College Football Preview 2015-2016: 2. TCU Horned Frogs

Trevone Boykin

2. TCU Horned Frogs

2014-2015 Record: 12-1 (8-1 Big 12)
Coach: Gary Patterson, 15th year (132-45 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: LB Paul Dawson, LB Marcus Mallet
Heisman Hopeful: QB Trevone Boykin
Breakout Player: WR Emanuel Porter

Following a 4-8 mark in 2013-2014, not much was expected of TCU heading into the 2014-2015 campaign. Though, the additions of co-offensive coordinators Doug Meachem and Sonny Cumbie immediately led the Horned Frogs into a transformation. A notoriously stout defensive team under Gary Patterson, TCU became one of the most explosive and fun teams to watch last season, headlined by an offense that put up 46.5 points per game and had 82 points in a win over Texas Tech. Likely the biggest reason? Look no further than Trevone Boykin. Boykin had spent time at quarterback during a rash of injuries to former QB Casey Pachall but looked destined to start at receiver last season, especially with the addition of Texas A&M transfer Matt Joeckel. But, Cumbie and Meachem designed a perfect system for him, and he thrived. He put up record-setting numbers and so did the Horned Frogs. But, when it was all said and done, the season ended on a sour note. After being ranked No. 3 in the Playoff poll entering Championship week, TCU dropped all the way down to six, despite a 52-point thumping of Iowa State. A blowout victory over Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl was the definition of a statement victory, and the memory of the infamous Playoff snub should serve as motivation and determination for what should be an absolutely scary TCU team, one that shouldn't sneak up on anybody this season.

Backfield: No matter what way you look at it Boykin's 2014-2015 was astounding. He looked like an odd man out in the TCU offense, and then suddenly put up a memorable, Heisman-caliber season. Overall, he finished up with 3,901 yards, 33 touchdowns and would add 707 more with his legs. The gunslinger has the perfect arm and playmaking ability for this TCU offense that is loaded with deep threats. Boykin proved to be extremely scary with his legs, as evidenced by those 707 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. That isn't surprising, considering Boykin had a legit shot to play either running back or receiver last season. Mistakes were still a problem for Boykin last season; he had 10 interceptions and did often force passes. Certainly another year under his belt, especially in a system he is now very familiar with, will help cut those down. If TCU does stick in the Playoff and title race for much of the year, which they definitely have the talent to do, Boykin will certainly be a Heisman frontrunner, being the star of one of the nation's best teams. Though, Boykin isn't the only explosive piece in this backfield. Tailback Aaron Green took over feature back duties midseason last year and exploded for crazy numbers. He had 922 yards and nine touchdowns, while averaging just over seven yards per carry. A full season of being the starter should make that rush average come back down to earth a little, but he should rush for well over 1,000 yards. A lightning bug of energy, Green's speed and elusiveness make him so tough to bring down. With B.J. Catalon off to the NFL, Green will get nearly every important carry for the TCU offense. Backing him up will be sophomore Kyle Hicks, a solid playmaker at running back. Much like Green, Hicks relies on his speed and quickness to make plays and is also helped by his rather small frame (hovering at around 5'10", 195 pounds). He doesn't have the proven big play potential of Green, at least not yet, but he is a reliable weapon who managed 160 yards himself in very limited duty. Hicks also proved to be a pretty good receiver out of the backfield (Green did as well, with 19 receptions), and that should only add another layer to this impressive TCU offense. Sophomore Trevorris Johnson is bound for a breakthrough 2015 after putting up 302 yards a year ago. Johnson is yet another explosive presence in the TCU backfield that can literally put up six every time he gets his hands on the football. Johnson and Hicks will battle hard for primary backup duties to Green, but expect the Horned Frogs to both of them in various ways. An interesting player to watch: quarterback Kenny Hill. It seems like ages ago that Kenny Hill was in the Heisman conversation but he was last season at Texas A&M, following some huge performances and a breakthrough season opener. Though, the Aggies slumped heavily soon and Hill was kind of unfairly blamed for the problems, and was benched in favor of Kyle Allen. Knowing his time at College Station had quickly come to an end Kenny "Trill", bolted to another college town inside the state. He isn't even eligible this season, but it will be interesting to see how he picks up the TCU offense and he could be the heir to Boykin come 2016.

Kolby Listenbee

Receivers: TCU is absolutely stacked at receiver, which is scary, because they are stacked nearly everywhere else offensively as well. It starts with senior Josh Doctson, maybe the most proven of the bunch. Doctson recording over 1,000 yards receiving last season, with 65 receptions and 1,018 yards total. Doctson also proved to be a very reliable weapon in the red zone, with 11 touchdowns, using his athletic and strong frame to make tough catches against defenders. Also joining Doctson is going to be senior Kolby Listenbee, who is always ready for a huge play. A track star at TCU who earned All-American honors in Track and Field, Listenbee uses that amazing speed to gain separation from defenders. Listenbee finished up with 41 catches for 753 yards, averaging well over 18 yards per reception. While Doctson is more reliable and a little bit more experienced, there is no denying how important Listenbee is to this offense. Without his field-stretching ability vertically, he opens up things underneath for Doctson and the rest of this Horned Frogs' offense. While both of those are going to put together great years, perhaps even bigger things could be expected of sophomore Emmanuel Porter. Very young a year ago, Porter managed just 12 catches for a modest 154 yards. Though, even without crazy numbers, Porter showed amazing quickness and great hands. He has looked fabulous in the spring and Boykin should certainly be looking for the sophomore early and often as they head into 2015. Seniors Ja'Juan Story and Deante' Gray add experience and proven playmaking ability to the unit. Gray quietly put together a huge 2014-2015, with 36 receptions for 582 yards and ranking in second on the team with eight touchdown receptions. Despite not being the most explosive player on the football field, Gray is a great route runner who knows how to get into space and make plays. At 5'10", he has natural elusiveness and is very tough to bring down. Meanwhile, Story is a solid receiving weapon. He had 145 yards and one score himself, but will look to step up into a much larger role this season. Sophomore Desmon White is also ready for a breakthrough campaign for the Horned Frogs. At 5'7", White is very undersized but does most of his damage in more of a slot receiver role, working underneath to make tough catches in traffic. When he does get into space, he is incredibly speedy and can break open wide runs. Unfortunately, there may just be too much talent and experience ahead of him on the depth chart to really break out this year. The tight end position is in pretty good hands, led by junior Buck Jones. Jones is not really known for his receiving prowess, but can make plays in space, and is a proven blocker. Gary Patterson will probably have the luxury of not having too play much freshman whatsoever with the experience at receiving corps (unless injuries strike), but three-star Jaelan Austin is a local Grand Prairie, Texas guy who has a bright future.

Offensive Line: The Big 12 is notoriously known as a finesse league without too much punishing plays in the trenches. But, having size and experience there is certainly a major plus to Green, Boykin and the TCU offense. The Horned Frogs have quite a bit of talent and experience, at the unit, with likely four of the five starters on the line being seniors. Together, those four seniors plus sophomore right tackle Joseph Noteboom should anchor likely the Big 12's top unit. Noteboom isn't very proven but the tackle has considerable upside and is a solid pass blocker. The top player on the O-Line has to be senior center Joey Hunt. Hunt earned All-Big 12 honors for his performance a year ago, showing wonderful leadership qualities and proving to be an excellent help as a run blocker. Hunt is far from flashy, few centers are, but he is a high motor guy with solid size and a proven resume. Joining Hunt on the line as one of the best linemen in the conference has to be left tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who is yet another senior. Vaitai started all 13 games for the Horned Frogs at right tackle a year ago, but the opening at the important left tackle spot made the Frogs make the decision to make him right across the line. Certainly a few people took notice of the 6'6", 310-pound tackle's performance a season ago, and it helped him earned All-Big 12 second team honors. He will once more play a major role for TCU, protecting Boykin's blindside. Joining Vaitai on the left side of the unit, will be left guard Jamelle Naff. A senior, Naff is yet another established run blocker who put together a terrific 2014-2015 campaign. At 325-plus pounds he uses his large frame to bully opposing defenders but also has good enough mobility to meet incoming pass rushers in the interior. Rounding out the starting lineup with the guard on the opposite side, another senior in Brady Foltz. Foltz is another bulky, powerful run blocker who should put together a strong final season in Fort Worth. Depth shouldn't be too much of a problem in the unit either. Senior Aviante Collins is a massive tackle who can play either spot and will contribute, while sophomore Matt Pryor will fight for snaps at any number of positions along the line including guard and tackle. There are some pieces in the 2015 Class who could possibly see some limited action. Chief among them is three-star tackle Sam Awolope. Although not an incredibly hyped prospect, Awolope is a pipeline pickup and few teams do a better job at developing local prospects than TCU.

Defensive Line: The TCU defensive line took a major hit before last season even began, when projected Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year was essentially dismissed from the university. After a year sitting out of the game, Fields has landed at Louisville and could be wonderful there. While his departure hurt the TCU pass rush, it was still strong enough to be productive. The defensive line takes another hit entering this year, with powerful defensive tackle Chucky Hunter graduating. Though, it should once more still be good, and Patterson has always prided himself on developing some wonderful pass rushers. The loss of Hunter leaves a void at one of defensive tackle spot, but the other one is going to be manned by senior Davion Pierson. Pierson is among the conference and nation's top interior linemen, as evidenced by a very good 2014-2015. He had 30 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, kind of living in the shadow of Hunter. Now, Pierson is going to be relied on as the top D-Linemen on the team, and he should produce. He is blessed with good size but his athleticism is very impressive, helping him produce in run support and also as a pass rusher, evidenced by those three sacks, a pretty strong number for a tackle. The tackle spot left absent by Hunter should be handled by two juniors Aaron Curry or Tevin Lawson. Neither are huge (both weighed in right at around 280 pounds) but have very good mobility and know how to get the job done. Curry probably has the brighter upside of the pair and may be the permanent guy by the end of the season, but will have to fight off Lawson and more for the time being. TCU is blessed to have a number of great defensive ends on their roster, with plenty of experience. Senior James McFarland is the returning sack leader for TCU, after picking up seven sacks a season ago. He has great quickness off the edge and an incredibly high motor, despite being not very large either at just around 245 pounds. Junior Josh Carraway will fight with McFarland for playing time at one of the end positions. Senior Terrell Lathan is the likely starter at the other end spot. Lathan proved to be very good in rather limited snaps a season ago, with 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Yet another experienced veteran, senior Mike Tuaua is also going to be in play for some action. Add in true freshman Breylin Mitchell, an important piece of this year's recruiting class and the end spot is filled to the brim with talent. Mitchell arrives from Round Rock, Texas widely viewed as a three-star prospect, but he has the frame and explosiveness to be able to contribute at the collegiate level right away, if he gets the opportunity.

Linebackers: Although the TCU defense had some tough moments (61 points in their lone loss to Baylor), it was still widely seen as a strong unit, mainly because of the linebacker corps. Names like Paul Dawson and Marcus Mallett led a fantastic unit in the 4-2-5 Horned Frogs' defense. Patterson has always relied heavily on his linebackers. Since 2000, when he took over at TCU, the Horned Frogs have had the best rushing defense overall, beating out some SEC heavyweights and more. But, the reports out of spring practice were not very encouraging. Without Dawson and Mallet, who were both tackling machines, with 236 combined tackles this past year, the group has lacked leadership and just general playmakers. Patterson will lean heavily on junior Sammy Douglas, only because he is probably the most experienced of the unit. That isn't exactly extremely promising, considering Douglas managed a pretty modest 17 tackles last season in a reserve role. But, he did show great closing speed and the ability to rush gaps well and finish off backs. Obviously though there is going to be quite a dropoff from Dawson/Mallet. Dawson not only 136 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and four interceptions but he was pretty much the heart and soul of the defense, something that is clearly nearly impossible to completely replicate. The starter joining Douglas is a complete question. Redshirt freshman Ty Summers is a possibility, but he had a rough spring and is still obviously incredibly young. True freshman Mike Freeze has great potential but also is incredibly unproven and will need some time to adjust to the speed of the collegiate game. Sophomore Paul Whitmill is a pretty good option in coverage but also has some significant holes in his game. That leaves TCU with some serious question marks at a pretty key area entering the year. Though, I won't doubt Patterson; as I previously said, no team develops Texas talent quite like the Horned Frogs, and there is a lot of talent from the Lone Star state at the position. Patterson and co-defensive coordinators DeMontie Cross and Chad Glashow will work hard to get the unit going, but they won't have much adjustment time, as TCU opens against a run-heavy Minnesota team.

Secondary: The Horned Frogs' secondary also suffers some severe losses, including aggressive safety Sam Carter and Chris Hackett. Though, it still has loads more experience and talent than the linebacker corps and it could still be looked at as a strength. Likely the leader of the unit and maybe the defense as a whole is going to be senior free safety Derrick Kindred. Kindred finished off third on the team in tackles, only behind Dawson and Mallet. He recorded 80 tackles, with 4.5 of them going for a loss. He also showed incredible ball hawking abilities, picking off our passes and returning one to the house. Kindred is absolutely wonderful against the deep pass, which is important in a league that is predicated around spreading defenses, especially vertically. Joining Kindred in the back will be an experienced commodity in senior Kenny Iloka. Iloka has been a longtime reserve to the unit, but has found ways to contribute in that role. Now, with the losses in the unit, Patterson and the Horned Frogs are looking for the veteran to step up in a huge way. He definitely has the talent to be an important player, considering his range and great tackling ability. Iloka should man the weak safety position, where he will have to make important defensive decisions, but he is ready. Junior Denzel Johnson is going to join up with Iloka and Kindred at safety, likely starting at strong safety. With 16 tackles a year ago, Johnson did prove that he could make plays while given the opportunity, but like a lot of this defense, he will probably need some time to adjust to a much larger role. The two cornerback positions are going to be pretty interesting. Underrated Kevin White was another piece that left this offseason, after recording 51 tackles, two picks and having 11 pass deflections. Sophomore Ranthony Texada was incredibly young last season but still managed to play very well, and will likely take over for White as the team's top corner. With 31 tackles and seven pass deflections in 2014-2015, Texada proved that he could be up to the role. Taking over opposite of him is likely going to be senior Corry O'Meally, or perhaps sophomore Torrance Mosley. O'Meally has an edge only because he has slightly more experience, but Mosley could be ready for a breakout year. He has excellent quickness and athletic and should put together a very productive year.

Special Teams: Patterson will have the luxury of having a great kicker back in a TCU uniform, as senior Jaden Oberkrom earned All-Conference honors for his performance last year. He proved to be incredibly clutch, hitting a field goal that sealed the deal to beat West Virginia. Fellow senior Ethan Perry is going to return at punter after a strong 2014-2015.

Nobody will want to play TCU this season. They have always been a very tough and sneaky team under Patterson, but this year they will be downright terrifying. 10 starters return to what could be the nation's best offense, led by a Heisman candidate at quarterback. The defense has some tough losses to overcome, but Patterson is a wonderful defensive mind and there is some great talent ready to take on increased roles. Even more important to the Horned Frogs' success this season will be motivation. The Horned Frogs were four points away from an undefeated season, four points away from a Big 12 title all to themselves and four points away from a Playoff berth. They will certainly remember the terrible feeling of just barely missing all those accolades, and will give the Playoff committee no reason not to put them in the field of four. A tough opener in Minneapolis against Minnesota is a possible upset, but other than that it is smooth sailing until the final two weeks. A meeting in Norman against Oklahoma won't be easy but Baylor in Fort Worth is going to be the Big 12 Championship game essentially. There is zero way TCU lets that game slip away this season.

College Football Preview 2015-2016: 3. Auburn Tigers

Jeremy Johnson

3. Auburn Tigers

2014-2015 Record: 8-5 (4-4 SEC)
Coach: Gus Malzahn, third year (20-7 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: RB Cameron Artis-Payne, QB Nick Marshall
Heisman Hopeful: QB Jeremy Johnson
Breakout Player: RB Roc Thomas

How do you follow up a magical and improbable 2013-2014 in Auburn? A hot start seemed to indicate the Tigers were still very much in the championship hunt, but the team cooled off considerably in the season's second half. They would finish up 8-5, following a tough and exciting Iron Bowl loss to Alabama and a heartbreaker to Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl. While eight wins wasn't exactly the Hollywood sequel many Auburn fans would have hoped for, it was an overall successful season for second year coach Gus Malzahn and the Tigers, showing that they could win big games and that '13-'14 was no fluke. Entering 2015 though, this particular Auburn team has all the pieces to get back to a  National Championship game, after it eluded them last year. The loss of Nick Marshall at quarterback might not be a loss at all, as backup Jeremy Johnson has a ton of hype around him, and the defense should be majorly improved with the addition of former Florida head coach Will Muschamp at defensive coordinator. A program that has struggled with any type of consistency (in the past decade the Tigers have had five years of at least 11 wins and five years of five or more losses), Auburn will be eager to prove that they have staying power in the national scene under Malzahn, and this would be the year to do it.

Backfield: Nick Marshall's career accomplishments while at Auburn should not be overlooked. A junior college recruit that Malzahn picked up, who seemed destined to play anything but quarterback, Marshall was great in his two years as starter. Although his accuracy and mechanics as a quarterback were sometimes not very pretty, he still managed to make some big throws in big games for the Tigers, and there is no denying how exciting he was as a runner. Marshall finished off 2014-2015 with 2,532 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air and 798 yards and 11 on the ground. Those numbers and Marshall's experience won't be easy too replace, but people are quickly jumping on the Jeremy Johnson bandwagon. Johnson started Auburn's season opener against Arkansas last year due to a suspension of Marshall, and showed just how great he could be. In that game, he completed over 75 percent of his passes, and threw for three touchdowns without any turnovers. The junior quarterback is widely seen as a more natural passer than Marshall and his size (6'5", 230 pounds) reminds some of a former Auburn QB who did a few good things in his time there (Cam Newton). Johnson also as an adept runner, though he doesn't have quite the speed and elusiveness of Marshall. But, his arm strength and accuracy far outweigh Marshall, and that arm will bring much more versatility and options to the Auburn offensive attack. With Johnson now under center, Auburn will

Roc Thomas

pass the ball a lot more most likely, but the ground game should still play a major role, as it has throughout Malzahn's head coaching career. Unfortunately, reliable tailback Cameron Artis-Payne graduated, taking his 1,608 yards and 13 touchdowns with him. To make matters worse, speedy Corey Grant also exhausted his eligibility, meaning that joined with the loss of Marshall, Auburn is without their top three rushers from last season. That should put even more pressure on the aerial attack, and a lot more on sophomore Roc Thomas. The hyped-interstate recruit did not disappoint in his Auburn debut last season. He ran for 214 yards and two scores in very limited action, and much bigger things are expected of him this season. Thomas has the speed and shiftiness to become a big play threat and also possesses the vision to get solid yardage every time he touches the ball. If the Tigers are looking for a change of pace, expect junior college transfer Jovon Robinson to get some action. Robinson is much more powerful than Thomas and would pose a serious threat as a runner in the red zone or in short yardage. Robinson was absolutely dominant in the JUCO ranks while at Georgia Military College and while the SEC is certainly a major step up, he should still be very productive. Speedy quick sophomore Peyton Barber is another Tiger that should search for some carries, and big things are going to be expected of newcomer Kerryon Johnson. Johnson is rated by some as a five-star pickup by Malzahn and staff and he should play multiple positions. But, he is most natural at back and co-offensive coordinators Rhett Lashlee and Dameyune Craig will be creative in getting him the ball.

Receivers: Go-to receivers haven't exactly been a very common theme in Auburn throughout the years. There hasn't been a lack of talent, but there hasn't ever really been that star at receiver for the Tigers for a pretty long time. That shouldn't be a problem this year; senior D'Haquille "Duke" Williams is easily the team's top target this season, especially with the loss of Sammie Coates. Williams was yet another junior college pickup for Malzahn who was absolutely wonderful in his first year with the Tigers in 2014-2015, with 45 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns. Perhaps what is most impressive about those numbers is that he was doing it against double teams and coverage packages specifically set up to stop him. Everybody knew that Auburn was going to go to Williams on obvious passing situations and he still managed to put up great numbers. The senior has a long and athletic frame that is so tough to cover. His size and explosiveness have made him a very appealing NFL Draft prospect and it will be interesting to see how much his stock may increase with Auburn putting more time into the passing game. Though, Williams has had a long offseason. Williams never played in the Outback Bowl loss due to off-field issues and there has been friction between him, Malzahn and receivers coach Dameyune Craig all offseason. In fact, in spring, Williams let out a string of tweets indicating a possible transfer. But, all the excitement and mystery has died down; Williams is going to stay in Auburn and likely play a huge role in a team that is going to be in prime position for a Playoff berth. Williams will be joined in Auburn's receiver corps by seniors Melvin Ray and Ricardo Louis. Both Ray and Louis have made one thing clear in their time with the Tigers: they are huge big play threats. Ray had just eight catches all of last season put still managed 182 yards, meaning he averaged nearly 23 yards per reception. Meanwhile, Louis had 21 catches for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Louis has been productive throughout his career with the Tigers but will most likely be remembered most for one play. His miraculous catch in the "Prayer at Jordan-Hare" helped Auburn pull off an unreal victory against Georgia in the 2013 season kept Auburn's national title aspirations alive. Clearly, his speed and hands are exceptional, but he is still learning to grow as a route runner. Also returning is junior Marcus Davis, a solid receiver with reliable hands who had 13 receptions a year ago. Little used Tony Stevens is going to be in store for a major improvement; at 6'4", 200 pounds he can make some athletic plays over smaller defenders but will need time to adjust to an increased role. The tight end position is bound to be very interesting after the graduation of productive C.J. Uzomah. True freshman Chandler Cox arrives from Florida with a decent chance to start, but he will be pushed by young Chris Laye, a redshirt freshman.

Offensive Line: Auburn's offensive line has been a vastly underrated unit the past few years, as it has proven to be one of the conference's better O-Lines. It has had to be, to make Gus Malzahn's read-option heavy offensive attack work. There are some losses throughout the unit, including All-American center Reese Dismukes, but it should still be solid. Left tackle Shon Coleman is going to be a stud this season. Coleman played often last season and proved to be a very productive weapon at the tackle position. Coleman has great size, footwork and long, powerful arms that allow him to gain separation from opposing pass rushers. Joining Coleman as a returning starter on the offensive line is going to be junior Avery Young who will start at the other tackle position on the right side. Despite not being the flashiest linemen, Young is another productive veteran with great power and decent mobility. Those two should give Auburn two very experienced players on the perimeter, and they will certainly help out Johnson quite a bit. The interior of the unit is a little bit more of a question, but there is no denying the talent there. Junior Austin Golson is slated to take center duties from Dismukes, but there shouldn't be a major dropoff at the position. Golson was a pretty major piece of Ole Miss' infamous 2013 recruiting class, though he was overshadowed because the Rebels also managed Laremy Tunsil on the offensive line and some crazy talent elsewhere. Golson was probably going to develop into something great in Oxford, but he transferred to Auburn last year to be closer to family. He did not receive a waiver, meaning that he had to sit out all year. While he probably would have loved to play, that wasn't a terrible thing for the Tigers. Golson got to work behind Dismukes and also form relationships with the team before he was thrown into the brutal trenches of SEC play. Joining Golson in the heart of the offensive line will be two talented guards. Junior Alex Kozan is a great run blocker who should pave huge holes for Thomas, Robinson and more. The 300-pounder has worked hard to add even more bulk, so that he can use that power against some of the massive SEC defenders. On the other side, sophomore Braden Smith is going to take over the position, replacing solid Chad Slade. Smith has seen some action with Auburn, but not a ton. He will need some adjustment time, but the youthful sophomore has all the tools to be a very good linemen. True freshman Bailey Sharp arrives from Georgia as a pretty coveted offensive tackle who received a four-star grade. Another Georgia find, Kaleb Kim is a strong and physical guard who should fit into the Auburn offensive line in no time.

Defensive Line: Will Muschamp is a great defensive mind and he will dial up a number of different schemes to get this front seven after the quarterback. The Tigers should run a base 4-3, but Muschamp will also be certain to work on some 3-4 and more dynamic looks. Perhaps the top pass rusher on this Auburn roster didn't even play a single snap last season. Carl Lawson was a pretty key defensive member of the 2013-2014 team as a true freshman but a torn ACL in spring practice knocked him out of the entire 2014 season. The junior is now apparently healthy, and he will give this Auburn defense a major boost. Lawson, a former Freshman All-American during that 2013 campaign, recorded four sacks. That is a relatively modest number, but he has bulked up even more, gotten stronger and worked harder on becoming a more natural pass rusher off the edge. Lawson could legitimately record double digit sacks this season if that knee holds up. The other defensive end spot is going to be manned by returning senior DeVonte Lambert. The veteran wasn't exactly a superstar last season for the Tigers but he did show that he could get in the quarterbacks' eyes and him make uncomfortable, with 10 quarterback hurries a season ago. Along with Lambert at defensive end will be juniors Elijah Daniel and Gimel President. Daniel is a solid run defender who had 15 tackles ad 3.5 tackles for loss in a reserve role last season. President is probably known more for his interesting name than his defensive prowess at this point, but he has the size and ferocity to grow into a pretty imposing end this season. Also likely to see snaps at end is going to be the gem of the 2015 recruiting class for the Tigers, consensus five-star recruit Byron Cowart. Formerly a Florida commit, Cowart decided to head further West to Auburn, following Muschamp from Gainesville to rural Alabama. The true freshman is quite frankly a freak; he is 6'3", 280 pounds of pure muscle with fabulous athleticism and an incredibly high motor. Even though he is definitely very young, he could still find a niche on this Auburn squad. The losses on the unit come in the interior, where three solid defensive tackles: Gabe Wright, Angelo Blackson and Ben Bradley all depart. Wright was perhaps the best of the trio, after he had 24 tackles with 4.5 of them going for a loss in 2014-2015. Junior Montravious Adams saw healthy dose of snaps last season and proved to be deceptively athletic for his size. He can use that athleticism to get after the quarterback, and he sure to wreak plenty of havoc this season. Starting alongside Adams is well, a question right now. Junior Devaroe Lawrence knows the Auburn way but he is still inexperienced in Muschamp's system and hasn't seen much action with the Tigers. Redshirt freshman Dontavious Russell has loads of potential but is also unproven. Perhaps junior college transfer Maurice Swain, who arrives from Mississippi Gulf Coast CC could see a starting gig right away.

Linebackers: Probably the group with the biggest transition from former defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson to Muschamp is going to the linebacker corps. It will switch from two starters, one in the "Star" position to a 4-3 look for the most part. It will be interesting to see the transition for the unit, but the good news is that talent oozes from the unit. It begins with senior middle linebacker Cassanova McKinzy, a versatile playmaker. McKinzy just loves to hit opponents, and he has done it a few times, with 166 total tackles over the past two years, easily leading the team. McKinzy is blessed with great instincts and fabulous closing speed, allowing him to make all those tackles. A playmaker like McKinzy who is very reliable in the middle is so huge to the Auburn defense. Not only does it give them major help in run support, but it also enables the Tigers' outside 'backers to get after the quarterback, knowing they have safety beyond them in McKinzy. A prime example of this is senior Kris Frost, who has grown into a formidable pass rusher for Auburn. Frost started all 13 games for the Tigers last year, and had 3.5 sacks along with 10 tackles for loss. An experienced senior, Frost knows how to not only get after the quarterback, but make important tackles for the Tigers. Frost and McKinzy alone make this unit a strength for Auburn, which is a good thing considering the third starting linebacker slot is a question mark right now. Sophomore Tre' Williams certainly has a ton of talent but has had some ups-and-downs in his short collegiate career. Malzahn and staff made sure there were reinforcements coming in at the outside linebacker spot though. He landed a number of different linebackers, all who could see immediate action. Jacksonville product Jeffery Holland is probably the best of the group. A four-star who put up gaudy numbers while at Trinity Christian Academy, Holland has all the tools to play right away. Richard McBryde is a local prospect from Alabama with an excellent motor and plenty of upside, while Jordan Colbert arrives from Griffin, Georgia with plenty of hype himself. Those three will fight with junior Ja'Viere Mitchell and Williams for the starting job. Solid senior Justin Garrett also returns to the unit, and will search to make an impact in a backup role at any number of positions.

Secondary: Auburn fans and the coaching staff are likely looking for major improvements from the secondary and pass defense. Although it wasn't absolutely terrible last season, the pass defense was far from good, and it cost the Tigers in some big games. Muschamp will work hard to instill discipline on the unit, and it will definitely be a major help that there is some significant talent returning, plus an impact transfer. Cornerback Jonathan Jones is hoping to follow up on an All-SEC 2014-2015, something he could certainly do, especially if he picks off as much passes as he did a year ago. Jones proved that he was wonderful at reading quarterbacks eyes and making plays, with a very impressive six interceptions last year. The next part: growing into a more consistent contributor and also making plays off of those interceptions (he only had six return yards from those turnovers). Also joining Jones in the defensive backfield is going to be junior Jonathan Ford, who actually led the Tigers in tackles last season. Ford finished up with 93 (McKinzy finished up with 91), with 62 of them coming solo. He is a fantastic tackler, who uses incredible quickness to get to the right spot and make the right play. He will return to the strong safety position, and along with Jones will play an important leadership role in a unit vital to Auburn's success. The big addition to the unit this season has to be Georgia transfer Tray Matthews. Matthews has a very interesting story: he was the Bulldog who misplayed Marshall's Hail Mary in the "Prayer at Jordan-Hare" causing the ball to take a weird skirt to Ricardo Louis, who won the game for Auburn. He joined in on the transferring wave away from Georgia last offseason and now will get a chance to suit up for Auburn. A well-built safety with great play recognition, Matthews will definitely be a major help. And, now he will be able to actually help Auburn pull off some miracles without causing his team a loss. Rounding out the unit will be the cornerback opposite of Jones, in senior Joshua Holsey. Holsey is a proven run stopper, who recorded 41 tackles last season. He doesn't have the playmaking ability of Jones or the ball skills, but he has proven more than useful for Auburn. Holsey also has plenty of versatility, as he could spend time at safety if the Tigers need him to do. Junior T.J. Davis is a playmaking cornerback who should see plenty of snaps behind Holsey and Jones, while there is a solid amount of depth throughout the secondary as a whole.

Special Teams: Sophomore Daniel Carlson returns to Auburn and will once more play a critical role, as he will handle both punting and kicking duties once more. He showed plenty of talent, knocking down 18 of 24 field goals, and having a punting average of 42 yards. Ricardo Louis will be relied on to take over a much larger role in the return game.

It honestly is a pretty crazy thought; Auburn will lose their quarterback and top rusher from a team that went 8-5 and ended the year on a sour note and still are widely seen as the top team in the entire SEC. So much of it relies on the arm of Johnson. Cam Newton comparisons should be flattering, but they are unfair. Though, the junior should be as good as advertised, and will be helped out by Williams and a stellar offensive line. Though, perhaps what will most help Auburn contend is the defense. There is incredible talent, depth and experience from top to bottom, with big names ready to star such as McKinzy, Lawson, Jones and much more. If Muschamp can recreate some of the defenses he had at Texas and in his earlier Florida days, the Tigers will be just plain nasty. Life will certainly not be easy for Auburn in the unforgiving SEC West, especially with a tough November that includes meetings with Alabama and Georgia (at least they are at home), plus a non-conference opener against Louisville in Atlanta. But, this Auburn team has all the tools to return to the spotlights of a Playoff and a National Championship game, and create some more magic when they get there.

College Football Preview 2015-2016: 4. USC Trojans

Cody Kessler

4. USC Trojans

2014-2015 Record: 9-4 (6-3 Pac-12)
Coach: Steve Sarkisian, second year (9-4 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: RB Javarious "Buck" Allen, DL Leonard Williams
Heisman Hopeful: QB Cody Kessler
Breakout Player: RB Justin Davis

Big things were expected of USC in Steve Sarkisian's first year as head coach with the program. And, a flaming hot start seemed to prove that the Trojans were "back". Though, USC tailed off after what appeared to be a huge victory against Stanford and couldn't close games, evidenced by a hail mary loss to Arizona State. A 9-4 mark wasn't bad by any means, but Sarkisian, who was a former offensive coordinator at USC before returning after a head coaching stint at Washington, knows USC fans expect more. The Trojans were perhaps the most dominant program in college football in the 2000's, but they have fallen back due to NCAA sanctions, coaching problems and more contributing to a rather pedestrian (by USC means) mark of 44-21 over the past five years. Though, Sarkisian landed a top notch recruiting class on top of some truly amazing talent left too him by Lane Kiffin. That talent could combine with Sarkisian's aggressive offensive scheme, and wreak havoc across the Pac-12. USC fans should once more get excited about the program entering 2015, but shouldn't feel the typical disappointment they have felt the last few seasons. This team is too talented not too make some serious noise, and vie for a Playoff berth.

Backfield: There might not have been a quieter Heisman-caliber season than Cody Kessler's 2014-2015 campaign in college football a year ago. Kessler threw for 3,826 yards and 39 touchdowns with just five interceptions, and was the arm beyond the Trojans' explosive offensive attack. Kessler has the huge arm to make all types of throws and has grown and matured to the fact that he will read defenses much better. He isn't a wonderful athlete, but he can make plays with his legs when needed and possesses just the ability to create plays out of nothing. With USC very dangerous and the Trojans once more employing the spread attack that Steve Sarkisian loves, Kessler should put up crazy numbers once again. Though, he will be without one of his major helpers, running back Javarious Allen, who left for the NFL. "Buck" put together a tremendous season himself, with 1,489 yards and 11 touchdowns. He combined decent size and durability with game-changing speed and he certainly will not be easily replaced. There are replacements in the backfield, because this is USC, and blue chip recruits are also waiting in the wings. Junior Justin Davis could explode for huge numbers this season. Davis ran for 595 yards and four touchdowns a year ago as Allen's backup, proving to have incredible versatility and playmaking ability. He isn't the most explosive player on the field but he isn't afraid of contact and uses his frame to his advantage. Senior Tre Madden should also be in for quite a few carries himself. Expected by many to be a contributor to the Trojans' offense a year ago, Madden struggled through turf toe and other ailments that caused him not to see a snap of game action. The USC Trojans certainly missed him, as he could have provided even more punch between the tackles and a proven commodity in short yardage. Madden and Davis will both be used quite a bit, that is if they stay healthy. Davis hasn't had much issues with injuries, but Madden has missed two of the past three years with a multitude of injuries. Steve Sarkisian is clearly a great offensive mind and him and OC Clay Helton will be smart with how they use the running backs. Even with two veterans clearly ahead of him on the roster, Trojan fans might see decent doses of freshman Ronald Jones II. Jones has the talent to be the next big thing in the USC backfield, rated widely as a four-star recruit out of Texas. He is also rated as among the best incoming backs in the land, and his vision and carrying are off the charts. At fullback, USC has senior Soma Vainuku back for his final year with the team. A longtime staple in the Trojan backfield, Vainuku is a proven run blocker who has always been a nice little bright spot when he does get the ball (7 rushes for 40 yards and a score in 2014-2015).

Receivers: The Trojans have never struggled to put out studs at the wide receiver position (they don't struggle to produce stars at other spots either), but their most recent, Nelson Agholor, left for the pro game. Agholor was as explosive and exciting they come, and he could work wonders in Chip Kelly's offense in Philadelphia. While, Sarkisian and USC will miss Agholor, there is widespread confidence that sophomore JuJu Smith can take over as the top pass-catcher for the offense. In his first year in a Trojan uniform, Smith showed crazy potential, and it wasn't just flashes here and there. He had 54 receptions for 724 yards and five touchdowns and he was a player that was always a threat to break one deep every time he touched the ball. While Smith should take over as the No. 1 target, fellow sophomore Adoree' Jackson may be the most talked about in the unit this year. More known as a defensive back, USC has given Jackson opportunities at receiver and could have him play both ways this year. Jackson had 10 catches, with three of them going for touchdowns. He is an electrifying type player who seems to be good at everything he does. Drops could be a problem along with route running because receiver isn't his most natural spot, but athletes like him don't come around often, even at a place like 'SC. The big play abilities of both Smith and Jackson will open up things for returnees like Darreus Rogers and Steven Mitchell. The departures of Agholor and George Farmer mean that Rogers will be the most experienced receiver in the Trojans' receiving corps. Reports were great from the spring, as Rogers was "catching everything in sight". He might be the exciting and youthful players that Smith and Jackson are, but Rogers knows how to get the job done. Sophomore Steven Mitchell didn't get a ton of action last year, but he did step up when needed. Without Agholor and Farmer, he will see a vastly increased role. Despite being undersized, Mitchell uses his reliable hands and elusiveness to make plays. JUCO transfers Isaac Whitney and De'Quan Hampton are going to make noise in Los Angeles. Both are rated as four-star transfers, and are two of the Top 5 junior college transfers at the position. Hampton is perhaps the most agile and quick, but Whitney's combination of size and speed make him a sure bet to see plenty of action in his first season with the Trojans. Tight end will be an interesting position; Bryce Dixon played in 12 games a season ago but lingering issues would lead to a departure from the program. Junior Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick is a stud, but he missed all of last season, after being academically ineligible and he will most likely be pretty rusty.  Sophomore Connor Spears is also going to be in the rotation, along with grad transfer Taylor McNamara. A solid blocker and decent weapon in the red zone, McNamara arrives from Oklahoma and will definitely see snaps.

Offensive Line: Offensive lines aren't the prettiest nor flashiest part of college football, but dominant O-Lines can put a team in prime position to win games perhaps more than anything else. USC's offensive line will be pivotal to their success this season, as five starters return, with a number of them likely to be All-American or All-Conference candidates. Senior Max Tuerk is the star and unquestioned leader of the unit. Tuerk earned himself All-Pac-12 honors for his fantastic play a year ago and he is a legit All-American possibility entering his final year in Los Angeles. Tuerk is a gritty and hard-working linemen in the heart of the unit. He is blessed with impressive size and footwork, and he provides major push between the tackles. He will be helped on the inside by two rapidly improving sophomores, Damien Mama and Viane Talamaivao. Both big recruits for the Trojans a year ago, the pair saw significant action in their true freshman seasons. Talamaivao especially, performed incredibly well. Although he did make mistakes, which were definitely understandable, he didn't seem intimidated by the physical and speedy play of major FBS football. Both Mama and Talamaivao will help guide the way in opening up huge lanes for Davis and Madden to work through on the ground attack. Another second year stud, Toa Lobendahn is slated to start at left tackle. The versatile Lobendahn can play either guard or tackle, and is dominant at either. He isn't the biggest tackle there is, but he is athletic with great lateral quickness, to make key blocks side to side. Junior Chad Wheeler returns, but is likely to play a backup role to Lobendahn at tackle this season. Don't forget about right tackle either; junior Zach Banner is an established monster at the position. Yet another blue chip recruit, Banner's size and talent were never a question, it was merely a matter of when he would turn into a star. At 6'9", 350 pounds, Banner is absolutely gigantic,even among some of the bulkier linemen in the conference. That size and upside has always been a major appeal to NFL teams, and he is still improving. Depth is definitely a problem for the unit though; the NCAA sanctions following the Reggie Bush debacle have been a problem for a few years now, as the loss of scholarships has hurt USC everywhere in the depth department. Junior Jordan Simmons is an experienced guard and Wheeler could see snaps, but beyond that there is mainly only true freshman who could see action, so the Trojans certainly will be hoping the injury bug doesn't bite. Perhaps Georgia product Chuma Edoga could see action in his first year with the Trojans. The five-star tackle has all the physical tools to be a wonderful tackle for USC. Center Cole Smith, who stays in the state of California, and more, will play vital roles down the line for USC, but are depth guys at best this season.

Defensive Line: For the whole 2014-2015 season, NFL scouts flocked to USC games and film for any glimpses of Leonard Williams. The monster defensive linemen had all the tools; NFL size, speed, athleticism and an incredibly high motor. And, he was quite the productive player in his time with the Trojans, picking up 80 tackles, seven sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss last year alone. But, Williams made the expected jump to the pros, and will now hope to a productive member of the New York Jets. Second year defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox is a great mind though, and he will think of creative blitzes and schemes to make sure this defensive line and front seven doesn't miss a beat. Wilcox and USC have a very capable group at their disposal; senior Antwaun Woods is a proven run stuffer, while there are multiple playmakers at defensive end. Woods had 37 tackles a year ago, and the big, brutish tackle makes a living clogging up lanes and bringing backs to the ground. He will be supported on the interior by Claude Pelon, another senior. Sure, Pelon is a far cry from Williams, but he is another high energy guy who just knows how to get the job done. Sophomore Kenny Bigelow has loads of potential, and the Trojans will work to get him a decent dose of snaps at defensive tackle as well. The defensive end spot is going to be filled with a solid crop of seniors, with Delvon Simmons likely to emerge as the starter. Simmons isn't the flashiest pass rusher ever, but he is another experienced, hard-working and productive player. He had 44 tackles in 2014-2015 and plays with great discipline and smarts on the perimeter. Senior Cody Temple is also going to compete for plenty of snaps. Built more like an interior linemen than end (considering he is 6'2", 310 pounds), Temple is surprisingly quick and athletic. Temple managed two sacks last season despite not much work, and he should raise that number considerably this year. This unit isn't quite as inexperienced or lacking in the depth department as others, but true freshman could still fight for snaps. Not surprisingly, there are a number of future NFL players joining the defensive line from the Class of 2015. Rasheem Green earned a five-star from 247 Sports and much more, and California prospect has all the tools. He is blessed with excellent size and a high motor, and he will fight to play some snaps at tackle. Less heralded Jacob Daniel is also coming into the fold, and the Fresno pickup could see some action as well. Overall, the defensive line is nearly completely different from any other unit on the USC roster. It has seniors likely to start across the board, decent amounts of depth and not the big name-NFL prospects that other units may have. But, it should still be very good, and make up for the big loss of Leonard Williams.

Su'a Cravens

Linebackers: For anyone who is quick to discredit the Lane Kiffin era at USC, there is one clear thing he did that definitely helped USC down the road: land prized recruit Su'a Cravens. Now a junior, Cravens will compete with Scooby Wright of Arizona for the claim of perhaps not just the best linebacker in the Pac-12, but in the nation as a whole. Originally joining USC as a safety, Cravens versatility and great mind are amazing. Cravens' size and the need for help at linebacker pushed the Trojans to use them there, and they shouldn't look back. He went absolutely off last season, picking up 68 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, five sacks and three interceptions, one which he returned for six. Cravens' size and great instincts allow him to make the correct plays as a run defender, while his experience at defensive back allows him to make the right reads there and pick of passes. Having a player like him that can literally step up and do everything you need is so huge, especially when you face some of the offenses that USC faces. Cravens has support around him, namely senior Anthony Sarao. Sarao is back to man the middle linebacker position, and the veteran has proven to be a fantastic tackler, with 74 last year. Sarao also is a strong coverage 'backer, with two interceptions last season as well. Fellow senior Lamar Dawson is finally back, and will play a very key role for the Trojans. Once hyped as "the next great thing" at linebacker for USC, Dawson's career has been mostly overshadowed by injuries. In fact, the last snap Dawson played of competitive football was been in late 2013, before he was lost for over a year with knee problems. Still, Dawson has 137 career tackles, and is a proven playmaker at the position. You still have to worry about his knee and his health, but he is apparently "100 percent". The outside linebacker spot opposite of Cravens is going to be an interesting little competition. Juniors Jabari Ruffin and Scott Felix are competing for the starting gig, both with their are own individual strengths. Ruffin is an incredibly quick and physical linebacker, while Felix is skilled with finesse moves and as a pass rusher off the edge. Ruffin is another player coming off troubles with injuries, as he has suffered long and hard with knee problems. Though, he is a high potential guy who has proven he can play with the best of them when healthy.

Secondary: USC's pass defense had some major ups-and-downs last season, particularly when they go into conference play, but there is no denying the talent in the unit. It all starts with Adoree' Jackson; sure the exciting sophomore is going to see at least some action at receiver, but his strength lies at cornerback. Jackson had 49 tackles last year, along with four tackles for loss playing at corner a season ago, and you could still argue he was learning the ropes. He uses his incredible speed and athleticism to hang with some of the conference's most explosive receivers. He's not exactly a ball hawking playmaker who picks off a ton of passes but he is as good at man coverage as you will find at his age. The big question for Jackson will be about durability; he will see action on special teams as well along with receiver and defensive back. Even though the dude is unbelievably talented he can't do everything for USC, and they will have to be smart with how and when they use him. Jackson will form a great combo with senior corner Kevon Seymour. Seymour isn't exactly the big flashy name that some of the other USC Trojans are, but the veteran is a proven contributor who is physical and wonderful in coverage. He had 13 pass deflections last year, while also recording 49 tackles showing that he could step up in run support, and also make great wrap up tackles in the open field, definitely an important gift in today's college football, filled to the brim with spread offenses and speed. While those two will start, true freshman Iman Marshall is going to see plenty of action, somewhere in the secondary. Marshall is ranked by ESPN, 247 Sports and plenty more as the top cornerback in the 2015 Class, and those talents won't go too waste. The Long Beach prospect already has a good, solid build and great play recognition. If he doesn't play at corner, Wilcox would be happy to lend him snaps at either safety slot. Those two safety positions will be interesting, with some young, but talented players likely to start there. While young, both of those safeties have proven they can play wonderfully. Leon McQuay III is a hard-hitting junior who fills in at free safety. His 36 tackles, two interceptions and four pass deflections in 2014-2015 only show a fraction of what he can do. Sophomore John Plattenburg is not quite the hard hitter or incredible athlete but he is quick and has a great feel for the game. He knows what needs to be done, and the strong safety gets there and completes it. He should also improve on his 32 tackles from a season ago. Youthful cornerbacks Jonathan Lockett and Lamont Simmons have a lot of work to do, but the talent is there for them to be very good. Simmons, especially, as the redshirt freshman possesses the size and great range that many shutdown corners have.

Special Teams: Kicker Andre Heidari was a steady force at the position, who was a valuable asset late in games. His departure plunges the position into a question mark, but junior Alex Wood has emerged as the favorite. Punter Kris Albarado enters his senior year as an All-Conference candidate, and Adoree' Jackson is going to run wild in the return game.

Last year was supposed to be the year of the Trojan resurgence. Though, there were just too many moving pieces for that team to fully contend. This season it almost seems certain that USC will be back to doing what they used to do; putting up a lot of points, winning a lot of huge games and establishing themselves as a national power. Sure, the schedule is no breeze, and sure there are some losses that are noticeable (Allen, Agholor and Williams will be missed). But, the talent on this roster is pretty insane, even by USC standards. Kessler is a legit Heisman candidate, the backfield is stocked with fresh legs, the receivers are scary, the O-Line is powerful and Cravens and Jackson head what should be a great defense. With the exception of injuries, this USC team is a sure fire bet to win at least 10 games, and they should have a much higher ceiling than that. Tough road meetings with Arizona State, Notre Dame and Oregon will be huge tests, but Sarkisian is on a mission to prove that he can be the one that leads USC back to the glory days. In this case, a Playoff appearance would certainly prove that.

College Football Preview 2015-2016: 5. Baylor Bears

Shock Linwood

5. Baylor Bears

2014-2015 Record: 11-2 (8-1 Big 12)
Coach: Art Briles, eighth year (55-34 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: QB Bryce Petty, LB Bryce Hager
Heisman Hopeful: RB Shock Linwood
Breakout Player: DE Jamal Palmer

It is almost hard to imagine back when Baylor was still living in the Big 12's cellar, just a few years ago. Now, five straight bowl appearances, two Big 12 titles, and one Heisman winner later, they have proven that they are just not one of the Big 12's top programs, but also the nation as a whole. Though, the team just wasn't quite good enough for their loftiest goal: a CFB Playoff appearance. Despite an 11-1 mark and a thrilling victory against TCU that essentially proved they deserved the Big 12 title outright, the Bears were left just outside the field of four, finishing up fifth in the final Playoff poll. A Cotton Bowl appearance was a fine consolation and despite 550 yards from star quarterback Bryce Petty, Baylor suffered a heartbreaking loss to Michigan State. While Petty has played his last snap with the Bears, there is still a crazy amount of offensive talent returning, and the defense should continue to take steps. Perhaps this is the year that the Bears make that Playoff appearance, though probably a year later than they would have hoped.

Backfield: Petty waited behind RG3 and Nick Florence before eventually taking the reigns of the Baylor offense and putting up insane numbers. He exploded for numbers of 8,055 passing yards and 61 touchdowns during his two years as starter, while also averaging 9.7 yards per attempt. While having a great quarterback like Petty leave will certainly not be a good thing, the offense shouldn't miss much of a beat under junior Seth Russell. Russell filled in a little bit early in the year when Petty was struggling through injuries and was terrific, with 804 passing yards and eight touchdowns. Russell has the big arm that this offense needs to hit all it's deep play threats, and he also has a great mind and feel for the game. And, not taking anything away from what RG3, Florence and Petty did, but the quarterbacks don't have to work as hard when there are so many impact playmakers surrounding them, like Baylor has had. Russell only proved to the college football world that he was ready with a wonderful spring, and he should enter 2015 with high expectations. Russell will be joined in the backfield by an abundance of weapons starting with junior Shock Linwood. Despite having one of the coolest and flashiest names in college football, Linwood's production and talent are very serious. While Baylor's offense is mostly thought of as one that chucks the ball all over the field to it's talented receivers, it relies actually very heavily on the ground game to give it a much needed balance, and Linwood is at the forefront of that. He ran for 1,252 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns a year ago, which were second in the conference in both categories. Standing at just 5'9", Linwood possesses incredible quickness and natural elusiveness, but has surprising power and durability and he should put up huge numbers once more in the Bears' wide open attack. Along with Linwood will be sophomore Johnny Jefferson, who had a very good 2014-2015. Jefferson put up 524 yards and six touchdowns himself, and should only improve in his second season of legitimate action. Jefferson is another speedster like Linwood, who is always ready to bust open a huge run. Expect Art Briles and his son, Kendal who takes over for Phil Montgomery at offensive coordinator, after Montgomery ditched to take the head coaching job at Tulsa, to also employ junior Devin Chafin often. Chafin is a little bit more powerful than Linwood or Jefferson, and proved he was a major help in the red zone when Baylor needed him, with eight touchdowns. With those three ahead of him, touted recruit JaMychal Hasty will struggle to see much action this season. But, Briles never runs out of offensive playmakers, and he could add Hasty to the list. Hasty is a four-star prospect out of the Lone Star State who impressed in the spring.

K.D. Cannon

Receivers: No team in college football has had the vast amount of talent at the receiver position that the Bears have had, with names like Kendall Wright, Terrence Williams and recently departed Antwan Goodley passing through Waco. And, it certainly makes sense, considering the offense Baylor runs. Sophomore K.D. Cannon is hoping to ensure that he is next up on that growing list of stud receivers for the Bears. In his first season in Waco, Cannon was amazing, with 58 receptions for 1,030 yards along with eight touchdowns. Cannon's speed is outstanding and he brings a burst of electricity every time he gets ahold of the football. It is pretty crazy what he managed to do at such a young age last season, and he is still growing as a receiver and as a football player. Cannon may turn out to Russell's top target this season, but he is far from his only one. Junior Corey Coleman is also back, along with sophomore Davion Hall and junior Lynx Hawthorne. Coleman actually led the Bears in receiving last season, despite playing in just 10 games. Coleman had 64 catches for 1,119 yards and 11 touchdowns. Together, him and Cannon could form the best 1-2 punch at receiver in all of the land. Hall is a possible breakout candidate after modest numbers a year ago, in which he 15 receptions and 210 yards. Hall is a terrific athlete with next level speed, that should give opposing defenders tons of problems. Hall was prone to mistakes at times a year ago, but considering he was so young, that was definitely understandable. Hawthorne is a rather undersized receiving threat by most comparisons at just six feet but makes of for it with determination and smarts. Hawthorne is great at recognizing and getting to gaps in the defenses. Redshirt freshman Ishmael Zamora is ready to put up huge numbers as well. Zamora arrived last year with a lot of hype but there was just too much experience in front of him, forcing Briles to use a redshirt. Now, the 6'4", 220-pound beast is ready to put on a show. There are few defenders that can match his wide and sturdy frame coupled with his wonderful athleticism. He has great hands as well; if Russell throws the ball anywhere in his vicinity, Zamora is going to make a play on it. Fellow redshirt freshman Chris Platt is a dynamic weapon with a bright future for the Bears. Also back for Baylor is vastly underrated Jay Lee, who just finds a way to make plays. He doesn't have the most explosive speed, but he is an established route runner with plenty of experience. Lee picked up 633 yards and six scores a year ago, while averaging 15.4 yards per reception. Sophomore Quan Jones didn't see much action a season ago and while have to fight for snaps once more this year. But, having a guy with a 6'5" frame and good ball skills would add another layer to the Baylor offense, and Art Briles is always creative. Even with all that talent perhaps the most talked about receiver/tight end of the offseason in Waco was chunk 400-pound LaQuan McGowan. A trick play for the offensive linemen went for a thrilling score against Michigan State and with him not needing to play much on the offensive line, Briles is using him at tight end. Apparently, McGowan has "slimmed down" this spring and summer, but he is still going to be scary for opposing defenders. Sure, a guy who weighs his weight isn't going to beat anybody with speed or anything like that, but he has surprisingly good hands and there isn't a defender in the nation that enjoys trying to bring down a rumbling, determined 400-pound monster.

Offensive Line: No matter how much playmakers an offense has, it won't have much success without the time to operate, which it what makes the offensive line so important. Baylor's offensive line should be strong this season, led by All-American-caliber tackle Spencer Drango. Drango seemed set on going pro following his junior season, but after consulting the NFL advisory committee, decided his best choice was to stay for one more year in Waco. It is easy to see why NFL scouts love the veteran; he clearly has an NFL frame at 6'6", 310 pounds and also possesses superior athleticism. He is a proven commodity at a very critical position. Though, Drango isn't the only proven linemen set to return to the unit this season. Junior Kyle Fuller is among the conference's best centers and he should be supported in the interior by two experienced guards, in seniors Jarrell Broxton and Blake Muir. Both Broxton and Muir are proven run blockers who play a very key role in the offense. Both have to show athleticism in order to keep up with the Bears' up-tempo attack, and also get downfield to make blocks for the explosive Linwood and Jefferson. Rounding out Baylor's starting offensive line should be senior Pat Colbert, who also saw a ton of action last season and is very experienced. Colbert brings great size to the table as well, with great footwork and vision. Overall, the whole unit is crazy experienced, with likely four starters being seniors and the only non-senior, Kyle Fuller, having plenty of action in the wide open Big 12. That will be a major help to the youthful Russell and the rest of the Bears' offense. Depth shouldn't be much of a concern either, as senior Desmine Hilliard provides plenty of help off the bench. Yet another vet who knows how to get the job done, Hilliard missed seven games with a wrist injury, with allowed Muir to take his place on the line. Now healthy, Hilliard should fight for his fair share of snaps. Newcomer Maurice Porter is going to play a big role early on his Baylor career. A junior college transfer from Navarro College, Porter brings great size and proven pass blocking. He is rated as a four-star transfer by ESPN and widely viewed as an immediate contributor at either tackle position.

Defensive Line: Last bowl season, defensive end Shawn Oakman became a social media sensation, as his massive frame caught the attention of more than just a few people. I mean, how could you miss the 6'9", 280 pound imposing linemen? That frame is certainly one that fits the NFL's standards, but Oakman announced he would return for a senior year. The announcement came just a few days after Drango's decision to stay put and it was huge for the Bears. Oakman was viewed by many as a first or second round-type pick but he also has some major weaknesses. He is not a great run defender, and there were thoughts that he would quit on some plays. That had some NFL scouts worried, and Oakman likely came back to prove those doubters wrong. Oakman is not just a huge body, he is a proven contributor. He was second in the Big 12 in sacks last season, with 11 and will only grow into a more complete pass rusher this season. Oakman is joined on the defensive line by a number of physical linemen, including nose tackle Andrew Billings. Billings is far from flashy, but the 300 pound junior is a proven run stopper, with 37 tackles last year and 11.5 of them going for a loss. Billings will pair with senior Beau Blackshear to form a formidable combo in the heart of the unit. Blackshear is another gritty tackle who proved to be a very good pass rusher a season ago. He managed 4.5 sacks and was constantly getting in the face of opposing quarterbacks. The front four should be rounded out by senior defensive end Jamal Palmer. Palmer is ready to finally starting playing consistently again after tearing his ACL towards in the middle of the year. Palmer got off to a fast start prior to the injury, with 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks. In fact, Palmer has put up really good numbers every year that he has been healthy with Baylor, and hopefully he will be this season. Obviously a torn ACL is a pretty traumatic thing to recover from, Palmer has had a lot of time to get to 100 percent. Junior Byron Bonds has the potential to grow into a great rotational piece on the D-Line, while sophomore Brian Nance should put together a good year. Both will backup at defensive end, and can learn and evolve into good pass rushers.

Linebackers: Baylor's defense as a whole doesn't get much respect, constantly overshadowed by the team's record-breaking offense. Though, perhaps even more so ignored is the linebacker corps, in large part because there are only two starting 'backers in the Bears' 4-2-5 defensive scheme, led by fifth year defensive coordinator Phil Bennett. Though, the unit was a strength last season and should be solid once more in 2015, even with the loss of Bryce Hager. One of the captains of the defense, Hager was an under-appreciated star in his time in Waco. Hager had 114 total tackles last season, with 12 tackles for loss, and two sacks on top of it. His departure leaves the team scrambling for a solution at middle linebacker. The favorite to take over there is senior Grant Campbell, a sound defensive player who doesn't make much mistakes. He isn't the most athletic or imposing linebacker in the land but neither was Hager, who just simply got the job done when asked. Sophomore Raaquan Davis is a little bit more flashy and exciting but is inexperienced and will need time to adjust to a much larger role. The star of the unit is going to be sophomore Taylor Young. Young was plunged into a starting role last season and was wonderful, as he recorded 92 tackles, four sacks along with two forced fumbles. That was enough to earn him Defensive Freshman of the Year honors inside the conference, and he should be much improved in his second year with the squad. Young is a fabulous athlete who can do it all defensively for the Bears. He has the size and toughness to get after the quarterback, the quickness to the ball of a run defender and he is solid in coverage. Three-star recruit Clay Johnston may get some opportunities early on to show what he can do. Coming from Abilene, Texas the versatile linebacker can contribute anywhere and offers a great mind for the game. He will be joined in the Class of 2015 by Eric Ogor, a relatively unhyped outside linebacker, along with Lenoy Jones Jr., who stays home in Waco. None of the trio are overwhelmingly big time recruits by are pipeline finds for Art Briles who may see action in case of injuries or something else catastrophic.

Secondary: The Big 12 has long been known as a pass-happy, spread offense-orientated league and the top teams usually find ways to have success in pass coverage. Baylor has been decent against the pass the past couple seasons, but is looking to get even better this year, which would certainly help them get over the top and prove themselves as a legit Playoff team. Baylor will have the luxury of having two experienced ball hawks returning at cornerback, including junior Xavien Howard and junior Ryan Reid. Howard proved to be among the best playmakers in the Big 12 a year ago, with four interceptions. He is gifted with good size and toughness that allow him to hang with bigger receivers and still make a play on the ball. Quarterbacks will opt not to throw Howard's way often but he'll still find a way to make plays. Reid is a solid contributor who has shown that he can be a shutdown corner at times, but is still learning the ropes. Junior Orion Stewart's return is a major boost to the defensive backfield. Stewart isn't afraid of anyone or anything and is an example of the type of passion Bennett likes to instill on this defense. He proved to be a playmaker as well throughout the 2015 campaign, with four interceptions himself. He is slated to start in an important deep safety role; since the Big 12 is generally so pass-happy, he will be responsible for a huge part of the field and if he gets beat things are going for six. That is certainly a lot of pressure, but Stewart has proven that not only can he handle it, he excels. Senior Terrell Burt joins Stewart at safety, after putting together a junior campaign in which he had 53 tackles and six pass deflections. Burt is more of a help as a run defender and the Bears will often look up to him to make plays on blitzes and rushes as well. The starting unit rounds out with the nickelback spot, which is perhaps the greatest weakness of the secondary. Sophomore Travon Blanchard is the likely starter and while he possesses plenty of upside, but he had some major ups-and-downs last season. Junior Patrick Levels is slightly more experienced than Blanchard but doesn't possess the closing ability or upside of the young Blanchard. Whoever starts will play a critical role in the Baylor defense and stopping the pass. Depth shouldn't be a major concern with young players ready to step up into bigger roles. Sophomore Chance Waz has plenty of upside at safety and has great versatility, while junior Terrence Singleton has proven he can play very well at cornerback. Art Briles and staff do a great job of picking up young prospects that aren't always very hyped, but fit the system well and will contribute down the line. That holds true this year with prospects like Jordan Tolbert and Henry Black coming into the defensive backfield. Both three-star prospects, they will see action in a few years at cornerback, and learn the ropes from their veterans this season.

Special Teams: Punters don't get much credit, but there shouldn't be much denying how great Spencer Roth was at Baylor. He finished up second all-time in school history with a 43.7 career punt average, and always ensured Baylor had favorable field position. His replacement? It is completely unclear right now. At least kicker should be in good hands, with young but talented Chris Callahan back for a sophomore year.

The time is now for Baylor to prove themselves as a legit Championship contender. They have had back-to-back 11-win years but have often stumbled in big games and were very adamant last year in their belief they deserved a Playoff bid. Breaking in Russell won't be terrible; he has so much to work with and the whole first half of the season is against terrible defensive teams (Lamar, Rice, Kansas, Iowa State to name a few). And, even if Russell doesn't fit smoothly into Petty's place right away there is so much talent on this roster not to win games. There are future NFL studs across the roster and down the depth chart, something I don't think a lot of people ever thought would happen in Waco. Without a necessarily tough schedule, the Bears probably have to win out to make the Playoff. In fact, they will almost certainly have to; beating the pulp out of SMU isn't going to prove anything to anyone. That means the November 27th game will be the de facto Big 12 Championship Game, and likely will decide Baylor's fate. A win there, and the program could take the next step, and vault themselves into the biggest event in school history.

College Football Preview 2015-2016: 6. Alabama Crimson Tide

Derrick Henry

6. Alabama Crimson Tide 

2014-2015 Record: 12-2 (7-1 SEC)
Coach: Nick Saban, ninth year (91-17 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: WR Amari Cooper, S Landon Collins
Heisman Hopeful: RB Derrick Henry
Breakout Player: LB Rueben Foster

It is a testament to how strong the Alabama program is that the 2014-2015 season seemed relatively average by normal standards, even with 12 victories, an SEC Championship and a Playoff appearance. Even with those successes, the Tide easily could have lost to LSU, Arkansas and even West Virginia in the opener and were dominated by Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, in a game that they just seemed unmotivated in. As usual, Nick Saban's program loses some incredible talent up and down their roster, but they still are widely seen as a clear cut Playoff contender. Another quarterback competition will be interesting and will obviously play a huge role for the Tide, but with their crazy talented front seven and blue chip recruits ready to fill in, Alabama is definitely going to be dangerous, and ready to return to a Championship game that has evaded them since the 2012-2013 season.

Backfield: Blake Sims earned the quarterback job last season, beating out a number of candidates. Sims was terrific, using his last season with Alabama to throw for 3,487 yards and 28 touchdowns while completing nearly 65% of his throws. He fit perfectly in to new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin's up-tempo system and his departure leaves an intriguing competition at the most important position in Tuscaloosca. Florida State transfer Jake Coker was expected to come in right away and win the job last season, but saw just 59 passes. He will be seen as the favorite once more this season, but there are a number of challengers. Redshirt freshman David Cornwell is finally healthy and looked great in the spring, while true freshman Blake Barnett is rated as a five-star recruit by both ESPN and 247 Sports along with nearly everywhere else. Coker, a 6'5", 232-pound senior has a strong arm that can make some impressive throws and has deceptive mobility. But, he has struggled to take control of the Tide's offense and there are questions about him as a leader, certainly worrying for such a young team. Cornwell has an impressive arm as well and hopes to put knee problems behind him, while Barnett is a future NFL QB. Nick Saban will keep things under wraps leading up to Alabama's opener against Wisconsin on September 5th, and any of the three could win the quarterback. Though, only because of his experience advantage, Coker is probably the best bet. Whatever happens at quarterback, Alabama will hold true to their more traditional, grind-it-out roots by running the ball often. Junior Derrick Henry is going to have a monster year. Despite sharing time with T.J. Yeldon a year ago, Henry led the Tide in rushing, with 990 yards and 11 touchdowns. Now, Yeldon is off to the NFL, leaving Henry as the feature back, even with the healthy return of Kenyan Drake. Henry showed just how dangerous he can be with a dominant showing in the 2014 Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma, and continues to get better each day. There are few that can match the 6'3", 242 bulldozer who has impressive speed on top of it. Drake is slated to be Henry's backup, after

Kenyan Drake

missing a huge chunk of 2014-2015 with a broken leg suffered in the loss to Ole Miss. Drake ran for 112 yards and four touchdowns before the injury, and has shown more explosiveness than Henry. He is a fabulous change of pace from the bruising running of Henry. Redshirt freshman Bo Scarbrough is likely to make an impact in the backfield, likely at fullback. Scarbrough was a widely hyped recruit a year ago but the athlete just couldn't find a way to get on to the field. Now, he will an important role and should even get some carries and passes out of the backfield.

Receivers: Amari Cooper may go down as one of the greatest Alabama players, let alone receivers, in the history of the program. In 2014, coming off a sophomore year full of injuries, Cooper exploded for insane numbers. He managed 124 receptions, 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns and finished off third in Heisman voting. That type of crazy production was enough for the Oakland Raiders to select him fourth overall, after he ditched his final year of collegiate ball. Though, it wasn't just Cooper who left this offseason; Christion Jones was an explosive presence, while DeAndrew White's 504 yards will also not be easily replaced. With those losses, Saban and Lane Kiffin will be searching for a new No. 1 target. Look no further than sophomore Robert Foster, who has dazzled in the spring and fall sessions so far, and looks primed for a giant campaign. Foster recorded just six catches for 44 yards a year ago, but his size and great leaping ability make for a dangerous red zone presence. He isn't nearly as explosive as Cooper, but he has all the tools to be dominant. Expect big things as well from junior Chris Black along with sophomore Cam Sims. Black had 15 receptions for 188 yards and proved to be a reliable complement to the other talent that Alabama possessed. Sims is another sophomore breakout possibility, along with so many others thrown into increased roles. Sims is a blazing quick playmaker, who could take over as the Tide's top deep threat. With an offense that will run between the tackles early and often, having a speedster like Sims to make plays down the field is critical. Sophomore ArDarius Stewart is another explosive weapon who should see a major increase in targets, and newcomer Calvin Ridley has high expectations. Ridley is a sure-handed weapon who is rated as the top receiver in the Class of 2015 by 247 Sports. Despite not being the biggest receiver, Ridley is an established route runner who finds ways to change the game. Fellow true freshman like Daylon Charlot, a four-star from Louisiana, along with tight end Hale Hentges will hope to impress enough to see action in their first seasons with the Tide. Even with that talent at receiver (though unproven talent) the top pass catcher on the entire roster may be none other than junior tight end O.J. Howard. Howard had high expectations entering his sophomore season but slumped early. Though, he found his stride and managed a productive year, with 17 receptions for 260 yards. He is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses; at 6'6", 242 yards his size is imposing, but he is quick and can make plays down the field. He is already among the conference's top tight ends and should get even better in 2015. Joining him at the position will be senior TY Flournoy-Smith, who fills in for the graduated Brian Vogler. Vogler was never a receiving threat, but he was a tremendous blocker, a role that Flournoy-Smith will now have to fill.

Offensive Line: Alabama has become one of the top programs in college football because of many things but perhaps most important has been their amazing offensive lines, which are always filled to the brim with future NFL studs. That should not change one bit in 2015, as the unit should be very strong, and has a number of linemen that have pro scouts very excited. Left tackle Cam Robinson is already among the best offensive linemen in all of college football, despite entering just his true sophomore season. Thrown into the toughest conference in college football as a true freshman, Robinson performed very well and he should get only better in his second season with the Crimson Tide. Robinson has the size and athleticism that makes pro scouts very impressed, and he would be a pretty high draft pick if he came out right now (though he still has at least two more years left in Alabama, per NCAA-NFL rules). Senior center Ryan Kelly is an important returnee as well. He might not have the potential of Robinson or some of the other pieces on the offensive line, but he is an anchor to the unit who has plenty of experience in the physical play of the SEC. Having a center like him will help whoever the new quarterback is, and he should keep some of the SEC's top interior pass rushers at bay. The rest of the unit isn't as experienced, but there is some impressive talent there, beginning with senior right tackle Dominick Jackson, who should be in store for a very big season. Jackson has great size and decent mobility, and he knows the system, considering how long he has been involved with it. Joining Jackson on the right side of the line should be redshirt freshman Ross Pierschbacher, who apparently was a great practice guy in his redshirt. Certainly making the move to the big time play of the SEC will be an adjustment, but all the talent is there for the young guard. He will be challenged by sophomore Bradley Bozeman, a productive, powerful option, who also can play center. Rounding out the unit as a whole, should be left guard Alphonse Taylor, a junior with plenty of upside. Taylor has continued to work on his mobility, but the 330-pound guard certainly won't be easy to get past either way. Junior Brandon Greene should look for snaps at either tackle positions, or even in some trick plays. The veteran had a funny moment a year ago, bringing in a crazy, 24-yard reception that went for six and helped fuel Alabama to a thrilling victory against LSU. Expect a couple newcomers to see action on the offensive line, especially a couple interior linemen. Brandon Kennedy is a pipeline pickup who has the potential to be a dominant run blocker, while four-star guard Lester Cotton is already 330 pounds and should bulk up even more in his first year with the Tide.

Defensive Line: The Crimson Tide may have the nation's top front seven, and it all begins with their gigantic defensive line. Junior A'Shawn Robinson is widely seen as one of the country's top defensive linemen, and he should get only better with another year of SEC football under his belt. The 6'4", 315-pound nose tackle not only has the size to be dominant at that position; but he has the athleticism, versatility and quickness to play across the defensive line. Robinson had 49 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss a season ago, and should compete for not just All-SEC honors but also All-American honors as well. He is supported on the line by junior Jonathan Allen, who is the top returning sacks leader, after posting 5.5 a year ago. Allen isn't the explosive or most powerful, but he is a grind-it-out type player with a high motor. He also had 11.5 tackles for loss and proved to be a very good run defender in 2014-2015. On the opposite defensive end spot, expect big things from senior Jarran Reed. Reed proved to also be a terrific and productive end throughout last season, recording 55 tackles with 6.5 of them going for a loss. He isn't quite the pass rusher that Allen is but he is a great athlete who covers a vast range for his position. With offensive lines focusing so much on Robinson, Reed and Allen should get plenty of opportunities, and expect defensive coordinator Kirby Smart do dial up some impressive blitz schemes to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Senior D.J. Pettway is going to put together a big year, even though he is most likely a backup end at this moment. Arriving in Alabama for his first year removed from junior college, Pettway proved to be solid, with 23 tackles and two sacks as a reserve. He did that still learning the ropes of big time, FBS football and he should get even better in his second year in Tuscloosca. Pettway has an explosive first step and can often overpower linemen. Even with all that talent, the most likely breakout star of the unit has to be sophomore Da'Shawn Hand. Hand was widely seen as a five-star prospect a season ago, and showed flashes of stardom, with two sacks despite being very low on the depth chart. Hand has the frame and speed to the ball to be very good, and is yet another popular name in NFL Draft circles despite being so young. He should take huge steps this season, and could rack up sacks, even if he isn't starting. Not surprisingly, there are a number of true freshman with loads of talent coming into the group, and it will be interesting to see if any of them get any action. Among them is going to be four-star defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne, a bulldozing linemen from Birmingham who weighs in at nearly 350 pounds. Defensive end Christian Bell also arrives from the city of Birmingham, and could possibly bring depth, if he doesn't receive a redshirt. Another newcomer who could be primed for playing time has to be JUCO find Jonathan Taylor. Rated as a four-star pickup, Taylor was a man among boys at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He could prove to be a very solid tackle for Saban and Smart.

Linebackers: High quality linebackers have long been a staple of the Nick Saban era with the Tide, and that shouldn't change one bit in 2015. Such talents as Rolando McClain, C.J. Mosley and Trey DePriest, this past year, have played a key role in the 'Bama defense. DePriest is now gone, leaving the role of the leader of the defense most likely to senior Reggie Ragland. Ragland was second on the top in stops a season ago, managing 95 while also having 10.5 tackles for loss. Ragland has incredible instincts and has the athleticism and smarts to get to a spot and make the play; he doesn't make much mistakes. The veteran should put up big numbers in what will be his final year with the Tide. Junior Rueben Foster is primed for a big year, and should join Ragland in the inside. Foster is yet another high profile recruit who will finally get his time to shine. Foster has shown plenty of hit power and playmaking potential in his first few years with 'Bama, but all as a backup. He should explode for big numbers with the opportunities now. Senior Dillon Lee also returns to the linebacker corps in the middle. Lee is a terrific run defender who was productive a year ago, with 24 tackles. The Tide will hope to see big things from their outside linebackers, particularly senior Denzel Devall. Devall hasn't seen much opportunities in his time with Alabama, but has looked good in spring and in fall camp, and he could turn into a strong pass rusher. He is a sturdy, but yet quick linebacker with impressive range. Sophomore Rashaan Evans could push him, or even start a the other outside linebacker spot. A player who seemed destined for archrival Auburn but instead decided to head to Alabama, Evans has loads of potential. He is an incredible athlete with good size who offers the versatility to help in run support or coverage. He is still very young and raw, but by midseason, he could be a star. Junior Ryan Anderson is the more likely candidate to start at the other outside linebacker spot; a well-rounded linebacker with a high football IQ. Anderson also showed that he could be a pretty good pass rusher, with eight tackles for loss and three sacks last season. In terms of recruiting, a young crop of linebackers will fight for playing time in a veteran laden unit. Adonis Thomas is a four-star find from Georgia with all the intangibles of a productive linebacker in the SEC, while fellow Georgia prospect Mekhi Brown brings plenty of potential down the line himself.

Secondary: With the talent in the front seven, teams will not have a very easy going trying to run the ball against the Crimson Tide. Though, with the experience and talent that also returns in this secondary, it isn't like teams will have a field day passing the football either.  The Tide are stacked at the cornerback spot, with the returns of junior Eddie Jackson and Cyrus Jones, two of the better in the conference. Neither will jump out at you too much on the stat sheet, but both are disciplined veterans who are great in man coverage. Jones recorded 46 tackles, three interceptions and 13 pass deflections a season ago, and is a fearless defensive back. Despite not being very big, Jones is never afraid to take on some of the big play targets that roam the Southeast, and he usually has success against them. Jackson is a talented corner who showed signs of becoming an absolute stud in what was really his first season with increased snaps. Jackson is a well-built cornerback who uses his physicality and toughness to shut down opposing receivers. Jackson put together a very good all-around 2014 campaign, with 41 tackles, one pick, six pass deflections and two forced fumbles. Smart will continue to ask him to not only obviously play a key role in coverage, but continue to be aggressive and he could be used in different blitzes. Behind those two veterans, sophomore Tony Brown and redshirt freshman Marlon Humphrey are the assumed backups. Both are big name recruits who are still finding their way in college football. Brown had just 10 tackles a season ago, but has looked wonderful in practice and should continue to work his way on to the field. The gem of this year's recruiting cycle, Kendal Sheffield, also could see some limited action at corner. The five-star prospect arrives from Missouri City, Texas with tons of hype. The free safety position should be a strength, with senior Geno Smith. Smith should be happy to get back to the football field after a tumultuous offseason. Smith was arrested for his second DUI charge in March and there was a widespread belief that he might be dismissed from the team. Though, Smith returns and while his off-the-field life has been a question mark, there is no denying what he can bring while on the field. The sturdy veteran had 56 tackles in 2014-2015, with 3.5 going for a loss. Smith is a tough and gritty football player and he should once more put up good numbers. Landon Collins is gone at strong safety, leaving a huge hole. Collins was among the best defensive backs in the nation, with 103 tackles and three interceptions to show for it. He is now off to the NFL, meaning that sophomore Hootie Jones is the favorite to assume his role. Jones is an incredibly quick safety and certainly doesn't lack in size either. Though, it will still be incredibly tough to replicate Collins' ball hawking abilities and his proven production.

Special Teams: For all the talent that Nick Saban has assembled in his time in Alabama, there has been one glaring weakness: kicker. Junior Adam Griffith had a rocky 2014-2015, but is still the assumed starter, after going 12 for 19 on field goals. The good news is that sophomore J.K. Scott is as good as they come and a number of playmakers are back in the return game.

Few teams in college football can match the talent that resides up and down the Alabama roster. That is why, despite the losses of Cooper, Yeldon, Sims, Collins and more, this Tide team is still expected to make a Playoff run. Though, the quarterback situation is a major mystery and one-dimensional teams become very exposed in big games. And, 'Bama has quite a lot of big games, beginning with that Wisconsin matchup in early September in Dallas. Statistically speaking, their SOS is the nation's toughest and they get no off weeks in a brutal October that includes trips to dangerous Texas A&M and Georgia between the hedges. But, who am I to count against Nick Saban and the mighty Crimson Tide? A 58-9 mark, two national and conference championship titles in the past five years say something and this team should be hungrier following a disappointing (by Alabama standards) 2014-2015. After owning the end of the BCS era, Alabama still has to prove that they are the team to beat in the new Playoff era, and they certainly could this season.