Power Ranking All 128 Teams After the 2015 National Championship
It ain't over until the final power rankings have come out.
An amazing 2014-15 college football season is in the books, with Ohio State coming out of the first four-team playoff to win the national title. Along the way, the Buckeyes found themselves all over the top 20 of Bleacher Report's power rankings, but when all was through, they finished in the No. 1 spot reserved for a champion.
Where did everyone else finish? Well, that depends on how the power rankings played out.
Our power rankings are based on a rating that comes from averaging out a team's place on five lists: the Associated Press Top 25 and Amway Coaches polls, Bleacher Report's Top 25, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer ratings and my personal ranking.
Take a look at how the 128 FBS teams finished the 2014-15 season after bowl games and the playoffs, and then give us your take in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
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Of the 128 schools that played in FBS this past season, 52 finished with losing records. That includes a handful of 6-6 teams that lost their bowl games to finish below .500.
While this group didn't do so well in 2014, a few teams from the bottom tend to make a big push the following season. Air Force, Memphis and TCU had a combined nine wins in 2013, but this past fall they went 32-7.
- 128. Eastern Michigan (2-10)
- 127. Georgia State (1-11)
- 126. SMU (1-1)
- 125. New Mexico State (2-10)
- 124. Connecticut (2-10)
- 123. Troy (3-9)
- 122. Idaho (1-10)
- 121. UNLV (2-11)
- 120. Kent State (2-9)
- 119. Tulsa (2-10)
- 118. Miami, Ohio (2-10)
- 117. Massachusetts (3-9)
- 116. Army (4-8)
- 115. San Jose State (3-9)
- 114. South Florida (4-8)
- 113. Southern Mississippi (3-9)
- 111. (tie) Tulane (3-9)
- 111. (tie) Florida Atlantic (3-9)
- 110. North Texas (4-8)
- 109. UTSA (4-8)
- 108. New Mexico (4-8)
- 106. (tie) Florida International (4-8)
- 106. (tie) Akron (4-7)
- 105. Buffalo (5-6)
- 104. Wyoming (4-8)
- 102. (tie) Louisiana-Monroe (4-8)
- 102. (tie) Hawaii (4-9)
- 101. Wake Forest (3-9)
- 100. Vanderbilt (3-9)
- 98. (tie) Ohio (6-6)
- 98. (tie) Kansas (3-9)
- 97. South Alabama (6-7)
- 96. Ball State (5-7)
- 95. Iowa State (2-10)
- 94. Colorado (2-10)
- 93. Purdue (3-9)
- 91. (tie) Old Dominion (6-6)
- 91. (tie) Fresno State (6-8)
Nos. 90-61
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The middle pack is full of teams that either slightly overachieved or underachieved in 2014, which in many cases means going 6-7 or 7-6. But it also includes some of the most-improved teams from the non-power conferences, such as Western Michigan, which went from 1-11 to 8-5.
- 90. Syracuse (3-9)
- 88. (tie) Texas State (7-5)
- 88. (tie) Bowling Green (8-6)
- 87. Indiana (4-8)
- 85. (tie) Middle Tennessee (6-6)
- 85. (tie) Appalachian State (7-5)
- 84. UTEP (7-6)
- 83. Washington State (3-9)
- 82. Oregon State (5-7)
- 81. Central Michigan (7-6)
- 80. Texas Tech (4-8)
- 79. Illinois (6-7)
- 78. Temple (6-6)
- 77. UAB (6-6)
- 76. North Carolina (6-7)
- 74. (tie) Western Michigan (8-5)
- 74. (tie) Arkansas State (7-6)
- 73. San Diego State (7-6)
- 72. Northwestern (5-7)
- 71. Nevada (7-6)
- 70. California (5-7)
- 69. Western Kentucky (8-5)
- 68. Michigan (5-7)
- 67. Pittsburgh (6-7)
- 66. Virginia (5-7)
- 65. Kentucky (5-7)
- 64. Rice (8-5)
- 63. Louisiana-Lafayette (9-4)
- 62. Houston (8-5)
- 61. East Carolina (8-5)
Nos. 60-51
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The annual increase in bowl games made it possible for 76 FBS schools to play an extra game this season, but a handful of eligible teams still got left out. Most notable of that lot was Georgia Southern, which went unbeaten in the Sun Belt Conference to win the league title.
However, because the Eagles were in their first season of FBS play, they were not allowed to participate in the postseason.
- 60. Texas (6-6)
- 59. Georgia Southern (9-3)
- 57. (tie) Toledo (9-4)
- 57. (tie) Maryland (7-6)
- 56. Navy (8-5)
- 54. (tie) Virginia Tech (7-6)
- 54. (tie) Iowa (7-6)
- 52. (tie) Miami, Florida (6-7)
- 52. (tie) Boston College (7-6)
- 51. Cincinnati (9-4)
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50. UCF Knights
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Average rating: 50.0
Bowl result: Lost 34-27 vs. North Carolina State in St. Petersburg Bowl
Final record: 9-4
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Florida International
A year after being one of the biggest surprises in the country, UCF wasn't able to replicate that success but still put together a strong season and claimed a share of a second straight American Athletic Conference title.
The Knights were one of the worst offensive teams in the country, ranking 103rd in yards per game. That was countered by the fifth-best defense in the nation in 2014.
49. Northern Illinois Huskies
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Average rating: 49.0
Bowl result: Lost 55-23 vs. Marshall in Boca Raton Bowl
Final record: 11-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. UNLV
The perennial Mid-American powers won the conference yet again, blowing out Bowling Green in the title game (to avenge a loss to the Falcons in last season's final) and reach 11 or more wins for the fifth straight year.
The Huskies were still an effective offensive team without do-everything quarterback Jordan Lynch, ranking 17th nationally in rushing at 249.1 yards per game.
48. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Average rating: 47.67
Bowl result: Won 30-22 vs. Washington in Cactus Bowl
Final record: 7-6
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at Central Michigan
Oklahoma State had its fewest wins since 2007, but a victory at rival Oklahoma in the regular-season finale clinched a ninth straight bowl appearance. Then the Cowboys took down that bowl behind the play of rising quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Rudolph, OK State's third different starter during the season, threw for 853 yards and six touchdowns over the final 2.5 games. Coach Mike Gundy has already named him as the starting quarterback heading into next season.
47. Penn State Nittany Lions
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Average rating: 47.5
Bowl result: Won 31-30 (in OT) vs. Boston College in Pinstripe Bowl
Final record: 7-6
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at Temple
Penn State's first season under new coach James Franklin featured a wealth of big moments, starting and ending with game-winning kicks by Sam Ficken and including a reprieve from crippling NCAA sanctions along the way.
The Nittany Lions opened the year by beating UCF in Ireland, winning on a last-second field goal. Offensive struggles held back a defense that finished second nationally in yards allowed, but after being declared eligible for postseason play, they rallied to get to six wins and then knocked off Boston College in OT when Ficken's extra point was true following a missed PAT by their opponent.
46. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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Average rating: 47.38
Bowl result: Won 40-21 vs. North Carolina in Quick Lane Bowl
Final record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Norfolk State
Rutgers managed to fare well enough in its first season in the Big Ten to earn a fourth straight bowl appearance. The Scarlet Knights topped the year off with their first bowl win since 2011, seeing longtime starting quarterback Gary Nova's career end on a high note.
Nova threw for 2,851 yards and 22 touchdowns, finishing as the school's all-time TD pass leader with 73.
45. BYU Cougars
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Average rating: 46.0
Bowl result: Lost 55-48 (in 2 OT) vs. Memphis in Miami Beach Bowl
Final record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at Nebraska
A third straight 8-5 season was a tale of different segments, as BYU opened 4-0 (with a blowout win at Texas), only to then drop four in a row after star quarterback Taysom Hill went down with a season-ending injury. Once he got settled in, backup Christian Stewart paced four consecutive wins down the stretch before the Cougars fell in double overtime in their bowl game.
Stewart finished with 2,621 passing yards and 25 touchdowns.
44. North Carolina State Wolfpack
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Average rating: 45.33
Bowl result: Won 34-27 vs. UCF in St. Petersburg Bowl
Final record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Troy
North Carolina State improved its win total by five games from a year ago, getting off to a 4-0 start and then fighting through the ACC schedule before getting a bowl victory to cap the best season since 2011.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a Florida transfer, threw for 2,606 yards and 23 touchdowns and added 529 rushing yards.
43. Colorado State Rams
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Average rating: 43.63
Bowl result: Lost 45-10 vs. Utah in Las Vegas Bowl
Final record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Savannah State
Colorado State used an explosive offense to post its first 10-win season since 2002, an accomplishment that helped coach Jim McElwain earn a major promotion by getting hired as Florida's new coach.
42. South Carolina Gamecocks
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Average rating: 43.0
Bowl result: Won 24-21 vs. Miami (Fla.) in Independence Bowl
Final record: 7-6
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. North Carolina (in Charlotte)
A top-10 team to begin 2014, South Carolina experienced more disappointments than achievements. It was a major drop-off for a program that had gone 11-2 in each of the previous three years.
The Gamecocks struggled defensively, taking away from a record season from quarterback Dylan Thompson. The senior, in his first year as a full-time starter, set a school mark with 3,574 yards to go with 26 touchdowns.
South Carolina also featured one of the country's top all-around threats in Pharoh Cooper, who had nine receiving touchdowns, two rushing scores and two TD passes.
41. Air Force Falcons
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Average rating: 42.1
Bowl result: Won 38-24 vs. Western Michigan in Potato Bowl
Final record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. TBD
Air Force orchestrated the biggest one-season turnaround in FBS this season, going from 2-10 in 2013 to the program's first 10-win record since 1998.
The Falcons ranked seventh in the country in rushing and were the only team in the Mountain West to knock off Boise State this season.
40. Washington Huskies
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Average rating: 41.83
Bowl result: Lost 30-22 vs. Oklahoma State in Cactus Bowl
Final record: 8-6
2015 opener: Sept. 3 or 4 at Boise State
Former Boise State coach Chris Petersen's first season in Seattle was mostly a success, though he had to get by with more of a defensive team than the offensive powerhouses he'd had with the Broncos.
The Huskies tied for 77th in total offense, but their defense ranked second in the country with 52 sacks. Topping that group was linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha, who led FBS with 19 sacks, while defensive linemen Danny Shelton and Andrew Hudson combined for 32 tackles for loss.
Washington's unsung hero was Shaq Thompson, who scored multiple touchdowns on defense as a linebacker and also ran for 456 yards and two TDs.
39. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
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Average rating: 40.0
Bowl result: Won 35-18 vs. Illinois in Heart of Dallas Bowl
Final record: 9-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Southern
Louisiana Tech had a big turnaround year, winning Conference USA's West Division en route to its first bowl victory since 2008.
The Bulldogs got a huge year from senior quarterback Cody Sokol, a transfer who threw for 3,436 yards and 30 touchdowns, while junior running Kenneth Dixon scored 28 touchdowns.
Tech's success helped land it another impact transfer for 2015, as former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel has announced he'll play his final season in Ruston.
38. Utah State Aggies
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Average rating: 36.0
Bowl result: Won 21-6 vs. UTEP in New Mexico Bowl
Final record: 10-4
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Southern Utah
Utah State had to use five different players at quarterback during the season, losing three to season-ending injuries along the way, yet still managed a third straight year with at least nine victories.
A defense that ranked 12th in scoring helped, allowing 19.7 points per game. Senior linebacker Zach Vigil tied for second in the country in tackles with 154.
Utah State has gone 37-17 over the past four seasons, after having won 36 games over the previous 11 years.
37. West Virginia Mountaineers
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Average rating: 35.0
Bowl result: Lost 45-37 vs. Texas A&M in Liberty Bowl
Final record: 7-6
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Georgia Southern
West Virginia had its best season since joining the Big 12, including a win over conference co-champion Baylor, but the Mountaineers had too many tough games that they couldn't come through in. This was despite an explosive offense led by quarterback Clint Trickett and big-play receiver Kevin White.
The Mountaineers' biggest issue was turnovers, as they finished the year with a minus-15 margin that was among the worst in FBS.
36. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 33.8
Bowl result: Lost 40-6 vs. Clemson in Russell Athletic Bowl
Final record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Akron
Ranked in the Top Five before the season began, Oklahoma went through another letdown of a season that included an uncharacteristic three home losses. The campaign also ended with one of the worst defeats in coach Bob Stoops' long tenure, as Oklahoma lost by 34 points in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
The Sooners struggled with offensive consistency, despite having a breakout performance from true freshman running back Samaje Perine. He set the FBS single-game rushing record with 427 yards against Kansas and finished the year with 1,713 yards and 21 touchdowns. However, quarterback Trevor Knight failed to live up to the hype that came after he had looked good in Oklahoma's Sugar Bowl win the season before.
Stoops has responded to the down year by making numerous changes to his coaching staff, including hiring East Carolina's Lincoln Riley as his new offensive coordinator.
34. (tie) Tennessee Volunteers
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Average rating: 33.0
Bowl result: Won 45-28 vs. Iowa in TaxSlayer Bowl
Final record: 7-6
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Bowling Green (in Nashville)
One of the youngest teams in the country, Tennessee turned a corner in the second half of the season when sophomore quarterback Joshua Dobbs entered the lineup. The dual-threat passer helped spark a 4-2 finish that included the Volunteers' three best offensive outputs.
A dominant bowl victory over Iowa in early January capped the breakout season—the program's first winning record since 2009—and with more than 20 freshmen contributing to the year, the hopes for a big 2015 are high.
"Tennessee, meet the hype train; hype train, meet the Tennessee football program," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote. "You two get comfortable with each other, because for the next nine months, you're going to be locked arm-in-arm."
34. (tie) Duke Blue Devils
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Average rating: 33.0
Bowl result: Lost 36-31 vs. Arizona State in Sun Bowl
Final record: 9-4
2015 opener: Sept. 3 at Tulane
Duke finished up its third straight bowl-filled season, a first in school history, though after winning the ACC's Coastal Division in 2013, the Blue Devils weren't able to repeat as champs.
The Blue Devils have won 25 games in the past three seasons, compared to the same number in the previous 12 years. All that remains for Duke to achieve in the future is a bowl victory, something it hasn't achieved since 1961.
33. Texas A&M Aggies
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Average rating: 31.93
Bowl result: Won 45-37 vs. West Virginia in Liberty Bowl
Final record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Arizona State (in Houston)
A 5-0 start fueled by a breakout star quarterback had Texas A&M near the top of the rankings in late September, but a few weeks later the Aggies were moving toward the bottom with defensive breakdowns and the benching of passer Kenny Hill. Freshman Kyle Allen took over down the stretch and showed promise for 2015, but overall the year had too many shortcomings to be considered a success.
Youth will drive A&M's future; Allen and offensive stars such as receivers Josh Reynolds and Speedy Noil, along with defensive end Myles Garrett—who set the SEC's freshman sack record—are all likely to be big parts of next year's team.
32. Minnesota Golden Gophers
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Average rating: 31.6
Bowl result: Lost 33-17 vs. Missouri in Citrus Bowl
Final record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. TCU
A contender for the Big Ten West for much of the season, Minnesota's 5-3 conference mark was its best in more than a decade. Wins over Iowa and Nebraska helped the Golden Gophers earn their first New Year's Day bowl appearance since 1962, and led to Jerry Kill earning the Big Ten's Coach of the Year award.
Minnesota was fueled by a run-first offense, with David Cobb rushing for 1,629 yards and 13 touchdowns and quarterback Mitch Leidner adding 10 rushing scores to go with his 1,798 passing yards and 11 TDs. Tight end Maxx Williams was one of the biggest weapons in the country, as the 6'4", 250-pound redshirt sophomore caught eight TDs on just 36 receptions to parlay that into an early NFL entry.
31. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 29.8
Bowl result: Won 31-28 vs. LSU in Music City Bowl
Final record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas
Notre Dame began 7-0 and was smack dab in the middle of the playoff discussion, and it was a play away from knocking off defending champion Florida State. Then things went downhill for the Fighting Irish, who lost four of five before saving face with a solid bowl victory over LSU.
The up-and-down season rode the same wave as quarterback Everett Golson, who after missing the 2013 season because of academics came out on fire during the first half of the year. But despite his great production, he was turnover-prone, committing 20 turnovers by himself.
Golson ended up splitting carries with redshirt freshman Malik Zaire during the bowl game and is reportedly contemplating a transfer, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune (h/t Chicago Tribune).
30. Florida Gators
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Average rating: 29.0
Bowl result: Won 28-20 vs. East Carolina in Birmingham Bowl
Final record: 7-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. New Mexico State
Despite improving its win total by three games from the previous year, Florida had one of the most up-and-down seasons of any major program and ultimately parted ways with coach Will Muschamp before the year ended. Another solid defensive unit didn't get the support from the offensive side to get the job done, though the Gators still had some significant wins.
A blowout victory over Georgia derailed that rival's season, but others did the same to Florida along the way.
Muschamp's exit paved the way for Florida to hire Jim McElwain from Colorado State—a move that is expected to push the Gators back into the discussion in the SEC East.
29. Stanford Cardinal
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Average rating: 28.0
Bowl result: Won 45-21 vs. Maryland in Foster Farms Bowl
Final record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at Northwestern
After 46 wins in the previous four seasons, Stanford took a step back in 2014 yet still was among the most feared teams in the nation because of its defensive prowess. The Cardinal were third in yards allowed and second in scoring defense, making up for an inconsistent offense that struggled in the red zone.
Quarterback Kevin Hogan notched 2,792 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Remound Wright ran for 11 TDs on just 135 carries, but Stanford was 112th in red-zone offense by converting on only 73.7 percent of its possessions and scoring touchdowns 54.4 percent of the time.
28. Arkansas Razorbacks
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Average rating: 27.4
Bowl result: Won 31-7 vs. Texas Bowl
Final record: 7-6
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. UTEP
The doormat of the SEC West still finished in last place, but after registering a pair of shutout wins in November against ranked teams and then crushing Texas in its bowl game, Arkansas appears headed in the right direction under coach Bret Bielema.
The Razorbacks used a power run game and a tough defense to finish with seven wins, its most since 2011. Both Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams ran for 1,000 yards; Arkansas was the only team with two such rushers in FBS.
The defense, thanks to the shutouts and the bowl effort, finished the year 10th in yards allowed.
27. LSU Tigers
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Average rating: 27.2
Bowl result: Lost 31-28 vs. Notre Dame in Music City Bowl
Final record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. McNeese State
Constant attrition from early NFL entry finally caught up to LSU, which despite still having a talented team lacked the experience needed to hang in the ultra-tough SEC West. The five losses were the most by the Tigers since 2008.
LSU couldn't find consistent quarterback play from either Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings, and it wasn't until late in the season that freshman phenom Leonard Fournette emerged from the running back corps and gave us an idea of what he'll be capable of in the future. He finished with 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns, with 289 yards and three scores coming in LSU's final two games.
26. Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Average rating: 27.0
Bowl result: Lost 45-42 vs. USC in Holiday Bowl
Final record: 9-4
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. BYU
Nebraska put together another of its typical seasons, reaching nine wins for the seventh time in as many seasons under coach Bo Pelini. But Pelini wasn't around for the final game, as the school fired him despite a 67-27 record.
The Cornhuskers failed to win any of their big games in 2014, as had been the case in the past, losing to Michigan State, Wisconsin and Minnesota as well as to USC in the Holiday Bowl. Despite the setbacks, their offense put up good numbers. Running back Ameer Abdullah rushing for 1,611 yards and 19 touchdowns, while quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw for 2,695 yards and 22 TDs.
Now Nebraska is under the guidance of Mike Riley, who had spent 14 years at Oregon State before making the surprise move to Lincoln.
25. Memphis Tigers
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Average rating: 26.6
Bowl result: Won 55-48 (in OT) vs. BYU in Miami Beach Bowl
Final record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. TBD
Memphis went from a 3-9 team last year to co-champions of the American Athletic Conference, its first title of any sort since 1971. The Tigers' seven-win improvement was among the best in the country, and they finished things off with an exciting double-overtime win against BYU in the Miami Beach Bowl.
The Tigers offense was a major improvement from the previous season, going from 19.5 points per game to 36.2. Quarterback Paxton Lynch threw for 3,031 yards and 22 touchdowns while also rushing for 13 of Memphis' TDs on the ground.
"I don't know if we're the most talented team around, but they certainly play together and they certainly have some toughness about them," coach Justin Fuente told Don Wade of the Memphis Daily News. "They kept plowing away."
24. Louisville Cardinals
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Average rating: 25.6
Bowl result: Lost 37-14 vs. Georgia in Belk Bowl
Final record: 9-4
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Auburn (in Atlanta)
In a new conference and with a new (yet familiar) coach, Louisville entered 2014 with a lot of expectations but also plenty of uncertainty. It was an overall solid season, though what was surprising was how the Cardinals got the job done.
Bobby Petrino's teams have been known as offensive powerhouses, but defense led this version. The Cardinals ranked sixth in yards allowed with 308.5 per game, and their secondary intercepted 26 passes to tie for the FBS lead. Safety Gerod Holliman had 14 interceptions, tying an FBS record.
23. Marshall Thundering Herd
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Average rating: 22.6
Bowl result: Won 55-23 vs. Northern Illinois in Boca Raton Bowl
Final record: 13-1
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Purdue
Marshall put together one of its best seasons in program history, going unbeaten until the final game of the regular season but still claiming the Conference USA title. Much of that was due to one of the top offenses in FBS, which averaged 45.6 points and 559.2 yards per game.
Quarterback Rakeem Cato finished his career having thrown a touchdown pass in 46 straight games, an FBS record, and for the season he had 3,903 passing yards and 40 TDs. He sits eighth all-time in passing yards and tied for fourth in TD passes.
While Cato graduates, Marshall still has running back Devon Johnson coming back. He ran for 1,767 yards and 17 touchdowns.
22. Utah Utes
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Average rating: 21.6
Bowl result: Won 45-10 vs. Colorado State in Las Vegas Bowl
Final record: 9-4
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. Michigan
Utah posted its best season since joining the Pac-12, paced by a defensive front that led the nation in sacks with 55. The Utes' offensive struggles kept them from being able to do more, though they did manage to go 5-2 in games decided by one score or less.
Defensive lineman Nate Orchard was second in FBS with 18.5 sacks, after managing just six sacks in his previous two seasons. The offensive punch was mostly from junior college transfer Devontae Booker, who ran for 1,512 yards with 10 touchdowns.
21. Auburn Tigers
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Average rating: 21.2
Bowl result: Lost 34-31 (in OT) vs. Wisconsin in Outback Bowl
Final record: 8-5
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Louisville (in Atlanta)
It was hard to match what Auburn did in 2013, when it reached the BCS title game a season after going 3-9, but the Tigers fell further back into the pack than expected because of a defense that wasn't capable of making stops.
The Tigers allowed 450-plus yards to six of their last seven FBS opponents, negating the work of their solid offense. Quarterback Nick Marshall had 3,330 yards of total offense, while running back Cameron Artis-Payne rushed for 1,608 yards and 13 TDs.
Auburn's schedule was among the toughest in the nation, and as a result it fell to 4-4 in the SEC West.
20. USC Trojans
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Average rating: 21.0
Bowl result: Won 45-42 vs. Nebraska in Holiday Bowl
Final record: 9-4
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Arkansas State
USC didn't skip a beat in Steve Sarkisian's first season, putting together one of the most balanced offenses in the country. That side, as well as the defense, also featured a number of young players who figure to make the Trojans a power for years to come.
A trio of juniors led the charge, though, with quarterback Cody Kessler throwing for 3,826 yards and 39 touchdowns with only five interceptions. Running back Javorius Allen ran for 1,489 yards and 11 TDs, while Nelson Agholor had 104 catches for 1,313 yards and 12 TDs.
Allen and Agholor have left early for the NFL, along with massive defensive lineman Leonard Williams, but Kessler and a troupe of standouts return in 2015.
19. Boise State Broncos
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Average rating: 20.0
Bowl result: Won 38-30 vs. Arizona in Fiesta Bowl
Final record: 12-2
2015 opener: Sept. 3 or 4 vs. Washington
Despite losing its longtime coach to a power-conference program, Boise State held onto its crown as the top Group of Five team in the country by earning an at-large bid to one of the College Football Playoff's access bowls. The Broncos cashed in on that chance by winning their third Fiesta Bowl in the past eight years.
New coach Bryan Harsin returned some of the trickery to Boise while also maximizing the talents of standout quarterback Grant Hedrick—who led the nation in passing accuracy at 70.8 percent—and running back Jay Ajayi. He ran for a school-record 1,823 yards with 28 touchdowns.
Boise has won at least 12 games for the fifth time in the last seven years.
18. Arizona Wildcats
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Average rating: 19.6
Bowl result: Lost 38-30 vs. Boise State in Fiesta Bowl
Final record: 10-4
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. UTSA
Arizona emerged from the crowded Pac-12 South and won the division title, reaching 10 wins for the first time since 1998. The Wildcats ended up dropping their last two games—first to eventual national runner-up Oregon and then in the Fiesta Bowl.
An offense full of underclassmen averaged 463.6 yards per game, with redshirt freshman quarterback Anu Solomon (3,793 yards, 28 touchdowns) and true freshman running back Nick Wilson (1,375 yards, 16 TDs) among the main contributors. That was combined with a defense anchored by sophomore linebacker Scooby Wright III, who won the Bednarik, Lombardi and Nagurski awards.
17. Kansas State Wildcats
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Average rating: 17.4
Bowl result: Lost 40-35 vs. UCLA in Alamo Bowl
Final record: 9-4
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. South Dakota
Kansas State was one of the most veteran teams in the country in 2014, and that experience and leadership led the Wildcats to another successful season. The main contributors included quarterback Jake Waters, receiver/return specialist Tyler Lockett and defensive end Ryan Mueller.
The Wildcats' losses all came to teams that were ranked at the time they played, including to UCLA in the Alamo Bowl. Despite the defeat, that game was a great sendoff for Lockett, who ended his career as K-State's all-time leader in every receiving and return category.
K-State coach Bill Snyder posted his 18th winning season in his 23 years, and earlier this month he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
16. Ole Miss Rebels
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Average rating: 16.2
Bowl result: Lost 42-3 vs. TCU in Peach Bowl
Final record: 9-4
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Tennessee-Martin
Paired with what rival Mississippi State did this season, Ole Miss was one-half of the center of the football world for much of 2014. The Rebels paired a swarming defense with an exciting (yet error-prone quarterback) to get off to a 7-0 start that included a thrilling win over Alabama.
Quarterback Bo Wallace threw for 3,194 yards and 22 touchdowns, but he also tossed 14 times. A lack of a run game kept Ole Miss from having the ability to control games on offense, but its defense made up for that by holding opponents to an FBS-best 16 points per game.
Ole Miss intercepted 22 passes, while the "Landsharks" gave up only 329 yards per game.
15. Clemson Tigers
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Average rating: 15.8
Bowl result: Won 40-6 vs. Oklahoma in Russell Athletic Bowl
Final record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Wofford
Clemson featured the nation's top defense, which allowed 260.8 yards per game to top FBS, but because of a young, uneven offense, the program was unable to surpass what it had accomplished in previous seasons. Getting back to 10 wins was still a major accomplishment, though—an unprecedented fourth straight year for that.
When healthy, freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson showed he will be a superstar. A broken hand and a torn knee ligament kept him out of the lineup far too much, but with a full recovery for 2015 he should be able to put up huge numbers.
The Tigers will be much more experienced on offense next season, but they'll be doing it without coordinator Chad Morris, who left to take the job at SMU.
14. Arizona State Sun Devils
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Average rating: 15.6
Bowl result: Won 36-31 vs. Duke in Sun Bowl
Final record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas A&M (in Houston)
A midseason injury to quarterback Taylor Kelly didn't slow down Arizona State's offense, though the Sun Devils were unable to repeat as Pac-12 South champs. They did reach 10 wins for a second straight season, something the program hadn't accomplished since 1970 to 1973.
Kelly and Mike Bercovici combined to throw for more than 3,500 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. It helped to have access to great weapons like wideout Jaelen Strong (82 receptions, 1,165 yards, 10 TDs) and pass-catching running back D.J. Foster (1,769 combined rushing and receiving yards).
A young defense proved to be one of the most aggressive in the country, with nine starters expected back in 2015.
13. Wisconsin Badgers
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Average rating: 13.6
Bowl result: Won 34-31 (in OT) vs. Auburn in Outback Bowl
Final record: 11-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Alabama (in Arlington, Texas)
Wisconsin won the Big Ten West, riding the running of record-breaking back Melvin Gordon. But before the season was over, it was looking for a new coach for the second time in three years.
Gary Andersen left to take the Oregon State job just days after Ohio State shut out the Badgers in the Big Ten title game, which left former coach (and current athletic director) Barry Alvarez to coach the bowl game. In between, the school hired former offensive coordinator Paul Chryst away from Pittsburgh to run the program in 2015.
Gordon, who briefly set the single-game rushing record with a 408-yard performance against Nebraska in November, finished the season with 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns. That was the second-best effort in FBS history and served as the springboard to send Gordon into the NFL draft as a junior.
12. Missouri Tigers
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Average rating: 13.0
Bowl result: Won 33-17 vs. Minnesota in Citrus Bowl
Final record: 11-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Southeast Missouri State
Missouri won its second consecutive SEC East title, but this time around the Tigers were far more dependent on their great defense to help get the job done. They were among the top teams in the country in sacks and tackles for loss, paced by defensive ends Markus Golden and Shane Ray, who combined for 23 sacks and 42.5 TFL.
Though Mizzou had some bad home losses—to 4-8 Indiana and getting shut out by Georgia—it also managed to go unbeaten on the road and then take down Minnesota in the Citrus Bowl. It was the Tigers' fifth 10-win season since 2007.
Quarterback Maty Mauk struggled for much of the season before coming on late, and he'll be the focal point of the 2015 Tigers as they try to be the first SEC team to win three straight division titles since Florida won the East from 1992 to 1996.
11. UCLA Bruins
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Average rating: 12.6
Bowl result: Won 40-35 vs. Kansas State in Alamo Bowl
Final record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Virginia
A trendy playoff or national title pick before the season, UCLA suffered three home losses that kept it from being able to win the Pac-12's tough South Division.
Quarterback Brett Hundley came back to work on his NFL game, and while he ended up throwing for 3,155 yards and 22 touchdowns along with 644 yards and 10 scores, he was also sacked 38 times. Helping keep UCLA's offense moving, though, was a breakout year from running back Paul Perkins, who led the conference 1,575 yards.
Hundley moves on to the NFL, but UCLA returns several notable defensive stars including two-way threat Myles Jack, which makes it again a contender for at least the division title.
10. Mississippi State Bulldogs
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Average rating: 11.6
Bowl result: Lost 49-34 vs. Georgia Tech in Orange Bowl
Final record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at Southern Mississippi
A milestone season for Mississippi State saw it start off 9-0 and reach No. 1 in the country for the first time in school history, but then struggles down the stretch led to losses in three of its final four games. Still, the Bulldogs reached 10 wins for the first time since 1999.
Quarterback Dak Prescott was one of the most dynamic players in the country, accounting for 4,445 yards with 42 total touchdowns. He and running back Josh Robinson (1,203 rushing yards, 11 TDs) paced an offense that ranked eighth in the country.
MSU's defense let down toward the end of the season, contributing to the late skid. Robinson has left early for the NFL, but Prescott chose to come back, which makes 2015 look like another potential good one for the Bulldogs.
"When I decided to come to Mississippi State, it wasn't about competing for a championship for one year or making a run for one year," Prescott told Michael Bonner of The Clarion-Ledger. "It was about competing for championships and making this a program that's not a one-hit-wonder."
9. Georgia Bulldogs
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Average rating: 8.8
Bowl result: Won 37-14 vs. Louisville in Belk Bowl
Final record: 10-3
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
A season full of big wins and confounding losses ended with another 10-win campaign and a top-10 ranking, but overall 2014 felt like a disappointment for Georgia considering the talent it had at its disposal. But the Bulldogs figure to be one of the trendy picks to make a deep run next season, mostly because of the promise of running back Nick Chubb.
Given the starting role after Todd Gurley was suspended for four games and later lost for the season to a knee injury, the true freshman ran for 100 or more yards in each of his eight starts. He topped that off by going for 266 yards and three touchdowns in Georgia's bowl win, finishing with 1,547 yards to tie Garrison Hearst for the fourth-best season in school history.
"Chubb is explosive and powerful with his runs, and his vision is incredible," wrote ESPN.com's Edward Aschoff, listing Chubb as an early 2015 Heisman candidate.
The Bulldogs defense showed much improvement under first-year coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, but now Georgia will be breaking in a new offensive coordinator. Mike Bobo left to take the Colorado State job and was replaced by longtime NFL assistant Brian Schottenheimer.
8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
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Average rating: 8.4
Bowl result: Won 49-34 vs. Mississippi State in Orange Bowl
Final record: 11-3
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. Alcorn State
The triple option has never fully died in college football, but it's been a while that it's been so effective as to help a team into the top 10. Georgia Tech was able to get to this point behind a rushing attack that finished second in the nation on the ground at 342.1 yards per game, with a balanced effort from multiple ball-carriers.
Leading the charge was quarterback Justin Thomas, who in his first year as starter ran for 1,086 yards and nine touchdowns while also throwing for 1,719 yards and 18 scores. Two other rushers—Synjyn Days and Zach Laskey—each ran for more than 850 yards and scored nine times apiece.
Tech reached the ACC title game for the third time since 2006 and then won its first Orange Bowl since 1952.
7. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 7.5
Bowl result: Lost 59-20 vs. Oregon in Rose Bowl (national semifinal)
Final record: 13-1
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas State
Florida State got within a game of being able to play for a second straight national title, but then its 29-game win streak ended in blowout fashion in the Rose Bowl semifinal. After a season full of close calls, the Seminoles made too many mistakes and didn't have the firepower to make another comeback.
Quarterback Jameis Winston put up big numbers in the year following winning the Heisman, but he also struggled with turnovers. He threw 18 interceptions, more than any other power-conference passer, yet the work he did in his two college seasons was enough to warrant turning pro as a redshirt sophomore.
Winston's departure ends a tumultuous two years for him and the program, which had the high of the 2013-14 title and the lows of his off-field incidents. Now he and several other key players have left early for the NFL, which puts FSU in the position of needing to replace some major holes to try to compete again next season.
6. Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 7.4
Bowl result: Lost 42-41 vs. Michigan State in Cotton Bowl
Final record: 11-2
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at BYU
A piece of a second straight Big 12 title has Baylor firmly entrenched among the nation's top teams, but the Bears weren't able to secure a playoff bid despite having only one regular-season loss. Being deemed co-champions with TCU (despite winning head-to-head) and a weak nonconference schedule contributed to the snub.
While Baylor ended up falling in a bowl game for the second year in a row, this time by blowing a 20-point fourth-quarter lead, it still had a great season full of offensive superlatives. The Bears led FBS in scoring (48.2 points per game) and yardage (581.5), with quarterback Bryce Petty throwing for 3,855 yards and 29 touchdowns.
5. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 5.7
Bowl result: Won 42-41 vs. Baylor in Cotton Bowl
Final record: 11-2
2015 opener: Sept. 4 at Western Michigan
Michigan State wasn't able to repeat as Big Ten champs, failing to win its division after losing at home to Ohio State, but the Spartans finished strong thanks to a massive comeback against Baylor in the Cotton Bowl. The 21-point rally over the final 12 minutes gave them an 11th victory for the fourth time in the last five years.
Still one of the best defensive teams in the country—ranking eighth at 315.8 yards allowed per game—MSU also had one of the nation's most explosive offenses. Quarterback Connor Cook, running back Jeremy Langford and receiver Tony Lippett combined to operate an attack that averaged 43 points and more than 500 yards per game.
The loss of longtime defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi (now Pittsburgh's head coach) could impact next year's team, but the return of star defensive end Shilique Calhoun for his senior year will help soften the blow.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 3.8
Bowl result: Lost 42-35 vs. Ohio State in Sugar Bowl (national semifinal)
Final record: 12-2
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Wisconsin (in Arlington, Texas)
Alabama remained among the top teams in the country for a seventh straight season, but the Crimson Tide didn't get to play for another title after falling to Ohio State in the semifinals.
The addition of coordinator Lane Kiffin invigorated the offense, which behind first-time starter Blake Sims averaged 36.9 points and 484.5 yards per game. Sims threw for a school-record 3,487 yards with 28 touchdowns, with Amari Cooper, his main weapon, setting school marks with 124 receptions for 1,787 yards and 16 TDs.
Despite the improved offense, defensive breakdowns led to Alabama's downfall at the end. It allowed 250-plus passing yards to its final four FBS opponents, while Ohio State also ran for 281 yards. OSU and Auburn each topped 40 points against the Tide.
3. TCU Horned Frogs
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Average rating: 2.8
Bowl result: Won 42-3 vs. Ole Miss in Peach Bowl
Final record: 12-1
2015 opener: Sept. 3 at Minnesota
TCU was 4-8 a year ago, finishing 91st in our final power rankings as it struggled to get its footing in the Big 12. Now the Horned Frogs are among the best teams in the conference and the most deserving of the teams that didn't get invited into the first College Football Playoff.
Led by a reborn quarterback in a completely overhauled offense, TCU tied for fifth in total yards per game, and its 46.5 points-per-game scoring average was No. 2 in FBS. Trevone Boykin paced that attack, going from a player who shuffled between multiple positions in 2014 to one that contended for the Heisman. He threw for 3,901 yards and 39 touchdowns while rushing for 707 yards and eight scores.
The Frogs also featured a punishing defense that forced 40 turnovers. Their only blemish came in dramatic fashion, as they squandered a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter to fall at Baylor. After winning 11 games in their previous two seasons, the Frogs reached 12 victories for the third time since 2009.
2. Oregon Ducks
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Average rating: 2.4
Bowl result: Won 59-20 vs. Florida State in Rose Bowl (national semifinal); lost 42-20 vs. Ohio State in national championship
Final record: 13-2
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Eastern Washington
Oregon reached the title game for the second time in five years, but once again came up short despite having the reigning Heisman winner in quarterback Marcus Mariota and an offense that averaged more than 45 points per game.
Mariota had one of the great seasons in FBS history, accounting for 5,224 yards and 58 touchdowns to become the school's first Heisman winner. Those numbers made for an obvious jump to the NFL after his junior season.
The Ducks weren't a one-man team, however, as freshman Royce Freeman ran for 1,365 yards and 18 TDs. Injuries to Oregon's receiving corps led to the conversion of 1,000-yard rusher Byron Marshall into a 1,000-yard receiver.
Despite the departure of Mariota and others, Oregon shouldn't take too much of a drop, per Ken Goe of The Oregonian. "The Ducks appear to be in reasonably good shape to continue to ride this thing," he wrote.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Average rating: 1.0
Bowl result: Won 42-35 vs. Alabama in Sugar Bowl (national semifinal); Won 42-20 vs. Oregon in national championship
Final record: 14-1
2015 opener: Sept. 7 at Virginia Tech
Ohio State won its first national title since 2002, doing so in a year where it was written off after a Week 2 home loss to Virginia Tech. After that, the Buckeyes were nearly unstoppable, winning by an average of 26 points per game.
The path to the title was far more treacherous than that. OSU lost its starting quarterback, senior Braxton Miller, to a shoulder injury before the season began. It turned to redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett, who after early struggles emerged as a Heisman candidate before getting injured in the regular-season finale. That left sophomore Cardale Jones to be the man, and he looked great in the first three starts of his career, all of which were in the postseason.
The unsung hero throughout, though, was sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott, who ran for 696 yards and eight touchdowns in the final three games. Combined with a swarming defense, OSU went from forgotten to the No. 4 seed in the playoffs to the champs.
"Ohio State didn't just kick off the College Football Playoff era in tremendous fashion; it rewrote college football history as it justified the College Football Playoff concept by winning from the No. 4 spot in unexpected, spectacular fashion," Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer wrote.
But now comes an offseason that will be dominated by one of the oddest quarterback competitions in college history. Jones announced Thursday he would return to school next season, while Barrett is expected to heal in time for spring practice. In addition, Miller has one year of eligibility left, but as a graduate student he can transfer without having to sit out.
Statistical information courtesy of CFBStats.com.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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