The next poll was submitted to the Related Press final week and shall be up to date with every group’s rating when the preseason ballot is launched Aug. 15.
Throughout the season, my poll shall be printed on the Hotline every Sunday morning.
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Additionally thought-about (alphabetical): Air Pressure, Boise State, Coastal Carolina, Iowa, Kentucky, LSU, Miami, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi, Northern Illinois, Penn State, San Diego State, Tennessee, Texas, UCF, Utah State, UTSA and Washington State
1. Alabama: The schedule features a Week Two go to to Texas and tough league journeys to Arkansas and Ole Miss. However there’s no date with Georgia — a minimum of till linebacker Will Anderson and a stellar Tide protection suffocate the Bulldogs within the SEC championship sport on the best way to one more nationwide title for Nick Saban.
2. Ohio State: The Buckeyes introduced in mastermind Jim Knowles, previously of Oklahoma State, to solidify a wobbly protection. Even marginal enchancment shall be sufficient to contend for the playoff given the firepower on the opposite aspect of scrimmage. Of notice: OSU opens the season at dwelling towards Notre Dame, which final visited Columbus in 1995.
3. Georgia: There was nothing one-hit about Georgia’s success final yr — this system has gained a minimum of 11 video games in every of the previous 4 non-COVID seasons. However returning to the 2021 heights shall be terribly tough with an overhauled protection and totally different dynamic: For the primary time since 1980, the Dawgs are the hunted.
4. Notre Dame: New coach Marcus Freeman inherits a stocked roster from Brian Kelly however faces a tough schedule: It begins with a visit to Ohio State, ends with a go to to USC and contains Clemson (dwelling) and BYU (in Las Vegas). If the Irish can survive with one loss, a playoff berth awaits.
5. Utah: Expectations are larger than ever following the Pac-12 title and Rose Bowl thriller. The Utes return quarterback Cam Rising, tailback Tavion Thomas, veteran strains and a gifted secondary. Win the opener at Florida (7 p.m. ET kickoff), and the playoff hunt awaits.
6. Texas A&M: Is that this the yr the Aggies break via within the SEC West? Nope. The schedule is simply too tough, and the beginning 22 is simply too inexperienced. Coach Jimbo Fisher’s stellar recruiting courses want a tad extra seasoning earlier than A&M is able to unseat Alabama.
7. Oklahoma: A brand new head coach (Brent Venables) and new quarterback (Dillon Gabriel, from UCF) start a brand new period in Norman. However we undertaking a well-known ending: With the Sooners because the final group standing in what must be a aggressive, entertaining Large 12 race.
8. Michigan: The defending Large Ten champions — not a phrase typically hooked up to the Wolverines — have a delicate non-conference schedule, manageable league lineup (no Wisconsin) and veteran offense, all of which ought to translate to a minimum of 9 wins … however not one other convention title.
9. Clemson: Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei struggled final season and should play to the extent of his Southern California friends at Alabama (Bryce Younger) and Ohio State (CJ Stroud) to ensure that the Tigers to return to the playoff stage. An early-November journey to South Bend looms giant.
10. Cincinnati: The Bearcats should efficiently substitute quarterback Desmond Ridder and their stellar cornerbacks so as to contend for one more playoff berth. We must always know early whether or not they’re succesful, because of the opener at Arkansas.
11. USC: Offseason additions on the ability positions have made USC related, however the anticipated bounce to nationwide competition is determined by the play of the offensive and defensive strains. Depend the Hotline as skeptical. Lincoln Riley wants another yr of roster retooling earlier than making a severe run on the CFP.
12. Baylor: The Bears improved from 2-7 throughout the COVID season to 12-2 final yr below Dave Aranda, with a Large 12 title in tow. We count on some backsliding this fall, partly due to a schedule that features journeys to BYU, Iowa State, Oklahoma and Texas.
13. Florida: Our high sleeper choose, to the extent that a program with a number of nationwide titles may be thought-about a sleeper. First-year coach Billy Napier ought to get the Gators rotated shortly, even when a impolite welcome awaits him within the opener towards Utah.
14. Mississippi: Contemporary off a 10-win season, the Rebels are positioned to take care of their trajectory below Lane Kiffin. USC switch Jaxson Dart ought to take over for Matt Corral, the protection is stocked with returnees, and the schedule lends itself to a minimum of eight wins.
15. Houston: The American appears like a three-team race with the Cougars, Cincinnati and UCF. We just like the Bearcats (narrowly) and provides Houston the sting over UCF based mostly on stability at quarterback with returnee Clayton Tune. Subsequent yr, all three will make their Large 12 debuts.
16. Oregon: A stout entrance seven and veteran offensive line are causes to imagine rookie coach Dan Lanning can keep the extent of success reached below his predecessor, Mario Cristobal. However the X issue is switch quarterback Bo Nix, whose Auburn profession was a mixture bag.
17. Wake Forest: Seven starters return from one of many nation’s greatest offenses, together with quarterback Sam Hartman. Is that sufficient to win the ACC? Not with out some semblance of competence on protection.
18. Pittsburgh: No Kenny Pickett and no Jordan Addison doesn’t imply the Panthers haven't any likelihood to defend their ACC title. The search begins with former USC quarterback Kedon Slovis, who should play like he did as a freshman, means again in 2019.
19. Oklahoma State: We count on modest regression after the 12-win season, partly due to the rugged league street schedule however largely due to the retooling required on protection following the departure of coordinator Jim Knowles.
20. Brigham Younger: The Cougars shall be arduous pressed to achieve the 10-win mark once more this season after buying and selling gimme wins towards so many Pac-12 opponents for daunting challenges towards the likes of Liberty and Utah Tech.
21. Fresno State: Jeff Tedford is again in cost after a two-year absence; quarterback Jake Haener is again after a visit into the switch portal; and because of this, the Bulldogs must be again atop the Mountain West. Recreation to look at: Week Three at USC.
22. N.C. State: Don’t ignore the Wolfpack because the potential ACC champion if Clemson leaves the door ajar — we see little distinction between Wake Forest, Pitt, NCSU and even Miami. Backside line: Yearly head coach Dave Doeren returns is a victory in Raleigh.
23. Wisconsin: Vital attrition on each side of scrimmage and an erratic returning quarterback (Graham Mertz) depart us questioning if the Badgers can return to the 10-win mark that was an annual prevalence in Madison.
24. Arkansas: After a shocking uptick in coach Sam Harman’s second yr, the Hogs are effectively positioned for one more profitable season. Their chief impediment: The division.
25. UCLA: The schedule is loaded with non-conference cupcakes, options eight dwelling video games and places an eight- or nine-win season effectively inside attain for the Bruins. The protection has been overhauled, which isn’t essentially a nasty factor.
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