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G-manP Ballot for 2016 Preseason

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Aug. 29, 2016, 11:35 p.m.

Rank Team Reason
1 Alabama Crimson Tide Preseason All-American Punter. Say. No. More.
2 Clemson Tigers Returning, arguably, the most dynamic player in college ball, Clemson is a force to be reckoned with. Deshaun Watson with the help of Wayne Gallman will be a hell of a one two punch in the running game. It's Dabo time.
3 Florida State Seminoles Florida State returns their entire offense for the 2016 season. Dalvin Cook is often overshadowed by McCaffrey and Fournette, but I believe he will be the best RB of the group this season. This group has the experience to carry their team into the Playoff.
4 Oklahoma Sooners Baker Mayfield looks like he's going to be giving Deshaun Watson plenty of competition for the Davey O'Brien Award this season as Mayfield has proved he can be quite mobile as well. They are the team to beat in the Big 12.
5 LSU Tigers Leonard Fournette anchors a team that will bring back more 2015 starters than any other P5 team. If Fournette can play as expected, the winner of the home game vs. Alabama will likely be the SEC-West representative for the Championship game.
6 Michigan Wolverines Jim Harbaugh has assembled a group of sleepover-loving athletes who have completely bought into the program, much like Saban at Bama. If the QB Guru can make a man out of O'Korn. Michigan and their nasty D, led by Jabrill Peppers, will be dominant.
7 Stanford Cardinal Christian McCaffrey comes back for his junior year looking to snag the trophy many believed he deserved more than Derrick Henry. This human Swiss Army knife can catch, run, and return as well as the best of them. A game changer, McCaffrey could easily lead his team to the CFB Final Four if he can match his play from last year
8 Tennessee Volunteers The Volunteers have improved by two wins each of the last two seasons under Butch Jones. With Josh Dobbs at the helm of the offense and Jalen Hurd lined up behind him, Tennessee could have one of their best offenses since The Sheriff was in town.
9 Ohio State Buckeyes No one can deny what sort of programs Urban Meyer has built over the course of his head coaching career. This could be one of his biggest tests yet as he returns only 6 starters (3 offensive and 3 defensive). Luckily, he has J.T. Barrett to help him make stars out of the younger guys.
10 Ole Miss Rebels Quarterback. Rapper. Based Chad. A great pairing with the sort of reputation Ole Miss has for menacing defenses. Oh and Hugh Freeze is kind of good at what he does too.
11 Washington Huskies Last season, the young Husky squad seemed to be on the cusp of prominence again, but struggled to close out a few close games. This year they return 17 starters including a their QB Browning and RB Gaskin, who are both looking poised for breakout seasons. Combined with the brilliant mind of Chris Petersen and a solid defense, Washington has a good chance of playing in the Pac12 championship game.
12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Brian Kelly will be playing the role of 2015 Urban Meyer this year as he tries to decide which of his two talented QBs will be 'the guy'. The Irish have certainly lost some talent on both sides of the ball this past year. However, the Golden Domers will do what they always do and compete on a high level.
13 Michigan State Spartans Michigan State is another program who lost several starters on offense and defense this past year. Yet year after year, Mark Dantonio fields a good team. This year will be no exception as Sparty looks to stay afloat in the ultra-competitive B1G.
14 UCLA Bruins Jim Mora has won 37 games over his 4 year campaign, no other UCLA coach has won more than 29. Him and Josh Rosen are looking to take the Pac12 by storm, but will have to take care of business right off the bat with the ever-challenging Texas A&M Aggies.
15 Georgia Bulldogs Georgia welcomes back Kirby Smart to Athens as the Dawgs prepare to make a big splash in their coach's first season as a head coach. A starting QB has yet to be named* as Jacob Eason has provided plenty of competition for Greyson Lambert. If Nick Chubb can return to pre-injury form, Georgia will continue to move up the polls. *as of 8/29 14:00 EST
16 Houston Cougars Tom Herman may be one of the coolest coaches of CFB, just look at his Paul Wall grill. On top of that, he is an offensive genius. Herman and second year starter, Greg Ward Jr., are hoping to replicate another great season in Houston. They must impress as the looming possibility of joining the Big XII is still up in the air.
17 Louisville Cardinals Most people still don't give Louisville the credit they deserve when it comes to football. This years team will be doing plenty of mind changing. Bobby Petrino and the Cards are returning another great defense and eight starters on offense. Their dual-threat QB, Lamar Jackson, can be dynamite this year if he become a more accurate passer.
18 Baylor Bears The Bears come into the season with a chip on their shoulder, after suffering a program overhaul, Jim Grobe looks to pick up the pieces of the talented teams Art Briles brought through Waco. Heisman-hopeful Seth Russell should be able to help his new head coach and teammates get right back on top if he can match his pre-injury performance from last season.
19 USC Trojans The Trojans are tired of the coaching controversy they've had in seasons past, Clay Helton could be the stability the program needs. USC boasts some of the most talented athletes in college with Adoree' Jackson and JuJu Smith-Schuster. First year QB Max Browne is ready to compete and will be relying on JuJu to help him get acclimated. The defense will need to fill some holes, but USC defenses always do.
20 TCU Horned Frogs So Boykin is gone. Doctson is gone too. Gary Patterson don't cur. TCU adapts well and will continue to as long as GP runs the show. However, they are only returning one starter on offense, as well as adding former A&M starting QB, Kenny Hill. The defense will need to be stout early as the O takes some time to get going. If it does, we all know what can happen.
21 Florida Gators If Jim McElwain's second year goes as well as his first, most Gator fans will be content. McElwain will not be. The defense will be among the game's bet this year. Expect the team to perform at a higher level on offense, if they can get the QB situation under control.
22 Iowa Hawkeyes After an unprecedented 12-0 start to 2015, the Hawkeyes lost a heartbreaker to the Spartans, crushing their hopes of a Playoff berth. A lighter schedule that features one pre-season top 25 opponent, will help them get to the championship game. Iowa knows what they are capable of, but will they be able to keep up with the tough other side of the conference.
23 North Carolina Tar Heels Larry Fedora and the Heels proved last year that they are much more than a basketball school. This year they hope to do the same with the return of an experienced O-line and RB in Elijah Hood. The defense only gets stronger adding Gene Chizik as coordinator.
24 Oregon Ducks After enjoying the success of FCS transfer Vernon Adams III, Oregon snagged the top FCS QB in Dakota Prukop for another temporary bandage at the position. Shifty back and preseason Heisman candidate, Royce Freeman, should be able to help Prukop adapt. The Ducks also brought in Brady Hoke to drag the defense out of the cellar.
25 Miami Hurricanes The U was quick to bring back their former QB, Mark Richt, after his surprising firing at Georgia. Richt inherits 16 returning starters, including an experienced signal caller with Brad Kaaya. The Canes could surprise a lot of people this season if everything goes according to plan.

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