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College football rankings 2019: Every FBS team from 1-130, ranked

By Nicholas Ian Allen

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and cornerback Trayvon Mullen (1) celebrate with the championship trophy after the Clemson Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 7, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and cornerback Trayvon Mullen (1) celebrate with the championship trophy after the Clemson Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 7, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Miami head coach Manny Diaz directs during the Miami Hurricanes Spring scrimmage at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami on April 13, 2019. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami head coach Manny Diaz directs during the Miami Hurricanes Spring scrimmage at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami on April 13, 2019. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /

Dana Holgorsen surprised a lot of college football fans across the country when he left the Big 12 for the AAC. However, the new Houston head coach has an opportunity to do big things with the Cougars as he’s inherited the No. 2 offense in the conference in overall Roster Strength.

Quarterback D’Eriq King, who accounted for 50 touchdowns in 11 games, leads the top unit in the AAC, and he’ll work with the No. 4 running back group, No. 3 receivers, and No. 2 offensive line. Of course, the offense hasn’t been the issue with the Cougars, who ranked No. 127 in total defense (496.8 yards allowed per game) and lost first-round defensive lineman Ed Oliver.

On the other end of the defensive spectrum, Fresno State led the Mountain West in yards allowed per play (4.73), scoring defense (14.1 points allowed per game), passing defense (189.4 yards allowed per game) and total defense (321.6). The Bulldogs ranked in the top 25 nationally in all four categories, and welcome back six starters, including All-Conference performer Mykal Walker, who moved to middle linebacker.

Fresno State lost nine starters on offense and must rebuild at quarterback, wide receiver and on the offensive line. However, Jeff Tedford, who ranks first in the Mountain West and No. 12 overall with an 89.94 Head Coach rating, should keep the Bulldogs in contention.

As has been the case in each of the last two seasons, Boise State and Fresno State enter 2019 neck-and-neck in the race for the Mountain West title. The Broncos are even in worse shape than their cross-division rivals in terms of lost offensive production. Head coach Bryan Harsin (the No. 2 coach in the conference with a, 86.93 Head Coach Rating), must offset the loss of 97.96 percent of last year’s passing yardage, 69.96 percent of rushing and 54.48 percent of receiving.

Only one FBS program saw a sharper drop in overall Roster Strength (-4.52) from the end of the 2018 season. Nevertheless, Boise State is still the No. 1 team in the Mountain West according to CFB Winning Edge in large part because the Broncos still rank No. 2 in Roster Strength (81.47) and lead the league in average 247Sports Composite rating (.8232).

North Carolina raised a lot of eyebrows by bringing Mack Brown back to Chapel Hill, but even with a five-year layoff, Brown ranks No. 59 nationally, and seventh in the ACC with an 81.66 Head Coach Rating. Brown also brought in one of the highest-rated offensive coordinators in the country in Phil Longo, whose 90.57 OC Rating is fifth-best in the nation. Former Army defensive coordinator Jay Bateman also has a terrific reputation, and he led the Black Knights to a top 10 finish in scoring defense (17.7), rushing defense (106.8) and total defense (295.5) last year.

The trio also has a talented roster on its hands, as the Tar Heels rank No. 36 in Roster Strength (85.02) and No. 26 in average 247Sports rating (.8583). Running back (No. 14) and defensive line (No. 22) are the highest-rated units.

Despite winning just four games for the second straight season, Nebraska enters 2019 as one of the favorites to win the Big Ten West. The Cornhuskers finished strong under first-year head coach Scott Frost, who led the team to wins in four of the final six games and came up just short to a pair of conference rivals on the road.

Nebraska also plays a favorable schedule; CFB Winning Edge projects the Huskers to win 7.15 games on average, and as the favorites in nine games. And let’s not forget the sky-high potential of sophomore quarterback Adrian Martinez, who could challenge for the Heisman Trophy as early as this season.

New West Virginia head coach Neal Brown lost a ton of production to graduation, the NFL Draft and the transfer portal. In fact, the Mountaineers lost 1.44 points in Roster Strength over the offseason, which was the most in the Big 12, and more than 103 other FBS programs. Nevertheless, Brown brought in a few key transfers himself, including former Oklahoma QB Austin Kendall, and will field a team that ranks No. 5 in the league in overall Roster Strength (84.41), and fifth in average 247Sports rating (.8419). WVU should stay competitive.

Because Head Coach Ratings account for 30 percent of CFB Winning Edge Team Strength Ratings, first-time, first-year head coaches can drag down a team’s projections. Miami’s hire of Manny Diaz, whose 73.37 baseline rating ranks last in the ACC and No. 102 overall, hurts the Hurricanes chances despite fielding a roster loaded with Top 20 talent.

It’s important to note there is no adjustment for a new head coach that was promoted from a coordinator role the previous season (and therefore is more familiar with his roster than the average first-year coach). So, there’s a good chance the Canes are underrated overall – especially since Diaz led a defensive unit that ranks No. 1 in the ACC and No. 4 in the country in defensive Roster Strength.

Miami also has the best defensive line and linebacker corps in the league (and boasts the only linebacker unit with three 100-rated players in Shaq Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud). The units rank No. 4 and No. 5 overall, respectively.

Fans might also believe Missouri is underrated by CFB Winning Edge given the Tigers’ place in several preseason polls. There’s been a great deal of buzz about the ease of Mizzou’s schedule, and a belief the Tigers could (should?) be 8-0 when the team travels to face SEC East favorite Georgia Nov. 9.

However, because Missouri ranks No. 11 in the SEC in Roster Strength (85.62), No. 13 in the league in average 247Sports rating (.8434) and head coach Barry Odom ranks No. 12 in the conference with a 78.23 Head Coach Rating, our preseason projections anticipate 6.18 wins on average. We also have the Tigers favored in only five games overall, including just one in SEC play.

Kentucky football fans are riding high following the Wildcats’ surprising 10-wins season in 2018 and for good reason. Mark Stoops has elevated the talent level each season in Lexington and enters 2019 ranked 32ndin the country and No, 8 in the SEC with an 86.16 Head Coach Rating.

But this year could be Stoops’ toughest test. Receiver Lynn Bowden is explosive, and the offensive line ranks No. 12 overall in O-Line Strength Rating, but UK lost 4.11 points in Roster Strength, which was the most in the SEC and more than all but two FBS programs. The Wildcats also rank last in the league and 66th nationally in Roster Strength (82.74), though the young roster fares slightly better in average 247Sports Rating (.8349; No. 39 overall and No. 12 in the SEC).

Only one G5 program enters 2019 with a higher Team Strength Rating than Memphis. Unfortunately for the Tigers, it’s the same team that beat them in the last two AAC Championship Games. Nevertheless, head coach Mike Norvell is set to field a team led by 100-rated quarterback Brady White, the No. 2 set of receivers in the conference, and the No. 2 defensive line and No. 2 secondary in the league, in terms of Roster Strength. And lookout for running back Patrick Taylor, who ran for 1,122 yards and 19 touchdowns as a backup last season.