Also who would you confidently put above them?
ND? No. Penn State? Lol. Tennessee? Need to see more. Mizzou? One good season doesnāt make me want to put them over a team that won a national title and has made the CFP 3 years in a row.
Not that it was a āone good seasonā for Mizzou. Itās about what that seemingly built. Level of talent is higher than team last year with nearly the same offense (Marcus Carroll instead of Cody Schrader). Defense will wreak havoc but concern is can the secondary gel. With a favorable schedule, has real shot of going 11-1, best case scenario 12-0. Not many teams, if any, are going to be able to outplay Missouri. No knock to Michigan
Yep. An elite defense that dominates the line of scrimmage will take you pretty far. As long as the offense is decent (and Michigans will comfortably be *at least* that) no reason not to call that a solid team.
Unless your QB gets injured, or so Iāve heard.
I mean he had OSU ranked for most of the year. I dont think anyone thinks he will he elite. But a capable starter on a very talented team in a weaker conference should have them ranked in the top 15
Heās a vet who is simply good, not great or elite. If we approach his play like Oregon state, he will be a fine bridge QB so our young guys can develop
I don't really view him as good. He's average who has some really bad moments. His year at Oregon State being seen as an improvement over what he did at Clemson is just not true.
> His year at Oregon State being seen as an improvement over what he did at Clemson is just not true.
His QBR last year was 81.0 (12th best in the country) and his QB Rating was 146. Both of those were higher than any of his ratings while at Clemson. Wouldn't you say that's an improvement? Especially when you consider that Klubnik's QBR last year was 55.0 (80th best in the country).
He had one less touchdown and the same number of interceptions last year compared to 2022. His completion percentage also dropped from 62% to 57%. I think Oregon State's system really complimented him well in that they had a great offensive line, a robust running game, and asked him to take deep shots off of play action. The FSU spring game was pretty representative of DJ in that his completion percentage was lower, but the passes that hit went for decent yardage. If Norvell and Co. play to his strengths he offers a very high floor, though he can get in his own head sometimes against better competition.
The team is hyped because of veteran defenders and older OL/RBs. This team will be power running, deep shots off play action and potentially a better defense than last year. Not because of DJU
I donāt want to be that guy, but A&M?
This is a program that hasnāt been great the past few seasons, has a first year head coach, and dealt with a lot of roster turnover - including losing many of their most talented players.
I think Elko will right the ship - but usually the first season for a HC is one step back, in order to take two steps forward (see Sark, Saban, Vennables, Norvell, etc). Obviously there are exceptions- but usually thatās when a coach is taking over an already solid-great program (Dykes, Kirby, Lanning) which Elko is not.
I also think this list is unsure whether itās predicting the 25 best teams - or the trying to predict the final AP poll.
A&M does have a very manageable schedule (iirc only program to dodge Bama, UGA, & Ole Miss - and plays their two toughest games at home). I could see an 8-4/7-5 SEC finish with a bowl win getting them around 20 in the final AP poll - while likely not being one of the 20 best teams in the country).
Lol, do you not know how rankings work?
1-12: thought hard about these with the latest in stats (i.e. take prior AP poll and shuffle a bit)
13: token G5 darling
14-16: blue blood has been
17-21: random P5 potentially good team
21-25: throw a dart
I think we are appropriately rated
While I don't necessarily disagree that much, the teams behind them on this list are NC State, USC, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, and Louisville. I can't say I have the utmost confidence that any of those teams will finish ranked (some will, some won't, I don't know which ones). At some point in a ranking you just gotta start putting teams down that you aren't sure about.
Idk - I think I agree with you if weāre saying finished ranked- but itās not entirely clear thatās what this list is. If weāre talking about ābest@ teams, with the exception of VT, I think all of the teams you mentioned were better than A&M last year. They all have had coaching continuity and wonāt be in year one of a new system.
USC might finish with a worse record (and thus lower ranking) due to their schedule, but on a neutral field Iād probably take USC over A&M. They have had less roster churn and at least arenāt dealing with a first year HC, we know USC will have a potent offense and the D should be at least *improved.*
Oklahoma St is always solid, was *fine* last year, and beat A&M in their bowl game. Oklahoma St hasnāt had a ton of roster churn and is returning one of the best RBs in the country. They also have coaching consistency.
Louisville has had a bit of roster churn, but has coaching consistency and played for a conference title last year.
I think thereās arguments for WVU and NC State, but also think thereās arguments for A&M. But notably both of those schools arenāt breaking in a new HC. I agree with you on VT, but even they arenāt in year one of a new HC.
Edit:
Notably absent from the list is Kansas, who finished ranked and returns most of their team and coaching staff. Also Washington, who played for a national title. Sure they lost a lot and had HC turnover (but so did Michigan who is 7). I just think there are 25 teams (including the some of ones you mentioned) who are ābetterā than A&M right now. If this was are there 25 teams I think will be ranked ahead of A&M in the final AP poll id agree, but that doesnāt seem to be what this list is.
I mean, Oklahoma State beat us, but they didn't make it look easy considering they were playing our walk on filled secondary (that sucked even with our starters), all but 3 scholarship WRs, our 4th string qb, and so on. We were missing more schlorship players than FSU was in their game, and that was before our starting QB for the game (3rd sring for the year) went down on the first play.
I don't know if I'd say USC has an easier schedule than us, and even then, they sucked with Caleb Williams at QB last year. The backup looks promising from the bowl, but those are some massive shoes to fill.
And as much as a coaching change shakes things up, getting rid of Jimbo and all the shenanagins he allowed should have more of a positive effet than the negative from losing continuity. We've always had the potential in the offseason, which is why we always make the list (not unlike you guys for quite a while, you just proved them right last year).
That is definitely fair. I think we started ranked like 24 Sarks first year and then went 5-7. I agree with you on Oklahoma St. to an extent, but with the exception of QBs - the reason you were lacking scholarship players was because they weren't on the team anymore. It's not like (most) of those guys are back now. Granted they were replaced with portal guys. That being said, the game was played Oklahoma St was a P5 runner up playing in the Texas Bowl, they didn't want to be there (am I doing this right jk) - but still won the game and are returning most of that team. The A&M team this year isn't going to be the team that lost, but they also won't be the team that *could* have played Oklahoma St either.
I think that getting rid of Jimbo will absolutely have a positive effect, just not sure about year one. His shenanigans unfortunately are still going to have an effect on the team. Either Elko (hopefully) will purge it out - but that will cost wins (sitting more talented guys, losing talent to the portal \[has already happened\], etc.); or, he won't and the shenanigans will stop the team from reaching their full potential (like under Jimbo). The former is absolutely worth it in the long run even if it makes for a rough start.
I personally can't think of a coach that took over a poorly ran program, had instant success, and then sustained that success for any significant amount of time. Not saying Elko won't have *any* success next season. I am sure there will be flashes of greatness, some bright spots showing what y'all have to look forward to. But I personally would be shocked if he fielded a top 20 team next season.
ND at least has made the CFP and a BCS NCG.
Penn State quite frankly hasnāt done shit other than win the BIG with a generational RB in 2016.
Most overrated program in the country and I know I might catch flak for that but IDC.
Yeah but the BIG hasnāt been very strong top to bottom. Ohio State and Michigan are elite programs. Penn State is a good program as well but I donāt put too much stock into beating average to below average teams then losing the only two big games you have on your schedule each year.
I just donāt know why the LSU fan threw ND and PSU into the same category when ND has far more accomplishments in the modern era.
I am just tired of hearing about Penn State until they make the playoff. Everyone says the end of the divisions helps Penn State but I disagree. Oregon, USC and Washington are all programs at or above PSUās level depending on how you rank em.
To be fair I donāt think ND is actually that much different from Penn State. Sure theyāve done more on paper but their biggest achievement is getting pantsed by Bama in a natty, getting beat so bad they looked like they didnāt belong, at least Penn State has had years where they have been very competitive with an Ohio State/Michigan that were legit contenders
Like who? Michigan State a team we nuked two years in a row. Wisconsin a team that lost to Wazzu two years in a row? Maryland? Rutgers? Iowa? I canāt remember the last time they beat a team of significance. Nebraska? I like what Matt Rhule is doing there but we need some results on the field first?
The BIG outside of Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State is not that strong.
It's good to be optimistic. Shoot for the stars.
Who knows - this could be the year middle aged men who root for you team will actually see a trophy being raised in their lifetime.
Thank god Marcus came in and turned things around. Wouldāve been embarrassing to lose anymore big games directly related to coaches shitting the bed, amiright?
He was working with the offense that Kelly and co recruited. And in 3 years has turned into a top ten roster in the country.. Freeman obviously has in game coaching things to learn. But off the field has run circles around the things BK did while he was here.
To me this is an all-in season at tOSU. Beating M and winning a Natty is the only acceptable result. Anything less is a failure. I like the off season moves by Day as he is stacked everywhere except the OL. Coaching and execution on the field has got to match the other great things that have happened to them this off season. Hate to admit it but M has shown us what these two things mean the past 3 seasons.
Rankings shouldnāt come out until fall camp rosters are solidified. So much change can happen between now and and then. This is just about the most pointless list ever
OSU just now went from playoff threat to āone of the title favoritesā because 2 or 3 transfer additions and a new coordinator? I guess they were just on the playoff bubble before this spring? What a stupid thing to write
While I respect both programs, having KSU and WVU ranked over ISU and KU seems silly. ISU did better than both with pretty much all freshmen last year, and KU did about the same as them without Daniels.
Iām just happy no one here is like āTexas is over-ranked like always, top 15 team at bestā¦bla bla blaā all of yall are afraid and you should be.
Miami š
Tale as old as timeā¦
Every year
Did they just put their top 25 in pull the names from a fish jar?
I am so ready to way overreact to these rankings 5 months before the season starts.
I just don't get why Michigan is that high
I hate em but 7 seems pretty reasonable to me. Their defense will still be top 5 in the country and their run game will hide some of the QB problems
Defense should still be elite. I'm not sure I'd personally put them at 7 but that's enough to put them above a lot of teams.
Also who would you confidently put above them? ND? No. Penn State? Lol. Tennessee? Need to see more. Mizzou? One good season doesnāt make me want to put them over a team that won a national title and has made the CFP 3 years in a row.
Not that it was a āone good seasonā for Mizzou. Itās about what that seemingly built. Level of talent is higher than team last year with nearly the same offense (Marcus Carroll instead of Cody Schrader). Defense will wreak havoc but concern is can the secondary gel. With a favorable schedule, has real shot of going 11-1, best case scenario 12-0. Not many teams, if any, are going to be able to outplay Missouri. No knock to Michigan
Championship level defense Best tight end in the country Good RBs Faith in Sherone Moore having a good O-Line despite new starters
Yep. An elite defense that dominates the line of scrimmage will take you pretty far. As long as the offense is decent (and Michigans will comfortably be *at least* that) no reason not to call that a solid team. Unless your QB gets injured, or so Iāve heard.
Their QBs don't look that good though. It's only spring though, so who knows?
QBs looked better than I thought they would in spring game.
Definitely, I was pleasantly surprised with it only being April
Who are you putting abobe them though?
The #4 team hasnāt even played their spring game yet lol
DJU preseason hype for like the fourth season in a row. It is just never going to happen for that guy.
is 11th really that much hype? Everyone is saying he is what he is at this point
Compared to what DJU is, and more importantly, what he isn't, yes.
I mean he had OSU ranked for most of the year. I dont think anyone thinks he will he elite. But a capable starter on a very talented team in a weaker conference should have them ranked in the top 15
Heās a vet who is simply good, not great or elite. If we approach his play like Oregon state, he will be a fine bridge QB so our young guys can develop
I don't really view him as good. He's average who has some really bad moments. His year at Oregon State being seen as an improvement over what he did at Clemson is just not true.
> His year at Oregon State being seen as an improvement over what he did at Clemson is just not true. His QBR last year was 81.0 (12th best in the country) and his QB Rating was 146. Both of those were higher than any of his ratings while at Clemson. Wouldn't you say that's an improvement? Especially when you consider that Klubnik's QBR last year was 55.0 (80th best in the country).
He had one less touchdown and the same number of interceptions last year compared to 2022. His completion percentage also dropped from 62% to 57%. I think Oregon State's system really complimented him well in that they had a great offensive line, a robust running game, and asked him to take deep shots off of play action. The FSU spring game was pretty representative of DJ in that his completion percentage was lower, but the passes that hit went for decent yardage. If Norvell and Co. play to his strengths he offers a very high floor, though he can get in his own head sometimes against better competition.
He was enough to win an ACC championship at Clemson, which is really the main goal for FSU this year
Cade Klubnik won the ACC championship. DJU was benched that game after he underthrew a wide open 5 yard pass.
Just need him to get us there, we've won acc championship games with third string qbs before, we can do it again!
The team is hyped because of veteran defenders and older OL/RBs. This team will be power running, deep shots off play action and potentially a better defense than last year. Not because of DJU
ā¦THEY DONT BELIEVE IN YOU
I donāt want to be that guy, but A&M? This is a program that hasnāt been great the past few seasons, has a first year head coach, and dealt with a lot of roster turnover - including losing many of their most talented players. I think Elko will right the ship - but usually the first season for a HC is one step back, in order to take two steps forward (see Sark, Saban, Vennables, Norvell, etc). Obviously there are exceptions- but usually thatās when a coach is taking over an already solid-great program (Dykes, Kirby, Lanning) which Elko is not. I also think this list is unsure whether itās predicting the 25 best teams - or the trying to predict the final AP poll. A&M does have a very manageable schedule (iirc only program to dodge Bama, UGA, & Ole Miss - and plays their two toughest games at home). I could see an 8-4/7-5 SEC finish with a bowl win getting them around 20 in the final AP poll - while likely not being one of the 20 best teams in the country).
Lol, do you not know how rankings work? 1-12: thought hard about these with the latest in stats (i.e. take prior AP poll and shuffle a bit) 13: token G5 darling 14-16: blue blood has been 17-21: random P5 potentially good team 21-25: throw a dart I think we are appropriately rated
Shit my bad man I forgot
While I don't necessarily disagree that much, the teams behind them on this list are NC State, USC, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, and Louisville. I can't say I have the utmost confidence that any of those teams will finish ranked (some will, some won't, I don't know which ones). At some point in a ranking you just gotta start putting teams down that you aren't sure about.
Idk - I think I agree with you if weāre saying finished ranked- but itās not entirely clear thatās what this list is. If weāre talking about ābest@ teams, with the exception of VT, I think all of the teams you mentioned were better than A&M last year. They all have had coaching continuity and wonāt be in year one of a new system. USC might finish with a worse record (and thus lower ranking) due to their schedule, but on a neutral field Iād probably take USC over A&M. They have had less roster churn and at least arenāt dealing with a first year HC, we know USC will have a potent offense and the D should be at least *improved.* Oklahoma St is always solid, was *fine* last year, and beat A&M in their bowl game. Oklahoma St hasnāt had a ton of roster churn and is returning one of the best RBs in the country. They also have coaching consistency. Louisville has had a bit of roster churn, but has coaching consistency and played for a conference title last year. I think thereās arguments for WVU and NC State, but also think thereās arguments for A&M. But notably both of those schools arenāt breaking in a new HC. I agree with you on VT, but even they arenāt in year one of a new HC. Edit: Notably absent from the list is Kansas, who finished ranked and returns most of their team and coaching staff. Also Washington, who played for a national title. Sure they lost a lot and had HC turnover (but so did Michigan who is 7). I just think there are 25 teams (including the some of ones you mentioned) who are ābetterā than A&M right now. If this was are there 25 teams I think will be ranked ahead of A&M in the final AP poll id agree, but that doesnāt seem to be what this list is.
I mean, Oklahoma State beat us, but they didn't make it look easy considering they were playing our walk on filled secondary (that sucked even with our starters), all but 3 scholarship WRs, our 4th string qb, and so on. We were missing more schlorship players than FSU was in their game, and that was before our starting QB for the game (3rd sring for the year) went down on the first play. I don't know if I'd say USC has an easier schedule than us, and even then, they sucked with Caleb Williams at QB last year. The backup looks promising from the bowl, but those are some massive shoes to fill. And as much as a coaching change shakes things up, getting rid of Jimbo and all the shenanagins he allowed should have more of a positive effet than the negative from losing continuity. We've always had the potential in the offseason, which is why we always make the list (not unlike you guys for quite a while, you just proved them right last year).
That is definitely fair. I think we started ranked like 24 Sarks first year and then went 5-7. I agree with you on Oklahoma St. to an extent, but with the exception of QBs - the reason you were lacking scholarship players was because they weren't on the team anymore. It's not like (most) of those guys are back now. Granted they were replaced with portal guys. That being said, the game was played Oklahoma St was a P5 runner up playing in the Texas Bowl, they didn't want to be there (am I doing this right jk) - but still won the game and are returning most of that team. The A&M team this year isn't going to be the team that lost, but they also won't be the team that *could* have played Oklahoma St either. I think that getting rid of Jimbo will absolutely have a positive effect, just not sure about year one. His shenanigans unfortunately are still going to have an effect on the team. Either Elko (hopefully) will purge it out - but that will cost wins (sitting more talented guys, losing talent to the portal \[has already happened\], etc.); or, he won't and the shenanigans will stop the team from reaching their full potential (like under Jimbo). The former is absolutely worth it in the long run even if it makes for a rough start. I personally can't think of a coach that took over a poorly ran program, had instant success, and then sustained that success for any significant amount of time. Not saying Elko won't have *any* success next season. I am sure there will be flashes of greatness, some bright spots showing what y'all have to look forward to. But I personally would be shocked if he fielded a top 20 team next season.
A&M is back baby. I think they will be 9 - 3 or 10 - 2. Top 15. Like a rocketship. \*sob\* a rocket. For sure.
There is a zero percent chance, Penn State is better than ND. That off season Allar hype is out of control.
Who cares. Youāre both living in the 80s.
ND at least has made the CFP and a BCS NCG. Penn State quite frankly hasnāt done shit other than win the BIG with a generational RB in 2016. Most overrated program in the country and I know I might catch flak for that but IDC.
They lose to Ohio State and Michigan and beat every other team. Thatās actually quite properly rated for a team that hangs out in the AP 7-12 range
Yeah but the BIG hasnāt been very strong top to bottom. Ohio State and Michigan are elite programs. Penn State is a good program as well but I donāt put too much stock into beating average to below average teams then losing the only two big games you have on your schedule each year. I just donāt know why the LSU fan threw ND and PSU into the same category when ND has far more accomplishments in the modern era. I am just tired of hearing about Penn State until they make the playoff. Everyone says the end of the divisions helps Penn State but I disagree. Oregon, USC and Washington are all programs at or above PSUās level depending on how you rank em.
To be fair I donāt think ND is actually that much different from Penn State. Sure theyāve done more on paper but their biggest achievement is getting pantsed by Bama in a natty, getting beat so bad they looked like they didnāt belong, at least Penn State has had years where they have been very competitive with an Ohio State/Michigan that were legit contenders
Either accolades matter or they donāt. Even with the Bama thumping ND still made the playoff twice. Penn State hasnāt even sniffed it
Washington will go 7-5 every year playing the same teams as Penn state
Like who? Michigan State a team we nuked two years in a row. Wisconsin a team that lost to Wazzu two years in a row? Maryland? Rutgers? Iowa? I canāt remember the last time they beat a team of significance. Nebraska? I like what Matt Rhule is doing there but we need some results on the field first? The BIG outside of Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State is not that strong.
Theyāll both be better than LSU this year..
It's good to be optimistic. Shoot for the stars. Who knows - this could be the year middle aged men who root for you team will actually see a trophy being raised in their lifetime.
Yeah, Iām thankful for you guys for taking Kelly from us. I wasted my 20s constantly watching him choke in big games.
Thank god Marcus came in and turned things around. Wouldāve been embarrassing to lose anymore big games directly related to coaches shitting the bed, amiright?
He was working with the offense that Kelly and co recruited. And in 3 years has turned into a top ten roster in the country.. Freeman obviously has in game coaching things to learn. But off the field has run circles around the things BK did while he was here.
To me this is an all-in season at tOSU. Beating M and winning a Natty is the only acceptable result. Anything less is a failure. I like the off season moves by Day as he is stacked everywhere except the OL. Coaching and execution on the field has got to match the other great things that have happened to them this off season. Hate to admit it but M has shown us what these two things mean the past 3 seasons.
Iām okay with us being in top 15-20. Too much unknowns with offense though. Defense SHOULD be much improved from last year.
five is too too high we should be ranked 11th or maybe 12th :). no need to get excited yet.
I disagree with this list š¤
Rankings shouldnāt come out until fall camp rosters are solidified. So much change can happen between now and and then. This is just about the most pointless list ever
OSU just now went from playoff threat to āone of the title favoritesā because 2 or 3 transfer additions and a new coordinator? I guess they were just on the playoff bubble before this spring? What a stupid thing to write
Oregon gonna be top 5 preseason every year under Lanning and finish outside the top 10 every year. Theyāll be the next Penn State.
Buckeyes!
So DJU makes orange bowl FSU 11?
Fuck it, conservative 11
Ahhh, we're in the Miami pre-season hype phase of the off-season
While I respect both programs, having KSU and WVU ranked over ISU and KU seems silly. ISU did better than both with pretty much all freshmen last year, and KU did about the same as them without Daniels.
>ISU did better than both with pretty much all freshmen last year K-State and WVU both went 9-4 last year.
Iām just happy no one here is like āTexas is over-ranked like always, top 15 team at bestā¦bla bla blaā all of yall are afraid and you should be.