CFB: The Touchdown's Top 25 (Positions 5-1)
By Rory Daniels
In our final installment of The Touchdown’s Pre-Season College Football Top 25, we take a look at the teams ranked 5-1.
All the rankings are collated from our four college football writers Lee Wakefield, Jack Brentnall, Si Carroll and Rory Daniels.
5. LSU
Brian Kelly hit the ground running at LSU. After the ridicule over his ‘southern accent’ and TikTok videos with recruits, the SEC suddenly realised they had better take Coach Kelly seriously. He’ll be head-hunting the big names in the division again and has a stacked defense to do so. The main question will be is QB Jayden Daniels good enough to lead a playoff team?
Player to Watch: Harold Perkins – The name on everybody’s lips, Perkins should see more time as a pass rusher this year, SEC offensive tackles watch out!
4. Alabama
Write-off Nick Saban at your own peril. That said, even with a star like Bryce Young at QB this team stuttered. How will they fare when they haven’t even nailed down his replacement heading into fall camp? Outside of the QB room, this is another strong roster. They will need a star to emerge at wideout but the defense will be good enough to keep most games close.
Player to Watch: Malik Benson – This wide receiver group needs somebody to step up. Benson is a highly-touted JUCO transfer who could be ‘the guy’.
3. Ohio State
The Buckeyes have to face the ignominy of ranking below rivals Michigan in the Touchdown’s preseason list. They will need to break in a new QB in Kyle McCord or Devin Brown. Their job will be made easier in the fact they have a generational receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr. The defense has retained a number of good players but goal no.1 is to stop their losing streak to the Wolverines.
Player to Watch: Lathan Ransom – A sideline-to-sideline safety with great range, could be one of the top guys in the country at his position.
2. Michigan
An embarrassing stumble to TCU in the playoff semi-final’s took the shine off another successful year for Jim Harbaugh. Taking down the Buckeyes for the second time in a row shows the Wolverines are no longer pretenders. Their roster has great depth, including an o-line that Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy believes has seven future draft picks on. A feared running back duo of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards will anchor this team once more.
Player to Watch: Kris Jenkins Jr – A beast on the interior of the Michigan defensive line. Shows great power and burst when attacking the line of scrimmage.
1. Georgia
Is it three-peat time in Athens? While the Bulldogs land the number one spot again it wasn’t unanimous. The difficulty for Kirby Smart is continually restocking his talent as it departs to the NFL. Most areas remain strong even if there may be teething problems breaking in new QB Carson Beck. Stars like Brock Bowers mean this Georgia team will once again be the team to beat.
Player to Watch: Malaki Starks – Starks had a fantastic freshman season and, with a lot of talent leaving the Georgia secondary, will now fill a leading role. Whether that’s in the slot or at safety, he will be a key member of the defense.
