Every Power 5 Conference Team's Biggest Concern Heading into Fall Camp
The preseason is a time for hope among college football fans across the country, but it's also a time of concern. After all, it wouldn't be "talking season" without some good, old-fashioned pessimism.
Analysts break down every part of schools' rosters and stat sheets as the slow crawl toward actual football continues. Therefore, every team, from the biggest title contender to the smallest rebuilding program, has question marks heading into the upcoming season.
While teams started to sort out these issues during spring practices, plenty of them still remain as fall camp draws closer. How will one powerhouse address its need for new starters at a given position? Will a team end a certain woe from 2014?
Here are the biggest concerns for each of the power-conference teams—and Notre Dame—in college football, which were determined by projected depth charts and statistical performances from last season.
What area are you most concerned with for your favorite school? Let us know in the comments below.
Alabama
1 of 65
Chemistry in new-look offensive line
The quarterback battle is once again the biggest storyline for Alabama heading into fall camp. But as Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote last week, the Tide's offense has the tools to be successful no matter who the top signal-caller will be this fall.
Perhaps a bigger issue will be Alabama's offensive line. The Tide will have three new starters to join senior center Ryan Kelly and sophomore tackle Cam Robinson.
Getting the new starting five to jell up front will be a top priority of this offense as it heads into the 2015 season. No matter who is under center, the chemistry on this front line will have a major effect on both the rushing and passing attacks.
Arizona
2 of 65
Pass rush outside of Scooby Wright III
Scooby Wright III was Mr. Everything for Arizona's defense last season on his way to racking up several individual awards. That was especially true for the Wildcats' pass rush.
"Arizona had 38 sacks last season, but 14 came from Wright, who often lined up at defensive end on third downs because of the UA's lack of a pass rush," the Arizona Daily Star's Daniel Berk wrote in April. "But this year, Rodriguez and Casteel would like to use Wright more in coverage on third downs and be able to rely on other players to get in the backfield."
The Wildcats who were tied for No. 2 on the team in sacks last season—Jared Tevis and Dan Pettinato—both graduated. Arizona needs to identify some top pass-rushers along its defensive line before the start of the 2015 season, because the defense needs Wright's athleticism to help defend the pass.
Arizona State
3 of 65
Production at wide receiver
With star Jaelen Strong off to the NFL and vertical threat Cameron Smith out for the entire 2015 season following a spring knee surgery, Arizona State must replace two of its top three receivers this year.
The Sun Devils have talent back at the position for 2015. D.J. Foster has carved out a spot as a full-time receiver after recording 688 yards last season, and former UCLA target Devin Lucien arrives on campus after recording a pair of scores with the Bruins in 2014. Several more receivers have experience, but all recorded fewer than 20 catches last year.
Establishing receiving options behind Foster will be extremely important for quarterback Mike Bercovici and the Arizona State offense.
Arkansas
4 of 65
Step up at linebacker
Arkansas lost several stars from last year's defense to the NFL, but the Razorbacks have proven players to fill in the defensive line and the secondary. Linebacker is a different story.
Outside of junior Brooks Ellis, Arkansas has to rebuild the unit this year. Linebacker hasn't been an area of great success on the recruiting trail for Bret Bielema and his staff, and they might need a few young players to step up in the gaps.
Arkansas' defense has potential to be another tough one in what should be an extremely competitive SEC West. How well the Hogs reload in the heart of that defense could determine what kind of season they will have this fall.
Auburn
5 of 65
Secondary depth
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said he had two main concerns during a SEC teleconference earlier this year—overall experience and depth in the secondary. With the number of struggles the pass defense has had in recent seasons, the Tigers' defensive backs deserve special attention.
"We don't have a lot of experience, we don't have a lot of depth," Malzahn said, according to AL.com's Brandon Marcello. "We're going to have to rely on some guys that maybe don't have the experience that you'd like."
Auburn still has a few veteran faces in the secondary after a mass exodus of transfers this offseason, but it will have to play several newcomers behind them for depth reasons this fall. New defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson told Marcello he is ready to turn the young guys loose.
Baylor
6 of 65
Strength of secondary
Baylor returns all four starters in a secondary that was a major part of the nation's 110th-ranked pass defense a season ago. Even with the experience, this unit remains the biggest question mark on the back-to-back Big 12 champions.
"The big plays they did surrender [in the spring game] were a reminder that if Baylor is to contend for a playoff spot again, this unit has to improve," ESPN.com's Jake Trotter wrote in March. "With most other areas of the squad solidified, the secondary could be the determining factor whether the Bears can pull off securing a third straight Big 12 title."
Injuries during spring camp helped Baylor develop some more depth behind the starting four of Xavien Howard, Ryan Reid, Terrell Burt and Orion Stewart. Everyone, from top to bottom, on the secondary's depth chart needs to improve heading into the 2015 season.
Boston College
7 of 65
Brand-new offensive line
Replacing a few starters on the offensive line can be a challenge for any program. But Boston College is facing the ultimate test this season as it will field a brand-new front five this fall.
Right guard Harris Williams provides a small amount of experience, as he was a starter in 2013. However, he suffered a season-ending injury in the 2014 opener and was limited during spring practice.
It's no secret head coach Steve Addazio loves to pound the ball on the ground. Success could be hard to come by, though, as his Eagles have a new cast paving the way for the heavy rushing attack.
Cal
8 of 65
Improvement in secondary
There's no spinning Cal's secondary into something positive here. The Golden Bears allowed an average of 367.2 passing yards per game last season, which was 70 yards more than the country's second-worst pass defense.
This year, safety is in the spotlight after the program barely had any healthy players at the position for spring camp. Cal head coach Sonny Dykes called it a "little bit of a mess," according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Mike Vernon.
Improvement in the big-play category must come from Cal's defense if it hopes to be a bowl team this season, and there isn't a ton of time to work out the safety situation.
Clemson
9 of 65
Deshaun Watson's health
Quarterback Deshaun Watson was on an unbelievable tear last season before injuries to his shoulder, hand and ACL combined to derail a standout freshman campaign. Now head coach Dabo Swinney says Watson is recovered and ready to go for 2015.
"He's been full go since May," Swinney said, according to TigerNet's Tony Crumpton. "He's done everything. He really did a lot in the spring. We're as confident as you can possibly be in a guy."
If Watson stays healthy, Clemson should be a solid College Football Playoff contender this season. His status will be the biggest concern in the mind of everyone involved with the Tigers program for the next several months.
Colorado
10 of 65
Defensive woes
Colorado surrendered a massive 6.55 yards per play last season as opponents averaged 39 points per contest. Nine of Colorado's starters return from that abysmal defense, and improvement will be necessary for the Buffaloes to challenge for a bowl berth.
Inexperience won't be a problem for Colorado. Only two underclassmen are expected to start, and one of them is defensive end Derek McCartney, who started as a freshman last year.
This cast of defensive characters just needs some old-fashioned improvement—the kind that comes from experience and continued work in the system.
Duke
11 of 65
Passing game
After two big seasons, David Cutcliffe's Duke team looks like it's set to take a step back this year. Whether it regresses or continues to surprise everyone in the ACC will depend on how the offense reloads through the air.
Duke's quarterback depth chart, led by junior Thomas Sirk, has combined for only 16 collegiate passing attempts. The receivers took a hit over the offseason after the departures of seniors Jamison Crowder and Issac Blakeney, who were far and away the top two targets for Anthony Boone last year.
The Blue Devils will most likely lean on their running game more in 2015, but they need the new-look passing attack to grow up quickly.
Florida
12 of 65
Offensive line play
New Florida head coach Jim McElwain inherited a mess at quarterback, but he put more emphasis on the development of the Gators' offensive line as the key to an offensive resurgence.
"Kinda how [the offensive linemen] grow is kinda how we're gonna grow," McElwain said last week during SEC media days. "We're gonna probably have to reflect back to maybe a bit of our NFL roots—get that core seven or eight guys that can maybe swap some spots."
According to Phil Steele's College Football Preview, Florida has the nation's third-fewest offensive line starts returning to campus this season. Top reinforcements are arriving in Gainesville, and McElwain's staff will rely on them heavily as the rebuild begins.
Florida State
13 of 65
Newcomers on offensive line
Offensive line fears aren't limited to just the Gators in the Sunshine State as the Seminoles prepare for life with four new starters in their own unit this fall.
"FSU's line was good [in 2014], not great," SB Nation's Bill Connelly wrote. "Considering the presence of two All-Americans and the level of experience, that was disappointing. ... Still, compared to other units, FSU hasn't recruited like gangbusters up front—only ("only") five of the 11 players listed above were 4-star-plus recruits."
The Seminoles will have the ACC's best roster again in 2015, but the offensive line is cause for concern. With so many new starters on offense, the pressure is on the front five to deliver early and often for Florida State.
Georgia
14 of 65
Passing game
Like several other teams in the SEC, Georgia has a mystery at starting quarterback right now. Brice Ramsey, Faton Bauta and Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert are all in the hunt to become the new lead man in Athens.
But the reloading extends beyond quarterback and into the wide receiver room for Georgia. Top-two receivers Chris Conley and Michael Bennett are gone, and Malcolm Mitchell is now the leader of the position after grabbing 31 passes in nine games last season.
The Bulldogs are loaded at running back with Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and Keith Marshall, but the offense won't be able to be completely one-dimensional this fall. Georgia's passing attack has several question marks heading into fall camp.
Georgia Tech
15 of 65
Replacements at skill positions
Excluding star quarterback Justin Thomas, Georgia Tech lost the top four rushers from last year's deadly option attack that paved the way for 10 regular-season wins and an Orange Bowl victory. The top four receivers from last year's team are also gone, leaving a recovering Broderick Snoddy as the top rusher and receiver in the offense.
Paul Johnson's offense should be the ultimate plug-and-play scheme, but replacing so many weapons will be a challenge for the veteran Georgia Tech head coach.
Thomas needs to develop the necessary chemistry between himself and the Yellow Jackets' new starters—it's paramount to the success of an option offense. The scheme will keep defenses off-balance by default, but its effectiveness will be determined by how well the newcomers perform from the beginning.
Illinois
16 of 65
Offensive line depth
Illinois only had seven healthy offensive linemen heading into its bowl game against Louisiana Tech last season. The program lost three contributors after that game and added three JUCO players to a line that ranked 111th nationally last season in sacks allowed.
Depth—and experienced depth at that—on the offensive line will continue to be an issue for the Fighting Illini this fall as they look for a spark in their attack.
The amount of returning experience in the skill positions is nice, but Illinois needs to get better across the front five, and it can't afford to suffer several injuries again. Otherwise, this team will struggle to repeat its feat of reaching a bowl game.
Indiana
17 of 65
New-look secondary
Indiana ranked 97th in pass defense last season, and now it will enter 2015 with four brand-new starters in the secondary. That could spell big trouble for the Hoosiers.
"The secondary lost starting safety and leading tackler Antonio Allen after the school dismissed him this offseason for drug charges," Bleacher Report's Brian Marron wrote last week. "The team will also need to replace its top two corners."
The Hoosiers could start four underclassmen at defensive back this fall, with sophomore strong safety Chase Dutra leading the way as the only player who has had an extended amount of playing time. Avoiding another losing season will require instant impact from these newcomers in the secondary.
Iowa
18 of 65
Offensive explosiveness
Iowa's bland offense returns only five starters from last season, and avoiding mediocrity will most likely mean some sort of improvement in the attack.
The Hawkeyes have new starters at quarterback, running back, fullback, tight end, receiver and offensive tackle this year. C.J. Beathard provides more mobility and skill from the signal-caller spot, but the running game will be a major question mark after its ineffectiveness with an All-American up front in Brandon Scherff.
Iowa fans are hoping these new faces provide a new level of success for an offense that has been average at best recently. A turnaround could have these Hawkeyes contending for the Big Ten West title, while business as usual will mean another season of knocking around the .500 mark.
Iowa State
19 of 65
Stopping the run
Iowa State surrendered the sixth-highest average rushing yardage to opponents and the fifth-most touchdowns on the ground last season. While the Big 12 is known for passing attacks, teams were content to hammer away at the soft center of the Iowa State defense.
The Cyclones have experience coming back on a bad defensive line, but they will replace a pair of starters at linebacker heading into 2015.
This defense needs to see some quick improvement against the run this fall, or it could be another extremely long season in Ames. It's going to be hard to compete with anyone if you continue to get gashed on the ground week after week.
Kansas
20 of 65
Lack of weapons in a new offense
Kansas is definitely going to be in for a long season under new head coach David Beaty. The Jayhawks return only seven starters from a 3-9 team, and the offensive situation is downright abysmal.
One of the nation's most inefficient attacks will have a completely new group of starters at wide receiver and tight end. The move to a pass-heavy offense could pay off down the road for Kansas, but a lack of established options out wide is doubly concerning in a brand-new system.
The Jayhawks return only one receiving touchdown from last season, and that came from running back Corey Avery. With uncertainty at quarterback and inexperience out wide, the new offense may have trouble moving the ball against anyone this fall.
Kansas State
21 of 65
New starters at receiver
Kansas State also needs its receiving weapons to step up in 2015, but its situation is better than what the rival Jayhawks find themselves in this year.
Still, the Wildcats are replacing quarterback Jake Waters and his top two targets in Tyler Lockett and Curry Sexton, who each had more than 1,000 yards receiving last season. Kody Cook is the top returning receiver with only 20 catches for 251 yards and one touchdown last year.
"Deante Burton, Judah Jones, Stanton Weber and Andre Davis should all get plenty of looks on the outside," Athlon Sports' Braden Gall wrote in April. "Someone needs to step up as KSU looks to find dependable pass-catchers."
Kentucky
22 of 65
Defensive line play
Kentucky will fight for a breakout season this year with a new-look defensive line. Monster nose tackle Melvin Lewis is back, but the Wildcats have newcomers at both end positions of their 3-4 defense.
There's experience on the line with seniors Farrington Huguenin and Cory Johnson, who have contributed in reserve roles during their Kentucky careers. Former standout recruit Matt Elam should provide great depth at nose tackle while Kentucky looks to fill in gaps at end with young players.
The Wildcats lost some major names in the front of their defense last season, and several spots have major question marks heading into fall camp. This line will have to quickly reload in order to compete.
LSU
23 of 65
Finding a solution to quarterback problem
LSU fans, Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee didn't mince words in his Monday piece about quarterback situations in the SEC. Sallee wrote the one in Baton Rouge "should scare the daylights out of the coaching staff and Tiger fans."
"At this point, it's hard to imagine [Brandon] Jennings being anything other than a guy who completes around 50 percent of his passes and is inconsistent with his throws and decisions," Sallee wrote. "And yet, [Brandon] Harris couldn't pass him last year, couldn't draw more than even [with Jennings] this spring."
Shaky quarterback play heavily contributed to LSU's fall to 8-5 last season, and vast improvement seems unlikely from Harris or Jennings this fall. Stranger things have happened, but this position should continue to be cause for major concern.
Louisville
24 of 65
Turnover on offensive line
Louisville has the potential to be a dangerous team this fall and threaten the stranglehold Florida State and Clemson have in the ACC's Atlantic division.
The offensive line, though, is a big concern for the Cardinals as they replace three starters who combined for 158 starts in their careers. The two who remain, Tobijah Hughley and Aaron Epps, only have started 19 games at Louisville.
That amount of turnover on the line could be troublesome for Louisville this fall, especially considering the fact the team's offensive numbers slipped in Bobby Petrino's first season. How the new starters jell should play a huge role in how high the Cardinals fly.
Maryland
25 of 65
Rebuilding front seven
Maryland returns just one starter on its entire front seven this season—old outside linebacker and new defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who only recorded 37 tackles in 11 starts in 2014.
The defense is switching to a 4-3 look this fall, so "new" will be the name of this defense all year long. This huge amount of turnover also comes on a unit that ranked 97th nationally in average yards allowed last year.
The Terps' defensive outlook is far from positive heading into fall camp, and they could be in for a season of struggling under head coach Randy Edsall. Surviving the year will hinge on the progress of a brand-new front seven.
Miami (Fla.)
26 of 65
Depth and turnover on offensive line
Miami lost 111 combined career starts from its offensive line this offseason and has to replace three starters along its front five. One of the returning starters is Trevor Darling, who only cracked the lineup in the final five games of the season.
As the State of the U's Jerry Steinberg wrote, the cupboard isn't completely bare for Miami, which has several highly touted players on the offensive line. Kc McDermott and Darling were both blue-chip players and have mounds of potential at the tackle spots for the next couple of seasons.
However, replacing the vast majority of the experience on the offensive line will be a huge challenge for the Hurricanes, who may have to rely on several linemen with injury histories.
Michigan
27 of 65
Preparing a starting quarterback
No surprise here. New head coach Jim Harbaugh has to find a quarterback to lead the Wolverines' rebuilding efforts, especially after the problems the program has experienced at the position in recent years.
"Whether it’s Rudock, Morris, Malzone, Speight or Gentry, Harbaugh must get it right," Bleacher Report's Adam Biggers wrote earlier this year. "The Wolverines haven’t had a legitimate pro-style threat since the days of Chad Henne, who was a senior in 2007, and they can’t afford another swing and miss or forced fit at the position."
Rudock seems like a lock at this point, and now Harbaugh and his staff have to prepare him to lead a new offense through a tough 2015 schedule. The starting quarterback's performance could be the difference between a fantastic season and a frustrating one.
Michigan State
28 of 65
Finding leaders at running back
Michigan State has the makings of a surefire playoff contender in 2015—experienced quarterback, talented defense and a pattern of consistently great seasons over the last few years.
But the run-first Spartans need to find a top running back to help take over the offense after the departures of stars Jeremy Langford and Nick Hill. Experience is scarce in this unit, as sophomore Gerald Holmes is a "veteran" with only 15 career carries.
Star true freshman L.J. Scott is a strong candidate to start, but the Spartans will probably need more than one top running back in their ground-and-pound offense. These newcomers will be thrown into the fire early for Michigan State.
Minnesota
29 of 65
Receiving options
Star tight end Maxx Williams was more than just a key part of Minnesota's passing offense last season—he basically was the entire passing offense. Of the 12 receiving touchdowns the Golden Gophers scored last season, Williams had eight of them.
Only one receiver who found the end zone last season, senior KJ Maye, returns for Minnesota. The Golden Gophers need multiple players to fill in Williams' absence for quarterback Mitch Leidner, or else they will have a tough time scoring this year.
Redshirt freshman J.J. Jones will look to be a weapon in both the passing and rushing attacks, while Duke Anyanwu takes over at tight end following an ACL injury in 2014. The lack of established receiving options is alarming for this Minnesota team, which has the potential to contend for a division title this year.
Mississippi State
30 of 65
Pass defense
For all the good Mississippi State's veteran defense did in 2014, it was awful at stopping passing attacks. The Bulldogs ranked 117th in opponent passing yards and now have a new defensive coordinator in Manny Diaz.
"[Diaz] inherits a squad that lost some talent but brings back experience. His tallest hurdle is in the secondary," the Clarion Ledger's Michael Bonner wrote. "MSU lost its two starting safeties but returns three of its top corners: Taveze Calhoun, Will Redmond and Cedric Jiles."
Diaz's secondary at Louisiana Tech last season did a great job of turning opponents over but was still in the bottom half nationally in pass defense. The Bulldogs need to improve in that category this season in order to survive in the SEC West.
Missouri
31 of 65
Defensive line personnel
Missouri's defensive line has been a strength of its past two SEC East title runs thanks to stars such as Michael Sam and Shane Ray. But with Harold Brantley, the Tigers' lone returning starter on the line for 2015, missing the entire 2015 season from injuries sustained in a car accident, the unit's personnel is in a tough spot.
"With Brantley’s injury, the dismissal of projected starter Marcus Loud, and the departure of Shane Ray and Markus Golden, the defensive line should take a major step back in 2015," Saturday Down South's Christopher Smith wrote.
The Tigers defense has experience elsewhere, but it looks like it won't have the same punch up front that it has enjoyed in the last couple of seasons—barring a few breakout performances.
Nebraska
32 of 65
Offensive line in a new system
Nebraska replaces three starters on the offensive line this season, so the Huskers will be green at spots as they learn their new offense under first-year head coach Mike Riley.
They can lean on two veteran seniors at tackle—Zach Sterup and Alex Lewis—but they lack starting experience on the inside of the line. That could make or break a transitioning offense that has new blood at running back after the departure of star Ameer Abdullah.
The Huskers will be physically imposing anywhere on their line, but the combination of new starters and a new playbook is cause for concern.
North Carolina
33 of 65
Need for improvement in secondary
One could count on big plays in the passing game whenever North Carolina was on the field in 2014. Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, it was when they were on defense, as they gave up 61 pass plays of 20 yards or more to opponents—the most of anyone in the country.
Enter new defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, whom North Carolina hired to help turn things around in the back. The former Auburn head coach has plenty of experience in the secondary for 2015, and that's probably the nicest thing that can be said about that unit.
A competent pass defense could turn North Carolina into a contender in the ACC's Coastal division. Right now, it looks like Chizik has his work cut out for him in Chapel Hill.
NC State
34 of 65
More regression in run defense
While the Tar Heels couldn't stop the pass last season, the rival Wolfpack couldn't stop the run, and it cost them in several games.
"NC State's line didn't do a good job of holding up," SB Nation's Bill Connelly wrote. "The Wolfpack had a solid pass rush and stuffed a few runs in the backfield, but they had one of the worst short-yardage units in the country, and if runners got past the line (which was a bit too easy to do), they ran a long way."
Now that rush defense could potentially get worse this season, as the Wolfpack have to replace several of their top contributors on the defensive line. This area could be what holds NC State back from having a breakout season.
Northwestern
35 of 65
Quarterback play
Northwestern needs help at quarterback in a huge way. Trevor Siemian and Zack Oliver combined for seven passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions and one of the nation's worst efficiency ratings last season.
"This attack became too easy to defend last year," the Big Ten Network's Tom Dienhart said. "It needs better balance, which would come from an improved passing game with Trevor Siemian gone. ... The Wildcats haven’t had a quarterback throw for more than 2,500 yards in a season since Dan Persa did it back in 2010."
Siemian's departure could easily mean improvement at quarterback, but how much remains to be seen. There's also the potential of even more bad production at the position, which would most likely doom the Wildcats to another losing season.
Notre Dame
36 of 65
Special teams play
An experienced team such as Notre Dame still has several key questions heading into the season, and perhaps the longest-running one with the program has been in regard to the play at special teams. Kyle Brindza missed 10 field goals last season, while the return team failed to generate many big plays.
"Special teams in South Bend have been a punch line in recent years," Bleacher Report's Mike Monaco wrote. "Until Notre Dame shows marked improvement in this department, there will be lingering concerns."
The Fighting Irish are expected to start a true freshman at kicker this fall in Justin Yoon, and new punter Tyler Newsome is inexperienced. Like Monaco wrote, this unit is a major question mark until it shows some widespread improvement.
Ohio State
37 of 65
Starting quarterback battle
The defending national champions don't have many traditional "concerns," especially considering the amount of talent they have back on both sides of the ball.
But the battle between J.T. Barrett, Cardale Jones and Braxton Miller for the starting quarterback job is definitely grabbing all the preseason attention. Head coach Urban Meyer has to decide between three successful quarterbacks this fall camp. Which one will give the Buckeyes the best chance to repeat?
Meyer couldn't go wrong with any of the choices—it's a problem other teams would kill to have—but it's the biggest decision heading into a huge season in Columbus.
Oklahoma
38 of 65
Quarterback play
In Oklahoma's spring game, its three veteran quarterbacks battling for the starting job—Baker Mayfield, Trevor Knight and Cody Thomas—combined for four interceptions. According to the Oklahoman's Berry Tramel, that trend might continue into the regular season.
"Knight has thrown 17 interceptions in 450 career passes, including multiple backbreakers returned for touchdowns," Tramel wrote in April. "Thomas threw four interceptions in 66 passes last season. Mayfield threw nine interceptions in 340 passes as a Texas Tech freshman in 2013."
Quarterback play was one of the biggest issues of Oklahoma's disappointing 2014 season. No matter how much potential new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley's scheme has, the Sooners need to start showing something different this fall at the offense's most important position.
Oklahoma State
39 of 65
Rushing attack
Oklahoma State's rushing offense has been in decline since the end of the 2012 season, and it dropped down to just 137 yards per game in 2014.
The Cowboys need a resurgence out of the backfield in order to keep pace with the explosive offenses in the Big 12, and it lost its top two rushers from a season ago in Desmond Roland and Tyreek Hill. Enter Chris Carson, a top junior college recruit who was voted as the Big 12's preseason Newcomer of the Year.
Oklahoma State will need a big season out of an unproven Carson and backup Rennie Childs. A reestablished commitment to the running game could make this team a dark horse in the conference. For now, it's wait and see for Oklahoma State in this area.
Ole Miss
40 of 65
Replacing Bo Wallace
The centerpiece of head coach Hugh Freeze's uptempo offense is up for grabs as JUCO signee Chad Kelly and sophomore Ryan Buchanan battle it out in Oxford. As the Clarion Ledger's Riley Blevins explains, who wins is a huge deal to the future of the Rebels.
"The change at the quarterback position is an obvious one, but it's probably the most important one too," Blevins wrote. "The position could see a lot of change, or little, depending on who emerges as the guy. We're talking about style here."
Ole Miss could go in separate directions depending on its choice to replace former starter Bo Wallace. Kelly brings athleticism and a big arm, while Buchanan is more of a game manager who could lead the offense to new heights with his consistent play.
Oregon
41 of 65
Preparing a replacement for Marcus Mariota
As Bleacher Report's Ben Kercheval wrote last week, Oregon and its fans shouldn't be concerned about the delay in quarterback Vernon Adams' arrival from Eastern Washington.
But whenever Adams shows up, the Ducks will have to hit the ground running in training him to run their breakneck offensive system. Replacing Heisman winner Marcus Mariota with Adams—or backup Jeff Lockie—will be a challenge for Mark Helfrich and his staff.
Oregon should continue to have incredible offense with its new quarterback, but how far the team goes in 2015 will probably fall on the shoulders of the Ducks signal-caller. Competition and depth at the position is good, and it'll soon be time to see who is ready to fill Mariota's shoes.
Oregon State
42 of 65
Inexperience on defense
Oregon State returns just 10 starters for Gary Andersen's first season in Corvallis, but the numbers are heavily weighted toward one side—the offense. The Beavers return a paltry two players on a defense that allowed 406 yards per game last season.
"While the offensive offseason transition focuses on just one position, the Beavers must replace talent across the board on the other side of the football," ESPN.com's David Lombardi wrote. "Cornerback Larry Scott was the only one penciled in for all 12 games last year—though new defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake will have the benefit of working with a handful of players who have developed experience in significant roles."
The defense created some buzz during spring practice with its play, but it's hard to imagine a unit this inexperienced making too much of a difference this fall.
Penn State
43 of 65
Inexperience at defensive end
Penn State is eyeing a big second season under head coach James Franklin with 15 returning starters across its depth chart. But both defensive end spots are open, and the Nittany Lions will have to replace Deion Barnes and C.J. Olaniyan.
Carl Nassib and Garrett Sickels are the new projected starters, as they both saw the field in double-digit games last season. Penn State also has some younger projects backing them up, but no one in this unit has consistent starting experience.
"The potential is certainly there for the defensive end position not to miss a beat—heck, they could even improve upon the 2014 unit—but a few inexperienced players will need to take a major step forward," Black Shoe Diaries' Jared Slanina wrote. "If not, Penn State's defense will not be so dominating without consistent pressure from a four-man front."
Pittsburgh
44 of 65
Finding at No. 2 alongside Tyler Boyd
Pittsburgh's Tyler Boyd is one of the best receivers in the entire country, and no other wideout in college football meant as much to his team's passing attack in 2014. Boyd had 78 catches for 1,261 yards last season, and the second closest receiver to him on the 2015 roster had just six grabs for 55 yards.
The Panthers are content to slam the ball down defenses' throats with their run-heavy attack, but they can't solely rely on Boyd out wide for another season.
The star wide receiver could be even more effective with a solid No. 2 option at receiver. Until then, defenses can just lock on Boyd in passing situations and limit his touches down the road.
Purdue
45 of 65
Uncertainty at quarterback
It's hard to win without good quarterback play, and Purdue hasn't had much of either in the last two seasons.
Austin Appleby and Danny Etling combined for 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions last season while only completing 53 percent of their passes. The Boilermakers, unsurprisingly, went 3-9 and only recorded one win in their entire Big Ten schedule.
After Etling transferred to LSU, redshirt freshman David Blough joined Appleby in the quarterback battle this offseason. A change of pace with Blough could be successful, but he has zero experience.
Rutgers
46 of 65
Inexperience on defense
Rutgers is extremely young on both sides of the ball with just 10 total starters returning for the 2015 season. Defensively, the Scarlet Knights have several underclassmen who might just be first-time starters this year.
These new faces will step into a defense that had one of its worst statistical seasons in recent memory last year. Rutgers finished 100th nationally in average yards allowed per game and gave up 30.2 points per game.
The Scarlet Knights allowed 56, 42, 37 and 45 points, respectively, in their final four losses of 2014. Now head coach Kyle Flood and his staff have to replace the majority of the starters on that defense, which isn't reassuring for Rutgers' chances
South Carolina
47 of 65
Steve Spurrier's pick to start at quarterback
South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier is an offensive guru who has experienced and developed great players at the quarterback position. This year, the race to replace Dylan Thompson is filled with several unproven commodities.
"It is kind of a concern," star wide receiver Pharoh Cooper told the Greenville News' Willie T. Smith III at SEC media days. "Quarterback is a tough position. Throwing the ball, they all throw it well. But it’s more than just throwing the ball. You have to read coverages. They’re doing well right now. Maybe one will separate himself."
No name jumps out among Connor Mitch, Perry Orth, Michael Scarnecchia and Lorenzo Nunez right now. If the Gamecocks don't make the right call at quarterback, they could regress on offense, even after a tough 2014 season.
Stanford
48 of 65
Brand-new defensive line
Stanford is a major candidate to bounce back after a 8-5 campaign in 2014. The Cardinal return most of their offensive stars, including quarterback Kevin Hogan, and several seniors dot the back of the starting defense.
But this year, Stanford will roll out a brand-new defensive line after the departures of Henry Anderson, David Parry and Blake Lueders.
The Cardinal have some top players waiting in the wings, such as redshirt freshman Solomon Thomas and senior Aziz Shittu. They will have to make big-time impacts early for a Stanford program that has relied on strong defense in the trenches under head coach David Shaw.
Syracuse
49 of 65
Lack of proven defensive playmakers
Syracuse's defensive depth chart is a mess right now with only three returning starters—one at each major unit. That means the Orange have to replace the majority of their defensive line, linebacking corps and secondary after a 3-9 season.
The lack of experience all across the defense is a major concern, especially considering how that side of the ball carried a lifeless offense in 2014.
"With so many young and less experienced players forced into playing time, growing pains are likely to be baked into many objective outlooks for the defensive unit," Syracuse.com's Nate Mink wrote. "Simply put, it's going to have to find production from a bunch of players with little body work, particularly across the defensive line and at safety."
TCU
50 of 65
Replacing key players in back seven
TCU is set up for great success in 2015 after its massive resurgence last season. But in a rare twist for a Gary Patterson-coached team, the defense has some question marks heading into fall camp.
The Horned Frogs must replace six starters in its 4-2-5 scheme from a season ago, including star Paul Dawson and several key defensive backs. Both top linebackers in the middle of the defense will not have had a single previous start in their collegiate careers—tough asks for a national title contender.
TCU is also adjusting to life with a new defensive coordinator after the retirement of Dick Bumpas. It's hard to imagine TCU struggling week in and week out on defense with Patterson at the helm, but all this turnover could be potential trouble this fall.
Tennessee
51 of 65
Running back depth
Jalen Hurd was a breakout star as a freshman last season for the Volunteers by running for 899 yards and five touchdowns. The Volunteers also have top JUCO running back recruit Alvin Kamara on campus for the upcoming season as a shifty option out of the backfield.
Beyond that, though, Tennessee doesn't have many options. If one of these two top backs goes down, it's up to a short list of completely unproven commodities.
"There simply aren't enough numbers," Bleacher Report's Brad Shepard wrote. "During the spring, the offense really suffered during the spells when Kamara was dinged up because Hurd was limited. ... It's essential that the coaching staff identifies dependable runners."
Texas
52 of 65
Lack of offensive explosiveness
Charlie Strong wasted no time in making his mark on the Longhorns defense last season. Texas ranked No. 8 nationally in yards allowed per play despite ranking just No. 33 in total yardage allowed.
Part of the reason for that difference was Texas' ineffectiveness on the offensive side of the ball. The Longhorns ranked 109th in scoring offense and 113th in total offense while also finishing in the 100s for explosive plays.
Texas has the tools to succeed on offense with a veteran offensive line and an experienced backfield, but it must replace several key receivers from a weak attack. The amount of progress Strong's team makes offensively in his second year could determine the near future of this program.
Texas A&M
53 of 65
Need for defensive improvement
Texas A&M's defense has held the Aggies back from being serious contenders in the SEC West, and head coach Kevin Sumlin addressed that issue this offseason by hiring former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis.
"John coming to us has really helped our intensity level as a defense and confidence level as a defense," Sumlin said at SEC media days, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate's Ross Dellenger. "Playing faster and harder."
Chavis will need to make an immediate impact for a Texas A&M defense that is building depth after several seasons of struggle. The defense continues to be the biggest question mark for A&M, but Chavis has a proven track record of making a major impact.
Texas Tech
54 of 65
Stopping the run
Texas Tech's fall to 4-8 last season was partly due to a historically bad run defense in Lubbock. The Red Raiders allowed 259 rushing yards per game last season—the most among Power Five teams—and faced 50 carries per game last season.
Teams were content to hammer away at the defense with the ground game, and the Red Raiders' uptempo offense meant that the defense would face a huge amount of plays each week. Arkansas took 68 carries for 438 yards and seven touchdowns in a 49-28 win over Texas Tech last season.
Texas Tech replaces a starting defensive tackle and two linebackers from that rough run defense, and the pressure will be on these newcomers to make a difference from the opening snap of the year.
UCLA
55 of 65
Josh Rosen's development
Although head coach Jim Mora is keeping quiet about the starting quarterback job at UCLA, it's hard to imagine anyone other than talented early enrollee Josh Rosen taking the reins of the Bruins offense this fall.
UCLA has a ton of experience surrounding Brett Hundley's successor, so all eyes will be on the development of Rosen—or whoever else becomes the starting signal-caller. Going from highly touted high school prospect to starting quarterback in the Pac-12 is a big leap.
How Rosen looks this season will be a big concern for UCLA and its fans, especially considering the amount of returning starters on this offense. Rosen could either take the Bruins to the next level with the cast around him or potentially waste what could be a huge season in Los Angeles.
USC
56 of 65
Need for more offensive playmakers
Senior quarterback Cody Kessler is a potential Heisman candidate on a potential title-contending team at USC. But both scenarios hinge on the emergence of new players to surround Kessler in USC's offense after a 9-4 season.
Outside of wide receiver JuJu Smith and, to a lesser extent, running back Justin Davis, USC doesn't have much proven experience at the skill positions for the upcoming season. There's plenty of potential on the roster with players such as Adoree' Jackson and De'Quan Hampton, but only time will tell if they will be able to shoulder the load for the Trojans.
Talent is never a problem at USC. Living up to expectations, though, has been one in recent seasons, and this offense will need some more players to step up in order to follow through on 2015's hype.
Utah
57 of 65
Passing game
Several quarterbacks will battle it out to be the Utes' No. 1 quarterback this year, and whoever wins will have to bring more to the table for Utah this year.
"But although [starting quarterbacks Travis Wilson and Kendal Thompson] limited interceptions (8) and won games (9), Utah's passing offense didn't set the world alight in 2014, finishing 93rd in the nation at 198 yards per game," the Salt Lake Tribune's Matthew Piper wrote. "Utah fans, naturally, want to know what the other guys have to offer."
The Utah running game should have no problem with Devontae Booker back for 2015, but the passing game has to develop into something dangerous in order for the program to make some major noise in the Pac-12.
Vanderbilt
58 of 65
Quarterback play
Patton Robinette seemed to be the starting quarterback ready to lead Vanderbilt into 2015, but he retired due to concussion concerns and desires to start his medical career. The SEC's cellar-dweller is still looking for answers at the important position heading into the fall.
"Will it be Johnny McCrary, who essentially won the job down the stretch, or will somebody else step up to the plate?" Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote. "Quarterback instability has been the hallmark of the [head coach Derek] Mason regime, but that has to change."
Vanderbilt should be better defensively this season, but the offense still has plenty of question marks without a clear-cut No. 1 at quarterback. The 'Dores could be in for another long season.
Virginia
59 of 65
Need for offensive playmakers
Virginia improved on offense from 2013 to 2014, but it still ranked No. 11 in the ACC in terms of yards and points per per game.
Now the Cavaliers are looking to improve those numbers without several of their top playmakers from a year ago. They return top receiver Canaan Severin, who had a respectable 578 yards and five touchdowns last year, but they also lose their top two rushers.
Virginia needs more production in both the run and the pass in order to take the next step and become a solid bowl team under head coach Mike London. With only five returning starters on a pedestrian offense, it will definitely be a challenge.
Virginia Tech
60 of 65
Offensive line play
According to the Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan, Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer told reporters heading into spring camp the team's biggest issue was replacing three starters on the offensive line. His starting quarterback agreed.
"It all starts up front," quarterback Michael Brewer told Khurshudyan. "We go where the offensive line goes. The better that they’ve done this spring, the better we’ve done as an offense. The progress they’ve made has improved this entire unit."
How new starters Eric Gallo, Wyatt Teller and Wade Hansen continue to mesh with the rest of the Hokies offense could be the difference between contending for the Coastal Division title and another mediocre season.
Wake Forest
61 of 65
Inexperience in pass defense
The historically woeful Wake Forest rushing offense should improve this season with returning starters in the backfield and along the offensive line. But the Demon Deacons can't rely on that in the secondary, where they will replace three of four starters.
Wake Forest had one of the nation's best pass defenses last year but now have one of the most inexperienced units in the country. It will break in two brand-new starters at cornerback, which could spell big trouble against teams such as Florida State, Clemson and North Carolina.
As one area looks ready to turn the corner, another one looks to fall for Wake Forest. This season could be one of more decline.
Washington
62 of 65
Quarterback situation
Washington had one of the worst passing attacks in the Pac-12 last season, and head coach Chris Petersen decided to open the battle for the starting spot again.
Former starter Cyler Miles retired in June due to a chronic hip injury, which limits Petersen's options to junior Jeff Lindquist, redshirt freshman K.J. Carta-Samuels and freshman Jake Browning. The winner will inherit a few established playmakers but will have a tall task ahead of him in the Pac-12 North.
The pressure is on the Huskies to make the right call here at quarterback. They don't have a ton of experience returning to the field in 2015, so all eyes are on the potential new leader of the Washington offense.
Washington State
63 of 65
Need for defensive improvement
A Washington State defense is going to face a lot of plays as long as Mike Leach is running the show with his Air Raid offense, but the Cougars hit a new low last season defensively. They allowed 38.6 points per game, which was the most since an awful 2008 season.
New defensive coordinator Alex Grinch inherits six returning starters and has a chance to improve this bunch in his first season. The defense was the difference in a few losses last season that could've made Washington State a bowl team for the second straight year.
After slipping back down to 3-9 in 2014, Washington State needs to see some quick defensive improvement in order to contend for the postseason again.
West Virginia
64 of 65
Replacements in passing game
West Virginia has a veteran defense for 2015, so now the pressure lands on the offense to produce.
The Mountaineers will replace the starting quarterback and top two receivers—including star Kevin White—from their pass-happy attack. West Virginia faced a similar situation heading into the 2013 season and had a terrible output en route to a 4-8 season.
Dana Holgersen's offense will look to avoid a repeat of that 2013 tale this year, but the similar questions of inexperience are still there with Skyler Howard and his crop of wideouts. If they can flip the script, these Mountaineers should be dangerous in the Big 12 this fall.
Wisconsin
65 of 65
Receiving targets
Even with a new head coach, Wisconsin's offense should be predictable and punishing—run the ball with Corey Clement behind a reloaded line of maulers.
But in order to keep defenses off balance, the Badgers need some more weapons in the receiving game for quarterback Joel Stave. After No. 1 receiver Alex Erickson, Wisconsin doesn't have a wideout who recorded a touchdown grab in the 2014 season.
Wisconsin has to avoid being too one-dimensional as it looks to reclaim the Big Ten West title this season. Finding more than one reliable target for when Stave drops back or fools defenses with a play-action pass could help replace the slight drop-off the offense will have after Melvin Gordon's historic campaign.
All stats courtesy of CFBStats.com.
Justin Ferguson is an on-call college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.
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