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College football rankings: Preseason top 25 – Clemson at No. 1, SEC owns half of top 10

By Cody Williams

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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College football rankings, preseason Top 25
Sam Howell, North Carolina football (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

15. UCF Knights

Dillon Gabriel came in as a freshman and settled an uncertain UCF quarterback situation quickly last season. However, the Knights’ unreal run of success faltered a bit as they submitted a three-loss campaign in 2019. Still, an experienced defense, headlined by Richie Grant and a stout secondary, could turn some heads, as could Gabriel and the rest of an offense that should once again have no issue putting up points on just about anyone.

14. Iowa State Cyclones

Even though Matt Campbell has arguably the best quarterback of his tenure in Ames, Brock Purdy, the Cyclones didn’t reach their peak in 2019. That could change this year, however, as continuity and experience could be at a premium, meaning that a playmaker like Purdy could carry this team. He has weapons and has the support of a solid defense that is one of the Big 12’s best. If the offensive line can hold up, which is not a given at this point, Iowa State will make noise at the top of the conference and threaten to make the title game.

13. Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati doesn’t often seem to get the credit they deserve but they enter this season as the top-ranked Group of 5 team in the country. And there’s good reason for that as the Bearcats have won 11 games in each of the past two campaigns. Luke Fickell’s defense was the calling card last year and the best news is that 10 starters from that unit are back in the fold. If quarterback Desmond Ridder, a truly underrated playmaker, can stay healthy, Cincinnati has all the makings of a team that can win the AAC amidst a loaded field.

12. North Carolina Tar Heels

Having North Carolina this high looks extremely strange as they were a top-20 team but not necessarily ready to flirt with the top 10 prior to the events with the Big Ten and Pac-12. However, the Tar Heels will now be in full focus in Mack Brown’s second year back in Chapel Hill. Sam Howell proved he was the truth as a true freshman quarterback last season and has weapons around him with Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown. If Chazz Surratt and the defense can remain solid while Howell takes another step forward, North Carolina could be the biggest challenger to Clemson in the ACC.

11. Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M will benefit solely from not having to play the gauntlet schedule they did last season with Georgia and Clemson not on the slate, even if they play at Alabama and Auburn. Still, Jimbo Fisher’s team is experienced and has talent at every level. What will determine the level of their success is if senior quarterback Kellen Mond can raise his game to the next level, particularly against the best teams in the SEC. If that doesn’t happen, there will be success but not enough in College Station.

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