Garnet & Cocky’s Preseason Top 25 Rankings
By Rixon Lane
9. Stanford Cardinal
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The Cardinal will continue to play smash-mouth football, despite losing the team’s two top backs and four members of the offensive line. Stanford’s defense has several spots to fill, but don’t expect things to change in Palo Alto.
8. Michigan State Spartans
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Michigan State boasted one of the nastiest defenses in college football last season and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi must rebuild his unit. Quarterback Connor Cook and running back Jeremy Langford lead an offense that can outscore opponents if neccessary.
7. UCLA Bruins
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The Bruins are a national championship contender in Jim Mora’s third season at the helm. The conference opener against Arizona State could decide the Pac-12 South and the Bruins might go into the confence title game with a spot in the playoffs on the line.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Ohio State’s 2013 campaign lost some of its luster after the Buckeyes fell to Michigan State in the Big Ten title game and to Clemson in the Orange Bowl, but Urban Meyer’s team is primed for a possible championship run in 2014. Quarterback Braxton Miller will be the catalyst for OSU’s title hopes.