College football post-spring Top 25 power rankings: Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State ahead of the pack

Post-spring College Football Rankings No. 6: Oregon Ducks

Aside from the quarterback spot where former Boston College signal-caller Anthony Brown is set to take over, Oregon feels like they’re bringing back basically everyone. The offensive line has all five starters coming back as Penei Sewell opted out in 2020 while the receiving corps returns everyone as well while also adding some stud freshmen. And that continuity extends to the defense.

And it’s that defense that could be the calling card for the Ducks in the Pac-12 this season. Kayvon Thibodeaux might be the best defensive player in the country and is ready to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks while the rest of the front seven is strong. The secondary does need to perform better but many players garnered key reps throughout the shortened 2020 campaign that should allow Oregon to dominate on defense.

Post-spring College Football Rankings No. 5: Ohio State Buckeyes

There is so much to like about what Ohio State has on both sides of the ball. They have the best wide receiver group in the country with Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba returning while Marvin Harrison Jr. enters the fray. Moreover, the running back room is stout behind an experienced offensive line and the defensive front seven could also be among the best in the nation.

Two questions, however, hang over the Buckeyes after the spring. It looks as if C.J. Stroud is set to take over at quarterback, outplaying 5-star freshman Kyle McCord in the spring (barely), but there is no experience in that room. Furthermore, the secondary struggled last season and, unless someone emerges as a leader, questions remain with that unit. That knocks them to the bottom of the top-five in a tight race between great teams.