College Football Week One Picks

9 South Carolina vs. 21 Texas A&M
What a better way to kick off college football games on the SEC Network than with a great battle of two Top 25 teams with conference championship aspirations? Well both will be breaking in new quarterbacks (senior Dylan Thompson at South Carolina and Kenny Hill at Texas A&M), this battle should still be pretty high-scoring. While Thompson is making his first start as the clear No. 1 for South Carolina, he has plenty of experience and he will have a lot of help from the offensive weapons around him. Running back Mike Davis is a dark horse Heisman candidate, he runs extremely hard but can mix in some speed with it. Speedster Shaq Roland can make big plays (he made some big ones in last year's opener against UNC) and a veteran offensive line should help Thompson. On the other side, Hill will have senior receiver Malcome Kennedy to throw to along with a variety of backs to run the ball. Don't expect Hill to be Johnny Manziel, but he does have some similar qualities. He is a spread QB with a big arm and mobility and he can make some magic of his own. The even bigger question for the Aggies will be defense, where they were absolutely terrible a year ago. Though, a ton is back and many expect the defense to improve. But, even if it improved in big ways, is it going to be any good? While South Carolina misses Jadeveon Clowney on the defensive side of the ball, they have a veteran secondary and Hill will have some issues trying to throw against this defense. While the Gamecocks are trying to break in a new QB, he is experienced and he will have the home crowd to help him. While the Aggies might make things interesting, South Carolina is the better team, and they should prove it.
South Carolina, 35 Texas A&M, 21

12 Georgia vs. 16 Clemson

Todd Gurley

A year ago, these teams played an exciting game that went down to the wire, with Clemson pulling off a huge victory, winning 38-35. Now, the Tigers will be without QB Tajh Boyd, running back Roderick McDowell and wide receivers Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant. They will take on a healthy Georgia team that is breaking in fifth-year starter Hutson Mason. Much like Dylan Thompson, Mason is experienced and he has a great grasp of the Georgia offense. He will be able to hand the ball off to one of the nation's best running backs in Todd Gurley, who was great in the matchup a season ago. The Bulldogs will also have a healthy number of receivers for Mason to throw too, including Malcolm Mitchell, who missed nearly all of last season and Justin Scott-Wesley. Michael Bennett could have a big game; he is really a hybrid tight end/receiver who was Aaron Murray's favorite target and could do much the same for Mason. The Bulldogs' defense is solid led by linebacker Ramik Wilson, they should be stout against the run. But, the pass defense was a big issue a year ago, and a lot is gone from the secondary now. If new Clemson quarterback Cole Stoudt can figure things out quickly, the Tigers could really exploit the weakness. It will be interesting to see who steps up and gives Stoudt a dangerous weapon in the passing game. Adam Humphries has been reliable in his career, while Mike Williams has the potential to breakout. Defensively, defensive end Vic Beasley and nose guard Grady Jarrett are going to be a load to handle for the Georgia offensive line to handle; the unit struggled against Clemson last season. This is another interesting matchup, one that includes two new quarterbacks. Georgia has a proven ball carrier in Gurley and a nice complement in Keith Marshall and Mason has proven he can win. At home, they are the much safer pick than the Tigers.
Georgia, 24 Clemson, 17

13 LSU vs. 14 Wisconsin
Once more, LSU will have a tough non-conference challenge to begin their season after facing TCU last year and seeing a number of tough teams to begin their year in the past. They will also be breaking in a new quarterback, actually two, as both sophomore Anthony Jennings and true freshman Brandon Harris will see action. Jennings has actually seen action against a real opponent, helping lead the Tigers to a victory over Iowa in last year's Outback Bowl. Wisconsin will also have a relatively new quarterback, starting Tanner McEvoy at QB over incumbent Joel Stave. That will lead both teams to run the ball a lot, something they usually do anyways. The Badgers will bring explosive Melvin Gordon to the table, a player who can break the game open every time he gets the ball, while the Tigers will lean on powerful Terrance Magee. On the defensive side of the ball, both teams suffer some severe losses, especially LSU. The good news is that with Danielle Hunter and others returning on the front seven, LSU will hope they contain Gordon and his backup, Corey Clement. Meanwhile, the Badgers will lean on hard-hitting safety Michael Caputo and a strong secondary that will be very aggressive in trying to stop the Tigers' rushing attack as well. This is a battle of two teams with very similar styles; powerful football, strong defense and smart, short throws. While LSU does have a possible breakout threat in true freshman Leonard Fournette, they don't have Gordon, who is ready for a big game. Wisconsin is so big and strong up front, and they should run the ball right down the Tigers' throat and get a huge win to boost their College Football Playoff hopes.
Wisconsin, 21 LSU, 20

1 Florida State vs. Oklahoma State
The Florida State Seminoles will begin their national title defense against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Jameis Winston will be ready to go and begin his defense of the Heisman trophy and will lead Florida State offense that will be scary. Senior running back Karlos Williams is an absolute workhorse, while Nick O'Leary and Rashad Greene give Winston options in the passing game. Add to that a veteran offensive line that is led by tackle Cam Erving and guard Tre' Jackson, two All-American candidates, and the Cowboys will have their hands full on defense. Mike Gundy has had some explosive offenses in his time in Stillwater, but this year's offense is losing some key pieces. Junior J.W. Walsh will take over full time at QB after splitting time with Clint Chelf, who graduated, a year ago. He will lean heavily on running back Desmond Roland to move the ball against a strong FSU defense. Unfortunately, he will get pressured early and often by the 'Noles' pass rush. Mario Edwards will be making plays off the edge, while Eddie Goldman will be disruptive up the middle. Not only will he have to deal with the FSU pass rush, he won't be able to make any easy throws against the talented Seminoles' secondary, one that includes Ronald Darby and P.J. Williams. The only hope for the Cowboys is Winston struggles mightily or goes down with an injury and the defense struggles without the leadership they had in 2013. It will be interesting to see how Florida State handles the revamped expectations for the team, but they are too good to lose to an inexperienced Oklahoma State team.
Florida State, 42 Oklahoma State, 24

Other Picks
2 Alabama , 35 West Virginia, 13
18 Ole Miss, 33 Boise State, 17
Navy, 26 5 Ohio State, 14
4 Oklahoma, 45 Lousiana Tech, 10

Current Picks Record: 0-0

McGowanMania College Football Preview 2014-2015

Top 25 (Click on team for complete in-depth previews)

1. Florida State Seminoles -- So much talent returns, including "Famous Jameis" at QB.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide -- It is Alabama and it is Nick Saban, the Tide will contend.
3. Oregon Ducks -- Mariota and Ekpre-Olomu return to guide the hungry ducks.
4. Oklahoma Sooners -- Eric Striker has the chance to be special at LB after a great Sugar Bowl.
5. Michigan State Spartans -- Defense will once more be dominant, with DE Shilique Calhoun.
6. Auburn Tigers -- The return of Nick Marshall means Auburn could repeat magical 2013.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes -- Late injury to Braxton Miller hurts, Ohio State defense could carry team.
8. UCLA Bruins -- If Hundley can take the next step at QB, anything is possible for UCLA.
9. Stanford Cardinal -- So many losses, but yet so much talent, especially on offense.
10. Georgia Bulldogs -- A healthy Georgia team is a dangerous one, one that will win the SEC East.
11. Baylor Bears -- Bryce Petty, Antwan Goodley will lead yet another high-scoring offense.
12. South Carolina Gamecocks -- Mike Davis and veteran O-Line means fantastic rushing attack.
13. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- Everett Golson has so much to work with in South Bend.
14. LSU Tigers -- Another year of major losses, but Les Miles recruits too well to see a big drop-off.
15. Wisconsin Badgers -- Melvin Gordon's speed and playmaking will once more lead the offense.
16. USC Trojans -- Steve Sarkisian arrives with some amazing talent on both sides of the ball.
17. Ole Miss Rebels -- With Bo Wallace, this could be the year the Rebels breakthrough in the SEC.
18. Clemson Tigers -- Loss of Watkins and Boyd hurts, defense will have to step up in a big way.
19. Kansas State Wildcats -- Receiver/ returner Tyler Lockett is a rare talent, 'Cats are a dark horse.
20. UCF Knights -- No Bortles, no problem. George O'Leary's defense could be dominant.
21. BYU Cougars -- QB Taysom Hill and RB Jamaal Williams will lead a scary offense.
22. Nebraska Huskers -- RB Ameer Abdullah does it all, while DE Randy Gregory is a monster.
23. Texas A&M Aggies -- Kevin Sumlin still has some real talent, even without Manziel and Evans.
24. Iowa Hawkeyes -- Schedule sets up perfectly for quickly improving Hawkeyes.
25. Florida Gators -- Now healthy, Will Muschamp has an interesting team in Gainesville.

Others to Consider

Marshall Thundering Herd
Missouri Tigers
Miami Hurricanes
Bowling Green Falcons
Cincinnati Bearcats
Washington Huskies
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Duke Blue Devils
Arizona State Sun Devils

Heisman Prediction: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

College Football Playoff Predictions
1 Florida State defeats 4 Oklahoma, 37-24
2 Alabama defeats 3 Oregon, 21-16

1 Florida State defeats Alabama, 31-21
National Champion: Florida State

College Football Preview 2014-2015: Heisman Predictions

Brett Hundley

The start of a new college football year is upon us, and making a preseason Heisman list is an annual tradition. While Jameis Winston, Johnny Manziel and others through the years have made a mockery of preseason watch lists, why not try to predict who will win the Heisman award? There are a long list of interesting candidates but here are some of my frontrunners, dark horses and top defensive candidates:

The Front Runners:
Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
It would be foolish not to put the reigning Heisman winner on the top of this list. "Famous Jameis" had an incredible 2013, recording 44 total touchdowns along with 4,057 passing yards. He proved to be a big, hard-running dual threat who played better in the bigger games. Perhaps the only question facing him in his Heisman campaign was a sexual assault investigation which led many voters to look elsewhere. This year, Winston will lead a very dangerous offense and will hopefully hope to steer clear of any off-the-field issues. A year after winning his Heisman, Manziel put up even better numbers but did not win the award again. Voters are always hesitant to give someone a Heisman twice and even if he does put up bigger numbers, it will be an up-hill battle for Winston to win another Heisman.

Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Until his loss to Stanford, Mariota was likely the Heisman frontrunner and Oregon was on a collision course with Alabama in the national championship. Though, his performance in that key game was dismal, costing him the trophy and costing the Ducks a championship berth. His decision to return to Eugene leaves him as a serious candidate for college football's most prestigious award. Mariota engineers the nation's second most dangerous offense in the nation (only behind Baylor) and he has all the talent to put up big numbers this season. The question is whether he can get through Oregon's schedule unfazed and lead the Ducks to a College Football Playoff. Oregon gets Michigan State on September 6th, and they will see Stanford once more and then a date with UCLA on the road. The star quarterback on one of the nation's best teams? Mariota has a legitimate shot at the award, in fact  he is my favorite for the award.

Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Hundley also made big news when he joined Mariota in returning to school despite first-round projections in the 2014 NFL Draft. He will lead the most talented UCLA team in years, one that is hoping to prove they can play with the big boys of the Pac-12 (Oregon, Stanford and USC). Hundley is also a dual threat who can wow you with the plays he makes. In his two seasons as starter, Hundley has thrown for 73 touchdowns and he threw for 3,470 yards along with 29 touchdowns a year ago. He has impressed with not only his mobility, but also his pinpoint accuracy and his knowledge of offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone's system. He showed significant improvement from his redshirt freshman season and in 2013, his sophomore season, and second year as starter. If he continues to develop and improve like he did a year ago, he has a real shot. Also, Hundley will have plenty of opportunities for a Heisman moment, as he will have games USC, Stanford and Oregon all at home.

Defensive Candidates:
Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson
Beasley broke out in 2013, notching 13 sacks and 23 tackles for loss a season ago, helping drastically improve the Clemson defense. Whether he plays at defensive end or as an outside linebacker, Beasley will be an extremely dominant pass rusher. He has the mix of size, speed and athleticism needed to put up huge numbers and he will head a Clemson front seven that could be among the best in the school's history. A meeting against Florida State, which will likely decide the ACC Atlantic, will give Beasley the chance for a Heisman moment. A great game there could put him the mix for the award, but he will have to put up record-breaking numbers to win the Heisman with how great this year's candidates are, and considering he is a defender, which puts him at a disadvantage.

Leonard Williams, DL, USC
It is pretty crazy to think about how dominant Williams was in 2013, considering he was not 100% throughout the season. Williams, who suffered with a torn labrum through the season, still picked up 74 tackles along with six sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. The junior is a big name among NFL scouts but he should become a household name this year, with his labrum now healed. Williams still spend most of his time at defensive tackle, but he has the athleticism and versatility to play anywhere along the line. He is an exceptional pass rusher who can also be a major playmaker in run support. While defensive tackles usually are rarely in the mix for the Heisman, Williams is a different breed. When he is healthy, he could be the most dominant interior linemen since Ndamukong Suh, who was a Heisman candidate himself.

Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Jack was crazy good as a true freshman a year ago, recording 75 stops while also making an impact as a running back. That helped him earn Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year along with the conference's Defensive Player of the Year honors. Now a sophomore, Jack has the chance to fight for Heisman honors, as he could possibly play both offense and defense once again in 2013. Jack has superb speed, great instincts and could help as a coverage linebacker. But, he is still growing as a linebacker and people should expect him to be even better this season. Like Hundley, Jack will have plenty of opportunities to shine and impress voters, making him a real threat for the award.

Dark Horses:
Matt Johnson, QB, Bowling Green
In last year's MAC Championship, a star emerged in Johnson, who led the Falcons to an upset victory over the undefeated Huskies. Now, Johnson returns along with the makings of an explosive offense under former Eastern Illinois head coach Dino Babers. Babers has developed explosive offenses while at Eastern Illinois and as offensive coordinator with Baylor under Art Briles. Inside that offense, with a big arm, impressive mobility and a ton of playmakers surrounding him, Johnson is a real dark horse Heisman threat. If he can play well in big-time battles against Indiana and at Wisconsin, with his numbers, don't count Johnson out of the race.

Taysom Hill, QB, BYU
Hill was a great runner for the Cougars a year ago, running for 1,344 yards, while leading one of the nation's most explosive and up-tempo offenses. Unfortunately, the first-year starter couldn't get the job done through the air too often, completing under 60 percent of his throws and not being able to make the important throws. This offseason, he spent time at the Manning Camp, working on improving as passer. If he can take that next step as a passer, with his speed and elusiveness as a runner, Hill will put up the numbers needed to compete for the Heisman. Staying healthy will be important as well, as the Cougars' offensive line loses three starters and is very young and injuries are obviously very common for running quarterbacks. Expect Hill to run defenses ragged with the read option and possibly even run his way to New York.

Paul James, RB, Rutgers
Last year, despite everybody knowing he was going to running the ball 20-30 even 40 times per game, Andre Williams was a monster for Boston College. James, who is now fully healthy after missing some time with a leg injury that cost him four games in 2013. Much like BC in 2013, Rutgers won't have much of a passing game and they will definitely rely on their running game. James was a beast before going down last year, rushing for 881 yards and nine touchdowns, running over anybody who stood in his way. Even in the physical Big Ten, James could be fantastic and the next Williams if he manages to stay healthy.

McGowanMania Heisman Pick: Marcus Mariota

College Football Preview 2014-2015: Previewing the Non-Power Five Conferences

Deontay Greenberry

American Athletic Conference
Rankings 
 
 
1. UCF
2. Cincinnati
3. Houston
4. East Carolina
5. SMU
6. Temple
7. Memphis
8. UConn
9. Tulane
10. Tulsa
11. South Florida


Top Players to Watch:
Terrance Plummer, LB, UCF
The senior was an All-AAC player a year ago and should lead a fantastic Central Florida defense. He moves exceptionally well and is gifted with incredible instincts.
Deontay Greenberry, WR, Houston
Expect the Cougars to throw the ball all around the field this year, with Greenberry and quarterback John O'Korn returning. Greenberry is extremely fast and should be a very scary deep threat this season.
Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane
A big reason for the Green Wave's surprising 7-6 mark in 2013 was Doss, an All-Conference USA corner a year ago. He picked off seven passes last year and is one of the nation's elite shutdown cornerbacks.



Rakeem Cato

Conference USA
Rankings:
East Division

1. Marshall
2. Western Kentucky
3. Middle Tennessee
4. Old Dominion
5. Florida Atlantic
6. UAB
7. Florida International

West Division

1. North Texas
2. UTSA
3. Rice
4. Louisiana Tech
5. UTEP
6. Southern Mississippi

Top Players to Watch:
Rakeem Cato, QB, Marshall
Cato has put up huge numbers so far in his Marshall career, and he should do much the same in 2013. He has a huge arm and is a dual threat, he could be a dark horse Heisman candidate if Marshall runs the table or wins the conference.

Cyril Lemon, OG, North Texas
The three-year starter for the Mean Green is extremely durable and hard-working. The senior isn't the biggest player on the field but he is very mobile and he is extremely powerful.

Taylor Heinicke, QB, Old Dominion
Heinicke, the Walter Payton Award winner in 2012 (award given to best FCS offensive player) has the talent to keep the Monarchs in the mix in their first full year in FBS football. He has thrown for career marks of 11,483 yards and 102, while completing 70% of his passes.

Conference USA Championship: Marshall over North Texas

MAC
Rankings:

Jawon Chisholm

East Division

1. Bowling Green
2. Buffalo
3. Akron
4. Ohio
5. Kent State
6. Miami (Ohio)
7. UMass

West Division

1. Northern Illinois
2. Toledo
3. Ball State
4. Central Michigan
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Western Michigan

Top Players to Watch:
Matt Johnson, QB, Bowling Green
In new head coach Dino Babers' air raid offense, Johnson should put up huge numbers. He has the strong arm, smarts and mobility to give defenses serious fits.

Titus Davis, WR, Central Michigan
The senior playmaker is a talent you rarely see inside the MAC. He has a scary mix of size (6'2", 190 pounds) and speed to really have a fantastic final season in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Jawon Chisholm, RB, Akron
Now a senior, Chisholm has been a playmaker for the Zips for years. Last season, the playmaker ran for 869 yards and caught 27 passes, proving that he can hurt defenses in a variety of ways. If he can stay healthy, Chisholm could compete for Offensive Player of the Year honors.

MAC Championship: Bowling Green over Northern Illinois

Mountain West
Rankings:

West Division

Chuckie Keeton

1. San Diego State
2. Fresno State
3. UNLV
4. Nevada
5. San Jose State
6. Hawaii

Mountain Division

1. Utah State
2. Boise State
3. Colorado State
4. New Mexico
5. Wyoming
6. Air Force

Top Players to Watch:
Chuckie Keeton, QB, Utah State
Keeton could have put up huge numbers last year before a knee injury sidelined him for the last eight games of 2013. Now healthy, Keeton's huge arm and his plethora of options makes him a dark horse for the Heisman.

Derron Smith, S, Fresno State
The senior free safety is an elite playmaker; he has picked off 14 career interceptions, the FBS' active leader. He is also a dangerous blitzer who will be very disruptive in 2014.

Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State
The talented junior linebacker does it all. In 2013, he recorded 82 tackles, 13 tackles for loss along with five sacks. He leads a talented linebacker corps that also includes the two Vigil brothers, Nick and Zach.

Terrance Broadway

Mountain West Championship: Utah State over San Diego State

Sun Belt
Rankings:

1. Louisiana-Lafayette
2. Arkansas State
3. Troy
4. South Alabama
5. Texas State
6. Louisiana-Monroe
7. Georgia Southern
8. Appalachian State
9. Idaho
10. Georgia State
11. New Mexico State

Top Players to Watch:
Wes Saxton, TE, South Alabama
Saxton will be South Alabama's most dangerous weapon this year after a strong 2013. The 6'4", 240 pound playmaker is not only an exceptional blocker but also has receivers' hands and superb speed.

Terrance Broadway, QB, Louisiana-Lafayette
Few quarterbacks in the history of the Sun Belt are as talented as Broadway, a dual threat who is so tough to stop. He threw for 2,419 yards and ran for 442 more, while completing over 62 percent of his passes.

Michael Orakpo, LB, Texas State
Orakpo was terrific a year ago, and he might only grow as a pass rusher this season. He picked up 4.5 sacks and 71 tackles in 2013 but has looked stronger this spring. He will be a monster this season for the Bobcats.

College Football Preview 2014-2015: Previewing the SEC

Maty Mauk

The SEC 2013 Review: Nobody could have predicted that Auburn, who went 3-9 and 0-8 inside the SEC in 2012, and Missouri (5-7, 2-6 SEC) were the two teams that would meet for the SEC Championship, the most prestigious conference in college football. Despite losing to LSU earlier in the year, Auburn rode their explosive running attack to a victory over Alabama, earning them a berth in the Championship game. Once more, they rode their ground game to a W, giving them a spot in the national championship, a game they of course, lost. Missouri recovered from a dreadful first season in the conference to a 12-2 overall mark, while losing just one SEC game, a thriller in overtime to South Carolina. Imagine something; if the Tigers' kicker Andrew Baggett had hit a relative easy field goal, the team would have been undefeated entering the SEC Championship. Meanwhile, Florida fell apart, as their season was ruined by injuries. They limped to a 4-8 mark, that included a loss to FCS opponent Georgia Southern, at home, no less. Georgia's season was also ruined by injuries, but they still managed to climb back to a solid 8-5 mark, with wins over South Carolina and LSU.

Ranking the SEC: Click on Top 25 teams for complete in-depth previews.

East

1. Georgia Bulldogs (8-5 in 2013) National Rank: 10
Big things were expected of Georgia in Aaron Murray's final season with the Bulldogs. Unfortunately, injuries ruined the year early and often, as nearly every offensive skill position starter had an injury at one point last season. While Murray is gone at QB, Georgia has an experienced player ready to step in, in the form of Hutson Mason, a fifth-year senior. Mason won't be asked to do too much, the Bulldogs will rely heavily on their ground game, which returns Heisman candidate Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, a dangerous combination. Chris Conley, Malcolm Mitchell, Michael Bennett and Justin Scott-Wesley lead a fantastic receiving corps, while the offensive line is great and experienced. On defense, Georgia will rely heavily on their linebackers, with the return of sophomore pass rusher Leonard Floyd, tackling machine Ramik Wilson and the disruptive junior Jordan Jenkins. The big question for the team as a whole is the secondary, which was bad a year ago before losing Tray Matthews and Josh Harvey-Clemons to transfer. While many people like South Carolina in the East, the Bulldogs are my favorite. They could be scary offensively if they stay healthy, and running against this team will be extremely tough.

2. South Carolina Gamecocks (11-2 in 2013) National Rank: 12
Steve Spurrier has done a great job at South Carolina, but he has struggled to take the program to an elite status. With 16 starters back and a dangerous offense, he hopes this could be the team that can win a conference championship and make the College Football Playoff. They have a veteran quarterback in senior Dylan Thompson, who should take over for Connor Shaw without too many issues. Running back Mike Davis is a real playmaker, a versatile runner who can beat defenders with his speed but is also so strong and tough. They also have a number of options for Thompson, including junior speedster Shaq Roland, senior Damiere Byrd and senior tight end Rory Anderson. Add to that a veteran offensive line that includes A.J. Cann and depth and this offense could be very scary. The questions are on defense this year, where the Gamecocks lose their superstar, Jadeveon Clowney, the best player to ever step on South Carolina's campus. The front seven could be exposed without Clowney, but it does have some talent, including defensive tackle J.T. Surratt and sophomore Darius English. Rising sophomore Skai Moore is a real playmaker at linebacker and Brison Williams returns to head an experienced secondary. While the Gamecocks are once more talented, they may not be as strong to overtake Georgia and win the East, and improve on those 11 wins (which they have recorded the past three years).

3. Florida Gators (4-8 in 2013) National Rank: 25
Few programs can go 4-8 one year and then be expected to be a national title threat the next, but this Florida and expectations are always high. Junior quarterback Jeff Driskel is healthy after missing most of 2013 with a broken leg. Remember, the Gators went 11-2 under Driskel in 2012. Joining him will be sophomore Kelvin Taylor, who will lead a deep running back position, along with senior receiver Quinton Dunbar, who hasn't quite met expectations in his time in Gainesville. The Gators got a nice surprise when Virginia transfer Jake McGee decided to join the team. The tight end will give Driskel a real help in the intermediate passing game. As usual, the Gators' defense should be stout. It was ranked as the eighth best unit in the nation a year ago, despite injuries also appearing on it. Junior defensive end Dante Fowler has the chance to be dominant, while junior Antonio Morrison is inconsistent but extremely talented. The secondary is a very interesting unit, it does have an All-American talent in Vernon Hargreaves III, but it is also very inexperienced. True freshman cornerback Jalen Tabor has the chance to be great with the Gators, and could start right away. Good news on special teams, punter Kyle Christy is back for a senior season after losing his starting job in 2013 (he was a Ray Guy award finalist in 2012, given to the nation's best punter). While the Gators should improve, the offense has to take huge step under new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper for the team to win the East.

4. Missouri Tigers (12-2 in 2013) National Rank: Unranked
The Tigers will almost certainly take a giant step back in 2013, because they lose just so much. Gone is quarterback James Franklin, running back Henry Josey, wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham and defensive linemen Kony Ealy and Michael Sam. Sophomore Maty Mauk is back after starting four games last season when Franklin went down with an injury. He played very well, but he had more weapons around him last season than he will have in 2014. Junior Russell Hansbrough is going to take over at RB, while senior receiver Bud Sasser is the No. 1 option in the passing game, after Green-Beckham was dismissed. The strength of this team should be their offensive lune, which returns experienced Evan Boehm at center and both of their tackles. While Sam and Ealy leaves big holes on the D-Line, it could still be a formidable unit. Senior Markus Golden will take over as the next big pass rusher in Columbia, while senior DT Lucas Vincent will clog lanes up the middle. Junior linebacker Kentrell Brothers and senior safety Braylon Webb are the other returning starters on the defense, both will have to step up big time. Special teams should be real strength, with kicker Andrew Baggett back along with punter Christian Brinser and return specialist Marcus Murphy, who will also see time at running back.

5. Tennessee Volunteers (5-7 in 2013) National Rank: Unranked
Butch Jones did a great job in his first year in Knoxville, nearly reaching a bowl game, but more important, bringing in a Top 10 recruiting class, so key for the future. Senior Justin Worley won the team's quarterback competition; he was inconsistent but played pretty well throughout 2013. He will have some weapons to throw to, including sophomore receiver Marquez North and sophomore tight end Jason Croom. Add to that JUCO transfer Von Pearson and the offense will make major strides, although so much is gone on the line. The defense will also be respectable, with senior linebacker A.J. Johnson leading the way, after he has picked up 100 plus tackles in both of the last two years. Junior Curt Maggitt, who missed all of 2013 after tearing in ACL late in 2012, will be a big-time playmaker. He will spend time at both linebacker and defensive end, and Jones called him the "heart and soul" of the defense this spring. This Vols team is improving in big ways, and they should be much improved in Jones' second season in Knoxville. Unfortunately, a brutal schedule could hold them back from taking the next step and reaching a bowl game.

6. Vanderbilt Commodores (9-4 in 2013) National Rank: Unranked
James Franklin decided to take his dream job at Penn State, leaving Vandy after going 24-15 in three years. Not only is he gone, the Commodores also lose their star wide receiver Jordan Matthews and have no proven quarterback. Freshman Johnny McCrary is competing with sophomore Patton Robinette and LSU transfer Stpehen Rivers for the job, but neither will have too much success without Matthews. Junior Jerron Seymour will hope to lead the ground game, which was very bad in 2013 without Zac Stacy. The offensive line does return four starters, but the unit will definitely miss All-SEC Wesley Johnson. The Vanderbilt defense was quietly the No. 23 total defense in the nation a year ago, and now has a defensive-minded head coach in Derek Mason, the former defensive coordinator for Stanford. Linebacker will be a real strength as three starters return in the group, as the Commodores will move to a 3-4 look under Mason this year. The Commodores aren't the complete joke they before Franklin arrived, but Mason will certainly have a tough time keeping up the momentum in Nashville without Matthews or any star defenders.

7. Kentucky Wildcats (2-10 in 2013) National Rank: Unranked
The Wildcats were a great story on the recruiting trail, bringing in a Top 25 unit, joining Tennessee as the other program to bring in a Top 25 class, despite not having a winning record last year. The class will have to bring help immediately, as Kentucky was a pretty big joke in 2013, winning just two games, without one victory in the SEC. Sophomore quarterback Patrick Towles will be the leader of offensive coordinator Neal Brown's air raid attack. He will have a lot of help offensively, with five of the 'Cats' top six receivers back, including senior Javess Blue. The running back position is also in good hands, with Jojo Kemp returning (ran for 482 yards) along with Nebraska transfer Braylon Heard joining the party. The defense was pretty bad in 2013, but was pretty average against the run. Senior defensive end Alvin "Bud" Dupree is going to have a big year after putting up impressive numbers last year. He will join another senior, Za'Darius Smith who will start at the other end spot; the two combined for 13 sacks a year ago. The secondary will improve, with two starters back and the addition of JUCO stud A.J. Stamps, an athlete who brings important versatility. While the Wildcats brought in a great class, Mark Stoops' program still has to wait a few years before they start making big noise inside the conference.

West

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (11-2 in 2013) National Rank: 2
Alabama and head coach Nick Saban will just try to forget about the end of 2013, two games in which 'Bama lost a stunner to Auburn and then was dominated by Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. While they will lose three-year starting QB A.J. McCarron and their defensive leader, C.J. Mosley, the Tide have the talent to win the SEC this season. Florida State transfer Jacob Coker is expected to take over at quarterback; he is surrounded by stars. Junior wide receiver Amari Cooper will put up huge numbers after an injury-riddled 2013 campaign, while T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake lead a fantastic running back situation. The offensive line does lose some talent and experience, but three starters are back and the Tide brought in a real stud in Cameron Robinson, who will likely start at left tackle. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will have one of the nation's most talented defenses, one that includes a number of All-American candidates. Those candidates include junior safety Landon Collins, senior linebacker Trey DePriest and sophomore defensive end A'Shawn Robinson. This pass rush could be dominant, as nose guard Brandon Ivory and two JUCO transfers, Jarran Reed and D.J. Pettway, will help out Robinson. Special teams could be a real issue, as the Tide don't have a proven kicker or punter they can rely on.

2. Auburn Tigers (12-2 in 2013) National Rank: 6
The Tigers weren't just a magical team in 2013, they also were extremely talented. Well they may lose a star in running back Tre Mason, this team once more will be very dangerous, with the return of quarterback Nick Marshall and a number of others. Marshall, who was a great runner a year ago, will hope to take the next step as a passer, something he was average at last year. Even without Mason, the backfield is strong and deep, with senior Cameron Artis-Payne back, along with Corey Grant and the addition of Roc Thomas. Junior receiver Sammie Coates will be Marshall's top option in the passing game, while senior tight end C.J. Uzomah will grow into more than just a red zone threat this season. Even with Greg Robinson gone, the O-Line is a strength, with the return of All-American center Reese Dismukes. The defense loses some leadership, but loads of talent is back, including sophomore defensive end Carl Lawson and tackle Gabe Wright. Junior linebacker Cassanova McKinzy is a real playmaker, while the secondary will lean heavily on cornerback Jonathan Mincy, with Chris Davis gone. Well it will be very difficult to have another magical year quite like 2013, Auburn might not have to, if Marshall can continue to develop and if they can replace Mason.

3. LSU Tigers (10-3 in 2013) National Rank: 14
Once more, LSU will lose their fair share of talent, on both sides of the ball. Gone is quarterback Zach Mettenberger, running back Jeremy Hill, receivers Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry and a long list of defensive standouts. It isn't clear who will take over at QB for Mettenberger, as true freshman and early enrollee Brandon Harris is competing with sophomore Anthony Jennings for the starting gig. Both were impressive in the spring, a good problem for Les Miles to have. Senior Terrence Magee will start the year as the starter at back, but expect the nation's No. 1 recruit, Leonard Fournette, to see serious action. Without Beckham and Landry, the Tigers don't have any proven receivers, meaning sophomore Travin Dural will have to step up in a big way. The offensive line is a notable strength, with tackle La'El Collins returning. On defense, Les Miles and defensive coordinator John Chavis will rely heavily on defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Jermauria Rasco. With junior Quentin Thomas taking over in the middle, LSU's opponents will not have anywhere to hide. The linebacker corps are in good hands, with the return of senior D.J. Welter and junior Kwon Alexander, meaning the rush defense will be very stingy. While the Tigers lose a lot, it is Miles and it is LSU, they should be expected to still be in the national title mix, especially if Fournette takes off like expected.

4. Ole Miss Rebels (8-5 in 2013) National Rank: 17
The Rebels were a trendy dark horse pick last year, but they didn't have the experience nor the schedule to get things done, although 8-5 should be considered a success. Senior quarterback Bo Wallace is now the conference's most experienced quarterback and he should lead an offense that will once more be explosive. Wallace's top option will be quickly improving sophomore Laquon Treadwell, who was very impressive in his freshman year, and will put up huge numbers this season. Also returning is tight end Evan Engram, senior receiver Vince Sanders and sophomore tackle Laremy Tunsil, who will lead the offensive line. Running back is the only question, as the Rebels had to say goodbye to the speedy Jeff Scott. On the defensive side of the ball, the Rebels will lean on senior safety Cody Prewitt, an interception machine, and a veteran secondary. Also back in the defensive backfield is rising sophomore Tony Conner, a versatile defender that can do it all. Sophomore Robert Nkemdiche will do great things at defensive tackle, while his brother, Denzel, will anchor a strong linebacker corps. That linebacker corps also includes playmaking senior Serderius Bryant, a little bit undersized, but a superb tackler. While many expected 2013 to be Ole Miss' breakthrough season, this will most likely be the year. They have a veteran quarterback and secondary and playmakers all over the place. As long as they can get past a tough Boise State team on August 30th, double-digit wins are possible, even in the brutal SEC West.

5. Texas A&M Aggies (9-4 in 2013) National Rank: 23
Life after "Johnny Football" begins in College Station. But, he isn't the only great Aggie gone, as Texas A&M also said goodbye to wide receiver Mike Evans, offensive tackle Jake Matthews and two dismissed players, Isaiah Golden and Darian Claiborne on defense. Kevin Sumlin decided that sophomore Kenny Hill will start Week 1 against South Carolina, meaning that the young quarterback will have to attempt to fill the shoes of the infamous Manziel. He will have some talent to work with around him, as the Aggies return some weapons. Those weapons include senior Malcome Kennedy, redshirt freshman Ricky Seals-Jones and true freshman Speedy Noil, all receivers. The running back position will be held between junior Tra Carson, Oklahoma transfer Brandon Williams and explosive Trey Williams. Even without Matthews, the O-Line is a strength, with senior Cedric Ogbuehi returning at left tackle. The Aggies' defense was a joke last season, but it has to improve if they are to contend at all in the West. Golden and Claiborne were going to play a major role on the unit and their losses hurt. Senior cornerback Deshazor Everett will lead a secondary that could be pretty solid, as nearly everyone returns. The defensive line will lean heavily on the pass rushing abilities of senior Gavin Stansbury and true freshman Myles Garrett. Garrett may be pushed into a starting role from the get-go, as he has the frame and motor to compete on the college level from the start. Punter Drew Kaser is among the nation's best, and he should compete for Ray Guy Award honors. While many will be quick to push Texas A&M out of contention without Manziel, Evans and Matthews, Sumlin is a great coach and recruiter, and some playmakers will step up. If the defense can take some significant steps, anything is possible for the Aggies.

6. Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-6 in 2013) National Rank: Unranked
Junior quarterback Dak Prescott is a hero around Starkville for what he did at the end of 2013 for the Bulldogs. He led them to an Egg Bowl victory over Ole Miss in a thriller and then would throw five touchdowns in a victory over Rice in the Liberty Bowl. He returns as a popular dark horse Heisman candidate, but he isn't the only weapon offensive coordinators Billy Gonzales and John Hevesy will have at their disposal. Senior receiver Jameon Lewis is the SEC's leading returning receiver after picking up 923 yards in 2013. He will be joined by experienced tight end Malcolm Johnson and running back Josh Robinson, who will take over at the position with the departure of LaDarius Perkins. On defense, the Bulldogs will have a dominant front seven, with the return of senior end Preston Smith, rising sophomore Chris Jones and senior P.J. Jones. Both of the Jones will dominate up the middle, while Smith is an underrated talent. Junior linebacker Benardrick McKinney is a tackling machine who will put together a strong season. The Mississippi State defense didn't get much credit last season, but it was very strong, ranking 18th in the nation in total defense. With Prescott, the Bulldogs are dangerous and the whole SEC should be on watch. While it will be tough to breakthrough in the West, the Bulldogs can do it. In any other division in any other conference, this is a major conference championship threat. Even in the SEC West, Mississippi State is definitely a team that could make a run similar to Auburn's 2013.

Alex Collins

7. Arkansas Razorbacks (3-9 in 2013) National Rank: Unranked
Nearly every part of Bret Bielema's debut season in Fayetteville was a disaster. The Razorbacks couldn't get anything going throw the air and the defense was just average. When you combine that with a brutal schedule, a 3-9 mark makes sense. The good news is the ground attack will once more be strong, with the return of two great running backs in junior Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins. Junior QB Brandon Allen is also back after a decent 2013. He struggled to make throws down the field, but he could really be a weapon in play action. Sophomore tight end Hunter Henry is a real receiving threat, and he should be Allen's top option through the air. Defensively, Bielema and defensive coordinator Robb Smith need a big year from senior defensive end Trey Flowers. Flowers and Chris Smith (now graduated) were really the only bright spots of the defense, as they were constantly pressuring the quarterback. His return gives the Razorbacks a star, while senior linebacker Braylon Mitchell is a playmaker who should help against the run. While the Razorbacks are still recovering from the Bobby Petrino scandal that rocked the program in the spring of 2012, Bielema should get the team to be more competitive after 4-8 and 3-9 marks since Petrino was fired. This team will do what Bielema-led teams do; run the ball right at the defense, behind a strong, experienced offensive line, while they control the clock. They should improve, but the schedule is so tough, much improvement on their 3 wins is pretty unlikely.

Awards:
Offensive Player of the Year: Todd Gurley, Georgia
Defensive Player of the Year: Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
Newcomer of the Year: Leonard Fournette, LSU
Coach of the Year: Nick Saban, Alabama
Coach on the Hottest Seat: Will Muschamp, Florida
Breakout Player of the Year: Dak Prescott, Mississippi State

All-SEC Team
QB Nick Marshall, Auburn
RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
RB Mike Davis, South Carolina
WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
TE O.J. Howard, Alabama
OL Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
OL Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
OL La'El Collins, LSU
OL Chaz Green, Florida
OL Reese Dismukes, Auburn
DE Dante Fowler, Florida
DT Chris Jones, Mississippi State
DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
DE Trey Flowers, Arkansas
LB A.J. Johnson, Tennessee
LB Ramik Wilson, Georgia
LB Trey DePriest, Alabama
CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
CB Deshazor Everett, Texas A&M
S Cody Prewitt, Ole Miss
S Landon Collins, Alabama
K Andrew Baggett, Missouri
P Drew Kaser, Texas A&M
Returner Christion Jones, Alabama

SEC Championship: Alabama over Georgia

College Football Preview 2014-2015: Previewing the Pac-12

Connor Halliday

The Pac-12 2013 Review: For the second straight season, the Oregon Ducks were on a roll to the
national championship game before Stanford ended their hopes. The Cardinal have shut down Oregon's explosive offense in both matchups, not only costing Oregon a national title but also the Pac-12 North and the conference as a whole. Arizona State was a relative surprise, going 10-2 before losses to Stanford in the conference championship game and a loss in the Holiday Bowl to Texas Tech. After a loss to FCS powerhouse Eastern Washington, Oregon State's season appeared destined to be heading towards disaster. Led by Sean Mannion and Brandin Cooks, the Beavers reeled off six straight victories. They then would follow that up with five straight losses, before a victory in the Hawaii Bowl over Boise State. Meanwhile in the South Division, California struggled to competitive at all, losing 11 games and not gaining a victory over an FBS opponent.

Ranking the Pac-12: Click on Top 25 teams for complete in-depth previews.

North

1. Oregon Ducks (11-2 in 2013) National Rank: 3
Oregon has become such a powerhouse inside the Pac-12, last year's 11-2 posting in Mark Helfrich's was considered a disappointment. It could quite possibly be a national championship or bust season for the Ducks, who return possibly the Heisman frontrunner in junior Marcus Mariota, who briefly flirted with the NFL. Along with junior Byron Marshall, sophomore Thomas Tyner and incoming freshman Royce Freeman, Oregon will once more have one of the nation's highest-scoring offense. The offensive line is a real strength, but there isn't any proven receiver on this roster outside of senior Keanon Lowe, with a spring knee injury to Bralon Addison that could cost him the year. The defense won't get much credit but it has some real talent, including the return of All-American cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. The Ducks have the legitimate talent to win a national title, if they can get through a brutal Pac-12 and non-conference schedule. The good news is even if they lose one game, they could sneak into the College Football Playoff.

College Football Preview 2014-2015: Previewing the Big 12

Davis Webb

The Big 12 2013 Review: Baylor used the nation's best offense (52.4 points per game, 618.8 yards per game) to run through the Big 12 and win the program's first ever Big 12 championship and earn a BCS bowl berth. While they were the Big 12's best team throughout 2013, Oklahoma would find their groove late, beating archrival Oklahoma State in their regular season finale and then shocking Alabama in the Sugar Bowl with a masterful performance by Trevor Knight. Texas appeared destined for disaster after a 1-2 start to the season with blowout losses to BYU and Ole Miss. But, the Longhorns' defense finally started figuring things out and they were able to six straight during the middle part of 2013. While a 30-7 Alamo Bowl loss to Oregon proved they still have a long way to go, new coach Charlie Stong will hope to take the program back to their old ways. Meanwhile, Kansas was finally able to snap a long streak of a long streak of conference losses and beat West Virginia, but they still went 3-9.

Ranking the Big 12: Click on Top 25 teams for complete in-depth previews.

1. Oklahoma Sooners (11-2 in 2013) National Rank: 4
The Sooners struggled to find a consistent quarterback in 2013 before redshirt freshman Trevor Knight unleashed a 348 yard, four touchdown performance against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. He is the X-factor for Oklahoma this year, but talent does return elsewhere. Sterling Shepard is his top option in the passing game, the O-Line returns a lot of experience, and the defense could take even bigger steps under defensive coordinator Mike Stoops. The defense will be led by rapidly improving junior linebacker Eric Striker, versatile pass rusher Geneo Grissom and cornerback Zack Sanchez. The offense could become even more lethal if Dorial Green-Beckham, who was kicked off of Missouri, is ruled eligible. If Knight can play like he did against Alabama the whole year, and a running back can step up, the Sooners will win the Big 12 and fight their way into the CFB Playoff.

College Football Preview 2014-2015: Previewing the Big Ten

Christian Hackenberg

The Big Ten 2013 Review: Throughout the bulk of 2013, the Ohio State Buckeyes were rolling through the Big Ten, starting off the season 12-0 with victories over Michigan, Wisconsin and the rest of the Big Ten's top contenders. It earned them a date with the scorching hot Michigan State Spartans, who hadn't lost since Connor Cook had taken over at quarterback. The Spartans shut down Braxton Miller and the Buckeyes, costing Ohio State any shot at the national championship, while MSU earned a berth in the Rose Bowl, a game they won over Stanford. Meanwhile, Michigan struggled to a 7-6 mark with a pretty embarrassing loss to Kansas State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. After an 11-2 start to his coaching career in Ann Arbor, Brady Hoke's win total with the Wolverines have decreased to eight and then seven a year ago. Northwestern, many people's dark horse pick inside the conference, began the year 4-0 before injuries hit and they fell apart, losing seven straight before a victory over Illinois in the season finale.

 Ranking the Big Ten: Click on name of Top 25 teams for complete in-depth previews.
East

1. Michigan State Spartans (13-1 in 2013) National Rank: 5
The Spartans' offense was a real issue last season, but it could be improved in big ways in 2014. Junior quarterback Connor Cook really improved as last season went on and should be more comfortable in MSU's offense in his second year as starter. Running back Jeremy Langford ran for 1,422 yards in 2013 and is a dark horse Heisman threat, while Tony Lippett could turn into a dangerous receiver. Defensively, a lot of leadership and talent is gone, but defensive end Shilique Calhoun is a monster and the secondary should be strong, with senior safety Kurtis Drummond returning. Even if the Spartans lose to Oregon in early September, a win against Ohio State at home on November 8th could push them to the Big Ten Championship Game and into the College Football Playoff.

College Football Preview 2014-2015: Previewing the ACC

Duke Johnson

The ACC 2013 Review: The Florida State Seminoles absolutely rolled through the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013, dominating anybody who dared stand in their way. They would go on to win the 2013-2014 National Championship, giving the ACC their first national champ in a long time. While FSU ran all over the conference, Clemson managed to stick in contention. Although their blowout loss to Florida State knocked them out of conference championship contention, the Tigers would go 11-2 and beat Ohio State in the Orange Bowl. Duke was the feel good story of the conference last season, winning the Coastal Division after years of floundering inside the division. The Blue Devils would get crushed by FSU in the ACC Championship Game and lost to Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, but still went 10-4. UNC, which looked doomed halfway through the season, finished the season winning six of seven games to go 7-6 and post a 4-4 mark inside the ACC. Miami, which was as high as No. 7 at one point in the season, fell apart late due to injuries, and finished 9-4.

Ranking the ACC: Click on name of Top 25 teams for complete in-depth previews.
Atlantic

1. Florida State Seminoles (14-0 in 2013) National Rank: 1
The Seminoles have a ton of talent returning from last year's national champion. Jameis Winston, the reigning Heisman trophy winner, will engineer one of the nation's most explosive offenses. Karlos Williams leads a dangerous ground attack, while Rashad Greene and Nick O'Leary will be Winston's top options in the passing game. The defense loses a number of key contributors but still returns some playmakers. Cornerback P.J. Williams can pick off a lot of passes, while Mario Edwards could dominate at defensive end. Even special teams is stacked, with sophomore kicker Roberto Aguayo returning and electric Kermit Whitfield at returner. Although the non-conference slate is tough, the 'Noles should dominate the ACC once more and win the conference.

College Football Preview 2014-2015: 1. Florida State Seminoles

Jameis Winston

1. Florida State Seminoles 


Coach: Jimbo Fisher (5th year)
2013-2014 Record: 14-0 (8-0 ACC)
Schedule:
August 30th vs. Oklahoma State (in Arlington)
September 6th vs. The Citadel
September 20th vs. Clemson
September 27th @ NC State
October 4th vs. Wake Forest
October 11th @ Syracuse
October 18th vs. Notre Dame
October 30th @ Louisville
November 8th vs. Virginia
November 15th @ Miami
November 22nd vs. Boston College
November 29th vs. Florida

Florida State ran through everyone in their way en route to a national title, in an exciting game in which they needed a miraculous comeback to beat Auburn. Other than that, the Seminoles dominated, their closest game coming in the form of a 14-point victory over Boston College. They wrecked two Top 10 opponents (Clemson and Miami) and would beat Duke in the ACC Championship Game by nearly 40 points. With the return of Heisman winner Jameis Winston and a bulk of last year's national title team, Florida State is nearly everyone's favorite to win the championship.

Backfield: A year after Johnny Manziel rocked the college football landscape by becoming the first freshman (he was a redshirt) to win the infamous Heisman, "Famous Jameis" was incredible. Winston threw for 4,057 yards and 40 touchdowns and playing better in the Seminoles' bigger games. Winston is gifted with incredible size for a quarterback, standing at 6'4", 235 pounds and a huge arm that can make all the deep throws. He is also gifted with impressive mobility and is so hard to bring down because of his great size. Consider this: Winston threw for those huge numbers, while sitting much of the second half because the 'Noles were killing their opponent. His return gives Florida State a superstar, but he isn't the only playmaker on this offense, not at all. Former defensive back Karlos Williams takes over as FSU's feature back with the departures of Devonta Freeman and James Wilder. Williams is a powerful runner who has proven his versatility. He ran for 730 yards in 2013, averaging eight yards per carry. He could easily be a workhorse this year in the Florida State backfield who will be exceptionally dangerous in short yardage and near the endzone. Sophomore Freddie Stevenson returns as a fullback who will help lead the way for Williams and a blocker who is very strong in pass blocking situations. True freshman Dalvin Cook is the nation's No. 3 running back in the 2014 class and he has a real chance to see a lot of carries in his first season in Tallahassee. Cook is a change of pace to the more powerful Williams as he is extremely dangerous because of his quickness and ability to make defenders miss.

Receivers: Give Jameis Winston a ton of credit, he deserves it. But, also give these receivers a ton of credit for how dominant the redshirt freshman was a season ago. Returning to help lead the passing game is senior Rashad Greene, the Seminoles leading receiver. Greene was an All-ACC receiver who mixed explosiveness with great hands to pick up 76 receptions for 1,128 yards and 9 touchdowns. His experience and leadership should make him Winston's favorite target for the second straight year. The loss of massive Kelvin Benjamin, a huge threat in the red zone, leaves the No. 2 receiver to senior Christian Green. Green, who picked up 13 receptions and 157 yards, has always had the talent but it hasn't necessarily translated into success. Green is another explosive athlete who has all the potential to put up some big numbers this season. Returning is speedster Kermit Whitfield, a talented sophomore who has proven his worth in special teams but is looking to make a larger impact as a receiver. Whitfield has the chance to be a real deep threat this season and could make a number of huge plays with defenders focusing on Greene and others. At tight end, senior Nick O'Leary is one of the best in the nation. O'Leary suffered a scary motorcycle incident before last season, then went on to catch 33 balls for 557 yards and seven touchdowns. He has proven to be extremely reliable, no matter where he is on the field. He isn't the quickest tight end in the nation but he just finds ways to get open and make important plays. Jimbo Fisher and his staff reeled in a number of receivers who are ready to make an impact. Florida prospect Ermon Lane has the potential to be an absolute monster in 2014, while four-star Travis Rudolph is an underrated player who is rated as a Top 5 receiver by many scouting services. Four-star tight end Mavin Saunders was great pickup from Houston who could be a dangerous backup tight end behind O'Leary.

College Football Preview 2014-2015: 2. Alabama Crimson Tide

T.J. Yeldon and Brian Vogler

2. Alabama Crimson Tide 


Coach: Nick Saban (8th year)
2013-2014 Record: 11-2 (7-1 SEC)

Schedule:
August 30th vs. West Virginia (in Atlanta)
September 6th vs. Florida Atlantic
September 13th vs. Southern Miss
September 20th vs. Florida
October 4th @ Ole Miss
October 11th @ Arkansas
October 18th vs. Texas A&M
October 25th @ Tennessee
November 8th @ LSU
November 15th vs. Mississippi State
November 22nd vs. Western Carolina
November 29th vs. Auburn

The first 11 games of last season, no team appeared up to the challenge to beat Alabama. The Crimson Tide were 11-0 and had pummeled everyone in their path, with the exception of a 49-42 victory over Texas A&M and Johnny Manziel. Then, in the Iron Bowl, Chris Davis returned Alabama's missed game-winning field goal attempt and the landscape of college football changed. Suddenly, the Tide were out of the SEC Championship Game and landed in the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma in a so-called "consolation game". There, Trevor Knight threw all over the Tide defense and gave the Sooners a huge upset over 'Bama. Although those last two games were massive disappointments and four-year starter A.J. McCarron is gone, it is Alabama and that means there are players ready to step up and lead this team back to a championship.

Backfield: Things looked bleak in Tuscaloosca with the loss of record-setting McCarron until the off season transfer of Florida State backup Jacob Coker. Coker really impressed Florida State coaches during his time in Tallahassee and he has the chance to arrive in Alabama and take over the QB job. The 6'5", 230 pound junior is gifted with excellent mobility and senses pressure very well. He was so impressive last spring in Tallahassee he gave eventual Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston a serious run for the quarterback job while at FSU. But, Nick Saban warned people not to just assume Coker was going to Alabama's starter. Senior Blake Sims has been great in mop up duties and a reserve role and will benefit from learning underneath McCarron the last couple years. Redshirt freshman Cooper Bateman is also a possibility, though he appears to be a longshot in the race. Coker or whoever takes over the quarterback gig won't have to do too much, Alabama will always be a run-first team under Saban. Saban and new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin will have a plethora of options at running back, including junior T.J. Yeldon, rising sophomore Derrick Henry and underrated playmaker Kenyan Drake. Yeldon led the Tide in rushing last season, rushing for 1,235 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging six yards per carry. Though, fumbles continue to be an issue for the junior and there have been questions about his durability. Henry was pretty quiet for much of 2013, getting just 36 carries. But, he was very effective in those 36 carries, rushing for 382 yards (10.6 average) and three touchdowns. His performance in the Sugar Bowl was extremely impressive and proved he is a star in the making. He ran all over Oklahoma, recording 282 yards and two touchdowns. Even with him being a backup to Yeldon, he could have a breakout season and possibly compete for a Heisman. Kenyan Drake is a versatile runner who ran for eight scores in 2013 and is definitely a big play threat.

Receivers: After a huge freshman season, Amari Cooper's stats and productivity took a major dip last season. But, he still was the Tide's leading receiver, picking up 45 receptions for 736 yards and four touchdowns. His struggles can be credited to injury issues and the fact defenses finally figured out how to stop him after his dominant 2012. Cooper is a tremendous athlete who brings versatility and a smart, effective route runner to the table. Defenses won't be able to just focus on Cooper and double team him, because 'Bama is stacked at receiver. Senior DeAndrew White can reel in any throw that is in the general vicinity and he should be very reliable. Also returning is special teams demon, senior Christion Jones, who could have a special season. Jones makes defenders miss with his crafty moves and has excellent vision. He had 36 receptions for 349 yards, numbers that could go up big time this season. Sophomore Chris Black was pretty quiet throughout 2013, picking up just 8 catches for 79 yards, but did manage to grab two touchdowns. Black has electrifying playmaking ability and is super shifty. Add to those four the return of redshirt freshman Robert Foster, a pretty good pickup a season ago in the recruiting cycle and the addition of Monroe, Louisiana product Cameron Sims and Alabama has all the weapons to help out Coker whoever does start at QB. Tight end could be a real strength for the Tide, who return rapidly improving sophomore O.J. Howard along with reliable senior Brian Vogler. Howard made some mistakes in his true freshman season but really seemed to improve as the season went on. With Cooper and others stretching defenses deep, Howard will be able to work the middle of the field and make a lot of plays. Vogler is more of a blocker but he can really make an impact in the red zone.

College Football Preview 2014-2015: 3. Oregon Ducks

Marcus Mariota

3. Oregon Ducks 


Coach: Mark Helfrich (2nd year)
2013-2014 Record: 11-2 (7-2 Pac-12)

Schedule:
August 30th vs. South Dakota
September 6th vs. Michigan State
September 13th vs. Wyoming
September 20th @ Washington State
October 2nd vs. Arizona
October 11th @ UCLA
October 18th vs. Washington
October 24th vs. California (in Santa Clara)
November 1st vs. Stanford
November 8th @ Utah
November 22nd vs. Colorado
November 29th @ Oregon State

Throughout much of 2012, Oregon appeared to be the team to beat in the nation until Stanford stunned them late in the season. In 2013, Oregon once more appeared destined for a spot in the national championship game before a loss to Stanford once more ending their national title hopes. Once more, expectations are high in Eugene, especially with the return of quarterback Marcus Mariota, who spurned the NFL. But, is this team talented enough to fight through the Pac-12 and make their way into the College Football Playoff?

Backfield: Mariota could possibly have been the No. 1 pick by the Houston Texans if he had put his name into the 2014 NFL Draft. But, instead he decided to stay for at least one more season in Oregon, to help the Ducks win a national title. Mariota has proven he can make superb plays throwing the ball and running. He has proven to have elite accuracy and he can make all the fantastic throws on the run. He was the Heisman frontrunner before the Ducks lost to Stanford, and he could begin 2014 as the favorite. Joining Mariota in the backfield will be Oregon's usual fair share of talented running backs. Junior Byron Marshall ran for 1,038 yards in 2014 along with 14 touchdowns, while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Marshall is a little bit more powerful than anyone Oregon has had at running back the past couple years but still is fantastic in the open field who has great speed and agility. Sophomore Thomas Tyner also returns, giving the Ducks a nice complement to Marshall. While Marshall is the thunder, Tyner is the lightning, making big plays with crazy athleticism and he can make defenders miss. Tyner recorded 711 yards and nine touchdowns while really being the third option in the Oregon backfield. Add to the equation four-star running back, Royce Freeman a very dangerous weapon from Imperial, California, who was stolen from a number of other Pac-12 schools. Freeman has great size for a running back, standing at 6'0" and 230 pounds but still gifted with great speed and good hands.

Receivers: This could be the big issue for the Ducks, who will lose playmaking Josh Huff and speedster Bralon Addison, who was likely lost for the season after injuring his knee this spring. That means that senior receiver Keanon Lowe, who should be Oregon's top No. 1 option in the passing game. Lowe proved to be pretty dangerous in 2013, recording 18 receptions for 233 yards and three touchdowns. Not surprising, he is gifted with electric speed but he doesn't fit the mold of a top option in the passing game. He is small and will get pushed around by bigger defensive backs and he doesn't have ideal hands. The receivers beyond Lowe are extremely unproven, with redshirt freshman Darren Carrington likely being the top option. Carrington has loads of potential but is still young and will need some time to adjust to the Oregon offense. Joining the receivers will be versatile Jalen Brown, who will make a big impact in Eugene from the get-go. Brown, a four-star talent from Phoenix, could also spend some time as a running back, in the slot or on the outside. With De'Anthony Thomas ditching to the NFL a year early, Brown could help take over Thomas' role as an offensive weapon, who will constantly be moving around. The tight end is a real strength for the Ducks as returning is sophomore Evan Baylis, sophomore Johnny Mundt and junior Pharoah Brown all return. All three of those guys saw significant time last season after athletic Colt Lyerla left the team. Mundt was probably the most dangerous receiving threat of the trio, as he recorded 16 receptions for 281 yards, while also reeling in three touchdowns. All three are very athletic but present big size to the table and should really help keep the running game strong as blockers. Portland product Henry Mondeaux is rated as the nation's No. 11 tight end by ESPN and a three-star talent. He could be heading for a redshirt year but was a nice pipeline find for coach Mark Helfrich and staff.

College Football Preview 2014-2015: 4. Oklahoma Sooners

Trevor Knight

4. Oklahoma Sooners 


Coach: Bob Stoops (15th year)
2013-2014 Record: 11-2 (7-2 Big 12)

Schedule:
August 30th vs. Louisiana Tech
September 6th @ Tulsa
September 13th vs. Tennessee
September 20th @ West Virginia
October 4th @ TCU
October 11th vs. Texas (in Dallas)
October 18th vs. Kansas State
November 1st @ Iowa State
November 8th vs. Baylor
November 15th @ Texas Tech
November 22nd vs. Kansas
November 29th vs. Oklahoma State

The way the Sooners ended 2013 was so fantastic, fans and coaches have big expectations for Oklahoma this season. After a season that was filled with injuries and turnover at the quarterback position, the Sooners put it all together, beating archrival Oklahoma State on the road and then absolutely dominating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. With a ton of talent returning on both sides of the ball and a pretty favorable schedule, Oklahoma has a legitimate shot at winning the Big 12 and competing in higher games.

Backfield: QB was a major issue throughout 2013 for Oklahoma until Trevor Knight unleashed a four touchdown, 348 yards in the Sooners' two touchdown victory over 'Bama. His bowl performance was so impressive last season that backup Kendal Thompson transferred to Utah and Blake Bell, OU's leading passer last year, moved to tight end. Knight didn't look confident in his arm and struggled to make the deep throws last season. But, suddenly against one of the nation's most dominant defenses, he could make all the pre snap adjustments and he was making all the great reads. Entering his redshirt sophomore campaign, many just don't know what to expect from Knight, especially after he was average this spring. The good news is the running back position could be the strongest it has been since Demarco Murray was on campus a couple years ago. Sophomore Keith Ford will take over the running back duties with the departures of leading rusher, Brennan Clay and important contributor Damien Williams. Ford ran for 134 yards in very little action a season ago and he has all the talent to put together a big year. He has excellent burst through running lanes and but also be punishing. Unfortunately fumbles have been a real problem for Ford in his short time in Norman. Joining Ford will be two freshman ready to make a major impact. Joe Mixon has been given the five-star status by a number of scouting services but has had a spring and summer full of controversy. He is currently being investigated by police on assault allegations and he has not been practicing. No matter what happens with Mixon, the addition of lightning quick Samaje Perine should help this ground attack. Sophomore Alex Ross returns to give Oklahoma another option at back who is more dangerous than Ford.

Receivers: Junior Sterling Shepard has quietly emerged as one of the Big 12's most productive targets and should definitely be Knight's top option in the passing game. Last season, he recorded 51 catches for 603 yards and seven touchdowns. Although pretty small, Shepard has turned into such a dangerous weapon because he is very quick and possesses impressive acceleration. He also has great, soft hands and shouldn't drop much. A number of others will compete to complement Shepard, including sophomore Derrick Woods, junior Durron Neal and redshirt freshman Jordan Smallwood. Woods may be the most talented of the trio; he has the tools to put together an extremely impressive 2014. He is more of a deep threat than Shepard who could really end up stretching defenses thin. Tight end has been an issue since Jermaine Gresham left years ago but sophomore Taylor McNamara could emerge as a standout. McNamara  is a large, strong option who is an exceptional receiver who can definitely move the chains for Oklahoma. Bell, who struggled as passer with his time at QB, has proven he can be a very powerful runner near the red zone. It will be interesting to see what he can do as a tight end after being a package quarterback so far throughout his time with the Sooners. Versatile freshman Michiah Quick has proven he can play a number of different positions. He should spend some time at wide receiver but he could also play a large role at defensive back. The speedster ran a very impressive 4.48 40 and while raw, he should have a big impact.

College Football Preview 2014-2015: 5. Michigan State Spartans

Connor Cook

5. Michigan State Spartans 


Coach: Mark Dantonio (8th year)
2013-2014 Record: 13-1 (8-0 Big Ten)

Schedule:
August 29th vs. Jacksonville State
September 6th @ Oregon
September 20th vs. Eastern Michigan
September 27th vs. Wyoming
October 4th vs. Nebraska
October 11th @ Purdue
October 18th @ Indiana
October 25th vs. Michigan
November 8th vs. Ohio State
November 15th @ Maryland
November 22nd vs. Rutgers
November 29th @ Penn State

In 2012, the Spartans were hoping to take the next step and become an elite program, but they fell right on their face and would go 7-6 without Kirk Cousins. But, last season with lowered expectations, Michigan State had one of their best seasons in school history, going 13-1, winning the Big Ten and also winning the Rose Bowl. Much of that talented 2013 team returns, giving Michigan State lofty expectations for this season. But, can Mark Dantonio and MSU succeed with all eyes on them and the fact they won't sneak out on anyone?

Backfield: Junior quarterback Connor Cook won the job over incumbent starter Andrew Maxwell before last season and proved he deserved it, throwing for 2,755 yards and 22 touchdowns with just six interceptions. Although he struggled with efficiency, completing just 58.7 percent of his passes in 2013. He is a smart quarterback who will make important adjustments and has fantastic arm accuracy. The Michigan State offense really struggled last year before running back Jeremy Langford starting turning on the jets. Now a senior, Langford has the chance to be one of the conference's best, after rushing for 1,422 yards and 18 touchdowns. Langford has proven to be a powerful runner between the tackles who is so dangerous inside the red zone. He isn't necessarily the most explosive back you have ever seen but he is shifty and very tough to bring down. Also joining him in the backfield is senior Nick Hill, a more explosive option than Langord who should get a big chunk of carries. Along with effective blocker Trevor Pendleton, who returns for his junior year, this backfield is extremely gifted and stocked with experience. That is great, considering the Spartans won't throw the ball much, they have always been a run-first team under Dantonio.

Receivers: A ton of production returns in the receiving corps, including 2013's second-leading receiver, senior Tony Lippett. Lippett was a great option in the passing game who really was fantastic late in games. This spring, Lippett easily looked like the best receiver on this MSU roster, improving coaches with his deep speed and the ability to come down with anyone that is thrown near him. He really should be the No.1 option for Cook, as the Spartans will miss reliable receiver Bennie Fowler, who led the team with 622 yards and six touchdowns. Along with Lippett, Cook will have a number of other options to throw too, including juniors MacGarrett Kings and Aaron Burbridge. Kings is a dangerous weapon who can hurt defenses in a variety of ways. Offensive coordinators Dave Warner and Jim Bollman are happy to welcome back Kings from a spring suspension. Burbridge should be expected to step up big time after posting pedestrian numbers, recording 22 receptions with 194 yards and zero touchdowns. Senior Keith Mumphery is also back after a pretty solid 2013 campaign that included 18 catches and 3 touchdowns. Mumphery is not the most explosive target or the quickest player on the field but he is an exceptional route runner and just finds ways to get open and make plays. At tight end, sophomore Josiah Price will return and compete for starting snaps with Andrew Gleichert, a senior. Price is very effective as a receiving tight end while Gleichert is a much better blocker; it will be interesting to see how Michigan State uses them. Three-star tight end Montez Sweat has also been added to the equation; the steal from SEC country (Stone Mountain, Georgia), Sweat could find ways to make his presence felt.