Each of the past 11 seasons at least 2 teams that started the season unranked ended ranked in the top 10. Here are some teams that could make that leap.
These Preseason rankings are from the the football exert and he used the top 25 polls from The Sporting News (Matt Hayes) Rivals.com, ESPN (Mark Schlabach) CNN/SI (Stewart Mandel) and College Football News. Then he averaged them. I will assume these are the top 25 teams in the preseason.
#1 Georgia: High (1) Low (2) Average (1.60):
#2 Oklahoma: High (1) Low (7) Average (3.40):
#3 USC: High (1) Low (5) Average (3.60):
#4 Ohio State: High (1) Low (7) Average (3.80):
#5 Missouri: High (3) Low (eight) Average (5.00):
#6 Florida: High (3) Low (10) Average (5.40
#7 LSU: High (6) Low (eight) Average (6.80):
#8 West Virginia: High (7) Low (14) Average (10.60):
#9 Texas: High (5) Low (15) Average (11.20):
#10 Wisconsin: High (7) Low (15) Average (11.60):
#11 Clemson: High (eight) Low (20) Average (12.00):
#12 Auburn: High (eight) Low (16) Average (12.40):
#13 Kansas: High (11) Low (17) Average (13.40):
#14 Virginia Tech: High (11) Low (17) Average (14.00):
#15 Texas Tech: High (10) Low (23) Average (14.40):
#16 Penn State: High (11) Low (20) Average (15.80)
#17 BYU: High (12) Low (22) Average (17.40):
#18 Arizona State: High (10) Low (NR) Average (17.60):
#19 Oregon: High (16) Low (19) Average (17.80):
#20 Illinois: High (16) Low (23) Average (19.40):
#21 Tennessee: High (12) Low (NR twice) Average (21.00):
#22 Virginia: High (20) Low (NR twice) Average (25.00):
#23 Michigan: High (21) Low (NR twice) Average (26.20):
#24 South Carolina: High (23) Low (NR twice) Average (26.40):
#25 Pittsburgh: High (22) Low (NR twice) Average (27.00)
Here are some contenders to make the leap into the top 10.
South Florida
Why:This team is loaded, if they are not ranked it will be a huge shocker to me and I think many people would get angry. USF is loaded they return 19 starters including 10 on offense. This team also has the talent to go out and beat anybody. They have stars like Matt Grothe, who had over 3,500 total yards a year ago. George Selvie who had 31.5 tackles for loss a season ago. And Tyrone McKenzie who had 121 tackles a season ago. The biggest reason aside from being a very talented team is the fact they have a manageable schedule. They go to UCF, NCSU, WVU, Lousiville, and Cincy, but all games are winnable and the Bulls should be favored in all except WVU, which is still very winnable and a team the Bulls have owned recently. They play Kansas, Pitt, Rutgers, and Uconn at home and should win all of those and should be favored in all of those too.
Best Case: 11-1, maybe with a little luck 12-0
Worst Case: 7-5, get shocked in many games.
Likely Outcome: 10-2
Michigan State
Why: This is another team, that could and should be in the preseason top 25. They return one of the best coaches in the game Mark Dantonio, and he has this program on the rise. They return 14 starters, but are especially loaded on offense, with star RB Javon Ringer, and steady QB Bryan Hoyer. This team has the weapons on offense to stay in any game, and that makes them very, dangerous. On "D" this team is young, but returns a pair of sophomore LB's ready to break out Greg Jones and Eric Gordon. Both can fly all over the field and should take big leaps in year 2. The key will be the defining game in week 1 at Cal, how they do in that game defines their season. Other key games are at home against Notre Dame, OSU, Wisconsin,FAU, and Purdue. All of those are winnable and aside from OSU and Wisky should be easy wins for Sparty. The road schedule is favorable only having to go to a down Michigan Team and a Penn State team that is going through tough times with Joe Pa. Oh not to mention all 6 of MSU's losses a season ago were by a TD or less.
Best Case:11-1, if they knock off OSU or Wisky
Worst Case: 6-6
Likely Scenario:9-3
Boston College
Why:Every one is touting this season as a down one and expect a drop off with the loss of Matt Ryan. It seems I am the only one, but I see BC staying at that level this season. They only return13 starters, but they should play very well. If they establish a running game they should be fine because they have a great set of receivers. Brandon Robinson and Rich Gunnell each had over 55 catches a season ago, and TE Ryan purvis also had over 50. They should allow Jeff Jagodzinski's west coast offense to flourish. Defensively they are loaded, among the top 10 in the nation. Alex Albright is back he, BJ Raji( who is returning from suspension) and Ron Brace could all be 1st team all-ACC and I wouldn't be surprised. At LB Brian toal returns from injury and Mark Herzlich is back after nearly recording 100 tackles a season ago. THe only weak suit is the secondary, and they should be fine with only 2 or 3 real good passing attacks this team has to face.
Best Case: 11-1
Worst Case: 7-5
Likely Scenario- 10-2 probably 9-3
Wake Forest
Why: Wake Forest is another program, loaded with veteran stars. QB Riley Skinner is very accurate, they have a rising star in Josh Adams, and a top WR in Chip Brinkman., the "O" line lost some talent, but Jim Grobe consistently puts out talented players. The "D" will be the strength of this team, returning all-american candidates in Alphonso Smith, Aaron Curry, and Chip Vaughn. The x-factor is Kicker/Punter Sam Swank. I expect Wake to contend for an ACC crown, and if they can pull an upset than they should be the ACC atlantic champs. The schedule is very good they have all really big games at home Clemson, BC, Ole Miss, Virginia. Their road dates are all easily winnable, FSU, Baylor, Miami, and Maryland are road games, but all very easy games, and should all be Wake wins.
Best Case: 12-0 (yea they can upset Clemson, and BC)
Worst Case: 7-5
Likely Record: 9-3
FAU
Why: The defending sun belt champs are loaded, I mean really loaded this season. They return the most starters of any team in the nation with 21, and have a decent shot to be a BCS sleeper team. This team returns the reining Sun Belt player of the year QB Rusty Smith who had over 3,400 yards a season ago. He should put up better numbers with great targets in Cortez Gent and TE Jason Harmon who each had over 800 yards a season ago. Oh and this team ahas a 3 headed monster at tailback that combined for over 2,800 total yards a season ago. So in case you haven't figured this out they are loaded on offense. The "D" is not as bad as people claim, it returns 2 stud corners in Tavious Polo and Corey Small who combined for 12 picks a season ago. The schedule is tough. They have road dates with Texas, MSU, Minnesota, and ULM, but they have home dates with Troy, UAB, and ULL. They could win all of these games, but I would be shocked if that happened.
Best Case: 12-0 (upset Texas, and MSU it could happen, though not likely)
Worst Case: 7-5
Likely Scenario-10-2
Arizona
Why: One of the best offenses in the nation returning. This team returns star QB Willie Tuitama who had nearly 4,000 yards and 28 TD's a season ago. WR Mike Thomas had 11 TD's and over 1,000 yards, and TE Rob Gronkowski had 28 catches a season ago and has been the talk of the spring. RB Nic Grigsby, had over 800 total yards last year. And this team has one of the best "O" lines in the nation. With this offense in year 2 of the TTU like spread attack, Zona should become even better on offense, where they return 10 starters. More than how the offense plays it is the defense that will dictate the season. The ydo return talented players like Devin Ross, and Ronnie Palmer, but the inexperience will be tough to over come, so a lot of players need to step up to allow Zona to be successful. The schedule is decent. This team goes to UCLA, New Mexico, Stanford, and Oregon, but should be able to at least split those if not take 3 out of 4. So luckily for this team they have most key games at home. USC, Washington, Cal, Oregon State, and Arizona State. If Zona can take 3 of those 5 then this season will have been a success.
Best Case: 10-2, don't be shocked if the defense progresses this is a possibility.
Worst Case: 5-7
Likely Scenario: 8-4
These Preseason rankings are from the the football exert and he used the top 25 polls from The Sporting News (Matt Hayes) Rivals.com, ESPN (Mark Schlabach) CNN/SI (Stewart Mandel) and College Football News. Then he averaged them. I will assume these are the top 25 teams in the preseason.
#1 Georgia: High (1) Low (2) Average (1.60):
#2 Oklahoma: High (1) Low (7) Average (3.40):
#3 USC: High (1) Low (5) Average (3.60):
#4 Ohio State: High (1) Low (7) Average (3.80):
#5 Missouri: High (3) Low (eight) Average (5.00):
#6 Florida: High (3) Low (10) Average (5.40
#7 LSU: High (6) Low (eight) Average (6.80):
#8 West Virginia: High (7) Low (14) Average (10.60):
#9 Texas: High (5) Low (15) Average (11.20):
#10 Wisconsin: High (7) Low (15) Average (11.60):
#11 Clemson: High (eight) Low (20) Average (12.00):
#12 Auburn: High (eight) Low (16) Average (12.40):
#13 Kansas: High (11) Low (17) Average (13.40):
#14 Virginia Tech: High (11) Low (17) Average (14.00):
#15 Texas Tech: High (10) Low (23) Average (14.40):
#16 Penn State: High (11) Low (20) Average (15.80)
#17 BYU: High (12) Low (22) Average (17.40):
#18 Arizona State: High (10) Low (NR) Average (17.60):
#19 Oregon: High (16) Low (19) Average (17.80):
#20 Illinois: High (16) Low (23) Average (19.40):
#21 Tennessee: High (12) Low (NR twice) Average (21.00):
#22 Virginia: High (20) Low (NR twice) Average (25.00):
#23 Michigan: High (21) Low (NR twice) Average (26.20):
#24 South Carolina: High (23) Low (NR twice) Average (26.40):
#25 Pittsburgh: High (22) Low (NR twice) Average (27.00)
Here are some contenders to make the leap into the top 10.
South Florida
Why:This team is loaded, if they are not ranked it will be a huge shocker to me and I think many people would get angry. USF is loaded they return 19 starters including 10 on offense. This team also has the talent to go out and beat anybody. They have stars like Matt Grothe, who had over 3,500 total yards a year ago. George Selvie who had 31.5 tackles for loss a season ago. And Tyrone McKenzie who had 121 tackles a season ago. The biggest reason aside from being a very talented team is the fact they have a manageable schedule. They go to UCF, NCSU, WVU, Lousiville, and Cincy, but all games are winnable and the Bulls should be favored in all except WVU, which is still very winnable and a team the Bulls have owned recently. They play Kansas, Pitt, Rutgers, and Uconn at home and should win all of those and should be favored in all of those too.
Best Case: 11-1, maybe with a little luck 12-0
Worst Case: 7-5, get shocked in many games.
Likely Outcome: 10-2
Michigan State
Why: This is another team, that could and should be in the preseason top 25. They return one of the best coaches in the game Mark Dantonio, and he has this program on the rise. They return 14 starters, but are especially loaded on offense, with star RB Javon Ringer, and steady QB Bryan Hoyer. This team has the weapons on offense to stay in any game, and that makes them very, dangerous. On "D" this team is young, but returns a pair of sophomore LB's ready to break out Greg Jones and Eric Gordon. Both can fly all over the field and should take big leaps in year 2. The key will be the defining game in week 1 at Cal, how they do in that game defines their season. Other key games are at home against Notre Dame, OSU, Wisconsin,FAU, and Purdue. All of those are winnable and aside from OSU and Wisky should be easy wins for Sparty. The road schedule is favorable only having to go to a down Michigan Team and a Penn State team that is going through tough times with Joe Pa. Oh not to mention all 6 of MSU's losses a season ago were by a TD or less.
Best Case:11-1, if they knock off OSU or Wisky
Worst Case: 6-6
Likely Scenario:9-3
Boston College
Why:Every one is touting this season as a down one and expect a drop off with the loss of Matt Ryan. It seems I am the only one, but I see BC staying at that level this season. They only return13 starters, but they should play very well. If they establish a running game they should be fine because they have a great set of receivers. Brandon Robinson and Rich Gunnell each had over 55 catches a season ago, and TE Ryan purvis also had over 50. They should allow Jeff Jagodzinski's west coast offense to flourish. Defensively they are loaded, among the top 10 in the nation. Alex Albright is back he, BJ Raji( who is returning from suspension) and Ron Brace could all be 1st team all-ACC and I wouldn't be surprised. At LB Brian toal returns from injury and Mark Herzlich is back after nearly recording 100 tackles a season ago. THe only weak suit is the secondary, and they should be fine with only 2 or 3 real good passing attacks this team has to face.
Best Case: 11-1
Worst Case: 7-5
Likely Scenario- 10-2 probably 9-3
Wake Forest
Why: Wake Forest is another program, loaded with veteran stars. QB Riley Skinner is very accurate, they have a rising star in Josh Adams, and a top WR in Chip Brinkman., the "O" line lost some talent, but Jim Grobe consistently puts out talented players. The "D" will be the strength of this team, returning all-american candidates in Alphonso Smith, Aaron Curry, and Chip Vaughn. The x-factor is Kicker/Punter Sam Swank. I expect Wake to contend for an ACC crown, and if they can pull an upset than they should be the ACC atlantic champs. The schedule is very good they have all really big games at home Clemson, BC, Ole Miss, Virginia. Their road dates are all easily winnable, FSU, Baylor, Miami, and Maryland are road games, but all very easy games, and should all be Wake wins.
Best Case: 12-0 (yea they can upset Clemson, and BC)
Worst Case: 7-5
Likely Record: 9-3
FAU
Why: The defending sun belt champs are loaded, I mean really loaded this season. They return the most starters of any team in the nation with 21, and have a decent shot to be a BCS sleeper team. This team returns the reining Sun Belt player of the year QB Rusty Smith who had over 3,400 yards a season ago. He should put up better numbers with great targets in Cortez Gent and TE Jason Harmon who each had over 800 yards a season ago. Oh and this team ahas a 3 headed monster at tailback that combined for over 2,800 total yards a season ago. So in case you haven't figured this out they are loaded on offense. The "D" is not as bad as people claim, it returns 2 stud corners in Tavious Polo and Corey Small who combined for 12 picks a season ago. The schedule is tough. They have road dates with Texas, MSU, Minnesota, and ULM, but they have home dates with Troy, UAB, and ULL. They could win all of these games, but I would be shocked if that happened.
Best Case: 12-0 (upset Texas, and MSU it could happen, though not likely)
Worst Case: 7-5
Likely Scenario-10-2
Arizona
Why: One of the best offenses in the nation returning. This team returns star QB Willie Tuitama who had nearly 4,000 yards and 28 TD's a season ago. WR Mike Thomas had 11 TD's and over 1,000 yards, and TE Rob Gronkowski had 28 catches a season ago and has been the talk of the spring. RB Nic Grigsby, had over 800 total yards last year. And this team has one of the best "O" lines in the nation. With this offense in year 2 of the TTU like spread attack, Zona should become even better on offense, where they return 10 starters. More than how the offense plays it is the defense that will dictate the season. The ydo return talented players like Devin Ross, and Ronnie Palmer, but the inexperience will be tough to over come, so a lot of players need to step up to allow Zona to be successful. The schedule is decent. This team goes to UCLA, New Mexico, Stanford, and Oregon, but should be able to at least split those if not take 3 out of 4. So luckily for this team they have most key games at home. USC, Washington, Cal, Oregon State, and Arizona State. If Zona can take 3 of those 5 then this season will have been a success.
Best Case: 10-2, don't be shocked if the defense progresses this is a possibility.
Worst Case: 5-7
Likely Scenario: 8-4
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Nice analysis bro.
Way more in depth than most blogs on this site.
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MSU is dangerous in the big ten, they could shake things up.
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