Fansided

College football rankings 2018: FanSided preseason Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Malik Rosier #12 of the Miami Hurricanes throws the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers during the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Wisconsin defeated Miami 34-24. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Malik Rosier #12 of the Miami Hurricanes throws the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers during the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Wisconsin defeated Miami 34-24. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Mark Richt has made the Miami Hurricanes true ACC title threats again. The former Georgia head coach took over two seasons ago and is already making major strides with his alma mater.

The 2017 season was nearly a special one for the Hurricanes as they got off to a 10-0 start which included a road victory over Florida State and a blowout of Notre Dame. Miami looked to be the top contender to Clemson’s throne but the Tigers humbled the Hurricanes with a 38-3 win in the ACC Championship Game.

Still, making the title game was a big step in the right direction and the Hurricanes can make it back there if they get Malik Rosier to live up to his potential. If not, this top-10 ranking will be short-lived.

Travis Homer should aid the offense as one of the top running backs in the country but the defense is what everyone will be watching.

That ‘Turnover Chain’ became a national phenomenon in 2017 and could make a return in 2018 with another strong unit with seven starters returning. The Hurricanes are back to playing nasty defense and that could lead them right to the playoff.