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 12:57 PM ^
I'll agree with us being outside the Top 25. in fact, until we beat Sparty in East Lansing, I'd prefer us not to be ranked. Focus on executing, not standings.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:00 PM ^
Not trying to be too much of a Michigan homer, but I have to believe MSU will take a step back next year. They will be losing alot of Seniors who were starters and big contributors.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^
I keep telling myself that, then I realize that they are able to turn 2 stars into Jim Thorpe Award winners. So I don't know that it matters anymore.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:07 PM ^
Yeah, I think it's a hope more than a belief.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:31 PM ^
Except they were multi-year starters . . . 3 for Lewis and 4 for Dennard if I recall. We'll have to wait another couple years before the new backfield can compete. They'll probably start So or Jr in their positions who, may be successful, but probably won't be as good as a guy who was The Guy for at least 3 years.
January 7th, 2014 at 5:16 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 10:00 PM ^
This is a lie. They were decent in their first years.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:02 PM ^
But they ARE "taking a step back" next year.
From #3 in the nation to #6.
#outsidelookingin
January 7th, 2014 at 1:09 PM ^
As an MSU fan, I think ranking them anywhere from 10-25 is reasonable depending on criteria. A lot of production lost and while they did a good job of getting backups game reps this year, going from Dennard to Colquin is a dropoff, same as Bullough to Harris or Treadwell to Clark.
I don't get OSU's high ranking when factoring in the massive losses on the OL along with Hyde and the big playmakers from a mediocre defense. Maybe I just don't luv Urbz and Ahia enough...
January 7th, 2014 at 10:03 PM ^
They return a guy who will once again at least be somewhat of a favorite to get asked to the Heisman ceremony. They also have other good running backs. Obviously no Hyde, but they will still have another 1000 yard rusher. They won't finish in the top 5 next year though, unless they have another insanely easy schedule. I haven't really checked their schedule, but a one or two loss OSU team is still probably top 10 or close. Just based on name alone.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
I'm not sure why you'd want to waste a hundred dollars like that.
Tell you what. Why don't you give it to me. I'll bet it on UM for you, and if they win, I'll pay you back plus interest.
January 8th, 2014 at 10:36 AM ^
For the love of God hedge your bet if Michigan defies odds and makes it to the game. Any time you have a chance to beat vegas and get free money, take it or you don't deserve to have money.
For those that don't know what I'm talking about: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/10251632/auburn-tigers-fan-made-100-bet-win-national-title-500-1-odds
January 7th, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
..is it a good idea to predict the state of college football at the very earliest point you can before the season?
January 7th, 2014 at 1:15 PM ^
No.
To be honest, I wish they wouldn't rank any teams until after several weeks into the season.
January 8th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
It shouldn't come out until week 5 when most conference play begins.
Let teams get their non-conference out of the way, then around the 1st week of October, THEN have polls.
It skews things so much and it's unfair to the teams that have to climb further even though they're better and have beaten better teams.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:15 PM ^
Florida is No. 25? How do you predict a 4-8 team from this year to be a Top 25 team next year? At least put Mizzou in at 25. You can still be an SEC homer that way.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:54 PM ^
Florida just having their first string QB healthy would make them a top 25 team.
January 7th, 2014 at 9:36 PM ^
Of course Florida should be in the top 25, they are in the SEC. Who needs evidence of their superiority!
January 7th, 2014 at 1:18 PM ^
WHERE'S MICHIGAN, BRO?
January 7th, 2014 at 3:38 PM ^
Funny the first time, but this one made me #HALOL
January 7th, 2014 at 1:23 PM ^
useless projection right now, but i bet it drives clicks. that being said, if we actually finish 2014 outside the top 25, i think everyone will agree that hoke needs to go.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:23 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 1:25 PM ^
I can't really say I blame USA Today for not ranking Michigan. Personally, I don't care either way. Michigan has the national brand appeal such that if we turn out to be really good next year, the pollsters will put us in the Top 5 or 10 no matter where we start the season. At this point, all I want to see is sustained success on the field. The rankings and all that other b.s. will sort themselves out accordingly if that happens. If 2014 goes down like 2013, however, get ready for all hell to break loose.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:30 PM ^
more motivation. I am willing to bet that we will be ranked higher than MSU by the time we meet on Oct 25.
January 8th, 2014 at 9:36 AM ^
As a die hard Michigan fan I'd be willing to take that bet
January 7th, 2014 at 1:32 PM ^
Don't be so sure of that...
January 7th, 2014 at 1:56 PM ^
have 1 loss by then, 2 tops. Michigan has better be 6-0 or that ain't happening
They play at Oregon and host Nebraska and a bunch of nobodies
January 7th, 2014 at 2:11 PM ^
will be more pertinent.
January 7th, 2014 at 5:10 PM ^
The tough game is ND and we could lose that game. But ND is losing its top defensive players. I like our chances against Kelly and ND.
January 7th, 2014 at 9:39 PM ^
It's an away game against a team that is likely to be above .500. Not so fast!
January 7th, 2014 at 2:18 PM ^
lol, get them maize and blue glass on
January 7th, 2014 at 1:31 PM ^
UM should not be ranked in the top 25 until they get to 6-0 or better. They're just not that good of a team right now and I don't see how they can get much better next year. We lose our two best OL, but Green will be starting. However, what good is a solid RB with a bad OL? I'm fairly confident the OL will be worse, unless the guys who played this year suddenly became great. The receiving corps will be questionable also. Defensively...well, I think the defensive line will be solid and the LBs will be pretty good.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:48 PM ^
So our interior oline just gained a full year of experience and they are going to get worse next yea? lol ok.. You are making way to big of a deal on the tackles..
If the interior O-line develops our run game should be head and shoulders better than this year
January 7th, 2014 at 2:49 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 1:35 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^
how elite their offense is, though replacing four offensive line starters who have played together for sometime, is not like simply filling holes in the garden. We know this.
How do you rate Sparty behind the Buckeyes when they retain the most solid foundation of a 13-1 team that won the Rose Bowl and crushed OSU? Perception must be reality, but really Dantonio coached under Saban and Tressel, and Meyer just moved from Florida to Ohio State, so apparently it's all about short memory and benefit of the doubt.
I thought the biggest loss MSU would suffer was losing Bullough for the Rose Bowl and this would make or break their team. It made no difference. And Sparty does more with lesser talent than anyone in the conference both defensively and offensively. Which means I think it will be easier for Sparty to develop O and Dline replacements next year than it will be for the Buckeyes.
There is no question, however, that the biggest question marks for both those teams will be in replacing their Olines.
Looking at the Big Ten overall, Michigan will face the same scheduling challenges it does every year, beating three rivals to reach its goals. The ability to develop and Oline, create a pass rush and limit big plays and get off the field on third down, is what this team needs to concentrate on. It would be nice to not force Gardner to become Michigan's most dynamic back next year. It would also be nice if Michigan made special teams play more than an extra chore. Last night, special teams play decided a national championship.
January 7th, 2014 at 3:34 PM ^
Part of the reason losing Bullough made no difference for the Rose Bowl is because they replaced with a senior who had plenty of experience. They won't be doing that next year.
January 7th, 2014 at 9:40 PM ^
He was a walk on 5th year senior that never started a game for them. He virtually never played. That says system, not player right there!
January 7th, 2014 at 5:21 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 1:43 PM ^
ANY pre-season ranking is less meaningful now. Because the top 4 will go to the playoffs, any team with an excellent year can finish in the top 4. Sparty in 2013 is a good example, unranked early but finished #4 before the bowls.
For Michigan to have ANY chance, the defense needs to develop a more aggresive style, and the offense needs to have a REAL QB coach and OC (and after watching that game last night) a new OL blocking strategy.
Go Blue!
January 7th, 2014 at 1:44 PM ^
they prove something. I think they will.
I think Michigan State and Ohio State will both take bigger drops. I don't think Notre Dame is going to be anything special.
January 7th, 2014 at 9:42 PM ^
If Michigan wins away at MSU, ND and OSU they will be right there regardless of the pre-season rank. Less room for error though! Just win and you are in!
January 7th, 2014 at 1:45 PM ^
OSU has the talent to offset all the losses? lol no one on that team is replacing hyde, and no one is replacing 4 OL senior starters.. They will be good, but not like this year
January 7th, 2014 at 1:47 PM ^
If we have another Maryland type year in 2014, fans are going to be calling for execution, all right...
January 7th, 2014 at 1:53 PM ^
6. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans' 24-20 victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO might propel them to even bigger things in 2014. MSU also upset then-No. 2 Ohio State to win its first outright Big Ten championship since 1987, and it figures to battle the Buckeyes again for supremacy in the conference this coming season. Michigan State loses three starters on the offensive line and six more on defense, including star linebackers Max Bullough and Denicos Allen and All-American cornerback Darqueze Dennard. MSU coach Mark Dantonio might have to ask a little more from his offense, which improved as first-year quarterback Connor Cook and tailback Jeremy Langford became more comfortable. Keeping defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, who turned down Connecticut's head-coaching job, was a major coup. MSU plays a nonconference game at Oregon on Sept. 13 and will play the majority of its difficult Big Ten games at home. The Spartans host Nebraska, Michigan and Ohio State and won't play Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota or Northwestern in the league's new scheduling format.
9. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes fell just short of going undefeated in two consecutive regular seasons under Urban Meyer, but then finished the season with consecutive losses against Michigan State and Clemson in the Discover Orange Bowl. Now Meyer will have to rebuild much of his offense, even with quarterback Braxton Miller returning for his senior season. OSU will have to replace four starting offensive linemen, tailback Carlos Hyde and H-back Philly Brown. The Buckeyes might bring back seven starters on defense; safeties Corey Brown and C.J. Barnett, junior cornerback Bradley Roby and junior linebacker Ryan Shazier are the only starters leaving. OSU opens the season against Navy in Baltimore and plays Virginia Tech and Cincinnati at home in nonconference games. The Buckeyes won't play Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern or Wisconsin during Big Ten play, and their most difficult league road games seem to be at Penn State and Michigan State.
January 7th, 2014 at 2:03 PM ^
Rankings shouldn't even come out until 6 weeks into the season.
I (begrudgingly) use 2013 MSU as an example: had they not started the year unranked, they probably would've been somewhere in the Top 25 by week 6 and have a shot at playing for the title, which they probably deserved. They were at a disadvantage because of their preseason position.
January 7th, 2014 at 2:10 PM ^
January 7th, 2014 at 2:54 PM ^
Auburn also played what many considered the nation's toughest schedule, while MSU's was pretty ordinary. MSU didn't have much of a case to be ranked ahead of them.
January 7th, 2014 at 2:09 PM ^
I would bring out every cliche about a wolverine with its back to the wall, but I won't. However, I love it that the Wolverines aren't ranked, and hope it stays that way. I have long thought that the team that gets to play the "no respect" card always has the most emotional leverage in any game.
It would be great to see Michigan be the team that plays with the "chip on its shoulder" instead of always facing the team that does. All of those young OL's will be a year older and a year stronger; they will remember how they got pushed around in 2013. I think we will see a stellar performance on offense in 2014.
If Micihgan beats everyone, they will get plenty of respect and rankings when they count.