Bleacher Report's Official 2015 College Football Preseason Top 25 Poll
Defending national champion Ohio State has made history by becoming the first unanimous preseason No. 1 ever in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. That's quite an achievement for the Buckeyes, who are once again loaded with talent and considered by many to be strong favorites to repeat as champs.
OSU sits atop pretty much every preseason ranking, so there's not much suspense to that part of Bleacher Report's Top 25 (other than to see if it landed all the first-place votes). The rest of the poll, though, might be a little more surprising when we see where some teams ended up.
Bleacher Report's Top 25 was voted on by 21 of members of our college football staff: writers Ben Axelrod, Greg Couch, Ed Feng, Justin Ferguson, Bryan Fischer, David Kenyon, Ben Kercheval, Adam Kramer, Brian Leigh, Mike Monaco, Brian Pedersen, David Regimbal, Barrett Sallee, Brad Shepard, Greg Wallace and Christopher Walsh, video experts Michael Felder and Sean McManus and editors Eric Bowman, Hunter Mandel and Eric Yates.
First-place votes were worth 25 points, with each subsequent point worth one fewer point all the way down to one for 25th place. The 25 teams with the most poll points make our list, with the rest falling into the "others receiving votes" category.
Some of our writers have also weighed in on why they feel a certain team was deserving of its preseason ranking.
We will release a new poll each week, immediately after the final games are played that weekend, all the way through the national championship game in January.
Check out where everyone stands entering the 2015 season, then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Others Receiving Votes
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Our voters felt 40 different teams were worthy of being ranked to start the season, and some of those that didn't make the top 25 were on more ballots than those who did. This is a byproduct of the uncertainty that fuels so much of preseason polls, which are based on a combination of past results and projected performance.
Far more clarity will come after the first few weeks of the 2015 season, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see several of the teams below end up not just in the rankings but also rather high up the list.
- Mississippi State (28 poll points)
- Missouri (27)
- Oklahoma State (18)
- Utah (17)
- Louisville (14)
- Virginia Tech (9)
- Nebraska (7)
- Michigan (6)
- Penn State (6)
- West Virginia (5)
- Kansas State (3)
- Miami, Florida (3)
- Cincinnati (1)
- Georgia Southern (1)
- Navy (1)
- North Carolina State (1)
25. Texas A&M Aggies
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Poll points: 47
2014 record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Arizona State (in Houston)
Texas A&M has been on a downward trend in the win-loss department since its breakout SEC debut in 2012, but strong recruiting and a seemingly endless supply of standout pass-catchers have kept the Aggies in the discussion despite their slippage. And thanks to a schedule that doesn't call for them to leave their home state until late October, the pieces are in place for a resurgence in College Station.
Sophomore quarterback Kyle Allen will lead that charge, continuing what he started during the tail end of 2014. But the key for A&M rests in how its defense improves under new coordinator John Chavis, who came over from LSU with the hopes of taking the talent the Aggies have and making it produce.
The big opener against Arizona State will set the tone for the season, either putting A&M on the fast track or sending it back to the drawing board.
24. Boise State Broncos
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Poll points: 49
2014 record: 12-2
2015 opener: Sept. 4 vs. Washington
If power-conference autonomy is leading FBS football in the direction of having two distinct sets of teams, Boise State is the one bridging the gap between the big boys and the little ones.
The Broncos again should be the cream of the crop from the non-power leagues, even with major holes to fill at quarterback and running back, which means that when a New Year's Six bowl bid is handed out they're apt to be at the front of the line.
"Boise State returns a ridiculous amount of talent that will ease the transition from quarterback Grant Hedrick to Ryan Finley," said Bleacher Report's David Kenyon, who ranked Boise State 16th on his ballot. "If they knock off Washington, BYU and Virginia in September, the Broncos will find themselves with a legitimate chance at an undefeated season."
Besides Hedrick, the Broncos must also replace prolific rusher Jay Ajayi, but nearly every other contributor from last year's 12-2 team (which beat Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl) is back to play again on the blue turf.
23. Stanford Cardinal
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Poll points: 83
2014 record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at Northwestern
It was an off year in 2014 for Stanford, which struggled in the red zone and in close games and lost as many contests as in any two of the previous four seasons. Now the Cardinal face the burden of having to replace much of their stellar defense, but thanks to a veteran presence at quarterback there's plenty of room for hope.
Fifth-year senior Kevin Hogan enters his fourth season as starter, and while his numbers will never challenge for the Pac-12 or national lead, he's among the more efficient passers in the game. His experience will be essential in bringing along a relatively young skill group that may need to carry Stanford as the defense gets established.
The Cardinal were third in yards allowed last season but have to replace seven starters.
22. Tennessee Volunteers
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Poll points: 87
2014 record: 7-6
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Bowling Green (in Nashville)
It's quite accurate to say Tennessee was a second-half team in 2014, because it wasn't until quarterback Joshua Dobbs joined the offense midway through the year that the Volunteers took off and posted their first winning record since 2009.
Dobbs and the Vols will be expected to put forth a full season's worth of strong performances this time out, though.
The roster remains very young, with plenty of freshmen and sophomores in key roles—such as sophomore defensive end Derek Barnett, true freshman defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie and the sophomore rushing duo of Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara—but coach Butch Jones has put a lot of faith in the great recruiting classes he's brought to Knoxville.
21. Wisconsin Badgers
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Poll points: 136
2014 record: 11-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Alabama (in Arlington, Texas)
Wisconsin underwent two major changes in the offseason, losing 2,500-yard rusher Melvin Gordon to the NFL draft and coach Gary Andersen to another program. Both replacements are familiar faces, though, which is why the Badgers are expected to continue their run of being one of the most consistently good programs in the country.
Junior Corey Clement spent the last two years as Gordon's backup, and in 2014 his 949 rushing yards were more than the starting running back of six other Big Ten teams. And Wisconsin's coach is Paul Chryst, who prior to a short stint running Pittsburgh's program was the Badgers' offensive coordinator.
20. Arizona Wildcats
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Poll points: 137
2014 record: 10-4
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. UTSA
Arizona was the surprise winner of the Pac-12 South last year, doing so with an offense that was heavily dependent on freshmen and sophomores and a defense that had arguably the best individual defender in the country, Scooby Wright, but not much else. It could be more of the same for the Wildcats this season, though with far more experience and greatly raised expectations.
Quarterback Anu Solomon and running back Nick Wilson are both sophomores, though they combined for more than 5,500 yards of total offense. The receiving corps is junior-heavy and very deep, though the O-line has some growing to do.
Junior linebacker Wright won three major national defensive awards in 2014 and led the nation in tackles (163), tackles for loss (29) and forced fumbles (six).
19. Arkansas Razorbacks
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Poll points: 149
2014 record: 7-6
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. UTEP
Like most of the country, our voters are high on the hog about Arkansas in 2015, despite the Razorbacks' only winning seven games a year ago. Bret Bielema's hard-nosed style on both sides of the ball goes against the grain in today's college football world, but when it's working it's as tough to beat as any other.
Arkansas features an NFL-sized offensive line, not to mention an endless supply of blocking tight ends, and in 2014 that resulted in a pair of 1,000-yard rushers. The more prolific of the two, senior Jonathan Williams, has been ruled out for the regular season with a foot injury, but junior Alex Collins is more than capable of handling a full load.
More than half of the defense returns, and last year that unit posted back-to-back shutouts of ranked teams and finished with a dominant performance against Texas in the Texas Bowl.
18. Oklahoma Sooners
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Poll points: 157
2014 record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Akron
Once perennially among the top passing teams in the nation, Oklahoma has struggled mightily through the air over the past two seasons. After a very disappointing overall performance in 2014, Bob Stoops overhauled his coaching staff and decided to go back to what worked in the past by reinstalling the Air Raid offense.
New coordinator Lincoln Riley, who ran the same system so well at East Carolina, has identified Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield (who started eight games there as a freshman in 2013) as the quarterback to sling the ball all over the place. He'll also be handing off to rising sophomore Samaje Perine, who last year set the FBS single-game rushing record with 427 yards against Kansas.
Oklahoma will also need its defense to play better than a season ago, when it allowed 25.9 points per game and was one of the worst in FBS against the pass.
17. LSU Tigers
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Poll points: 176
2014 record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. McNeese State
LSU has fallen out of the national title picture the last few seasons, dipping to 8-5 in 2014 because of a one-dimensional offense that failed to do anything through the air. Fixing that is the key to the Tigers' hopes this fall, and sophomore Brandon Harris has been be tasked with picking up the slack at quarterback.
Sophomore running back Leonard Fournette will be one of the best in the country, building on last year's strong debut, but LSU needs someone to get the ball to its talented but underutilized receiving corps.
Not much is needed from the offense thanks to what should be another strong defense, albeit one that took a major hit when safety Jalen Mills fractured his fibula and underwent surgery during training camp.
16. Arizona State Sun Devils
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Poll points: 199
2014 record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas A&M (in Houston)
Arizona State lost two major pieces of its strong offense from a year ago, but the replacements come in with plenty of experience and should have the Sun Devils running on all cylinders from the outset. That's important, as they have one of the toughest openers of any ranked team by facing Texas A&M in a game that's considered neutral only on paper.
Senior Mike Bercovici got a three-game audition for this season at quarterback, filling in for the injured Taylor Kelly in late September and going 2-1 with a pair of 400-yard outputs. The big opening at receiver—left by Jaelen Strong—has been filled by senior D.J. Foster, a 1,000-yard rusher from 2014 who also caught 62 passes and has 163 receptions for his career.
Combined with a solid offensive line and an aggressive defense that loves to blitz and take chances, ASU will be a player in the Pac-12 South and could make noise on a national level, starting with that A&M opener.
15. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
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Poll points: 200
2014 record: 11-3
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. Alcorn State
Behind a gimmicky but dominant rushing attack, Georgia Tech ran its way to the ACC title game and then ran over Mississippi State to win the Orange Bowl. Most of the Yellow Jackets' ball-carriers have moved on, but coach Paul Johnson still has junior quarterback Justin Thomas to operate the triple-option, which is a darn good piece with which to start.
Last year Georgia Tech ran for 342 yards per game, with Thomas chipping in a team-best 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns. He also threw 18 TD passes on just 187 attempts.
Tech's defense features eight starters, including senior defensive lineman Adam Gotsis and senior safety Jamal Golden.
14. Ole Miss Rebels
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Poll points: 223
2014 record: 9-4
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Tennessee-Martin
With a good chunk of last year's top scoring defense back in the fold and some of the biggest pass-catching targets in the nation at its disposal, Ole Miss has the tools necessary to bounce back from the disappointing finish to 2014. The Rebels opened last year at 7-0, only to lose four of six down the stretch as injuries and offensive inconsistency muddied the waters.
Back from that vaunted "Landsharks" defense are junior defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche and a slew of strong defensive backs, a group that should again be Ole Miss' strength. The offense is very experienced, though key players such as junior receiver Laquon Treadwell and junior offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil are coming back from leg injuries.
Treadwell and junior tight end Evan Engram, who at 6'2" and 230 pounds is more like a large receiver, will give quarterback Chad Kelly—a former Clemson player and the nephew of ex-NFL star Jim Kelly—some big targets to throw to. If the Rebels can find a run game to go with them, they'll be in the hunt for the SEC West title.
13. UCLA Bruins
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Poll points: 252
2014 record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Virginia
UCLA was a trendy playoff pick in 2014 but ended up losing three times at home, as a woeful offensive line prevented dual-threat quarterback Brett Hundley from being able to show off his full arsenal at times. Hundley has moved on, and the Bruins have handed over his keys to true freshman Josh Rosen.
Yet UCLA is again considered a contender for top honors this year because it's strong at nearly every position other than quarterback. As SB Nation's Bill Connelly noted, "if the Bruins' quarterback can at least play steady, reliable ball, their top-10 projections could come to fruition."
Rosen, the top-rated pro-style passer in 247Sports' class of 2015 composite rankings, will work behind a more comfortable offensive line and get to hand off to Pac-12 rushing champion Paul Perkins, while his receiving corps is talented but underrated.
And the Bruins' defense has one of the nation's most versatile players in junior linebacker Myles Jack. He can defend both the run and the pass and will even outrun everybody if he needs to carry the ball.
12. Clemson Tigers
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Poll points: 313
2014 record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Wofford
Clemson has some of the most exciting young skill players in the country, but the Tigers' hopes this year come down to just one of those playmakers: sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is coming off ACL surgery in December.
When he was able to play last year—two knee injuries and a broken hand knocked him out of all or parts of seven games—Watson was nearly unstoppable. He accumulated 1,666 yards of total offense, accounted for 19 touchdowns and completed 67.9 percent of his passes. Clemson's offense often struggled with him out of the lineup.
Assuming he can stay healthy, Watson will team with sophomore running back Wayne Gallman, junior receiver Mike Williams and sophomore wideout Artavis Scott to form a very potent attack. And it's one that might need to put up a lot of points, because after having the nation's top-ranked defense, the Tigers will be very young on that side of the ball.
11. Georgia Bulldogs
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Poll points: 314
2014 record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Georgia remains the team to beat in the SEC East Division, despite coming up short in that race the last two years. Ending that skid likely rests on how well running back Nick Chubb performs after a breakout freshman season and whether the Bulldogs can avoid the kind of inconsistent play that plagued them in 2013 and 2014.
Chubb was thrust into a starting role midway through last year and ran with it—literally. He topped 100 yards in all eight of his starts, finishing with an output (1,547 yards) that tied for fourth-best in program history. He'll be getting the ball from Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert, whom coach Mark Richt tabbed as his starting quarterback on Monday.
Georgia's defense, which made great strides last season under coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, is solid across the board and might feature the nation's top group of linebackers, led by junior Leonard Floyd and senior Jordan Jenkins.
10. Florida State Seminoles
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Poll points: 320
2014 record: 13-1
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas State
Florida State has lost just once in the past two seasons, that loss coming in blowout fashion to Oregon in last year's Rose Bowl semifinal game. That setback could be looked at as the end of an era for the Seminoles after 11 players from that team were taken in the 2015 NFL draft.
There are plenty of familiar faces back in Tallahassee this fall, but the most important FSU player could be one of its newest additions if the Seminoles hope to avoid a rebuilding year. Notre Dame graduate transfer Everett Golson, named the starting quarterback on Monday, brings much-needed experience to a position that Jameis Winston handled so masterfully the past two years.
He'd be one of the few veterans on an FSU offense that is talented but young. Getting leading rusher Dalvin Cook reinstated after he was acquitted of misdemeanor battery on Aug. 24 is also a huge boost.
FSU's strength might lie in its defense, which is likely to start mostly juniors and seniors and will be led by dynamic junior defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
"The 'Noles will rely on freshmen and sophomores, which makes them seem 'a year away,'" said Bleacher Report's Brian Leigh, who voted FSU seventh. "But isn't that what we called Ohio State last season?"
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Poll points: 341
2014 record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas
Even after losing starters to transfers (quarterback Everett Golson, center Matt Hegarty) and injury (defensive lineman Jarron Jones), Notre Dame remains one of the most veteran teams in the country. And the experience this group has amassed, combined with sophomore quarterback Malik Zaire's high ceiling, gives the Fighting Irish a strong chance to contend for a national title for the first time in three years.
Zaire, a dual-threat passer with great mobility, shined in Notre Dame's Music City Bowl win over LSU and then beat out Golson for the starting job during the spring. When he opts to throw he'll have one of the best receiving tandems in FBS to work with in juniors William Fuller and Corey Robinson. That duo combined for 116 receptions for 1,633 yards and 20 touchdowns a year ago.
Notre Dame is most imposing on defense, where, despite Jones' being lost for the year to a knee injury suffered during training camp, stars are all over the field. Defensive lineman Sheldon Day, linebacker Jaylon Smith and defensive back KeiVarae Russell—who missed all of last season to an academic suspension—will more than make up for Jones' absence.
8. USC Trojans
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Poll points: 347
2014 record: 9-4
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Arkansas State
USC used to be a regular presence at or near the top of the national rankings, but since opening the 2012 season at No. 1 in the Associated Press poll it's been more disappointment than celebration for the Trojans. If this is the year they return to the ranks of the elite, it will be on the shoulders of senior quarterback Cody Kessler.
In his second year as a starter in 2014, Kessler had one of the best (and least recognized) years in USC's storied history, throwing for more than 3,800 yards with 39 touchdowns on a 69.7 percent completion percentage.
"I'm really high on Cody Kessler, and when you're great at quarterback, you've got the chance to be great," said Bleacher Report's Brad Shepard, who had USC third on his preseason ballot. "They've built the talent capable of winning big soon. Why not now?"
USC was talent-laden in 2014 as well but didn't seriously contend for a playoff spot or the Pac-12 title because of a handful of surprising losses scattered across the season. This year, what could stand in the Trojans' way is a tough road schedule—with games at Arizona State, Notre Dame and Oregon—or any lingering distractions that might come from coach Steve Sarkisian's announcement that he would seek treatment (but continue to coach) for his alcohol use.
7. Auburn Tigers
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Poll points: 407
2014 record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Louisville (in Atlanta)
After taking the nation by storm in 2013 under first-year coach Gus Malzahn, Auburn fell back to earth last season when its potent offense couldn't score enough to offset a porous defense. The Tigers addressed that deficiency by making one of the biggest non-head coach hires of the offseason in former Florida coach Will Muschamp, whose defensive acumen is expected to provide that unit with a huge boost.
So, too, will the return of sophomore defensive lineman Carl Lawson, who missed all of 2014 with a torn ACL, while Michigan graduate transfer Blake Countess will help shore up a secondary that recorded 22 interceptions last season but also gave up 44 passes of 20 or more yards.
Even slight improvement on defense will pair greatly with a retooled offense, one that will remain run-heavy but, because of the tandem of junior quarterback Jeremy Johnson and senior receiver D'haquille Williams, will include far more passing than in Malzahn's first two seasons.
6. Oregon Ducks
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Poll points: 412
2014 record: 13-2
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Eastern Washington
Oregon's well-oiled offensive machine will have a new operator this season, as three-year starter and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota is now playing for the NFL's Tennessee Titans. Succeeding him is Vernon Adams, a graduate transfer from FCS Eastern Washington who beat out 2014 backup Jeff Lockie.
Lockie impressed during spring ball, and while Adams didn't arrive until mid-August after passing possibly the most important math exam in college football history, he apparently excelled in his short time in camp to win the job. He'll now be making his first start at the FBS level against his old team.
While Oregon's quarterback spot will look different, the rest of the offense won't. There's a solid offensive line and amazing skill players, such as sophomore running back Royce Freeman and senior receiver Byron Marshall.
The Ducks defense isn't as experienced, though it does have a fearsome player in senior defensive end DeForest Buckner that coach Mark Helfrich has deemed the team's X-factor in 2015, according to Samuel Marshall of the Daily Emerald.
Oregon has won at least 10 games each of the past seven seasons, a run which is tied with Alabama for the longest active streak.
5. Michigan State Spartans
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Poll points: 419
2014 record: 11-2
2015 opener: Sept. 4 at Western Michigan
Despite losing a 1,500-yard rusher, a big-play receiver and several key defensive stars, Michigan State might have its best team of the past three years. And that's saying something, since the Spartans won 24 games in 2013-14 and are the only Big Ten team to knock off defending national champion Ohio State during that time.
MSU has a very experienced core that it hopes to ride to continued success, with fifth-year senior leaders at quarterback (Connor Cook), center (Jack Allen) and defensive end (Shilique Calhoun). Each opted to return to East Lansing for one more season to keep the run going, despite all being considered potentially high draft picks.
Cook is set to become the school's all-time leading passer this fall, topping a chart that includes NFL quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Brian Hoyer and Drew Stanton. He'll be working with inexperienced players at the skill positions, though.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Poll points: 440 (one first-place vote)
2014 record: 12-2
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Wisconsin (in Arlington, Texas)
There are few certainties in this world, other than staples like death and taxes. Alabama's annual contention for a national championship under Nick Saban's guidance is as close to a sure thing as there is in college football.
"Alabama plays like an elite team every year," said Bleacher Report's Ed Feng, whose ballot had the Crimson Tide at No. 1. "It doesn't matter what the quarterback situation is, who they have to replace on defense, etc. They just show up and compete for a national title."
The Tide have plenty of questions heading into this season, most notably the identity of their starting quarterback. A wide-open race between senior Jake Coker, junior Alec Morris and sophomore David Cornwell is similar to last year's competition between Coker and Blake Sims. Sims, a first-time starter, ended up setting numerous school records in coordinator Lane Kiffin's offense, and this year's QB figures to have a chance to do the same.
As of Monday, all three passers are listed together on the first line of Alabama's depth chart.
Alabama won't have a big-play receiver like Amari Cooper for its passer to hook up with, but it does have a beast of a running back in junior Derrick Henry and a veteran offensive line. There's also one of the deepest defensive fronts in the country, a group that should help carry the team whenever the offense struggles.
3. Baylor Bears
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Poll points: 458
2014 record: 11-2
2015 opener: Sept. 4 at SMU
Baylor has firmly established itself as one of the top programs in the country, earning at least a share of the last two Big 12 titles and winning 22 games in that span. Art Briles has transformed the Bears from doormats to powerhouses in his seven seasons, doing so with a lightning-quick offense that has averaged at least 44 points per game the last four years and finished No. 1 in scoring in both 2013 and 2014.
It's history like that which makes the presence of a new quarterback at the wheel of Baylor's attack no cause for concern. Not when junior Seth Russell has a receiving group that's overloaded with playmakers and deep threats and a dependable runner in junior Shock Linwood.
Baylor is the only team in the country that had two 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher last year, and all three return. And it also brings back an underrated defense that features one of the most imposing players in the country, 6'9", 275-pound senior defensive end Shawn Oakman.
2. TCU Horned Frogs
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Poll points: 487
2014 record: 12-1
2015 opener: Sept. 3 at Minnesota
Many felt TCU was good enough to be (and deserving of a spot) in last year's playoffs, though its loss to Baylor and the Big 12 Conference's lack of a resume-building championship game led to the Horned Frogs being on the outside of the four-team tournament.
The lack of a semifinal bid is about the only thing that didn't go well for the Frogs in 2014, a season in which they seemingly came out of nowhere to take the country by storm.
There will be no sneaking up by TCU this year. Not with a No. 2 preseason ranking and a senior quarterback, Trevone Boykin, whom Bovada.lv has tabbed as co-favorite for the Heisman Trophy, according to Odds Shark, at the helm of an uptempo offense that averaged 46.5 points per game and returns mostly intact.
Boykin had more than 4,600 yards of total offense last year, while senior running back Aaron Green topped 900 rushing yards despite not starting a game until November. The Frogs receiving corps is arguably the fastest in the nation, led by track star Kolby Listenbee, though it would have been even swifter had return specialist Cameron Echols-Luper not decided to transfer to Arkansas State in August.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Poll points: 524 (20 first-place votes)
2014 record: 14-1
2015 opener: Sept. 7 at Virginia Tech
Ohio State was our runaway choice for the No. 1 team in the country, picking up right where it finished after the 2014-15 season. But unlike those final rankings from January, the Buckeyes aren't a unanimous choice for the top spot.
There's no debating that OSU is overloaded with talent, evidenced by the fact that it was able to convert a player who started three years at quarterback—senior Braxton Miller—and turn him into a wide receiver without batting an eye. The Buckeyes still have two stellar options for that position, either junior Cardale Jones or J.T. Barrett, and also have the luxury to mix and match with that pair as well as Miller if coach Urban Meyer so desires.
The Buckeyes also have a workhorse running back who showed last postseason he could carry a team, as junior Ezekiel Elliott ran for 696 yards and eight touchdowns in the wins over Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon en route to the national title.
Not to be outdone, a power-packed defense is led by junior defensive end Joey Bosa and six other returning starters. That group showed rapid improvement throughout the 2014 season and will again be a major strength for OSU to lean on in the rare instances when its offense isn't destroying the scoreboard.
All quotes obtained firsthand, unless otherwise noted. All stats courtesy of CFBStats.com.
All slides written by Bleacher Report featured columnist Brian J. Pedersen. Follow the author on Twitter at @realBJP.
