We got a girthy post for ya today, folks – so, let’s just get right to it. Steven McCash and I got together and ranked our top teams for the 2020 season. I assigned a point value to each ranking and we combined our scores to form the official SoBros college football preseason top 25. Let’s GOOOO!
Others Receiving Votes
Baylor Bears – The Bears have one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12 in Charlie Brewer. This is a team that could make the Big 12 race interesting.
Mississippi State Bulldogs – This is an intriguing team that definitely wouldn’t be here if the Pac-12 and Big Ten were playing football. But still – it’s going to be fun to watch how Mike Leach translates in the SEC. I think they could surprise some people in 2020.
TCU Horned Frogs – If the Horned Frogs offense can bounce back from a bad 2019, they’ll hang around in the Big 12.
The SoBros CFB Preseason Top 25
25. Virginia Cavaliers – What does life after Bryce Perkins look like for the Cavs? That’s the big question for this program, and the answer will dictate how far this team goes.
24. Florida State Seminoles – Mike Norvell has quite the rebuild ahead of him, but he’s certainly capable of making this program a contender again…just…maybe not right away.
23. SMU Mustangs – There was enough turnover to warrant a bit of concern, but this should be another potent Mustangs offense that can carry the team to another winning season.
22. Miami Hurricanes – The offense can’t be any worse than 2019, right? If it’s even remotely decent, the defense will be good enough to carry this ‘Canes team to a string of wins.
21. Virginia Tech Hokies – Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but the Hokies should be…*checks notes*…solid yet again.
20. Louisville Cardinals – Absolutely love the direction Scott Satterfield has this Cardinals program heading in.
19. App State Mountaineers – Quarterback Zac Thomas is back to keep this efficient offense going. This program is a consistent winner, and 2020 should be no different.
18. Kentucky Wildcats – Can they get back to that team that won 10 games in 2018? I think so – they’ll run the ball and play defense just like that team. They might not have the special talent that that team had, but this could still be a surprise contender.
17. UCF Golden Knights – UCF has sort of become the “mid-major” model of consistency. Don’t be surprised to see another 10-win season, but I don’t know that this team is winning any more (fake) National Championships.
16. Tennessee Volunteers – The Vols would be higher on this list if they didn’t get absolutely reamed by the SEC when they adjusted the schedule to conference-only. Still, there’s reason for hope in Knoxville.
15. North Carolina Tar Heels – Quarterback Sam Howell could be a future first round pick, and figures to have Mack Brown’s squad in contention in the ACC.
14. Iowa State Cyclones – Covid or not, the Cyclones were going to be a contender for the Big 12 Championship behind projected NFL first rounder, quarterback Brock Purdy.
13. Cincinnati Bearcats – Luke Fickell is doing some damn good work, and this could be the season it all comes together. The Bearcats could be CFP contenders.
12. Texas Longhorns – Gotta love Sam Ehlinger. Gotta love that Longhorns offense. But, how many times have we called them the preseason darlings and been burned by it? I’ll believe they’re a playoff contender when I see it.
11. Auburn Tigers – Can Bo Nix be the guy the Tigers think he can be? That’ll determine how far this team goes in the SEC West.
10. Memphis Tigers – With so much of the pool eliminated, don’t be surprised if the Tigers spoil the College Football Playoff party. That’s right. I said what I said.
9. LSU Tigers – If you’re expecting a repeat of 2019, you’re crazy. That was a historic level of football that feels impossible to replicate. But, that’s not to say they won’t be contenders at all.
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys – Doofus Mike Gundy is going to ride his 2,000-yard All-American running back Chuba Hubbard as far as he’ll take the Cowboys. That could be the CFP.
7. Texas A&M Aggies – Quarterback Kellen Mond is one of the most dynamic and experienced in the league. If he can cut down on the dumb turnovers, the Aggies could make the SEC West interesting.
6. Oklahoma Sooners – The Sooners have been an outright tear at quarterback over the last couple of seasons. If Spencer Rattler can keep that up, the Sooners will field a championship contender yet again.
5. Georgia Bulldogs – I’m not as high on the Bulldogs as everyone else seems to be, but even I can’t deny the strength of the program that Kirby Smart has built.
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Put some respect on this Irish team. Ian Book and the ENTIRE offensive line is back. If they can beat Clemson, this is a playoff team. BOOK IT (see what I did there?)!
3. Florida Gators – All of the ingredients are there for this to be the season that the Gators make the leap to legit College Football Playoff contenders. In Dan Mullen we trust.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide – After a weird offseason, the programs with the strongest cultures are going to be the most prepared for all the change. Nick Saban has a program that few others in the college football world are like. Despite the turnover on defense, and questions surrounding the offense, the Tide should be as good as ever.
1. Clemson Tigers – The kings of the ACC fell victim to a historic LSU team, but still made it to the National Championship yet again. Dabo Swinney has one of those winning programs in his own right, and Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne are back, both with Heisman hopes (they’re still giving out the Heisman, right?).
What do you think SoBros Nation? Who ya got? Hit the comments below.
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, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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