It can never be too early for college football. Therefore, here’s a look at my too early, top five teams for 2015.
1. Ohio State- How could they not be the too early favorites? Ohio State proved dominance and relevance once again after a dominating performance against Oregon in the first College Football Playoff national championship game. Alton native Ezekiel Elliot looks to continue to be a threat for OSU’s rushing attack. There are many questions at quarterback but all are good. Who is going to be the starting quarterback next year for the defending champs? Cardale Jones, JT Barrett or Braxton Miller? Time will tell for head coach Urban Meyer and the champs.
Key Matchups in 2015: Minnesota, @Michigan, Michigan State
2. TCU– After being left out of the final four teams in the first CFP semifinals, TCU is returning 10 starters (all seniors) on offense and six on defense. The high powered offense will be led by QB Trevon Boykin who will be a preseason Heisman finalist. TCU will be hungry for a national championship after being the odd man out this year. You have to figure mastermind head coach Gary Patterson will have his team prepared for a title game run.
Key Matchups in 2015: @Minnesota, @Kansas State, @Oklahoma, @Oklahoma State, Baylor
3. USC- With the recruits that USC racks up every year you would think that they would’ve returned to stardom after a couple of mediocre seasons for USC’s seasons. Well, next year USC can pull it off. With eight starters returning on offense and seven starters returning on defense, head coach Steve Sarkisian will have another year to teach his ways only his second year as the head coach. Quarterback Cody Kessler flourished under Sarkisian and will continue to do so in 2015. Kessler deserves Heisman hype going into next season.
Key Matchups in 2015: @Arizona State, Utah, Arizona, @Oregon, UCLA
4. Oregon – Who is going to replace Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota? That is the question for the Ducks, the losers of the first CFP looking forward to 2015. It may not have to be a quarterback, according to offensive coordinator Scott Frost. Frost believes that the most efficient offense in CFB will be led by the running back duo Royce Freeman and Thomas Tyner. Freeman, a freshman in 2014, rushed for 18 touchdowns in 2014 leading the PAC-12 conference. Tyner was injured last year but had a very impressive Rose Bowl rushing for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Whoever is leading the Ducks in 2015 they’ll still be amongst the best teams in the country.
Key Matchups in 2015: @Michigan State, Utah, @Arizona State, USC
5. Michigan State – Michigan State went 11-2 last year losing to the two teams that played in the national championship game. Michigan State is amongst the best programs in the country in recent years. Head coach Mark Dantonio needs to be respected as one of the best coaches in CFB. Michigan State is going to be returning Heisman hopeful quarterback Connor Cook as he decided to forgo the NFL draft and return to win Sparty a national championship.
Key Matchups: Oregon, @Michigan, @Nebraksa, @Ohio State