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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
23 of 26
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Nick Bosa (97) celebrates a sack during the Big 10 Championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Nick Bosa (97) celebrates a sack during the Big 10 Championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Though Urban Meyer has found himself in hot water leading into the 2018 season, the Buckeyes bring back 12 starters to a team that finished 12-2 with a Big Ten title and Cotton Bowl win over USC a year ago.

And yes, before you ask, Ohio State will be the Big Ten favorite with or without Meyer. No matter what happens to Meyer, my opinion on the Buckeyes doesn’t change. They’re built like a playoff team, but they mustn’t let the Meyer situation become a distraction.

Dwayne Haskins takes over for J.T. Barrett at quarterback and he’s proven he can win the big game, beating Michigan after the four-year starter went down. His ceiling is incredibly high and the same can be said for receivers KJ Hill, Binjimen Victor, Austin Mack, Terry McLaurin, Demario McCall and Parris Campbell. Luke Ferrell will also be a threat at tight end.

J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber form an impressive one-two punch in the backfield as both have 1,000-yard seasons under their belt — Dobbins last season and Weber in 2016.

The defense returns five starters including All-American candidate Nick Boss and defensive backs Damon Arnette and Jordan Fuller. Keep an eye on Chase Young at defensive end as he, too, could be an All-American for the Buckeyes.

This team is loaded. Consider Ohio State the Alabama of the north.