Sporting News has put out their way-too-early college football top 25 for next season.
Not surprisingly, the top 5 consists of Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama, LSU and Georgia.
Kentucky fans might be surprised to see that the Wildcats are not in the top 25. Some teams that do appear in the rankings are Louisville, Boise State, UCF, Cincinnati and Arizona State.
Here’s an excerpt:
25. Boise State
The Broncos are still the class of the Mountain West, and despite a humbling loss to Washington in their bowl game, there’s enough back for coach Bryan Harsin to make another run at a possible New Year’s Day 6 bowl. Hank Bachmeier needs to take control of the starting quarterback job after an uneven freshman year. George Holani and Robert Mahone will run behind an offensive line that must replace three starters on the interior. The defense must find a replacement for edge rusher Curtis Weaver. Florida State comes to Albertsons Stadium on Sept. 19.
24. UCF
UCF had a few hiccups in 2019, but the Knights return a talented quarterback room with Dillon Gabriel, Darriel Mack Jr. and perhaps McKenzie Milton, who did not play a down in 2019 after suffering a gruesome leg injury. The Knights will be right back in the mix the American Athletic Conference, and third-year coach Josh Heupel has maintained the program’s high standards. They will have chances to prove it against up-and-coming ACC contenders in North Carolina and Georgia Tech.
23. Virginia
The Cavaliers are one of four ranked ACC teams on our rankings. Bronco Mendenhall led a veteran team to the ACC Coastal Division championship, and Virginia showed in the Orange Bowl loss to Florida that it isn’t that far off from something more. Replacing dynamic quarterback Bryce Perkins and receivers Hasise Dubois and Joe Reed won’t be easy, but the strength of this team will come from a defense that could return Zane Zandier, Noah Taylor and Charles Snowden. All three had more than 10 tackles for loss in 2019. Virginia will compete for another division title.
MORE: NFL early draft declaration tracker
22. Arizona State
Herm Edwards has the Sun Devils in position to make a run at the Pac-12 South championship. Quarterback Jayden Daniels should make the jump as a sophomore after finishing with 17 touchdowns and two interceptions, but they will need to find a replacement for Eno Benjamin at running back. Jermayne Lole has breakout potential at linebacker. Four of Arizona State’s five losses came by 10 points or fewer in 2019, and they get Utah at home next season. Road trips to Oregon and USC are the most difficult part of the schedule.
21. North Carolina
The momentum under Mack Brown is real. The Tar Heels enjoyed a winning season in his first year, and recruiting is ticking in the right direction again. Sam Howell set the FBS record for touchdown passes by a true freshman, and he should continue to evolve as a sophomore. The Tar Heels were the only team that challenged Clemson in the ACC in 2019, and that trend could continue in 2020. We’ll see if the Tar Heels are ready for something more in the first two weeks against UCF and Auburn, but regardless this team likely will be the chic pick win the ACC Coastal. We’re on board with that.
20. Cincinnati
Luke Fickell is right at home with the Bearcats, a program that has won 11 games each of the last two seasons. Quarterback Desmond Ridder and running back Michael Warren have NFL Draft decisions to make, but even a split would be beneficial for a program that continues to recruit well in state and should be able to challenge for the American Athletic Conference championship. This is a Group of 5 buster in the making, and the big nonconference game is at Nebraska on Sept. 26.
19. Louisville
Scott Satterfield led the Cardinals to eight wins in an impressive turnaround in Year 1, and there’s no reason to believe that growth won’t continue in Year 2. Malik Cunningham emerged as the right quarterback with 22 touchdowns and five interceptions, and the offensive line play should continue to improve. Javian Hawkins could emerge as a legit Doak Walker Award candidate in this offense, too. More depth is needed on defense, but this is the best bet to challenge Clemson in the ACC Atlantic.
Complete List
Claim a free share of stock from Robinhood
The theme: Kentucky football gets no respect, even after dismantling Louisville the last two seasons.
