Post Spring CFB Top 25

-Image via odds.com

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

I am a firm believer in the defending champs staying at number 1 until someone beats them. That sort of goes against the ruling for the remaining 24 teams, however I feel that’s granted after a full body of work from 2020. There is a lot to replace but there is nothing Nick Saban does better than recruit and reload. If Georgia can’t knock off Saban and the Tide, I don’t think anyone in the SEC can.

2. Oklahoma Sooners

The Sooners finally trying to break through to be National Champions of the playoff, they return 7 starters on defense and 7 on offense. This includes a top overall player in the country in Spencer Rattler. Some key losses but also some key additions via transfer that should aid this talented group.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

Replacing a lot, namely Wyatt Davis and Justin Fields, the quarterback race will be the talk of fall camp before the season. Even after a departure this is a deep and talented skill position group. Ohio State is the cream of the crop in the Big Ten again and the team has been on the cusp of a national

4. Georgia Bulldogs

One of the most talented rosters in the entire country, its put up or shut up time for Kirby Smart at Georgia. Although the loss of George Pickens will hurt, the offense should be the leading man this year. Georgia looks to each the CFB Playoff for the first time since 2017.

5. Clemson Tigers

Having to replace two first round talents will be difficult, but Dabo knows how to recruit with the best of them and DJ Uiagalelei looks destined for stardom. It will be interesting to see if Justyn Ross can continue this year off a scary spine injury. The talent is there but is the leadership?

6. Iowa State Cyclones

Is Matt Campbell going to win a national championship before Lincoln Riley? While unlikely, the beat the Sooners in the regular season and happened to have the best season in history for the Cyclones. With returning starters in Breece Hall and Brock Purdy, I expect both the offense and defense to be top units in the country. This should be one of the most well-rounded teams in the top 10.

-Image via AthlonSports.com

7. North Carolina Tar Heels

Led by one of, if not the best quarterbacks in the country in Sam Howell, this team looks to be the only legit squad of making things interesting in the ACC. Losing two 1,000-yard rushers will always hurt, but transfer Ty Chandler should ease the pain a bit. The entire offensive line returning is a major plus and the only thing keeping this team back from stardom is the defense.

8. Texas A&M Aggies

Replacing 2nd round pick in Kellen Mond will be a big task but if there is something Jimbo Fisher does well (other than recruiting violations) is produce quality quarterbacks. The offensive line is a mystery heading into 2021 but Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane look to lead the offense with a better-than-average defensive unit.

9. Cincinnati Bearcats

After a fantastic 2020 campaign led by the defense, the Bearcats look to rely on Heisman candidate Desmond Ridder for 2021. The defense will certainly still be a strength, but some key defensive losses mean the offense needs to hold its weight this year. Look for Cincinnati to do something UCF never could and make the College Football Playoff as a non-P5 school. Even if this is the case its clear UCF paved the way for this chance.

10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Replacing most of the starting offensive line will be a struggle but Notre Dame proves year in and year out they can produce NFL caliber offensive lineman. Marcus Freeman – former Cincinnati DC – looks to bring that same magic to a team that has the offense to match. The team will go as transfer Jack Coan takes them.

11. Oregon Ducks

Mario Cristobal has been a fantastic recruiter since taking over this job and this year may reap the benefits. A defense ready to lead this team to a Pac 12 championship, graduate transfer Anthony Brown appears to be the starting QB heading into 2021. The only defense that can match this talent in the country is the Georgia Bulldogs.

12. Texas Longhorns

Steve Sarkisian seems to be a great fit here and can take the Longhorns to heights Tom Herman never could. Sam Ehlinger will be a big loss as most 4-year starters are, but Sark brings an explosive offense to a league that has to compete with Oklahoma and Iowa State in 2021. I expect big things from Sark in Texas, even in year “zero”.

13. Indiana Hoosiers

This defensive unit, led by Charlton Warren, looks to be tops in the big ten in 2021. Michael Penix is of course the biggest mystery of the offseason, but I wasn’t as sold on Indiana in 2020 as others. Tom Allen is a fantastic coach but the talent on that squad worries me compared to the rest of the top 10. Without Penix healthy, this is a fringe top 20 team.

14. USC Trojans

Kedon Slovis very well could be QB1 heading into the 2021 draft, however the offensive line is a big worry heading into 2021. If Carr and Malepeai can establish a running game this will be a difficult offense to stop. Bringing back 8 starters on defense should help with stability. This is one of the more volatile teams in the top 20, meaning I can see them being a top 10 team and a team that falls out of the top 25 all together.

15. Wisconsin Badgers

This team will go as Graham Mertz goes. Early in 2020 Mertz looked like a bonafide star, however the second half of the year was the exact opposite. There was covid and injuries so Mertz is considered much of a mystery. Wisconsin always produces all conference type running backs, but Mertz will need the help of a run game if they expect to challenge Ohio State for the big ten title.

16. Miami Hurricanes

News out of spring shows D’Eriq King is making fantastic progress in his return from ACL injury and they will need him. Manny Diaz can run a defense but his struggles at QB before King got there were well documented in his time at Miami. King is a game changer that makes Miami competitive in any ACC game.

17. Iowa Hawkeyes

Tyler Goodson will lead this offense as he is one of the better backs in the big ten and Petras really struggled last year at QB. Tyrone Tracy appears to be on the cusp of a big year, and they will need it, replacing both Smith Marsette and Brandon Smith. The Hawkeyes are also replacing a lot on defense, especially the DL, but Iowa has a knack for reloading just when you think the defense will have a down year.

18. Penn State Nittany Lions

After a crazy 2020 for Penn State in terms of losing top talent, they look to have a big year from Sean Clifford and Noah Cain. They did lose quite a bit of talent on defense from 2020 but a few transfers should help ease the transition. If the running game can be established, this offense will hum.

19. Florida Gators

Replacing one of the most prolific offenses in program history, Dan Mullen looks to switch up his offense to match the skill set of Emery Jones. I am not as sold on Jones as others, however if they can get the running game going, even from the QB position, this can be a fun offense again. Just maybe not as fun as 2020.

20. LSU Tigers

After receiving the Bo Pelini effect (we feel for you Tigers fans), Coach O is revamping that entire coaching staff with former NFL staffers. Myles Brennan appears to be the front runner to start 2021 as a starter at the QB position, however he did struggle at times in 2020 so its far from a given. If the defense can improve this will be a year to build off for Coach O. This should be a solid squad, but it doesn’t appear they have the roster to compete with the likes of Alabama or Georgia immediately in 2021.

-Image via AthlonSports.com

21. Ole Miss Rebels

Lane Kiffin is just fun isn’t he? He brings some swagger that some of these middle-of-the pack SEC teams need when competing with Alabama, Georgia or Texas A&M. Matt Corral returns to lead another prolific offense in 2021. I expect a show on offense but if the defense doesn’t improve, middle-of-the pack is where they will stay.

22. Washington Huskies

Jimmy Lake can coach a defense – that is certain – but can the offense lead the team heading into 2021? Some big losses on the defense in the offseason buts the pressure on the offense and ensuing QB battle. Some impact transfers should assist the defense, but the offense will carry this team. It will be interesting if the QB battle between Patrick O Brien and Dylan Morris carries off into the beginning of 2021.

23. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

After a nearly perfect cinderella year for Coastal Carolina, they look to build off the 1 loss season after returning nearly the entire offense including star QB Grayson McCall. They appear to be tops in the Sun Belt, but their eyes appear to be on the CFP. The Sun Belt is much improved, with Liberty, Louisiana Lafayette, and Appalachian State having great 2020s. These other teams will need to put up points, as the Chanticleers have proven they can steal the show.

24. Northwestern Wildcats

With a few top names from 2020 transferring, this Northwestern team will be rebuilding in 2020. However, the offense has some real potential with Cam Porter at RB looking fantastic down the stretch in 2020. Peyton Ramsey showed what a decent QB can do to a team with a top defensive unit, however the Wildcats are replacing both Ramsey and most of their top defensive talent. If Ryan Hilinski is as good as advertised, this will again be a sleeper team in the Big Ten West even after making the Big Ten Championship game in 2020. I expect Pat Fitzgerald to have his team ready to come 2021 even with a rebuilding defense.

25. Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns

If anyone can seriously challenge Coastal Carolina right away, its ULL. They really seem unmatched in their Sun Belt division, but another 10 or 11-win season will put this team right on the cusp of the CFP and respect they deserve. They return 10 starters on offense and defense; however, they replace a nearly all impact assistants. It will be interesting to see how this defense stacks up when compared to the offense of Coastal Carolina. Two Non-P5 schools in the preseason top 25 means things are heating up outside of the traditional Power 5 conferences.

Others considered: Liberty, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Michigan, UCLA