COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018: Preseason Top 25 Rankings

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SteemSports Presenter:@thesportsguy

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SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets

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Welcome back to our ongoing coverage of the upcoming NCAA football season 2018. The first dip into the college football season is nearly upon us, but before the season officially kicks off next weekend, it's time for us to unveil our 2018 Preseason Top 25. There are plenty of quality programs to choose from out there, and coming up with the rankings wasn't easy, there were a lot of tough choices, but in the end we feel we've come up with a comprehensive top 25 heading into the up coming season that is as thorough as any out there. We've included not just our top 25 rankings, but other "honorable mention" schools as well that just missed out on cracking the top 25 but were worth a mention none-the-less.

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The very top of the rankings is devoid of much drama, as surprise, surprise, Alabama and Clemson are ranked # 1 and # 2 respectively. While the Crimson Tide's biggest question mark may be who is going to be under center - Jalen Hurts or National Title game hero Tua Tagovailoa - Either way, Bama's offense appears in good hands. They return 4 of 5 starters along the O-Line and both tight ends. While the loss of WR Calvin Ridley and his immense production to the NFL will be tough to fill, the rest of the offense is in great position to be one of the SEC's best. The defensive side of the ball is where the Tide will be the most vulnerable - especially in the secondary where they will be breaking in 4 new players. They have enough talent up front, however, to help make up for the lack of experience in the secondary. It all adds up to Alabama topping the rankings, just edging out a familiar foe in the Clemson Tigers.

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The Tigers come in at # 2 and are led by a ton of potential All-American talent along the defensive front. DT Christian Wilkins was a first-team choice on our preseason All-American list and was joined by teammates DE Clelin Ferrell (2nd team) and DE Austin Bryant (honorable mention). Clemson should be good at linebacker as well and have Kelly Bryant ready to return at QB, as he performed much better than expectations as a first-year starter a season ago. The arrival of highly-touted QB Trevor Lawrence adds another development to watch on offense as the Tigers return tons of talent, and have enough left at WR (Diondre Overton & Tee Higgins) to replace lost NFL talent to again compete for a National Title.

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Rounding out the top 5, the Buckeyes of Ohio State check-in at 3. They return all kinds of talent on both sides of the ball that has them poised for yet another run to the Big Ten Title game under Urban Meyer. While the situation surrounding Meyer could certainly have an impact on the overall success of the Buckeyes this season, the overall returning talent makes them tough to bet against. All-American Nick Bosa returns to anchor the defensive line, and safety Jordan Fuller will lead the secondary while sophomore HB J.K. Dobbins is poised for a big year after racking up over 1400 yards as a Freshman. Michael Jordan returns up front to lead a talented offensive line, but the big question mark is the QB position. OSU has talented options to choose from, but whomever the starter will be (most likely Dwayne Haskins), he will have help around him.

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Right behind the Buckeyes are familiar Big Ten foe the Wisconsin Badgers. While Wisconsin came up just short of a playoff birth last year, they finished the season on high note by defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl. The offense returns just about everybody and could be the Badgers' best ever. Heisman contender Jonathan Taylor will once again lead a pounding ground attack (FBS-Freshmen record 1977yds, 13TD) that returns all five offensive lineman up front. In fact, the Badgers O-line is projected to be the best in all of college football. QB Alex Hornibrook returns once again, as the 3-year starter had his shares of ups and downs in 2017. He will need to improve on his interception total (15) from a year ago, but ended the season with a 258-yard, 4-TD performance against a very good Miami defense in the Orange Bowl. Quintez Cephus returns at WR (6TDs in 17' despite missing last 5 games) as does Danny Davis, A.J. Taylor, and Kendric Pryor. That continuity should help make the passing game more potent than usual and also help lessen the blow of losing TE Troy Fumagalli. The defense should be good at linebacker and safety, although there are holes to fill at both. The biggest question mark will be up front on the defensive-side. The Badgers could finally have the team built to get past Ohio State and capture a Big Ten Title and birth in the CFB playoff. The conference opener @ Iowa as well as trips to Michigan and Penn State represent the biggest obstacles for Bucky to overcome.

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Rounding out the top 5 is another SEC team in the Georgia Bulldogs. They came up just short last season, losing to Alabama in the National Title game, but there is plenty to like about Georgia once again in 2018. Kirby Smart's bunch may have lost two star tailbacks in Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, but they do return QB Jake Fromm and have talent waiting in the wings at HB in D'Andre Swift and FR Zamir White. The defense will once-again be solid, but they lost a total of 8 starters, including everyone at linebacker. Roquan Smith's void will be a big one to fill, but there is plenty of talent waiting, and one of the three returning starters on D' is preseason 2nd Team All-American shut-down corner Deandre Baker, who's one of the best in the country.

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Oklahoma will be breaking in a replacement for Heisman Tropy-winning QB Baker Mayfield, and while that is huge void alone, they also lost All-Americans at OT and TE. The offense will be a bit of a question mark, but talented-HB Rodney Anderson returns (1161 yards, 13TDs) as well as a deep-receiving corps led by Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb. The O-Line will still be very good, but the defense as a whole will be a bit of a question-mark. They were not that good a season ago, and while they return a lot, they need a play-maker to emerge.

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The Hurricanes should once-again contend for the ACC Crown after a breakout year in Mark Richt's second year back in Coral Gables (he played for Miami from 1978-82 under Howard Schnellenberger). The Canes won the ACC Coastal Division for the first time last year, and nearly made the CFB Playoff. Call the "turnover chain" a gimmick all you want, but it helped produce a talented defense that was one of the best in the nation at forcing turnovers. They return plenty of talent once-again on that side, led by preseason 1st Team All-American safety Jaquan Johnson (96 tot tkls, 3.0FL, 1.0sk, 4INT, 2FR, 3FF, 1TD) and honorable mention All-American LB Shaq Quarterman (83 tot tkls, 7.0FL, 2.5sks, 1FR, 5PD). The offense will need to re-emerge after limping to a disappointing finish last year (24-14 upset loss to lowly Pitt to end regular season; 38-3 loss to Clemson in ACC Title game) that ultimately cost them a spot in playoff. Quarterback Malik Rosier (3120yds, 26TD, 14INT; 468rush yds, 5TD) returns for his senior season, and a lot of the success of the Hurricanes will coincide with what kind of strides he can make this year.

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Penn State checks in at # 8, as the Nittany Lions find themselves in the playoff conversation once again. They finished # 7 in the final poll of 2016, and managed # 8 in the final rankings last season. Optimism abounds in Happy Valley, even with the departure of stud RB Saquon Barkley to the NFL, as they return QB Trace McSorley (3570yds, 28TD, 10INT, 66.5%, 153.7 rating), who's an honorable mention All-American and legitimate Heisman contender. The defense has a few voids to fill, but James Franklin's unit should still be very solid overall. Key games against Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, and Wisconsin all fall at home, which should help as well.

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Rounding out the top 10 we have Mississippi State and Washington. Both are a bit of surprise - but for completely opposite reasons. We happen to be significantly higher on the Bulldogs than many. While MSU is in most pre-season publications' top 25s, they are usually found in the 20-25 range. There's a lot to like about this year's edition as they return a pair of big-time players on defense in DL Montez Sweat (48 tot tkls, 15.5FL, 10.5sks, 1FR) and S Mark McLaurin (79 tot tkls, 3.5FL, 1.5sks, 6INT, 1FF, 6PD). Senior QB Nick Fitzgerald (1782yds, 15TD, 11INT; 984 rush yds, 14TD) returns and could be the best in the SEC, but will need to look more like his Sophomore form when he threw 21TDs and rushed for 1375 yards. Senior HB Aeris Williams (1107yds, 6TD) also returns from one of the nation's best rushing teams from a season ago. They should be able to build on their 9-4 record in 17'. The Huskies' round out the top 10, although many have Washington well into the top 10, even as high as 3 or 4. While we like Washington (and there's plenty to like), the Pac-12 is going to present numerous challenges this year. The opening game against Auburn will be a very difficult one, and road conference games at much-improved Oregon and Washington State will present their own challenges. In all, there is star-power talent returning on each side of the ball - especially at HB - where senior Miles Gaskin (1380yds, 21TD, 6.2ypc; 19rec, 232yds, 3TD) is back and QB Jake Browning, who has 39 games under his belt as a starter already. Browning had a massive drop-off in production last year (19TDs vs 43 in 16'), and will need some help from his receiving corps this year. The Huskies may represent the PAC 12's best chance for the playoff, but they may not even get to the Conference title game, as Oregon and Stanford will push the Huskies for the PAC 12 North title.

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Virginia Tech, Boise St., and Auburn are 11, 12, and 13, respectively. The Hokies' defense suffered some losses in the off-season, but should be one of the better units in the ACC once again. It should come down to VT and Miami for the Coastal crown. Boise St. represents the first team outside of the "power 5" to land in the rankings. We are high on the Broncos as they return a ton of experience and talent at QB and HB, as well as at DL. The defense will need to improve, even after significant losses at LB, but we like Boise St. to emerge as the favorite to land a "New Years Six" bowl. The Tigers are a bit of a sleeper in the SEC, as they very well could push Alabama in the West division, but road games against Mississippi State, Georgia, and Bama will make for a difficult road.

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USC checks-in at 14, and while the Trojans have question-marks in several areas, most-notably who will replace Sam Darnold - they still return steady talent along the offensive line, at HB, and at linebacker. We like USC to get through the PAC 12 South, and possibly win the conference, but there just isn't much separating them from Arizona and the rest of the pack. Scott Frost may be gone back to his alma mater in Nebraska, but that didn't stop Central Florida from checking in at # 15. UCF returns plenty of talent on both sides' of the ball, led by All-American and Heisman contender, QB McKenzie Milton, who threw for over 4,000 yards with 37TD and just 9INT last year as a sophomore. He added over 600 yards and 8 scores on the ground and will be the most important piece if the Black Knights are to return to a "New Years Six" Bowl game again this season.

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We really like the Oregon Ducks at 16, as they look to take a step-forward in the right direction after a couple of down seasons. We think the turn-around happens sooner rather than later and that head coach Mario Cristobal's first year in Eugene should be a success. The talent is there, and Cristobal and his staff should be able to do enough on the defensive side of the ball to help the team make strides in 18'.

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A pair of Big Ten rivals occupy the # 17 and 18 spots in the rankings. Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines will once-again have an elite defense, led by LB Devin Bush Jr. (95 tot tkls, 10.0FL, 5.5sks, 1INT) and DL Chase Winovich (73 tot tkls, 19.0FL, 8.5sks, 2FR, 2FF), they are stacked with talent on all three levels. The offense will once-again be a big question mark, but the arrival of Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson at QB (2259yds, 17TDs in 7 games) should help what was a horrendous pass offense a season ago (only 9TD passes total as a team in 17'). The Spartans are always dangerous under experienced head man Mark Dantonio, and this year's defense should be amongst the league's best. They catch both Michigan and Ohio State at home and should be in contention in the jumbled Big Ten East.

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Rounding out the top 20 we have Stanford and Oklahoma State. The Cardinal return last season's Heisman runner-up in HB Bryce Love (2118yds, 19TD, 8.1ypc), but have some significant holes to fill on the defensive-side of the ball, which keeps them a bit lower on our rankings compared to some others. The Cowboys should be good once again on offense, but have to try and replace prolific QB Mason Rudolph. The return of one of the best HBs in the nation in Justice Hill (1467yds, 15TD, 5.5ypc) will help to lesson the blow left by Rudolph and other key departures at WR.

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The Florida Gators are back in the top 25, and should benefit from a break in the schedule that sees key SEC games against LSU, Georgia, Missouri, and South Carolina all fall at home. There are plenty of question marks, but the defense will once-again be one of the best in the Conference. Another Florida school joins the Gators, as Florida Atlantic looks to be able to build off of a record-breaking 2017 season that saw them win 11 games. Lane Kiffin's bunch is loaded with talent and could even be an upset pick to knockoff Oklahoma in week 1. Regardless, this team very well could win 10 or 11 games at least this season.

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The Iowa Hawkeyes check-in at # 23, becoming the sixth Big Ten school to appear in the preseason top 25, matching the SEC (6) for most schools from a single conference in the rankings. Junior QB Nathan Stanley returns after a breakout sophomore campaign that saw him throw for 2432yds with 26TDs and just 6INT. He's joined by preseason 1st team All-American TE Noah Fant (30rec, 494yds, 11TD) to form a potent one-two punch. The defense has enough returning talent to make the Hawkeyes the pick to challenge Wisconsin for the Big Ten West.

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Finishing up the top 25 are the Mountaineers of West Virginia, who have a plethora of star-power on offense, and the Tigers of LSU. West Virginia sports the return of dynamic QB-WR duo Will Grier (3490yds, 34TD, 12INT) and David Sills V (60rec, 980yds, 18TD). While the offense should be good enough to get West Virginia into the Big 12 Title game, the defense could end up holding them back from breaking through into the top 10. The Tigers are led by one of the best defensive units in the SEC and return a pair of preseason 1st team All-Americans in LB Devin White (133 tot tkls, 13.5FL, 4.5sks, 1INT) who led the conference in tackles and CB Greedy Williams (38 tot tkls, 1.5FL, 6INT, 10PD) who led the SEC in INTs as a freshman. The offense is still a big question mark, and a difficult schedule will both determine just how successful the Tigers are in 2018.

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There are plenty of other schools that could be in-line for stellar seasons as well, that didn't quite make the cut and find themselves just outside of the top 25. Texas, Notre Dame, Arizona, N.C. State, Florida State, and TCU lead a talented first-wave of teams that just barely missed the list. We still feel like 8-9 wins are all likely for all of these programs, but the possibilities for tougher seasons are also all still there. Army looks poised for another big season after finishing 10-3 a year ago (their best mark since winning 10 games in 1996) and gets them a spot on the honorable mention list. Could the Black Knights even crack the top 25 in 2018?

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PRESEASON TOP 25

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(1) ALABAMA

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(2) CLEMSON

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(3) OHIO STATE

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(4) WISCONSIN

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(5) GEORGIA

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(6) OKLAHOMA

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(7) MIAMI FL

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(8) PENN STATE

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(9) MISSISSIPPI STATE

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(10) WASHINGTON

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(11) VIRGINIA TECH

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(12) BOISE STATE

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(13) AUBURN

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(14) USC

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(15) UCF

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(16) OREGON

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(17) MICHIGAN

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(18) MICHIGAN STATE

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(19) STANFORD

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(20) OKLAHOMA STATE

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(21) FLORIDA

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(22) FLORIDA ATLANTIC

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(23) IOWA

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(24) WEST VIRGINIA

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(25) LSU

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Honorable Mention:

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Texas, Notre Dame, Arizona, N.C. State, Florida State, TCU, Missouri, Fresno State, South Carolina, Duke, Georgia Tech, San Diego State, South Florida, Army, Marshall, New Mexico State, Arkansas State

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It wasn't the easiest list to compile, but we've made it through mounds of data and analysis to give you the most complete preseason top 25 rankings out there. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments sections below! Who's over-ranked and who's under-ranked, did we miss anyone all-together (doubtful)? As always, make sure to stop back for more coverage of the upcoming season, as next up we will be providing previews & predictions for the power conferences.

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Thank you for following @steemsports and you can find me @thesportsguy

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