BYB Top 25 Countdown - #1 Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon

It’s impossible to take a look at Alabama’s roster and not see the talented that makes it a consensus choice for the preseason top spot. A.J. McCarron returns at quarterback and is as poised and as good a game manager as any quarterback in college football.

T.J. Yeldon may be the most talented back Alabama has had in the Nick Saban and will definitely be a first round NFL draft pick next spring. Amari Cooper is as dangerous a threat at receiver as Alabama has had since Julio Jones and is the face of a deep and talented wide receiver corps.

The offensive line, while only returning two starters, is nasty in the trenches. Cyrus Kouandijio will be the next in the rotation line of NFL caliber Tide offensive linemen.

Looking at the Crimson Tide’s defensive rankings from a season ago you see a lot of 1’s, as in the best nationally in rush defense, total defense and scoring defense, allowing only 10.9 points per game. Bama wasn’t too shabby against the pass either, finishing seventh nationally.

The defense will have some new faces this season but at the peak point of its dynasty Alabama is simply plugging in a different hungry five star recruit to begin his assault against SEC offenses.

Stinson returns at defensive end and had 8.5 tackles for a loss in 2012. Bama brings back all four of its starting linebackers in its 3-4 alignment, including All-SEC favorite C.J. Mosley.

In the secondary Alabama brings back one of the best safeties and the best name in the SEC in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The Tide should be laughing at opposing offenses all season. I have Alabama at 11-0-1.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #2 Oregon Ducks

Oregon QB Marcus Mariota

While much has been made about the loss of Chip Kelly to the NFL not near enough has been said about what still remains at Oregon. While Kelly was responsible for taking former coach Mike Bellotti’s blueprint for a house and building a mansion in its place, his best contractor Mark Helfrich is fully capable of continuing to build the Oregon program.

Helfrich, the offensive coordinator in 2012, assumes control of machine powered by Nike money that continues to churn out talented quarterbacks, standout running backs and NFL caliber defenders. New offensive coordinator Scott Frost inherits an offensive unit led by returning starter Marcus Mariota, who in one season at the helm, eclipsed what many of his predecessors had accomplished in a single season, passing for 2,677 yards and 32 TDs and rushing for 752 yards and five TDs.

Mariota is joined by all-purpose nightmare De’Anthony Thomas, who had 1,757 total yards and 18 TDs in 2012, making an impact at running back, receiver and in the return game. Byron Marshall will accept some of the rushing chores left from Kenjon Barner’s move to the NFL.

Aside from Thomas, Mariota will also have three returning starters at receiver, Josh Huff, Keanon Lowe and Daryle Hawkins and a returning tight end Colt Lyerla as targets. The line returns line starters from 2012 and the two new faces on the starting line are seniors.

The Ducks return seven starters on a balanced defense that finished in the middle of the pack against the run and pass but were 25th nationally in scoring defense, giving up 21.6 points per game.

Oregon should improve a passing defense that finished 56th nationally with the return of all four defensive backs from last season. The team also has depth and experience along the defensive line which should be able to produce the departed Dion Jordan’s productivity.

Before breaking down the schedule fully I thought Stanford was the better choice for Pac 12 North champ but Oregon’s schedule breaks down nicely.

The matchup in Palo Alto Nov. 7 should be for the division and although a road game at Washington presents a hostile environment I can’t see the Ducks losing to any team other than Stanford. I have Oregon at 11-0-1.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #3 Ohio State Buckeyes

OSU QB Braxton Miller

Urban Meyer may be under fire for giving players second chances (and third and fourth chances) but no one is questioning his ability to get the best out of the behaviorally challenged gang he puts on the field.

Before Meyer got to Columbus the Buckeyes were the subject of an NCAA investigation that resulted in Jim Tressel’s firing and a one year bowl ban, and had just suffered through a 6-7 season under overmatched interim coach Luke Fickell. A year later Ohio State is coming off a 12-0 season and returns 15 starters, including one of the best quarterbacks in college football in Braxton Miller.

Miller will be the focal point for an offense that also showcases two potential All-Conference performers at wideout with Corey Brown and Devin Smith and a talented stable of backs.

Running back Carlos Hyde will miss the first three games of the season after an offseason allegation of abuse against a female club patron gained national attention at the same time Meyer was being publicly tongue lashed about recruiting and enabling troublemakers, including alleged murderer Aaron Hernandez. In his stead Miller can hand off to speedster senior Jordan Hall who will run behind a line that returns four players who started every game in 2012.

The defense came together well by the end of last season, due partially to familiarity with its coordinator, Fickell, who moved to DC from interim head coach after being retained by Meyer. While the Buckeyes were good against the run last season and efficient in the red zone the unit will need to improve against the pass, finishing 76th nationally in pass defense in 2012.

Defensive ends Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington will be relied on to create more sacks and push opposing passers to throw more errant balls where an experienced defensive back corps that includes All-American candidate Bradley Roby.

Linebacker Ryan Shazier, an All-Big Ten selection in 2012 and the second leading tackler in the conference will be the leader of the defensive unit.

Ohio State’s schedule shakes out nicely for a run to the Big Ten Championship Game and possibly the BCS national Championship finale. There are no definite losses on the slate and there are 10 easily winnable games, with close contests looming at Northwestern and at Michigan. I have the Buckeyes at 10-0-2.

BYB Top 25 Countdown = #4 Stanford Cardinal

Stanford QB Kevin Hogan

David Shaw has filled in nicely for Jim Harbaugh, taking his alma mater to consecutive BCS Bowls, including last season’s Rose Bowl win against Wisconsin. The Carindal’s pro-style offensive attack and power football style remains in stark contrast to the Pac 12’s spread focus and that difference in style has seemed to assist Stanford in consistent, focused play.

Kevin Hogan returns as starting quarterback after taking over when Josh Nunes was injured against Colorado. Hogan was thrown into the fire as the Cardinal’s last three games were against ranked teams in Oregon State, Oregon and UCLA.

The then freshman weathered the storm with a 3-0 record and added wins in the Pac 12 Championship rematch with UCLA and in the Rose Bowl. He finished the season with 1,096 yards and nine TDs and completed 71 percent of his passes.

Hogan will be breaking in new starters at running back and receiver but Tyler Gaffney has significant experience in the backfield and Ty Montgomery is primed for a breakout season at receiver after being slowed by injuries in his career.

The offensive line is deep, experienced and one of the best in the country. David Yankey should be another All-American at guard for the Cardinal and three other returning senior starters will likely have a chance to play pro as well.

The defense returns eight starters from a group that was dynamic defending the run in 2012, finishing fifth nationally in rush defense and 11th nationally in scoring defense. Defensive ends Ben Gardner and Henry Anderson are the best pair of ends in the conference and team leader Shayne Skov and dynamic A.J. Tarpley should be the soul of the talented defense. The defensive back corps returns starters in cornerback Alex Carter and safeties Jordan Richards and Ed Reynolds.

Stanford lost two games by a total of 10 points last season and has a more forgiving schedule this season. Road games at Oregon State and USC will be challenging, as will home bouts with UCLA and Oregon but the defense will be stellar. If the skill position players produce then Stanford could be playing in the BCS Championship Game finale. I have Stanford at 9-0-3.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #5 South Carolina Gamecocks

No other player than Johnny Football is as big a star as Jadeveon Clowney. For the time being though, all of the hype around Clowney comes from his play on the field. Sure, there was intriguing talk about a meeting with Jay Z but the meet did not violate NCAA rules and meeting a rap legend is an opportunity most would not pass up, despite what it means for his future representation.



The hit Clowney had in the Outback Bowl against Michigan was ESPN’s top play for months and was only ushered out of its place by a touchdown run by a child with cancer in Nebraska’s spring game. No in game play in any sport in recent memory captured our attention like Clowney’s hit.

The junior defensive end spearheads a talented defense that returns four other starters, including overshadowed defensive line mate Kelcy Quarles who could very well join Clowney on the All-SEC first team defensive line. The Gamecocks also return three starting defensive backs who should benefit from Clowney instilling fear in at least three opposing quarterbacks by his count. That number will grow this season.

It’s not like Steve Spurrier to be overshadowed but that what has Clowney has done to his sneaky good offense. Sure, the Gamecocks aren’t going to be confused for Oregon anytime soon but Connor Shaw is effective running the zone read and has the ability to hit open passers.

No shoes? No shirt? No Spurrier

Dylan Thompson will pitch in quarterback in more traditional passing situations and both QBs have a good group of undersized targets in returning starter Bruce Ellington and juniors Damiere Byrd and Nick Jones.

The offensive line returns four starters who will be counted on to open holes for running backs Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds who will be replacing Marcus Lattimore.

The trip to Georgia Sept. 7 will be an early barometer for this Gamecock squad but they will be fortunate as the Bulldogs travel to play Clemson the week before and could be worn out. The middle of the year is filled with easily winnable games so any loss before the Nov. 16 date with Florida in Columbia would be a true slip up.

The season finale rivalry game with Clemson will be testy given Clowney’s assertion that Tiger QB Tajh Boyd is afraid of him but the Gamecocks have won the last four against Clemson. I have South Carolina at 9-0-3.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #6 Clemson Tigers

One of the most repeated memes (I didn’t know what a meme was until a few weeks ago) is pulling a Clemson. Think of it like getting Munsoned from Kingpin. Clemson seems to have the cat by the tail (pardon one of the worst puns ever) and falls flat when we all think its going to be their year.



In 2012 Clemson lost early to Florida State but crawled back into the national conversation only to lose once again to intrastate rival South Carolina.  The wound of the fourth consecutive loss to the Gamecocks likely got infected during SEC Media Days when Jadeveon Clowney said that Clemson QB Tajh Boyd is afraid of him. We’ll have to see if Boyd cowers when he sees Clowney Nov. 30 in Columbia.

Until then Tiger fans hope Boyd sees Sammy Watkins clearly. The speedy junior wideout returns after missing time from a drug suspension and injury last season. Watkins set the Clemson single season receiving record in 2011, only to see the record beat by former Cock DeAndre Hopkins.

Clemson WR Sammy Watkins

Boyd will have an more unfamiliar face lining up behind him as RB Andre Ellington is gone to the NFL and Rod McDowell replaces him. McDowell will have the good fortune to run behind a line returning four starters.

Defensive coordinator Brett Venables improved the Clemson in 2012 and brings back five from last season’s squad, including three of four defensive linemen. Vic Beasley, the only new starter on the line had 8.5 sacks in spot duty last season.

Linebackers Spencer Shuey and Quandon Christian return at outside backer positions and Stephone Anthony has logged a lot of time in the middle. The secondary is young but talented.

The two teams that beat Clemson in 2012 remain obstacles this season but Florida State returns only 11 starters and must travel to Clemson. The Tigers have the talent to beat South Carolina but the recent trend of losses and road environment give me reason to predict a loss. The mood for the season will be set in the season opener against Georgia in Clemson, which I have as a push game, putting Clemson at 9-1-2.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #7 Louisville Cardinals

Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater

The hype associated with Louisville going into the 2013 season centers entirely around quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who has been ceded the preseason title of best available quarterback in the next NFL Draft.

As Geno Smith, Matt Barkley and Brady Quinn can attest, the title is fleeting. Bridgewater appears to be a talented prospect with 3,178 yards/27 TDs/8 INTs in 2012 but the junior passer need only be a babysitter in 2013 to lead Louisville to what could easily be an undefeated season.

Gone from the Cardinals’ schedule are Syracuse and UCONN, not the most imposing of opponents, but the only two to best the Cards last season.

Offensively, Bridgewater will have familiar targets to throw to the teams top three receivers from 2012 and add talented transfer from Florida, Robert Clark. The running back position has been by committee at Louisville as the Cards have been besieged by injury in the last two seasons. Dominique Brown and Senorise Perry return after both missed time last season with knee injuries.

Louisville returns eight starters on defense, including experienced safeties Hakeem Smith and Calvin Pryor and cornerback Terell Floyd. Linebacker Preston Brown will be entrusted to quarterback the defense from the middle linebacker spot after moving over from the outside in 2012.

The Cardinals play one of the softer schedules in college football. There are no definite losses on their schedule but road games at Kentucky and Cincinnati in the season finale look like push games and the game against Rutgers Oct. 10 in Louisville could decide the American Athletic Conference champion. I have Louisville at 10-0-2.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #8 Texas A&M Aggies



Aggie tackle Jake Matthews


Look, I could use this preview as another opportunity to blast college football’s favorite celebrity clown as I love to do but that isn’t fair. It’s too easy. So here’s a Manziel free preview.

A&M did what everyone outside of Bryan/College Station thought was impossible going into the 2012 season – the Aggies competed for the SEC West Division title. The Ags beat college football’s best in Tuscaloosa. Years down the road when we look back and assess Alabama’s dynasty Texas A&M will be discussed just as Texas is whenever USC’s Pete Carroll era dynasty is brought up.

That said, the season wasn’t perfect as A&M was beat twice at home, by Florida and LSU. While Florida is gone from the 2013 schedule, LSU remains and this year the game is in Death Valley. That trip will likely be just as daunting as hosting the revenge showdown with Alabama.

Offensively the Aggies bring back the team’s top two backs, Ben Malena and Trey Williams, who should help lead a rushing attack that finished 11th in the country in 2012. Mike Evans is back at receiver and his tall frame ensures that no ball is out of reach.

The line is without Luke Joeckel, the #2 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, but Jake Matthews will shift over to the left side to guard the blind side and two other starters return from last year’s great line.

The Aggies will have to rebound on defense as the team returns only four starters from a year ago. The team will be relying on players like Kirby Ennis and Steven Jenkins to have strong returns from injury and for instant contributions from new additions like JUCO linebacker Tommy Sanders.

A&M was torched in pass defense last year and corners Deshazor Everett and De’Vante Harris will be needed to pull together an experienced group that will have to be the strength of the defense.

Assuming the QB Who Shall Not Be Named rises from the ashes of his Summer of Goon and is available to lead the team, I see the Aggies with no definite losses but with torturous push games against LSU and Alabama and the potential for failure in a trap game at Ole Miss.

If he isn’t around all bets are off as Arkansas, Auburn, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State immediately get upgraded to push games and LSU and Alabama become definite losses. With Manziel I have the Ags 9-1-2, without him it’s more like 5-2-5.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #9 Georgia Bulldogs

In the words of a great homeless man - "When you best the Georgia Bulldogs you gonna feel a bulldog bite!"



This seems to be the year Bulldog enthusiasts are pointing to as UGA’s year to shine and looking at the Dawgs’ talent; it’s easy to see why. Georgia returns 10 players from an offensive unit that scored 38 points per game in 2012.

Aaron Murray returns for what seems like his sixth season and he has the best backfield tandem in the country in Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. Gurley, who was one of my fantasy backs last year, earned first team All-SEC honors after rushing for 1,385 yards and 17 TDs.

Despite the dynamic play of Gurley and Marshall, Georgia actually generated more offense through the air last season and Murray will have big play receiver Malcolm Mitchell back to stretch the field and Artie Lynch at tight end. Georgia did a poor job of protecting Murray but four starters come back on the line and should do a better job this season.

The Bulldog defense will be short on experience this season as the team returns only three starters on that side of the ball. The two deep is still tenuous and UGA will be counting on underclassmen to get settled into position quickly in fall practice. Two of the three returning starters, linebacker Amarlo Herrera and Damian Swann, figure to compete for All-Conference.

The young defense will be tested early and often as Georgia starts the season with Palmetto state showdowns, traveling to Clemson in the season opener and hosting South Carolina in its second game.

After a tune up against North Texas the Dawgs hosts LSU. If Georgia is 4-0 at the end of that slate then it has to be the #1 team in the country but it could just as easily be 1-3. Those three games and the Cocktail party showdown in Jacksonville against Florida are push games. I have Georgia at 8-0-4.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #10 Florida Gators

Florida QB Jeff Driskel

Will Muschamp and the Gators turned the corner in 2012, going 11-1 in the regular season before a disappointing loss to Louisville in the Sugar Bowl. The main talking point for Florida going into this season is the expected improvement Jeff Driskel will have this season.

Driskel averaged only 137 yards passing per game in 2012 but was efficient, throwing only five picks. He will be expected to open up the Florida offense that was largely dependent on the running of the now departed Mike Gillislee. Matt Jones replaces Gillislee at running back and senior all-purpose player Trey Burton will also see action out of the backfield.

At receiver the Gators are young and thin so contributors will have to develop as the season goes on to complement the returning Quinton Dunbar.

The Gators return only four players on defense but there is a great pool of talent. Dominique Easley who was a beast at end for the Gators in 2012 moves inside to tackle and will be an All-American candidate. He will be replaced at end by talented newcomers Johnathan Bullard, Dante Fowler and junior Ronald Powell, who is back after an ACL injury.

The Gators are young at linebacker but Antonio Morrison had a great season as a contributor and should lead a good group. Florida’s defensive strength may be at defensive back where the team returns starters in Marcus Roberson, Louchelz Purifoy and Jaylen Watkins.

Florida’s non-conference schedule features scrimmages with Toledo and Georgia Southern but also tough push games with intrastate, non-conference rivals Miami and Florida State. The Gators will also be tested in its annual Cocktail Party game against Georgia and in trips to Death Valley to play LSU and to Columbia to play South Carolina. I have Florida at 8-1-3

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #11 Florida State Seminoles

FSU CB Nick Waisome

Reloading is the mantra for the Florida State in 2013. After rebounding with a 12-2 record last year, including wins in the ACC Championship Game and Orange Bowl, the Seminoles have lost half the starters from the team. Florida State outpaced the SEC with the most players drafted to the NFL and the incoming group will have to gain familiarity quickly to match last season’s success.

Gone to the Buffalo Bills is quarterback and team leader E.J. Manuel and gone to West Virginia is top backup Clint Trickett, who left the team only four days after the Seminoles’ spring game. Redshirt freshman Jameis Winston is the odds on favorite to take over the position, though coach Jimbo Fisher continually reiterated during ESPN interviews in late July that sophomore Jacob Coker remains in the mix.

Whoever wins the QB battle will have a new running back to hand off to as Devonta Freeman takes over the starting job, with James Wilder providing short yardage running. Rashad Greene, who has 1,337 yards receiving in two seasons, is back at receiver and leads a deep group. The one area the Seminoles are not fighting inexperience is on the offensive line where the team returns four starters.

Secondary will be the strength for the Seminole defense as three starters return from the best pass defensive in the country in 2012. Florida State only surrendered 161.9 yards a game through the air a year ago and cornerbacks Nick Waisome and Lamarcus Joyner and safety Terrence Brooks will be counted on the continue the good play.

Only Christian Jones returns in the front seven but Mario Edwards Jr., who played in 11 games last season and was the top recruit in the country in 2012, should lead up a line deep on talent.

Florida State lost to intrastate rival Florida last season after breaking the Gators’ six year win streak with a 31-7 win in 2010 and a second straight win in 2011. There’s been many repeat winners in the recent history of the rivalry and I don’t see that changing in 2013 as I have Florida as the Seminoles’ only definite loss of the season. A road game in Death Valley (Clemson) looks like a loss and the annual showdown with Miami should be another close contest as well. I have Florida State at 9-2-1.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #12 Oklahoma State Cowboys

OSU LB Shaun Lewis

Coming into this season the biggest question is which of the Cowboys’ impressive quarterbacks will be the opening game starter? That decision got easier to make when Wes Lunt opted to transfer to Illinois.

The battle now is between Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh, with Chelf, who started the Cowboys’ last five games and threw for 1,500+ yards and 15 TDs, looking to be the favorite heading into fall practice.

Should Chelf go down Walsh is an apt replacement as the sophomore also threw for just over 1,500 yards and 15 TDs in 2012. Both quarterbacks will have the good fortune to pass to some of the Big 12’s best receivers in Josh Stewart, Tracy Moore and Charlie Moore.

The offensive line returns three starters that helped OSU be the fourth best total offense and third best scoring offense in the NCAA.

On defense the Cowboys return seven starters led by All-Big 12 caliber defensive tackle Calvin Barnett and linebacker Shaun Lewis. Both will be expected to help develop young, promising players like defensive Tyler Johnson in order to improve the team’s turnover rate that was the best in the nation in 2011 but slumped last season. Senior Daytawion Lowe leads an experienced defensive back group.

The Cowboys were picked ahead of rejuvenated Texas and conference stalwart and intrastate rival Oklahoma by the media during Big 12 Media Days. Okie State will have to play ride out a season with a bull’s-eye on its back while developing a struggling defense.

That will be too much to ask for an entire season and I don’t see the Cowboys escaping Austin with a win Nov. 16. They’ll also be pushed in home games against TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma but the confines of Boone Pickens Stadium could give them the edge. I have Oklahoma State at 8-1-3.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #13 Boise State Broncos

Boise State DE Demarcus Lawrence

While conference realignment and the death of the Big East left Boise State still on the outside looking in to the power structure in college football, the Broncos’ consistency in the Chris Petersen era is the envy of many of the big five conferences’ schools.

Boise State has been to a bowl game every year since 2001 and had another impressive season in 2012 (11-2, Las Vegas Bowl win), which at this point, probably feels like a letdown to the Broncos.

Joe Southwick is another in the line of highly productive passers for Boise that includes Kellen Moore and Jared Zebransky. The senior threw for 2,730 yards and 19 TDs after taking over for Moore and got better as the season went along. Southwick will rely on a veteran line that features three seniors. Junior receiver Matt Miller is one of the better possession receivers in the country.

Defensively, the Broncos returns four starters on a unit that was once again one of the best in the country, ranking fifth in pass defense, eight in scoring defense and 12th in total defense, nationally. The strength of this year’s Bronco defense will be along the defensive line where Boise returns three starters from a unit that led the Mountain West in sacks in 2012.

Ends Demarcus Lawrence and Sam Ukwuachu and tackle Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe will pace the Broncos and look to create turnovers. The linebackers are entirely new for Boise State as are the cornerbacks but the safeties are experienced, including Jeremy Ioane, who should compete for All-MWC honors.

In an ever changing Mountain West that doesn’t resemble the one just a few years ago there are still a lot of easy wins for Boise State. Expect the Broncos to be pushed in trips to Washington, Fresno State, Utah State and San Diego State but this season has the potential for an undefeated record. I have Boise State at 8-0-4.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #14 LSU Tigers

LSU QB Zach Mettenberger

The team generating the least amount of buzz in the SEC heading into the season is also the program that’s been the most consistently competitive and successful in the last decade – LSU.

Les Miles’ squad is sporting a lot of new faces this season as the team returns only nine starters, six on offense and three on defense. Among the news faces is offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, whose sacrificial lamb style midseason firing from the Baltimore Ravens sparked the team’s run to the Super Bowl.

Cameron’s top objective will be polishing quarterback Zach Mettenberg who had a decent season in his first full year as a starter in 2012, passing for 2,069 yards and 12 TDs in a game manager type role.

Mettenberger will have two of his top targets from last season, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, at his disposal so the pass could figure more prominently in the Tigers’ offensive gameplan but running the ball will continue to be LSU’s prime focus. The Tigers welcomed Jeremy Hill back to the team after suspending him for a sucker punch that a judge later ruled did not violate his probation. Hill and top reserves Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard form a great tandem and will run behind a line that returns three starters.

Miles and defensive coordinator have the tough task of restocking a defense hit hard by the loss of upperclassmen. Linebacker Lamin Barrow returns to lead the team from the middle linebacker spot. He tallied 104 tackles and 7.5 tackles as a junior. The secondary will be the strength of the defense as Jalen Mills returns at corner and Craig Loston returns at safety. Despite being a first year starter, expect Anthony Johnston to be an All-SEC contender and another in the line of great LSU defensive tackles.

While the Tigers suffered key losses all over the field the schedule is winnable. LSU starts with a tough game in Arlington against LSU but should have enough to beat a Horned Frog that wasn’t that great a year ago.

LSU will be a heavy underdog against Alabama for the first time in Les Miles’ career and it looks like a loss with all that Alabama brings back. The Tigers will also be tested at Georgia and in home games against Florida and Texas A&M. I have LSU at 8-2-2.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - # 15 Miami Hurricanes

Miami running back Duke Johnson

Going into last season it looked like Al Golden had every reason to bail. The Hurricanes were 6-6 in 2011 with five losses in ACC play and a NCAA scandal that would make Pete Carroll and Jim Tressell blush had just been reported. The sanctions facing Miami would surely be harsh and long.

A year later the Hurricanes are coming off a 7-5 season, with five conference wins, and enter the season with a experienced, confident quarterback and a potential All-American at running back. Oh, not to mention, the NCAA made a debacle of the investigation into Miami’s violations and the Hurricanes could very likely escape this situation with only its own, self induced restrictions.

The Hurricanes are the sure favorite to win the Coastal Division and play either Florida State or Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. Stephen Morris returns at quarterback after throwing for 3,345 yards and 21 TDs last season, and Miami has a true game breaker lining up behind him in running back Duke Johnson, who was a Freshman All-American in 2012 with 2,000 + all-purpose yards.  The Canes also return six of its top receivers from a year ago, including wideout Phillip Dorsett, who had 842 yards receiving.

While much optimism exists regarding the Canes entering the season, the defense remains a point of concern. Miami was 82nd nationally in scoring defense in 2012, giving up 31.4 points per game, which is actually not as bad as it could have been, as Miami was 116th nationally in total defense. Surrendering almost 32 points a game was a sign of bending but not breaking.

Defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio, who followed Golden to Miami from Temple, will have to improve the defense, beginning with the pass rush. Miami had only 13 sacks in 2012 and will need a group of returning players, including ends Anthony Chickillo and Shayon Green, to join incoming players like Devante Bond, Ufomba Kamula and Al Quadin Muhammad and better get after opposing passers, A better pass rush should help a Cane secondary that snagged only five passes last season but expect to see many new faces in the secondary as well.

Miami has the talent to compete with every team on their schedule and no definite losses exist for the team, despite the fact that it may have to play in a lot of shootouts. With Morris, Johnson and a bevy of talented receivers to rely on the Canes can stay in any game but they will play a lot of close ones. I have the Canes at 8-0-4 with push games against Florida and Virginia at home and on the road at North Carolina and Florida State.

BYB Top 25 Countdown - #16 Nebraska Cornhuskers

The following post is part of the BYB 2013 Preseason Top 25 Countdown. Continue to check in Monday-Friday each week as I count down the Top 25 teams in college football. I swear, even if I flake out and don’t do any other posts, I will continue the countdown.

These picks are a reflection of how I predict the college football season will shake out. I performed a complex formula and broke down each team’s schedule, predicting wins, losses and push games, you know, games that I’m to chicken shit to actually pick a winner. I then ranked the teams with the most predicted wins highest and the teams with the least predicted wins lowest.

This isn’t precise. For example, I have Texas at #23 with six wins, zero losses and six pushes. This means UT could finish 12-0, 6-6 or anything in between. While Texas is ranked low I think the Horns have a great chance at finishing the season ranked high.

The Top 25 is also influenced by other factors like strength of schedule and conference affiliation.  

Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez

Taylor Martinez’ career has been anything but magical. From a meteoric rise to a calamitous injury and decline and now to a painstaking day by day improvement, Martinez has worked to become a quarterback not only known for jaw dropping runs like the one below from the Big Ten Championship, but also for efficient passing and improved footwork and decision making.

As rocky a relationship as Martinez seemed to have with head coach Bo Pelini on the field in College Station in 2010 the fifth year quarterback and the sixth year head coach are tied to each other more so than any other coach and signal caller in the country.

Martinez leads an offense that will be counted on to carry the Huskers while Pelini’s defense continues to struggle and adjust to changing strengths and weaknesses of not only Nebraska’s opponents but to the Huskers’ own revolving door of defensive personnel.



The Huskers were strong running the football again in 2012 as Martinez and running back Ameer Abdullah both tallied 1,000 yards+ on the ground when both had to pick up slack after an injury to Rex Burkhead. With Burkhead gone, Imani Cross will be expected to pick up the remaining carries in the backfield.

The strong running game will allow Martinez good looks in the passing game and improve on a 62% completion percentage that the senior has stated he would like to see get to 70%. Nebraska returns Quincy Enuwa, Kenny Bell and Jamal Turner at receiver. The three players should be able to stretch the field and make defenses pay for loading up the box.

On the other side of the ball, the Blackshirts aren’t the Blackshirts anymore. Since Ndamukong Suh left Nebraska after the 2010 season Nebraska’s defense has continued to plummet and last seasons’ showings against UCLA (653 total yards surrendered) and Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship (70 points, 539 rushing yards given up) were ready examples of how far Nebraska has fallen defensively.

Nebraska returns only three starters on defense but that could present a rare case of addition by subtraction as the younger players may be better suited to Pelini’s objectives. Jason Ankrah has been a consistent pass rusher for the Huskers and played a vital role in helping Nebraska to be, surprisingly, the fourth best pass defense in the nation in 2012.

The rest of Nebraska’s front seven is new but many have logged playing time in 2011/2012. Safety Ciante Evans will be counted on to develop an also young secondary.

Nebraska’s great running and attack and deep play threats should keep them in all their games which gives them no definite losses but a leaky defense will be a liability in all five of the Huskers’ push games, at home against UCLA, Northwestern and Michigan State and road trips to Michigan and Penn State. If the defense lapses significantly all those games can easily get out of hand. I’ve got Nebraska at 7-0-5.