2015 Fall Camp Previews for Each College Football Top 25 Team
The 2015 college football season is now less than six weeks away, and before you know it the games will be back. Before that can happen, though, teams have to come together and prepare for the year ahead.
Conference media days have been going on since mid-July, and all of the many award watch lists have been released. Now all that remains is for the actual football to happen, which starts Sept. 3 and will run through the 2016 college football championship game Jan. 16 in Glendale, Arizona.
What happens in between those dates will have a lot to do with how teams go about their preseason training camps. Returning players have been trickling back to campus throughout the summer, and most schools' newcomers have either arrived or will be showing up soon.
Here's our quick look ahead to what's in store during training camp for every team in Bleacher Report's post-spring practice top 25.
No. 25 Boise State
1 of 25
2014 record: 12-2
Returning starters: 16
What's new
With eight starters back on each side of the ball, Boise State is in prime position to be the "Group of Five" representative in a major bowl again this year. The Broncos beat Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl in December, reaching 12 wins for the sixth time since 2006.
But the lofty experience numbers mask two major potential red flags at quarterback and running back. There's no proven successor for either Grant Hedrick or Jay Ajayi, though the options all have great upside and will be working with a stud offensive line,
Boise also brings back an underrated defense that could produce some future NFL players, such as defensive back Darian Thompson and end Kamalei Correa.
Biggest position battle
SB Nation's Bill Connelly noted that Boise's veteran line "will block well for any runner," so the bigger issue is who will be handing off to those backs. Ryan Finley was Hedrick's backup in 2014, but as a redshirt freshman he wasn't a good second option.
The other choices are also young: sophomore Thomas Stuart, redshirt freshman Alex Ogle and true freshman Brett Rypien.
2015 season opener: Sept. 4 vs. Washington
No. 24 Georgia Tech
2 of 25
2014 record: 11-3
Returning starters: 13
What's new
Paul Johnson has no desire to go away from his triple-option offense, especially after it led the Yellow Jackets to the ACC title game and to an Orange Bowl victory over Mississippi State. However, the version he trots out this fall will be far less experienced than normal, as Georgia Tech graduated nearly every running back and receiver who contributed in 2014.
The offense still has standout quarterback Justin Thomas, the team's leading rusher, to work with, as well as most of a dependable line that understands the complicated blocking schemes that come with the option.
Tech's biggest strength this year could be its defense, though, as it returns eight starters.
Biggest position battle
Aside from Thomas, who ran for 1,086 yards and nine touchdowns, the nation's No. 2 rushing offense only brings back one rusher who topped 200 yards. That's Broderick Snoddy, who missed the final three games of 2014 with a broken leg.
After that, it's a whole lotta newness and uncertainty for the Yellow Jackets. They had five players with at least 45 carries last season, and in order to get to that level again some newcomers will need to emerge in training camp.
2015 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Alcorn State
No. 23 Nebraska
3 of 25
2014 record: 9-4
Returning starters: 12
What's new
Winning at least nine games every year wasn't good enough for Bo Pelini, who was shown the door in December and replaced by longtime Oregon State coach Mike Riley. The two men have diverging personalities and coaching styles, with Riley's reputation as one of the nicest guys in the college game helping silence some of the concerns over his .538 win percentage compared to Pelini's .713 win rate.
Riley has also changed the Cornhuskers offense, going from a spread attack to a pro-style approach that he used with Oregon State. This has led to quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. having to become more of a passer than he was in the past while lessening the need to have a workhorse running back emerge to replace prolific rusher Ameer Abdullah.
Biggest position battle
Riley has to come up with a nearly all-new offensive line, as only left tackle Alex Lewis figures to have a spot locked down. Bleacher Report's Patrick Runge identified eight "primary contenders" for the other four starting spots, with additional players likely in the mix during camp.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. BYU
No. 22 LSU
4 of 25
2014 record: 8-5
Returning starters: 15
What's new
The NFL draft didn't pilfer LSU's roster nearly as much as in previous years, so there's not that much uncertainty from a personnel standpoint in 2015. The biggest change will come in terms of who is guiding the Tigers' traditionally strong defense, as coordinator John Chavis left for Texas A&M and was replaced by Alabama assistant Kevin Steele.
Steele won't be lacking for talent to work with, though, as LSU's great recruiting has made it so there are stars on top of stars on the depth chart. The latest addition to that lineup is freshman cornerback Kevin Toliver II, who should continue the school's tradition of having the one of the best sets of defensive backs in the nation.
The offense still needs to get better quarterback play, but thanks to Leonard Fournette and his powerful running there's not a need for the passer to be anything more than a game manager.
Biggest position battle
LSU had the worst passing offense in the SEC last year, and the same two guys who produced those numbers are back to compete for the job. Sophomore Brandon Harris has the edge by virtue of remaining active throughout the offseason while junior Anthony Jennings was suspended in June after being implicated in a burglary.
Jennings is expected to return for fall camp, where he'll resume his competition with Harris that has waged since spring 2014.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. McNeese State
No. 21 Oklahoma State
5 of 25
2014 record: 7-6
Returning starters: 16
What's new
Somehow able to overcome a young (and ultimately injury-prone) lineup in 2014 to reach a bowl game, Oklahoma State now heads into a season as a far more experienced team that could be a dark horse if a few things go the Cowboys' way.
The key to the season will be whether sophomore quarterback Mason Rudolph, who emerged as a future star in the final month of 2014, can continue on his upward trek. Last year OSU used three quarterbacks and that uncertainty fueled an up-and-down campaign.
Biggest position battle
The Cowboys need a consistent running back who can churn out yards and balance the offense, but there's no one with experience doing that at the FBS level. The best option could be junior college transfer Chris Carson, though he'll have to beat out returner Rennie Childs.
2015 season opener: Sept. 3 at Central Michigan
No. 20 Arizona
6 of 25
2014 record: 10-4
Returning starters: 12
What's new
Coming off its best season since 1998, the defending Pac-12 South champions should again be one of the most fast-paced teams in the country after running more plays than anyone else in FBS in 2014. All of the top skill players are back, including sophomore quarterback Anu Solomon, sophomore running back Nick Wilson and a deep receiving corps made up of mostly sophomores and juniors.
Arizona also returns the top individual defensive player in the country from a year ago, at least based on statistics and national awards. Linebacker Scooby Wright won the Bednarik, Lombardi and Nagurski awards while leading the nation in tackles, tackles for loss and forced fumbles.
There are question marks in the secondary and on the offensive line, however, where the bulk of the graduated starters were located.
Biggest position battle
For a team that wants to snap the ball as quickly as possible on offense, having a dependable center is essential. Arizona might have to turn to a former walk-on, Carter Wood, to fill that role, though it will also look at shifting over backups from other parts of the line to make for more competition.
2015 season opener: Sept. 3 vs. Northern Arizona
No. 19 Texas A&M
7 of 25
2014 record: 8-5
Returning starters: 15
What's new
It's been a relatively quiet offseason for Texas A&M compared to years past under Kevin Sumlin, as there's been very little off-the-field activity involving arrests, suspensions or bad behavior that could cause distractions. The most notable news came in the form of Sumlin being able to steal coordinator John Chavis away from LSU in hopes he could fix the Aggies' porous defense.
That defense has a bona fide star in sophomore defensive end Myles Garrett, who set the SEC freshman sack record a year ago, and brings in highly touted tackle prospect Daylon Mack, but it was woeful at tackling in 2014 and allowed far too many big plays.
A&M's offense should again be clicking on all cylinders, with sophomore Kyle Allen figuring to hold onto the quarterback job he won late last season from Kenny Hill. Hill has since transferred, but incoming freshman Kyler Murray will get a shot to compete for the starting spot.
The receiving corps is as stacked as ever and could be even better than a year ago thanks to freshman Christian Kirk, an early enrollee who enters fall camp No. 1 on the depth chart at one wideout slot.
Biggest position battle
With Murray, the top-rated dual-threat quarterback in the 2015 recruiting class, Texas A&M has the "good problem" of needing to choose between a pair of 5-star prospects. Allen threw for 1,322 yards and 16 touchdowns last year, including 294 yards and four TDs in the bowl win over West Virginia, but Murray comes in having never lost a high school game in his career.
Murray also passed on a pro baseball career by withdrawing his name from MLB draft consideration in June, showing his commitment to being a college football player. The Aggies can't go wrong with either player, but using both probably won't be the option Sumlin takes.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Arizona State (in Houston)
No. 18 Arkansas
8 of 25
2014 record: 7-6
Returning starters: 15
What's new
Bret Bielema's approach, which paced a jump from three wins in 2013 to seven last year, isn't likely to change much. If anything, it will become more of the same this season as his players become more experienced and comfortable with the smash-mouth style on both sides of the ball.
An NFL-sized offensive line returns mostly intact and will continue to open holes for a pair of 1,000-yard rushers, senior Jonathan Williams and junior Alex Collins, while senior quarterback Brandon Allen has developed into a reliable player in Bielema's system.
There's some uncertainty on the defensive side with only three of the Razorbacks' front seven coming back, but promising stars like Bijhon Jackson and Taiwan Johnson on the line and linebacker Brooks Ellis should fill the void.
Biggest position battle
The place where Arkansas was most lacking last year was in the passing game, other than at tight end. No receivers had more than the 43 receptions that Keon Hatcher hauled in 2014, and he's the only returning wideout with more than 18 catches.
Someone else needs to emerge from the pack to be viable second option on the outside, and the list of candidates is long on options but short on production and experience.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. UTEP
No. 17 Oklahoma
9 of 25
2014 record: 8-5
Returning starters: 13
What's new
A massively disappointing season in 2014 prompted longtime coach Bob Stoops to make some major changes, both to his staff and his scheme. He shuffled his assistants to new roles and brought in replacements, including Lincoln Riley from East Carolina to be offensive coordinator and bring the Sooners back to the days of the Air Raid attack.
That might cause breakout star Samaje Perine—who as a true freshman set the FBS single-game rushing record—to have less of a role than he did last season, or it could open things up for him to be even more involved if the passing game can prove to be effective.
Oklahoma's issues on defense are less about the system and more about replacing production up front, as only one member of the defensive line returns.
Biggest position battle
Stoops indicates that three players are in the running for the quarterback job, including sophomore Cody Thomas, but the race is most likely going to come down to junior Trevor Knight and sophomore Baker Mayfield. Knight started most of 2014 but struggled at times, while Mayfield thrived in an Air Raid offense at Texas Tech in 2013 before transferring to Oklahoma and sitting out last fall.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Akron
No. 16 Florida State
10 of 25
2014 record: 13-1
Returning starters: 11
What's new
It might be easier to say what isn't new about Florida State in 2015, as the Seminoles must move on from a two-year run that included a national championship and 28 consecutive wins but also saw a record 11 players get taken in the NFL draft. The offensive line brings back a mere nine career starts, second-fewest in FBS, per researcher Phil Steele, and there are also major holes on the defensive line and in the secondary.
We haven't even gotten to the quarterback spot, which in the past two seasons was owned by Heisman winner Jameis Winston but now remains wide open heading into the fall.
FSU still has star talent all over, particularly in the secondary with All-American Jalen Ramsey likely moving from safety to cornerback to fill a hole with freshman phenom Derwin James there to take his place. The skill positions are deep as well, though leading rusher Dalvin Cook's future is uncertain as he's been suspended following a battery arrest this summer.
Biggest position battle
Sean Maguire was Winston's backup in 2014 and started for him once last season, but he wasn't impressive enough in spring ball to ensure he'd beat out the younger candidates. One of those, John Franklin, has transferred, while another (freshman De'Andre Johnson) was dismissed from the team following an assault arrest.
The Seminoles added Notre Dame's Everett Golson into the mix as a graduate transfer, and despite coming into the competition late he figures to have the inside track on winning the job if he can learn Jimbo Fisher's offense.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas State
No. 15 Tennessee
11 of 25
2014 record: 7-6
Returning starters: 17
What's new
Tennessee was one of the youngest teams in the country in 2014 and will again be guided by youth, but that group is far more experienced and confident now that it's been together through a winning season. As a result, the Volunteers are being looked at as a dark-horse contender to win the SEC's East Division.
A lot will depend on whether junior quarterback Joshua Dobbs can continue his rise. He was inserted into the lineup midway through last season, and that sparked a previously sluggish offense to become more explosive. Dobbs is the Vols' leader, and they will live or die by how he performs.
Tennessee has more experience on the defensive side of the ball, thanks to veterans Curt Maggitt at linebacker and Cam Sutton in the secondary, but freshmen and sophomores will still make up the bulk of the lineup.
Biggest position battle
Stellar recruiting has led to Tennessee loading up on talented defensive linemen, but most of them are unproven. Derek Barnett is a superstar at end, but the interior line spots are still to be determined and likely will go to youngsters.
Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle were jewels of the 2015 recruiting class, and they'll be in competition with returners Danny O'Brien and Owen Williams for playing time.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Bowling Green (in Nashville, Tennessee)
No. 14 Arizona State
12 of 25
2014 record: 10-3
Returning starters: 16
What's new
Arizona State will have new starters at quarterback and wide receiver this fall, but neither will be new to being key players in the Sun Devils' system. Mike Bercovici subbed in for an injured Taylor Kelly last year and was 2-1 in his three starts, throwing for more than 1,200 yards in the process while D.J. Foster goes from being a 1,000-yard rusher to ASU's top receiving option as a slot wideout.
Nine starters are back on defense for the Sun Devils, and that group is young but aggressive and willing to take chances. Returners account for 28.5 of the team's 39 sacks from 2014.
Biggest position battle
ASU's defense includes a hybrid pass-rushing spot called the Devil-backer, a position that several people were rotated through in 2014. To avoid the same situation this season a leader must emerge, and that should come from junior Edmond Boateng, sophomore Alani Latu or redshirt freshman Ismael Murphy-Richardson.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas A&M (in Houston)
No. 13 Georgia
13 of 25
2014 record: 10-3
Returning starters: 12
What's new
The offense will have a new quarterback and a new person calling the plays for that passer, as Hutson Mason has graduated and Mike Bobo is now coaching Colorado State. In his place is veteran NFL assistant Brian Schottenheimer, who will look to get the most out of the QB position but has the luxury of knowing he has one of the country's top running backs to work with.
Nick Chubb ran for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2014 despite serving as a backup to Todd Gurley for the first five games. After Gurley was suspended by the NCAA (and later lost for the year to a knee injury), Chubb took over and topped 100 rushing yards in every game.
Georgia's defense should continue to be on the rise after a strong bounce-back effort last year, as coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has arguably the most talented linebacker corps in the country to work with.
Biggest position battle
Georgia's quarterback competition essentially has to start over during training camp because of a change in the candidates. Redshirt freshman Jacob Park left the team this summer, not long after Virginia's Greyson Lambert transferred into the program.
Lambert, who started nine games for the Cavaliers in 2014, will battle with junior Faton Bauta and sophomore Brice Ramsey (Mason's backup a year ago) for the starting job.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
No. 12 Clemson
14 of 25
2014 record: 10-3
Returning starters: 10
What's new
Clemson managed to overcome major injury issues on offense in order to reach 10 wins for the fourth straight year, but now its top-ranked defense is starting over after losing seven starters. This puts extra pressure on that offense to produce, which means keeping dynamic quarterback Deshaun Watson on the field.
Watson was electric as a true freshman, that is when he was able to play, as a broken hand sidelined him for several games and then a torn ACL cut short his season. If he can stay healthy, he's got great young weapons to work with, including receivers Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, though Clemson's offensive line needs to be rebuilt.
The Tigers have been picked to win the ACC and dethrone longtime champ Florida State, but they won't be able to achieve that if injuries get in the way again.
Biggest position battle
Six of Clemson's top seven players from its defensive line have left the program, with only rising junior Shaq Lawson coming back. He's a star in the making, but he can't do it alone up front.
There are at least five players who will contend for the three open starting spots, including senior D.J. Reader and junior Carlos Watkins. There are also younger players who will get in the mix thanks to Clemson's strong work on the recruiting trail the last few years.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Wofford
No. 11 Ole Miss
15 of 25
2014 record: 9-4
Returning starters: 16
What's new
Despite bringing back most of last year's breakout team, Ole Miss has major losses to address. It graduated gunslinger quarterback Bo Wallace, who often had to do things alone on offense (especially after Laquon Treadwell went down with a broken leg late in the season) and ended up making big mistakes in clutch situations.
The Rebels also graduated superstars from their record-setting secondary, a group that became known as the "Landsharks" and that led the nation in scoring defense at 16 points per game.
The return of Treadwell from his injury is a big plus for Ole Miss, but the status of another injured starter is still uncertain. Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, a junior who is expected to be a potential top draft pick in 2016, was arrested on a domestic violence charge in June stemming from an altercation with his stepfather. That incident has led to an NCAA investigation regarding whether Tunsil and his family had improper contact with agents.
Biggest position battle
Wallace was wild but also dependable in most cases. Now Ole Miss has to go with a mostly unproven player at quarterback, choosing from three options who all looked good during the spring. Ryan Buchanan, DeVante Kincade and Chad Kelly, a former Clemson recruit, will all get a shot at winning the job in August.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. UT-Martin
No. 10 UCLA
16 of 25
2014 record: 10-3
Returning starters: 17
What's new
Head coach Jim Mora has turned UCLA into a powerhouse in his first three seasons, but now he faces a critical year without his veteran leader at quarterback. Brett Hundley held down that position for three years and piloted the Bruins to 29 victories, but now it's looking like true freshman Josh Rosen will be handling the job.
Pressure on the freshman will be alleviated by junior running back Paul Perkins, who led the Pac-12 in rushing last season, as well as an offensive line that gave up far too many sacks in 2014 but is the most experienced group in the country in terms of career starts.
Defensively, the aggressive play of UCLA's front seven will again dictate that unit's performance, as linebacker Myles Jack and others will be flying all over the field.
Biggest position battle
UCLA needs someone to step up during camp and own the vacant defensive end position that Owamagbe Odighizuwa handled so well last season. Sophomore Matt Dickerson and junior Takkarist McKinley are the main candidates, though neither has much experience.
McKinley was a late arrival in 2014 after a transcript issue caused his transfer from a junior college to be delayed. At 6'4" and 230 pounds, he's not the biggest specimen, but Bleacher Report's Jason Fray wrote that his explosiveness could be the difference.
"The term 'freak' could easily be attributed to his overall amount of athleticism," Fray wrote.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Virginia
No. 9 Auburn
17 of 25
2014 record: 8-5
Returning starters: 12
What's new
Auburn's spread offense will take on a much different look in 2015 than during Gus Malzahn's first two seasons thanks to a change at quarterback. The run-first Nick Marshall has graduated, handing the reins to junior Jeremy Johnson and his strong arm.
Johnson has started two games in his career, throwing for 243 yards and two touchdowns in one half against Arkansas last year, and the expectations attached to him have him as a strong Heisman contender despite the lack of playing time. Comparisons to recent first-time starters who became Heisman winners have been plentiful.
"Jameis Winston generated Heisman buzz in 2013 before he ever started a college game, so it isn’t completely crazy to expect big things from Johnson, who has looked more polished than most of the SEC’s passers in his limited appearances," Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples wrote.
Even more essential to Auburn's season will be improvement on defense, which should be spearheaded by the influence of former Florida coach Will Muschamp as coordinator.
Biggest position battle
A dominant running back has been a big part of Auburn's offensive success the last two years, but there's no strong experience returning at that position. Roc Thomas had 214 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman, but he'll have to beat out junior college transfer Jovon Robinson and true freshman Kerryon Johnson for the job.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Louisville (in Atlanta)
No. 8 Oregon
18 of 25
2014 record: 13-2
Returning starters: 12
What's new
Coming off a national runner-up finish for the second time in five years, Oregon finds itself at a crossroads in the wake of losing Heisman-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota to the NFL draft. The Ducks lost several other starters, too, but his departure is the one that has more impact than all others.
Who ends up replacing him will dictate the direction Oregon's offense leans in 2015, though it likely won't be as quarterback-driven as under Mariota thanks to the presence of a deep (and now healthy) receiving corps and several strong ball-carriers.
The Ducks defense lost half of its defensive line and most of the secondary, areas that will need to be addressed during training camp to ensure this doesn't become a weakness.
Biggest position battle
There's no question the quarterback competition is by far the most important for Oregon. Jeff Lockie was Mariota's backup in 2014 and he looked great during the spring, but the Ducks are also adding Eastern Washington's Vernon Adams as a graduate transfer. Adams wasn't able to participate in any offseason workouts while finishing up his degree at the FCS school, but his past performances against Pac-12 schools Oregon State and Washington indicate he should be up to the challenge of winning the job.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Eastern Washington
No. 7 Notre Dame
19 of 25
2014 record: 8-5
Returning starters: 17
What's new
Despite having two offensive starters transfer during the offseason, Notre Dame is as stacked as its ever been in Brian Kelly's tenure. The loss of center Matt Hegarty (to Oregon) and quarterback Everett Golson (to Florida State) shouldn't have much of an effect on the Fighting Irish's attack, as the replacements are just as good if not better.
Sophomore Malik Zaire beat out Golson during spring ball after shining during Notre Dame's bowl game in December. The dual-threat talent should make the Irish more wide open on offense, though he'll still rely on a strong group of receivers and productive tailback Tarean Folston for balance.
Notre Dame's strength lies on the defensive side, a unit that took time to jell in 2014 but should be a major asset this time around. Junior linebacker Jaylon Smith could be this year's Manti Te'o.
Biggest position battle
There won't be much competition for starting spots this fall, but one place where there is some uncertainty is at tight end. It's a valuable position in Notre Dame's offense, and last year Ben Koyack had 30 receptions and two touchdowns.
There are several candidates to replace Koyack, but only one—junior Durham Smythe—has any career receptions. Incoming freshman Aliz'e Jones, the No. 1 tight end recruit in the 2015 class, will also have a shot.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas
No. 6 USC
20 of 25
2014 record: 10-3
Returning starters: 14
What's new
No longer limited by NCAA sanctions and scholarship restrictions, USC should have its deepest team in years under second-year coach Steve Sarkisian. Last year's group stumbled in some key games but still was among the most dangerous in the country thanks to the wildly efficient play of quarterback Cody Kessler.
Kessler, a fifth-year senior, completed nearly 70 percent of his passes in 2014. He won't have No. 1 target Nelson Agholor anymore, but the Trojans have another superstar in the making in sophomore Juju Smith among others to work with.
After having one of the youngest lines in the country last year, USC now has an experienced unit with 99 career starts between it. And the defense is full of playmakers, most notably junior linebacker/safety Su'a Cravens and sophomore cornerback Adoree' Jackson, who will also play receiver and return kicks again.
Biggest position battle
Javorius Allen ran for 1,489 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2014 but is now in the pros, so the carries will have to go someone else. USC has no shortage of options, with Justin Davis coming off a solid sophomore year as Allen's backup while Tre Madden missed all of last year with a toe injury. Davis got hurt late as well, so neither is immune.
"The two running backs should put on a show during camp as they race for touches," Fansided.com's Alicia de Artola wrote.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Arkansas State
No. 5 Alabama
21 of 25
2014 record: 12-2
Returning starters: 11
What's new
Alabama has come up short of its annual goal of a national title the past two seasons, which has led some to wonder if Nick Saban's reign atop the college football world is at an end. But despite losing half of last year's team, he still has an overabundance of talent to work with thanks to six straight years pulling in the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation.
The Crimson Tide are thin at some positions, though, most notably at running back, where an offseason full of unexpected attrition has thinned out a previously deep lineup of potential contributors. Junior Derrick Henry and senior Kenyan Drake are back, but Alabama lost players to the NFL draft, dismissal and transfer and incoming freshman DeSherrius Flowers was ruled ineligible.
There are no such issues on defense, though, where Alabama features one of the most dominant front sevens in the country to go with a secondary that is expected to be massively improved in 2015 after giving up far too many big plays.
Biggest position battle
It's a second straight year of uncertainty at quarterback heading into training camp, and Jake Coker is involved yet again. The Florida State transfer was the reason the job was undecided last summer, but he ended up getting beat out by Blake Sims. This time he's fighting with Cooper Bateman, David Cornwell, Alec Morris and true freshman Blake Barnett.
2015 season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Wisconsin (in Arlington, Texas)
No. 4 TCU
22 of 25
2014 record: 12-1
Returning starters: 14
What's new
One of last year's biggest surprises is no longer an unknown entity, as TCU's explosive offense brings back most of its top players as it makes another run toward the playoffs. The Horned Frogs shared the Big 12 title in 2014 with Baylor but were not granted a semifinal bid, a snub that has served as major motivation during the offseason.
Quarterback Trevone Boykin is considered the early Heisman front-runner, per Odds Shark, after accounting for more than 4,600 all-purpose yards and 42 touchdowns. He'll have four receivers who had at least 30 receptions last season to work with, along with rising junior running back Aaron Green.
TCU's defense is a little less certain, as it lost its top two tackles and its two best defensive backs.
Biggest position battle
The Horned Frogs use a 4-2-5 alignment but have no returning starters at linebacker. Paul Dawson and Marcus Mallet combined for 236 tackles last year, and the most experienced guy still around (junior Sammy Douglas) had 17 tackles in 2014.
Douglas, freshman Mike Freeze, sophomore Paul Whitmill and redshirt freshman Ty Summers—who was injured in TCU's season opener and lost for the year—are the main competitors for the two starting spots. Douglas and Freeze were the leaders in the spring but those jobs aren't locked in.
2015 season opener: Sept. 3 at Minnesota
No. 3 Michigan State
23 of 25
2014 record: 11-2
Returning starters: 13
What's new
The Spartans are one of the most experienced teams in the country in terms of who they have coming back in 2015, a notion aided by the return of three fifth-year seniors at key positions who all would have been justified to enter the NFL draft. Quarterback Connor Cook, center Jack Allen and defensive end Shilique Calhoun bring back a wealth of battle scars, having been keys to the Big 12 title in 2012 and from last year's strong performance that ended with a comeback win over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl.
Michigan State isn't without notable losses, though, as its workhorse running back (Jeremy Langford) and top receiver (Tony Lippett) have moved on as have two standout cornerbacks. It also has new leadership on the defensive side with longtime coordinator Pat Narduzzi now the head coach at Pittsburgh.
Biggest position battle
Langford ran for more than 2,900 yards and 40 touchdowns the last two years, and MSU also graduated backup Nick Hill. The top returning rusher is junior Delton Williams, who had only 54 carries in 2014, but he was suspended indefinitely in March after being arrested for an on-campus road rage incident involving a gun.
MLive.com's Mike Griffith reported earlier this month that Williams is expected to return to the team, but he's yet to be added to the roster.
Sophomore Gerald Holmes and redshirt freshman Madre London battled during the spring, while highly touted freshman L.J. Scott will get every opportunity to win the job during fall camp.
2015 season opener: Sept. 4 at Western Michigan
No. 2 Baylor
24 of 25
2014 record: 11-2
Returning starters: 17
What's new
Baylor's powerhouse offense has a major hole to fill at quarterback, with two-year starter Bryce Petty now in the NFL following more than 8,000 passing yards and 59 touchdowns the past two seasons. But junior Seth Russell has looked good as a backup, and the Bears' system is such where quarterbacks are able to thrive thanks to a strong offensive line and great weapons to work with.
"This guy, he's walking into a situation where that saddle is going to get on there pretty easy, because that horse isn't that wild," Baylor coach Briles said of Russell during Big 12 Media Days on Tuesday, per Max Olson of ESPN.
Baylor led the nation in scoring (48.2 points per game) and total offense (581.5 yards per game) last year and shared the conference title with TCU. Its top three running backs and three of its four most productive receivers are back for 2015.
The Bears also bring back a solid defense led by fearsome senior defensive end Shawn Oakman.
Biggest position battle
Leading tackler Bryce Hager has graduated, and it's up in the air who will take his spot at middle linebacker. Senior Grant Campbell and junior Aiavion Edwards are the top candidates, and Edwards is a former starter at weak-side 'backer, but he eventually lost that job last season.
2015 season opener: Sept. 4 at SMU
No. 1 Ohio State
25 of 25
2014 record: 14-1
Returning starters: 15
What's new
The defending national champions saw their biggest unanswered question get some major clarity on Thursday when Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel reported that senior quarterback Braxton Miller would start this season as hybrid receiver and punt returner. That put an abrupt end to the Buckeyes' three-man competition for the starting QB job that will now come down to junior Cardale Jones and sophomore J.T. Barrett.
Miller, who missed all of the 2014 season after injuring his shoulder last August, now will provide OSU with another weapon on the outside to go with junior Michael Thomas.
OSU won't just be about its quarterback, though, as junior running back Ezekiel Elliott is a top Heisman candidate who caught fire during last year's postseason and will again be a focal point of the offense. And on defense, junior defensive end Joey Bosa anchors a unit that returns seven starters.
Biggest position battle
The quarterback race should still be an exciting one, though now with far less intrigue. When it had three main competitors, the odds that at least one would struggle to see the field was higher, but now it's very feasible that both Barrett and Jones can get playing time with one being the starter and the other having a package of plays in place for them.
Barrett started OSU's first 12 games last year before breaking his ankle in the regular-season finale against Michigan. Jones came on in relief and led the Buckeyes past Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game and then over Alabama and Oregon to win the national title.
2015 season opener: Sept. 7 at Virginia Tech
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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