OT: USA Today Predicting the Top 25 for 2014 in College Football
Now that the season is over, the folks over at USA Today have created a way too early poll for the upcoming season.
Of note, OSU is ranked #4, MSU #6, Wisc #14 and ND #15. They have Michigan on the outside looking in. What do you think of the poll, do you think this is what the polls will look like come the start of the season?
Link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/rankings/2014/01/07/college-…
For those not wanting to hit the link:
4. Ohio State (12-2)
Why No. 4? Because coach Urban Meyer and his staff have recruited at such level as to offset the number of losses to graduation and the NFL – like the four offensive linemen, running back Carlos Hyde, cornerback Bradley Roby and linebacker Ryan Shazier. On offense, the Buckeyes are loaded with elite talent at the skill positions, like running backs Dontre Wilson and Ezekiel Elliott, but must address those holes up front. Conversely, the defense will be dominant along the line but will have holes in the secondary. Based on what they've done through two years, give Meyer and the staff benefit of the doubt in the Big Ten.
6. Michigan State (13-1)
Why No. 6? Because the Spartans' foundation of defensive excellence combined with a punishing offense makes them a threat for the national championship. On offense, quarterback Connor Cook developed into one of the Big Ten's best in his first year as a starter. Joining Cook is a solid group of returning skill players in the backfield and receiver, though the line loses a trio of senior starters. Even with a number of starters gone on defense, the system in place – as run by coordinator Pat Narduzzi – almost guarantees another elite performance.
January 7th, 2014 at 2:11 PM ^
I begrudgingly do have to give Meyer the benefit of the doubt based on what he's done in the conference so far, but the article is simply in accurate in its assessment of their personnel. They will definitely not replace Carlos Hyde or the OLine. Their offense was so effective because they could pound Hyde for a guaranteed 3 yards every carry, and they won't have that anymore because there probably wasn't a bruiser in the country as good as him. The Oline recruiting has just been poor. The defensive replacements are very good, but I'm hoping the ineptitude of the DCoordinators offsets that.
January 7th, 2014 at 2:49 PM ^
It's just so sad this has to be OT on a Michigan board.
/sighs and dreams of the future when Michigan is consistently ranked in every poll all the time again.
January 7th, 2014 at 2:59 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 3:16 PM ^
Narduzzi is going to have to develop a lot of new players on defense next year.
The performance must shift to the Spartan offense where MSU has a new OL + Connor Cook + Walrusman as the OC.
Honestly, not a bitter person, but at No. 6 MSU's stock seems overvalued to me.
January 7th, 2014 at 3:45 PM ^
Walrusman is a derogatory term. Please use his real name, Ponda Baba.
January 7th, 2014 at 5:06 PM ^
....every day. Why didn't my Walrusman Star Wars action figure box from the late 70's not come labeled "Ponda Baba"? Very frustrating.
January 7th, 2014 at 7:29 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 3:37 PM ^
These rankings are pretty silly, since there is still a lot of movement left on the coaching front. Narduzzi could go to Louisville, Penn State doesn't have a coach yet, etc. That doesn't even factor in NFL jobs. They should at least wait until February for this kind of crap.
January 7th, 2014 at 3:45 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 3:50 PM ^
Spartans are a top 15 team. They lose some defense, but their offense comes back fairly intact. OSU is a top 25 team just because of their coach and recent history. They lose 3 games next year. UM is 7-6 again with a loss in the bowl season. We start strong then choke on the stretch. Dear god, I just realized we've becom the Spartans
January 7th, 2014 at 7:27 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 4:18 PM ^
ND and MSU will not finish in the top 15.
January 7th, 2014 at 6:11 PM ^
I want to see improvement in this team on both offense and defense. If I can see an improving team, I will be happy even if we only win 8 games this season. I would not be surprise if Michigan wins 10 this season. Just a hunch, especially if they can beat MSU in EL.
January 7th, 2014 at 6:46 PM ^
Are so much smoke anyway. Lets go about our business of winning football games and the rest will amazingly, automatically take care if itself.
I do personally think Ohio will struggle to maintain that ranking but I also love to see the red balloon clipped from the sky. Especially by Michigan. In Columbus.
January 7th, 2014 at 7:26 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 9:21 PM ^
rather be there at the end
January 7th, 2014 at 9:48 PM ^
Dennard, Lewis, Calhoun and even Bullough came in as starters, and quality ones at that. The coaching up theory looks a lot better when guys come in completely undervalued. It is tough to get one player like that. Get four on one side of the ball, amazing. They will be harder to replace than most think.
January 7th, 2014 at 10:11 PM ^
The thing about them being undervalued though isn't true except in Dennard's case. Bullough would have had an offer from everyone if not an MSU lock. Lewis was a 4 star with a lot of offers. Calhoun was a 3 star with decent offers from Louisville, Cincy, Pitt, and West Virginia. Not the worst list of offers in the world.
January 8th, 2014 at 12:38 AM ^
"I will not let the ND game give me false hope for the rest of the season"
"I will not let the ND game give me false hope for the rest of the season"
"I will not let the ND game give me false hope for the rest of the season"
"I will not let the ND game give me false hope for the rest of the season"
"I will not let the ND game give me false hope for the rest of the season"
Amirite?