10. Notre Dame
Was
Notre Dame overrated in 2014? Were they unlucky? Too young? Too overhyped? The
2014 season for the Irish was surrounded by questions and lack of identity.
There were times when Everett Golson looked great, and there were times he
looked like and underclassman. The defense had a lot of promise, but it was
accompanied with a lot of injuries. The running game was spectacular at times,
but under-utilized most of the time.
Going into 2015, it seems Notre Dame will have more questions to answer,
especially at the quarterback position with Malik Zaire having a great Bowl
Game against LSU. Last season 3 of the Irish’s 5 losses came by 3 points. With
so many upper classman returning next year, the pendulum should swing in the
Irish’s favor next season. A 1-loss Notre Dame team would be in the
conversation for making the College Football playoff, but the one true identity
that the Irish need to shed is their ability to lose one game there are not
supposed to. I don’t think they shed that identity next season, but will still
be one of the stronger teams in the nation.
9. Oregon
Oregon
has become an SEC team of the Pacific Coast in recent years. They don’t
rebuild, they reload. Next year will not be any different, as the Ducks will
have more than enough offensive firepower coming back and coming in to
duplicate the success the Ducks have on the offensive side of the ball, year in
and year out. However, the Ducks will lose big names on defense (Cornerback Ifo
Ekrpe-Olumu, Defensive End Arik Armstead) and the losses on defense will hold
the Ducks back next season. I still see the Ducks ruling the Pac-12 North, with
Washington and Stanford nipping close at their heels, but Oregon will have an
uphill battle to get back to the playoff.
8. Alabama
While
everyone and their mother outside of Alabama, is predicting the demise of Nick
Saban and the Alabama program, the Tide will remind everyone next year just how
good of recruiter Nick Saban is, and how important that is in college sports.
The Tide will be rolling out freshman Blake Barnett as their starting
quarterback next year, and Alabama once again has had the best recruiting class
to provide Barnett with more than enough fire power. The defense will be better
than it was this past season, and everyone will be reminded how bright the
future is in Tuscaloosa. However, leaning on freshman is a dangerous game, even
for Nick Saban, so Alabama will be good, but have their sights set at an
undefeated 2016-2017 season.
7. Texas A&M
While
Texas A&M’s 2014 season was cloudy by the mentality of ‘moving on from
Johnny Football’, the Aggies had quite an impressive season. They won 8 games,
including wins over West Virginia, the third ranked Auburn Tigers, and that impressive
win over South Carolina to begin the season. But the Aggies still had not
recovered from the loss of Manziel and QB turmoil and a continued growing
defense plagued A&M. But by season’s end Texas A&M settled on the right
quarterback in Kyle Allen and in 2015, Allen won’t only be the best quarterback
in College Station but the best quarterback in the SEC. If Allen can take a
couple steps forward next season, with an improving defense and hosting Alabama
and Auburn this season, look for the Aggies to be in contention for the SEC
West title.
6. Texas
Charlie
Strong was very honest and forthcoming about his expectations for the Longhorns
in the 2014 season. And as it turns out, he was spot-on accurate. Next season,
I am planning on him being just as big of a believer as me. Texas already has
26 commits going into 2015, and the turnaround may be quicker than folks think.
Sophomore Tyrone Swoopes learned valuable lessons throughout the 2014 campaign,
and began to develop his in the pocket skills late in the season. Now while he
may never be Andrew Luck from the pocket, nor Charlie Strong disciple Teddy
Bridgewater, if Swoops can continue to improve his in pocket skills to
compliment his out of the pocket athleticism Swoops should be a dynamic college
player next season.
5. Michigan State
Quarterback
Connor Cook’s decision to return to East Lansing solidified the Spartans place
inside the top 10 next season. Cook made the best decision to return to school
to develop his game (plus he will be a surefire top 10 draft pick in 2016), and
that development should lead to big things for Sparty. And despite the losses
the Spartans will have on defense (Calhoun and Waynes), it seems every year
Michigan State loses at least 1 player to the first round of the NFL draft, but
the defense seems to get better and better. Cook should have a sensational
senior season behind a great running game and one of the best defenses in the
nation. Look out for Michigan State in 2015
4. TCU
TCU
will have a great chance at redemption in 2015 after being left out of the
playoff in 2014. TCU is returning starter after starter on both sides of the
ball, and Gary Patterson’s Horned Frogs should be even stronger in 2015. The
conference should be tougher with Texas getting strong, and with Florida State
and the rest of the ACC getting much weaker, the door will be open for TCU.
3. LSU
LSU
may have lost 5 games in 2014, but in 2015 LSU should be one of the most
talented and experienced teams in the country. That combination bodes well for
Head Coach Les Miles. LSU talent typically has rested on the defensive side of
the ball, but in 2015, it will be the offense that will lead the way for the
Tigers. Explosive running back Leonard Fournette should be a Heisman contender,
and wide receivers Malachi Dupree and Travin Dural have the potential to be the
most dynamic pair of receivers in all of college football. There is no short of
talent on the defensive side of the ball either, which makes LSU the most
dangerous team in the SEC next season.
2. USC
USC
may be the sexiest pick in 2016 because of their youth, and senior quarterback
Cody Kessler at the helm. In 2014, much like Notre Dame, USC was one of the
more unfortunate teams in college football. Three of USC’s 4 loses came by a
combined 13 points, which is a reason Trojan fans should be more than hopeful
for 2015. Bear in mind that USC had more questions than answers in 14’ but in
15’ the Trojans should be more than ready to recapture the Pac-12.
1. Ohio State
The
Urban Meyer era has begun. Despite how the National Championship plays out,
Ohio State will be the odds on favorite to win it 2016. Everyone seems to be
returning next year, to the point where quarterbacks Braxton Miller and Cardale
Jones need to seriously consider transferring out just so they can get some
playing time. Defensive End Joe Bosa will return to a defense that should be
vastly improved from this season, and Bosa will get serious consideration as
the number 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The talent will mirror what Urban Meyer
had a Florida, and the Ohio State Dynasty will be in full effect in 2016.
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