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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LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Boise State safety Jordan Happle (32) reacts to an interception against Oregon during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, in Las Vegas. The Boise State Broncos would defeat the Oregon Ducks 38-28. (Photo by: Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Boise State safety Jordan Happle (32) reacts to an interception against Oregon during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, in Las Vegas. The Boise State Broncos would defeat the Oregon Ducks 38-28. (Photo by: Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Everyone’s favorite underdog has to be Boise State. Though Chris Petersen is no longer the head coach of the program, the Broncos are still on an upward trajectory under Bryan Harsin.

The Broncos are one of just a couple of Group of Five teams to make the preseason Top 25 and it’s because they won 11 games a season ago and bring back a multitude of starters, including nine of the defensive side of the ball.

Returning starters is usually an overrated statistic, but when a team returns nine starters from a team that ranked No. 21 in the country in yards allowed per game. They ranked third in the Mountain West by allowing 332 yards per game, including 49th in the country in passing yards allowed — this is important because they return every member of the secondary.

Brett Rypien returns at quarterback after passing for 2,877 yards and 16 touchdowns. He’s the active FBS passing yards leader with just 124 yards shy of 10,000 career yards. He’s losing some top targets but returns running back Alexander Mattison behind him. He had over 1,000 rushing yards in 2017.

The Broncos’ offense will be one to watch out for this season and Boise State may be my favorite Group of Five team to earn a New Year’s Six bowl bid.