The AP released its much anticipated preseason poll on Aug. 23 with hardly any notable surprises. The big names that were expected to be in the top 10 – Ohio State, TCU, Alabama, Baylor, and USC – were all there. But with all due respect to the AP, it’s not the only one that can do college football rankings right.
With that said, let’s take a look at Top Bet’s preseason power rankings heading into Week 1 of the new season. We’ll check out each of the top 10 teams in our estimation and make our case as to why they belong among the college football elite.
Read on for our first power rankings of the season. Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out our early Heisman Trophy preview.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Week 1 NCAA College Football Power Rankings
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Next Game: at Virginia Tech
[sc:NCAA240banner ]The Buckeyes are the first undisputed No. 1 in the AP preseason Poll for a reason. It’s so easy to fall in love with all the talent on offense, the Heisman candidates at quarterback (JT Barrett) and running back (Ezekiel Elliott), as well as a stellar offensive line. They’ll need to improve on a run defense that was just 34th in the nation (141.3 yards per game) last season, but there are so many playmakers on defense that it might hardly matter.
There’s just too much talent and depth and too few weaknesses to bump the defending champs off the top.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Next Game: vs. Wisconsin
With another new starting quarterback and an exodus of top skill players, it’s easy to poke holes at Alabama’s championship credentials this year. But then you take a look at the overwhelming talent that’s still in that roster – especially on both lines – and you realize that Bama’s still the team to beat in the very competitive SEC. They’re currently priced at +200 to win the conference.
The excellent front seven on defense helped Bama limit opponents to just 18.4 points per game (No. 6 in the nation) and has a chance to show just how dominant it can be right away against Wisconsin.
3. TCU Horned Frogs
Next Game: at Minnesota
There’s so much more to TCU than +500 Heisman favorite Trevone Boykin, although he’s certainly a big part of it. The Horned Frogs have 10 of 11 starters returning on offense which lit teams up to the tune of 46.5 points per game last season, second in the nation. The key losses on defense will be a concern, but Gary Patterson knows a thing or two about coaching that side of the ball.
4. Baylor Bears
Next Game: at SMU
Bye bye Bryce Petty, but 18 returning starters should make the transition much easier for new quarterback Seth Russell. While everyone talks about Baylor’s explosive offense, if all the returning talent can improve upon a 49th-ranked scoring defense from last season (25.5 points allowed per game), there’s every reason to be bullish about the Bears.
5. Auburn Tigers
Next Game: vs. Louisville
There’s an awful lot to like about Auburn this season. The offense is always going to put up points with Gus Malzahn at the helm. (That train of thought will be put to the test immediately against Louisville.) And now, the defense is almost certainly going to be better with Will Muschamp than the wildly disappointing unit that coughed up 400 yards per game last season.
6. Michigan State Spartans
Next Game: at Western Michigan
It’s easy to see why the Spartans were voted No. 5 in the AP Poll. They’ve got a very good senior quarterback in Connor Cook (24 TDs and just eight INTs last season) as well as potentially dominant O- and D-lines. But before Sparty can go any higher in these rankings, it must first answer some significant question marks following the loss of defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi as well as their top skill position players.
7. Oregon Ducks
Next Game: vs. Eastern Washington
Vernon Adams won’t quite be Marcus Mariota, but he doesn’t need to be. The Ducks will have a host of talent at the skill positions (Royce Freeman, Byron Marshall, etc.) to keep the Oregon offensive machine moving along near the 40-plus point per game clip it’s averaged over the last seven seasons.
8. USC Trojans
Next Game: vs. Arkansas State
Expectations are sky high for the Trojans this season. So what else is new, right? Well, this might be the season when they finally put all that undoubted talent together. Cody Kessler looked like the real deal after his terrific junior year (3,826 passing yards, 39 TDs, five INTs). The O-line is stacked with depth and talent, as is the secondary. Their first full recruiting class post-NCAA sanctions has the team well-stocked with five-star talent.
Now, if only Steve Sarkisian can get his act together and concentrate on coaching this team up to its full potential…
9. Georgia Bulldogs
Next Game: vs. Louisiana Monroe
Georgia’s Mark Richt has finally found his new starting quarterback: Greyson Lambert. (Who?) It doesn’t matter too much who starts under center for the Bulldogs, though, as they have enough talent elsewhere. Nick Chubb (1,547 rushing yards and 14 TDs as a freshman) should live up to the substantial Heisman hype, especially with an excellent O-line returning. Meanwhile, the defense improved significantly last season, and has the talent to make another big step up.
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10. Florida State Seminoles
Next Game: vs. Texas State
With Everett Golson formally named the starting quarterback and Dalvin Cook reinstated after being found not guilty of misdemeanor battery, the Seminoles are finally starting to take shape. The offense around them will be young and inexperienced, but they’ll have a month or so to gel before facing their first significant test of the season.
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