2014 College Football Pre-Season top 25

Pre-season college football polls can be your best friend or worst enemy. Some may feel that the pre-season polls either hype up a team too much or do not give enough credit to the underdog. These polls are rarely correct especially when it comes to picking the number one team in the country.

For example, the 2012 Associated Press pre-season poll had USC at the top of the rankings; yet, the Trojans finished the season unranked. In fact, 2004 was the last time AP pre-season #1 won the national championship (USC later had to vacate that title due to NCAA sanctions).

Regardless of how you view pre-season polls, they can also be beneficial, and above all else it is something to talk about as we very impatiently wait for the start of the 2014 season.

So here is another 2014 pre-season top 25:

25. Florida

No other team in college football suffered more from injuries than the Florida Gators. Florida will benefit from some key returning starters such as quarterback Jeff Driskel who is operating under new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper. They play Alabama and LSU out of the West so the schedule is not easy. With enough offensive production out of Driskel, the Gators will make a surprise run in the East.

24. Clemson

It is hard to underestimate the coaching ability of Dabo Swinney. While he has done an excellent job, his teams struggle in big time games. Losing Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins to the NFL will hurt the Tigers. Opening against Georgia does not help. Clemson’s record may fall off early, but expect improvement by the second half of the season because they do return serious talent.

23. Texas

The Longhorns may be working with new head coach Charlie Strong, but this is still the same team almost won the BIG 12. Strong inherits 15 returning starters. If Texas can survive their first six games then they will make a serious run in the BIG 12.

22. UCF

It is hard to say that UCF will repeat last year’s success that concluded with a Fiesta Bowl win over Baylor. The Knights have some work to do replacing quarterback Blake Bortles and leading rusher Storm Johnson. Fortunately, Cincinnati is not on their schedule so a win over Houston on Oct. 2 will almost guarantee winning the AAC conference.

21. Kansas State

Kansas State will have a tough time handling their schedule with games at Oklahoma, TCU, and Baylor plus anon-conference home game against Auburn. However, Bill Snyder does a great job getting his players ready and uses a lot of junior college transfers. The Wildcats will be dark horse contenders in the BIG 12 behind the strong arm of quarterback Jake Waters.

20. Virginia Tech

The Hokies are serious contenders in the ACC Coastal, but hey will need to play their best Beamer Ball with Ohio State and East Carolina on their non-conference schedule. On the bright side, Virginia Tech hosts most of their tough opponents. Expect the Hokies to stay in the top 25 if Beamer can replace some of last year’s leaders.

19. Marshall

 It is easy to say that Marshall should start and finish in the top 25 because an undefeated season is a strong possibility. They return a solid squad that includes their leading passer, receiver, and tackler from last season. The Thundering Herd also benefits from one of the easiest schedules in the country. Marshall will not make a large climb up the polls due to their soft schedule.

18. Ole Miss

Ole Miss will begin to benefit from Hugh Freeze’s recruiting classes this season. The Rebels have the most experienced quarterback in the SEC and also have the best defense they have had in the Hugh Freeze era. Playing in the SEC West is the biggest challenge of course, but, with one or two upsets, Ole Miss can make a run up the polls.

17. Michigan

Michigan would be a heavy favorite in their division if it were not for road games at Michigan State and Ohio State. Brady Hoke has the talent and the staff to make a run in the BIG Ten East, provided new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier ignites a much-needed spark in the offense. The defense is poised to be the best in the Hoke era so do not sleep on the Wolverines.

16. North Carolina

North Carolina showed signs of future success by winning 5 of their last 6 games last season after starting the season 1-5. Larry Fedora’s system seemed to operate better under quarterback Marquise Williams who returns this season. The Tar Heels travel to Clemson, Notre, and Miami. They should be favored in two of those games. They will have to replace some big time players, but if they play their cards right, a 10 win season and Coastal division title is very possible.

15. Stanford

Stanford head coach David Shaw is entering his fourth season as head coach after going to three consecutive BCS Bowls in his first three seasons. Unfortunately, this looks like the year that streak comes to an end. Away games at Washington, Notre Dame, Arizona State, Oregon, and UCLA will be too much for Stanford. However, Shaw is arguably the best coach in the PAC 12 so you can expect him to get some much-needed wins down the stretch with the talent he returns.

14. USC

USC had a remarkable turn around last season after the firing of Lane Kiffin. Steve Sarkisian steps in now and inherits a lot of talent. The Trojans are poised to have the best defensive line in the country. USC returns their leading passer, rusher, and receiver from last season and only has two tough road games at Stanford and UCLA. An early win at Stanford could me a late November matchup with the Bruins will decide the PAC-12 South.

13. LSU

LSU has to replace their leading passer, rusher, and top two receivers from last season. However, the Tigers are experienced and will still be contenders in the SEC West. Their season opener against Wisconsin will set the tone for the rest of the season. If they survive road games to Auburn and Florida then Les Miles will have yet another matchup against Alabama that could decide the West if one of the Mississippi teams does not get in their way first.

12. Wisconsin

The Badgers are not only the favorites to win the BIG Ten West, but they are also underdog contenders for the playoff. Running back Melvin Gordon will help lead the offense that could end up being the best in the conference. Very little experience returns on defense so that could be the demise of the Badgers chances of winning their division. However, if the offense lives up to their expectations then Wisconsin will have a solid season.

11. Ohio State

The Buckeyes took a significant drop due to Braxton Miller’s season ending injury. Urban Meyer will have his work cut out for him, but because he is one of the best in the country he will keep this team in contention. Ohio State still has tough games at Maryland, Penn State, and Michigan State. The offense is now a huge question mark so the defense will have to take the reins and help squeak out a couple of wins.

10. South Carolina

Even with a win over Georgia on September 13^th, the Gamecocks will have a rough road ahead of them to make it to Atlanta. Road games at Florida and Auburn in the second half of the season will be difficult not to mention a non-conference game against Clemson. On a positive note, South Carolina returns running back Mike Davis who is the focal point of the offense. The Gamecocks have one of the best teams in the SEC, but also one of the toughest schedules.

9.  Auburn

Everyone knows about this historic run the Auburn Tigers made last season. The Tigers return a lot of talent so they can continue that success this season. However, he schedule is a lot more difficult this season with road games at Kansas State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Georgia, and Auburn while also having to play South Carolina out of the East. If Nick Marshall improves his passing game, the Tigers could easily win the West despite the tough schedule.

8. Michigan State

There is one thing standing between Michigan State and a playoff run and that is an early game against Oregon. The Spartans return quarterback Connor Cook who really stepped up in wins over Ohio State and Stanford. Replacing leaders on defense will be the key to making a run to the playoff. The sky is the limit for Michigan State if they avoid upsets (the Spartans should be favored in at least 11 games).

7. Baylor

Baylor literally dominated most of the 2013 season until Oklahoma State ruined their national title hopes. The Bears will have to restructure its’ defense, but the return of quarterback Bryce Petty and wide receiver Antwan Goodley is music to the ears of Baylor fans. A November 8^th game against at Oklahoma will likely decide the BIG 12 and possibly a playoff spot.

6.  Georgia

The Bulldogs are in a nice setup to win the SEC East. Of course they have to survive a game at South Carolina, but the return of running back Todd Gurley is excellent news for Georgia. Do not overlook quarterback Hutson Mason. He has experience and will do fine leading the Bulldogs. Every SEC team has a tough schedule, and it is no different for Georgia. However, they should be the favorite to win the SEC East.

5. UCLA

If UCLA wants to make it to the playoff, this will be the year to do it. The Bruins return 17 starters including superstars Brett Hundley and Myles Jack. They play all their toughest games at home (Oregon, USC, and Stanford) with the lone exception being a mutual sight game against Texas. What is the bad news for UCLA? If they beat Oregon and Stanford in the regular season they will likely have to still play one of them again in the PAC 12 Championship.

4. Oklahoma

It is easy to get hyped on the Sooners because of beat down they gave Alabama in last year’s Sugar Bowl. It does not matter how you view that game because Oklahoma still has loads of returning talent starting with quarterback Trevor Knight. The schedule is tough, but most of the difficult games are at home. The only real concern is finding depth at wide receiver. Despite the talent level, the Sooners season will go one of two ways: playoff berth or Cotton Bowl invite.

3. Oregon

Oregon will have an early test against Michigan State in week 2. If they survive that game they will have a strong chance of making it to the playoffs. Even a regular season loss to UCLA can be redeemed in the PAC 12 Championship and get them to the playoff. The key to their success is Marcus Mariota so his health is pivotal this season (we all saw where Ohio State dropped when they lost Braxton Miller).

2. Alabama

The only thing slowing down the Tide this season is the looming question of who will start at quarterback: Sim or Coker. It should not matter who starts as long as he can find wide receiver Amari Cooper. Their slew of running backs will be the backbone of the offense while the defense needs to step up after seeing teams like Texas A&M and Oklahoma run up the score. If the Tide lives past their matchups with LSU and Auburn then you can bet on a playoff spot.

1. Florida State

It is pretty repetitive to place the defending national champion at pre-season number one. Trust me this is not just another generic pick. The Seminoles are serious contenders. If they lose in the regular season, blame the defense. The Seminoles have a few games that could turn into an upset (Clemson, Notre Dame, Louisville, and Florida), but the real competition will be in the playoff. Playoff berth? Yes. Repeat national champions? Do not get too excited.