2019 CFB PRESEAON TOP 10
Now that spring practices have concluded, college football fans and aficionados have been given a clearer picture as to what we can expect from teams looking to play in a College Football Playoff New Year's Six bowl game. There is just a little over a month left before players report to camp and the season couldn't come soon enough. With recruiting classes becoming an increasingly critical component to a team's success by the year, we can expect the role of freshmen standouts to be extremely vital for teams that wish to compete on New Year's weekend. After much research and analysis, I have compiled a list of the top 10 schools (in order) that are championship contenders going into the 2018 season. The Big Ten was the most represented conference with 4 programs making the list.
Without further adieu, my 2019 College Football Preseason Top 10:
10. Notre Dame
Last November, the Irish went 2-2 and it seemed to overshadow their impressive 10-3 season. With nine starters returning, the Fighting Irish may have an elite defense that could keep them playing through New Year's, even with former defensive coordinator Mike Elko leaving for Texas A&M. Offensively, the o-line will have to be revamped with both Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey being selected in the top 10 at the NFL Draft. Notre Dame's schedule will be quite difficult in 2018 and questions remain regarding QB 1. Coach Brian Kelly claims Brandon Wimbush will start ahead of Ian Brook going into camp, but competition will definitely get fierce at the QB spot.
No cap: In 2017, the Fighting Irish began unranked in the AP poll and finished 11th.
9. Michigan State
This is not that much of an oddball, if you think about it. Michigan State's biggest priorities this past spring were solidifying a backup quarterback, a second tailback, and dudes to fill in for just three departed starters. This is a good sign for a team led by Mark Dantonio that turned around a 3-7 2016 season to a 10 win team in 2017. What’s more, is that the Spartans will enjoy home field advantage against both Ohio State and Michigan in 2018. QB Bryan Lewerke, RB LJ Scott, and WR Felton Davis III will all return on offense and have proved to be threats last season.
No cap: Only two starters leave a Michigan State defense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in run defense and total defense.
8. Penn State
James Franklin's Nittany Lions were just a mere four points away from an undefeated season in 2017 losing by 1 to Ohio State and a field goal to Michigan State. Although James Franklin continues to build the backbone of the team through stellar recruiting, Penn State must figure out how to replace the generational talent that is Saquon Barkley. The new offensive coordinator, Ricky Rahne, called a great game in the Fiesta Bowl win, but he and QB Trace McSorley will have to have a great relationship if Penn State wants another shot at the playoff next season.
No cap: James Franklin is the first Penn State head coach to lead a team to a BCS/New Year's Six bowl game since Joe Paterno in 2008.
7. Washington
Coach Chris Petersen has built a tradition of consistent winning at Washington. However, the tradition will be tested when the Huskies face off against Auburn in the season-opener in Atlanta on September 1, 2018. With a four-year starter at quarterback, Jake Browning, and halfback Myles Gaskin along with a much deeper defense all returning, the Huskies may be poised for another run for a spot in the CFP. Washington will also have a couple new major play-callers on both sides of the ball this fall. Former receivers coach Bush Hamdan will be back as offensive coordinator after spending a season in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, and defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake has been promoted to defensive coordinator.
No cap: The University of North Dakota of the FCS will take a trip to Seattle to take on the Huskies in week 2. That's sure to be either a blood bath or a devastating upset.
6. Oklahoma
Lincoln Riley couldn't have done a better job replacing Bob Stoops in Year 1, but the Sooners lost Baker Mayfield and a few other key pieces to the NFL. Texas A&M transfer Kyler Murray didn't perform very well in the spring game, and with Murray being drafted 9th overall by the Oakland .P,;_s in the MLB Draft, second string Austin Kendall could potentially make some moves in camp. Early tests against teams including Florida Atlantic (it's happening) and Chip Kelly's UCLA team may accelerate their learning curve and force the young Sooners to grow up quick.
No cap: Playing behind Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray went 18-of-21 through the air with a total of 359 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and O INT last season. On the ground, Murray carried the ball 14 times, racking up 542 yards averaging 10.1 yards per rush.
5. Ohio State
Since J.T. Barrett graduated, all eyes have been on redshirt sophomore QB Dwayne Haskins. Haskins took over as QB 1 after beating out Tate Martell in a quarterback battle in Columbus this spring. Freshman RB J.K Dobbins who is on early Heisman watch will return for his second year and Nick Bosa will be back for his junior season. Ohio State is still expected to be a top contender in the Big Ten with most of their top receivers also returning. Urban Meyer will have to work on rebuilding the offensive line and making sure his defense is playing at a high level in order to go on the road and beat Penn State and Michigan State in hostile environments.
No cap: QB Dwayne Haskins has been learning a thing or two from the pros this offseason. Last weekend, he trained with Deshaun Watson in Atlanta and threw bombs to Antonio Brown over spring break in March.
4. Wisconsin
Wisconsin QB Alex Hornibrook, star RB Jonathan Taylor, and all five offensive linemen will return for the 2018 season. The biggest obstacle for head coach Paul Chryst will be reloading the defense, losing a total of seven of the eleven starters. The Badgers will have to place a premium on defense this summer after losing both defensive ends, two outside linebackers, and 3 of 4 starters in the secondary. The next step will be finishing the job at the Big Ten Championship Game. If the Badgers can manage to win the Big Ten title for the first time since 2012, they may finally make the CFP.
No cap: The freshman single season rushing yards record that Jonathan Taylor broke at the Orange Bowl was previously set by Adrian Peterson, when he rushed for 1,925 yards in a single season as a freshman at Oklahoma in 2004.
3. Georgia
The defending SEC champions have some holes to fill, but the offense can build around sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm. Georgia will lose the most productive running back duo in FBS history, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, but D'Andre Swift who proved his worth last season will be returning. It should be noted that Kirby Smart also has an all-time recruiting class coming in. Defensively, Georgia has to replace three of its top four linebackers, including No. 8 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Roquan Smith. If the Bulldogs can surround Jake Fromm with athletic playmakers and replace many of the stars on last year's front seven on defense, Georgia will be in great position in the SEC East.
No cap: Georgia will have the No.1 recruiting class in the 2018 recruiting cycle with seven five-star recruits, all of whom are top-25 players.
2. Clemson
This season is expected to be business as usual for head coach Dabo Swinney. The Tigers had to let go of a few star players to the NFL Draft, however RB Travis Etienne is on early Heisman watch and the defensive line touts four potential first-round draft picks in Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant and Clelin Ferrell. Also, with the arrival of five-star recruit Trevor Lawrence, a quarterback battle with Kelly Bryant will make things interesting in camp and may bleed into the season.
No cap: In Clemson's 2018 Orange & White Spring Game, Trevor Lawrence went 11-of-16, throwing for 122 yards and a touchdown.
1. Alabama
The defending national champions are sure to be atop the preseason polls that come out in August. Nick Saban may have a controversial quarterback situation on his hands between Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa, but it's a great problem to have as they are both of the best QB's going into the 2018 season. Alabama will have to replace both coordinators, and many of last year's freshmen kill players will have to step up and become dominant sophomores. The secondary lost some freak players including Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Harrison, so depth has become a concern at defensive back. It'll take a few new recruits to be ready to compete right away, but do you think they're worried? This is Barna we're taking about here.
No cap: Saban will be working with his third different defensive coordinator in four seasons, after Jeremy Pruitt left for Tennessee.
