College Football Preview 2018: 16. Florida State Seminoles

16. Florida State Seminoles

They were a much better team last year than their 7-6 record may indicate, and new head coach Willie Taggart has this team having fun again

Cam Akers

Offense: Florida State's 2017  took a major turn for the worse on the season's first week, as they lost starting QB Deondre Francois for the entire season due to a torn patella. Backup James Blackman did an admirable job in his absence considering how bad the O-Line was and how unforgiving the ACC is, but the 'Noles still managed just 351.9 yards per game. That was 13th in the conference, and 100th nationally, giving new offensive coordinator Walt Bell plenty to work on entering 2018.

Francois is set to return fully healthy, although there are some around the FSU program that believe Blackman can push him for the starting job. Blackman did gain valuable experience filling in last season, but I still have to believe Francois is the guy, considering he had over 3,300 yards in his redshirt freshman season in 2016. If he can stay healthy, this is a signal-caller that has proven he can move the ball and win games for this team, something they definitely lacked at times a year ago.

New head coach Willie Taggart has proven during his time at places such as Oregon and South Florida that he loves to run the ball. That should fit this personnel perfectly, as the Seminoles have a budding star at running back in sophomore Cam Akers. Akers entered last year with plenty of fanfare and didn't disappoint, rushing for 1,024 yards despite being underutilized under Jimbo Fisher. With Taggart leaning on the run and FSU still figuring things out at quarterback, it isn't unreasonable to believe Akers will have a huge season and likely find himself, at the very least, in the Heisman discussion. Senior Jacques Patrick is also returning as a quality veteran who quietly had 748 yards and seven touchdowns last year.

It will be interesting to see if a true, clear-cut No. 1 target can emerge this season in Tallahassee. Senior Nyqwan Murray had 40 catches for 604 yards a year ago, but has the potential to be so much more. He wasn't 100 percent during the spring, but if he can get healthy, there is no reason the explosive wide out can't step up and be the go-to guy. Junior Keith Gavin is also back after recording 27 receptions last season. However, beyond those two, the Seminoles lack much proven playmakers at the position. Sophomore D.J. Matthews has shown flashes, and could be a breakout star in 2018, while a number of newcomers could also step into big roles, including Warren Thompson and Tre'Shaun Harrison. Tight end is also looking to break in a number of unproven commodities with rock-solid Ryan Izzo graduated. Sophomore Tre' McKitty is the favorite to start, but had just one lone catch in '17.

While QB and wide receiver will have to smooth some things out, the real X-factor for this offense is the O-Line. Francois and Blackman have taken an absolute beating the last two seasons, with 68 sacks allowed during that span, one of the highest totals in FBS football. This group isn't devoid of talent; it just needs to communicate better and figure out to establish some consistency. Senior center Alec Eberle will be counted on to be the leader of the group. Fellow returning starters Derrick Kelly and Josh Ball do bring some valuable experience, making FSU fans hopeful this group could take a big step forward.

There are certainly some questions that need to be answered, but this Seminoles' offense should be able to take a step forward. A healthy Francois and a better-used Akers is legitimately scary for opponents, and if the offensive line can finally figure some things out, this could end up being one of the better offenses in the conference.

Defense: Florida State's defense played pretty well last season and plenty returns for new defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett. Barnett has enjoyed plenty of success the last few years as Michigan State co-DC, and is known for aggressive, tenacious defenses.

Barnett will have to oversee some rebuilding throughout this defense, but the good news for him is that the defensive line remains mainly intact. Junior end Brian Burns has already established himself as one of the better pass rushers in the ACC, and many believe he is just scratching the surface of what he can be. Up the middle, senior Demarcus Christmas is returning for his third season as starter, and sophomore Marvin Wilson is ready to showcase his talent, as the former five-star recruit should be able to cause chaos from the get-go. This line will have to play a big role, because the units behind them will need significant time to adjust, particularly the linebacker corps.

Matthew Thomas (85 tackles, 10 TFL) is the most notable name gone from the linebacker group, but is far from the only one. No returning starters are in place at the moment, although there is certainly potential there. Juniors Dontavious Jackson and Adonis Thomas will be the "veterans" of the unit, although neither has seen a very large role in their time at FSU just yet. Another name to watch is another junior, Josh Brown. Brown has played primarily just on special teams with the 'Noles, but the coaching staff is excited about his upside as an edge rusher.

Underclassmen Derwin James and Tavarus McFadden both decided to leave a year early for the NFL, but this secondary could actually still be pretty good. Junior Levonta Taylor appears to be the next in a long line of impactful Florida State defensive backs. Taylor can play either safety or corner (he'll likely play mostly corner in '18) and has already made a name for himself with his jarring hits and nose for the football. He is almost certainly an All-ACC caliber player entering this season. Sophomore Stanford Samuels was the gem of last year's recruiting class, and looked ready to start in the spring, while Hamsah Nasirildeen is going to see more action after managing 28 tackles and three pass deflections a year ago. This also is likely the Seminoles deepest position group on defense, with guys like senior A.J. Westbrook and newcomer Asante Samuel, the son of the former All-Pro NFL defensive back, featuring in reserve roles.

Much like the offense, this defense will have to find some new contributors quickly at some spots, but there is no denying the talent that exists throughout this side of the ball. This D-Line really has the chance to be special, and Barnett's aggressive style could result in even better numbers for this unit as a whole.

Special Teams: Junior kicker Ricky Aguayo has done a fine job replacing his older brother, Roberto, a former All-American and Lou Groza Award winner. He hit on 18 of 21 field goals last season, and could be even better in his third year as starter. Punter Logan Tyler is also back for his third season as the lead guy.

It has been a shaky year for Florida State football, enduring a rough 7-6 campaign in which they rescheduled a game against Louisiana-Monroe to ensure bowl eligibility, and then watching head coach Jimbo Fisher leave for Texas A&M. However, Willie Taggart has come in and given this program a nice breath of fresh air. Contrary to Fisher, Taggart has embraced a much more relaxed, fun-loving style in his short time in Tallahassee, and the team really seems to be buying in. This roster does have some concerns it will need to figure out, particularly the O-Line and linebacker situation, but the talent up and down this lineup is impressive and the schedule relatively favorable. The Seminoles may not yet be at the level to overtake Clemson in the ACC Atlantic, but they should settle in just fine as a 9-10 game winner that should be able to get into a meaningful bowl.

Team Projections
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-2 ACC)
Offensive MVP: RB Cam Akers
Defensive MVP: CB Levonta Taylor
Breakout Player of the Year: CB Stanford Samuels

College Football Preview 2018: 17. Boise State Broncos

17. Boise State Broncos

A veteran QB and deep defense should make for a very special season in Boise 

Brett Rypien

Offense: Senior quarterback Brett Rypien flirted with the idea of the NFL before deciding it was in his best interest to finish up his career with the Broncos. Rypien took over as starting QB halfway through his true freshman season and has put together an illustrious career in Boise. With 9,876 career passing yards, he is the active leader in career yards in FBS football, and knows how to win at this level. It may be a slight stretch to consider Rypien a Heisman candidate, but the veteran is a proven winner and has All-MWC talent without a doubt.

Rypien will be supported by a quality running back in junior Alexander Mattison, who did a superb job replacing the departed Jeremy McNichols in 2017. Mattison quietly ran for 1,086 yards and 12 scores, proving to be quite the big play threat whenever he touched the ball. Sophomore Robert Mahone will be used as the change of pace option after Ryan Wolpin graduated. Mahone doesn't have Mattison's speed or explosiveness, but has proven he can move the chains.

The only major concern for an offense that has a ton returning from a unit that averaged 32.5 PPG last season is the receiver corps. Rypien will sorely miss top wide out Cedrick Wilson, who had a school-record 1,511 receiving yards in '17, as well as tight end Jake Roh (nine touchdown receptions). Head coach Bryan Harsin and OC Zak Hill are extremely hopeful a pair of seniors, A.J. Richardson and Sean Modster, can step up and fill the void. Both have proven they can produce, as Richardson had 33 catches for 494 yards, and Modster 32 for 335. However, going from a supporting character to the main guy is obviously a tough transition, and the the aerial attack will have to smooth some things out as the season pushes on. Big expectations are also being reserved for sophomore Octavius Evans, who had a great spring, and newcomer Khalil Shakir, considered the gem of this year's recruiting class.

Boise State has had nine straight seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher and while that can be attributed to a good collection of backs over this time period, a lot of credit has to be given to the O-Line as well. This particular unit might not end up being the best in Broncos' history or anything like that, but three starters return, giving a healthy dose of experience. Sophomore left tackle Ezra Cleveland started all 14 games last year, and is the most likely to compete for any awards or honors. 

Amazingly, Boise's 32.5 PPG was the lowest the program has had since 2012, even though it was second best in the Mountain West and 36th in the entire country. The good news is that this group has the talent to really improve, despite the relative questions on the outside. The return of Rypien and Mattison give Harsin and the Broncos two proven contributors and one of the most underrated backfields nationally. Expect plenty of fireworks from this particular unit, which it will need in the wide-open Mountain West.

Defense: While the offense was very good in 2017, the main reason for Boise's 11-3 campaign was actually the defense, which was downright dominant at times. There is reason to be excited about the D once again this year, with the only big name gone being linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, a first-round NFL Draft selection. 

The defensive line is devoid of any huge names, but has nearly everybody back and is very deep. Seniors Durant Miles and David Moa are proven veterans, and overall, the three likely starters on this line have 56 career starts. "Stud" defensive end Curtis Weaver was used as a specialist in his freshman year, and exploded onto the scene, leading the team with 11 sacks. It will be interesting to see whether a full-time starting role improves those numbers or actually ends up making him less effective because blockers will to see him more and learn his tricks. Either way, Weaver should find a way to make an impact as a standup end/linebacker hybrid.

Vander Esch's absence will definitely be felt heavily in the middle at linebacker, as he played a crucial role in the nation's 17th rated rush defense and had 141 tackles. It will take some time for Boise to find a clear replacement for the star linebacker, but junior Tyson Maeva should ensure there isn't too much slippage in the linebacker corps, as he had 84 tackles a season ago. Versatile redshirt freshman Ezekiel Noa made some noise in the spring, and could be a breakout candidate.

While the front seven should still be very good, the real strength of this defense will be the secondary. All four starters are returning, and sophomore nickelback Kekaula Kaniho proved to be quite the playmaker as a reserve last year, with a pick-six and fumble recovery for a score. The cornerback spot is manned by All-MWC Tyler Horton (3 INT's in '17) and physical sophomore Avery Williams. Safety is also incredibly strong and deep, as junior Kekoa Nawahine is the team's top returning tackler (108) and DeAndre Pierce is as rangy as they come. Boise allowed just over 212 yards passing per game last season, which wasn't great nor terrible. I firmly expect this experienced group to greatly improve those numbers, and possibly have one of the premier defensive backfields in the nation.

Boise has never really been known as a school that prides itself on defense, but this defense is stocked to the brim with returning talent and veteran contributors. Unless the injury bug hits hard, it is hard to imagine this group not being a Top 15 unit nationally.

Special Teams: Senior Haden Hoggarth is just another returning Bronco with experience, as the placekicker hit 18 for 23 on field goals in 2017 and was flawless on extra points. Two proven punters are also back in town, as Quinn Skillin and Joel Velasquez split time a season ago and both played admirably. Cedrick Wilson is a loss in the return game, but there are weapons surely ready to step up.

For a long time, Boise State has had a serious advantage in talent over most Group of Five schools, but now they have an even stronger leg-up: experience. They have a four-year starter returning at the sport's most important position, a proven feature back and a defense that has experience nearly everywhere. With that in mind, it is hard not to like the Broncos as the overwhelming favorite in the Mountain West, especially considering they went 7-1 against the conference a season ago and won the conference title. The bigger question is whether this team can compete for a New Year's Six Bowl as the Group of Five representative. With all that experience returning and UCF surely going to take a step back, I like Boise making their first NY6 bowl since 2014, when they beat Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl. If they do get there, we all know the magic the Broncos have been able to come up with on the sport's biggest stages.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 11-2 (7-1 MWC, MWC Title)

Offensive MVP: QB Brett Rypien

Defensive MVP: CB Tyler Horton

Breakout Player of the Year: WR A.J. Richardson

College Football Preview 2018: 18. Virginia Tech Hokies

18. Virginia Tech Hokies

Third-year head coach Justin Fuente continues to build something special at VT, and is equipped with a team once again ready to challenge for the Coastal crown

Josh Jackson, Virginia Tech

Offense: Redshirt sophomore Josh Jackson was a pleasant surprise for Virginia Tech in 2017, as the first-year starter managed 2,991 yards and 20 touchdowns, playing with a maturity and poise well beyond his years. The hope in Year Two is that he can improve his consistency and play well the entire season after fading down the stretch a year ago. If he does, Jackson certainly can cement himself as one of the premier signal-callers in the ACC.

The Hokies are desperate that their ground attack will take some steps forward after a mediocre '17. Senior Steven Peoples will likely become the feature back after missing half of last season with an ankle injury. Peoples is not a burner, but is a hard-nosed runner that finds ways to grind out yardage. Last year's leading rusher, junior Deshawn McClease, is also returning after posting 530 yards. McClease is a nice change of pace option, and an underrated receiver out of the backfield. The pair still might not strike fear into opponents on the surface, but should be able to take some steps forward this year. 

Virginia Tech had to say goodbye to the school's all-time leading pass-catcher in speedster Cam Phillips, leaving Jackson without a clear No. 1 target on the outside. Sophomore Sean Savoy is the top candidate to take over Phillips' spot and the youngster offers a ton of upside after catching 39 passes for 454 yards in 2017. Senior C.J. Carroll could also have a breakout campaign, but VT's staff is most excited about Ball State transfer Damon Hazelton. Hazelton had over 500 receiving yards in his freshman season (2016), and while it will be an adjustment going from the MAC to the ACC, he is the type of explosive, dangerous downfield threat the Hokies' offense has often lacked. Sophomore Dalton Keene is a steady returnee at the tight end spot.

Up front, Virginia Tech returns three starters to an O-Line that was good, not great, a year ago. Three seniors, center Kyle Chung, guard Braxton Pfaff and tackle Yosuah Nijman, could all vie for All-ACC honors. The left tackle spot, however, is a major concern. No proven veteran is returning, and untested Silas Dzansi came out of the spring as the frontrunner.

Virginia Tech didn't have the most explosive offense in the conference last season but they did prove they could move the ball, and they have enough back this year to improve. Jackson has significant potential, the ground game should improve and there are a multitude of weapons on the perimeter. If OC Brad Cornelson can think of an effective gameplan, this should be a pretty strong group. 

Defense: Virginia Tech had the nation's fourth best scoring defense a season ago, putting out a group that was incredibly disciplined and well-built. However, this unit was hit hard by departures this off-season, leaving longtime DC Bud Foster with somewhat of a rebuilding job.

Foster will be blessed with an experienced defensive line headlined by senior defensive tackle Ricky Walker. Walker is incredibly quick and athletic for an interior linemen, and he should be able to build on last year's 12.5 tackles for loss. Junior end Trevon Hill is another important returning piece, as he managed 5.5 sacks last season. Add in another veteran in senior tackle Vinny Mihota and this is a crew that knows how to succeed in the rugged ACC.

The linebacker corps will have to be retooled as studs Tremaine Edmunds and Andrew Motuapuaka depart. Edmunds was a first-round NFL Draft selection after leading the team in tackles with 108 in 2017. Meanwhile, while not quite as talented, Motuapuaka played an important role as a smart, level-headed coverage linebacker. Unproven sophomores Dylan Rivers and Devon Hunter could be forced into starting roles, although Hunter is more natural as a defensive back (he may see time at safety). Senior outside linebacker Mook Reynolds is the only returning 'backer with much experience, and had 70 tackles last year. Expect to also see some of Dax Hollified, one of head coach Justin Fuente's top prizes of this recruiting class. Hollifield is a four-star addition from North Carolina who has the athleticism to play right away.

The Hokies will also be searching for answers in their secondary, where they lost their top three cornerbacks and Tremaine's brother, the safety Terrell. Junior strong safety Reggie Floyd is now expected to be the leader of the unit, and does offer a proven run stopper. However, the cornerback situation is highly concerning. Sophomore Bryce Watts is likely to start, and JUCO tranfer Jeremy Webb could join him. There is little to no depth behind them, meaning Foster could have to mix and match on the back-end. Free safety Divine Deablo has one of the coolest names in the sport, and will be now be counted one more than ever as he works his way from a broken foot suffered early in '17.

Special Teams: Legendary Hokie head man Frank Beamer always prided himself on his special teams, and Fuente has kept things pretty similar during his stint in Blacksburg. Unfortunately, he will sorely miss deadeye kicker Joey Slye, leaving him to oversee a competition at the spot. Punter should be in good hands with sophomore Oscar Bradburn back.

Justin Fuente has done a very good job in his first two seasons at Virginia Tech since jumping on from Memphis, and this squad has the potential to be his best. The major concern is on the back-end defensively, but Bud Foster is one of the best coordinators in the entire country, and the Hokies recruit better than people give them credit for. On the other side of the ball, the offense could be awfully explosive, especially if Josh Jackson continues to take the next steps as a quarterback. There are some issues, but I like the makeup of this particular VT team. A favorable non-conference slate is another reason to believe this team is a ACC Title threat. Yet, they still appear a year or two away from seriously challenging surging Miami for Coastal Division supremacy.


Team Projections
Team Record: 9-3 (5-3 ACC)
Offensive MVP: QB Josh Jackson
Defensive MVP: DT Ricky Walker
Breakout Player of the Year: WR Damon Hazelton

College Football Preview 2018: 19. USC Trojans

19. USC Trojans

There will be an adjustment period for the young offense, but the defense figures to keep them as the favorite in the Pac-12 South

Cameron Smith

Offense: Head coach Clay Helton and offensive coordinator Tee Martin have had a busy off-seasonsearching for replacements at QB, back and wide out. For the first time since the 1980's, USC loses their leading passer, leading rusher and leading receiver in one single sweep. Steady QB Sam Darnold's absence will be felt the most, and leaves the Trojans with their biggest question mark entering 2018.

Sophomore Matt Fink is the only quarterback that has thrown a pass on the FBS level currently on USC's roster, as he has appeared in mop-up time. Despite this, many around the program feel true freshman and early enrollee J.T. Daniels will take over the starting job. Daniels comes in from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, a factory for producing top-end football talent. He is widely viewed as a five-star prospect and won Gatorade Player of the Year. If he can't lock it down, perhaps redshirt frosh Jack Sears has a chance after spending last season learning Martin's system.

Whoever wins the QB job will have to deal with the absence of Deontay Burnett on the outside, but the Trojans still have a good assortment of weapons. Sophomore Tyler Vaughns had 57 catches for 809 yards last year, and is as reliable and sure-handed as they come. Junior Michael Pittman Jr. was beat up for a big chunk of 2017, but also offers significant upside. Add in the addition of five-star newcomer Amon-Ra St. Brown, and this group could end up being very, very good. 

The ground game will also be in transition mode after Ronald Jones II left for the NFL a year early. Sophomore Stephen Carr will likely see the bulk of the action after managing 363 yards last season, but senior Aca'Cedrick Ware and Vavae Malepeai are also going to be featured. None are really All-Conference talents just yet, but it is still a capable committee that will take some pressure off the passing attack.

Darnold had to deal with a very inexperienced O-Line in his final season in LA, but luckily for the young quarterbacks, four starters are back. Senior center Toa Lobendahn is an All-Pac-12 player that brings valuable experience and leadership to the table, while fellow veteran Chuma Edoga is a stalwart at right tackle. Those two alone should have a chip on their shoulder after allowing an incredibly high 30 sacks in '17.

Expect some growing pains with this offense as it matures, and the transition will not be easy. Daniels will head on the road to Stanford and Texas in two of his first three starts. There will be a ton of pressure on the young freshman, but a strong supporting cast should ensure USC is still fairly strong on the offensive side of the ball.

Defense: For a long time in Southern California, offense has often overshadowed defense, but don't expect that to be the case once more in 2018. With the offense retooling, the Trojans' defense could end up being their strength, with seven starters returning to a solid group a season ago.

Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast will have to rebuild a D-Line that loses sack leader Rasheem Green (ten sacks), but the cupboard is far from bare. Junior end Christian Rector had 7.5 sacks last season, and looked even better this spring. He should have no issues sliding into a every-down starter after being a rotational piece in '17. Sophomore Brandon Pili is expected to lock down a starting role at nose tackle, and is a breakout candidate.

The real strength of the front seven should in the linebacker corps, where Helton and Pendergast got quite a treat when outside linebacker Porter Gustin and middle 'backer Cameron Smith both decided to come back for their senior seasons. Gustin began his career at defensive end and has proven to be an elite edge rusher, but is still recovering from a toe injury that cut last season short. Gustin looked 100 percent in the spring and could end up being an All-Conference defender. Meanwhile, Smith has been a huge contributor for USC since his true freshman campaign, and led the team in tackles last year with 112. His incredible instincts and overall feel for the game will be on full display in his final year on campus. Juniors John Houston and Jordan Iosefa are also returning, giving USC a ton of experience and playmaking in the heart of the defense.

The Trojans are hoping to take a step forward in pass defense, where they ranked 82nd in the country in 2017. Pendergast has nearly every important piece back, namely senior cornerback Iman Marshall. Marshall is a former high-profile recruit who has been rock-solid during his time at USC, but is still working on establishing consistency. Pairing him with junior Jack Jones at corner should ensure the Trojans will take some steps forward on the back-end. Seniors Ajene Harris and Marvell Tell are two other important returnees. Harris is likely to start at nickelback, while Tell is likely to lock down the starting gig at free safety. Tell is vastly underrated; the veteran had 85 tackles and three interceptions last year and is very dangerous in blitz packages. The Trojans are also hopeful one of their young newcomers could step up in the secondary, possibly corner Olaijah Griffin, who comes from Long Beach.

USC's defense was mediocre really across the board in 2017, but outside of Green and outside linebacker Uchwnna Nwosu, every big name returns, and the depth throughout the unit improves. Getting Gustin healthy, one of the conference's premier pass rushers, will also likely help the group take a major step forward. It could be one of the best defenses 'SC has had in a long, long time.

Special Teams: USC has two former walk-ons starting at plackicker and punter, but Chase McGrath (kicker) and Reid Budrovich (punter) proved to be very good in '17. McGrath was 12-17 last season, but has the potential to take a major leap this season. The return game will be searching for new candidates to step up, with plenty of names vying for opportunities.

Some people (including me, who had USC playing for a National Championship) expected more from the Trojans last year but it wasn't like they were a massive disappointment, as they ended up winning the Pac-12 and going 11-3. This year's edition has the chance to be better, but the youth offensively is going to be pretty apparent. 'SC doesn't need Daniels to come in and be a superstar but if he can play smart and limit turnovers, the defense should be good enough to keep the Trojans humming. The schedule is tough early, but the last two months really cools down, with the toughest matchups being Utah on the road and Notre Dame at home. Considering that, along with the fact the Pac-12 South is down this year, USC appears to be the prohibitive favorite in the division. However, they still seem to be a few years away from really fulfilling their vast potential on both sides of the ball.

Team Projections

Record: 9-3 (7-2 Pac-12)

Offensive MVP: WR Tyler Vaughns

Defensive MVP: LB Cameron Smith

Breakout Player of the Year: RB Stephen Carr

College Football Preview 2018: 20. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

20. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

If the offense can find some balance, Irish have good chance of first back-to-back double-digit win seasons since '92-'93

Alize Mack

Offense: Notre Dame's offense was predicated around the ground attack in 2017, as the group had the nation's seventh best rush offense. Running back Josh Adams ran for 1,430 yards, QB Brandon Wimbush added 803, and the offensive line featured two first-round NFL Draft selections in Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey. Everybody but Wimbush left this off-season, leaving the Irish searching for some answers.

Wimbush played very well over the first half of '17 and finished the season with 30 total touchdowns, but he is facing significant pressure to hold down the starting quarterback spot from sophomore Ian Book. Book ended up with two crucial late touchdown passes in ND's Citrus Bowl victory over LSU and looked superb, but he is less experienced, and Wimbush seemed to outperform him in the spring. If Wimbush can find some better accuracy (completed less than 50 percent of his passes last season), he should be able to hold off Book and newcomer Phil Jurkovec, a highly touted signal-caller from Pittsburgh.

Replacing Adams at back will be difficult, but senior Dexter Williams seems up to the task. Williams has always had serious upside, but injuries have taken their toll over the course of his time in South Bend. Now fully healthy, he could be a real breakout star for this offense. 

Notre Dame will also have to find a new No. 1 target after the departure of Equanimeous St. Brown. St. Brown had 515 receiving yards a season ago, proving to be one of the few options in the aerial attack that could really take the top off the defense with his speed. Head coach Brian Kelly and OC Chip Long are hopeful juniors Chase Claypool and Miles Boykin can step up in a big way. Claypool finished second on the team with 402 receiving yards last year and remains a dangerous weapon when he gets in the open field, while Boykin flashed serious potential towards the end of 2017 and is a red zone threat. ND always seems to get production from the tight end spot, and don't expect that to change this season, with junior Alize Mack back and ready to improve on last year's 19 receptions.

The O-Line does lose two huge stars in McGlinchey and Nelson, but every other significant piece returns. Senior center Sam Mustipher is likely to be the anchor of the group, and Alex Bars and Tommy Kraemer should keep the Irish strong at the guard positions. 

Despite having a pass offense that was 103rd in the nation, ND averaged over 34 PPG in 2017, a testament to how fantastic their ground game was, and how well they were able to executive in the red zone (76 percent TD rate). There remains a strong chance the offense takes a slight step back without Adams and some other key contributors, but I don't envision a drastic fall. In fact, if Wimbush or Book can really seize control at QB, it could actually be more balanced, with Claypool and Boykin ready to break out on the perimeter.

Defense: In 2017, new coordinator Mike Elko orchestrated a master turnaround of the Irish defense, a group that played with significantly more physicality and confidence. The defense ended up ranking 31st in the country in scoring defense (21.5 PPG), leading to Elko earning a massive raise to take over the same gig at Texas A&M. That left Kelly to promote linebackers coach Clark Lea to DC duties. Lea has done a superb job developing the LB position in South Bend over his time there, and the unit has plenty of experience back.

Up front, Lea will run a 4-3, and the line should be especially stout in the interior, where seniors Jerry Tillery and Jonathan Bonner both return. Tillery is one of the most physically imposing linemen in the entire country; he stands 6'7", 305 pounds but is incredibly quick with a powerful first step. After managing nine tackles for loss in 2017, he should be an even greater force this season. Junior end Khalid Kareem flashed serious potential last season under Elko, and it will be interesting to see whether he can continue that growth under a slightly different scheme.

Lea's speciality is, of course, linebackers and he returns two real senior stars in Te'von Coney and Drue Tranquil. Coney led all ND defenders with 116 tackles a year ago and remains one of the rangiest defenders in the entire country. Tranquil added 85 and remained an important factor as a coverage linebacker. Lea and staff are also hoping junior Asmar Bilal can possibly be a breakout star at the open strong-side linebacker position. 

Depth and talent abounds in the secondary, where veterans Julian Love and Nick Coleman return, and the Irish bring in Navy transfer Alohi Gilman. Love should form quite a 1-2 combo at corner with fellow junior Shaun Crawford. Both play bigger than they are, and are really skilled in man defense. Coleman had 43 tackles in 2017 and remains an important piece because of his versatility, as he can help out at either safety or nickel. Meanwhile, Gilman sat out all last season and impressed in practices and big things are expected.

After a disastrous 2016, Elko really gave this group a major facelift, and Lea should be a major beneficiary of that this year. He returns nine starters and key contributors at every level, including an All-American candidate in Te'von Coney. It isn't crazy to think that this could be one of the Top 25 defenses in the country, and an important advantage a rough schedule.

Special Teams: There should be no concerns for Brian Kelly surrounding his special teams. Kicker Justin Yoon and punter Tyler Newsome are both returning for their senior seasons, and form one of the country's best tandems there. Neither kick returner or punt returner is settled at the moment, leaving the Irish with an interesting fall camp battle.

It is hard to know which version of Notre Dame we will be getting in 2018, after their uneven 2016 and '17 campaigns. Last season, this team looked like a serious Playoff contender early on but came out flat against Miami and Stanford later on. Replacing underrated contributors such as Nelson and McGlinchey will be a challenge, but ND does return a ton offensively, and the D should still be stingy even with Elko gone. So my guess? This doesn't look like a Playoff-caliber team unless Wimbush takes a huge step forward, but they should still be very good. Double-digit victories and a good bowl big seems about right for what is a deep football team in South Bend.

Team Projections
Record: 9-3
Offensive MVP: WR Chase Claypool
Defensive MVP: LB Te'von Coney
Breakout Player of the Year: S Alohi Gilman

College Football Preview 2018: 21. South Carolina Gamecocks

21. South Carolina Gamecocks

If the offense can take a leap, Muschamp has a legit SEC title contender in just his third year

Jake Bentley

Offense: Over his time at Florida and in his two seasons with South Carolina, head coach Will Muschamp has lacked a good offense, including a 2017 where they were 12th in the SEC in scoring with 24.2 points per game. He hopes new offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon and a faster, more spread attack will finally solve his offensive woes. McClendon arrives at a place with ideal personnel to run his scheme.

Junior quarterback Jake Bentley had 2,794 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, showing big play potential and drawing rave reviews across the conference. Bentley still struggles with turnovers (12 interceptions a year ago) but his arm talent is among the best in the SEC and even nationally. If McClendon can make him comfortable, Bentley is an All-SEC talent.

It should also help Bentley he will have his top target, Deebo Samuel, back in the fold. Samuel was putting together a monster '17 before injury hit him and took him out the season's final ten games. When healthy, Samuel is a scary deep threat who can make him some extraordinary catches. He is the best playmaker South Carolina has had in some time, and the Gamecocks will be creative with how they get him the ball.

The running back situation should be favorable, with a bunch of experience back. Junior Rico Dowdle is a big play threat, but speester A.J. Turner had 531 yards a year ago and should retain a large role. This should be a pass-first offense, but McClendon and staff will still lean on a quality run attack.

The offensive line returns three starters and isn't lacking in size, a clear advantage in the brutal SEC. Senior left tackle Dennis Daley is an important piece to the puzzle, but the Gamecocks need the interior of the group to play well to open up running lanes.

South Carolina has the chance to be very, very good offensively, particularly if Bentley can play up this potential. People all over the conference are high on him because he has a great mind for the game and has tremendous upside. If he realizes that, the sky really is the limit in this case.

Defense: Muschamp has made his living on the defensive side of the ball, and this group looked pretty strong a season ago. Third-year coordinator Travaris Robinson has done a great job recruiting and developing throughout, but they are especially good in the front seven, where there is size and speed everywhere.

Junior defensive end D.J. Wonnum returns as the Gamecocks' top sack leader in '17, managing six. He also had 13 tackles for loss and displayed the ability to disrupt passing lanes, with five pass deflections. He is far from the only guy that can cause chaos up front; junior tackle Kobe Smith has tremendous upside after showing flashes last season, while fellow end Keir Thomas is a proven veteran. 

The linebacker corps could be even stronger than the D-Line, particularly if senior Bryson Allen-Williams can return to form. Allen-Williams proved to be a key, versatile defender for this group in '16 before shoulder surgery ended his 2017 campaign. He should compete for a starting role at an outside linebacker spot, while being aided by junior middle linebacker T.J. Brunson. Brunson had 88 tackles a year ago and should take over the leadership void left by the departed Skai Moore. 

South Carolina's pass defense was its biggest weakness on that side of the ball last year, but there is a lot of hope it could be a source of major improvement in 2018. Senior Rashad Fenton is one of their most experienced guys, but still looking to prove he is a No.1 cornerback. Safety is a problem, with key cog Chris Lammons now gone. The addition of Rice grad transfer J.T. Ibe is a major help, but others will still have to step up.

Muschamp has a defensive group not without some flaws, but certainly one that offers plenty of talent. The front seven could quietly grow into one of the best in the loaded SEC, but the secondary is really the X-factor. If it can take some steps forward, South Carolina becomes a true SEC Title contender.

Special Teams: There isn't any clear word on who will be starting for the Gamecocks at placekicker. Sophomore Parker White had a rough 2017, opening the door for Kent State transfer Shane Hynes to push him. Junior punter Joseph Charlton is a solid returning piece. Having Deebo Samuel healthy will also work wonders for a return game that desperately missed him last season.

While Georgia still appears to be the top dog in the SEC East, there is ample opportunity for somebody else in the division to challenge them. Missouri remains an interesting dark horse but with Florida and Tennessee both replacing head coaches, South Carolina's time to strike is now. They have a veteran QB still getting better in Bentley, and a healthy Samuel really is a game-changer. If the Gamecocks can somehow find a way to stun Georgia in Athens, this is a team that very well becomes a SEC Title favorite. More reasonably, a double-digit win campaign and second place finish in the East seem like extremely attainable goals in Year 3 of Muschamp.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 9-3 (6-2 SEC)

SEC East Finish: 2nd

Offensive MVP: QB Jake Bentley

Defensive MVP: LB T.J. Brunson

Breakout Player of the Year: DT Kobe Smith

College Football 2018: 22. UCF Knights

22. UCF Knights

Scott Frost may be gone, but a potent offense should keep UCF relevant nationally, and the clear favorite in the AAC

McKenzie Milton

Offense: The innovative mind of Scott Frost is now in Lincoln, Nebraska, but the Knights' offense should still hum along just fine under new head coach Josh Huepel. Huepel was offensive coordinator at Missouri in 2017, overseeing a pass-heavy offense that was first in the SEC in scoring offense, with 37.5 PPG. Huepel has the perfect trigger man awaiting in junior McKenzie Milton. Milton showed excellent playmaking ability last season and incredible efficiency. He finished in the Top 10 of Heisman voting and finished with over 4,000 yards through the air. With Huepel likely to be chucking the ball all over the field, Milton once more remains a dark horse Heisman threat.

Junior Adrian Killins will lead a backfield that also features big play threat Otis Anderson. Killins had 790 yards rushing last season and managed 10 touchdowns, numbers that could only go up as Huepel and the new staff use him in more creative ways. 

On the outside, Milton will sorely miss top wide out Tre'Quan Smith, who left for the NFL a year early. Smith's absence should push Dredrick Snelson into a featured role, after he had 695 yards in support in '17. Sophomore Gabriel Davis looked good in the spring, and he could emerge as the offense's top deep threat. Seniors Cam Stewart and Tristan Payton also are sure to get in on the action. Tight end is up for grabs, with sophomore Anthony Roberson battling Wisconsin transfer Jake Hescock for the starting job.

The offensive line is the only question mark on this offense, and granted, it is a pretty big one. Senior right tackle Wyatt Miller will provide some much needed stability, but the Knights are very thin, particularly in the interior. Milton showed he could evade the pass rush plenty well last season, something he will likely have to do often in 2018.

It will be tough to match the 48.5 PPG (tops in the country) and 530.5 YPG (fifth), Frost and UCF managed in last year's perfect season, but this unit is far from bare. Milton is going to put up huge numbers again, Killins and Snelson will be important supporting characters, and Huepel is going to sling the ball all over the field. It may not end up being the nation's best in '18, but this UCF offense should at least be in the conversation.

Defense: There are some relative concerns for UCF defensively, a group that was far from perfect anyways in '17 (116th nationally against the pass). They lose their unquestioned leader in linebacker Shaqueem Griffin, who was the heart and soul of the team and an inspiration to plenty, along with shutdown corner Mike Hughes. New DC Randy Shannon was previously head man at Miami and DC at Florida and brings experience, but also a 4-3 scheme that will take some getting used to. 

The defensive front will be in flux due to the different look and some depth concerns. Junior Trysten Hill in going to anchor the interior, but there isn't much experience there. Fellow interior tackle Joey Connors did show the possibility to bat down passes on the line (four pass deflections), and could become a solid contributor as a senior.

Griffin will be missed in the linebacker corps, but senior Pat Jasinski led the team in tackles a season ago, with 104, and looks ready to play a huge role for this defense. Senior outside linebacker Titus Davis could have a breakthrough senior season, while prized recruit Eriq Gilyard could push for early snaps as a true freshman.

Despite the loss of NFL corner Hughes, UCF could actually be pretty good in the back, the opposite of 2017. They were prone to the big play throughout much of last year, but there is so much more experience returning. Sophomore Brandon Moore looks like he could become a No. 1 cornerback, and both safety positions are handled by seniors. Former well-regarded recruit Kyle Gibson is still growing up those expectations, but he led the team in interceptions in '17 with four.

Shannon and the personnel will need some adjustment period, but there is good news. None of UCF's first three opponents are very scary on the offensive end, which will change when they meet FAU September 21st. That should give them time to find new leaders to replace Hughes and Griffin, with Jasinski and Gibson likely to become big X-factors.

Special Teams: Veterans handle both punter and kicker duties, with Matthew Wright handling kicking and Mac Loudermilk at punter. Neither are All-AAC level, but they are far from issues. Adrian Killins is an absolute nightmare in the return game, and could be a huge advantage for this Knights team in this regard.

It is going to hard to completely recapture the magic of 2017, with some tough losses, most notably the architect of it all, Scott Frost. Yet, there is still ample talent up and down this roster for the Knights to still become an interest national threat. The AAC still seems to be their league to own, and beating non-conference foes like Pittsburgh, UNC and FAU should give this more national recognition. Another flawless season will be tough to replicate, but the Knights could still threaten for another New Year's Six bowl.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 11-2 (7-1 AAC, AAC Title)

AAC East Finish: 1st

Offensive MVP: QB McKenzie Milton

Defensive MVP: LB Pat Jasinski

Breakout Player of the Year: CB Brandon Moore

College Football Preview 2018: 23. LSU Tigers

23. LSU Tigers

The addition of QB Joe Burrow helps, but this team has a tough road ahead in the perilous SEC West

Devin White

Offense: A new offensive coordinator arrives in Baton Rouge, following a frustrating one-year experiment with Matt Canada, who was previously at Pitt. Canada and head coach Ed Orgeron clashed often, and the offense continued to be mediocre at best, finishing ninth in the conference with 27.2 points per game. New OC Steve Ensminger will orchestrate a balanced, pro-style attack and now likely has a new QB.

Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow announced just this spring he was joining the Tigers, who desperately needed help at the position following the graduation of Danny Etling. Burrow didn't see much real action with the Buckeyes, but he gained experience in practice, and has a great feel for the game. He will still face competition from sophomore Myles Brennan and redshirt freshman Lowell Narcisse. Brennan is the only one back who has seen any significant game action, while Narcisse impressed in the spring. 

Burrow should win the starting job, and have plenty of weapons in the receiving game. LSU coaches are the most excited they've been for this receiver group since Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. were on campus. Texas Tech transfer Jonathan Giles is a proven playmaker, and can really stretch the field. LSU won't likely throw the ball deep much in this offense, but Giles can still take the top off a defense when they do. Sophomore Justin Jefferson and junior Stephen Sullivan looked ready to contribute in the spring, and there is significant upside there. True freshman Terrace Marshall also comes in with plenty of fanfare as a five-star prospect from Bossier City, Louisiana. He'll find ways to get on the field. Senior tight end Foster Moreau is the Tigers leading returning receiver, after managing 278 yards on 24 receptions in '17.

Runningback is a concern right now for LSU, as they watched star Derrius Guice leave early for the NFL. For the first time since 1974, LSU does not return a back who had a touchdown the year previously. Senior Nick Brossette had 19 carries a season ago and will open the year as the feature back, with sophomore Clyde Edwards-Helaire in a supporting role.

The Tigers should be strong on the offensive line, with three starters returning. However, the Tigers are inexperienced at both tackle spots, and this is a group that will be tested early by two physical defenses within the first three weeks of the season in Miami and Auburn. 

Ensminger will be a nice breath of fresh air, and there is hope Burrow can spark a passing game that has been missing in Baton Rouge for some time. Yet, the concerns at running back are concerning, and you wonder if this offense really has enough weapons to stay afloat in the SEC. I don't see them improving on last year's average numbers.

Defense: Per usual, LSU's defense should be their guiding force, led once again by rising defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Aranda, who was formerly at Wisconsin, got a ton of interest from Texas A&M but a hefty $10 million contract over four years secured his spot in Baton Rouge.

Aranda has a number of breakout candidates to work with on this defensive line, including junior defensive end Rashard Lawrence and another Texas Tech transfer Breiden Fehoko. Neither really have the pedigree to back them up, but the upside is most definitely there. Junior Ed Alexander returns to bolster the interior, but big things are expected of Tyler Shelvin, who sat out last year due to academic reasons.

Linebacker Devin White's return almost guarantees LSU's rush defense will be stout, as the junior is one of the best there is nationally. White finished with 133 tackles a year ago, and displayed unlimited range, making him one of the biggest difference-makers in the country. He should compete for All-American honors, and possibly more. Fellow junior outside linebacker Michael Divinity has shown flashes and should now be able to secure a starting spot, but the inside 'backer position is a relative concern, with no favorite emerging.

The Tigers have long hailed themselves as "DBU" for the talent they produce in the defensive backfield, which includes names like Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson, Eric Reid and Morris Claiborne. The hope is that a new name can be added to that list, Andraez "Greedy" Williams. The sophomore has already drawn NFL attention in large part to his physical play and ability to force turnovers, finishing with six interceptions in 2017. The safety positions should be in good hands, as veterans Josh Battle and Grant Delpit both return. However, the cornerback spot opposite of Williams will have to be figured out. Sophomore Jontre Kirklin was the favorite coming out of spring, but grad transfer Terrence Alexander or true frosh Kelvin Joseph, a local star, could overcome him.

Aranda has cemented himself as one of the top defensive minds in the country, and it should not be long until he is the head coach at some well-known school. He does suffer some losses, but this is not a group lacking star power, with Williams and White in the fold. Expect the Tigers to be as stingy and hard-nosed as ever on the defensive end.

Special Teams: Kicker was a huge problem for LSU last season, so Orgeron and staff brought in Cole Tracy, a senior transfer to help fix their special teams woes. The Tigers could also oversee a position battle at punter, with Zach Von Rosenburg and Josh Growden both expected to see playing time. Jonathan Giles will be an immediate help in the punt return game.

After a rocky start to the Orgeron era, which included a stunning loss to Troy on the school's homecoming, the Tigers showed significant resiliency last season. The hope is that a new QB and new offensive coordinator can finally jolt a long-time suffering offense, and the D can continue to be the guiding force for this team. It is a good start, but the concerns at running back and a daunting schedule are really going to limit this team's potential. Even if LSU wins a tough, neutral site opener against Miami they have to deal with the loaded SEC West and cross-division games with Georgia and Florida on the road. LSU has enough to be a factor in the loaded SEC, but until we see sustained offensive success and a balanced offense, they remain more of a dark horse than a serious candidate to win the conference. Another eight to nine win campaign seems on the horizon in Baton Rouge.

Team Projections:

Projected Record: 8-4 (5-3 SEC)

SEC West Finish: 4th

Offensive MVP: WR Jonathan Giles

Defensive MVP: LB Devin White

Breakout Player of the Year: DE Breiden Fehoko

College Football Preview 2018: 24. Florida Atlantic Owls

24. Florida Atlantic Owls

Lane Kiffin has this team playing at incredible level, but a tough road schedule could halt a New Year's Six bid

Offense: Head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles engineered a lethal

offensive attack in 2017, carried heavily by the nation's sixth best rush offense. Briles is gone, leaving Kiffin to replace him with 25-year-old Charlie Weis Jr. Weis Jr. is the youngest offensive coordinator in modern college football history, but will have plenty to play with.

The face of that sixth best rushing offense was Devin Singletary, who is back for his junior season after managing 1,920 yards and 32 touchdowns a year ago. Singletary will be leaned on heavily once more and if he gets enough usage, he could be a dark horse for the Heisman. Another name to watch at RB is Alabama transplant B.J. Emmons. He got forced out of an unbelievable backfield at 'Bama, but could be very good against Group of Five competition.

The quarterback position is more unsettled, with two main candidates vying for the starting spot. De'Andre Johnson appears to be the slight favorite, and he certainly has the more fanfare. Johnson was supposed to be the future for Florida State at the position before video emerged of him assaulting a woman at a bar. He moved on to EMCC (home of the Netflix series "Last Chance U") before arriving at FAU, before dealing with blood clots in his throwing arm last season. Now healthy, the big-armed gunslinger could have a breakout campaign. Oklahoma transfer Chris Robison is the only serious threat to unseat Johnson.

Wide receiver should be a strength for Florida Atlantic, as the explosive Willie Wright returns. Wright had 56 receptions for 657 yards a year ago, and proved to be quite the top cover. He will open the year as Johnson's go-to target but big things are expected of junior Jovon Durante. Durante is a transfer from West Virginia who impressed the coaching staff last year on the practice squad. Senior DeAndre McNeal should also find a way to contribute.

Up front, the Owls will deal with the losses of two All-Conference performers, but this could still be a strength. Senior Reggie Bain gives them a veteran at the ultra-important left tackle spot, and Tulane graduate transfer Junior Diaz will likely over at center. Right tackle Brandon Walton is also returning for his junior season.

Weis Jr. remains unproven on the major collegiate ranks, but with Kiffin's input, this unit should still be pretty scary. Singletary is one of the most underrated stars in the entire sport, and if Johnson fulfills his vast potential, this group could improve on last year's 40.6 PPG. 

Defense: Kiffin will also start anew on defense, with new coordinator Tony Pecocaro coming in from conference foe Southern Miss. Pecocaro won't have a complete rebuild on his hands; FAU returns a big chunk of last year's D, which was third in the conference and 34th nationally in allowing 22.7 PPG. 

On the defensive line, senior defensive end Hunter Snyder will lead a fierce group. Snyder managed six sacks in '17, and will be aided by senior tackle Steven Leggett and freshly signed JUCO transfer Charles Cameron. Also coming in from the junior college ranks is Marcel Southall, who can play multiple positions.

Pecocaro is known as an aggressive playcaller and loves to blitz, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him let junior outside linebacker Rashad Smith loose. Smith looked like a natural edge rusher last season, with six sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Paired with senior middle linebacker, Areez Al-Shaair, Smith should have a huge year. Al-Shaair is not 100 percent after having off-season surgery on a nagging elbow, but when healthy is an All-Conference USA performer, with 147 tackles in 2017.

The secondary is physical and ball-hawking, playing perfectly into Pecocaro's style. Senior safety Jalen Young is a stud; the veteran had seven interceptions last season and has caught NFL scouts eyes. Cornerbacks Shelton Lewis and Chris Tooley are both returning after stellar campaigns a year ago. Lewis is a natural cover corner who showed some real versatility last year. 

There are some losses and Al-Shaair's health will be a huge factor, but the Owls look really strong on the defensive side of the ball. Pecocaro's preferred style seems be a really good fit for the personnel on the roster, and there is some veteran experience. If they can improve at stopping the pass, which they should, this could be among the stronger groups in the C-USA.

Special Teams: With their placekicker and punter leaving, FAU now is likely to turn to unproven redshirt frosh Vladimir Rivas. Rivas will have to fend off a number of walk-ons Kiffin and staff brought on. Kick returner Kerrith Whyte returned one for a score last season, and should still be a threat.

Lane Kiffin and his overall bravado tend to rub people the wrong way, but I don't think there is any denying what he has done so far in Boca Raton. He has elevated the talent level tremendously, evolved them into a C-USA power and overall, made them nationally relevant. With this offense, anything is possible, but a tough schedule does await. Road non-conference meetings with Oklahoma and UCF will be incredibly tough, as will in-conference roadtrips to North Texas and Middle Tennessee. This is the clear-cut favorite in the conference in my opinion, but that schedule is about as tough as you can get as a Group of Five school. If like them to win the conference, but crashing the New Year's Six as the GO5 representative? Not this year.

Team Projections 

Projected Record: 10-3 (7-1 C-USA,  C-USA Title)

C-USA East Finish: 1st

Offensive MVP: RB Devin Singletary

Defensive MVP: S Jalen Young

Breakout Player of the Year: WR Jovon Durante

College Football Preview 2018: 25. Oregon Ducks

25. Oregon Ducks

Despite being on their third head coach in as many years, Oregon has potential to be threats in Pac-12 North once more

Offense: Justin Herbert was thrust into the starting quarterback role in the middle of his true freshman season (2016) and performed admirably. Last year, Herbert was well on his way towards a big year before injury struck after seven games. He still had 1,983 yards and 15 touchdowns, and Oregon was 6-1 under his leadership. Now a junior, the signal-caller has the chance to be a dark horse Heisman candidate and impress NFL scouts, who view him as a first-round possibility.

At running back, Oregon must replace record-setting tailback Royce Freeman, but there is talent waiting in the wings. Senior Tony Brooks-James ran for 498 yards as a backup last year, and has flashed excellent vision and breakneck speed. Redshirt freshman C.J. Verdell is also sure to become a factor; he looked great in the spring and some have compared him to former Duck star LaMichael James. New head man Mario Cristobal won't run as much as his predecessor Willie Taggart, but expect him to still lean heavily on the ground attack.

At receiver, there are some serious question marks. There are some proven weapons, namely junior Dillon Mitchell and tight end Jacob Breeland, but the unit lacks depth and star power. Breeland is the name most likely to breakthrough; he already has great chemistry with Herbert and looked ready to shine towards the end of last season. Sophomore Johnny Johnson has the potential to become a dangerous deep threat for this offense, which they have sorely lacked for some time now. True freshman Jalen Hall, coming from Los Angeles, could be a youngster able to step up in a big way.

The offensive line has never been a huge weakness in Eugene, but Cristobal aims to make it even better, considering he was a former offensive tackle himself. There are three proven veterans set to return, which should keep the interior of the unit strong. Junior center Jake Hanson is the anchor of the group, and should compete for All-Pac-12 honors. Left tackle is a relative issue, but junior Brady Aiello left spring as the favorite, and should be able to adjust quickly.

This Ducks' offense won't quite be the same as the ones that were once so lethal under Chip Kelly and Mark Helfrich. With that being said, it should still be able to put up points, considering many of the big pieces return from a group that averaged 36.0 PPG (3rd in the conference) and 441 YPG in '17. Expect more passing with a healthy Herbert, and Cristobal to make this team more physical, once the antithesis of Oregon football.

Defense: Former Colorado defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt did a fine job in his first season in Eugene in 2017. Once among the worst defenses in the nation, UO improved to allowing just 369.2 YPG, which was fourth in the Pac-12 and 46th nationally. It is a good start, but expect more improvement with more guys coming in built for his system.

The front seven is going to be very good, thanks in large part to the return of junior inside linebacker Troy Dye. Dye really took to Leavitt's defense last year, and finished with 107 tackles. He could get even better with the Ducks set to use him in more creative ways. On the D-Line, senior Jalen Jelks will lead a group with some serious upside. Jelks managed 6.5 sacks in '17, and bulked up over the off-season. Sophomore tackle Jordan Scott is a potential breakout candidate as the returning starter on the inside. Expect big things from outside linebackers Justin Hollins and La'Mar Winston, who could evolve into major factors as edge rushers.

While the Ducks improved tremendously stopping the run, their pass defense left something to be desired. They gave up too many big plays last year, and didn't force a lot of turnovers. Leavitt and Cristobal are hopeful that can change with two rock-solid defensive backs returning to the fold. Sophomore corner Thomas Graham had three interceptions last season and looks well on his way to becoming an impact defender for this team, while senior Ugochukwu Amadi will man one of the safety spots. Some young guys will have to step up, including sophomores Brady Breeze and Nick Pickett.

This is going to be a good, but not great, defensive team. Their is some real talent on every level of the D, and having veterans like Dye, Amadi and Jelks leading the charge will ensure success. Yet, there is also a lot of positions where guys will have to step up, and the defense as a whole lacks much depth. Even so, these Ducks should be more comfortable in Year 2 of Leavitt's system and that continuity could breed the best Oregon defense in some time.

Special Teams: Oregon will move on from consistent Aidan Schnieder at plackicker, opening the door for any number of players to take up that starting gig. Sophomore Adam Stack may be considered the favorite, and could do double-duty after handling punter duties in 2017. In the return game, Brooks-James could also handle kick and punt return duties.

Last year's Oregon team was better than their 7-6 record may indicate, and they have the potential to really grow in the debut season of Mario Cristobal. Herbert's play at quarterback will be huge; if he takes the steps necessary to become an elite quarterback, this is an offense that can compete with anybody. If not, it is going to be hard to overcome Washington or Stanford in a strong Pac-12 North. The good news is the defense should be the best it has been in some time, and the non-conference slate should be a breeze. This program may not yet be ready to compete for Pac-12 titles after a rough stretch, but they should still be a factor. Double-digit victories seem like a distinct possibility, and this is a team with the upside to be even better.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Pac-12)

Pac-12 North Finish: 3

Offensive MVP: QB Justin Herbert

Defensive MVP: LB Troy Dye

Breakout Player of the Year: WR Johnny Johnson