Buckeyes bounce back: Ohio State tops Star's Top 25 college football poll
- Updated
Star reporter Michael Lev takes a swing at the college football top 25, and gives a snapshot of each team'sΒ challenges, their schedules, and why they landed where they did.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The first Associated Press Top 25 of the season is always the hardest. Who really knows how good these teams will be?
Following is one reporterβs crack at it.
A little bit of background: Last yearβs version of this had Clemson No. 1, and the Tigers went on to win the national championship. It also had Tennessee No. 2, UCLA No. 8 and Notre Dame No. 10, so β¦ yeah.
Following are snapshots of each of team, focusing on the challenges their schedules present and why they landed where they did. The top three are in a tier of their own. From there, itβs the usual crapshoot that makes college football such a delight.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
2016 record: 11-2, 8-1 Big Ten (lost in CFP semis)
Coach: Urban Meyer (sixth year)
Sked or alive? The two toughest games are near the beginning (vs. Oklahoma on Sept. 9) and at the end (at Michigan on Nov. 25). If they can get past the Sooners, thereβs a good chance the Buckeyes will be unbeaten heading into their rivalry game.
Why theyβre here: Last yearβs 11-2 record was Meyerβs WORST at OSU β thatβs how good he is. QB J.T. Barrett is back. The defensive front is loaded. And the Buckeyes are highly motivated after their shutout loss in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
2016 record: 14-1, 8-0 SEC (lost in CFP final)
Coach: Nick Saban (11th year)
Sked or alive? As with Ohio State, the toughest challenges lie at the beginning and the end. Alabama opens against Florida State in Atlanta and finishes at Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Everything else is navigable.
Why theyβre here: At some point, the Crimson Tide will start to show signs of decay under Saban. It wonβt be this year. Not with QB Jalen Hurts entering his sophomore year, ridiculous depth at tailback and the usual influx of five-starΒ recruits. Alabama also exited last season with a bitter taste itβs eager to eradicate.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
2016 record: 10-3, 5-3 ACC
Coach: Jimbo Fisher
Sked or alive? After that pesky βBama game in Week 1, most of FSUβs toughest games are at home. The closing stretch likely will decide whether the Seminoles are College Football Playoff-bound: at Clemson on Nov. 11 and at Florida on Nov. 25.
Why theyβre here: With sophomore QB Deandre Francois poised for a breakout and an absolutely loaded defense, it was tempting to rank the βNoles No. 1. But Saban is 10-0 in openers at Alabama, so FSU is more likely than not to open in an 0-1 hole. The talent is there to recover and then some.
2016 record: 11-2, 9-0 Big 12
Coach: Lincoln Riley (first year)
Sked or alive? After Ohio State in Week 2, it should be relatively smooth sailing. The toughest stretch comes in mid-October: vs. Texas (at the Cotton Bowl), at Kansas State and at Oklahoma State in a four-week span.
Why theyβre here: Bob Stoopsβ sudden retirement put his 33-year-old successor in a tough spot. Fortunately for Riley, he has the most efficient QB in the nation (Baker Mayfield) and the entire offensive line back from a team that ended 2016 on a 10-game winning streak. The Sooners again will be in the CFP conversation.
2016 record: 12-2, 8-1 Pac-12 (lost in CFP semis)
Coach: Chris Petersen (fourth year)
Sked or alive? After another joke of a non-con slate (Rutgers, Montana, Fresno State β¦ really?), Washington opens Pac-12 play with road games at Colorado, Oregon State and Arizona State in the first four weeks. But the Huskies will be favored in all of them. And, makingΒ things even easier, they donβt face USC in the regular season.
Why theyβre here: Petersen has the best roster from top to bottom in the Pac-12, and fewer land mines to negotiate between now and December than conference co-favorite USC. Anything less than an 11-1 record heading into the Pac-12 Championship Game would be a disappointment. This may be the Huskiesβ year.
2016 record: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-12
Coach: Clay Helton (third year)
Sked or alive? As mentioned in the Washington comments β¦ no Washington. But getting through September unscathed wonβt be easy with Stanford and Texas on tap after Western Michigan (although all are at home). At Arizona State on Oct. 28 has trap potential on the heels of Notre Dame week.
Why theyβre here: USC has the Heisman favorite in QB Sam Darnold, an uber-talented back eight on defense and momentum from the Rose Bowl comeback, which capped a nine-game win streak. But the Trojans havenβt handled great expectations well of late, and issues on both lines could hold them back.
2016 record: 11-3, 8-1 Big Ten
Coach: James Franklin (fourth year)
Sked or alive? Itβs a good thing the Nittany Lions have a bye on Oct. 14, because things get grisly after that. Penn State faces Michigan at home and visits Ohio State in back-to-back weeks. A trip to Michigan State β which is down but still dangerous β follows.
Why theyβre here: Penn State has almost everybody back on offense, including 2016 breakout QB Trace McSorley and Saquan Barkley, the best tailback in the country. The defense is less proven, but the Nittany Lions will score in bunches regardless. Theyβre just a notch below Ohio State (which isnβt the worst place to be).
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
2016 record: 14-1, 7-1 ACC (won national championship)
Coach: Dabo Swinney (10th year)
Sked or alive? There are potential land mines sprinkled throughout β vs. Auburn (Sept. 9), at Louisville (Sept. 16), at Virginia Tech (Sept. 30), at North Carolina State (Nov. 4), at South Carolina (Nov. 25). But the ACC Atlantic β and maybe a CFP berth β likely will come down to the Nov. 11 showdown against Florida State.
Why theyβre here: Tigers fans wonβt like this spot for the defending champs, who bring back a ton of talent, especially on defense. But itβs hard to replace a generational quarterback (Deshaun Watson), and itβs even harder to handle the aftermath of unprecedented success.
2016 record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC
Coach: Kirby Smart (second year)
Sked or alive? Assuming Georgia survives trips to Notre Dame and Tennessee, the closing stretch will be a doozy. It starts with Florida in Jacksonville on Oct. 28. Two weeks after that: at Auburn. And two weeks after that: at Georgia Tech.
Why theyβre here: The defense might be the best in the country β at worst top five. The backfield is loaded with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. The questions are along the offensive line and quarterback, where sophomore Jacob Eason needs to take a big leap to take the Bulldogs from good to great.
2016 record: 8-5, 5-3 SEC
Coach: Guz Malzahn (fifth year)
Sked or alive? As if the SEC slate isnβt tough enough, Auburn visits Clemson in Week 2. From Oct. 14-Nov. 4, the Tigers play three road games in a row: LSU, Arkansas and Texas A&M. That stretch likely will determine whether the Iron Bowl means anything more than bragging rights.
Why theyβre here: If you believe Malzahn, heβs is just a quarterback away from re-establishing his offensive bona fides, former Baylor QB Jarrett Stidham might be that guy. This is a critical year for Malzahn, whose best record is 8-5 since leading Auburn to the BCS title game in 2013.
2016 record: 10-3, 7-2 Big Ten
Coach: Jim Harbaugh (third year)
Sked or alive? Michigan opens against Florida in Arlington, Texas, and closes with a brutal back-to-back: at Wisconsin and vs. Ohio State. Everything in between is manageable, with one possible exception: at Penn State on Oct. 21.
Why theyβre here: Not that Michigan under Harbaugh is forthcoming with depth-chart (or any) information, but the Wolverines lost almost their entire defense. Many of the returnees have played, however, and Harbaugh has recruited extremely well since returning to Ann Arbor. So expect some growing pains from this relatively inexperienced team β but around 10 wins and another high-profile bowl berth.
2016 record: 10-3, 7-2 Big 12
Coach: Mike Gundy (13th year)
Sked or alive? Trips to South Alabama and Pittsburgh in the non-con wonβt be easy, but the really hard stuff hits in late October. Oklahoma State visits Texas on Oct. 21 and West Virginia on Oct. 28 before hosting Oklahoma on Nov. 4.
Why theyβre here: The Cowboysβ offense will be as good as any in the country, led by the dynamic pitch-and-catch combo of Mason Rudolph and James Washington. Can the defense, which struggled for most of 2016, hold up its end? Thatβll be the determining factor for a team that shapes up as a dark-horse CFP contender.
2016 record: 11-3, 7-2 Big Ten
Coach: Paul Chryst (third year)
Sked or alive? Not much to see here until late. At BYU on Sept. 16 and at Nebraska on Oct. 7 could be tricky, but itβs not inconceivable Wisconsin is unbeaten heading its Nov. 18 showdown vs. Michigan. The regular-season finale at P.J. Fleck-led Minnesota shouldnβt be taken lightly either.
Why theyβre here: Wisconsin is going to do Wisconsin things. Itβs going to run the ball behind a veteran offensive line and grind its way to another attractive bowl game. But questions linger about the defense, which lost star LB Jack Cichy (knee) for the season and is on its third coordinator in three years.
2016 record: 8-4 5-3 SEC
Coach: Ed Orgeron (second year)
Sked or alive? Barring an upset at Mississippi State in Week 3, LSU should be undefeated entering October. Thatβs when the real fun begins: at Florida, vs. Auburn, at Ole Miss, at Alabama. The good news: The Tigers have a bye before visiting Tuscaloosa.
Why theyβre here: Thereβs considerable optimism in Baton Rouge that new coordinator Matt Canada can lead the LSU offense out of the dark ages. Running the ball with Derrius Guice wonβt be an issue. But is Danny Etling really the guy at QB? And is Orgeron ready for this after two promising interim gigs?
2016 record: 10-3, 6-3 Pac-12
Coach: David Shaw (seventh year)
Sked or alive? No game will be tougher than USC in L.A. in Week 2; no stretch will be tougher than Oct. 7-Nov. 10. Stanford visits Utah, Oregon State and Washington State β all tough outs β in a four-game span. After Pullman, Stanford faces Washington on a short week. That didnβt go well last year.
Why theyβre here: Like Wisconsin, Stanford will do its thing β play physical football from start to finish. The early reports on QB Keller Chrystβs recovery from knee surgery are positive. The Cardinal just isnβt quite in the same class as the Huskies and Trojans.
- Michael Lev Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
2016 record: 9-4, 6-2 SEC
Coach: Jim McElwain (third year)
Sked or alive? It starts with Michigan at Jerry World and ends with Florida State in Gainesville. In October, itβs LSU, Texas A&M and Georgia, all in succession (although none on the road). All things considered, the SEC slate is relatively manageable.
Why theyβre here: The Gators reached the SEC Championship Game in each of McElwainβs first two seasons and have a puncherβs chance to do so again with a veteran offense and excellent specialists. Theyβll have to figure out the QB situation and replace a lot of production on defense to make it happen.
2016 record: 9-4, 5-3 ACC
Coach: Mark Richt (second year)
Sked or alive? The Hurricanes donβt exactly ease into ACC play; Miami visits Florida State in Week 3. The stretch from Oct. 28-Nov. 11 is no picnic either: at North Carolina and vs. Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. Those teams accounted for all four of the Hurricanesβ losses last season.
Why theyβre here: Miami ended last season on a five-game winning streak, inspiring optimism for Year 2 of the Richt era. Then Brad Kaaya went pro, leaving a hole at quarterback. If the βCanes can get adequate production from his successor, the pieces are in place to win the Coastal Division.
2016 record: 9-4, 7-1 ACC
Coach: Bobby Petrino (eighth year)
Sked or alive? Louisville also jumps right into the deep end to begin ACC play, visiting North Carolina in Week 2 and hosting Clemson in Week 3. It gets easier after that, but a showdown with Florida State in Tallahassee looms on Oct. 21. The Cardinals humiliated the βNoles 63-20 last year.
Why theyβre here: QB Lamar Jackson is back after a Heisman Trophy-winning campaign in which he dazzled through mid-November but fizzled down the stretch. Heβll put up monster numbers again, but it wonβt be enough to topple FSU and Clemson in the ACC Atlantic.
2016 record: 5-7, 3-6 Big 12
Coach: Tom Herman (first year)
Sked or alive? Texas visits USC in Week 3 in the first meeting between the schools since the epic BCS title game at the Rose Bowl. October will be challenging: Home games vs. Kansas State and Oklahoma State sandwich Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl. The month concludes with a trip to Baylor.
Why theyβre here: Herman went 22-4 in two years at Houston; heβll deliver in the win-loss column where Charlie Strong couldnβt. That doesnβt mean Texas is ready to leapfrog Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in the Big 12 β at least not this year.
2016 record: 7-6, 3-5 ACC
Coach: Dave Doeren (fifth year)
Sked or alive? The ACC slate is a bear. It starts with a visit to Florida State on Sept. 23. Eleven days later, NC State hosts Louisville. Then comes a trip to Pitt and a home game vs. Clemson β with a road game against Notre Dame in between.
Why theyβre here: The Wolfpack lost six games last year, but four came by seven or fewer points, including heartbreakers against FSU and Clemson. QB Ryan Finley returns after a promising debut season, and NC State will be strong along both lines. Strong enough to push the ACCβs big boys? Maybe.
2016 record: 9-4, 6-3 Big 12
Coach: Bill Snyder (26th year)
Sked or alive? Five of Kansas Stateβs nine Big 12 games are at home. Thatβs the good news. The bad: The Wildcatsβ first and last conference road games are against Texas and Oklahoma State. The latter could determine a berth in the new-fangled Big 12 Championship Game.
Why theyβre here: Most of the offense is back β including dual-threat QB Jesse Ertz β from a unit that scored 30 or more points six times in a row to close last season. The defense has more holes to fill, but Snyder invariably manages to get the best out of what he has.
2016 record: 4-8, 3-6 Pac-12
Coach: Will Taggart (first year)
Sked or alive? The stretch from Oct. 14 to Nov. 4 will determine Oregonβs fate. It features three road games in four weeks: at Stanford, UCLA and Washington. And donβt overlook the Week 3 trip to Wyoming, whose quarterback, Josh Allen, could be a top-five NFL draft pick.
Why theyβre here: Taggart has brought a different energy and swagger to Eugene. With QB Justin Herbert and RB Royce Freeman in the backfield, the Ducks should hum again on offense. They can reverse last yearβs record if the defense finally gets its act together.
2016 record: 8-5, 7-2 Pac-12
Coach: Mike Leach (sixth year)
Sked or alive? Wazzu starts the season with five straight home games, although two of them β Boise State and USC β will be challenging to say the least. November will be rough: vs. Stanford, at Utah, at Washington. At least the Cougars have a bye before the Apple Cup.
Why theyβre here: Prolific QB Luke Falk returns, the backfield is loaded, the line again will be a strength and the defense is underrated. The Cougars need to play more consistently to take the program to the next level. They started last year 0-2 and finished with a three-game losing streak.
2016 record: 10-4, 6-2 ACC
Coach: Justin Fuente (second year)
Sked or alive? Virginia Tech opens against West Virginia in Landover, Maryland, and visits plucky East Carolina 13 days later. Two weeks after that, Clemson comes to town. After a relative reprieve, November begins with trips to Miami and Georgia Tech.
Why theyβre here: The Hokies lost a ton of production on offense, including promising QB Jerod Evans, who turned pro early (and didnβt get drafted). The defense could be really good, though, with nearly everyone back in the linebacking corps and secondary. Virginia Tech again should contend for the Coastal Division crown.
2016 record: 11-2, 7-1 AAC
Coach: Charlie Strong (first year)
Sked or alive? The Bulls are scheduled for success. There are no Florida States on this yearβs non-con slate (San Jose State, Stony Brook, Illinois, UMass), and USF gets Houston at home. The toughest game might be the finale at Central Florida (which went 6-7 last year).
Why theyβre here: Strong inherits a ton of experience, a star QB in Quinton Flowers and a schedule that could produce an undefeated regular season. The defense, which ranked 120th in the nation last year, still needs work. But the Bulls have the most promising outlook of any Group of Five team in 2017.
The first Associated Press Top 25 of the season is always the hardest. Who really knows how good these teams will be?
Following is one reporterβs crack at it.
A little bit of background: Last yearβs version of this had Clemson No. 1, and the Tigers went on to win the national championship. It also had Tennessee No. 2, UCLA No. 8 and Notre Dame No. 10, so β¦ yeah.
Following are snapshots of each of team, focusing on the challenges their schedules present and why they landed where they did. The top three are in a tier of their own. From there, itβs the usual crapshoot that makes college football such a delight.
2016 record: 11-2, 8-1 Big Ten (lost in CFP semis)
Coach: Urban Meyer (sixth year)
Sked or alive? The two toughest games are near the beginning (vs. Oklahoma on Sept. 9) and at the end (at Michigan on Nov. 25). If they can get past the Sooners, thereβs a good chance the Buckeyes will be unbeaten heading into their rivalry game.
Why theyβre here: Last yearβs 11-2 record was Meyerβs WORST at OSU β thatβs how good he is. QB J.T. Barrett is back. The defensive front is loaded. And the Buckeyes are highly motivated after their shutout loss in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
2016 record: 14-1, 8-0 SEC (lost in CFP final)
Coach: Nick Saban (11th year)
Sked or alive? As with Ohio State, the toughest challenges lie at the beginning and the end. Alabama opens against Florida State in Atlanta and finishes at Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Everything else is navigable.
Why theyβre here: At some point, the Crimson Tide will start to show signs of decay under Saban. It wonβt be this year. Not with QB Jalen Hurts entering his sophomore year, ridiculous depth at tailback and the usual influx of five-starΒ recruits. Alabama also exited last season with a bitter taste itβs eager to eradicate.
2016 record: 10-3, 5-3 ACC
Coach: Jimbo Fisher
Sked or alive? After that pesky βBama game in Week 1, most of FSUβs toughest games are at home. The closing stretch likely will decide whether the Seminoles are College Football Playoff-bound: at Clemson on Nov. 11 and at Florida on Nov. 25.
Why theyβre here: With sophomore QB Deandre Francois poised for a breakout and an absolutely loaded defense, it was tempting to rank the βNoles No. 1. But Saban is 10-0 in openers at Alabama, so FSU is more likely than not to open in an 0-1 hole. The talent is there to recover and then some.
2016 record: 11-2, 9-0 Big 12
Coach: Lincoln Riley (first year)
Sked or alive? After Ohio State in Week 2, it should be relatively smooth sailing. The toughest stretch comes in mid-October: vs. Texas (at the Cotton Bowl), at Kansas State and at Oklahoma State in a four-week span.
Why theyβre here: Bob Stoopsβ sudden retirement put his 33-year-old successor in a tough spot. Fortunately for Riley, he has the most efficient QB in the nation (Baker Mayfield) and the entire offensive line back from a team that ended 2016 on a 10-game winning streak. The Sooners again will be in the CFP conversation.
2016 record: 12-2, 8-1 Pac-12 (lost in CFP semis)
Coach: Chris Petersen (fourth year)
Sked or alive? After another joke of a non-con slate (Rutgers, Montana, Fresno State β¦ really?), Washington opens Pac-12 play with road games at Colorado, Oregon State and Arizona State in the first four weeks. But the Huskies will be favored in all of them. And, makingΒ things even easier, they donβt face USC in the regular season.
Why theyβre here: Petersen has the best roster from top to bottom in the Pac-12, and fewer land mines to negotiate between now and December than conference co-favorite USC. Anything less than an 11-1 record heading into the Pac-12 Championship Game would be a disappointment. This may be the Huskiesβ year.
2016 record: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-12
Coach: Clay Helton (third year)
Sked or alive? As mentioned in the Washington comments β¦ no Washington. But getting through September unscathed wonβt be easy with Stanford and Texas on tap after Western Michigan (although all are at home). At Arizona State on Oct. 28 has trap potential on the heels of Notre Dame week.
Why theyβre here: USC has the Heisman favorite in QB Sam Darnold, an uber-talented back eight on defense and momentum from the Rose Bowl comeback, which capped a nine-game win streak. But the Trojans havenβt handled great expectations well of late, and issues on both lines could hold them back.
2016 record: 11-3, 8-1 Big Ten
Coach: James Franklin (fourth year)
Sked or alive? Itβs a good thing the Nittany Lions have a bye on Oct. 14, because things get grisly after that. Penn State faces Michigan at home and visits Ohio State in back-to-back weeks. A trip to Michigan State β which is down but still dangerous β follows.
Why theyβre here: Penn State has almost everybody back on offense, including 2016 breakout QB Trace McSorley and Saquan Barkley, the best tailback in the country. The defense is less proven, but the Nittany Lions will score in bunches regardless. Theyβre just a notch below Ohio State (which isnβt the worst place to be).
2016 record: 14-1, 7-1 ACC (won national championship)
Coach: Dabo Swinney (10th year)
Sked or alive? There are potential land mines sprinkled throughout β vs. Auburn (Sept. 9), at Louisville (Sept. 16), at Virginia Tech (Sept. 30), at North Carolina State (Nov. 4), at South Carolina (Nov. 25). But the ACC Atlantic β and maybe a CFP berth β likely will come down to the Nov. 11 showdown against Florida State.
Why theyβre here: Tigers fans wonβt like this spot for the defending champs, who bring back a ton of talent, especially on defense. But itβs hard to replace a generational quarterback (Deshaun Watson), and itβs even harder to handle the aftermath of unprecedented success.
2016 record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC
Coach: Kirby Smart (second year)
Sked or alive? Assuming Georgia survives trips to Notre Dame and Tennessee, the closing stretch will be a doozy. It starts with Florida in Jacksonville on Oct. 28. Two weeks after that: at Auburn. And two weeks after that: at Georgia Tech.
Why theyβre here: The defense might be the best in the country β at worst top five. The backfield is loaded with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. The questions are along the offensive line and quarterback, where sophomore Jacob Eason needs to take a big leap to take the Bulldogs from good to great.
2016 record: 8-5, 5-3 SEC
Coach: Guz Malzahn (fifth year)
Sked or alive? As if the SEC slate isnβt tough enough, Auburn visits Clemson in Week 2. From Oct. 14-Nov. 4, the Tigers play three road games in a row: LSU, Arkansas and Texas A&M. That stretch likely will determine whether the Iron Bowl means anything more than bragging rights.
Why theyβre here: If you believe Malzahn, heβs is just a quarterback away from re-establishing his offensive bona fides, former Baylor QB Jarrett Stidham might be that guy. This is a critical year for Malzahn, whose best record is 8-5 since leading Auburn to the BCS title game in 2013.
2016 record: 10-3, 7-2 Big Ten
Coach: Jim Harbaugh (third year)
Sked or alive? Michigan opens against Florida in Arlington, Texas, and closes with a brutal back-to-back: at Wisconsin and vs. Ohio State. Everything in between is manageable, with one possible exception: at Penn State on Oct. 21.
Why theyβre here: Not that Michigan under Harbaugh is forthcoming with depth-chart (or any) information, but the Wolverines lost almost their entire defense. Many of the returnees have played, however, and Harbaugh has recruited extremely well since returning to Ann Arbor. So expect some growing pains from this relatively inexperienced team β but around 10 wins and another high-profile bowl berth.
2016 record: 10-3, 7-2 Big 12
Coach: Mike Gundy (13th year)
Sked or alive? Trips to South Alabama and Pittsburgh in the non-con wonβt be easy, but the really hard stuff hits in late October. Oklahoma State visits Texas on Oct. 21 and West Virginia on Oct. 28 before hosting Oklahoma on Nov. 4.
Why theyβre here: The Cowboysβ offense will be as good as any in the country, led by the dynamic pitch-and-catch combo of Mason Rudolph and James Washington. Can the defense, which struggled for most of 2016, hold up its end? Thatβll be the determining factor for a team that shapes up as a dark-horse CFP contender.
2016 record: 11-3, 7-2 Big Ten
Coach: Paul Chryst (third year)
Sked or alive? Not much to see here until late. At BYU on Sept. 16 and at Nebraska on Oct. 7 could be tricky, but itβs not inconceivable Wisconsin is unbeaten heading its Nov. 18 showdown vs. Michigan. The regular-season finale at P.J. Fleck-led Minnesota shouldnβt be taken lightly either.
Why theyβre here: Wisconsin is going to do Wisconsin things. Itβs going to run the ball behind a veteran offensive line and grind its way to another attractive bowl game. But questions linger about the defense, which lost star LB Jack Cichy (knee) for the season and is on its third coordinator in three years.
2016 record: 8-4 5-3 SEC
Coach: Ed Orgeron (second year)
Sked or alive? Barring an upset at Mississippi State in Week 3, LSU should be undefeated entering October. Thatβs when the real fun begins: at Florida, vs. Auburn, at Ole Miss, at Alabama. The good news: The Tigers have a bye before visiting Tuscaloosa.
Why theyβre here: Thereβs considerable optimism in Baton Rouge that new coordinator Matt Canada can lead the LSU offense out of the dark ages. Running the ball with Derrius Guice wonβt be an issue. But is Danny Etling really the guy at QB? And is Orgeron ready for this after two promising interim gigs?
2016 record: 10-3, 6-3 Pac-12
Coach: David Shaw (seventh year)
Sked or alive? No game will be tougher than USC in L.A. in Week 2; no stretch will be tougher than Oct. 7-Nov. 10. Stanford visits Utah, Oregon State and Washington State β all tough outs β in a four-game span. After Pullman, Stanford faces Washington on a short week. That didnβt go well last year.
Why theyβre here: Like Wisconsin, Stanford will do its thing β play physical football from start to finish. The early reports on QB Keller Chrystβs recovery from knee surgery are positive. The Cardinal just isnβt quite in the same class as the Huskies and Trojans.
2016 record: 9-4, 6-2 SEC
Coach: Jim McElwain (third year)
Sked or alive? It starts with Michigan at Jerry World and ends with Florida State in Gainesville. In October, itβs LSU, Texas A&M and Georgia, all in succession (although none on the road). All things considered, the SEC slate is relatively manageable.
Why theyβre here: The Gators reached the SEC Championship Game in each of McElwainβs first two seasons and have a puncherβs chance to do so again with a veteran offense and excellent specialists. Theyβll have to figure out the QB situation and replace a lot of production on defense to make it happen.
2016 record: 9-4, 5-3 ACC
Coach: Mark Richt (second year)
Sked or alive? The Hurricanes donβt exactly ease into ACC play; Miami visits Florida State in Week 3. The stretch from Oct. 28-Nov. 11 is no picnic either: at North Carolina and vs. Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. Those teams accounted for all four of the Hurricanesβ losses last season.
Why theyβre here: Miami ended last season on a five-game winning streak, inspiring optimism for Year 2 of the Richt era. Then Brad Kaaya went pro, leaving a hole at quarterback. If the βCanes can get adequate production from his successor, the pieces are in place to win the Coastal Division.
2016 record: 9-4, 7-1 ACC
Coach: Bobby Petrino (eighth year)
Sked or alive? Louisville also jumps right into the deep end to begin ACC play, visiting North Carolina in Week 2 and hosting Clemson in Week 3. It gets easier after that, but a showdown with Florida State in Tallahassee looms on Oct. 21. The Cardinals humiliated the βNoles 63-20 last year.
Why theyβre here: QB Lamar Jackson is back after a Heisman Trophy-winning campaign in which he dazzled through mid-November but fizzled down the stretch. Heβll put up monster numbers again, but it wonβt be enough to topple FSU and Clemson in the ACC Atlantic.
2016 record: 5-7, 3-6 Big 12
Coach: Tom Herman (first year)
Sked or alive? Texas visits USC in Week 3 in the first meeting between the schools since the epic BCS title game at the Rose Bowl. October will be challenging: Home games vs. Kansas State and Oklahoma State sandwich Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl. The month concludes with a trip to Baylor.
Why theyβre here: Herman went 22-4 in two years at Houston; heβll deliver in the win-loss column where Charlie Strong couldnβt. That doesnβt mean Texas is ready to leapfrog Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in the Big 12 β at least not this year.
2016 record: 7-6, 3-5 ACC
Coach: Dave Doeren (fifth year)
Sked or alive? The ACC slate is a bear. It starts with a visit to Florida State on Sept. 23. Eleven days later, NC State hosts Louisville. Then comes a trip to Pitt and a home game vs. Clemson β with a road game against Notre Dame in between.
Why theyβre here: The Wolfpack lost six games last year, but four came by seven or fewer points, including heartbreakers against FSU and Clemson. QB Ryan Finley returns after a promising debut season, and NC State will be strong along both lines. Strong enough to push the ACCβs big boys? Maybe.
2016 record: 9-4, 6-3 Big 12
Coach: Bill Snyder (26th year)
Sked or alive? Five of Kansas Stateβs nine Big 12 games are at home. Thatβs the good news. The bad: The Wildcatsβ first and last conference road games are against Texas and Oklahoma State. The latter could determine a berth in the new-fangled Big 12 Championship Game.
Why theyβre here: Most of the offense is back β including dual-threat QB Jesse Ertz β from a unit that scored 30 or more points six times in a row to close last season. The defense has more holes to fill, but Snyder invariably manages to get the best out of what he has.
2016 record: 4-8, 3-6 Pac-12
Coach: Will Taggart (first year)
Sked or alive? The stretch from Oct. 14 to Nov. 4 will determine Oregonβs fate. It features three road games in four weeks: at Stanford, UCLA and Washington. And donβt overlook the Week 3 trip to Wyoming, whose quarterback, Josh Allen, could be a top-five NFL draft pick.
Why theyβre here: Taggart has brought a different energy and swagger to Eugene. With QB Justin Herbert and RB Royce Freeman in the backfield, the Ducks should hum again on offense. They can reverse last yearβs record if the defense finally gets its act together.
2016 record: 8-5, 7-2 Pac-12
Coach: Mike Leach (sixth year)
Sked or alive? Wazzu starts the season with five straight home games, although two of them β Boise State and USC β will be challenging to say the least. November will be rough: vs. Stanford, at Utah, at Washington. At least the Cougars have a bye before the Apple Cup.
Why theyβre here: Prolific QB Luke Falk returns, the backfield is loaded, the line again will be a strength and the defense is underrated. The Cougars need to play more consistently to take the program to the next level. They started last year 0-2 and finished with a three-game losing streak.
2016 record: 10-4, 6-2 ACC
Coach: Justin Fuente (second year)
Sked or alive? Virginia Tech opens against West Virginia in Landover, Maryland, and visits plucky East Carolina 13 days later. Two weeks after that, Clemson comes to town. After a relative reprieve, November begins with trips to Miami and Georgia Tech.
Why theyβre here: The Hokies lost a ton of production on offense, including promising QB Jerod Evans, who turned pro early (and didnβt get drafted). The defense could be really good, though, with nearly everyone back in the linebacking corps and secondary. Virginia Tech again should contend for the Coastal Division crown.
2016 record: 11-2, 7-1 AAC
Coach: Charlie Strong (first year)
Sked or alive? The Bulls are scheduled for success. There are no Florida States on this yearβs non-con slate (San Jose State, Stony Brook, Illinois, UMass), and USF gets Houston at home. The toughest game might be the finale at Central Florida (which went 6-7 last year).
Why theyβre here: Strong inherits a ton of experience, a star QB in Quinton Flowers and a schedule that could produce an undefeated regular season. The defense, which ranked 120th in the nation last year, still needs work. But the Bulls have the most promising outlook of any Group of Five team in 2017.
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