College Football Rankings 2015: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 1
After what seemed like an offseason that would never end, we have finally made it. On Thursday, the 2015 college football season will begin, kicking of several months of nonstop action capped by a playoff-fueled national championship in mid-January.
Until then, all we can do is watch and enjoy. And also rank all 128 FBS teams from best to worst.
Bleacher Report's power rankings are comprised of an average of five sources: B/R's weekly top 25, the Associated Press and Amway coaches' polls, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer rankings and my personal formula. The initial power rankings are based on preseason information, but as the season goes on they'll take better shape thanks to weekly results and trends.
Check out where all 128 FBS teams rank heading into the opening week of the 2015 college football season and then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
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We start from the bottom, where you'll find most of the worst teams from 2014. They hope to escape this initial slide—and plenty could after just one week—but for now they're stuck way down in the rankings.
It's worth noting that 15 teams that began the 2014 season ranked 91st or lower ended up with .500-or-better records, and several ended up playing in bowl games. That includes Memphis, which was 3-9 in 2013 and then leaped to 10-3 with a share of the American Athletic Conference title.
NOTE: All records are from 2014 season.
- 128. Charlotte (5-6 at FCS level)
- 127. Eastern Michigan (2-10, 1-7 Mid-American)
- 126. Georgia State (1-11, 0-8 Sun Belt)
- 124. (tie) New Mexico State (2-10, 1-7 Sun Belt)
- 124. (tie) Idaho (1-10, 1-7 Sun Belt)
- 123. Miami, Ohio (2-10, 2-6 Mid-American)
- 122. Kent State (2-10, 1-7 Mid-American)
- 120. (tie) UTSA (4-8, 3-5 Conference USA)
- 120. (tie) Troy (3-9, 3-5 Sun Belt)
- 119. Army (4-8)
- 118. New Mexico (4-8, 2-6 Mountain West)
- 117. Southern Miss (3-9, 1-7 Conference USA)
- 115. (tie) UNLV (2-11, 1-7 Mountain West)
- 115. (tie) Old Dominion (6-6, Conference USA)
- 114. SMU (1-11, 1-7 American)
- 113. Florida Atlantic (3-9, 2-6 Conference USA)
- 112. Louisiana-Monroe (4-8, 3-5 Sun Belt)
- 111. Tulsa (2-10, 2-6 American)
- 110. Connecticut (2-10, 1-7 American)
- 109. Florida International (4-8, 3-5 Conference USA)
- 108. Buffalo (5-6, 3-4 Mid-American)
- 107. Tulane (3-9, 2-6 American)
- 106. Massachusetts (3-9, 3-5 Mid-American)
- 105. South Alabama (6-7, 5-3 Sun Belt)
- 103. (tie) North Texas (4-8, 2-6 Conference USA)
- 103. (tie) Central Michigan (7-6, 5-3 Mid-American)
- 102. Wyoming (4-8, 2-6 Mountain West)
- 101. Hawaii (4-9, 3-5 Mountain West)
- 99. (tie) Ball State (5-7, 4-4 Mid-American)
- 99. (tie) Akron (5-7, 3-5 Mid-American)
- 98. Ohio (6-6, 4-4 Mid-American)
- 96. (tie) Texas State (7-5, 5-3 Sun Belt)
- 96. (tie) South Florida (4-8, 3-5 American)
- 94. (tie) UTEP (7-6, 5-3 Conference USA)
- 94. (tie) San Jose State (3-9, 2-6 Mountain West)
- 93. Kansas (3-9, 1-8 Big 12)
- 92. Middle Tennessee (6-6, 5-3 Conference USA)
- 91. Wake Forest (3-9, 1-7 ACC)
Nos. 90-61
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The addition of another bowl game in Orlando, Florida, brings the total to 40 this season, including the national championship game. That means 78 FBS teams will get to play in the postseason, and several of those will come from the teams that end up ranked 61st or lower.
So just because the teams listed below are considered on the bottom half of the FBS ranks to open the season doesn't mean they'll end up having a bad season. Of the group currently ranked 61st to 90th, 17 of them played in bowls in 2014. They went 5-12, but that's beside the point.
NOTE: All records are from 2014 season.
- 90. Appalachian State (7-5, 6-2 Sun Belt)
- 89. Colorado (2-10, 0-9 Pac-12)
- 88. Purdue (3-9, 1-7 Big Ten)
- 87. Bowling Green (8-6, 5-3 Mid-American)
- 86. Fresno State (6-8, 5-3 Mountain West)
- 85. Indiana (4-8, 1-7 Big Ten)
- 83. (tie) Vanderbilt (3-9, 0-8 SEC)
- 83. (tie) Rice (8-5, 5-3 Conference USA)
- 82. Nevada (7-6, 4-4 Mountain West)
- 81. Syracuse (3-9, 1-7 ACC)
- 80. Iowa State (2-10, 0-9 Big 12)
- 79. Western Michigan (8-5, 6-2 Mid-American)
- 78. Arkansas State (7-6, 5-3 Sun Belt)
- 77. Louisiana-Lafayette (9-4, 7-1 Sun Belt)
- 76. East Carolina (8-5, 5-3 American)
- 75. Washington State (3-9, 2-7 Pac-12)
- 74. Oregon State (5-7, 2-7 Pac-12)
- 73. Temple (6-6, 4-4 American)
- 72. Northwestern (5-7, 3-5 Big Ten)
- 70. (tie) Virginia (5-7, 3-5 ACC)
- 70. (tie) Colorado State (10-3, 6-2 Mountain West)
- 69. San Diego State (7-6, 5-3 Mountain West)
- 68. Boston College (7-6, 4-4 ACC)
- 67. Rutgers (8-5, 3-5 Big Ten)
- 66. Air Force (10-3, 5-3 Mountain West)
- 65. Maryland (7-6, 4-4 Big Ten)
- 63. (tie) Texas Tech (4-8, 2-7 Big 12)
- 63. (tie) Illinois (6-7, 3-5 Big Ten)
- 62. UCF (9-4, 7-1 American)
- 61. Northern Illinois (11-3, 7-1 Mid-American)
Nos. 60-51
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The top 50 teams in our power rankings each week will get their own slides with a full look at what they've done and what's coming up. The teams that sit outside the top 50 will get highlighted throughout the year when they have a notable achievement, such as notching a milestone victory or being involved in a huge upset.
Several of the squads ranked 51st to 60th will end up in the top 50, though, so here's a little bit about each that's worth mentioning right now.
NOTE: All records are from 2014 season.
- 60. Kentucky (5-7, 2-6 SEC): Coach Mark Stoops heads into a critical third season needing to put forth a more complete effort than in 2014. Last year the Wildcats began 5-1, only to drop their last six games.
- 58. (tie) Memphis (10-3, 7-1 American): The Tigers claimed a share of their first conference title since the 1970s by finishing atop the American standings, a year after going 3-9. They were able to hold onto coach Justin Fuente, but after ranking 28th in total defense in 2014 they have to replace eight starters.
- 58. (tie) Iowa (7-6, 4-4 Big Ten): The Hawkeyes ended last season with a blowout loss to Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Bowl and then saw quarterback Jake Rudock transfer to Big Ten rival Michigan after he lost his starting job. Entering his 17th season, Kirk Ferentz is tied with Oklahoma's Bob Stoops for the second-longest active tenure at one FBS school.
- 57. North Carolina (6-7, 4-4 ACC): Larry Fedora's win total has gone down in each of his three seasons with the Tar Heels, and last year they were horrendous on defense. He's brought in former Auburn and Iowa State coach Gene Chizik to shore up a unit that ranked 120th in yards allowed in 2014.
- 56. Georgia Southern (9-3, 8-0 Sun Belt): The Eagles had a tremendous first season of FBS play, finishing atop the Sun Belt standings thanks to a national-best 379.9 rushing yards per game. Now a full member, they're eligible for postseason play.
- 55. Toledo (9-4, 7-1 Mid-American): The Rockets ran past Arkansas State to win the GoDaddy Bowl in January behind powerful rusher Kareem Hunt, and this season they should contend for a division title and their first spot in the MAC championship game since 2002.
- 54. Navy (8-5): An independent program since their inception, Navy has joined the American Athletic Conference for 2015 and should be in the running for a title. Senior quarterback Keenan Reynolds is on pace to set the FBS career record for rushing touchdowns.
- 53. Houston (8-5, 5-3 American): Former Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman inherits a program with a solid defense and an athletic mobile quarterback in Greg Ward, a converted wide receiver.
- 52. Marshall (13-1, 7-1 Conference USA): Record-setting passer Rakeem Cato has graduated, but the Thundering Herd should still be a dominant offensive team after averaging 45.6 points and 559.2 yards per game last season.
- 51. Western Kentucky (8-5, 4-4 Conference USA): Prolific passer Brandon Doughty is back for a sixth season and will try to lead FBS in passing yards and touchdowns for a second year in a row. In 2014 he threw for 4,830 yards and 49 TDs.
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50. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
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Average rating: 47.17
2014 record: 9-5, 7-1 Conference USA
2014 final ranking: 39th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Southern
Louisiana Tech played in the Conference USA title game in 2014, losing to Marshall but then knocking off Illinois in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. The Bulldogs should be in the mix for another championship appearance with the addition of former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel as a graduate transfer.
Driskel will pair with senior running back Kenneth Dixon, who has rushed for 3,410 yards and 53 touchdowns in his career.
49. Duke Blue Devils
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Average rating: 46.67
2014 record: 9-4, 5-3 ACC
2014 final ranking: T-34th
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. Tulane
Long a power-conference doormat, Duke is now on a school-record run of three straight seasons that have ended in a bowl game. David Cutcliffe has turned the Blue Devils into a legitimate contender in the ACC, leading them to the title game in 2013, but half his starters from last season have moved on.
Season-ending injuries to linebacker Kelby Brown and cornerback Bryon Fields have thinned out Duke's defense, while on offense there will be a new quarterback (Thomas Sirk) after two-year starter Anthony Boone graduated.
Duke has won 25 games in the past three years, the same number it had from 2000 to 2011.
48. Washington Huskies
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Average rating: 46.5
2014 record: 8-6, 4-5 Pac-12
2014 final ranking: 40th
2015 opener: Sept. 4 at Boise State
Despite a defense that featured three players who would get selected in the first two rounds of the 2015 NFL draft, Washington had an uneven year in Chris Petersen's first season since coming over from Boise State. The second year could be just as much of a roller coaster, as the Huskies not only have losses to graduation but also injury and dismissal.
Projected starters Dexter Charles and John Ross III (who has started at receiver and cornerback as well as kick returner) have been lost for the year, while other departures have Washington set to play plenty of new faces this fall. It's not the best formula for Petersen as he is set to take his team back to Boise to face his old program.
47. Michigan Wolverines
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Average rating: 45.8
2014 record: 5-7, 3-5 Big Ten
2014 final ranking: 68th
2015 opener: Sept. 3 at Utah
The once-proud Michigan program has fired its last two head coaches, but now with the arrival of alumnus (and former quarterback) Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines have renewed hope of success in the very near future. This has translated to plenty of publicity thanks to Harbaugh's great public relations skills (including some choice tweeting) as well as superb recruiting for 2016 and beyond.
"Combine all those years of pent-up desperation in Ann Arbor with the arrival of a former Maize and Blue quarterback-turned Super Bowl coach-turned social media sensation and you get the sport’s most anticipated coaching debut in recent history," Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports wrote.
Whether it will result in wins in Harbaugh's first year is completely uncertain. The Wolverines have yet to name a starting quarterback—either junior Shane Morris or Iowa graduate transfer Jake Rudock—for their Thursday opener, and they must fill big holes on a defense that ranked seventh nationally in 2014.
46. Cincinnati Bearcats
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Average rating: 45.4
2014 record: 9-4, 7-1 American
2014 final ranking: 51st
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Alabama A&M
Tommy Tuberville has found a winning formula so far in his two years at Cincinnati, winning 18 games and keeping the Bearcats in contention for American Athletic Conference titles. Expect more of the same in 2015, with big-armed quarterback Gunner Kiel set to put up big numbers.
Kiel, a former Notre Dame recruit, threw for 3,254 yards and 31 touchdowns last season.
Tuberville, who has also coached at Ole Miss, Auburn and Texas Tech, has had winning records in 15 of his 19 years as a head coach.
45. Pittsburgh Panthers
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Average rating: 44.5
2014 record: 6-7, 4-4 ACC
2014 final ranking: 67th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Youngstown State
Overwhelming coaching turnover the last five years has kept Pittsburgh from creating any momentum from season to season, and Pat Narduzzi now becomes the eighth coach (including interims) since 2010. The former Michigan State defensive coordinator inherits a talented roster, though, particularly on offense thanks to a trio of juniors in quarterback Chad Voytik, running back James Conner and receiver Tyler Boyd.
Conner led the ACC with 1,765 rushing yards last season, setting a school record with 26 touchdowns, while Boyd is on pace to break several school career records held by ex-Panthers star Larry Fitzgerald.
44. California Golden Bears
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Average rating: 43.33
2014 record: 5-7, 3-6 Pac-12
2014 final ranking: 70th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Grambling
The highest-rated team in our power rankings that was not bowl-eligible a year ago, California still had a major bump in performance from 2013 to 2014 by going from 1-11 to 5-7. The Golden Bears are set to keep on that upward climb in Sonny Dykes' third season running the program, assuming quarterback Jared Goff remains prolific in the Air Raid offense and the defense is able to make some plays.
43. BYU Cougars
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Average rating: 43.25
2014 record: 8-5
2014 final ranking: 45th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at Nebraska
BYU's fifth season as an independent features its most ambitious schedule yet, with the Cougars set to face four power opponents (three on the road, one in a neutral site) and also host mid-major powers Boise State and Cincinnati. The Cougars already have an arrangement to play in either the Hawaii or Las Vegas Bowl so long as they reach six wins, but that's no guarantee.
Much will ride on how quarterback Taysom Hill fares after going down last October with a leg injury. Injuries have cut short two of his three seasons, but when healthy he has amassed more than 6,400 yards of total offense and accounted for 52 touchdowns.
42. Utah State Aggies
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Average rating: 42.83
2014 record: 10-4, 6-2 Mountain West
2014 final ranking: 38th
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. Southern Utah
Even with a coaching change in the middle, Utah State has managed to remain among the top mid-major programs the past three seasons, winning 30 games in that span. The Aggies have done a lot of that without talented dual-threat quarterback Chuckie Keeton, whose career has been riddled with injuries.
Keeton is back for another year, and if he stays healthy, Utah State will again be in the hunt in the Mountain West Conference. It won't be all on him, though, as linebacker Nick Vigil will pace a swarming defense.
41. Minnesota Golden Gophers
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Average rating: 42.67
2014 record: 8-5, 5-3 Big Ten
2014 final ranking: 32nd
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. TCU
Minnesota is working on back-to-back eight-win seasons, its best run since 2002-03, with coach Jerry Kill adding to his reputation of winning wherever he goes. Prior to taking over the Golden Gophers in 2011, he also had strong runs at Northern Illinois and FCS Southern Illinois.
The Golden Gophers should be in the mix for the Big Ten West if they can replace the production lost from running back David Cobb and tight end Maxx Williams.
40. Miami (Florida) Hurricanes
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Average rating: 42.38
2014 record: 6-7, 3-5 ACC
2014 final ranking: T-52nd
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Bethune-Cookman
Al Golden is on the hot seat heading into his fifth year at Miami, owning the same 28-22 record that predecessor Randy Shannon held when he was fired in 2010.
The Hurricanes will look for continued development from sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya, who started all 13 games last year and handled the job well. Offensive balance took a hit over the weekend with the news that junior Gus Edwards, who along with sophomore Joseph Yearby was going to share the job of replacing Duke Johnson, is out for the year with a foot injury.
39. Texas Longhorns
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Average rating: 41.5
2014 record: 6-7, 5-4 Big 12
2014 final ranking: 60th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at Notre Dame
The second year of Charlie Strong's tenure begins with a challenging trip to Notre Dame, and it will feature eight true or redshirt freshmen set to start. That doesn't include quarterback, as junior Tyrone Swoopes has gotten the nod over Jerrod Heard at least for the opener.
The Longhorns struggled mightily on offense in 2014, ranking 113th in yards gained. The defense was Texas' strength and could be again this year, though it will also feature plenty of youth and inexperience such as true freshman linebacker Malik Jefferson.
38. Florida Gators
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Average rating: 40.88
2014 record: 7-5, 4-4 SEC
2014 final ranking: 30th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. New Mexico State
After a successful three-year run at Colorado State, Jim McElwain moves back to the SEC to take over a Florida program that's struggled offensively the past few seasons. Offense was McElwain's forte with the Rams, which averaged nearly 34 points and 481 yards per game in 2014.
He'll be hard-pressed to come close to those numbers with the Gators, not just because of the tougher competition but the lack of experienced players to work with. Both sophomore Treon Harris and redshirt freshman Will Grier are expected to play in the opener, and each will be operating behind a patchwork offensive line that's been riddled by attrition and injuries.
The Gators should remain a strong defensive team, though, particularly in the secondary thanks to shutdown junior cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III.
37. South Carolina Gamecocks
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Average rating: 40.0
2014 record: 7-6, 3-5 SEC
2014 final ranking: 42nd
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. North Carolina (in Charlotte, North Carolina)
Steve Spurrier spent quite a bit of time in the offseason reaffirming his commitment to coaching South Carolina, not just this season but in years beyond. Now that his 11th season with the Gamecocks is about to start, the 70-year-old Head Ball Coach can focus on the task at hand.
That would be bouncing back from last year's tumultuous 7-6 season, and he'll be doing so with a new quarterback (sophomore Connor Mitch), but he still has do-everything junior Pharoh Cooper around to run, throw and catch the ball.
36. North Carolina State Wolfpack
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Average rating: 39.8
2014 record: 8-5, 3-5 ACC
2014 final ranking: 44th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Troy
In a top-heavy division that features Clemson, Florida State and Louisville, North Carolina State has the potential to be a dark horse in the ACC if it's able to continue the improvement it made in 2014. That will depend on the play of senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who had some huge games last season but also struggled at times.
Brissett had 3,135 yards of total offense and accounted for 26 touchdowns with just five interceptions a year ago. He'll be going at it mostly on his own at the start, though, as senior running back Shadrach Thornton (2,369 yards, 16 career TDs) has been suspended the first two games because of a violation of team rules.
35. West Virginia Mountaineers
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Average rating: 38.8
2014 record: 7-6, 5-4 Big 12
2014 final ranking: 37th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Georgia Southern
Dana Holgorsen's teams (both at West Virginia and in previous stops as an assistant) have been mostly known for big-play offense, but the 2015 Mountaineers will have to hang their hat on stout defense in order to contend in the Big 12.
Safety Karl Joseph is among eight defensive starters coming back, and that experience can help offset an offense that will be young but talented. That includes true freshman wide receiver Jovon Durante, who could be the next great pass-catcher from West Virginia and an instant replacement for Kevin White.
"His ball skills are really good," Holgorsen said Monday, per Craig Meyer of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "He's a guy we could use in the return game, as well, because his ball skills are so good. He's fast."
34. Penn State Nittany Lions
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Average rating: 35.3
2014 record: 7-6, 2-6 Big Ten
2014 final ranking: 47th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at Temple
James Franklin steered Penn State out of NCAA sanctions in his first year while also getting the Nittany Lions back into a bowl game despite having one of the poorest offenses in the country. A porous offensive line and no run game turned quarterback Christian Hackenberg into a player often running for his life, and if not for a second-ranked defense, it might have been a much different 2014.
Hackenberg is one of 15 starters back, including nine on offense, though Penn State faces a tough schedule that begins with a dangerous trip to Philadelphia and also features games at Michigan State and Ohio State.
33. Kansas State Wildcats
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Average rating: 33.1
2014 record: 9-4, 7-2 Big 12
2014 final ranking: 17th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. South Dakota
Newly enshrined Hall of Fame coach Bill Snyder might have another rebuilding project in front of him, as Kansas State returns just 12 starters from last year's strong team and will be inexperienced at quarterback and receiver.
The Wildcats and Snyder have been through this before, however, as he has won at least six games in every season since coming out of retirement in 2009.
A good indication of K-State's youth: Projected starting quarterback Jesse Ertz, a sophomore, would be the Wildcats' first underclassman at the position since 2004, according to Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle.
32. Louisville Cardinals
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Average rating: 33.1
2014 record: 9-4, 5-3 ACC
2014 final ranking: 24th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Auburn (in Atlanta)
Bobby Petrino's first year of his second stint at Louisville was a solid one, but now the veteran coach must show what he can do with more of his own players instead of the holdovers from the Charlie Strong era. The Cardinals defense ranked sixth in yards allowed in 2014, and though most of those players have left, there are some intriguing replacements.
Defensive end Devonte Fields was a starter as a freshman at TCU in 2012, but then an injury and a dismissal pushed his career to the junior college ranks. Defensive back Josh Harvey-Clemons, previously of Georgia, is reunited with former Bulldogs assistant Todd Grantham.
31. Virginia Tech Hokies
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Average rating: 32.8
2014 record: 7-6, 3-5 ACC
2014 final ranking: T-54th
2015 opener: Sept. 7 vs. Ohio State
Virginia Tech hasn't been in the hunt for a national title in a decade, but for the second year in a row it figures to play a role in how the playoff field pans out. The Hokies' up-and-down 2014 season included a shocking upset win at eventual national champion Ohio State, and they get another chance at beating the Buckeyes to start this season.
Now entering his 29th season, Frank Beamer is again pinning his offense on the play of quarterback Michael Brewer. The Texas Tech transfer started all 13 games last year with mixed results, but he has a stud of a young tight end to work with in Bucky Hodges.
30. Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Average rating: 30.9
2014 record: 9-4, 5-3 Big Ten
2014 final ranking: 26th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. BYU
Nebraska has a new man in charge in longtime Oregon State coach Mike Riley, who has the unenviable task of replacing a guy in Bo Pelini, who won at least nine games in all seven of his seasons with the Cornhuskers. Riley also must try to make his pro-style offense work after years of Nebraska running a spread, which will require Tommy Armstrong to be more of a passer than in 2014.
The 'Huskers lost a productive running back in Ameer Abdullah to graduation, and exciting young receiver/return man De'Mornay Pierson-El is out of action for several weeks after injuring his foot in preseason camp.
29. Utah Utes
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Average rating: 30.0
2014 record: 9-4, 5-4 Pac-12
2014 final ranking: 22nd
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. Michigan
Utah rather quietly had a strong season in 2014, winning nine games without much attention for the team or dependable running back Devontae Booker. That could all change in a few days, as the Utes host Michigan and new coach Jim Harbaugh in a national game that has the makings of a springboard result.
Booker ran for 1,512 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago, and the senior should challenge for 2,000 yards this season.
The Utes also have one of the more sack-happy defenses in the country, returning a good portion of the unit that led FBS with 55 sacks last fall.
28. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Average rating: 26.6
2014 record: 7-6, 4-5 Big 12
2014 final ranking: 48th
2015 opener: Sept. 3 at Central Michigan
Oklahoma State's 2014 season looked like a lost one before Mason Rudolph took over as quarterback, and the true freshman led the Cowboys to three straight wins including in the Cactus Bowl. Now the Cowboys are back in their familiar position of contending in the Big 12, and they have the luxury of getting to host league powers Baylor, Oklahoma and TCU in November.
Highly touted junior college running back Chris Carson could be the missing piece OSU needs to challenge for the conference crown, while the defense brings back eight starters including dominant lineman Emmanuel Ogbah.
27. Boise State Broncos
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Average rating: 25.2
2014 record: 12-2, 7-1 Mountain West
2014 final ranking: 19th
2015 opener: Sept. 4 vs. Washington
Boise State remains the gold standard among non-power teams, knocking off Arizona to win the Fiesta Bowl in January after rolling through the Mountain West Conference. First-year coach Bryan Harsin continued what Chris Petersen had established before him, and the Broncos are primed for another big season.
Despite losing a veteran quarterback and productive running back, Boise brings back nearly every other important piece from 2014. The opener against Washington (and former coach Petersen) is one of a handful of showcase games that can put the Broncos in position to claim the Group of Five major bowl bid yet again.
26. Mississippi State Bulldogs
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Average rating: 24.4
2014 record: 10-3, 6-2 SEC
2014 final ranking: 10th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at Southern Miss
Mississippi State made Starkville the center of the college football universe for a good portion of the 2014 season, when thanks to a 9-0 start it spent several weeks ranked No. 1 in the nation. But the Bulldogs couldn't keep that going, losing three of four down the stretch, and now they return one of the fewest number of starters of any FBS program.
They do, however, return the SEC's top quarterback in senior Dak Prescott. The dual-threat passer was responsible for 4,435 yards of total offense and 42 touchdowns last year, and he'll have to produce at least that much to keep MSU from having a backslide.
25. Texas A&M Aggies
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Average rating: 23.6
2014 record: 8-5, 3-5 SEC
2014 final ranking: 33rd
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Arizona State (in Houston)
An 11-2 debut to the SEC in Kevin Sumlin's first season with Texas A&M in 2012 has been followed by reduced win totals the next two years, with the 2014 Aggies starting 5-0 and then going into a major midseason tailspin. Freshman quarterback Kyle Allen mostly righted the ship when he took over, and he's in charge of the explosive offense on a full-time basis for 2015.
Allen has an unending supply of receivers to work, but success for A&M will hinge on its defense being able to make stops. Last year the Aggies allowed 400-plus yards in nine of 13 games, yielding more than 500 on four occasions.
24. Tennessee Volunteers
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Average rating: 23.0
2014 record: 7-6, 3-5 SEC
2014 final ranking: T-34th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Bowling Green (in Nashville, Tennessee)
Tennessee is coming off its first winning season since 2009, thanks to a late-year push paced by quarterback Joshua Dobbs. He now enters his first year as starter from the outset, and that opportunity to prepare for the job rather than be thrust into the role out of nowhere could be the difference for the young but talented Volunteers.
Freshmen and sophomores remain a huge part of Tennessee's lineup, including sophomore running backs Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara (a former Alabama recruit) and sophomore defensive end Derek Barnett.
"If the Vols can find a stellar group of offensive linemen and a viable middle linebacker, and they can stay healthy from now on, 2015 may wind up being the year where the Vols make it all the way back," Bleacher Report's Brad Shepard wrote.
22. (tie) Missouri Tigers
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Average rating: 22.2
2014 record: 11-3, 7-1 SEC
2014 final ranking: 12th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Southeast Missouri State
The two-time defending SEC East champions again enter a season without much hype from outside the program. The Tigers are picked to finish third in the division and weren't among the 10 schools in the 14-team league that received a vote to win the conference.
Mizzou will again try to prove the doubters wrong, going with Maty Mauk at quarterback despite his uneven sophomore year. He'll have a green receiving group to throw to but a veteran in Russell Hansbrough in the backfield.
The Tigers defense, their strength the past two seasons, is inexperienced and will be hard-pressed to match the results of 2013-14.
22. (tie) Arizona Wildcats
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Average rating: 22.2
2014 record: 10-4, 7-2 Pac-12
2014 final ranking: 18th
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. UTSA
Arizona was the surprise winner of the deep Pac-12 South, finishing with 10 wins for the first time since 1998 but dropping its final two contests. A team made up mostly of freshmen and sophomores in key roles a year ago is now a veteran group that has 16 upperclassmen with 227 career starts as projected starters, per Daniel Berk of the Arizona Daily Star.
The same standouts from a year ago will be at the forefront in 2015, most notably sophomores Anu Solomon at quarterback and Nick Wilson at running back and junior Cayleb Jones at the head of a deep receiving group. The Wildcats defense will again be paced by the top individual defender in FBS from a year ago, junior linebacker Scooby Wright, who won three national awards and led the country in tackles, tackles for loss and forced fumbles.
Rich Rodriguez has won 26 games in his first three seasons, the best start of any coach in program history.
21. Stanford Cardinal
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Average rating: 21.0
2014 record: 8-5, 5-4 Pac-12
2014 final ranking: 29th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 at Northwestern
Following four straight 10-win seasons, Stanford fell back in 2014 because of an uneven offense that could not match a lockdown defense. This year the Cardinal might have to reverse the approach in order to get back in the hunt for another Pac-12 title, as it must replace most of last season's third-ranked defense.
That will put the onus on fifth-year senior quarterback Kevin Hogan, who enters his third season as starter, to carry the Cardinal. He's had solid numbers in his career, but last fall Stanford struggled mightily in the red zone and ended up losing three of four games by seven or fewer points.
19. (tie) Wisconsin Badgers
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Average rating: 18.6
2014 record: 11-3, 7-1 Big Ten
2014 final ranking: 13th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Alabama (in Arlington, Texas)
Wisconsin played for the Big Ten title last season and then just says later it was looking for its third coach in four years after Gary Andersen surprisingly left the program to coach Oregon State. Former offensive coordinator Paul Chryst came over from Pittsburgh and looks to continue the Badgers' prowess as a team built around strong defense and a productive run game.
It won't be Melvin Gordon churning out the yards, as the 2,500-yard rusher is in the NFL, but his touches will go to junior Corey Clement. He nearly ran for 1,000 yards as a backup in 2014, giving him a strong foundation to build on.
The Badgers have the unenviable task of being the opening neutral-site opponent for Alabama, marking the second straight year they start with an SEC foe after falling to LSU in Houston last August.
19. (tie) Arkansas Razorbacks
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Average rating: 18.6
2014 record: 7-6, 2-6 SEC
2014 final ranking: 28th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. UTEP
Bret Bielema has quickly turned around Arkansas, getting it into a bowl game and then destroying Texas last December to cap a promising season paced by hard-nosed rushing and stellar defense. Expect the same in 2015, though because of a training-camp injury to senior running back Jonathan Williams, it won't be a two-headed attack this time around.
Williams and junior Alex Collins both rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2014, running behind an NFL-sized offensive line that's again boasts massive in girth this fall. Veteran quarterback Brandon Allen has improved each year, but now he'll need to become more than a manager and give the Razorbacks a passing game for once.
Arkansas held three of its last four opponents to seven or fewer points last year, including posting back-to-back shutouts.
18. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
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Average rating: 17.8
2014 record: 11-3, 6-2 ACC
2014 final ranking: 8th
2015 opener: Sept. 3 vs. Alcorn State
Georgia Tech's triple-option offense was nearly unstoppable in 2014, racking up more than 330 rushing yards per game and leading the Yellow Jackets to the ACC title game and a win over Mississippi State in the Orange Bowl. Paul Johnson will again stick with that old-school attack, piloted by junior quarterback Justin Thomas as the only key returner.
Thomas ran for nearly 1,100 yards last season while also throwing 18 touchdown passes, and his experience should offset the lack of touches that Tech's other skill players have coming into this fall.
Tech also features a solid defense, spearheaded by defensive lineman Adam Gotsis and defensive back Jamal Golden, which should help the Yellow Jackets fight for another division title.
17. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 17.6
2014 record: 8-5, 5-4 Big 12
2014 final ranking: 36th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Akron
A disappointing 2014 season prompted longtime coach Bob Stoops to make some major changes ahead of his 17th season at Oklahoma. He overhauled his coaching staff, bringing in East Carolina's Lincoln Riley to return the Sooners to an Air Raid offense much like the one they used throughout the 2000s when they were perennial national title contenders.
Running that pass-happy attack will be sophomore Baker Mayfield, a Texas Tech transfer who sat out last season but in 2013 started eight games in a similar system with the Red Raiders. He'll look to senior Sterling Shepard and promising junior college transfer DeDe Westbrook to sling the ball all over, but he also has the FBS single-game rushing record-holder in sophomore Samaje Perine to hand off to.
Oklahoma's defense was up and down a year ago, but several veterans return in hopes of getting that unit back to its old level of superiority.
16. Ole Miss Rebels
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Average rating: 15.8
2014 record: 9-4, 5-3 SEC
2014 final ranking: 16th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Tennessee-Martin
Ole Miss began 7-0 last season but fell apart down the stretch, as injuries decimated an offense that lacked the balance to overcome the loss of star receiver Laquon Treadwell. He's fully recovered from a broken leg suffered in November, and he'll team with former Clemson quarterback Chad Kelly and tight end Evan Engram for a potentially explosive passing group.
The Rebels allowed the fewest points per game of any FBS team in 2014, and though they've lost several notable members of the "Landsharks," there are plenty left to carry the torch. That includes stud defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche up front and a bevy of ball hawks in the secondary.
Ole Miss hasn't had back-to-back seasons of nine or more wins since 2008-09.
15. Arizona State Sun Devils
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Average rating: 15.4
2014 record: 10-3, 6-3 Pac-12
2014 final ranking: 14th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas A&M (in Houston)
Arizona State has won 26 games in the past three years—the best run for the program since the glory days in the 1970s. Coach Todd Graham has gotten the Sun Devils to a level of consistency and success not seen in Tempe in 30-plus seasons, and the rise should continue in 2015 with a solid group set to take the field.
Despite losing multiyear starters at quarterback (Taylor Kelly) and receiver (Jaelen Strong), ASU's replacements are no slouches. Senior Mike Bercovici subbed for Kelly when he was hurt last year, throwing for more than 1,200 in those three starts, while senior D.J. Foster has been converted from a 1,000-yard rusher into a slot receiver to maximize his great pass-catching abilities.
Add in an aggressive defense and ASU has the potential for greatness. It also has a perfect game to build a championship run off, facing off with Texas A&M in Houston to start the season.
14. LSU Tigers
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Average rating: 15.0
2014 record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC
2014 final ranking: 27th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. McNeese State
LSU lost five games last season, mostly because of an offense that featured a star-in-the-making in true freshman running back Leonard Fournette but not much else. Quarterbacks Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris piloted the worst passing game in the SEC, leading to the Tigers' worst record since 2008.
Harris ended up winning this year's competition for the starting job, according to Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com, and he will be best served to feed Fournette the ball early and often. That will help give a good but not great defense time to rest and avoid wearing down late in games.
Les Miles never lacks for talent and creative schemes, but he's facing a crossroads of a season after losing 11 games in the past three years.
13. UCLA Bruins
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Average rating: 14.8
2014 record: 10-3, 6-3 Pac-12
2014 final ranking: 11th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Virginia
UCLA has had two major pieces of news come from its camp in the past few days—one very promising and one that's potentially disastrous to its Pac-12 title and playoff chances.
First, the good: Coach Jim Mora officially tabbed true freshman Josh Rosen as his quarterback, choosing him over junior Jerry Neuheisel as the successor to three-year starter Brett Hundley. Rosen, the top-rated passer in 247Sports' 2015 recruiting rankings, has been building to this gig for several years and will be given every opportunity to succeed.
"First-year freshman quarterbacks are typically destined for growing pains," Chris Foster of the Los Angeles Times wrote. "Rosen, UCLA hopes, will have fewer than most."
Then, on Monday, came the bad: Junior Ishmael Adams, a starting cornerback and the team's top return man, had been arrested on suspicion of robbery, according to the Los Angeles Times.
12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 13.2
2014 record: 8-5
2014 final ranking: 31st
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas
Notre Dame went into the offseason expecting to return more starters than nearly any other FBS program, but in the months since beating LSU in the Music City Bowl, there have been some notable losses to transfer and injury. Quarterback Everett Golson is now at Florida State, and center Matt Hegarty has moved on to Oregon, while in August defensive tackle Jarron Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Even with those departures, the Fighting Irish figure to have their best team since going unbeaten in the 2012 regular season and playing Alabama for the national title. It could be a better group, if sophomore Malik Zaire is able to handle the quarterback job and a veteran defense can hold it together against a strong schedule.
Independent Notre Dame plays nine power-conference opponents and nine teams that went to bowls in 2014. It's the kind of slate that will be tough to navigate, but if the Irish get through with no more than two losses, they will be in the hunt for another national title.
11. Clemson Tigers
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Average rating: 11.6
2014 record: 10-3, 6-2 ACC
2014 final ranking: 15th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Wofford
With 42 wins in the previous four seasons, few teams have been as consistently good during that time frame as Clemson. But 2011 was the last time the Tigers played for an ACC title, as they were stuck in Florida State's shadow in the Atlantic Division, and that's kept them from being able to reach elite status.
That could all change this year if Clemson can overtake a rebuilding FSU, and the man to lead that charge is electrifying but injury-prone sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Watson was unstoppable when he was able to play in 2014, but a broken hand sidelined him for several games and then a torn ACL put him on the shelf at the end of the year. He has a clean bill of health for 2015, and if he can avoid further injury, he's on tap to be the most exciting player in the country, according to Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer.
"There are two kinds of superstars in college football," Kramer wrote. "There are those who develop into stars, and there are those whose talent overwhelms development and thrusts them into the spotlight immediately. Watson has always been the second kind."
Clemson also boasts a crop of talented young skill players who will likely have to prop up a young defense that only returns a few starters from the unit that ranked No. 1 nationally in yards allowed last season.
10. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 10.0
2014 record: 13-1, 8-0 ACC
2014 final ranking: 7th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Texas State
Florida State won 28 consecutive games from December 2012 to December 2014, winning a national title along the way, but after getting run over by Oregon in last season's Rose Bowl semifinal game, the Seminoles saw a record 11 players get taken in the NFL draft. That included quarterback Jameis Winston, the 2013 Heisman winner and the program's lightning rod (both on and off the field).
With Winston and others having moved on, this year's FSU team will be the youngest that coach Jimbo Fisher has had in Tallahassee. Even with Notre Dame graduate transfer Everett Golson—who was named the starting quarterback on Monday—replacing Winston, overall this squad will be new and relatively inexperienced. It won't, however, be lacking in talent, as FSU routinely hauls in one of the top recruiting classes in the country.
The 'Noles got a huge boost on Aug. 24 when sophomore running back Dalvin Cook was acquitted of misdemeanor battery charges and reinstated to the team. He'll help provide some stability on offense, while FSU's defense will lean hard on veterans like junior Jalen Ramsey, who moves from safety to cornerback.
9. Georgia Bulldogs
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Average rating: 8.4
2014 record: 10-3, 6-2 SEC
2014 final ranking: 9th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Georgia coach Mark Richt ended an offseason-long search for a quarterback, tabbing Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert on Monday, according to Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner Herald. The uncertainty at that position was uncommon for the Bulldogs, who have usually had either an established starter or a veteran backup ready to go most years.
Lambert, who beat out sophomore Brice Ramsey, will likely spend a lot of time handing off to sophomore running back Nick Chubb while he gets comfortable. Considering Chubb ran for the fourth-most yards in school history (1,547) in 2014 despite only starting eight games, it would be silly not to hand him the rock as many times as necessary.
Chubb topped 100 yards in all eight of those starts, and barring injury he should put up huge numbers this season. The combination of him and a strong, veteran defense should help offset the quarterback uncertainty.
8. USC Trojans
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Average rating: 8.2
2014 record: 9-4, 6-3 Pac-12
2014 final ranking: 20th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Arkansas State
Picked to win the Pac-12 by conference media and tabbed by many on a national level to contend for its first overall championship since 2005, USC is making a push to get back into the spotlight for something other than off-the-field issues and uneven play. It's had plenty of both the past few years and enters this fall dealing with another potential distraction brought on by head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Sarkisian said he plans to seek treatment for his alcohol use after an incident at the school's "Salute to Troy" event last month in which he appeared intoxicated. He later revealed he'd mixed alcohol with medication.
The Trojans have a championship-caliber team in terms of talent, with fifth-year senior Cody Kessler in charge of an offense that has a strong offensive line and great skill weapons as well as a defense featuring playmakers like junior linebacker Su'a Cravens and multi-threat sophomore Adoree' Jackson. It's all a matter of putting it together and not stubbing their collective toe, like the Trojans did last year on several occasions.
7. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 7.4
2014 record: 11-2, 7-1 Big Ten
2014 final ranking: 5th
2015 opener: Sept. 4 at Western Michigan
One of the most senior-laden teams in the country is Michigan State, where numerous fifth-year players are again in key roles as the Spartans fight with Ohio State for Big Ten supremacy while also pushing for a playoff bid.
Quarterback Connor Cook, defensive end Shilique Calhoun and center Jack Allen all could have turned pro after last season and gone high in the NFL draft, but they all chose to come back to East Lansing and finish what they started. The previous two seasons they've contributed to 24 victories (including the only one in that span by a Big Ten team over Ohio State), a conference title and Rose and Cotton Bowl wins.
Those veterans will be relied on to balance a defense that will be less experienced than normal and also won't have coordinator Pat Narduzzi (now head coach at Pittsburgh) overseeing its development.
6. Auburn Tigers
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Average rating: 6.6
2014 record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC
2014 final ranking: 21st
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Louisville (in Atlanta)
More than a year removed from falling just short in the national title game, Auburn is again getting plenty of championship hype because of two significant changes to Gus Malzahn's third Tigers team. The first is a shift in the offense to more passing, due to junior Jeremy Johnson's strong arm and great accuracy after two years of the run-first Nick Marshall. The other is the hiring of former Florida coach Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator.
Both moves should reap big rewards. In limited action the past two seasons, Johnson has been stellar, completing nearly 71 percent of his passes for 858 yards and nine touchdowns.
And Muschamp, though he was forced out after four seasons with the Gators, wasn't sacked because of how his teams played defense. His addition is expected to drastically improve an Auburn defense that managed only 21 sacks and allowed more than 400 yards in seven of its last eight games.
5. Oregon Ducks
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Average rating: 6.2
2014 record: 13-2, 8-1 Pac-12
2014 final ranking: 2nd
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Eastern Washington
Oregon fell to Ohio State in January's national championship game—its second runner-up finish in five years. The quest to get back to that final will be guided by a new quarterback, as Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota is now in the NFL. In his spot is graduate transfer Vernon Adams.
Adams, who began his career at FCS school Eastern Washington, beat out 2014 backup Jeff Lockie despite only showing up at Oregon a little more than two weeks ago. The senior is a dangerous mobile threat who has accounted for 13 touchdowns in two games against FBS teams in his career, including seven TD passes in a loss at Washington in 2014.
"He's one of the smarter guys I've been around as far as picking things up on the fly," Oregon passing game coordinator Matt Lubick told ESPN.com's Chantel Jennings. "I've been very impressed with that."
The Ducks will want Adams at full speed by the second week of the season when they travel to Michigan State for a huge nonconference game.
4. Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 3.8
2014 record: 11-2, 8-1 Big 12
2014 final ranking: 6th
2015 opener: Sept. 4 at SMU
Baylor has won at least a share of the Big 12 title in back-to-back years, losing only one regular-season game in each season. But incredibly weak nonconference slates have prevented the Bears from getting considered for a shot at a national title, and then they've fallen in major bowl games (to UCF in the Fiesta, to Michigan State in the Cotton).
We're expecting much the same kind of Baylor team in 2015 in terms of regular-season performance, thanks to an explosive offense that can seemingly have anyone handle the quarterback position. This year it's junior Seth Russell, who is stepping in for the departed Bryce Petty, and he'll have an endless supply of skill players to work with.
In order for the Bears to get a shot at a championship, they'll likely need to win all of their games. None are particularly tough until the final month of the season, when they face five of the conference's other six bowl teams from a year ago over the last five weeks.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 3.0
2014 record: 12-2, 7-1 SEC
2014 final ranking: 4th
2015 opener: Sept. 5 vs. Wisconsin (in Arlington, Texas)
The Crimson Tide fell in last year's playoff semifinals, unable to slow down the Ohio State runaway train. Anything short of a national championship feels like a letdown for Alabama, and going two seasons in a row without it in the title game seems odd.
Expect another run from Nick Saban's talent-rich roster yet again this season, but much like in 2014 there are still some pressing questions. Alabama's depth chart released Monday had three quarterbacks—senior Jake Coker, junior Alec Morris and sophomore David Cornwell—listed on the first line, which leaves it wide open who will get the nod in the opener against Wisconsin.
There's far less certainty elsewhere, as Alabama has a monster of a running back in junior Derrick Henry, a veteran offensive line and arguably the best and deepest front seven in FBS. That defense will need to show much improvement from 2014, though; despite ranking 12th in yards allowed, the Tide struggled with uptempo teams and mobile quarterbacks.
2. TCU Horned Frogs
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Average rating: 2.2
2014 record: 12-1, 8-1 Big 12
2014 final ranking: 3rd
2015 opener: Sept. 3 at Minnesota
Was TCU deserving of a playoff spot last season? That debate can continue to rage on, or the Horned Frogs can focus on just getting into the semifinals in 2015, which looks to be a strong possibility with the power-packed team they have coming back.
Led by Heisman co-favorite Trevone Boykin, a dual-threat quarterback whose emergence last season spearheaded its leap into the national spotlight, TCU should again have one of the top offenses in FBS. A year ago it averaged 46.5 points and 533 yards per game, and most of those responsible for that production have returned.
Boykin was the biggest part, with more than 4,600 yards of total offense and 42 touchdowns, but so too is shifty running back Aaron Green and a strong receiving corps led by 1,000-yard producer Josh Doctson.
Unlike a year ago, when TCU had to rise from out of nowhere to try to contend, this time around it's firmly on the playoff radar.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Average rating: 2.0
2014 record: 14-1, 8-0 Big Ten
2014 final ranking: 1st
2015 opener: Sept. 7 at Virginia Tech
The defending national champions are plenty deserving of the top spot in our initial power rankings, and Ohio State will probably stay there as long as it continues to win. Unlike Florida State in 2014, which saw its reputation dip with each victory added to its win streak, the Buckeyes are almost universally praised. As a result, they're the overwhelming Vegas favorites to claim this year's title, per Odds Shark.
Even with Urban Meyer remaining mum on whether he'll start sophomore J.T. Barrett or junior Cardale Jones at quarterback, there's little of concern with OSU. That is, beyond the first game, which will see the Buckeyes without several starters because of either suspension—including junior defensive end Joey Bosa—or injury (receiver Noah Brown had leg surgery last week and is done for the season). There's great depth at nearly every position, which should make them heavy favorites in every game.
OSU comes into 2015 riding a 13-game win streak, but first up is the only team to beat it in 2014. The visit to Virginia Tech on Labor Day will wrap up an exciting opening week of the season, after which we'll have a new set of power rankings to debate and discuss.
All statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com. All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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