sam Ehlinger (Photo: © Chuck Cook, USA TODAY Sports)
9. LSU TIGERS | 8. FLORIDA GATORS
LSU QB Joe Burrow (Photo: Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports)
ESPN: Whether it sticks remains to be seen, but LSU is selling a new offensive vision again. You saw it during a spring game in which the Tigers hardly went under center. Coach Ed Orgeron is calling new passing-game coordinator Joe Brady an expert in the run-pass option offense, and optimism abounds.
——
ESPN: The Gators set multiple spring-game records on offense, a surprising breath of fresh air considering how poorly that unit has performed over the past decade. Perhaps the Florida faithful can truly believe the Gators turned a corner under Dan Mullen.
7. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES | 6. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
Notre Dame QB Ian Book (Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
ESPN: The expectations are high for Michigan, returning most of its offense, including quarterback Shea Patterson. Jim Harbaugh has handed the offense over to new coordinator Josh Gattis. Through the short time they've been together, Patterson and backup quarterback Dylan McCaffrey have raved about the energy level from Gattis and what the new offense will bring.
——
ESPN: Notre Dame made it to the College Football Playoff this past season, and the team has some good stability coming out of this spring. Quarterback Ian Book returns, and the defense will be anchored by a strong, experienced line.
5. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES | 4. OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Oklahoma QB Lincoln Riley (Photo: Michael Reaves, Getty)
ESPN: The Buckeyes and new head coach Ryan Day have had an interesting spring. Day added transfer quarterback Justin Fields, but Matthew Baldwin decided to transfer. The coaches have since added Kentucky quarterback transfer Gunnar Hoak and 2019 preferred walk-on JP Andrade. If Fields stays healthy, Ohio State should be in the playoff discussion.
——
ESPN: Jalen Hurts might not win the Heisman Trophy and go No. 1 in the NFL draft like his two Oklahoma predecessors, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Still, the Sooners are squarely in position to make the playoff for a fourth time in five seasons with Hurts at quarterback.
3. GEORGIA BULLDOGS | 2. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Alabama coach Nick Saban (left) & Georgia coach Kirby Smart (right) (Photo: © Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
ESPN: We're going to have to trust Jake Fromm when he says he and the offense made strides this spring, because it didn't show up on G-Day, with the exception of a seemingly rising star in wideout Jeremiah Holloman. The defense, on the other hand, was a reason for optimism.
——
ESPN: With no major injuries and no quarterback competition, it was something of a quiet spring for the defending SEC champs. Even Nick Saban's hip-replacement surgery seemed to go swimmingly. But there's still work to be done in Tuscaloosa. While Josh Jobe and a few other players created a buzz, the defense must find a way to replace a bunch of draft picks and bounce back from a rough end to last season. And looking bigger picture, having seven new assistant coaches is something worth keeping an eye on.
1. CLEMSON TIGERS
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney (Photo: Cory Fravel, 247Sports)
