College Football Preview 2019: 10. Florida Gators

10. Florida Gators

If the offense takes the next step, a SEC East Title is within reach for Year 2 of Dan Mullen

Feleipe Franks

Offense: After years of offensive struggles, Florida was wildly improved in 2018, averaging 33.3 points per game. Much of that can be accredited to the arrival of Dan Mullen as head coach, as well as the continued growth of quarterback Feleipe Franks.

Coming off an uneven 2017, Franks made real strides last fall, finishing the season with 2,457 yards and 24 touchdowns. He showed a better command of the game and took care of the football, with just six interceptions on the year. Florida is hopeful he can get even better in 2019, with Mullen continuing to groom him. The Gators could also utilize redshirt freshman Emory Jones at quarterback in certain situations, as the youngster is a superb runner.

With Jordan Scarlett and his 776 yards graduating, the Gators will give Lamical Perine all the carries as the feature guy. Perine has proven he can operate between the tackles and also has a little bit of shiftiness to him. Sophomores Malik Davis & Dameon Pierce will also see action, with Pierce as the speed option in this backfield. Between the three of them, this running back situation could be even better, despite the loss of Scarlett.

Every receiver is returning to this Gator offense, including former transfers Van Jefferson and Trevon Grimes. Jefferson led the team with 503 yards and also managed six touchdowns, but he will hope to get more consistent in '19. Grimes began his career at Ohio State and showed serious flashes of stardom last season, finishing third on the team in yardage. Veterans Joshua Hammond and Freddie Swain also provide some supporting help and both have reliable hands. Meanwhile, junior Kadarius Toney will play the Percy Harvin role in this offense as an explosive weapon on the perimeter. UF will be very creative in getting the ball in his hands and letting him do some serious damage.

Losing All-SEC tackle Jawaan Taylor and three other starters puts this offensive line in a tough spot entering the season. Senior center Nick Buchanan is the lone returnee to the group and will have to be the leader. Buchanan made 12 starts a season ago and has proven that he can excel as a run blocker. The big question has to be at left tackle where nobody has emerged to replace Martez Ivey, the long-term starting piece. There also significant questions at both guard spots that will have to be ironed out during fall camp and early on in the regular season.

With an improving quarterback in the fold, along with plenty of help at running back and receiver, the Gators offense looks like it could be the best it has been since Tim Tebow was playing in Gainesville. Certainly the O-Line will have to gel quickly, but Mullen has this unit getting better each and every day.

Defense: The Gators consistently have one of the top defenses in the country and the return of eight starters almost certainly ensures that will be the case once more in 2019. There is depth and talent everywhere, namely the D-Line and secondary.

Jabari Zuniga flirted with the idea of going pro, and probably would've been a high NFL Draft selection but instead decided to come back to Gainesville. He gives this Gators' unit a pass rushing demon who had 6.5 sacks last season and seems to be getting better. The other starters in this 3-4 defensive scheme should be junior Kyree Campbell and senior Adam Shuler. A former transfer, Shuler acclimated well to SEC football last fall and will play a more important role on this defense than most will give him credit for.

Even though it doesn't have any stars, the linebacker corps is rock-solid and pretty versatile. Senior David Reese II should be the leader of the group as a former All-SEC player in 2017. He was a little bit beaten up for much of '18 but now that he is fully healthy, he is ready for a huge season. He'll be aided by Trey Dean, who is making the move from cornerback to the "Star" hybrid spot. Dean looked like a seasoned pro as a freshman last year and has the potential to be All-Conference. He will be utilized as a coverage option that can move around, coming off a campaign where he had six pass deflections. While those two will be the leaders of the group, a pair of newcomers are also going to make quite the difference. Jonathan Greenard played for defensive coordinator Todd Grantham at Louisville and is now coming south to play for him at UF. He could start at the "Buck" position, where the Gators lose Jachai Polite, coming off an 11 sack season. Freshman Diwun Black will also arrive with some fanfare as one of the gems of this year's recruiting class. He could play right away, most likely on the outside.

Florida prides itself as "DBU" for the consistent talent they produce in the defensive backfield and this unit is stacked once again. Junior C.J. Henderson has a claim as one of the best corners in NCAA football and he should be shutdown this fall. He had 38 tackles in '18, but really showed his ability to do multiple things, with three sacks and seven passes defended. Quarterbacks won't be able to avoid Henderson very much either, as the Gators pose a stud at the other CB spot as well. Sophomore Marco Wilson is young, but already starting to make noise. He had ten pass deflections his freshman season in 2017 but took a redshirt last year due to injury. That cornerback combination may be the best in the entire country. Safety isn't quite as strong but it is definitely not a weakness either, as veterans Jeawon Taylor and Brad Stewart are both returning. Also returning to Gainesville is sophomore Donovan Stiner, coming off an impressive freshman season. He has the chance to see starting snaps at the free safety position.

Special Teams: Special teams is always important in the competitive SEC, which bodes well for Florida. Sophomore placekicker Evan McPherson showed real promise last fall, hitting 17 of 19 field goals with a long of 48. Punter Tommy Townsend is also back, as the former Tennessee transfer could be among the best in the conference. Kadarius Toney is a huge factor in the return game, as he had a long of 51 in kick returns.

Bottom Line: Dan Mullen's first year in his return to Florida was quite the success, as the Gators won ten games and blew out Michigan in the Peach Bowl. That has risen already high expectations around the program, but this team looks ready to live up to it. Franks seems to be getting better each day at the sport's most crucial position and he has a lot of help with him offensively. On the other side of the ball, Florida has a number of All-SEC talents, with loads of depth and experience. The schedule also isn't too difficult, even with non-conference meetings against rivals Miami and Florida State looming. That all sets up well for Mullen and this Gators team, who will likely return to a New Year's Six Bowl and certainly is in Playoff contention.

Team Projections
Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2 SEC)
Offensive MVP: QB Feliepe Franks
Defensive MVP: CB C.J. Henderson
Breakout Player of the Year: WR Kadarius Toney
Impact Freshman: LB Diwun Black

Five-Year Trend
2014: 7-5 (4-4 SEC)
2015: 10-4 (7-1 SEC)
2016: 9-4 (6-2 SEC)
2017: 4-7 (3-5 SEC)
2018: 10-3 (5-3 SEC)

College Football Preview 2019: 11. Oregon Ducks

11. Oregon Ducks

A Heisman candidate at QB and a superb recruiting class should help set the stage for a return to the national spotlight

Justin Herbert

Offense: Head coach Mario Cristobal got quite the Christmas present in late December when starting quarterback Justin Herbert announced he would return for his senior season. Herbert was likely a first-round NFL Draft selection, but felt he had unfinished business in Eugene. Coming off a season where he had 3,151 yards and 29 touchdowns, it isn't unreasonable to think the veteran will get serious Heisman hype. In order to really garner that type of attention, he'll need his receivers to drop less passes (52 total drops in 2018) and play well in big games, most notably their opener against Auburn on August 31st.

Despite all the drops this receiver corps suffered through in '18, it was still a unit that showed potential, and they add in Penn State transfer Juwan Johnson. Johnson has dealt with drops himself, but he is a physical wide out that should help ease the loss of Dillon Mitchell, who finished the year with 1,184 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior Jaylon Redd is the leading candidate to take over the No. 1 role after a statline of 38 receptions for 433 yards and five scores. He isn't the crisp route runner Mitchell was, but is an explosive weapon in the open field. Senior Brenden Schooler and newcomer Mycah Pittman are also going to be factors, especially Pittman, who enrolled in the spring and has flash. At tight end, rock-solid vet Jacob Breeland is also back, giving Hebert numerous options to work with.

Oregon has long been a school that produces elite running back talent, and they'll have a two-headed monster at tailback in 2019, thanks to the return of sophomores C.J. Verdell & Travis Dye. Verdell ran for over 1,000 yards last fall and is a powerful bruiser between the tackles, while Dye is a speedster in the LaMichael James mold. That 1-2 punch gives this backfield versatility and upside, allowing this Ducks offense to be balanced.

Even more exciting for Herbert (and likely a major reason for his return) is one of the nation's premier offensive lines. Every single starter from a season ago returns to Eugene, including guys who have a ton of Pac-12 action under their belt. Both tackles are legit All-Conference talents, with sophomore Penei Sewell on the left and senior Calvin Throckmorton on the right. Sewell wasn't fully healthy down the stretch in 2018 and it really started to show in this offense's inconsistency over the season's second half. Senior Jake Hanson is a real anchor in the middle of the unit that really sets the agenda for this entire group.

At the height of the Chip Kelly and Mark Helfrich days, Oregon had a blazing quick offense that was always a sight to behold. That could be much the same for this particular team, as the skill position talent is the best it has been in years, and the O-Line may legitimately be the best in school history. It wouldn't be shocking if the Ducks smash their 34.8 PPG from '18, especially if these receivers can hang on to the ball more.

Defense: Coordinator Jim Leavitt left the program over the off-season, which could be seen as both a positive and negative. Leavitt is an established defensive mind who did a good job here, but he was a holdover from the Willie Taggart era and an odd fit with Cristobal. Instead, the Ducks will role with two co-DCs, in Andy Avalos and Keith Heyward.

Leavitt ran a very basic three-man front during his time with Oregon, but the new defensive staff will change things up and move pieces around more often. Junior defensive tackle Jordan Scott is a good starting point on the D-Line, but the real excitement centers around five-star Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux is one of the highest rated recruits in school history, and has the talent to start from Day One at defensive end. Senior Gus Cumberlander & junior Austin Faoliu are also going to push for more snaps, but may be overshadowed by the allure of the fresh new pass rusher.

Senior linebacker Troy Dye was everywhere for Oregon in 2018, posting 115 tackles, which were 50 more than anybody else on this entire defense. Dye is an intelligent, heady inside linebacker that possesses a lot of versatility, so he can be moved around a bit. There is no question he'll be the leader of the defense, and vie for All-American honors. Fellow vet La'Mar Winston is also back to the front seven, likely seeing an increased role with the departure of Justin Hollins. An energetic piece and decent coverage guy, Winston is an important returnee. The "Stud" linebacker position will be worth watching through fall camp and early on in the regular season. A position that is crucial in Avalos' defense, the "Stud" is a pass-rushing hybrid end/'backer that will race after the quarterback early and often. Sophomore D.J. Johnson has serious potential and could start, while senior Bryson Young looked like a natural at the position during the spring.

Oregon didn't defend the pass as well as they could have a year ago, as they were eighth in the conference in yardage allowed. The good news is that nearly every key cog is back, including both cornerbacks. Safety seems to be a real strength too, with hard-hitting junior Nick Pickett ready to do damage and sophomore Jevon Holland also in the fold. Holland is an absolute ball hawk who had five interceptions in more of a reserve role, numbers that could take a big leap with more snaps. Junior Thomas Graham is the No. 1 guy at corner, but don't be surprised if we see true freshman Mykael Wright make a real impact. Wright is just one of a number of California guys this staff was able to lure north, and he was rated the top cornerback in the class by ESPN.

This new defensive coaching staff will be extremely aggressive in getting after the QB and forcing turnovers, and the personnel fits that scheme very well. If Thibodeaux and some of the other young guys can come in and play meaningful snaps alongside some of these proven veterans, it has the chance to be one of the top units in the Pac-12.

Special Teams: Placekicking has been a problem for Oregon for a number of years, but the hope is that freshman Camden Lewis can provide some stability at the position. He is battling returnee Adam Stack, who was six for ten on field goals last season. The return game has serious upside, with Jaylon Redd likely set to handle kicks.

Bottom Line: Since Marcus Mariota's Heisman-winning season and National Championship berth in 2014, Oregon has struggled to maintain a footing on the national stage. That seems to be changing, as a terrific recruiting class adds elite talent to a team that already has great experience and proven weapons. Can Herbert and Cristobal really take the next step together? Cristobal has cemented himself as an elite recruiter, but is still trying to show he can win big. This team is the one to do it with, and they'll get a chance to show what they can do right away against Auburn. A win there, and the schedule sets up favorably for this team to legitimately challenge for a Playoff spot. How does Oregon handle being the hunted once again in the Pac-12? It may be a slight transition, but the North Division seems like it theirs to lose.

Team Projections
Projected Record: 10-3 (8-1 Pac-12, Lose in Pac-12 Championship)
Offensive MVP: QB Justin Herbert
Defensive MVP: LB Troy Dye
Breakout Player of the Year: WR Jaylon Redd
Impact Freshman: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux

Five Year Trend
2014: 13-2 (8-1 Pac-12)
2015: 9-4 (7-2 Pac-12)
2016: 4-8 (2-7 Pac-12)
2017: 7-6 (4-5 Pac-12)
2018: 9-4 (5-4 Pac-12)

College Football Preview 2019: 12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

A second straight Playoff run will be difficult, but a talented defense should keep ND in the mix

Ian Book

Offense: After averaging 23.3 points per game under the leadership of Brandon Wimbush, the Irish offense exploded once they made the switch to Ian Book at QB. They averaged nearly two touchdowns more following the move and it was pivotal in their Playoff run. 

Book posted numbers of 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns in his nine starts and looks ready to get even better entering his senior season. He certainly is not the runner that Wimbush is, but does possess an incredibly accurate arm and showed excellent command of this Irish offense. It isn't unreasonable to think the passing numbers could explode with even more experience under his belt.

Joining Book in the backfield will be junior Jafar Armstrong, a versatile playmaker that will be used creatively in this Notre Dame offense. Armstrong had nearly 500 all-purpose yards a season ago, proving he could run the ball and catch out of the backfield. He wasn't healthy at times last year and was also buried on the depth chart behind Dexter Williams once he was back from suspension. Hopefully 100 percent, a breakout should be exploded from the veteran. Junior tailback Tony Jones Jr. adds another interesting element as a change-of-pace option. While Armstrong is a speedster, Jones does his damage as a short-yardage weapon that is a force closer to the goal line. 

The search for a new No. 1 receiver began this off-season, as the Irish must replace Miles Boykin (872 yards, 8 touchdowns), who had great chemistry with Book. The good news is that there are a number of options to help lead this aerial attack, namely senior Chase Claypool. A physical receiver with a lengthy frame (6'4", 230 pounds), Claypool has a wide catch radius and reliable hands. Former walk-on Chris Finke will also be featured heavily as a move-the-chains wide out that could be used as a type of security blanket for Book. Junior Michael Young, a big-play threat every time he touches the ball, is also returning, which means this receiver group should still be very good. 

Tight end is a position that Notre Dame develops as well as any on this roster, with guys like Tyler Eifert, Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson all starring in South Bend before making the jump to the pros. Even though rock-solid Alize Mack may be departing, the TE spot should still be in good hands, as junior Cole Kmet looks ready to contribute. Kmet had 15 catches for 162 yards last season, but has to become more of a red zone threat in order to get more opportunities.

Expect good things from the Irish offensive line, which has four starters returning after a transition season moving away from standouts Quenton Nelson & Mike McGlinchey. Senior guard Tommy Kraemer is among the best in the country and Notre Dame should lean on him to open up massive gaps on the right side of this O-Line. Junior Robert Hainsey should also be an anchor on the right side of this unit, although he'll start at tackle. Keep an eye on incoming freshman Quinn Carroll, a four-star out of Minneapolis. Even though both tackles spot seem to be in good hands, it wouldn't be surprising to see Carroll get plenty of snaps.

A full season of Book should mean even greater things for this Irish offense into 2019. Just as exciting is a terrific O-Line, rock-solid receiver corps and dynamic group of running backs. There just isn't much weaknesses to speak of with this offense, meaning 37.2 PPG could once again be in play this fall.

Defense: Even though coordinator Mike Elko took more money to take over the defense at Texas A&M, ND's defense proved to be extremely stingy once again in 2018. New DC Clark Lea did a superb job getting the most out of this entire group, particularly an aggressive front seven.

There will be some important pieces in that defensive front that will need to be replaced, but enough talent still remains to feel good about the defense heading into this fall. Jerry Tillery is a key loss at defensive tackle but both end spots bring back veterans in Khalid Kareem and Julian Okwara. Okwara is an experienced, crafty defender that led all Irish defenders with eight sacks and should once again be a factor. Kareem appears to have a little bit more upside as a pass rusher due to his quickness and high motor, although the production hasn't always been there. Things aren't quite as set at both D-Tackle positions in this 4-3 defensive scheme, but there are options there. True freshman Jacob Lacey is a possible starter right away coming out of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Long-time starters Drue Tranquil and Te'Von Coney must also be replaced at linebacker. While neither were necessarily All-American talents, their impressive instincts and veteran experience helped the pairing rack up a bunch of tackles in their Irish career, including 123 for Coney in '18. The good news is that this linebacker corps does have a solid starting point in senior Asmar Bilal, the slated starter at middle linebacker. Bilal is a tremendous athlete who recorded 50 tackles a season ago but will have to adjust to being the new leader in the middle for this defense. Sophomore Jack Lamb is going to see a massive increase in snaps and likely to take over at outside 'backer with Bilal on the move to the inside. Coming off a redshirt campaign where he impressed a lot of the coaching staff, Lamb could see a breakthrough.

Notre Dame's pass defense was decent last season, but with three starters set to return in the defensive backfield, it could get even better. This position group is led by former Navy transfer Alohi Gilman, a gritty, hard-nosed defender that managed 95 tackles a season ago. Playing at free safety, Gilman is free to roam all around the field for this defense and he has proven he can make plays. Joining Gilman at the safety position is SS Jalen Elliott, another proven veteran. Elliott is quite the playmaker, picking off four passes and deflecting four passes. That duo will form one of the country's best 1-2 safety combinations and will help out the Irish cornerbacks. Senior Troy Pride looks like the likely No. 1 CB, but he'll need a running mate to join him at corner. Fifth-year senior Shaun Crawford can play either nickel or corner and could be primed to return as a starter after suffering his third season-ending injury in 2018.

This ND defense is well-coached and experienced, which should serve them well as they replace some expected losses on the defense. Lea proved he could do some great work with on this side of the ball and he'll have to be creative in working on his area of expertise, the linebackers, to get them up to speed. Once that happens, with a superb secondary and two skilled pass-rushing defensive ends, the Irish defense should definitely be a Top 15-20 unit.

Special Teams: Head coach Brian Kelly and ST coordinator Brian Polian will have to replace long-time kicker Justin Yoon, the model of consistency during his Irish career. Junior Jonathan Doerer appears to be the favorite to replace Yoon, who was 17 of 21 on field goals last season. Replacing big-legged Tyler Newsome at punter must also be a top priority for this team.

Bottom Line: A 31-0 drubbing at the hands of eventual National Champion Clemson left a sour taste in the mouth of Irish fans, but 2018 was still quite a success for this program. Putting together an encore doesn't appear to be too difficult for the Irish with most of the important checkmarks returning including a returning QB, lots of skill position talent, an experienced defense and continuity on the coaching staff. Granted, the schedule does appear to have more land mines to trip up on in 2019, with tough road trips to Georgia, Michigan and Stanford. That will likely ensure that the Irish do not return to the Playoff, although this is a program that has survived daunting schedules before. Instead, the ceiling for this team looks more like a ten-win squad ready to play in a New Year's Six Bowl. It looks like, if things do work out, ND is ready to earn their fourth double-digit win season in five years, something that hasn't been done since Lou Holtz stalked the sideline in South Bend.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 10-2

Offensive MVP: QB Ian Book

Defensive MVP: S Alohi Gilman

Breakout Player of the Year: TE Cole Kmet

Impact Freshman: DT Jacob Lacey

Five-Year Trend

2014: 8-5

2015: 10-3

2016: 4-8

2017: 10-3

2018: 12-1

College Football Preview 2019: 13. UCF Knights

13. UCF Knights

A third straight undefeated regular season? If the defense improves, its entirely plausible

Darriel Mack

Offense: UCF has had one of the most explosive offenses in college football the past two seasons, averaging 43.2 PPG in 2018 despite breaking in a new head coach in Josh Huepel. This year's group still has plenty of playmakers, but injuries at the most important position put them in an interesting spot into 2019.

Back-to-back AAC Player of the Year and former Heisman Trophy finalist McKenzie Milton is one of the best in college football but his future is incredibly murky at this point. He suffered a scary leg injury late in 2018 and has had multiple surgeries over the off-season. It is highly unlikely he'll see the field at all in '19, but the hope is that 2020 will see his return. Then, his replacement, Darriel Mack suffered a broken ankle this past week. That means the Knights will lean on former Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush, who lost his starting job in South Bend but is still a real talent. Wimbush is an established runner that could open up this offense in that way, but he still has to show he can make the big throws this UCF offense will need.

The good news for this offense is that the running back position should help take pressure off of Wimbush. Senior Adrian Killins returns as their feature guy, coming off two straight All-AAC seasons. He is particularly dangerous as a pass-catcher and return man, recording 377 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver. The Knights also bring back junior Greg McCrae, who actually led the team in rushing, with 1,182 yards and 10 scores. The two of them are both very quick and versatile, which gives Huepel plenty of ways to hurt opposing defenses.

Just as promising for this offense is a stacked receiver corps that also has loads of playmaking ability. Junior Otis Anderson is another Swiss-Army knife player that can hurt you in so many ways. He has played running back in the past, but often lines up as the team's slot receiver. Anderson had 505 all-purpose yards in 2018, along with seven touchdowns. Fellow juniors Tre Nixon & Gabriel Davis are your more traditional pass-catchers. Davis is a big-bodied receiver that was an All-Conference player last season who recorded 815 receiving yards. A pair of transfers will lock down the tight end spot, with former Notre Dame TE Jonathon MacCollister the likely starter. Former Wisconsin Badger Jake Hescock is not much of a receiver, but he'll be very useful as a blocker.

An experienced offensive line should pay huge dividends for this offense. Three starters are returning, and four of the five have significant game experience. Senior Jake Brown is a key returnee as a veteran presence at a crucial position. Up the middle, senior center Jordan Johnson is also back in Orlando and should open things up between the tackles.

Even with injuries to Milton & Mack, UCF's offense is still in a good spot pushing into 2019. While Wimbush still has to grow as a passer, he has played in a number of big games and he has loads of talent to support him. Killins, Anderson, Davis and Nixon are all interesting pieces that should ensure scoreboard operators are busy once again in Central Florida.

Defense: While the Knights feature one of the best offenses in the entire land, the same cannot be said for the other side of the ball. A notable strength for the team during their undefeated 2017 campaign, this unit really struggled to stop the run and contain big plays. UCF allowed 222.3 yards per game a season ago, the 118th rated rush defense in FBS football.

The Knights are going to need the defensive line to step up, although this is a group with notable question marks. Senior end Brendon Hayes is the top returning leader in sacks, recording three of them in '18. He has the chance to get even better, although offensive lines look like they'll be able to key in on him and double team him. Sophomore Randy Charlton has the potential to be a breakout candidate at the other end spot, but there isn't much proven pieces in the heart of the line. Former Virginia Tech signee Cam Goode is another guy with significant upside but will need to learn very quick.

Senior linebacker Nate Evans emerged as a leader for this defense a year ago and he looks like an All-AAC guy once again. Evans cleaned up a lot of the holes that emerged because of the questionable defensive line, with 99 tackles in 2018. The vet also proved he could get into opposing backfields and cause chaos, with 10 tackles for loss. Sophomore Eriq Gilyard came in when longtime starter Pat Jasinski went down with a leg injury and made some important plays, compiling eight tackles in the Memphis game. Now a projected starter, he's yet another guy that has potential, but won't get much down time to figure things out.

UCF's secondary wasn't bad a season ago, but it was prone to letting up the big play. This is a very solid position group that sees three starters return, including both starting cornerbacks. Junior Brandon Moore and senior Nevelle Clarke are proven players in this league, with 38 total starts between them. Junior Richie Grant is returning at safety, coming off an impressive campaign where he had 109 tackles and six interceptions. That trio comprises one of the best units in the AAC and teams won't be able to get anything easy through the air in 2019.

Former Miami head coach Randy Shannon has proven he can lead elite defenses during his time with the Hurricanes and at Florida. It will be fascinating to see if he can turn this group around, which lacked a true leader without the Griffin brothers. There is a good amount of experience here, so the arrow seems to be pointing up.

Special Teams: It looks as though UCF will be breaking in a new placekicker and punter, which will ensure some interesting competitions into fall camp and the regular season. A number of freshmen are competing for the snaps, with Daniel Obarski seeming to close the spring as a favorite at kicker. The return game is a strength, with the always-dangerous Killins & Anderson set to cause real damage.

Bottom Line: The impressive transition from Frost to Huepel proved that this UCF program is not slowing down anytime soon, and an exciting 2019 seems to be on the horizon. With so much exciting pieces to work with, Huepel will have the offense humming once again, but the defense could really make or break this season. Despite the struggles it endured throughout a big chunk of 2018, the Knights still managed to win 12 games and the AAC. With the league seeming to be getting better every year, that won't happen again. Instead, the Knights will need the defensive line to improve and the secondary to live up to its talent and experience level. The non-conference schedule could be a little bit concerning for this team, as Stanford and Pittsburgh are two quality teams that seem to match up pretty well against UCF (Pittsburgh is also on the road). Yet, the rest of the AAC still seems to be looking up at the Knights, who should play their way into another New Year's Six Bowl this fall.

Team Projections
Projected Record: 12-1 (7-1 AAC, Win AAC Championship)
Offensive MVP: QB Brandon Wimbush
Defensive MVP: S Richie Grant
Breakout Player of the Year: DE Randy Charlton
Impact Freshman: DE Jalen Pinkney (JUCO)

Five-Year Trend
2014: 9-4 (7-1 AAC)
2015: 0-12 (0-8 AAC)
2016: 6-7 (4-4 AAC)
2017: 13-0 (8-0 AAC)
2018: 12-1 (8-0 AAC)

College Football Preview 2019: 14. Washington Huskies

14. Washington Huskies

Winning a third Pac-12 Title in four seasons will be difficult, but the Huskies should still be very much in the hunt

Jacob Eason

Offense: The Washington offense is undergoing a stark transition as they move on from the Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin era. The two long-time backfield mates won a lot of games in Seattle and finish their careers as the leading passer and leading rusher in UW history. Despite this, the Huskies still retain plenty of offensive firepower, including an intriguing transfer quarterback.

A former five-star recruit, Jacob Eason fell out of favor in his previous stop at Georgia due to an injury in 2017. With backup Jake Fromm coming in and looking terrific, as well as the addition of Justin Fields, Eason saw the writing on the wall and headed to the Pacific Northwest. He took 2018 off, but Husky coaches were impressed with his work ethic and feel for the game in practice. While he'll need some time to adjust, the general feel around the program is that his arm talent is far superior of the departed Browning's. Considering how mediocre Washington was throwing the ball last fall, a change in scenery at the QB position might actually be an upgrade in some ways.

Unfortunately, Washington does not have a former highly touted transfer at running back in the same way. Gaskin rushed for 1,268 yards in 2018 and he was incredibly reliable, consistently making important plays for this offense. It appears that head coach Chris Petersen and the rest of this coaching staff will now turn to junior Salvon Ahmed. Ahmed ran for 608 yards and seven scores in relief of Gaskin and is even more explosive in the open field. However, he doesn't have Gaskin's patience or vision, which could be a problem against stronger defenses. Junior Sean McGrew should also be featured as the 5'7" speedster is quite the elusive playmaker himself. This position will almost definitely see a decrease in production without Gaskin, but Ahmed should still be a solid consolation for 2019.

One of the major reasons for Washington's struggles through the air was the lack of a true, go-to receiver. Dante Pettis and John Ross III were crucial in years past, but they were long gone in '18. Instead, Aaron Fuller paced the team, with 874 receiving yards and 58 catches. Fuller isn't a speed demon but he is a crisp route runner with reliable hands. There is hope he can get even better this season, and Eason's big arm should help. Also back are UW's No. 2 and 3 guys in junior Ty Jones & senior Andre Baccellia. Jones is probably the the team's best deep threat and he is quite the difficult cover as a lengthy 6'4" option. Washington is also very hopeful that redshirt freshman Marquis Spiker, who came in with a lot of fanfare last year, is able to make an impact. He has real star talent and upside if used correctly.

Just as crucial for the Washington offense will be the health of tight end Hunter Bryant. Bryant caught 11 balls for 238 yards (21.6 average) in just five games last season, but he has proven he can be terrific when fully healthy. He seems to be fully recovered from a lingering knee injury and could be a serious candidate for the John Mackey Award (nation's best TE).

The strength of this offense could lie on the line, where four starters return, including a number of All-Conference players. The biggest name has to be Trey Adams, a senior left tackle who was an All-American in 2016 but has played just 11 games in total the last two seasons due to injury. UW should also be strong on the inside, with both guards returning, as well as veteran center Nick Harris.

Even with such high-profile losses, Washington's offense seems to be in a decent spot heading into 2019. Sure, that will mean Eason is immediately able to come in and make an impact, but he'll have the benefit of a great O-Line in front of him and a number of very good wide outs. Expect this to be one of the higher-scoring groups in the Pac-12.

Defense: Co-defensive coordinators Jimmy Lake and Pete Kwiatkowski have done a tremendous job with this Husky defense, consistently showing they can reload at every level. They may have to do just that in some key places this season, as the secondary and linebacker corps both are replacing a number of impact players.

While the defensive line will be without All-Pac-12 performer Greg Gaines, this should still be a formidable group. Senior Benning Potoa'e is a veteran who has proven he can play at the highest level and compete. He had 5.5 tackles for loss this past season and can play inside or out. Junior Levi Onwuzurike is also likely to start as an important piece to this rush defense, totaling 34 tackles and three sacks a year ago. The other projected starter in this 3-4 look is unclear at this point, and should be figured out come fall camp. Don't be surprised if a few newcomers get a lot of snaps, considering the lack of depth in this unit. That will include Jacob Bandes, who impressed over the course of the spring.

To call linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven a tackling machine doesn't even begin to explain what he meant to this defense. Burr-Kirven truly was everywhere at once, leading FBS football with a staggering 176 tackles, breaking up six passes and managing two interceptions. His departure leaves a major hole at the heart of this UW defense that will be nearly impossible to replicate. Two seniors, Kyler Manu and Brandon Wellington, seem to have the inside track at the inside 'backer spots, but that could change going forward. Wellington had 28 tackles last season and is one of their top returning true defenders. Outside linebacker seems to be more of a problem, with a real lack of experience at the position. Sophomore Joe Tryon had some moments in 2018 and seemed to end spring as a likely starter.

Jimmy Lake has done wonders with Washington's secondary the last few seasons, with six Husky defensive backs taken in the last three seasons. That list includes three this past Draft, which means there will be some significant rebuilding for Lake and Washington on the back-end. The return of senior nickelback Myles Bryant is a superb place to start, as he comes off an All-Conference campaign in which he had 61 tackles and six pass deflections. Bryant will be asked to do even more in 2019, but he seems up to the challenge. The big concern is at cornerback, where UW is replacing two shutdown players in Byron Murphy & Jordan Miller. Junior Keith Taylor has played well as a reserve, and will likely be thrust into the No. 1 CB role. A pair of redshirt freshmen, Kyler Gordon & Dominique Hampton, are also likely to compete for a starting job. The safety position will undergo a transition away from do-it-all Taylor Rapp, but junior Elijah Molden has proven he can be a key piece.

With so much departing, it would be very understandable if this defense fell a little bit from their usual standards. Yet, this was a Top 20 unit group last season and there is enough of a starting point, with Bryant and company, for Lake and Kwiatkowski to work some serious magic.

Special Teams: Even though he struggled from extra long range, Washington kicker Peyton Henry proved to be solid a year ago, knocking 16 of 22 field goals. He'll hope to improve his long of 41, as he could face an interesting challenge from newcomer Tim Horn. Former junior college transfer Joel Whitford returns as the team's punter after averaging 41.3 yards per kick last season.

Bottom Line: With 32 wins over the past three seasons along with a Playoff berth, nobody can call the Jake Browning era disappointing. However, there is a sense around this 2019 team that even brighter days could be ahead behind the rocket arm of Eason and a talented group of receivers. In order for that to take shape, the Huskies will have to figure out some of the defensive question marks that are sure to linger into fall. Yet, that side of the ball has consistently proven it can reload as well as anywhere in the country, and Petersen's efforts on the recruiting trail have loaded this roster with talent top to bottom. Things are going to be difficult in a rapidly improving Pac-12 North; not only will UW deal with their in-state rival Washington State, as well as the ever-consistent Stanford, Oregon now appears to be rising fast. The Ducks will still have to travel to Seattle to come out with the division crown, which still essentially puts Washington in the driver's sea this fall. With an improved conference, a third Pac-12 Title in four seasons might be too much to ask for this retooling team. But, the Huskies still certainly have the pieces in place to return to a New Year's Six Bowl, which has been their home the last few years.

Team Projections
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Pac-12)
Offensive MVP: QB Jacob Eason
Defensive MVP: NB Myles Bryant
Breakout Player of the Year: RB Salvon Ahmed
Impact Freshman: DT Jacob Bandes

Five-Year Trend
2014: 8-6 (4-5 Pac-12)
2015: 7-6 (4-5 Pac-12)
2016: 12-2 (8-1 Pac-12)
2017: 10-3 (7-2 Pac-12)
2018: 10-4 (7-2 Pac-12)

College Football Preview 2019: 15. Texas A&M Aggies

15. Texas A&M Aggies

A solid debut for Jimbo Fisher and A&M should set up for an even better 2019 and beyond

Kellen Mond

Offense: After holding off Nick Starkel for the starting quarterback job, Kellen Mond put together an impressive 2018 campaign. He finished the year with 3,107 yards and 31 total touchdowns, seeming to play his best football against best opponents (430 yards against Clemson). Mond is now returning for his junior season and he should continue to flourish under Jimbo Fisher, who is well-respected around the college football landscape as a "QB guru".

A huge year from running back Trayveon Williams helped him rise to third on Texas A&M's all-time rushing chart, with 3,615 yards in his Aggie career. Williams decided to leave for the pros a year early, meaning A&M must now replace 1,760 yards and 18 touchdowns. A host of candidates will now compete for the feature back role, including sophomore Jashaun Corbin, converted QB Vernon Jackson and UCF transfer Cordarrian Richardson. Corbin is certainly the favorite after gaining 346 yards a season ago. With that being said, Richardson is a real wild card as a speedster and open field demon who the Aggies should use creatively. Expect Mond to also be a factor as a runner, as he recorded 474 yards with his legs last fall.

Want even more reason to be excited about what Mond can do this year? He'll have nearly every big name receiver returning to help him out, with four of his top five back. That list includes a host of juniors, namely Quartney Davis, Jhamon Ausbon and Kendrick Rogers Jr. Davis is going to be the No. 1 guy as the top returning wide out, catching 45 passes for 585 yards and seven scores. Ausbon missed some time in '18 but now appears fully healthy, while Rogers struggles with drops but is a big red zone target at 6'4". Expect the Aggies to also feature Camron Buckley & Hezekiah Jones, who are also juniors.

Fisher has always put a real emphasis on tight ends in his offense and that did not change in his first season in College Station. Jace Sternberger proved to be a revelation as a junior college transfer, recording 832 receiving yards and ten touchdowns before becoming a third-round NFL Draft selection. The Aggies will sorely miss him, but there are serious expectations for incoming freshman Baylor Cupp. Cupp is a four-star prospect out of Brock, Texas who wowed scouts in high school and should see a ton of action right away.

Playing in the physical SEC West, having a strong offensive line is key, which should bode well for Texas A&M in 2019. There are three starters returning and good depth overall, as 69 career starts are back in total. The left side of the unit seems to be the real strength, with junior guard Jared Hocker back, as well as left tackle Dan Moore. Don't be surprised if newcomer Kenyon Green challenges for snaps from the get-go at either tackle spot as a consensus five-star recruit.

Even though the Aggies lose their two biggest offensive pieces in Williams and Sternberger, this offense should be very strong this fall. Mond should cement himself as one of the best the SEC has to offer, and he has a lot of help in front of him and surrounding him. It would not be surprising if A&M once again averages 36 points per game, if not more.

Defense: Defensive coordinator Mike Elko has proven to be a very impactful hire for Texas A&M and it should pay even larger dividends in 2019. This defense will feature a very strong defensive front, while the secondary welcomes in some talented newcomers.

Even though the Aggies will miss long-time defensive tackle Daylon Mack up the middle, the real strength of the D-Line will be the interior. Junior Justin Madubuike is a very talented pass rusher for his size and position, managing 5.5 sacks last fall. He is too quick for most linemen to get hands on and he is also extremely intelligent. Sophomore nose guard Bobby Brown is also a great athlete, as he has a 32 inch vertical leap, despite weighing in at 330 pounds. The bigger question for A&M will be at the end position, where two starters must be replaced. Senior Michael Clemons has a chance to breakout coming back form injury, although the other starter is unclear at the moment. Freshman Demarvin Leal was in for the spring and looked great, so he'll challenge for snaps.

While the defensive front will help A&M overcome some deficiencies at linebacker, this group could still be a slight concern. The good news is that sophomore Anthony Hines, a talented playmaker off the edge, should be fully back and healthy after missing nearly all of 2018. He will be joined by senior Charles Oliver, who made the move to the "Rover" position over the off-season. Oliver will be used a lot in coverage, where he really excels, swatting nine passes a year ago. Beyond that, A&M has a lot of talent, but most of it is unproven at this point. Elko and the rest of this staff will need some younger pieces to step forward.

The Aggies were still prone to letting up the big play through the air at times in 2018, although this secondary has the potential to really improve going forward. There are three corners that could legitimately start, namely junior Debione Renfro, junior Myles Jones and JUCO transfer Elijah Blades. Jones looked really good down the stretch for A&M last fall, while Blades looks the part of an SEC defensive back. Derrick Tucker is slated to start at strong safety, although his production fell off, from 55 tackles in '17 to 27 in '18 despite more starts. The free safety spot will likely be up for grabs into fall camp and possibly beyond. Sophomore Leon O'Neal has a ton of talent and showed flashes last season, but he could be pushed by fellow sophomore Brian Johnson or newcomers.

Once the Achilles Heel of the program, Texas A&M has really shored up the defensive side of the ball and things are looking up for '19 and the future. The D-Line looks and plays like an SEC unit and the pass defense should see improvement across the board with more experience and even more youthful talent entering the fray. It would not be surprising to see Elko put together another strong year before searching for a head coaching job somewhere in the next off-season.

Special Teams: Having a punter that can flip field position is such a luxury in the world of college football and the Aggies have just that in Braden Mann. Mann had a 51.0 punt average in 2018, which was an FBS record. He'll be especially key in low-scoring SEC affairs. The kicker position isn't quite as much of a strength, although sophomore Seth Small appears to have plenty of potential.

Bottom Line: Coming off a nine win campaign that included a bowl beatdown of NC State, there seems to be a lot of momentum for Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies. There already is tons of talent on this roster and Fisher continues to hit the recruiting trail hard, which means we will likely see some freshmen playing key snaps this season. With that being said, this is still a team with healthy experience throughout the roster, including the ever-important quarterback position. That will certainly be a huge X-factor for a team that plays in such an unforgiving division. Yet, for all the positives and hype around the program right now, one significant issue stands in the way for a real Aggie breakthrough: the schedule. A&M gets Alabama and Auburn at home, but must go on the road against Clemson, Georgia and LSU. You could make the argument that is three Top 5 opponents all away from home which is a daunting task for any team. I still expect Texas A&M to be very competitive in the SEC West, but the schedule is just too much to seriously think this team could make some type of Playoff jump. However, hovering around nine to ten wins and making a quality bowl is completely within the realm of possibility.

Team Projections
Projected Record: 8-4 (5-3 SEC)
Offensive MVP: QB Kellen Mond
Defensive MVP: DL Justin Madubuike
Breakout Player of the Year: RB Jashaun Corbin
Impact Freshman: TE Baylor Cupp

Five-Year Trend
2014: 8-5 (3-5 SEC)
2015: 8-5 (4-4 SEC)
2016: 8-5 (4-4 SEC)
2017: 7-6 (4-4 SEC)
2018: 9-4 (5-3 SEC)

College Football Preview 2019: 16. Syracuse Orange

16. Syracuse Orange

Last season's breakthrough was just the beginning; the Orange retain enough to once again reach double-digit victories

Andre Cisco

Offense: For the first time since he arrived in upstate New York, head coach Dino Babers will be breaking in a new quarterback. Eric Dungey has been his guy the last three seasons as the heart and soul of this Orange team and his 2,868 passing yards a season ago made him SU's all-time leading passer. It appears as though Babers and this staff will turn to sophomore Tommy DeVito to take over the reigns of the offense.

DeVito took advantage of Dungey's ill health towards the middle of the 2018 season to lead the comeback victory against UNC and he finished the year with 525 yards. He is not the hard-nosed runner that Dungey was, but that could end up working better for this offense. Instead, he'll be more of a traditional, dropback passer that has the arm to do damage in this wide-open offense. There almost certainly will be a slight drop-off in production early on, but most people who have seen DeVito believe he'll figure things out in a timely manner.

With the ground game likely to lean less on Dungey there is a good chance Syracuse produces their first 1,000 yard back in years. Senior Moe Neal is back after being their No. 1 guy in 2018, managing 869 yards and five scores. Neal is not a flashy runner but is a well-built, shifty runner that is a nice fit in this offense. The depth behind Neal is also very impressive, as sophomore Jarveon Howard also returns and Oklahoma transfer Abdul Adams arrives. Howard had seven touchdowns in 2018 and is a short yardage specialist, while Adams is a big play threat who averaged a whopping 9.9 yards per carry for OU in 2017. Neal may not be elite, but the depth of this group of backs makes this one of the premier RB units in the ACC.

DeVito will have to find a new No. 1 target in the passing game following the graduation of Jamal Custis, who paced all SU receivers with 906 yards. The good news is that there is an abundance of options, with the headliners being senior Sean Riley and sophomore Taj Harris. Riley is just 5'8" but works extremely well as a reliable, move-the-chains guy this type of offense needs. Meanwhile, Harris had the most receiving yards by a true freshman in school history and is a dynamic deep threat. He could be the real breakout guy on an offense full of potential breakthroughs. Add in Michigan State transfer Trishton Jackson, and I envision this group once again having a superb season.

While most of the attention at schools with explosive offenses is reserved for their skill positions, offensive lines may a much larger role than most give them credit for. That certainly is the case at Syracuse, where their O-Line was crucial to their success last fall. Babers and the staff have to feel good about the line once again, as 98 career starts are returning. That includes junior Airon Servais, who can play center or either tackle spot, as well as South Alabama transfer Ryan Alexander, a likely starter at right tackle. The goal will be to keep DeVito upright more than Dungey was, which should be easier with a less-mobile QB.

Babers is well respected around college football for his offensive mind and he has quickly built an offense with the Orange that is incredibly consistent. It is a group that can plug in pieces and keep on humming, which they'll do at a few spots in 2019. If DeVito is able to adjust to the starting job quickly, the 40.2 PPG in '18 is not completely realistic.

Defense: Offense is likely always going to rule the day in Syracuse under Babers, but this defense has the chance to be one of the most underrated in the country in 2019. They have a strong front seven that knows how to get after opposing quarterbacks, and the secondary has every major contributor back.

Veteran defensive ends Alton Robinson & Kendall Coleman both had ten sacks last fall and are both back for the Orange. Neither came to the school with much fanfare, but they've developed into quick, twitchy pass rushers that are nearly impossible to stay in front of. Robinson has attracted a ton of NFL buzz and scouts will be heading to the Carrier Dome often to get more looks at him. Up the middle, senior McKinley Williams is a run stopper. He'll have to play an even larger role with three-year starter Chris Slayton gone at one D-Tackle spot, but the experienced Williams has proven he can play key snaps. It is unclear right now who will replace Slayton in the starting lineup, with a host of players ready to compete in fall camp.

Even though the linebacker corps lost a bunch heading into 2018, the unit proved to be a real strength for this Orange team, as Ryan Guthrie & Kielan Whitner combined for 207 total tackles. Unfortunately, SU will have to reload as both graduated over the off-season. Senior Andrew Armstrong has ample experience and should be able to slide into a starting spot without much difficulty. He had 45 tackles and picked off a pass last year and will play at weakside outside 'backer. Middle linebacker is a bigger question at this point, with senior Lakiem Williams competing with sophomore Juan Wallace for snaps. Don't be surprised if newcomer Mikel Jones, the gem of this year's recruiting class, comes in and competes for snaps right away at nickelback. 

Syracuse saw their pass defense improve wildly in 2018, thanks to more experience and the play of Andre Cisco, who tied for the FBS lead with seven interceptions. Things could get even better this fall, as all four starters are returning to the defensive backfield, including Cisco. The cornerback position will likely trot out two senior starters in Scoop Bradshaw & Christopher Frederick. Fredrick proved to be quite the playmaker himself, picking off three passes. It will be hard to replicate last year's production, but expect Cisco to be one of the top defensive backs in the ACC once more in 2019. He did all that a year ago despite being a true frosh and only starting 11 of their 13 games. Strong safety is going to be manned by senior Evan Foster, the top returning tackler on this team\, with 86 in '18. Depth is somewhat of a concern, but bringing in talent like true freshman Cornelius Nunn will certainly help with that.

The Orange proved they could defend the pass and get after the QB last season, and the pieces that are back will do much the same in 2019. While the linebacker situation isn't as favorable as last fall, that stacked D-Line and secondary should be able to make up for it. With so much talent and experience still in the fold, this should be the best defense in the Babers era.

Special Teams: After some early growing pains, Andre Szmyt turned it on in 2018, notching 30 of 34 field goals en route to All-American honors and the Lou Groza Award for best kicker in the country. He'll be joined by senior Sterling Hofrichter, who earned All-ACC honors as a punter, with 67 punts for an average of 42.9 yards. With those two returning, Syracuse boasts perhaps the best special teams unit in the nation.

Bottom Line: After two straight 4-8 campaigns to open his tenure, Dino Babers had his long awaited breakthrough last season, as Syracuse won ten games and came within a hair of upsetting National Champion Clemson on the road. Don't expect the momentum to stop there, as the Orange have loaded up on some real talent on both sides of the ball the last few years. The offense should look different this season but still be highly productive, while the defense and special teams have a chance to be at the top of the conference. Just as promising as the actual on-field talent is a schedule that is among the easiest in the Power Five. The Orange will get their new division rival, Clemson, at home in the Carrier Dome where they were able to pull off the upset in 2017. Outside of that, the Orange get a breezy non-conference slate and a manageable road schedule, although trips to Florida State and NC State will be precarious. Could this be the team to finally overpower Clemson and take over the ACC Atlantic? It isn't as crazy as one might think, especially if the Orange can steal one at home. Either way, the schedule sets up in such a way that a New Year's Six Bowl seems like a real possibility.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2 ACC)

Offensive MVP: RB Moe Neal

Defensive MVP: S Andre Cisco

Breakout Player of the Year: WR Taj Harris

Impact Freshman: LB/DB Mikel Jones

Five-Year Trend

2014: 3-9 (1-7 ACC)

2015: 4-8 (2-6 ACC)

2016: 4-8 (2-6 ACC)

2017: 4-8 (2-6 ACC)

2018: 10-3 (6-2 ACC)

College Football Preview 2019: 17. Penn State Nittany Lions

17. Penn State Nittany Lions

Even without the winningest QB in school history, Penn State has proven they have staying power in rugged Big Ten East

Pat Freiermuth

Offense: The last three seasons, quarterback Trace McSorley has been the steady hand for an explosive Penn  State offense but after he was drafted in the sixth round of the NFL Draft this spring, it is time for the Nittany Lions to move on. Longtime backup Tommy Stevens opted to join former offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead at Mississippi State, opening the door for a new era at the QB position.

It looks like it is now sophomore Sean Clifford's time to lead a young, but talented, PSU offense. Clifford saw some action in 2018, throwing for 195 yards and two touchdowns, but is still learning the ropes of OC Ricky Rahne's scheme. Clifford will certainly have big shoes to fill, but people around the program have raved about his work ethic and arm strength. He also has solid mobility, which was a major part of McSorley's game. The new signal-caller will benefit from an early season schedule that isn't very difficult, allowing him time to acclimate and get more comfortable in the role.

Penn State is also bringing in a new feature back after Miles Sanders decided to leave a year early for the pros. Sanders is certainly a crucial loss (1,274 yards, 9 touchdowns in '18) but much like the QB position, there is serious hype about the fresh starter. Sophomore Ricky Slade is a former highly-touted recruit who flashed playmaking potential last fall and is more explosive than Sanders. With PSU likely leaning on the ground game early on, expect his numbers to skyrocket after gaining 257 yards of rushing a season ago. Newcomers Devyn Ford & Noah Cain are part of a talented recruiting class that should also push for carries. Cain saw a lot of action in the spring and impressed coaches and fans alike. This is certainly a very inexperienced group of running backs, but the potential is there for something special to grow here over the course of this fall.

Few freshmen in the entire country were as surprising as K.J. Hamler, who was the 47th-ranked receiver in the 2017 class but ended up leading Penn State in receiving. Hamler caught 42 passes for 754 yards and proved to be a terrifying playmaker in the open field, averaging 18 yards per reception. He is a little bit on the small side for a true No. 1 target but Hamler showed enough last season to warrant All-Conference hype entering 2019. It will be fascinating to see who will step up as the No. 2 guy beside him after the transfer of Juwan Johnson to Oregon. My bet is redshirt freshman Justin Shorter, who was expected to do big things in 2018 but struggled with injuries and caught just three passes. At 6'4", 230 pounds Shorter has ideal size and jaw-dropping athleticism, and he didn't shy away from any hype this off-season, claiming he could win the Biletnikoff Award in 2019. A breakout from Shorter would be huge, but the Nittany Lions will also need support from sophomores Jahan Dotson and Mac Hippenhammer, who both are big play threats.

Tight end could be important in this Penn State offense as a security blanket for Clifford early on and luckily for the Nittany Lions, the position appears to be in good hands. Sophomore Pat Freiermuth had 368 yards a season ago and played extremely well down the stretch. Add in talented redshirt freshman Zack Kuntz and PSU has a plethora of options for Clifford.

Paving the way for the new wave of offensive playmakers will be one of the country's most underrated offensive lines. This unit returns three starters with 62 starts between them, including a number of All-Big Ten caliber blockers. Junior center Michael Menet is a guiding force in the heart of the line, while junior Will Fries offers the versatility to play either tackle spot. Left tackle is a concern coming out of the spring, but redshirt frosh Rasheed Walker appears ready to grab ahold of the starting job.

Despite some of the growing pains this offense will undoubtedly face with so much youth, it could be a very exciting unit. There is speed and explosiveness at every major skill position and the O-Line will be key in grinding Big Ten action. Don't be surprised if this offense is again one of the top groups in the conference.

Defense: The Nittany Lions entered 2018 decimated with NFL departures and graduation losses, returning just three starters. That isn't quite the case in '19, as six starters are returning, including some players who could legitimately vie for All-American honors.

Penn State will run a physical 4-3 defensive front that is headlined by junior Yetur Gross-Matos. Gross-Matos was dominant in 2018, recording 54 tackles, 8 sacks and 12 TFL and most think he is just scratching the surface. Blessed with good size and a high motor, he should be a high NFL Draft selection next spring. The other returnee to the D-Line is sturdy veteran Robert Windsor, who should start at one D-Tackle spot. Sophomore P.J. Mustipher could start alongside him as another former high profile recruit who had flashes last fall and is a real gap-clogger in the middle. Keep an eye on junior Shane Simmons, a guy with the talent to be a star who has been unable to stay healthy throughout his time in State College.

Long labelled as "Linebacker U" it appears PSU has their next great player at the position in sophomore Micah Parsons. Parsons originally came to Penn State as a defensive end but they were so thin at linebacker he was moved around. It certainly worked out, as Parsons led all Nittany Lion defenders with 83 tackles as a true freshman. He has All-Big Ten talent but will still have to grow more comfortable as an outside linebacker. Senior Jan Johnson is the likely starter at middle linebacker, while Cam Brown will start opposite of Parsons at OLB. That trio will give PSU one of the most experienced and well-rounded groups in the conference.

The secondary should also be a notable strength as the Nittany Lions return two key seniors and have loads of talent waiting in the wings. Senior John Reid is slated to be their top coverage corner and he certainly has the tools to be shutdown. Reid had eight pass deflections and two INTs this past fall after a gruesome torn ACL in 2017. Now clearly 100 percent, he'll continue to build on that success, although the starting spot at the other corner slot is up for grabs. Senior Garrett Taylor is locked in at free safety and is tremendous at jumping routes and making plays, with three interceptions last season. Yet, people around the program seem to be more excited about his safety mate, junior Lamont Wade. Wade has 49 tackles over the past two years in limited time, but has the talent to be much, much better.

This defense had serious question marks entering 2018 and still managed to put together a solid campaign. Those questions seem to be basically gone entering this fall, although depth is a concern in some spots. With Gross-Matos & Parsons leading the charge, the 20.5 PPG allowed in '18 could drop further, and this group should be the guiding force as the young offense figures things out.

Special Teams: Even though he had some ups-and-downs last fall, getting sophomore Jake Pinegar back as placekicker is huge for Penn State. He was 16 of 24 on field goals last year, with a long of 49. At punter, senior Blake Gillikin is one of the best in the Big Ten, earning All-Conference honors in 2017. He'll hope to get back to that 2017 form after an uneven showing in 2018.

Bottom Line: With 31 victories over the last three seasons, Penn State has cemented themselves a consistent Big Ten Title threat under head coach James Franklin. Franklin and his staff have recruited extremely well and this team has as much talent as anybody in the conference. That should serve them well in what will be somewhat of a transition season away from the Trace McSorley era. Clifford & Slade will certainly need some time to adjust to their new roles, but the defense should be able to keep this Nittany Lion squad in the mix. They still might be too young to overtake Ohio State and Michigan to win their first division title since 2016 but they will definitely stick in the mix and another New Year's Six Bowl seems like a realistic expectation in Happy Valley.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)

Offensive MVP: WR K.J. Hamler

Defensive MVP: LB Micah Parsons

Breakout Player of the Year: RB Ricky Slade

Impact Freshman: RB Noah Cain

Five-Year Trend

2014: 7-6 (2-6 Big Ten)

2015: 7-6 (4-4 Big Ten)

2016: 11-3 (8-1 Big Ten)

2017: 11-2 (7-2 Big Ten)

2018: 9-4 (6-3 Big Ten)

College Football Preview 2019: 18. Auburn Tigers

18. Auburn Tigers

Can the offense take a major leap forward in 2019? Gus Malzahn's job may depend on it

Marlon Davidson & Nick Coe

Offense: Head coach Gus Malzahn will resume play call duties after a mediocre offensive campaign from the Tigers in 2018. They weren't terrible, averaging 30.9 PPG (48th in the country) but struggled to run the ball and stay consistent. Malzahn will have plenty of talent to work with, but not a ton offense to start in '19.

The first order of business will be locking in a new starting quarterback following the departure of steady Jarrett Stidham. The spring transfer of Malik Willis left it a two man race between redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood and true freshman Bo Nix. Gatewood spent one season learning the playbook and has size reminiscent of Cam Newton (6'5", 227) but still has not taken a snap at the FBS level. Nix comes in with plenty of fanfare, as the former Alabama Mr. Football. My prediction on the winner? Gatewood will earn it out of fall camp, but don't be surprised if calls to unleash Nix begin pretty quickly on the Plains.

Malzahn teams are certainly at their best when they're running the ball effectively, and the Tigers return their top two rushers. Sophomore JaTarvious Whitlow was a pleasant surprise last season, leading the team in rushing (787 yards) despite just five starts. He has the chance to do even greater damage in 2019, although senior Kam Martin should also still be a factor. Junior Malik Miller also figures to be used creatively, as he caught 13 passes a year ago.

Figuring out a new top receiver may be a growing pain for Auburn this fall, but this is still a good group of playmakers. The top weapon has to be sophomore Anthony Schwartz, who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Also a track star, Schwartz has to be refine his route running skills and catching in traffic, but the raw skills are there for an exciting season. Junior Eli Stove appears to be healthy and ready to go following a medical redshirt last year. He is more of a natural No. 1 guy than Schwartz, although undersized. Then there is sophomore Seth Williams, who is technically their top returning guy after he put up 534 yards as a true freshman. Williams is a lethal deep threat, averaging 20.5 yards per reception last fall. Combined, that trio should give whoever earns the starting QB job a lot to work with.

Despite all the talent Auburn brings back at the skill position, the offense is not going to improve at all unless the O-Line makes a big leap. That should happen, as the Tigers return all five starters to the unit, including a number of guys that have All-SEC talent. Senior guard Mike Horton should be the anchor of the group, as will fellow veteran Kaleb Kim at center. UMass transfer Jack Driscoll should be a quality start at right tackle, although this not a very deep group. With five senior starters, there are no excuses for this unit in 2019.

Once again, there is ample talent playing on the Plains, but putting together is always the challenge. If either quarterback can emerge quickly and Whitlow does indeed do even greater things this fall, it has the good chance of being a Top 25 unit, particularly with some of Malzahn's magic sprinkled in there.

Defense: Once the Achilles Heel on this Tigers team, the defense has become their strength. They allowed just 19.2 points per game in 2018, 14th in the country, playing a physical type of football. It all starts with their defensive line, which has a very legitimate claim as the top D-Line in all the land.

It was quite a surprise when D-Tackle Derrick Brown announced he would forgo the NFL Draft and return for his senior year. The powerful disruptor had six tackles for loss and six QB hurries last year but made his real impact as a run stopper. He may be the best interior D-Linemen anywhere. Joining him are two impactful defensive ends in Nick Coe & Marlon Davidson. Coe led the team in sacks last season, managing seven while facing double teams. Davidson was also a force to be reckoned with, posting 11 quarterback hurries. Beyond that trio, Auburn also possesses plenty of depth with guys like Markaviest "Big Kat" Bryant and sophomore Coynis Miller quality reserves. 

That defensive line will have to eat up some run plays in 2019, as the linebacker corps is thin. Losing Deshaun Davis, who led all Auburn defenders with 116 tackles a year ago, is brutal. This group will be very inexperienced and a number of youngsters are going to have to play big snaps. Junior K.J. Britt is the likely starter at the ever-important middle linebacker spot and will have to be the leader of the group. He has proven he can play well in big-time SEC football, but it will still be a transition period for him. Keep an eye on newcomer Owen Pappoe, who was the gem of this year's recruiting class and impressed in the spring. Pappoe has a vast skill set and seems like the type of prospect that should pick up FBS football quickly.

The defensive line should certainly benefit from a secondary bound to lead to coverage sacks. Four key starters return, with the only new one likely broken in at nickelback. Senior corner Javaris Davis is likely to be the No. 1 guy after a superb 2018 season. He had eight pass breakups a season ago, while picking off two passes. Across from him junior Noah Igbinoghene has ample experience and is a major help in run support. Both safety spots seem to be in good hands, as seniors Daniel Thomas and Jeremiah Dinson are back in town. Thomas is the top returning tackler entering this fall and really does it all for this back-end.

Coordinator Kevin Steele has done a tremendous job on this side of the ball, and the returns of Brown and Davidson will pay major dividends. With both the line and backfield stocked, the attention will be on the linebacker crew to learn quickly. The season opener against Oregon in late August will test the defensive speed, but it should get them acclimated to primetime college football very quickly.

Special Teams: The younger brother of Auburn legend Daniel, kicker Anders Carlson had big shoes to fill when he first joined Auburn. He had a rocky freshman season, knocking down 15 of 25 field goals, but he did show a lot of potential. Punter should also be in good hands, with junior Arryn Siposs returning after second team All-SEC honors.

Bottom Line: No program in college football is as unpredictable year-in, year-out as Auburn, but the arrow seems to be pointing up for 2019. Sure, the quarterback situation is a major question mark that will have to be figured out in quick order. Yet, the return of Malzahn to play-calling duties adds a certain energy to this offensive group that just was not there a season ago. Steele should also have the defense firing, especially once the linebacker situation smoothes itself out. With that being said, a brutal schedule could restrict just how far the Tigers are able to rise. This team still certainly has the pieces to compete for an SEC West Title, but eight to nine wins seems to be more their range. That is, unless they're able to pull off some Auburn magic much the way they did in 2010 and 2013, which is never out of the question on the Plains.

Team Projections

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

Offensive MVP: RB JaTarvious Whitlow

Defensive MVP: DL Derrick Brown

Breakout Player of the Year: WR Anthony Schwartz

Impact Freshman: LB Owen Pappoe

Five-Year Trend

2014: 8-5 (4-4 SEC)

2015: 7-6 (2-6 SEC)

2016: 8-5 (5-3 SEC)

2017: 10-4 (7-1 SEC)

2018: 8-5 (3-5 SEC)

College Football Preview 2019: 19. Stanford Cardinal

19. Stanford Cardinal

A shift away from their usual ground-and-pound offense makes Cardinal an intriguing threat in wide open Pac-12 North

Connor Wedington

Offense: Since the inception of the Jim Harbaugh era, Stanford football has been built around their physical ground game. They've consistently had star running backs and even their fair share of Heisman finalists in Toby Gerhart, Christian McCaffrey and Bryce Love. However, the Cardinal showed a distinct philosophy shift in 2018, leaning more on their aerial attack. Stanford rushed for just 108 yards per game, 11th in the conference and saw Love graduate following an injury-plagued campaign.

This shift to a pass-first style fits perfectly with Stanford's personnel, as they have a veteran QB in K.J. Costello and a talented group of wide outs. Costello threw for 3,540 yards and 29 touchdowns on the season while leading the Pac-12 in passing efficiency. He'll enter 2019 as one of the best quarterbacks in the conference and a proven winner. However, cutting down on turnovers will be imperative after he tossed 11 INT's.

Even though Love was not able to regain his 2017 form, he is still a significant loss for the Cardinal. Expect head coach David Shaw to turn to senior Cameron Scarlett, who added 330 yards and eight scores in a complementary role. He isn't the athlete Love or McCaffrey are, but Scarlett is still a strong runner that fits this offense. Junior Trevor Speights and newcomer Austin Jones are also going to get carries and possibly help out in the passing game.

Losing three of their top receiving targets from 2018 would be a near death sentence for Stanford just years ago, but Shaw has recruited this position extremely well and there is talent ready. Gone are Trenton Irwin, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and tight end Kaden Smith but enter sophomore Connor Wedington and Osiris St. Brown. The big playmaker is certainly St. Brown, who has athleticism that Stanford simply has never had at the position. He averaged over 25 yards per reception last season but expect even bigger rewards in '19. Even with Smith leaving, junior Colby Parkinson is a favorite to take home the John Mackey Award for nation's top tight end. Parkinson recorded 485 yards and seven touchdown catches a season ago and appears to be the next in a lengthy line of star Cardinal tight ends.

In order for the rushing attack to improve the offensive line has to run block better. Junior right tackle Walker Little leads a talented group of players, but one that faded down the stretch last fall. Little is a great starting point; he is an All-American candidate who should be a high NFL selection. On the other side, sophomore Foster Sarell is untested still, but oozes with potential. The interior of this unit will have to be shored up, namely the guard spots.

If not for Costello's play down the final few games, Stanford wouldn't have come close their to nine victories. With him back at the helm, the Cardinal are automatically in a good spot no matter what the ground game or O-Line looks like. However, it would be a major plus if those groups were able to recover from rough 2018 campaigns and bring Stanford back to their old, ground-and-pound ways. They won't get down time to figure it out, opening up against a Top 25-caliber defense in Northwestern on August 31st. 

Defense: Once a consistent Top 25 defense, Stanford's struggles on this side of the ball have been a major reason for their slight slippage in the Pac-12 North pecking order. This was especially true for their pass defense, which was 115th in the entire nation a year ago, allowing 264 YPG.

The good news is that Stanford should field a strong rush defense that is led by an experienced and talented D-Line. Junior defensive end Jovan Swann has proven to be incredibly reliable as a rock-solid pass rusher (4.5 sacks in '18) and as an important piece in run support. He'll be joined by junior D-Tackle Michael Williams as well as rising sophomore Thomas Booker. Booker is a talent to get excited about; he has the speed and motor reminiscent of former Stanford star Solomon Thomas. 

Linebacker is a position group Stanford reloads as well as anybody nationally, so I'm not super worried about the heavy losses they suffered at the position. Sure, replacing Sean Barton and Bobby Okereke (188 combined tackles in '18) will be a tall task, but there is talent returning. Junior outside linebacker Jordan Fox has the chance to be one of the Cardinal's top outside pass rushers. He had 9.5 tackles for loss last season and can really impact games with his quickness off the edge. Inside linebacker is incredibly bare for the Cardinal at the moment, they'll most likely need a youngster or two to step up.

Despite the pass defense problems Stanford suffered through in 2018, things are looking up for this group entering this fall. The big returnee to the secondary is unquestionably cornerback Paulson Adebo, who earned All-Conference honors his redshirt freshman campaign. Adebo is a versatile corner that can jam at the line of scrimmage but also extend outwards and play sideline-to-sideline. He has a chance to be the best cornerback in the country entering 2019, although that is a hotly contested award. Sophomore corner Kendall Williamson and junior safety Malik Antoine are also back, giving Stanford an abundance of pieces on the back-end.

Although it will be difficult to make a major improvement in a division that seems to be getting better continuously, the Cardinal have plenty of talent on defense. Coordinator Lance Anderson will need to find a way to maximize his D-Line while also keeping the secondary in good position, which was a big problem in '18. With so much experience back, Anderson should be able to guide this unit back into "very good" territory.

Special Teams: Junior placekicker Jet Toner will almost certainly be a favorite for the Lou Groza Award given to the nation's best kicker, after he knocked 14 of 15 field goals last season. However, the punter spot is a major question after veteran Jake Bailey moved on.

Bottom Line: While the Pac-12 North seems to be getting better top to bottom, Stanford remains in a good spot to win the division in 2019. Costello gives them a proven, talented quarterback to run this offense and the defense should also be improved, if the secondary is able to live up to their talent. Peeking at the schedule, the non-conference slate is tricky, with meetings against Northwestern, UCF and Notre Dame, but the Cardinal do get most of the difficult games at home in Palo Alto. They may not have enough for New Year's Six Bowl in somewhat of a transition year, but Pac-12 Title contention into November is a realistic goal for Shaw & the Cardinal.

Team Projections
Projected Record: 9-3 (7-2 Pac-12)
Offensive MVP: QB K.J. Costello
Defensive MVP: CB Paulson Adebo
Breakout Player of the Year: WR Osiris St. Brown
Impact Freshman: CB Salim Turner-Muhammed

Five-Year Trend
2014: 8-5 (5-4 Pac-12)
2015: 12-2 (8-1 Pac-12)
2016: 10-3 (6-3 Pac-12)
2017: 9-5 (7-3 Pac-12)
2018: 9-4 (6-3 Pac-12)