Alabama tops preseason SP+ college football rankings Trending in preseason polls and predictions is a small resurgence by Tenn back to a Top 25 inclusion and a continued lack of respect for FSU. Another team on the rise seems to be Texas A&M who is rated at #10 in this ranking.
We've got your SP+ rankings and now we have your FPI (Football Power Index), how that FPI is calculated is a mystery to me...but ESPN has it's preseason FPI rankings out. 1. Clemson 2. Ohio State 3. OU 4. Alabama 5. Penn State 6. Wisconsin 7. Texas ..surprised at this. 8. Texas A&M 9. Notre Dame 10. Georgia Preseason college football FPI breakdown Most of the preseason polls I've seen have Penn State pretty high, so Franklin has got something going on in Happy Valley. I'm really surprised at the high Texas ranking, we could be good, but we've had a total revamp of the coaching staff, we do have a returning QB who is really good so there is that.
The Aggies are ranked this high solely on the perceived ease of the schedule after last year's apocalyptic version. If we can get the OL ironed out then the sky is the limit... but until then I'm skeptical.
I think when the actual rankings do come out in August that Georgia and Florida will be in the top 10 and higher ranked than Texas A&M, ND, Texas and Wisconsin and that is exhibited in the rankings I presented which is a better reflection of the composite rankings out so far. Not sure where the FPI you list gets the criteria. At first glance UF's schedule looks to be it's easiest and most navigable in several years... although one of these days at Tenn in Knoxville is going to be a nail biter.
I think you're right Dave. And this year in the SEC East, the Gators will be the ones with the returning starter at QB in Trask. I heard some of the gurus on ESPNU say that they think Trask will be the breakout QB of the year in the SEC. Georgia I'm sure will have a good QB, as that kid from Wake Forrest who transferred is a great athlete and had a good year at QB for Wake in 2019. But it's his first year with UGA and the SEC.
In a 52-3 pasting of Wake Forest last season by Clemson Newman was 6 of 14 for 41 yards and 2 ints. That's the kind of defense he will be seeing numerous times this coming season.
He might have a bit better OL talent in front of him to give him a little time. But we'll see. Some of these transfer QB's workout and some don't.
Burrow last year was all universe.... could do no wrong.... but I watched Florida in person beat him on a pick six the year before in his first season in the SEC. So you never know is right. He went from pretty damned good with a couple of mistakes here and there in his first season to what amounted to perfection last year.
And a new poll on ESPN today: Way-Too-Early Top 25: Draft declarations, coaching carousel shake up the rankings Georgia at #4 and UF at #7