|
Rk
|
Team
|
Points
|
|
1
|
Alabama
|
54.3
|
The Tide are, naturally, #1. With the nation's best rushing defense last year (allowing a scant 76.4 yards a game), including rushing yards in the model improves Bama's standing even further. The scheduling gods have also graced Alabama with byes before their two toughest games (#3 Texas A&M and #10 LSU), games against Kentucky and Tennessee (the worst of the SEC East last year), and non-conference cupcakes like Colorado State, Chattanooga, and FBS-newcomer Georgia State. An 11-2 season would be a disappointment.
|
2
|
Oregon
|
53.6
|
With the loss of coach Chip Kelly to the NFL, how will the Ducks fare this year against the likes of Stanford, UCLA, and Oregon State?
Toughest opponents: #9 Stanford, #16 Oregon State, #29 UCLA
Weakest opponents: FCS Nicholls State, #120 Colorado, #107 Washington State
|
3
|
Texas
A&M
|
49.5
|
Controversy has surrounded Johnny Manziel in the off-season for allegedly taking cash for autographs. But with the return of last year's Heisman winner and by avoiding the strongest SEC East teams, the Aggies should have another fantastic season.
Toughest opponent: #1 Alabama, #10 LSU
Weakest opponent: FCS Sam Houston State, #101 UTEP
|
4
|
Kansas
State
|
46.5
|
The Wildcats no longer have QB Collin Klein, but they still have Coach Snyder. K-State will probably slide a bit from last year, but excluding them from the Top 25 seems unjustified.
Toughest opponents: #5 Oklahoma State, #14 Oklahoma, #15 Baylor, #21 TCU, #26 Texas
Weakest opponents: #125 Massachusetts, FCS North Dakota State
|
5
|
Oklahoma
State
|
46.4
|
The math was rather bullish on the 8-5 Cowboys last season, as they tended to win games big and lose games close. With any luck, OK State can translate their highly productive offense into wins this year in a tough conference.
Toughest opponents: #4 Kansas State, #14 Oklahoma, #15 Baylor, #21 TCU, #26 Texas
Weakest opponents: FCS Lamar, #94 UT-San Antonio
|
6
|
Florida
State
|
45.1
|
|
7
|
Notre
Dame
|
44.9
|
|
8
|
Florida
|
44.3
|
|
9
|
Stanford
|
43.5
|
|
10
|
LSU
|
42.6
|
|
11
|
Ohio
State
|
42.5
|
|
12
|
Georgia
|
42.3
|
|
13
|
Wisconsin
|
42.2
|
|
14
|
Oklahoma
|
41.5
|
|
15
|
Baylor
|
41.0
|
|
16
|
Oregon
State
|
41.0
|
|
17
|
Georgia
Tech
|
40.7
|
|
18
|
Nebraska
|
40.5
|
|
19
|
Michigan
|
40.3
|
|
20
|
South
Carolina
|
39.9
|
|
21
|
TCU
|
39.9
|
|
22
|
Arizona
State
|
39.4
|
|
23
|
Clemson
|
39.1
|
|
24
|
Northwestern
|
39.0
|
|
25
|
BYU
|
38.8
|
With the annual conference reshuffling and the formation of the American Athletic Conference out of the implosion of the Big East, Dynamite Rankings is here to tell you who the best conference is now:
|
Conference
|
Average
|
|
Big 12
|
38.76
|
|
SEC
|
38.23
|
|
Pac-12
|
35.23
|
|
Big Ten
|
34.08
|
|
ACC
|
31.05
|
|
American
|
28.60
|
|
Mountain West
|
28.15
|
|
Sun Belt
|
24.63
|
|
Conference USA
|
24.13
|
|
MAC
|
22.52
|
We also welcome Old Dominion to the FBS and wonder how Georgia State got in. (Seriously, they went 1-10 last year in the FCS, losing to football powerhouses like the Maine Black Bears.)
Games to Watch:
#12 Georgia at #23 Clemson (8:00 EST, ABC) The math is relatively down on these teams--both AP and the Coaches Poll put Georgia at #5 and Clemson at #8--but we all agree these are Top 25 caliber teams. This game rightly receives the primetime spot.
Line: Georgia by 2.5
#10 LSU vs. #21 TCU (9:00 EST, ESPN) This year's Cowboys Classic features two of the best teams from the two best conferences in the country. It should be closer than last year's Michigan-Alabama matchup too.
Line: LSU by 5.5
#33 Ole Miss at #34 Vanderbilt (Thursday 9:15 EST, ESPN) Conference play starts early in the SEC. Though this game probably won't have conference title implications with all the other teams ahead of them, the Rebels and Commodores are very evenly matched. Home field advantage wins this one for Vandy.
Line: Vandy by 3.5
