Revisiting my Preseason Top 25.
I wanted to revisit my preseason top 25 and write one or so sentences about how each team played compared to what I projected them to do.
my preseason top 25:
25. Miami Hurricanes
I wanted them to prove themselves as a real contender, better than I thought, but not a top-tier team yet.
24. Liberty Flames
Not nearly as strong of a performance as I thought they would have in CUSA. Thought they’d be in strong contention for the 12 seed.
23. Texas A&M Aggies
A lot like Miami, I wanted them to prove themselves as real contenders, they outperformed my expectations.
22. Kansas Jayhawks
Sad. Really wanted Devin Neal and Jalon Daniels to carry this team to a potential playoff bid. Just got off to too slow of a start.
21. USC Trojans
Had high hopes for Miller Moss but USC wasn’t ready for the Big 10.
20. Kansas State Wildcats
Disappointing, had them as firm contenders in the Big 12.
19. NC State Wolfpack
Without McCall’s injury, who knows where this team would’ve ended up in the ACC?
18. Arizona Wildcats
I thought this team would be very solid with T-Mac and Fafita. The offense just didn’t produce as well as I projected, and the defense was real bad.
17. Oklahoma Sooners
I thought Oklahoma’s defense would be good enough to carry them to a strong season in the SEC, however, the offense was shockingly bad
16. Oklahoma State Cowboys
My biggest disappointment of the year. They returned so many starters, but their production went way down from last year
15. Clemson Tigers
Very accurate, had the Tigers as the second-best team in the ACC and that’s where they finish
14. Florida State Seminoles
Oof. No explanation needed on this one.
13. Tennessee Volunteers
I was nervous putting the Vols this high with such a young offense, but they are the real deal and locked in as a playoff team
12. LSU Tigers
Didn’t think the defense would be as bad as 2023. I was wrong.
11. Utah Utes
Cam Rising's injuries just held this team back for yet another season
10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Very Accurate. Pretty cakewalk schedule (too soft to join a conference). Not a surprise that they only have one loss to this point.
9. Penn State Nittany Lions
Again pretty accurate, I had them as one of the best teams in the Big Ten and making the playoffs and that’s where they ended up.
8. Missouri Tigers
Another massive disappointment for me. I was super high on the Tigers, even wagering them to make the playoffs. Brady Cook and Luther Burden just weren’t quite as productive this year.
7. Michigan Wolverines
Oof again. They beat Ohio State, though :)
6. Alabama Crimson Tide
I dropped them out of the top four with concerns about the loss of Saban, but it turns out I wasn’t concerned enough
5. Ole Miss Rebels
I thought it was Ole Miss’s year with this roster, they under-performed this preseason ranking and now are a fringe playoff team
4. Oregon Ducks
Was a little worried about the transition from the Pac-12 to the Big 10, but they have over-performed and sit as the best team in the country.
3. Texas Longhorns
Basically, exactly where they started. Great team with a pretty light schedule.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Fire Ryan Day. This roster is too good to be a two-loss team.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
Had some weird losses. They are not nearly as strong of a team as I thought they’d be, but still have a shot at the Natty.
