Preseason Consensus of all 128 teams

[GoSooners]

This is from Phil Steele's site. The consensus of several of the main magazines/websites. Not surprising to see 5 SEC teams in the top 12. And every SEC West team is in their top 25. The two lowest ranked Power 5 teams are Iowa State and Kansas, which is no surprise. This, combined with weak non-conference scheduling, no additional championship game vs quality competition is what is going to make it hard for the Big 12 to get into a playoff without an undefeated member, unless a shitty non-blueblood ACC team wins their conference with the same record. Even then it will just be a 50/50 proposition for the Big 12...But we all know that already because BigJunkDaddy reminds us of it every day.


http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/2015/JUNE15/DBJune08.html

 

[GoSooners]

The team in the SEC that still gets my attention more than anybody is Auburn. I'm not sure why their overall consensus is so low. Considering who they have back they should be a top 10 team imo. It's just a couple publications that have them ranked low that is driving their rating down. But somebody out there really likes Auburn. I don't know where they stand today because I haven't looked in the past week, but I noticed that Auburn dropped from 18-1 odds to win the NC to just 13-1 odds almost overnight. I wish I had put a little on them when they had the higher odds, because if tOSU doesn't win it, I think it's going to be a wide open race...

 

[CoachCB]

If Auburn puts together a typical Gus Malzahn Offense they will be very good. The D will be improved w/ Muschamp on that side of the ball....although it wouldn't hurt my feelings if Muschamp was banned from College Football for ruining a powerhouse football program!

 

[rolltide]

I'm not sure why their overall consensus is so low. Considering who they have back they should be a top 10 team imo.

hmm, don't know about that. must replace 85%+ of their rushing, passing and receiving yards and lose an all-american center to be replaced by a walk-on freshman. and mussy doesnt have the D-talent he had in Gainesville

can't think of a team in nation that needs to replace more offensive output...maybe marshall?

 

[RunLeeRun]

Isn't Auburn also thin at DB?

 

[GoSooners]

hmm, don't know about that. must replace 85%+ of their rushing, passing and receiving yards and lose an all-american center to be replaced by a walk-on freshman. and mussy doesnt have the D-talent he had in Gainesville

can't think of a team in nation that needs to replace more offensive output...maybe marshall?

I guess I'm looking at them as more of a glass half full team. They lose the production on offense, but in my opinion what they have in waiting could be even better. I like the 3 horse race they have at RB including a 5 star JUCO. QB Jeremy Johnson has been sitting behind Marshall for 2 years. And so far the in the games he has appeared in he has looked exceptionally well. He has above average arm strength, he's very accurate, and from what I've heard his football IQ is off the charts. He may not be quite the overall threat that and playmaker Marshall was, but he's still an NFL caliber QB who just about has Cam Newton's size. So he won't be easy to tackle or sack. Plus Duke Williams deciding to come back for his senior season was huge. Add to that the other receiver Louis and it could be an even deadlier combination than last year. I guess I'm one of the few who think this offense could be even better despite the losses. I also think their defense will be much better. The only weakness I can see is their lack of depth in the secondary. But I think they'll make up for at least part of that by being much improved at putting pressure on the QB. I don't think we'll see the same Auburn team this year that had to outscore many of their opponents to win last season. Defense will be much more of a strong suit for them.

 

[BigdaddyQH]

Again everyone fails to look at the schedules. Auburn gets Alabama and Georgia at home. Alabama goes to both schools. That is a huge advantage for Auburn. If Will Muschamp can do anything with the Auburn defense, which was horrible last season, Auburn should be the favorite in the SEC West. Alabama loses just about as much on offense as Auburn does, and has shown no real improvement on defense.

 

[GoSooners]

Again everyone fails to look at the schedules. Auburn gets Alabama and Georgia at home. Alabama goes to both schools. That is a huge advantage for Auburn. If Will Muschamp can do anything with the Auburn defense, which was horrible last season, Auburn should be the favorite in the SEC West. Alabama loses just about as much on offense as Auburn does, and has shown no real improvement on defense.

Good point. I forgot to mention schedule. They also get Ole Miss at home. The toughest part will probably come with Texas A&M sandwiched between Ole Miss and Georgia. And the Georgia game could be a preview of the SEC CG. Other than that, I think their schedule is pretty favorable. It's very hard to win that division with a tough schedule.

 

[cloverleaf]

Auburn has recruited well the past four years and it will show this season. The Tigers lost some talent but they have
good talent ready to step in. The Tigers are easily a top-10 team in my book.

I have Auburn and Alabama fighting it out for the West title. I'm betting the winner comes down to the Iron Bowl.
Hide the kids Lucy on that weekend.....

 

[sendacash]

I'm looking to add another set of power ratings to average into my pre-season numbers. What do you guys think of Bill Connelly S&P+ Ratings? I like the fact that he includes recruiting along with returning talent and recent history as key variables. Although not sure I like being that far down on both Baylor and TCU, looks like their recruiting numbers holding them back.




http://www.sbnation.com/college-foo...61/2015-college-football-rankings-projections

 

[BigdaddyQH]

I put little weight in recruiting numbers. I prefer to rate teams based on what their current players have done, not on what a bunch of new-bee freshman may do. Some 3 Star recruit may be great. Some 5 Star recruit could be a major bust. You simply do not know until you have seen them play at the college level.

 

[RunLeeRun]

I'm looking to add another set of power ratings to average into my pre-season numbers. What do you guys think of Bill Connelly S&P+ Ratings? I like the fact that he includes recruiting along with returning talent and recent history as key variables. Although not sure I like being that far down on both Baylor and TCU, looks like their recruiting numbers holding them back.


http://www.sbnation.com/college-foo...61/2015-college-football-rankings-projections

I like SBNation. Connelly makes regular appearances on a radio show I listen to. Also like Dave Bartoo of CFB Matrix.

 

[BigdaddyQH]

I like SBNation. Connelly makes regular appearances on a radio show I listen to. Also like Dave Bartoo of CFB Matrix.

We will agree to disagree. SB Nation loves to come up with meaningless rankings like the one you posted. I think that they are one of the less useful tools around.

 

[russ1945]

Malzahn and Muschamp are a formidable duo. Both are highly motivated and know how to use their personnel. I am like GS I don't think you should count them out. Not a team anyone looks forward to playing and that says a lot.