'65 Cobra
Member
You think Baylor will start off in the top 5 even though the head coach that got them where they are is gone?
š Top 5 Teams To Start 2020?
- Thread starter alabama mike
- Start date
You think Baylor will start off in the top 5 even though the head coach that got them where they are is gone?
College football rankings: SN's Preseason Top 25 for 2020
It's never too early to look ahead to next year, and there are familiar schools atop Sporting News' way-too-early top 25 rankings for the 2020 college football season.www.sportingnews.com
25. Boise State
24. UCF
23. Virginia
22. Arizona State
21. North Carolina
20. Cincinnati
19. Louisville
18. Utah
17. Oklahoma State
16. Texas A&M
The Aggies have consecutive top-10 recruiting classes to build their team in 2020, meaning more difference-makers to help Kellen Mond enjoy his senior season. Isaiah Spiller is back too, and this offense should be much better after a year of experience. The defense is mostly together. For third-year coach Jimbo Fisher, it comes down to making that jump against top-10 teams. The Aggies are 1-7 in that situation the last two seasons. The crossover schedule is more friendly against South Carolina and Vanderbilt, but Texas A&M still visits Auburn and closes the season at Alabama before taking on LSU at home.
15. Michigan
14. Wisconsin
13. Texas
12. Minnesota
11. Auburn
We're going to talk about Gus Malzhan's job security all offseason again, but the Tigers bought some time by winning the Iron Bowl. Sophomore quarterback Bo Nix returns and should improve his consistency as a sophomore. JaTarvious Whitlow will be healthy. The defensive line loses Marlon Davidson, Derrick Brown and Nick Coe, but at least returns Big Kat Bryant and Tyrone Truesdell. The schedule is brutal, and it closes with LSU and Alabama in the final two weeks. Who made that again?
10. Florida
Dan Mullen led the Gators to back-to-back New Year's Day 6 Bowl wins, and he has upgraded the talent with each recruiting cycle. Kyle Trask and Emory Jones will fight for the quarterback job, but it would be hard to take that away from Trask given how he filled in this season. The return of cornerback Marco Wilson is a lift for a talented defense that loses CJ Henderson. Florida is close to getting back to the SEC championship game, but Georgia remains the biggest hurdle.
9. Penn State
James Franklin signed a longterm extension, and he continues to build the program toward a Playoff breakthrough with big recruiting classes. Sean Clifford, Journey Brown, Pat Freiermuth and Jahan Dotson lead what should be a high-scoring offense while Micah Parsons can step into Yetur Gross-Matosā role as one of the best defenders in college football. Road trips to Virginia Tech and Michigan in the first five weeks won't be easy, but it still comes down to Ohio State. The Buckeyes which visit Happy Valley on Oct. 24.
8. Notre Dame
The return of veteran quarterback Ian Book is the biggest plus for Brian Kelly heading into his 11th season, and Jafar Armstrong and Jahmir Smith need to step up at running back. Javon McKinley, Braden Lenzy and Tommy Tremble give Book solid options in the receiving game. Secondary will be a question mark on defense. The schedule is fun with a trip to Ireland against Navy in the opener, an Oct. 3 visit to Lambeau Field for Wisconsin and the Nov. 7 blockbuster against Clemson in South Bend. The Irish are 33-6 the last three seasons. They will be in the Playoff conversation again.
7. Oklahoma
The Sooners are facing the backlash of a fourth Playoff loss in six seasons, but Lincoln Riley didn't go to the pros and Oklahoma is still the favorite to win the Big 12. Spencer Rattler had a year to learn behind Jalen Hurts, and that will pay off. Jadon Haselwood is the next breakout star at receiver, and the defense will face the same old questions with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. September features a visit from Tennessee and a trip to Army. The Sooners still have a lot of questions, but that might not be answered unless they get back to the Playoff.
6. Oregon
The Ducks are trending upward under Mario Cristobal, and the next step is the College Football Playoff. Justin Herbert's loss is the first order of business, but the new starter (who could come from the transfer portal) will run a talented offense that could still include Johnny Johnson III and CJ Verdell around an offensive line that features Penei Sewell. Sophomore Kayvon Thibodeaux leads the defense, and five-star linebacker Justin Flowe will be an instant-impact player (donāt forget about fellow five-star linebacker Noah Sewell, younger brother of Penei). Ohio State visits Autzen Stadium on Sept. 12 for an early test.
5. Georgia
Jake Fromm is gone, as well as the vast majority of Georgia's offensive line. But the Bulldogs will be in position to make the same run to the SEC championship game around a talented roster Kirby Smart has built with a string of top-five recruiting classes. There will be a wide-open battle and the transfer portal could factor in. Zamir White and James Cook will keep the ground game going, and George Pickens could emerge as the best receiver in the FBS. Rising redshirt-sophomore linebacker Azeez Ojulari could make the jump to All-American. The road trip to Alabama on Sept. 19 is the next chance to win the big game.
4. LSU
What will LSU and Ed Orgeron do for an encore without Joe Burrow? Myles Brennan will finally get his shot at quarterback, and Ja'Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall Jr. are back for another season. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire's draft decision will impact the running game. LSU's defense returns mostly intact and can build around sophomore Derek Stingley Jr. and another loaded recruiting class. Steve Ensminger, Joe Brady and Dave Aranda stayed put, too. Texas and Alabama visit Tiger Stadium, but there are road trips to Florida, Auburn and Texas A&M.
3. Alabama
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, receivers Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. and safety Xavier McKinney are gone, and Nick Saban faces the challenge of getting back into the College Football Playoff for the first time. The quarterback battle among Mac Jones, Taulia Tagovailoa and freshman Bryce Young will be the focus of the spring, and there likely won't be an answer until the opener against USC. Receivers DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle are back, and Najee Harris has yet to make a decision. Dylan Moses' decision to return should help shore up a defense that wasn't up to Alabamaās championship standard. Georgia visits Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 19. We'll know then if this team can handle LSU and Auburn in November.
2. Ohio State
The Buckeyes lost star players J.K. Dobbins, Chase Young and Jeff Okudah to the NFL, but Heisman Trophy finalist Justin Fields returns to a still-loaded roster. The receiving corps will be the deepest in the country. Expect Garrett Wilson to be a breakout star while five-star receiver Julian Fleming joins the fun. Wyatt Davis and Josh Myers return to a nasty offensive line. Shaun Wade's decision to return to school helps a defense that will rebuild the line around Tyreke Smith and Zach Harrison. Road trips to Oregon and Penn State are the biggest potholes to another Playoff run. Second-year coach Ryan Day can work with that.
1. Clemson
The beat goes on under Dabo Swinney. The Tigers figure to suffer some attrition to the NFL, but the offense runs around the junior trio of Trevor Lawrence, Lyn-J Dixon and Justyn Ross. Clemson also has the No. 1 recruiting class coming in, and defensive lineman Bryan Bresee will play right away. Coordinators Tony Elliott and Brent Venables stayed on, and that continuity should lead to a sixth straight ACC championship run. Including conference title games, the Tigers have won 22 straight in the ACC. The toughest game on the schedule is the Nov. 7 trip to Notre Dame.
I think itās funny how everyone just writes off Paul Tyson. To me when Taulia and he were in high school.. I thought Paul was the better of the two players. He is not your typical walk on QB. Now Bryce has more talent than all of them but he has a lot of learning to do
My top 5 was created prior to his hiring by Carolina. They'll still be in the top 10.
ElephantStomp
Member
S
SEC Sports
Don't tell Clemson coach Dabo Swinney rankings don't matter.
He vouched for respect all season for his defending national champion football team, except in the preseason.
āUnless they bring us a trophy and tear the concrete out over there and put the preseason champs up there, I donāt think weāre going to do that,ā Swinney said last August when Clemson was the preseason No. 1 for the first time in program history. āSo it just doesnāt matter. Thatās probably the only con is it just creates conversation thatās unnecessary because itās not worth the paper itās printed on.
"All youāve gotta do is take the last 10 years the preseason polls and a lot of those teams in the top five donāt even finish ranked."
With the 2019 college football season set to finish up Monday night in New Orleans, it's never too early too look ahead to which teams will be the nation's best next fall, a somewhat predictable glance at contenders followed by a handful of programs with a shot if all falls into place.
In a story that will be updated throughout the offseason leading into fall practice, here's a first look at our Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25 for 2020 in college football:
25. Tennessee Vols
24. Virginia Cavaliers
23. UCF Knights
22. Boise State Broncos
21. Arizona State Sun Devils
The word: What's in store for Jeremy Pruitt's third season in Knoxville? The Vols will enter the 2020 season on a six-game winning streak overflowing with confidence after a hot finish this fall. ... UCF is looking for a rebound season as potentially the Group of 5's best team, but the Knights will have to battle North Carolina early and fight through Boise State and Cincinnati in the rankings to get to a premiere bowl game. ... Herm Edwards and Arizona State is a confident bunch and expect big things from Jayden Daniels as a sophomore.
15. Minnesota Golden Gophers
14. Wisconsin Badgers
13. Michigan Wolverines
12. Texas Longhorns
11. Auburn Tigers
The word: Is it do or die time for Tom Herman in Austin? With a senior leader at quarterback in Sam Ehlinger, it's worth buying stock in Herman and the Longhorns in 2020 if the price is affordable coming out of summer with a healthy roster. Texas was a mash unit on defense this fall and succumbed to three quality opponents ā LSU, Oklahoma and Iowa State ā by one possession among its five total losses. Taking the field with a full chamber and winning close games matters inside the Top 25, two sticking points for the Longhorns next season. ... What's in store for Bo Nix's encore at Auburn?
10. Penn State Nittany Lions
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
8. Florida Gators
The word: One of college football's most underrated players this season after coming in for injured Feleipe Franks in September, Florida's Kyle Trask will be a recognizable name nationally entering his second year as Dan Mullen's starter as potentially the SEC's top player at his position. Trask provided stability for a team that hit double-digit wins again and finished a win over Georgia shy of taking the SEC East. And given the Bulldogs' questions on offense, media members could be split down the middle on 2020's preseason division favorite.
7. Oklahoma Sooners
6. Georgia Bulldogs
The word: Can Oklahoma continue its reign at the top of the Big 12? The Sooners will enter the new season with heralded 2019 signee Spencer Rattler at quarterback and many of their big bodies at the line of scrimmage back as the preseason league fave. And guess what? Lincoln Riley didn't bolt to the NFL, like some ā not Lincoln ā had projected for months. ... Georgia could have its best defense in Kirby Smart's tenure in 2020 with the bulk of its strength returning on that side of the ball, but how the Bulldogs look on offense could keep them out of the preseason Top 5 in August. We'll know more after the spring, but former Wake Forest quarterback Jamie Newman's transfer decision could have a domino effect in the SEC East if he's as good as advertised in the wake of Jake Fromm's exit to the NFL. He'll likely be one of nine new starters on offense, a unit depleted by players leaving early.
5. OREGON DUCKS
The word: Oregon is hoping to use its banner 2019 season as a jetpack to even more next season during Mario Cristobal's third campaign. A fast-rising coach, Cristobal put together the best recruiting haul in program history last cycle and is welcoming a Top 15 class in 2020 per the 247Sports Composite. That means the Ducks are reloading, not rebuilding, as defending Pac-12 and Rose Bowl champions. Five-star insider linebackers Justin Flowe and Noah Sewell are instant impact players on a defensive unit that looks to be one of the nation's best. How much will Justin Herbert's departure affect the Ducks on offense?
4. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
The word: Most of us jumped the gun on Alabama's "revenge tour" last season, but few saw the step back on defense thanks to injuries to several starters either. LSU's surge coupled with Tua Tagovailoa's season-ending injury in mid-November disrupted the Crimson Tide's quest to reach the College Football Playoff and led to their lowest-performing season since 2010. Alabama will be inside the Top 5 entering the season with former five-star Dylan Moses, among others, returning with an interesting quarterback battle on its hands between Mac Jones and freshman sensation Bryce Young. Surprisingly, even with Tagovailoa and Jerry Jeudy's departure to the NFL, Alabama survived the early rush of juniors to the next level and will have one of the nation's most talented rosters once again.
3. LSU TIGERS
The word: How much will the mass exodus of talent to the NFL affect the Tigers? With Ja'Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall Jr. back at wideout, several blossoming playmakers on defnese and the expected retention of Joe Brady and Steve Ensminger as the brains behind the offense, don't expect much drop off from Ed Orgeron's boys. There's no Joe Burrow in that quarterback room, but who's to say Myles Brennan won't be one of the SEC's breakout players? Of all the contenders next season, LSU has one of the toughest slates with road games against Florida, Auburn and Texas A&M as well as home showdowns vs. Texas and Alabama. But that got through that stretch in 2019 with no issues.
2. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
The word: The torchbearer in the Big Ten, the Buckeyes should be scary good once again. Peeking at Ohio State's projected two-deep, there's still a wealth of riches in terms of playmakers on offense, led by reigning Heisman finalist Justin Fields. Several starters returning along the offensive front might be the biggest positive for a team that finished one completion away from playing for a national title in 2019. The major question for Ohio State will be on defense where a couple first-round picks in the secondary exit as well as the most dominant player nationally in the trenches in Chase Young. But Ryan Day has recruited well and Ohio State will be the overwhelming Big Ten favorite.
1. CLEMSON TIGERS
The word: Trevor Lawrence is the singlemost important returning player in college football season and Clemson gets him one more year, not to mention the nation's top-ranked recruiting class coming in that will undoubtedly make a major impact with six five-stars headliners and seven of the Top 30 players nationally, per the 247Sports Composite. It's an all-time class for the Tigers as they try and play for a national title for the fifth time in six seasons in 2020. As a junior, Lawrence will be one of the Heisman frontrunners and once again, the Clemson's schedule sets up for another 12-0 regular-season slate if Dabo's team gets past Notre Dame in South Bend on Nov. 7.
I might consider a bet that they'd be in the top 25, between 20-25, but in the top five or top 10?
I don't expect them to finish in the top 10 this season and question why they were before the bowl season commenced.
mando
Member
People buying into the Ogre one hit season. Not buying it will be sustained just like the Barn couldn't do it with very mediocre coach(es) after their Fig Newton 2010 year.
I guess they would be more likely to than the Barn because of better recruiting but I just don't see it sustaining when you become the hunted and you have to find a new QB.
I guess they would be more likely to than the Barn because of better recruiting but I just don't see it sustaining when you become the hunted and you have to find a new QB.
NickelDoubleDog
Member
Tyson is not a walkon. He also was clearly behind Taulia this year, is miles behind Mac, and will be miles behind Bryce Young. It's no offense to the young man as he has talent, but he has no chance of playing unless multiple players get hurt or transfer.
BamaFan334
Member
A lot of preseason ranking is based on where a team finishes. The early rankings mean nothing and only help to hype game broadcasts and media. If it were me, I'd wait until October to have the first rankings. Of course, the media would then just continue the rankings and call them "unofficial."
Tyson is a walk on as he did not get a athletic scholarship.. Bear Bryants Grandson did not need one. He was recruited and offered but I believe he is on the Bryant scholarship or on self pay.
All I am saying is he is a real athlete and was a much better passer than Taulia in High School.. I watched them both play in person against like opponents a bunch. No illusions that kids dont learn at different speeds from High School to college and maybe Taulia got a leg up before the season began. I also have stated that I think Bryce has special talent and the ball explodes out of his hand but I don't think anyone should write Paul Tyson off. If I remember right, I think part of the reason that Tyson was redshirted is because they made some technical changes in his throwing motion/ footwork.. the arm talent is there though.
#80
Member
They didn't play anybody that certainly helped just take a look at their schedule. They are not a top 10 team.
I don't think he's on the Bryant Scholarship. The Bryant Scholarship was established by Coach Bryant to pay some of, not all, the tuition and board expenses of the children of his players and coaches. It's not a complete ride.
He was offered a scholarship by Saban but I don't know if he has an athletic scholarship.
NickelDoubleDog
Member
When I saw both on ESPNU, Taulia looked vastly superior. That carried over to this past year at Alabama.
Of course they are and the reasoning is understandable: teams do get a 'boost' from how they close out a season and their approach going into the next (especially when they have a significant number of returning players.)
I mentioned this in my earlier comment. Baylor went into their bowl game ranked ninth, arguably a ranking that too high, and lost to UGA and OU to close out their 2019-2020 season. The last AP poll has Baylor at #13. I can't see them moving up to a top ten and I'll say "there's no way they end up in the top five to start 2020."
Preseason rankings from Althon's, Sporting News, SI and Lindy's means dollar signs, plain and simple. As @TerryP stated, teams do get a boost from those bowl games as well as playing in conference championship games. It will be interesting to me to see if LSU gets a QB to come in and play immediately from the transfer portal. Clemson, Ohio St. and Alabama are just going to reload and play. I see those three teams making another deep run next season, the question in my mind is who is going to be number four? That's why we play the games.
Max
Member
25. Tennessee Vols
17. Texas A&M Aggies
11. Auburn Tigers
8. Florida Gators
6. Georgia Bulldogs
5. OREGON DUCKS
4. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
The word: Most of us jumped the gun on Alabama's "revenge tour" last season, but few saw the step back on defense thanks to injuries to several starters either. LSU's surge coupled with Tua Tagovailoa's season-ending injury in mid-November disrupted the Crimson Tide's quest to reach the College Football Playoff and led to their lowest-performing season since 2010. Alabama will be inside the Top 5 entering the season with former five-star Dylan Moses, among others, returning with an interesting quarterback battle on its hands between Mac Jones and freshman sensation Bryce Young. Surprisingly, even with Tagovailoa and Jerry Jeudy's departure to the NFL, Alabama survived the early rush of juniors to the next level and will have one of the nation's most talented rosters once again.
3. LSU TIGERS
2. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
1. CLEMSON TIGERS
mando
Member
No way this will be correct. LSU will drop like a rock. Bama will be where bama normally is going into the CFP at 1 or 2. Bama not being badly disrespected but just enough that Saban can show them that everyone believes the whos down in whoville are the new king of the SEC.
This came out on Jan 13th. Was this before the departures for the Who were announced?
This came out on Jan 13th. Was this before the departures for the Who were announced?
-
Thread 'š Bracketology 2026 - A quick from the distance: 2/8 update'
Alabama currently projected as a 4 seed.- TerryP
- Replies: 23
-
2026 Alabama Roster Management Chart and Portal news
The latest on who's in and who's out.- Brandon Van de Graaff
- Replies: 1,650
-
-
š„ Hot Seat - 2025: Who tops your list?
Gundy the latest; third this season.- TerryP
- Replies: 2,405
-
Thread 'Anybody watched any good new shows or series lately?'
The off-season "blues." What to watch?- Brandon Van de Graaff
- Replies: 146
-
Thread 'š 2025-26 Bama Basketball Updates: Roberts recuses himself: Judge Daniel Pruet has a decision on his hands'
Bama held their 1st practice 9/22- Brandon Van de Graaff
- Replies: 725
Similar threads
- TerryP
- Our Fansights
- 31
- 2K
