Michael Lev's preseason poll: Clemson, Alabama remain the class of college football

Here's who Lev likes

Alabama and Clemson. Clemson and Alabama.

We’ve seen this show before. The Crimson Tide has starred in all four episodes of the College Football Playoff. The Tigers have appeared in the past three. They have faced each other three times.

Spoiler alert: They’re still the kings of college football.

At least they have company now. Georgia nearly knocked Alabama off its throne last season. The Big Ten has several CFP contenders. And Washington gives the Pac-12 a legitimate shot at the playoff.

What follows is Star reporter Michael Lev’s preseason ballot for the Associated Press Top 25. You’ll find snapshots of each team, focusing on the challenges their schedules present (“Sked or alive” … get it?) and why they landed where they did.

1. Clemson

2017 record: 12-2, 7-1 ACC (lost in CFP semifinals)

Coach: Dabo Swinney (11^th year)

Sked or alive? The Tigers have a very manageable schedule. They’ll get an early test with a trip to Texas A&M on Sept. 8, but the make-or-break stretch comes later: at Florida State on Oct. 27 and at Boston College two weeks later. The Eagles might be sneaky-good.

Why they’re here: Start with the best defensive line in college football. Add in a deep, talented receiving corps. Swinney has recruited so well, it might not matter who his quarterback is. Kelly Bryant showed promise last year. Trevor Lawrence was the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2018. Either way, Clemson should be playoff-bound again.

2. Alabama

2017 record: 13-1, 7-1 SEC (won national championship)

Coach: Nick Saban (12^th year)

Sked or alive? There’s nothing too daunting here. The Crimson Tide plays only four true road games. Two of them are back to back, at Tennessee and LSU. The good news: Alabama has a bye in between. The Tide has won three in a row in Baton Rouge, but none came easy. Largest margin: 10 points.

Why they’re here: No program reloads like Alabama. The Tide has to replace starters all over its defense but, per usual, has a stockpile of four- and five-star recruits. The bulk of the O-line is back. The running game should be top notch. Regardless of who the QB is – Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts or some combination – Alabama will be in the national-title hunt. Again.

3. Georgia

2017 record: 13-2, 7-1 SEC (lost in CFP final)

Coach: Kirby Smart (third year)

Sked or alive? It’s tempting to say mid-to-late October – when Georgia visits LSU and faces Florida in consecutive games – is the Bulldogs’ toughest stretch. But they can’t look past September. Georgia must travel to South Carolina on Sept. 8 and Missouri on Sept. 22. Both are fringe Top 25 teams.

Why they’re here: Not even Alabama has been recruiting on Georgia’s level. The Bulldogs are loaded and primed to make another playoff run. Like the two teams ranked above them, they have to figure out their QB situation. But it’s a nice problem to have with Jake Fromm back for Year 2 and five-star recruit Justin Fields providing a dual-threat alternative.

4. Wisconsin

2017 record: 13-1, 9-0 Big Ten

Coach: Paul Chryst (fourth year)

Sked or alive? None of Wisconsin’s Big Ten road games will be a walkover. The Badgers visit Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, Penn State and Purdue; all made bowl games last season. Wisconsin travels to Happy Valley and West Lafayette in consecutive weeks in November. The program is built to win those wintry road games.

Why they’re here: Wisconsin returns almost everyone of note on offense, including QB Alex Hornibrook, star RB Jonathan Taylor and the majority of the offensive line. The defense lost a lot but has a chance to find its footing before league play begins. The Badgers narrowly missed the College Football Playoff last year. They’ll be in that mix again.

5. Ohio State

2017 record: 12-2, 8-1 Big Ten

Coach: Urban Meyer (seventh year)

Sked or alive? The last three games could determine the Big Ten East race. Ohio State visits Michigan State and Maryland before hosting Michigan. The game against the Terrapins – sandwiched between critical contests against longtime rivals – has trap written all over it. 

Why they’re here: The talent – including stud DE Nick Bosa and dynamic RB J.K. Dobbins – screams top four, or even top three. But the situation with Meyer has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the program. You can’t take away the second- or third-best coach in college football – for a portion of training camp or the season – and assume everything will be fine.

6. Michigan State

2017 record: 10-3, 7-2 Big Ten

Coach: Mark Dantonio (12th year)

Sked or alive? A Week 2 trip to the desert to face Arizona State could be tricky, but the real challenge begins in mid-October. MSU visits Penn State on Oct. 13, then hosts Michigan the following week. The Spartans at least need a split to remain viable contenders in the stacked Big Ten East.

Why they’re here: Dantonio’s team rebounded quickly and emphatically from a 3-9 season, and MSU should be even better this year. The Spartans return 19 starters, tied for most in the nation. That includes the entire secondary, underrated QB Brian Lewerke and 6-4 WR Felton Davis III (55-776-9 in 2017).

7. Washington

2017 record: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-12

Coach: Chris Petersen (fifth year)

Sked or alive? After feasting on cupcakes the previous two seasons, Washington faces a monumental test in Week 1: projected No. 9 Auburn in Atlanta. It’s not a stretch to say that game could decide whether the Pac-12 gets a spot at the table in the CFP. Two weeks later, UW opens league play at Utah.

Why they’re here: Washington is the class of the Pac-12. The Huskies have everything you could want: talent, experience, depth and a returning starter at QB in Jake Browning. They’re also well-coached. The question is whether UW truly belongs among the nation’s elite. We’ll find out soon enough.

8. Penn State

2017 record: 11-2, 7-2 Big Ten

Coach: James Franklin (fifth year)

Sked or alive? The schedule breaks well for the Nittany Lions, who get Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin at home. They also get a bye between OSU (Sept. 29) and MSU (Oct. 13). The toughest stretch might be in early November, when Penn State visits Michigan before hosting Wisconsin the following week.

Why they’re here: The Nittany Lions lost star RB Saquon Barkley. Veteran QB Trace McSorley is back, however, along with four-fifths of the offensive line. The defense needs to be rebuilt, but there’s no shortage of talent. Is Penn State a notch below Wisconsin and Ohio State? Maybe. But not by much.

9. Auburn

2017 record: 10-4, 7-1 SEC

Coach: Guz Malzahn (sixth year)

Sked or alive? It starts with Washington and ends with Alabama. In between, Auburn hosts LSU (Sept. 15) and visits Mississippi State (Oct. 6) and Georgia (Nov. 10). Hand Malzahn the SEC Coach of the Year award if the Tigers again go 7-1 in the conference.

Why they’re here: Auburn returns QB Jarrett Stidham, who led the SEC with a 66.49 percent completion rate last year; most of his top targets; and one of the nation’s best defensive lines. But with a killer schedule, can the Tigers get to double-digit wins again?

10. Michigan

2017 record: 8-5, 5-4 Big Ten

Coach: Jim Harbaugh (fourth year)

Sked or alive? Michigan has five road games this year. Three are about as tough as they come: Notre Dame (Sept. 1), Michigan State (Oct. 20) and Ohio State (Nov. 24). The Wolverines got swept by the Spartans and Buckeyes last year and haven’t beaten OSU since … 2011.

Why they’re here: Will this be the year Michigan puts it all together? Most of the defense is back from a unit that ranked third in the country in yards allowed per game. More important, QB Shea Patterson – a one-time Arizona commit who put up huge numbers in seven games at Ole Miss last year – is eligible for 2018.

11. Oklahoma

2017 record: 12-2, 8-1 Big 12 (lost in CFP semifinals)

Coach: Lincoln Riley (second year)

Sked or alive? Oklahoma has an interesting, but manageable, preseason slate, opening with FAU and UCLA in Norman. October will be even more challenging with Texas at the Cotton Bowl and TCU in Fort Worth. The regular-season finale at West Virginia likely will determine a berth in the Big 12 title game.

Why they’re here: The Sooners are loaded at the skill positions, and in Riley they have one of the brightest young offensive minds in the country. But it’s hard to replace a Heisman winner. Baker Mayfield threw for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns last season. Can Kyler Murray approach those numbers? It’s a lot to ask.

12. Notre Dame

2017 record: 10-3

Coach: Brian Kelly (ninth year)

Sked or alive? Notre Dame doesn’t mess around. The Fighting Irish open the season against Michigan; face Stanford (Sept. 29) and Virginia Tech (Oct. 6) in consecutive weeks; and face Florida State and USC in November. Athlon Sports ranked Notre Dame’s schedule the third toughest in the nation.

Why they’re here: There are questions about QB Brandon Wimbush’s accuracy, and the Irish must replace two offensive linemen who were first-round picks. But nine starters return on defense from a team that won 10 games last season. Notre Dame has won at least eight games in seven of Kelly’s eight seasons. Expect more of the same.

13. Miami

2017 record: 10-3, 7-1 ACC

Coach: Mark Richt (third year)

Sked or alive? The Hurricanes aren’t wading into the season; Miami faces LSU in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 2. The stretch from Oct. 6-Nov. 17 is a bear. It starts with Florida State at home. The come four road games in five weeks, concluding with a trip to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech.

Why they’re here: The Hurricanes are back; they’re just not No. 1-in-the-nation back. Miami lost its final three games last season, a reality check that should provide motivation to start and finish strong in 2018. QB Malik Rosier should be better in Year 2 as the starter. The defense will be stellar.

14. Oregon

2017 record: 7-6, 4-5 Pac-12

Coach: Mario Cristobal (first year)

Sked or alive? After a laughably easy preseason schedule – Bowling Green, Portland State, San Jose State, all in Eugene – things get interesting. Stanford comes to town the following week. The Ducks then have three road games in a four-week stretch – with the one home game being against Pac-12 favorite Washington.

Why they’re here: Surely you’ve seen the stat by now: In the seven regular-season games in which QB Justin Herbert played, the Ducks went 6-1 and averaged 52.1 points; in the other five, they were 1-4 and averaged 15.0. Herbert is healthy and has added bulk to his 6-6 frame. As long as he stays upright, Oregon is a threat.

15. Stanford

2017 record: 9-5, 7-2 Pac-12

Coach: David Shaw (eighth year)

Sked or alive? If it can survive September, Stanford will be OK. The Cardinal opens the season Aug. 31 against San Diego State, which went 10-3 last year – including a win over Stanford. Then USC comes to town. The Cardinal finishes the month with trips to Oregon and Notre Dame.

Why they’re here: If QB K.J. Costello is fully healthy – and all early signs indicate he will be – the offense should be among the nation’s best. Heisman runner-up Bryce Love again will be the main weapon but far from the only one. The question is whether the defense can take a step forward without Justin Reid and Harrison Phillips, among others.

16. West Virginia

2017 record: 7-6, 5-4 Big 12

Coach: Dana Holgorsen (eighth year)

Sked or alive? The non-conference slate presents some interesting challenges. West Virginia opens vs. Tennessee in Charlotte and visits North Carolina State. But November will make or break the Mountaineers’ season: at Texas, vs. TCU, at Oklahoma State, vs. Oklahoma. WVU went 0-4 against those teams last year.

Why they’re here: West Virginia might be the most entertaining team in the country. The Mountaineers are loaded on offense – including QB Will Grier and WR David Sills, who had 18 touchdowns last year – and have significant questions on defense. The offense should be potent enough to keep them in the race in the Big 12.

17. TCU

2017 record: 11-3, 7-2 Big 12

Coach: Gary Patterson (18th year)

Sked or alive? Unlike many other conferences, everybody plays everybody in the Big 12. Not everybody plays Ohio State, which is on TCU’s slate on Sept. 15. It’s a pseudo-home game in Arlington, but still. TCU then travels to Texas the following week. Patterson’s team will grow up fast.

Why they’re here: TCU has the fewest returning starters (11) in the Big 12. But six of them are on defense, where TCU invariably excels. And Patterson has been recruiting at a high level, stocking the skill positions with talent. It’ll be hard to get to double-digit wins for the fourth time in five years, but not impossible.

18. Mississippi State

2017 record: 9-4, 4-4 SEC

Coach: Joe Moorhead (first year)

Sked or alive? Potential speedbumps are sprinkled throughout the Bulldogs’ schedule, including trips to Kansas State in September and Alabama in November. A stretch in the middle will really test MSU’s mettle. Mississippi State hosts Florida (Sept. 29) and Auburn (Oct. 6) in consecutive weeks before a bye. Then comes a visit to LSU.

Why they’re here: Moorhead, who helped engineer Penn State’s prolific offense the past two seasons, steps into a good situation in Starkville. MSU returns almost its entire offense, including QB Nick Fitzgerald, who appears to be healthy after a season-ending ankle injury suffered in November. The Bulldogs won’t win the SEC West, but a fourth nine-plus-win season in five years is doable.

19. Texas

2017 record: 7-6, 5-4 Big 12

Coach: Tom Herman (second year)

Sked or alive? Once they reach mid-September, the Longhorns won’t be able to come up for air for a while. They host USC and TCU in consecutive weeks before visiting Kansas State, which is always a tough out. Then comes the Red River Showdown against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl.

Why they’re here: If you believe Herman is a good coach – and if you believe the recruiting rankings – Texas is going to surge sooner than later. Some of the pieces already are in place, including a stacked secondary. If sophomore QB Sam Ehlinger, the probable starter, can take a step forward, so too can the Longhorns.

20. Florida State

2017 record: 7-6, 3-5 ACC

Coach: Willie Taggart (first year)

Sked or alive? Between Oct. 6 and Nov. 10, Florida State has three road games: at Miami, North Carolina State and Notre Dame. One of its two home games in that stretch is against Clemson. The Tigers have won the past three meetings, including a 31-14 thrashing last year.

Why they’re here: Strange to see the Seminoles down here, isn’t it? The program is in an unusual place, coming off a mediocre season – FSU failed to win at least 10 games for the first time since 2011 – and adjusting to a new coach. It shouldn’t take long for Taggart to have the always-talented ’Noles in contention for the ACC title. Just not this year.

21. USC

2017 record: 11-3, 8-1 Pac-12

Coach: Clay Helton (fourth year)

Sked or alive? Can the Trojans survive September? After opening at home against UNLV, USC travels to Stanford and Texas. The Trojans finish the month at Arizona. It wouldn’t be surprising if USC’s start mirrors 2016, when the Trojans opened 1-3. That was also the last time they broke in a new quarterback.

Why they’re here: Sam Darnold is gone. His successor will be either redshirt freshman Jack Sears or true freshman J.T. Daniels, who had some wow moments during training camp. Either way, the Trojans will be able to run the ball effectively, and their defense might be on par with Washington’s. The inexperience at QB limits their ceiling.

22. Boise State

2017 record: 11-3, 7-1 MWC

Coach: Bryan Harsin (fifth year)

Sked or alive? The Broncos face two difficult road tests in September, traveling to Oklahoma State and Wyoming. The former could determine whether Boise State is in the mix for a New Year’s Six bowl. The rest of the MWC slate should be navigable. Boise gets San Diego State, Fresno State and Utah State at home.

Why they’re here: The Broncos have won 10 or more games in 10 of the past 12 seasons, and this one shouldn’t be any different. Almost everyone is back from a defense that ranked 22^nd nationally in yards allowed per game. Also returning: senior QB Brett Rypien, who had a 14-3 TD-INT ratio over Boise’s final seven games.

23. Virginia Tech

2017 record: 9-4, 5-3 ACC

Coach: Justin Fuente (third year)

Sked or alive? There’s danger early and late. Virginia Tech opens the season at Florida State. Oddly, the two haven’t met since 2012. Tech’s penultimate game brings Miami to Blacksburg. The Hurricanes have won three of the past four meetings, including a 28-10 thumping last season.

Why they’re here: The Hokies are young at a lot of spots, including quarterback. But the arrow is pointing up for redshirt sophomore Josh Jackson after he accounted for 26 touchdowns last season. Tech should be strong along both lines as well. At worst, the Hokies will push the Canes for the ACC Coastal crown.

24. LSU

2017 record: 9-4, 6-2 SEC

Coach: Ed Orgeron (third year)

Sked or alive? The Tigers might have the toughest schedule in the SEC. Their road games include Auburn, Florida and Texas A&M. From Oct. 13-Nov. 3, Georgia, Mississippi State and Alabama come to Death Valley. Oh, and LSU opens the season against Miami in Arlington, Texas.

Why they’re here: Based on talent alone – including budding-star CB Greedy Williams – the Tigers belong in the top 15. But Orgeron has yet to prove he can put it all together as a head coach. Stability and production at quarterback – which LSU seldom seems to have – would help. Is Ohio State grad transfer Joe Burrow the answer?

25. Utah

2017 record: 7-6, 3-6 Pac-12

Coach: Kyle Whittingham (14^th year)

Sked or alive? How’s this for a gauntlet: Utah opens Pac-12 play against Washington, Washington State and Stanford – with the latter two on the road. The Utes then host Arizona and USC in consecutive weeks. Those two games could decide the Pac-12 South title.

Why they’re here: Utah doesn’t have a roster full of four- and five-star players like USC. It doesn’t have a transcendent talent like Khalil Tate. But the Utes return QB Tyler Huntley, defensive leader Chase Hansen and most of their offensive line. They also have the best specialists in the league. They’ll be in the hunt.