Preseason top 25, baby!!!
With the 2019 season getting further behind, let's look forward to the upcoming 2020 season. Expect annual contenders Clemson, Ohio State and Alabama to compete for titles — both at conference and College Football Playoff.
Here are my preseason top-25 rankings for the 2020 college football season. The official AP preseason poll is expected in August.
College football rankings: Preseason Top 25 for 2020-21 season
NOTE: This story was updated on March 20
1. Clemson (14-1 in 2019)
This was set regardless of what happened in New Orleans. QB Trevor Lawrence could be the clear Heisman favorite going into 2020, plus he'll get to throw to Justyn Ross. And in big news, RB Travis Etienne, the Tigers' all-time leading rusher, said he's coming back for 2020. There will also be turnover on the offensive line and with losing key defensive standouts, but DC Brent Venables will keep this a powerful unit. The incredible recruiting class will help.
2. Ohio State (13-1)
The Buckeyes won't have J.K. Dobbins anymore, but OSU will continue to have a potent ground game (Master Teague) and a dynamic QB in Justin Fields (51 total touchdowns in 2019). The defense will lose star Chase Young and others, but CB Shaun Wade is among those returning. Circle Sept. 12: Ohio State goes to Oregon.
3. Alabama (11-2)
Tua Tagovailoa is gone, but the offense should still be among the nation's best — no matter which player lines up at QB. Mac Jones passed for 327 yards and three touchdowns in the bowl win vs. Michigan, plus there's 5-star QB Bryce Young. On defense, linebacker Dylan Moses returns after missing last season with a torn ACL.
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CFP: LSU beats Clemson for national title | Every bowl result | Shop LSU champ gear
HISTORY: National champs | Winningest teams | Coaches with most titles
MORE: How accurate are Lee Corso's picks? | 13 of the most successful walk-ons
RANKINGS: AP Top 25 Poll | USA Today Coaches | CFP top 25| Every poll, explained
4. LSU (15-0)
Yes, Heisman winner Joe Burrow is headed to the NFL after a historic senior season, with Myles Brennan possibly taking over for head coach Ed Orgeron. Plus Biletnikoff winner Ja'Marr Chase will be back in Death Valley. However, LSU will lose DC Dave Aranda, who's left to become the Baylor head coach.
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5. Georgia (12-2)
UGA loses a bunch of stars, from QB Jake Fromm and RB D'Andre Swift to its experienced offensive linemen. But when it comes to talent, Georgia will again be up there among Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State. The Bulldogs got a boost with Wake Forest transfer QB Jamie Newman picking UGA. The Dawgs will also again have one of the top defenses in the country.
6. Oregon (12-2)
It's going to be strange not seeing Justin Herbert at Oregon anymore. But besides that, the Ducks are loaded and will be the clear Pac-12 favorites. Though Tyler Shough is probably the leading candidate to take over as the starting quarterback, that position isn't set yet. But Oregon has Outland winner Penei Sewell and DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (nine sacks) ready to dominate.
2019 RANKINGS: The final AP Poll Top 25 of the season
7. Oklahoma (12-2)
The Sooners should remain the Big 12's best — OU has won the conference title game four years in a row and in seven of the last eight seasons. Sure, Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb are gone, but coach Lincoln Riley should continue to be the perfect QB whisperer with former 5-star recruit Spencer Rattler possibly taking over. As always, it comes down to defensive improvement.
8. Penn State (11-2)
The Nittany Lions might have the best linebacker in the country in Micah Parsons, who had 14 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in the Cotton Bowl win. Offensively, QB Sean Clifford goes into his second year as a starter and has TE Pat Freiermuth and a group of dangerous running backs with new OC Kirk Ciarrocca (from Minnesota). The schedule isn't easy, though: at Virginia Tech, at Michigan, vs. Iowa and vs. Ohio State by the end of October.
9. Florida (11-2)
Yes, the Gators have to solve rival Georgia. But Florida has gone 10-3 and 11-2 in Dan Mullen's first two seasons, including a pair of New Year's Six wins. QB Kyle Trask took over for the injured Feleipe Franks and looked great with his 2,941 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Next season could very well be the time the Gators return to the SEC East perch.
FLORIDA QB KYLE TRASK HELPED THE GATORS WIN THE 2019 ORANGE BOWL AGAINST VIRGINIA. HE'LL BE BACK IN 2020.
10. Auburn (9-4)
The Tigers were a fascinating team. They beat eventual Rose Bowl champion Oregon, ended rival Alabama's title hopes and battled with LSU and Georgia in close losses and also lost to Minnesota in the Outback Bowl to end the season. Still, it was a 9-win season. Another step forward will likely depend on improvement (and consistency) from QB Bo Nix in his sophomore season.
11. Notre Dame (11-2)
After a blowout loss to rival Michigan, the Irish quietly won out to go 11-2 one season after making the College Football Playoff. With QB Ian Book's return, Notre Dame should be potent on offense. And the defense should be strong, though the secondary is the biggest question mark there. The schedule is also tough: vs. Navy in Dublin, vs. Wisconsin at Green Bay, home against Clemson, home against Louisville and at Southern California to end the season.
CFP: History of teams, records of the College Football Playoff
12. Oklahoma State (8-5)
The Cowboys got a big, big boost as star RB Chuba Hubbard announced he'll be coming back for another season. Hubbard led the country with 2,094 rushing yards, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt while rushing for 21 touchdowns. Spencer Sanders and Tylan Wallace form a strong QB-WR tandem.
13. Texas A&M (8-5)
Considering the Aggies played at Clemson, at Georgia, at LSU and had two home games against Auburn and Alabama, there's no shame in losing five games this year. But that still marked the gap between A&M and contending for SEC West titles (or more). With QB Kellen Mond set for a third year as the starting quarterback, 2020 could be special if things break right. Oh, Clemson and Georgia are now off the schedule, too.
14. Texas (8-5)
With the 2019 season getting further behind, let's look forward to the upcoming 2020 season. Expect annual contenders Clemson, Ohio State and Alabama to compete for titles — both at conference and College Football Playoff.
Here are my preseason top-25 rankings for the 2020 college football season. The official AP preseason poll is expected in August.
College football rankings: Preseason Top 25 for 2020-21 season
NOTE: This story was updated on March 20
1. Clemson (14-1 in 2019)
This was set regardless of what happened in New Orleans. QB Trevor Lawrence could be the clear Heisman favorite going into 2020, plus he'll get to throw to Justyn Ross. And in big news, RB Travis Etienne, the Tigers' all-time leading rusher, said he's coming back for 2020. There will also be turnover on the offensive line and with losing key defensive standouts, but DC Brent Venables will keep this a powerful unit. The incredible recruiting class will help.
2. Ohio State (13-1)
The Buckeyes won't have J.K. Dobbins anymore, but OSU will continue to have a potent ground game (Master Teague) and a dynamic QB in Justin Fields (51 total touchdowns in 2019). The defense will lose star Chase Young and others, but CB Shaun Wade is among those returning. Circle Sept. 12: Ohio State goes to Oregon.
3. Alabama (11-2)
Tua Tagovailoa is gone, but the offense should still be among the nation's best — no matter which player lines up at QB. Mac Jones passed for 327 yards and three touchdowns in the bowl win vs. Michigan, plus there's 5-star QB Bryce Young. On defense, linebacker Dylan Moses returns after missing last season with a torn ACL.
LATEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
CFP: LSU beats Clemson for national title | Every bowl result | Shop LSU champ gear
HISTORY: National champs | Winningest teams | Coaches with most titles
MORE: How accurate are Lee Corso's picks? | 13 of the most successful walk-ons
RANKINGS: AP Top 25 Poll | USA Today Coaches | CFP top 25| Every poll, explained
4. LSU (15-0)
Yes, Heisman winner Joe Burrow is headed to the NFL after a historic senior season, with Myles Brennan possibly taking over for head coach Ed Orgeron. Plus Biletnikoff winner Ja'Marr Chase will be back in Death Valley. However, LSU will lose DC Dave Aranda, who's left to become the Baylor head coach.
LSU
✔@LSU
https://twitter.com/LSU/status/1216975946667958272
Our undefeated national champions! @LSUfootball#GeauxTigers
2,955
2:50 AM - Jan 14, 2020
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674 people are talking about this
5. Georgia (12-2)
UGA loses a bunch of stars, from QB Jake Fromm and RB D'Andre Swift to its experienced offensive linemen. But when it comes to talent, Georgia will again be up there among Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State. The Bulldogs got a boost with Wake Forest transfer QB Jamie Newman picking UGA. The Dawgs will also again have one of the top defenses in the country.
6. Oregon (12-2)
It's going to be strange not seeing Justin Herbert at Oregon anymore. But besides that, the Ducks are loaded and will be the clear Pac-12 favorites. Though Tyler Shough is probably the leading candidate to take over as the starting quarterback, that position isn't set yet. But Oregon has Outland winner Penei Sewell and DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (nine sacks) ready to dominate.
2019 RANKINGS: The final AP Poll Top 25 of the season
7. Oklahoma (12-2)
The Sooners should remain the Big 12's best — OU has won the conference title game four years in a row and in seven of the last eight seasons. Sure, Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb are gone, but coach Lincoln Riley should continue to be the perfect QB whisperer with former 5-star recruit Spencer Rattler possibly taking over. As always, it comes down to defensive improvement.
8. Penn State (11-2)
The Nittany Lions might have the best linebacker in the country in Micah Parsons, who had 14 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in the Cotton Bowl win. Offensively, QB Sean Clifford goes into his second year as a starter and has TE Pat Freiermuth and a group of dangerous running backs with new OC Kirk Ciarrocca (from Minnesota). The schedule isn't easy, though: at Virginia Tech, at Michigan, vs. Iowa and vs. Ohio State by the end of October.
9. Florida (11-2)
Yes, the Gators have to solve rival Georgia. But Florida has gone 10-3 and 11-2 in Dan Mullen's first two seasons, including a pair of New Year's Six wins. QB Kyle Trask took over for the injured Feleipe Franks and looked great with his 2,941 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Next season could very well be the time the Gators return to the SEC East perch.
10. Auburn (9-4)
The Tigers were a fascinating team. They beat eventual Rose Bowl champion Oregon, ended rival Alabama's title hopes and battled with LSU and Georgia in close losses and also lost to Minnesota in the Outback Bowl to end the season. Still, it was a 9-win season. Another step forward will likely depend on improvement (and consistency) from QB Bo Nix in his sophomore season.
11. Notre Dame (11-2)
After a blowout loss to rival Michigan, the Irish quietly won out to go 11-2 one season after making the College Football Playoff. With QB Ian Book's return, Notre Dame should be potent on offense. And the defense should be strong, though the secondary is the biggest question mark there. The schedule is also tough: vs. Navy in Dublin, vs. Wisconsin at Green Bay, home against Clemson, home against Louisville and at Southern California to end the season.
CFP: History of teams, records of the College Football Playoff
12. Oklahoma State (8-5)
The Cowboys got a big, big boost as star RB Chuba Hubbard announced he'll be coming back for another season. Hubbard led the country with 2,094 rushing yards, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt while rushing for 21 touchdowns. Spencer Sanders and Tylan Wallace form a strong QB-WR tandem.
13. Texas A&M (8-5)
Considering the Aggies played at Clemson, at Georgia, at LSU and had two home games against Auburn and Alabama, there's no shame in losing five games this year. But that still marked the gap between A&M and contending for SEC West titles (or more). With QB Kellen Mond set for a third year as the starting quarterback, 2020 could be special if things break right. Oh, Clemson and Georgia are now off the schedule, too.
14. Texas (8-5)
