Our top 50 concluded yesterday, with Alabama sitting atop our preseason poll.
Now that we’ve completed all of the previews, it’s time to let each staff member chime in on which team(s) his colleagues may have ranked too high or too low.
In addition, we’ve put together a list of all the previews on a single page.
Q. Which team is ranked too high in the TSS Top 50? Which one is too low?
Terry Johnson
On Twitter @SectionTPJ
Let me qualify my remarks by saying that I strongly agree with the results of our poll. Although I have a few teams ranked higher and lower than what our composite poll showed, it’s pretty solid from top-to-bottom.
I’ll start things off with which team is the most overrated. Although we have it ranked lower than most other polls do, I don’t think LSU belongs in the top 10. Sure, the Tigers return 18 starters from last year’s squad, which makes it the most experienced team in the nation. Yet, I would rank them lower than most others because of their passing game. While LSU’s numbers weren’t necessarily bad last year, Bayou Bengal QB’s only completed 38.9% of their passes inside the opponents 40-yard line last year. Unless that percentage increases, defenses will simply load the box to stuff the run like Alabama and Arkansas did last season.
On the other hand, I think Arkansas State is the most underrated team in our poll. Many college experts think that the Red Wolves are going to take a step back this year because of the departure of record-setting quarterback Fredi Knighten. However, ASU has a wealth of talent at the skill positions – including TCU transfer Cameron Echols-Luper, whose speed brings a completely different dimension to the offense – as well All-Sun Belt performers Colton Jackson and Jemar Clark, who will anchor a veteran offensive line that has 114 career starts. Regardless of whether it’s Chad Voytik or Justice Hansen under center, the offense will have no trouble scoring points this year.
Even if – and it’s a big if – the Red Wolf offense should struggle, the defense is more than capable of carrying the load. Most of the secondary returns from last year’s stellar unit that led the nation in both interceptions (26) and pick sixes (6). The defensive line – which ranked second in the conference in sacks and tackles for a loss last year – will be the best in the league this year with the addition of Dee Liner.
With an explosive offense and a defense that produces negative plays and turnovers, it’s safe to say that Red Wolves deserve a better ranking than No. 47. I’d put them in the top 25.
Bart Doan
On Twitter @TheCoachBart
With all due respect to my awesome writing colleagues, I think they dislike potatoes too much. Boise State at 26? Eh.
Then again, maybe they just like potatoes as much as most people. The Broncos have sprinkled about several rankings in various publications, and were high on the “also receiving votes” list in the Coaches Poll. Sports Illustrated also had them on the back end at 25. So opinion is reasonably mixed, while I like their offense to be plenty explosive and the team loses 2 games at most. That’s good enough for a top 15 ranking, I’d think.
As for too high, take your pick of Georgia or Louisville (15th, and 14th respectively). Not to run down either team, but Louisville, in a top-heavy but strong ACC still has questions at the most important position on the field, quarterback, let alone in that offense. There’s a lot of hype surrounding that group. Let’s see it, first.
Then you’ve got Georgia (sorry, Kevin) integrating a new coaching staff (with a head coach that’s never held that position) with no sure thing at quarterback either … in the SEC. So that’s reasonable enough logic to doubt that UGA will just hit the ground running to a top 15 level. Tennessee and Florida should be better in the East, and don’t get me started on the West. It’s still there, is all you need to know.
So there you have it, but let’s be honest … this was the best top 50 you read all year. Whether you like potatoes or not.
Kevin Causey
On Twitter @CFBZ
I think Notre Dame at #7 is too high but I can see them ending up there because I don’t think they have a very tough schedule.
Instead of Notre Dame, I’m going to go with Washington. I love Chris Petersen, I just don’t see how Washington is going to go from 7-6 to a double-digit win team. I think they will be a Top 20 or Top 25 team but I just can’t see them breaking into the Top 10 this season. We had them at #9 and to me that’s the one team in the Top 10 that hasn’t earned their spot…..yet.
Two teams I believe we have too low are Oregon and TCU. We have TCU ranked 29th in our poll. I think they will be the second or third best team in the Big 12 which should be good enough for a Top 15 or at worst Top 20 finish. Oregon had a bit of a down year last year for Oregon and they do have a new QB but…..they are still Oregon. Just like TCU, I see them as a Top 15 or at worst a Top 20 team. We have them 23rd. Those two teams are predicted down but I like their chances this year to have a very good season.
