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College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 for 2019

By Connor Muldowney

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the second half of the Alabama Crimson Tide's game versus the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 7, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the second half of the Alabama Crimson Tide's game versus the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 7, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 29: Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (2) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the College Football Playoff Semifinal game at the Capital One Orange Bowl between the Alabama Roll Tide and the Oklahoma Sooners on December 29, 2018 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 29: Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (2) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the College Football Playoff Semifinal game at the Capital One Orange Bowl between the Alabama Roll Tide and the Oklahoma Sooners on December 29, 2018 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
  • Key returners: CeeDee Lamb, Trey Sermon, Kennedy Brooks, Kenneth Murray, Parnell Motley, Caleb Kelly, Kenneth Mann, Brendan Radley-Hiles, Grant Calcaterra
  • Key departures: Kyler Murray, Rodney Anderson, Marquise Brown, Cody Ford, Curtis Bolton
  • Coaching change: Ruffin McNeill took over for Mike Stoops as defensive coordinator

When Oklahoma lost Baker Mayfield, the Sooners felt at ease, knowing the talented Kyler Murray would be taking over. Not often you see a Heisman winner succeeded by his backup who also goes on to win the coveted award and become one of the most exciting players in recent college football history.

Now Lincoln Riley will really be tested. He doesn’t quite have a Heisman-caliber quarterback (at least not a developed one) on his roster, but he has a talented incoming freshman in Spencer Rattler as well as 2018 backup Austin Kendall to fight it out for the starting job. Former four-star recruit, and freshman, Tanner Mordecai could also be in the mix.

The backfield will be strong despite the departure from Rodney Anderson — though he played minimally this season because of an injury. Kennedy Brooks and Trey Sermon will be a scary duo along with CeeDee Lamb at wideout.

The defense can only get better after an embarrassing 2018 season and that’s why Riley decided to move on from Mike Stoops. If the Sooners can have even an average defense, they’ll run away with the Big 12 and be back in the playoff conversation.

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