Garnet & Cocky’s Preseason Top 25 Rankings
By Rixon Lane
5. Oregon Ducks
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
The Ducks missed the BCS for the first time in four seasons last year, but there is no reason they can’t make the playoffs. Oregon gets Stanford at home and avoids USC and Arizona State completely. A road game against UCLA will be the big test.
4. Auburn Tigers
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Auburn is here to stay, at least while Gus Malzahn is at the controls. Tailback Tre Mason is gone, but the Tigers’ offensive line is formidable enough to make anyone into a dangerous running threat. Nick Marshall needs to get better as a passer to help complete the Tiger offense.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
The Sooners garnered some serious respect with their Sugar Bowl win over Alabama, but the offense has questions that could keep Oklahoma from being championship-caliber. The lines are stacked and Trevor Knight is back at quarterback, but the Sooners need more offensive weapsons.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama has had months to stew over season-ending losses to Auburn and Oklahoma. That probably spells trouble for the rest of college football. A.J. McCarron is gone, but the Tide’s quarterback can choose whether to hand off to T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Heny or Kenyan Drake.
1. Florida State Seminoles
Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
The Seminoles are kings of college football until someone knocks them off. Jameis Winston is back for his second year, the secondary is stacked, and Florida State is lightyears ahead of everyone else in the ACC. The Tomahawk Chop should be in full force again this season.