Can we really call this way too early if we’re, like, the last media company to put out a top 25? Anyway, let’s goooooo!
The SoBros College Football Top 25
25. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – There’s too many questions for me to like Notre Dame more heading into 2018. Brian Kelly may have peaked during last year’s 10-win campaign.
24. Texas A&M Aggies – I love the addition of Jimbo Fisher, and I love the play-makers they have on offense. If the quarterback battle settles nicely, the Aggies could be the surprise team of the SEC.
23. Florida State Seminoles – It’s all about Cam Akers here, folks. Otherwise, I’m not as high on the ‘Noles as everyone else seems to be. Willie Taggart did well at Oregon, but the ACC is tough sledding right now.
22. Oregon Ducks – The Pac-12 North is wide open, and with dual-threat quarterback Justin Herbert returning to man the offense, the Ducks are in excellent shape, even with the coaching change. Mario Cristobal has earned another shot.
21. South Carolina Gamecocks – I love the returning Jake Bentley at quarterback, and the SEC East incurring a down spell. While a lot of other programs will be rebuilding, South Carolina could sneak up and push Georgia.
20. Florida Atlantic Owls – Yep – I’m saying it. I’m on the Lane Train. FAU is going to score some serious points, and if they can get past an early test in UCF, they could have their eyes on the New Year’s Six. Again…there….I said it.
19. USC Trojans – I expect a huge drop off after the loss of Sam Darnold, but Clay Helton has still done a masterful job at USC and there’s plenty of talent to go around.
18. Mississippi State Bulldogs – Joe Moorhead did a fabulous job as Penn State’s offensive coordinator, and now he takes over after Dan Mullen departed for Florida. Nick Fitzgerald will be back, but no one’s talking about how good that Bulldogs defense was in 2017. They could be even better in 2018.
17. TCU Horned Frogs – Ton of turnover, but a ton of talent for TCU, and as long as Gary Patterson is at the helm, they’re going to have a shot. They should benefit from the mass exodus of talent in the Big 12.
16. Boise State Broncos – They’re proven, consistent winners under Bryan Harsin, and they return of a ton of starters on both sides of the ball including stud quarterback Brett Rypien. This should be the Group of Five team to watch.
15. Michigan Wolverines – What has Jim Harbaugh done to get us to believe in him as a big time winner at Michigan? Not much – and after last year’s five-loss campaign, #15 may seem entirely unwarranted. But, I love the addition of Shea Patterson, and I’m still not at my breaking point with Harbaugh.
14. Stanford Cardinal – Bryce Love. Bryce. Freaking. Love.
13. Michigan State Spartans – 2017 was a huge bounce-back year for the Spartans, and since they get Ohio State and Michigan at home this year, figure they’ll be in the hunt late in the season.
12. Virginia Tech Hokies – Justin Fuente inherited an excellent program, and he’s kept it an excellent program. But, this ranking is all about prolific quarterback Josh Jackson for me. However, his eligibility could be in jeopardy due to an academic issue.
11. Penn State Nittany Lions – Massive turnover on defense and the loss of Joe Moorhead should signify a major drop for playoff contending Penn State. A lot of folks are concerned about the loss of Saquon Barkley, but teams were able to bottle him up at times last season anyway. That’s not a huge mark for me. They still have Trace McSorley, so this should still be a quality team.
10. Oklahoma Sooners – They’re the favorites in the Big 12, and a lot of folks consider them a legitimate playoff contender. But, I don’t think you can discount how big the loss of Baker Mayfield is going to be given how Kyler Murray struggled throughout the Spring.
9. Miami Hurricanes – Mark Richt’s Hurricanes returned to prominence quicker than we figured they would. With a lot of returning talent, they won’t sneak up on anyone this year. But, I still expect them to be in the running for the ACC Championship.
8. Auburn Tigers – Love the returning Jarrett Stidham, and while I think the SEC West is going to take a step up this year, believe in Gus Malzahn’s program.
7. West Virginia Mountaineers – If Dana Holgersen is going to have a year, it’s going to be this one. Will Grier is a dark horse Heisman contender that could end up as a first round NFL Draft pick. That receiving corps is lethal. I think this is an offense that can hang 50 on anybody in the country. With the Big 12 being down, this could be WVU’s year.
6. Georgia Bulldogs – Kirby Smart has this Bulldogs program trending in a direction that’s going to make them really good for a long time. They lose two excellent backs in Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, but with Jake Fromm returning, Georgia should remain the favorite in the SEC East.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes – Urban Meyer has turned the Buckeyes into one of those programs that simply reloads each season. 2018 should be no different. J.K. Dobbins could end up in the Heisman discussion by season’s end.
4. Washington Huskies – The Pac-12 just ain’t what it used to be. After making the College Football Playoffs two seasons ago, the Huskies will be back in contention behind Heisman contending quarterback Jake Browning.
3. Clemson Tigers – Dabo Swinney has built a program not unlike Meyer at Ohio State and Nick Saban at Alabama. Guys leave, and guys just as good come in. Of course, it helps to have a dynamic quarterback like Kelly Bryant. But, I’m not expecting a drop off from the Tigers at all.
2. Wisconsin Badgers – Jonathan Taylor is back for the Badgers and he leads a deep stable of backs that are just a part of the overall bruising, ground-and-pound Wisconsin offense. Alex Hornibrook returns at quarterback, and this looks like it could be the Badgers’ best offense in a long time. I expect them to make the leap this year and contend for one of the four playoff spots.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide – It’s bland. It’s predictable. I know. But, how can you bet against the Tide at this point? I said on numerous occasions last year that that team was not a championship team. And, what happens? They pull the starting quarterback during the title game and win a National Championship. It’s simply uncanny. Tua Tagovailoa figures to be the full-time starter in 2018 and the Tide may have its deepest receiving corps yet. So, this could turn into quite the explosive offense. Saban’s ability to adapt to his talent and the nature of the game itself continues to be his most underrated characteristic.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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