Preseason Top 25 2015

[armchairqb]

Records predicted include conference championship games, but not bowls.

In italics are the teams I predict the listed team will lose to. In bold is who I predict they lose to in a conference championship game.

1. TCU(12-0)
2. Ohio State(12-1): Mich
3. Arkansas (12-1): Ala
4. Georgia Tech(12-1): ND
5. Clemson (11-2): GaTech, GaTech
6. Georgia (11-2) GaTech, Ark
7. Michigan State (11-1) OhSt
8. Alabama (10-2) UGA, Aub
9. Missouri (10-2) UGA, Ark
10. Washington (12-1) Boise
11. Minnesota (10-3) TCU, OhSt, OhSt
12. Texas A&M (10-2) Ark, Ala
13. Penn State (10-2) OhSt, MichSt
14. Boise State (13-0)
15. Baylor (10-2) TCU, KSt
16. Boston College (10-2) Clem, ND
17. Oregon (9-3) MichSt, Wash, AzSt
18. Stanford (9-3) USC, Wash, Ore
19. Notre Dame (9-3) Clem, Pitt, Stan
20. Oklahoma State (10-2) TCU, Bay
21. Florida State (9-3) BC, GaTech, Clem
22. UCLA (9-3) Ariz, Stan, Utah,
23. Appalachian State (11-1) Clem
24. Arizona (9-4) Stan, Wash, USC, Wash
25. Michigan (8-4) Utah, MichSt, Minn, PennSt



Next five (in order):

Auburn (8-4) LSU, Ark, UGA, A&M
Utah (8-4) Ore, USC, Wash, Ariz
LSU (8-4) Ala, Ark, Miss, A&M
Memphis (12-1) Hou
Kansas State (9-3) TCU, Okla, Okla St

[Derek]

Interesting list....

It's pretty bold to put Auburn at 8-4, but I like it.

I also think your right on Georgia/Alabama's outcome. I hope your wrong on the GT/Ga matchup.

Watching the ESPN U revisits of great games last year has gotten me excited for some football.

[collegefbfan-8898]

You have Michigan State with two losses. Who is the other loss to?

[Spence]

He must be thinking Oregon. That is the most likely on on the rest of the schedule.

[armchairqb]

You have Michigan State with two losses. Who is the other loss to?

Actually, that is a cerebral glitch on my part, good eye on your part. Michigan State should only have one loss. I predict they will get revenge on the Ducks in East Lansing this year. I also moved up Michigan State to seventh in my poll.

[collegefbfan-8898]

I like what you have done in that list. I used to keep up with the teams, conferences, coaches, and college towns. All of them. When I got into college football, I really got into it. When Purdue had Drew Brees and Tiller was coaching. When Jason Gessler was qb at Washington State. I can remember when some guy choked Wisconsin qb Jim Sorgi. When Illinois had a qb name Juice Williams. Now, I can barely keep up with the game. Team have switched conferences. It takes a lot to get used to. I think we need to revisit this list at the end of the season and see how close you were.

[Spence]

I see Ohio State with one loss. I just think it will be Virginia Tech or Michigan State. I thin Penn State has a much better chance to beat Ohio State than Michigan. Next year I think Michigan will get their shot, I just do not see it this time around

[highfly24]

I like what you have done in that list. I used to keep up with the teams, conferences, coaches, and college towns. All of them. When I got into college football, I really got into it. When Purdue had Drew Brees and Tiller was coaching. When Jason Gessler was qb at Washington State. I can remember when some guy choked Wisconsin qb Jim Sorgi. When Illinois had a qb name Juice Williams. Now, I can barely keep up with the game. Team have switched conferences. It takes a lot to get used to. I think we need to revisit this list at the end of the season and see how close you were.

I went all in when I first started watching as well. I still keep up but not like I used to. I remember that incident with Sorgi as well. I believe it was Ohio State, Spence might recall better, but I don't know who the guy was. I don't recall it being a Katzenmoyer or Gamble type "big name". Juice, that wasn't very long ago, I was back from the military for his career. What I remember about him was he'd throw it just as hard for a 30 yard corner as he would a 3 yard slant. Jason Gesser and Cody Pickett at Washington, that was a great Apple Cup. I was living in Seattle/Tacoma area and the Huskies won in a rather big upset in Pullman that year. Fun times.

Can only guess what fun upsets and memories will come from this upcoming season. Don't go out like I used to and don't go to many games but I've learned watching with friends and family at home can also make for lasting memories.

[Spence]

Robert Reynolds was his name. There was no excuse for what he did. Guys do it all the time in piles, but it will never make it acceptable.

[Dossenator]

I like your list. Hope Arkansas finishes around #3. They will have a very strong team this year. However, the schedule is so tough. Ranked #1 toughest by some outlets, and near the top in the rest. I think 9-3 or 10-2 for Arkansas this year.

[Eric]

Appalachian State and Boston College are interesting picks

I think Georgia Tech and Clemson are big-time sleepers. They're probably going to come up with some pretty big years, although GT will have to score some uncharacteristic big wins considering their schedule (@ Notre Dame, @ Clemson, vs FSU, vs Georgia, vs VT). I like Watson as a Heisman contender for sure, provided he looks fully healthy. I like Georgia Southern more than App State, although I think App State will be a bowl team. Minnesota is a team that I don't think people are really paying attention to. They're a fringe top 25 team right now in my estimation, but a good showing against TCU at home could set them off on the right foot. They're still too one-dimensional to do anything great this year, but that one-dimension makes them better than at least 75% of college football. A definite candidate to win the Big 10 West and/or 10 games. I agree with Michigan being 8-4, and I actually agree with every team you have us losing to. I think Harbaugh gets the win versus Ohio State to shake up an otherwise average first season.


I'm going out there for my top 4 in the playoff, but I like Ohio State, Baylor, Clemson, and Missouri. Missouri because their schedule is lighter than the rest of the SEC and I think they'll be really good. It'll require an upset in the SEC Championship in order for that to happen though since I still think the four best teams from the SEC this year will all be in the West.

[Eric]

I see Ohio State with one loss. I just think it will be Virginia Tech or Michigan State. I thin Penn State has a much better chance to beat Ohio State than Michigan. Next year I think Michigan will get their shot, I just do not see it this time around

Never doubt Harbaugh

This will probably be a season where Michigan grows up along the way. I don't expect much of them at the start of the year. It'll be a slog. I think Oregon State and BYU will probably push us to the edge. Utah will smother us, easily. It'll be a different team by the end of the year though once they figure out what Harbaugh expects of them.

[Spence]

I agree but I don't think Michigan has the horses to beat Ohio State this year. Not that it can't happen, I just don't think it will. Next year may be another story. But the talent difference this year I think is too much to allow Michigan to win the game.

[armchairqb]

Some changes:

Arkansas: Despite having four returning starters from the largest starting OL in all of football (324.5 lbs per man), losing RB Jonathan Williams for the season will affect their SEC championship hopes.

1. TCU(12-0)
2. Ohio State(12-1): Mich
3. Georgia Tech(12-1): ND
4. Georgia (12-1): GaTech,
5. Clemson (11-2): GaTech, GaTech
6. Michigan State (11-1) OhSt
7. Alabama (10-2) UGA, Aub, UGA
8. Arkansas (10-2) Ala, Aub
9. Missouri (10-2) UGA, Ark
10. Washington (12-1) Boise
11. Minnesota (10-3) TCU, OhSt, OhSt
12. Texas A&M (10-2) Ark, Ala
13. Penn State (10-2) OhSt, MichSt
14. Boise State (13-0)
15. Baylor (10-2) TCU, KSt
16. Boston College (10-2) Clem, ND
17. Oregon (9-3) MichSt, Wash, AzSt
18. Stanford (9-3) USC, Wash, Ore
19. Notre Dame (9-3) Clem, Pitt, Stan
20. Auburn (9-3) LSU, UGA, A&M
21. Oklahoma State (10-2) TCU, Bay
22. Florida State (9-3) BC, GaTech, Clem
23. UCLA (9-3) Ariz, Stan, Utah,
24. Arizona (9-4) Stan, Wash, USC, Wash
25. Michigan (8-4) Utah, MichSt, Minn, PennSt



Next five (in order):

Utah (8-4) Ore, USC, Wash, Ariz
LSU (8-4) Ala, Ark, Miss, A&M
Appalachian State (11-1) Clem
Memphis (12-1) Hou
Kansas State (9-3) TCU, Okla, Okla St

[Derek]

Some changes:

Arkansas: Despite having four returning starters from the largest starting OL in all of football (324.5 lbs per man), losing RB Jonathan Williams for the season will affect their SEC championship hopes.

1. TCU(12-0)
2. Ohio State(12-1): Mich
3. Georgia Tech(12-1): ND
4. Georgia (12-1): GaTech,
5. Clemson (11-2): GaTech, GaTech
6. Michigan State (11-1) OhSt
7. Alabama (10-2) UGA, Aub, UGA
8. Arkansas (10-2) Ala, Aub
9. Missouri (10-2) UGA, Ark
10. Washington (12-1) Boise
11. Minnesota (10-3) TCU, OhSt, OhSt
12. Texas A&M (10-2) Ark, Ala
13. Penn State (10-2) OhSt, MichSt
14. Boise State (13-0)
15. Baylor (10-2) TCU, KSt
16. Boston College (10-2) Clem, ND
17. Oregon (9-3) MichSt, Wash, AzSt
18. Stanford (9-3) USC, Wash, Ore
19. Notre Dame (9-3) Clem, Pitt, Stan
20. Auburn (9-3) LSU, UGA, A&M
21. Oklahoma State (10-2) TCU, Bay
22. Florida State (9-3) BC, GaTech, Clem
23. UCLA (9-3) Ariz, Stan, Utah,
24. Arizona (9-4) Stan, Wash, USC, Wash
25. Michigan (8-4) Utah, MichSt, Minn, PennSt



Next five (in order):

Utah (8-4) Ore, USC, Wash, Ariz
LSU (8-4) Ala, Ark, Miss, A&M
Appalachian State (11-1) Clem
Memphis (12-1) Hou
Kansas State (9-3) TCU, Okla, Okla St

Yeah, his injury was huge. I don't think they can win the SEC without him. But we did say the same thing last year when Gurley got suspended, that showed us what Chubb could do.

Anything is possible for a team that's built like they are this year....Glad we are not facing them this year in the regular season.