While we are far from the start of the season, it's never too early to try and project who will begin the season ranked in the Top-25. It's safe to assume that Florida State will probably begin ranked at the top, but that's where the consensus ends.
Will Alabama be able to overcome the loss of A.J. McCarron and C.J. Mosley? Will Oregon finally get over the hump? Can the B1G teams finally show they are worthy? Will any darkhorse candidates emerge? There are a lot of questions that we are all excited to see the answers unfold in 2014.
Here are eDraft's Top-25 teams entering 2014.
1. Florida State
The reigning national champions hold the top spot in eDraft’s initial rankings. The Seminoles return key players, like Jameis Winston, Cameron Erving, Rashad Greene and Mario Edwards, and have their sights set on a repeat performance.
Florida State has the best roster in college football, loaded with NFL-caliber talent at every position, and have the potential to run the table again. They have tough matchups against Notre Dame, Miami (FL), and Florida, but only the Miami game is on the road.
2. Oregon
The Ducks are always in the title hunt, but can’t seem to ever get over the hump. In 2014, Mariota returns, along with a stable of running backs and talent all over the defensive line. Oregon may have their best chance now. The receiving core took a huge hit with Bralon Addison suffering a season-ending injury in spring ball, but the offense is built to allow receivers to produce, regardless of talent.
As usual, the Ducks biggest challenge will be getting past Stanford, who is the only team that consistently shuts down the high-octane offense. However, this year, the Los Angeles teams are primed to challenge for the conference title, so Oregon will have a tougher path than the past couple years.
3. Alabama
As usual, the Tide lost a lot of talent, but they are ready to reload entering the season. However, this time, they are missing one key position from the past three seasons: Quarterback.
Although McCarron wasn’t the most talented quarterback in the country, he was an incredible fit in Saban’s system and played his role incredibly well. He will be tough to replace, but Jacob Coker is a great new face for the team.
‘Bama, as usual, will go through the gauntlet of the SEC, battling with Auburn, LSU, and the up-and-coming Ole Miss.
4. Auburn
The Tigers will try to keep the momentum going forward from 2013, where they rose from the cellar to SEC champions. Nick Marshall returns to run Gus Malzahn’s fast-paced offense, and we will have help on the outside from Sammie Coates, Ricardo Louis, and Ju-Co transfer, D’haquille Williams.
They did lose running back Tre Mason, a focal point of the offense last season, and Chris Davis, the man who took the field goal 109-yards to beat Alabama last season, but the Tigers have the talent on the roster to fill the holes they left.
5. Oklahoma
The Sugar Bowl at the end of last season was the coming-out party for Trevor Knight, and set expectations very high for 2014. Knight, Sterling Shepard, and three different running backs will help run an efficient offense. And per usual, Coach Bob Stoops will trot out a very talented defense, including linebacker Eric Striker and cornerback Zack Sanchez.
The Big XII had a down year in 2013, with teams full of inconsistent play, but that won’t be the case this year. The Sooners are back, Baylor is still very good, and teams like Kansas State, Texas and Oklahoma State are dark horses that could surprise.
6. Ohio State
The Buckeyes were on the verge of a National Championship appearance last season. They entered the B1G championship game ranked second in the BCS and undefeated. However, they went on to lose to Michigan State in that game, then lost to Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
After a disappointing end to 2013, the Buckeyes will look to take the next step in 2014. They will trot out arguably the best defensive line with Michael Bennett, Joey Bosa, Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington. Braxton Miller is healthy again and ready to take the next step in his development and has a lot of speed around him to help.
7. UCLA
Brett Hundley will look to rebound from an average 2013 campaign that was littered with inconsistent play. He will have plenty of help on offense, especially in the running game from Jordan James and, on occasion, Myles Jack. Jack will lead the pass rush on the defensive side of the ball, along with Deon Hollins and Eddie Vanderdoes. Eric Kendricks fills the role left by Jordan Zumwalt.
The Bruins had high expectations in 2013, and will have them set even higher in 2014. They are projected to battle with Oregon for the Pac-12 title.
8. Baylor
The breakout of Bryce Petty and company led to one of the most prolific offenses in recent memory for Baylor in 2013. Lache Seastrunk, Glasco Martin, and Tevin Reese have moved on, but the Bears return Petty, Shock Linwood, Antwan Goodley, and Levi Norwood, so they still have plenty of fire power.
As mentioned previously, the Big XII is projected to have a tough conference this season, so the Bears may not have as great of a season as they did last year.
9. Michigan State
The Spartans surprised everyone in 2013, winning the B1G championship and the Rose Bowl behind the nation’s best defense, and the hot hand of Connor Cook at quarterback down the stretch. This year, Michigan State will have a strong running game with Jeremy Langford, and will hope that Cook plays with more consistency.
The defense is still incredibly talented, returning players like Shilique Calhoun, Trae Waynes and Kurtis Drummond, as well as coordinator Pat Narduzzi, so there will not be a huge decline, despite the loss of Darqueze Dennard and Max Bullough.
The Spartans and Buckeyes will not meet again in the championship game, due to division re-alignments with Maryland and Rutgers joining the conference, so they will battle it out to win the East division.
10. Georgia
Despite losing Aaron Murray, one of the best quarterbacks, statistically, in SEC history, the Bulldogs return six starters on offense, not including receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who suffered a season-ending injury the first week of last season. With Mitchell, Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall, and Michael Bennett all back, new quarterback Hutson Mason will have plenty of weapons to ease him into his new role.
The defense returns nine starters, including their full linebacker group from last season. Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins will lead the pass rush, with true freshman Lorenzo Carter available to use in obvious passing situations. Ramik Wilson and Amarlo Herrera will lead the middle of the unit.
The Rest
11. LSU
12. USC
13. South Carolina
14. Wisconsin
15. Stanford
16. Ole Miss
17. Clemson
18. Notre Dame
19. Washington
20. Kansas State
21. Texas
22. Arizona State
23. Michigan
24. Nebraska
25. Cincinnati