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kamikazeguy Ballot for 2016 Preseason

Ballot Type: Human

Submitted: Aug. 21, 2016, 6:41 p.m.

Rank Team Reason
1 Clemson Tigers QB play and a dominant defensive line are keys to a National Championship, and Clemson is the only team that has proven commodities at both this year.  Wayne Gallman may be posed for a breakout year as well, as Clemson should look to overpower teams in the second half after Deshaun Watson tires them out with his speed.
2 Alabama Crimson Tide With the best defense in College Football, Alabama is an easy pick for the top 2, but may struggle early on offensively if they can't find a QB capable of managing their offense as well as making plays, given that they don't return any elite RB's.  Damien Harris and Bo Scarborough will both be key to Alabama's success this year. 
3 Oklahoma Sooners With an Elite QB in Baker Mayfield and the best proven RB tandem in College Football, Oklahoma will be set this year if the improved offensive line can create space and the young LB corps can make plays behind the line of scrimmage.
4 LSU Tigers Brandon Harris should improve this year, but his progression will most likely take a backseat to the frightening 1-2 punch that is Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice.  If their defense can hold teams hostage as was the case last year, Fournette should have the time to get into rhythm and gash teams well into the 220+ yard mark.  
5 Florida State Seminoles If Deondre Francois (or whoever gets the start for FSU) can lead the team past some of the lesser opponents to start the season as well as Ole Mi$$ (kidding), a bye week before the Clemson game should give Dalvin Cook and Co. a significant chance of upsetting a Clemson team that won't have faced a true test yet.
6 Stanford Cardinal Christian McCaffrey is pretty gud.  Not too big on the PAC 12 this year, unless USC can finally put it together, Stanford should walk through their conference schedule without too much difficulty, with a big test coming midway through the season in South Bend.
7 Ohio State Buckeyes Despite inexperience, Urban Meyer (along with Nick Saban at Alabama) is in a league of his own come recruiting, and barring an injury to JT Barrett, Ohio State should have enough talent to make some noise come Selection Sunday.
8 Michigan Wolverines Jim Harbaugh is an excellent coach, and Michigan can only go up from last season where they lost to both of their rivals.
9 Tennessee Volunteers Return nearly everyone from what was probably one of the best teams in the nation through 3 quarters.  If Tennessee can stay in the game mentally for all 4 quarters, they should be able to make the SEC Championship game and have a big chance at an upset of the SEC West Champion.
10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish After taking large hits from the injury bug last year, Notre Dame should be able to finish the regular with a maximum of 2-3 losses if they can replace the void left behind by Jaylon Smith.
11 Ole Miss Rebels Apparently the only team in the SEC that can beat Alabama, Ole Miss needs to start beating all of the other SEC West teams as well.  They have the talent, but it seems like they have discounted other games and gotten complacent in wins over Alabama the past 2 years.
12 TCU Horned Frogs
13 Michigan State Spartans With only moderate amounts of Disrepek at 13, Michigan State has the coaching staff as well as the talent to win the BIG 10 East and make it back into the playoffs for the second straight year should they limit turnovers and big plays.
14 Iowa Hawkeyes Returning CJ Beathard and Desmond King, the Hawkeyes are an easy favorite to make it to Indianapolis in an underwhelming West division.
15 Houston Cougars With the limited amount of competition in the AAC, Greg Ward and Houston have a big chance to make it to a NY6 bowl game at 11-1 or 12-0, with their only big game being at NRG against Oklahoma.
16 Washington Huskies Not much to say here, I honestly don't know much about Washington but it seems like they return plenty of talent after they broke through a year before they were supposed to.
17 Georgia Bulldogs Georgia will be dangerous and a real contender for the SEC East due to Nick Chubb.  If Jacob Eason can take over and bring them to the next level, Tennessee needs to watch out.
18 Oklahoma State Cowboys If the O-line can give Rudolph a couple seconds to pass, Oklahoma State could have one of more dangerous passing offenses in the country.
19 USC Trojans
20 Baylor Bears Despite the controversy the program has become engulfed with, depth problems shouldn't hit hard until next season and Baylor still has enough skill position talent to break off big plays.  The key to Baylor this year is the O-line gelling and becoming competent, which they will need if they are to make it through their hellish OOC unscathed.
21 Florida Gators QB play can only improve, and Florida having a good defense is one of the many constants in CFB lately.
22 UCLA Bruins
23 Oregon Ducks
24 Louisville Cardinals Lamar Jackson should be able to lead them to a birth in the ACC championship, but I doubt their ability to keep it close against Clemson or FSU if those teams show up.
25 Washington State Cougars

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