CFB: The Touchdown's Top 25 (Positions 20-16)
By Rory Daniels
In our second installment of The Touchdown’s Pre-Season College Football Top 25, we take a look at the teams ranked 20-16.
All the rankings are collated from our four college football writers Lee Wakefield, Jack Brentnall, Si Carroll and Rory Daniels.
20. North Carolina
The Tar Heels have one of the top two quarterbacks in the nation. While Drake Maye has lost some of his key weapons, you can still expect a big year from him. They should compete for the ACC with Florida State and Clemson but from our ranking, the feeling is they aren’t quite at the level to win the conference yet.
Player to Watch: Cedric Gray – An all-action linebacker who should form a solid duo with partner in crime Power Echols.
19. Kansas State
Kansas State ended up Big 12 champions last year, surprising TCU in the conference championship. While they have lost plenty of talent to the NFL – Julius Brents, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Deuce Vaughn, they return starting QB Will Howard. They also have an elite offensive lineman in Cooper Beebe who should open running lanes for Florida State transfer running back Treshaun Ward.
Player to Watch: Will Howard – Not many are talking about Howard but now he is entrenched at starter you could see an uptick in his production and development.
18. Texas A&M
The team that split the group. Two of our panel had the Aggies outside the top 25, and two had them in. Jimbo Fisher’s reign so far has left a lot to be desired. That said, his recruiting class from last year remained mostly intact meaning the roster is still stacked with 5 and 4 stars. Will the hiring of Bobby Petrino as OC be a help or hindrance?
Player to Watch: Evan Stewart – The receiver flashed as a freshman but his partnership with QB Conner Weigman will be critical to this offense’s success.
17. Oklahoma
It was an uninspiring first year for head coach Brent Venables who will hope to imprint more of his identity on the program in his second year. The Sooners have invested heavily in the transfer portal to rebuild the team with one eye on joining the SEC in 2024. This ranking suggests there remains work to do. Experienced guys like Dillon Gabriel, Walter Rouse and Austin Stogner will be key to their success.
Player to Watch: Peyton Bowen – Don’t be surprised if the five-star freshman gets a shot at a starting safety job and shines.
16. TCU
Defeat in the National Championship was expected but getting there in itself felt like a miracle for Sonny Dykes and the Horned Frogs. The Touchdown team don’t envisage another title challenge but TCU should remain a tricky opponent. Max Duggan has departed at QB is the drop-off to Chandler Morris too steep to keep TCU relevant?
Player to Watch: JoJo Earle – The Alabama receiving group struggled last year and Earle has left for a bigger role. He should be the speedy slot type that Morris will enjoy finding in space.
