2017 Top 25

These predictions are based on where I believe teams will FINISH

1.  Alabama
When you return 11 starters after making the Playoffs, you might think drop off.  But, as the saying goes, but doesn't rebuild they reload.  Jalen Hurts will continue to improve decision making, and he'll have the top backfield in the country to help take some weight off.  I believe Bama will suffer a regular season loss, but they will the SEC behind the best QB in the league.  A championship battle versus Ohio State is one we can dream of.

2.  Ohio State
It's scary how good each unit is for the Buckeyes, led by potential Heisman finalist JT Barrett.  15 starters return from a team that embarrassed in the Fiesta Bowl.  Urban Meyer does well with hungry teams (see 2014).  The Buckeyes face two of there toughest three games at home.  Even if they slip up once, they should still win the Big Ten.

3.  USC
While I have them going 11-1 in the regular season, I would not be surprised if the Trojans were undefeated come playoff time.  Sam Darnold is the trendy pick now for the Heisman.  They must replace three offensive line starters, and that would concern me if I were a Trojan.  They also have no bye weeks, meaning no time to rest up.

4.  Florida State
In terms of talent, this may be the most talented team in the country.  There really isn't a weak unit, and they have depth.  The defense returns 9 starters and should be the best in the ACC.  Deondre Francois must be more consistent at QB.  The schedule is tough, as they will face 4 of their toughest 6 games away from Doak Campbell.  I trust a good defense in those games, which is why they are still ranked 4.

5.  Oklahoma
Bob Stoops left behind a talented team, led by QB Baker Mayfield.  Mayfield is one of nine returning offensive starters, giving the Sooners one of the best offensives in the country.  OU always seems to stumble to someone they should beat (see Houston last year, Texas in '15, Ok State in '14).  Even if they lose Nov. 4 to the Pokes, they should be able to get revenge in the first ever Big 12 Championship game.

6.  Oklahoma State
I love this squad.  Mason Rudolph is my dark horse Heisman pick.  They have some of the best (maybe THE best) wide receivers in the country, led by James Washington.  They have a tough three stretch at Texas, at West Virginia, and at home to Oklahoma.  Win two of three and they should make the title game.

7.  Auburn
I was so close to picking the Tigers to win the SEC.  I have causes for concern though.  1) Gus Malzahn is best when he has a mobile QB.  Jarrett Stidham will be good, just not that mobile.  2)  Their schedule is brutal: at LSU, at Arkansas, at A&M, and at home versus Georgia and Bama.  I don't think anyone makes it out of the West undefeated.  Auburn can afford a lose (most likely at LSU) as long as they beat Bama.

8.  Michigan
Like Auburn, I nearly picked Michigan to win the Big Ten.  Again like Auburn, their schedule turned me away.  The Wolverines must travel to Penn State and Wisconsin.  They will have a good defense to compete in those games, but they only return one starter from last year.  It is good but young.  They host Ohio State in a game that could decide the division.

9.  Washington
Washington was a trendy pick last year.  They steamrolled the PAC 12.  Jake Browning should be even better, and he'll have playmakers on the outside led by Dante Pettis.  One of my highest computer indicators for success is the schedule.  Washington avoid USC in the South, and gets UCLA at home.  The North is weaker top to bottom than the South, but they must travel to their biggest competition (Stanford).

10. South Florida
Consider me a Charlie Strong fan.  I firmly believe new coaches should be given a minimum of 4 years to see what they can do.  Now at USF, Strong inherits a very talented squad, led by Quinton Flowers.  The Bulls also return 9 defensive starters.  That, a defensive-minded head coach, and an experienced QB should mean double digit wins.  Their three toughest games (Tulsa, Houston, and Temple) are all at home.  An undefeated season, and perhaps the division, could come down to the Nov. 24 trip to Orlando versus UCF.

11.  LSU
I love good defenses, and the Tigers will have one of the best ones in the country.  They are loaded at every level.  The key for them, like always, will be their QB play.  Danny Etling will be in a QB friendly system.  I don't expect All-Conference numbers, but he should have more than his 2,123 yards from last year.  The schedule is rough: road trips to Bama, Florida, and dangerous teams in Mississippi State and Tennessee.

12.  Miami
Did I mention I like defenses?  Miami should end the year with a Top Ten defense, led by LB Shaq Quarterman.  They key, like LSU, will be QB play.  Their schedule sets up nicley for them.  Of their five toughest games, only FSU is on road.  Miami should win the Coastal, setting a fun rematch with the Noles.

13.  Penn State
Yes, you can tell I'm not as high on the Nittany Lions as most people.  I like James Franklin, and I think he has a good team.  Teams like PSU scare me though.  Since 2012, the only team with more than 8 wins was last year.  Yes, I'm aware of the scholarship limitations.  But, I think Penn State peaked a little too early.

14.  Clemson
Clemson is loaded just about everywhere except the position that matters...QB.  It's nearly impossible to be a 10 win team without really good QB play.  Clemson's best in school history just left for the Houston Texans, and now someone must step up.  Chances are, this will be temporary as All-World QB Trevor Lawerence will be in school next fall.  Until then, the Tigers will be inconsinstent.

15.  Stanford
Hard to believe that Stanford was actually 10-3 last year.  QB Keller Chryst should be much improved, and Stanford always has a solid O line.  Their 6 game stretch beginning at USC Sept. 9 is brutal.  Survive that by going 5-1 and the Cardinal could win the PAC 12 North.

16.  Wisconsin
The Badgers don't scare you like Ohio State.  They don't have the athletes like Michigan.  They don't have the Heisman candidate like Penn State.  But they are steady.  They have lost 3 games each of the past 3 seasons, and they could be even better this year.  They should have the best defense in the conference, and playing in Madison in the cold is no fun for opponents.  They avoid Ohio State but do face Michigan at home.

17.  Georgia
Expectations are high in Athens.  Most feel this team should win the East, or come just shy and win it next year.  Much will depend on Jacob Eason.  He got no help from one of the worst offensive lines in school history.  But, thanks to the best offensive line recruiting class in the country, the line should at least be adequate.  The Dawgs return 10 starters on defense, a unit that could be Top 10 by year's end.  We'll know early if the Dawgs are for real.  Their first opponents, App State and Notre Dame, should both be ranked at some point this season.  As for SEC play, the Dawgs must travel to Tennessee and Auburn.  They can afford a slip-up in SEC play as long as they beat Florida Oct. 28.

18.  Kansas State
Bill Snyder is one of my favorite coaches.  The man defines integrity, and he runs his program the right way.  Few know how hard it is to recruit kids to Manhattan, Kansas, and he's done a great job in second run.  This should be one of his best teams, and I believe one that will compete for the Big 12 Title.  They get Oklahoma State and TCU at home.  Win those two and they should be one of two teams in the title game.

19.  Louisville
Lamar Jackson comes off a Heisman season looking add some team accomplishments to the award.  This team was a lot better than their 9-4 record last year.  They return 11 starters, with only 4 of those starters being on offense.  The schedule includes trips to UNC, NC State, and FSU.  The Cardinals should compete with Clemson for second in the ACC Atlantic.

20.  Florida
Florida is a hard one to figure out.  There is talent, although they have lacked the elite recruiting classes lately.  They have playmakers, led by WR Antonio Callaway.  Some experts have them picked over Georgia in the East.  Most have them second.  My computer has them just below UGA, so I'm going to trust the computer.  The Gators have sneaky back-to-back road games right after Georgia versus Missouri and South Carolina.  This will be a good club, just not SEC East champs.

21.  Notre Dame
The Irish return 15 starters, one of the largest in the nation.  Unfortunately for them, QB Deshone Kizer is not one of them.  They will get an early test as they face a tough Temple team and an improved Georgia team.  The schedule is tough.  They must travel to Miami and Stanford, and they get USC at home.  ND could be anywhere from 5-7 to 10-2.

22.  UCLA
Chalk the Bruins up as the most disappointing team in the country last year (ND a close second).  If Josh Rosen stays healthy, the Bruins will certainly improve on their 4 win total.  They return 9 offensive starters and should have one of the top offenses in the PAC 12.  The schedule is why they sit at 22.  They face Stanford, Washington, Utah, and USC all on the road, and get home games versus Colorado and Oregon.  It doesn't get much tougher than that.

23.  San Diego State
The more I read about the Aztecs, the more I like them!  QB Christian Chapman completed 61% of his passes last year, and he returns.  They should have the best defense in the Mountain West.  The non-conference games versus Stanford and at Arizona State should be a good gauge of where they are at.  In conference, they won't see Colorado State until the championship game.

24.  Colorado State
It has taken Mike Bobo three years, but he should have a team that will reach double digit wins.  Nick Stevens gives the Rams at solid arm at QB, and WR Michael Gallup is a weapon on the outside.  They have the best skill players in the league and should put up points.  They get Boise St. at home but must travel to Wyoming, a team lost to 38-17 last year.

25.  NC State
Why NC State?  To start with, they return 17 starters on a team that went 7-6.  Ryan Finley completed 60.4% of his passes, and his top four receivers return.  Eight of their top 11 tacklers return, led by Jerod Fernandez.  The schedule sets up nice too.  If they can beat South Carolina in Charlotte on Sept. 2, they should be 3-0 Sept. 23 when they travel to FSU.  Later on, they get Louisville and Clemson at home.  The fans in Raleigh turn out when the Wolfpack are good, and they could have a good one this year.