The 2019 WAY TOO EARLY NCAA RANKINGS - yes OHIO STATE #5 (Feb. 2019)

[mjp28]

The 2019 WAY TOO EARLY NCAA RANKINGS - yes OHIO STATE #5 (Feb. 2019)

1. CLEMSON 2. ALABAMA 3. OKLAHOMA 4. GEORGIA (sound familiar?)  For the rest see http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25972286/updated-way-too-early-top-25-college-football-rankings

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

2018 record: 13-1, 8-1 Big Ten

First 2019 Way-Too-Early rank: 4

Returning starters: five offense, 10 defense, one special teams

Key losses: QB Dwayne Haskins Jr., DT Dre'Mont Jones, DE Nick Bosa, WR Parris Campbell, WR Terry McLaurin, RB Mike Weber, OT Isaiah Prince, G Malcolm Pridgeon, C Michael Jordan

Outlook: You probably heard shouts of "O-H!" around the Buckeye State on Friday afternoon, as the NCAA approved quarterback Justin Fields' waiver application, granting him immediate eligibility for the 2019 season. While more waivers are being granted and every quarterback transfer is significant, Ohio State really needed to get the green light on Fields, especially after Tate Martell transferred to Miami.

The Buckeyes now replace the most prolific single-season passer in team history (Haskins) with their highest-rated quarterback recruit since Terrelle Pryor in 2008. Fields will lead an offense that returns running back J.K. Dobbins, wideouts K.J. Hill, Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor, and others.

The Fields news ended a week when Ohio State finalized a recruiting class that slipped to No. 17 in ESPN's national rankings. The size of the class (17 players) undoubtedly led to Ohio State's lowest rating in quite some time, and the Buckeyes still landed an excellent centerpiece in five-star defensive end Zach Harrison. Spring practice will be about integrating Fields and bolstering a defense under new leadership with co-coordinators Greg Mattison and Jeff Hafley. -- Adam Rittenberg

 

6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

2018 record: 12-1

First 2019 Way-Too-Early rank: 5

Returning starters: seven offense, six defense, zero special teams

Key losses: DT Jerry Tillery, LB Te'von Coney, LB Drue Tranquill, RB Dexter Williams, G Alex Bars, C Sam Mustipher, TE Alize Mack, CB Julian Love, WR Miles Boykin

Outlook: The Irish brought in the nation's No. 14 recruiting class, highlighted by several excellent prospects along the line of scrimmage. For Notre Dame to replicate last year's success, its offensive line must take a step forward this spring. If it does, the Irish have enough to be a more consistently dynamic unit.

Quarterback Ian Book is going through an entire offseason as the starter and has talented pass-catching options in wideouts Chase Claypool and Chris Finke and tight end Cole Kmet, a likely breakout player this fall. Center Trevor Ruhland is a key player to watch this spring, as he's expected to step in for standout Sam Mustipher. Notre Dame's offense likely will need to carry more of the burden this fall as the Irish lose elite players at all three levels of the defense.

Kelly's staff returns almost intact, as Notre Dame lost only one assistant (running backs coach Autry Denson). The Irish fully believe they can get back to the playoff but will need a strong offseason to build depth in key areas. -- A.R.

 

9. Michigan Wolverines

2018 record: 10-3, 8-1 Big Ten

First 2019 Way-Too-Early rank: 11

Returning starters: eight offense, five defense, two special teams

Key losses: LB Devin Bush, DE Rashan Gary, DE Chase Winovich, FS Tyree Kinnel, RB Karan Higdon, OT Juwann Bushell-Beatty, WR Grant Perry, TE Zach Gentry, CB David Long

Outlook: The sting of Michigan's poor finish to the 2018 season lessened a bit after the team added a new offensive playcaller and finalized the Big Ten's top-rated recruiting class. Josh Gattis left Alabama to become Michigan's offensive coordinator and could give the downfield passing attack a much-needed jolt.

Gattis has coached wide receivers at Alabama, Penn State, Vanderbilt and Western Michigan. His arrival could signal bigger contributions from a talented receiving corps that includes Nico Collins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black if he can stay healthy. The Wolverines also promoted analyst Ben McDaniels to quarterbacks coach as Pep Hamilton departed for the XFL. Michigan ranked 79th in pass offense in 2018.

The Wolverines also signed the nation's No. 8 recruiting class, highlighted by five-star safety Daxton Hill and defensive line prospects Mazi Smith, Christopher Hinton, Michael Morris Jr. and David Ojabo. Coordinator Don Brown has a lot of star power to replace on defense, and the position competitions in the front seven will be particularly notable when spring practice begins. -- A.R.

 

16. Penn State Nittany Lions

2018 record: 9-4, 6-3 Big Ten

First 2019 Way-Too-Early rank: 17

Returning starters: six offense, six defense, two special teams

Key losses: QB Trace McSorley, WR DeAndre Thompkins, LB Koa Farmer, CB Amani Oruwariye, S Nick Scott, RB Miles Sanders, G Connor McGovern, OT Ryan Bates, DE Shareef Miller

Outlook: There has been a lot of roster intrigue since Penn State's Citrus Bowl loss to Kentucky. Five PSU underclassmen entered the NFL draft, while 11 others (mostly graduated players) have entered the transfer portal. On the positive side, Penn State signed a small (18 players) but decorated recruiting class (No. 13 nationally) that includes two ESPN 300 running backs in Noah Cain and Devyn Ford.

Penn State will be a young team in 2019 but arguably a more talented one after the past few recruiting classes. Quarterback will be the biggest spring storyline, as Tommy Stevens finally gets his chance to be the starter, but he must beat Sean Clifford. "I've got so much confidence in Tommy," coach James Franklin said. "It's going to be a tremendous spring."

The Lions are still looking for up-the-middle depth on defense, but there's some star power on the unit now, with linebacker Micah Parsons, end Yetur Gross-Matos and others.

 

 

[MLD Woody]

We've made a lot of coaching changes, especially on offense, the last month. We've hopefully moved on from our old school attack and actually utilize our 3 NFL caliber WRs.

Top RB went to the draft, and we kicked off / suspended our backup for grades. Have a good class coming in though. Will be interesting, probably a lot more passing. 

Spring game will be very interesting

[mjp28]

3 hours ago, MLD Woody said:

We've made a lot of coaching changes, especially on offense, the last month. We've hopefully moved on from our old school attack and actually utilize our 3 NFL caliber WRs.

Top RB went to the draft, and we kicked off / suspended our backup for grades. Have a good class coming in though. Will be interesting, probably a lot more passing. 

Spring game will be very interesting

Yes spring games AND workouts are interesting to see who steps forward and who might get injured.

I love college football.  

[The Gipper]

4 hours ago, MLD Woody said:

We've made a lot of coaching changes, especially on offense, the last month. We've hopefully moved on from our old school attack and actually utilize our 3 NFL caliber WRs.

Top RB went to the draft, and we kicked off / suspended our backup for grades. Have a good class coming in though. Will be interesting, probably a lot more passing. 

Spring game will be very interesting

We?  Clemson?