Going to release these in 25-team blocks (takes a while to complete...i.e. 1-25, 26-50, etc.). Then I'll post full 128 Team Power ratings in a reply to this thread so you don't have to search everywhere.
Enjoy, criticize (give me reasons), and let me know what you think.
1. Ohio State
2. Baylor
3. Auburn
4. Michigan State
5. USC
6. Alabama
7. Georgia
8. TCU
9. Stanford
10. UCLA
11. Tennessee
12. Virginia Tech
13. Ole Miss
14. Florida State
15. Oregon
16. Clemson
17. LSU
18. Arkansas
19. Utah
20. Kentucky
21. Oklahoma
22. Notre Dame
23. Arizona State
24. Michigan
25. Arizona
Notes (aka "WTF is he thinking")
-I love TCU's offense, but I think their D will take a step back this year. Lost 3/5 DB starters and entire LB corps. Just don't rate talent on roster as highly as I do Baylor, Auburn, Mich State, Bama, etc.
-Auburn very underrated (if that is possible) at #6 in AP Poll (aka Poll for lazy people who scour ESPN.com for research). I think Jeremy Johnson is a future #1 overall pick. I think Will Muschamp will take this defense to another level - that is the basis for the majority of the ranking here. Massive upgrade in coaching will make this a more productive defense.
-I really like Tennessee this year. I think Josh Dobbs will have a breakout season, I love their WR corps and they return a ton of experience on defense including future 1st round pick Derek Barnett. Biggest question is on OL, but the way Tennessee has recruited last 2-3 years I think they should be fine. Good coaching staff. A great QB makes all the defense.
-I'm not sold on Oregon. When you lose a talent and leader like Mariota you will feel the effects on your football team. Oregon will also have to replace 2 OL that were drafted in top 75 of 2015 (3 starters total). Oregon will be good, but not in the same class they were in 2014. Downgraded and rightfully so.
-Kentucky at #20? This guy is a moron. Yeah - we'll see about that. I'm sorry, but when I was trying to fit a team in this slot - I saw nothing but question marks and red flags from the others teams not included in top 19 so I figured WTH. UK returns highly talented Patrick Towles with a new OC that should make strides with this offense. Arguably the most underrated WR corps in the country, 4/5 starters on OL, and I expect the defense to be much better than last year despite losing #1 pick Bud Dupree. Kentucky will surprise people with how good they will be at corner and safety and I expect the entire team to turn heads because of this. Many are saying 2015 was their best recruiting class yet and several true freshman will play key roles (more of a good thing than bad - its because of their talent level beating out incumbent starters) Am I crazy? Maybe - but I know this team has talent and one hell of a coach in Stoops. (Take UK big btw in first 2 weeks of the season - you won't regret it)
-I'm a believer in Harbaugh. Michigan defense should be good again and he's a QB whisperer. Swagger should be back in Ann Arbor.
Going to release these in 25-team blocks (takes a while to complete...i.e. 1-25, 26-50, etc.). Then I'll post full 128 Team Power ratings in a reply to this thread so you don't have to search everywhere.
Enjoy, criticize (give me reasons), and let me know what you think.
1. Ohio State
2. Baylor
3. Auburn
4. Michigan State
5. USC
6. Alabama
7. Georgia
8. TCU
9. Stanford
10. UCLA
11. Tennessee
12. Virginia Tech
13. Ole Miss
14. Florida State
15. Oregon
16. Clemson
17. LSU
18. Arkansas
19. Utah
20. Kentucky
21. Oklahoma
22. Notre Dame
23. Arizona State
24. Michigan
25. Arizona
Notes (aka "WTF is he thinking")
-I love TCU's offense, but I think their D will take a step back this year. Lost 3/5 DB starters and entire LB corps. Just don't rate talent on roster as highly as I do Baylor, Auburn, Mich State, Bama, etc.
-Auburn very underrated (if that is possible) at #6 in AP Poll (aka Poll for lazy people who scour ESPN.com for research). I think Jeremy Johnson is a future #1 overall pick. I think Will Muschamp will take this defense to another level - that is the basis for the majority of the ranking here. Massive upgrade in coaching will make this a more productive defense.
-I really like Tennessee this year. I think Josh Dobbs will have a breakout season, I love their WR corps and they return a ton of experience on defense including future 1st round pick Derek Barnett. Biggest question is on OL, but the way Tennessee has recruited last 2-3 years I think they should be fine. Good coaching staff. A great QB makes all the defense.
-I'm not sold on Oregon. When you lose a talent and leader like Mariota you will feel the effects on your football team. Oregon will also have to replace 2 OL that were drafted in top 75 of 2015 (3 starters total). Oregon will be good, but not in the same class they were in 2014. Downgraded and rightfully so.
-Kentucky at #20? This guy is a moron. Yeah - we'll see about that. I'm sorry, but when I was trying to fit a team in this slot - I saw nothing but question marks and red flags from the others teams not included in top 19 so I figured WTH. UK returns highly talented Patrick Towles with a new OC that should make strides with this offense. Arguably the most underrated WR corps in the country, 4/5 starters on OL, and I expect the defense to be much better than last year despite losing #1 pick Bud Dupree. Kentucky will surprise people with how good they will be at corner and safety and I expect the entire team to turn heads because of this. Many are saying 2015 was their best recruiting class yet and several true freshman will play key roles (more of a good thing than bad - its because of their talent level beating out incumbent starters) Am I crazy? Maybe - but I know this team has talent and one hell of a coach in Stoops. (Take UK big btw in first 2 weeks of the season - you won't regret it)
-I'm a believer in Harbaugh. Michigan defense should be good again and he's a QB whisperer. Swagger should be back in Ann Arbor.
Looks solid! I was questioning your low ranking of TCU, but you make valid points... I think they will prove to be better than 8th best, but we'll see how it plays out. I personally don't think OSU is the best in the country, but they deserve the ranking until they show otherwise...
Totally agree with Baylor and Auburn being among the elite, and Kentucky being a surprise team this year...
Looks solid! I was questioning your low ranking of TCU, but you make valid points... I think they will prove to be better than 8th best, but we'll see how it plays out. I personally don't think OSU is the best in the country, but they deserve the ranking until they show otherwise...
Totally agree with Baylor and Auburn being among the elite, and Kentucky being a surprise team this year...
Excellent McGuire! Looks pretty good, the only difference IMO is Virginia Tech seems a little high at 12 but other then that great work!
Yeah - I love VA Tech's defense this season - they should be even better. Brewer and majority of skill position players return. Big question ? as always here is OL.
You can definitely make an argument VA Tech is too high here but I am just a massive fan of their defense and I expect it to be an under-the-radar ATS cover this season assumming improved QB play (and hopefully improved OL play).
Excellent McGuire! Looks pretty good, the only difference IMO is Virginia Tech seems a little high at 12 but other then that great work!
Yeah - I love VA Tech's defense this season - they should be even better. Brewer and majority of skill position players return. Big question ? as always here is OL.
You can definitely make an argument VA Tech is too high here but I am just a massive fan of their defense and I expect it to be an under-the-radar ATS cover this season assumming improved QB play (and hopefully improved OL play).
-Miami lost a lot of talent to NFL, but I like the WRs coming back (Braxton Berrios should have a huge year) and I love Brad Kaaya with a year of added experience. Definitely a top 40 team so I just gave them benefit of doubt at 32.
-Maryland will be one of the most improved teams in nation. I expect the offense to do a better job of taking care of the football, and this will be for my $ the most improved OL in nation. There is a lot of young, highly recruited talent on this offensive line in RS Fresh LT Derwin Gray (out till September) and RS Fresh RT Damian Prince. They lost a lot of experience in F7 as well but I think shoes will be filled. The ranking is a case of far less negative offensive plays and more efficiency in run and pass game. I'm looking forward to the spread and total vs. Bowling Green
-North Carolina returns entire offense and the hiring of Gene Chizik should help alleviate issues on defense. They simply gave up defensively last year and I think a clean slate and better playcalling and gameplanning is what the doctor ordered. We will see but O will take another step forward and D can't be worse. Watch out for RB Elijah Hood to have a monster year.
-Sell sell sell on Wisconsin. You can read all about them in my ATS Fade Teams thread. Not going to keep harping on it.
-I'm going to be watching Texas AM QB Kyle Allen very closely. If he lives up to hype bumping AM in my rankings might be a wise decision. Defense should still be average
-Miami lost a lot of talent to NFL, but I like the WRs coming back (Braxton Berrios should have a huge year) and I love Brad Kaaya with a year of added experience. Definitely a top 40 team so I just gave them benefit of doubt at 32.
-Maryland will be one of the most improved teams in nation. I expect the offense to do a better job of taking care of the football, and this will be for my $ the most improved OL in nation. There is a lot of young, highly recruited talent on this offensive line in RS Fresh LT Derwin Gray (out till September) and RS Fresh RT Damian Prince. They lost a lot of experience in F7 as well but I think shoes will be filled. The ranking is a case of far less negative offensive plays and more efficiency in run and pass game. I'm looking forward to the spread and total vs. Bowling Green
-North Carolina returns entire offense and the hiring of Gene Chizik should help alleviate issues on defense. They simply gave up defensively last year and I think a clean slate and better playcalling and gameplanning is what the doctor ordered. We will see but O will take another step forward and D can't be worse. Watch out for RB Elijah Hood to have a monster year.
-Sell sell sell on Wisconsin. You can read all about them in my ATS Fade Teams thread. Not going to keep harping on it.
-I'm going to be watching Texas AM QB Kyle Allen very closely. If he lives up to hype bumping AM in my rankings might be a wise decision. Defense should still be average
Could you explain how Ohio State "isn't the best in the country" yet Auburn is among the elite?
The word "yet" in your question confuses me. How are they related issues?
Beyond that, I'm not sure what needs to be explained... you believe it's inconceivable there could be a better team that Ohio St? Are you suggesting Ohio St is miles ahead of everyone else? And with just minor improvements in their defense, Auburn could have been undefeated last year, playing against one of the toughest schedules in CFB history... I don't fully understand the mystery here, either.
Could you explain how Ohio State "isn't the best in the country" yet Auburn is among the elite?
The word "yet" in your question confuses me. How are they related issues?
Beyond that, I'm not sure what needs to be explained... you believe it's inconceivable there could be a better team that Ohio St? Are you suggesting Ohio St is miles ahead of everyone else? And with just minor improvements in their defense, Auburn could have been undefeated last year, playing against one of the toughest schedules in CFB history... I don't fully understand the mystery here, either.
I have Ohio St/TCU and #1 - Baylor slightly behind with Alabama.
I also like Va Tech quite a bit.
I have Auburn a bit lower; And for whatever reason have the Sooners quite a bit higher; and sadly NDame a bit higher.
Mega you might be right on TCU I could very well be underrating them. Was listening to the ESPN Behind the Bets podcast and Steele was talking about how TCU defense could be better this year because he thinks they will bSubmite faster at LBer just less xp'd. They return the bulk of their DL as well. I still have a hard time bumping them past teams like USC, Bama, and UGA.
I have Ohio St/TCU and #1 - Baylor slightly behind with Alabama.
I also like Va Tech quite a bit.
I have Auburn a bit lower; And for whatever reason have the Sooners quite a bit higher; and sadly NDame a bit higher.
Mega you might be right on TCU I could very well be underrating them. Was listening to the ESPN Behind the Bets podcast and Steele was talking about how TCU defense could be better this year because he thinks they will bSubmite faster at LBer just less xp'd. They return the bulk of their DL as well. I still have a hard time bumping them past teams like USC, Bama, and UGA.
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