DALLAS -- The 2014 season came to a close Monday night as Ohio State capped off a Cinderella run in the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship.
Much like they received every first-place vote in the final College Football 24/7 top 25 Power Rankings, the Buckeyes are unanimously seen as the favorite to repeat as champions again in 2015 thanks to a remarkable collection of talent that is sticking around for another shot at the sport's ultimate prize. Throw in the game's best coach in Urban Meyer, and it's easy to see why the program has the makings of something special on a yearly basis.
As we turn our attention from one season to the next, here's a look at the contenders on the road to Glendale, Ariz. -- the site of next season's title game.
39. West Virginia (7-6)
Buzz: Each of WVU's losses came to teams that went to bowls, including an excruciating one-point loss to TCU. And WVU beat Baylor. Overall, though, there was too much inconsistency, and the defense must tighten up.
Player to watch next season: SS Karl Joseph
2. TCU
2014 final ranking: 3
Key returnees: QB Trevone Boykin, RB B.J. Catalon, WR Josh Doctson
The skinny: The Horned Frogs were one of the most improved teams in the country in 2014 and return the bulk of a talented young roster. The offense should continue to be explosive with one of the Heisman favorites in Boykin while the defense will need to replace a few key contributors but should have the best depth in the Big 12. Getting Baylor at home for a revenge game doesn't hurt either.
4. Baylor
2014 final ranking: 9
Key returnees: WR KD Cannon, OL Spencer Drango, DE Shawn Oakman
The skinny: Replacing veterans like QB Bryce Petty won't be easy, but the Bears return the bulk of their lineup and are gunning for a third straight Big 12 title. The offensive line will be deep and nobody in America should have a better receiving corps than what the Bears can throw out on the field. Plus, having a monster pass rusher like Oakman can help cover up a lot of flaws.
14. Oklahoma
2014 final ranking: N/R
Key returnees: RB Samaje Perine, WR Sterling Shepard, LB Eric Striker
The skinny: All but a handful of players on defense are headed back to Norman, and they should be able to have one of the more active units in the country on that side of the ball. The key question: Can the offense can make a U-turn from a disappointing 2014 to become consistent in moving the ball? There should be an interesting QB battle if nothing else this spring and fall, as Trevor Knight, Cody Thomas and Baker Mayfield compete to start.
57. Pittsburgh (6-7)
Buzz: RB James Conner and WR Tyler Boyd were sophomore stars. Overall, though, the team lacked difference-makers, and new coach Pat Narduzzi needs to find some.
Player to watch next season: RB James Conner.
16. Notre Dame
2014 final ranking: 28
Key returnees: WR Will Fuller, QB Malik Zaire, LB Jaylon Smith
The skinny: Nobody knows if quarterback Everett Golson will return to the Irish for his senior season, but either way there will be plenty of talent on the field in South Bend at just about every other spot. The offense should be fine, and the defense, which was so young and inexperienced in 2014, will be a big part of the reason why Notre Dame will be a dark horse to make a lot of noise next season.
17. Louisville
2014 final ranking: 23
Key returnees: LB James Burgess, WR James Quick, RB Brandon Radcliff
The skinny: Bobby Petrino is slowly but surely stocking the program with talent, and he'll need it to compete in the suddenly deep ACC. Figuring something out at quarterback is priority one, but there's enough players all over to turn in another good season with the Cardinals.
20. Georgia Tech
2014 final ranking: 7
Key returnees: QB Justin Thomas, OT Chris Griffin, DT Adam Gotsis
The skinny: The Yellow Jackets emerged with a surprisingly great year out of the ACC Coastal and should have a team that can repeat with a division title depending on how long it takes the pieces to come together. They do have Thomas under center, however, who is a dynamic threat and a perfect fit for the team's option offense.
61. Penn State (7-6)
Buzz: The defense played at a high level all season. The offense did not, mainly because the line was bad.
Player to watch next season: QB Christian Hackenberg.
1. Ohio State
2014 final ranking: 1
Key returnees: QB J.T. Barrett, RB Ezekiel Elliott, DE Joey Bosa
The skinny: Head coach Urban Meyer admitted that the Buckeyes were ahead of schedule in getting to, much less winning, the national title game, and that's evident in how many key players will return in 2015. The quarterback situation might be the best in the land, and the defense doesn't lose much.
5. Michigan State
2014 final ranking: 6
Key returnees: QB Connor Cook, DL Shilique Calhoun, DL Lawrence Thomas
The skinny: Cook returns to East Lansing for his senior year and could emerge as the top prospect at the quarterback position in the country. Throw in a defense that has always been stingy under Mark Dantonio (but must deal with a number of replacements, including at coordinator) and a balanced offense and the Spartans are very likely the only thing standing in Ohio State's way during Big Ten play next season.
TOP 25 LINK:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000457737/article/early-top-25-rankings-for-2015-college-football-season
Much like they received every first-place vote in the final College Football 24/7 top 25 Power Rankings, the Buckeyes are unanimously seen as the favorite to repeat as champions again in 2015 thanks to a remarkable collection of talent that is sticking around for another shot at the sport's ultimate prize. Throw in the game's best coach in Urban Meyer, and it's easy to see why the program has the makings of something special on a yearly basis.
As we turn our attention from one season to the next, here's a look at the contenders on the road to Glendale, Ariz. -- the site of next season's title game.
39. West Virginia (7-6)
Buzz: Each of WVU's losses came to teams that went to bowls, including an excruciating one-point loss to TCU. And WVU beat Baylor. Overall, though, there was too much inconsistency, and the defense must tighten up.
Player to watch next season: SS Karl Joseph
2. TCU
2014 final ranking: 3
Key returnees: QB Trevone Boykin, RB B.J. Catalon, WR Josh Doctson
The skinny: The Horned Frogs were one of the most improved teams in the country in 2014 and return the bulk of a talented young roster. The offense should continue to be explosive with one of the Heisman favorites in Boykin while the defense will need to replace a few key contributors but should have the best depth in the Big 12. Getting Baylor at home for a revenge game doesn't hurt either.
4. Baylor
2014 final ranking: 9
Key returnees: WR KD Cannon, OL Spencer Drango, DE Shawn Oakman
The skinny: Replacing veterans like QB Bryce Petty won't be easy, but the Bears return the bulk of their lineup and are gunning for a third straight Big 12 title. The offensive line will be deep and nobody in America should have a better receiving corps than what the Bears can throw out on the field. Plus, having a monster pass rusher like Oakman can help cover up a lot of flaws.
14. Oklahoma
2014 final ranking: N/R
Key returnees: RB Samaje Perine, WR Sterling Shepard, LB Eric Striker
The skinny: All but a handful of players on defense are headed back to Norman, and they should be able to have one of the more active units in the country on that side of the ball. The key question: Can the offense can make a U-turn from a disappointing 2014 to become consistent in moving the ball? There should be an interesting QB battle if nothing else this spring and fall, as Trevor Knight, Cody Thomas and Baker Mayfield compete to start.
57. Pittsburgh (6-7)
Buzz: RB James Conner and WR Tyler Boyd were sophomore stars. Overall, though, the team lacked difference-makers, and new coach Pat Narduzzi needs to find some.
Player to watch next season: RB James Conner.
16. Notre Dame
2014 final ranking: 28
Key returnees: WR Will Fuller, QB Malik Zaire, LB Jaylon Smith
The skinny: Nobody knows if quarterback Everett Golson will return to the Irish for his senior season, but either way there will be plenty of talent on the field in South Bend at just about every other spot. The offense should be fine, and the defense, which was so young and inexperienced in 2014, will be a big part of the reason why Notre Dame will be a dark horse to make a lot of noise next season.
17. Louisville
2014 final ranking: 23
Key returnees: LB James Burgess, WR James Quick, RB Brandon Radcliff
The skinny: Bobby Petrino is slowly but surely stocking the program with talent, and he'll need it to compete in the suddenly deep ACC. Figuring something out at quarterback is priority one, but there's enough players all over to turn in another good season with the Cardinals.
20. Georgia Tech
2014 final ranking: 7
Key returnees: QB Justin Thomas, OT Chris Griffin, DT Adam Gotsis
The skinny: The Yellow Jackets emerged with a surprisingly great year out of the ACC Coastal and should have a team that can repeat with a division title depending on how long it takes the pieces to come together. They do have Thomas under center, however, who is a dynamic threat and a perfect fit for the team's option offense.
61. Penn State (7-6)
Buzz: The defense played at a high level all season. The offense did not, mainly because the line was bad.
Player to watch next season: QB Christian Hackenberg.
1. Ohio State
2014 final ranking: 1
Key returnees: QB J.T. Barrett, RB Ezekiel Elliott, DE Joey Bosa
The skinny: Head coach Urban Meyer admitted that the Buckeyes were ahead of schedule in getting to, much less winning, the national title game, and that's evident in how many key players will return in 2015. The quarterback situation might be the best in the land, and the defense doesn't lose much.
5. Michigan State
2014 final ranking: 6
Key returnees: QB Connor Cook, DL Shilique Calhoun, DL Lawrence Thomas
The skinny: Cook returns to East Lansing for his senior year and could emerge as the top prospect at the quarterback position in the country. Throw in a defense that has always been stingy under Mark Dantonio (but must deal with a number of replacements, including at coordinator) and a balanced offense and the Spartans are very likely the only thing standing in Ohio State's way during Big Ten play next season.
TOP 25 LINK:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000457737/article/early-top-25-rankings-for-2015-college-football-season
