Preseason Top 25

Brian is bullish on the 2017 Wisconsin Badgers, especially if QB Alex Hornibrook is vastly improved as a sophomore.

Published on Tuesday, 8/8/17, at 4:40 p.m. Eastern.

1-Alabama
2-Ohio St.
3-Washington
4-Penn St.
5-Wisconsin
6-Clemson
7-FSU
8-Oklahoma St.
9-USC
10-Oklahoma
11-Auburn
12-Florida
13-Michigan
14-LSU
15-Stanford
16-Georgia
17-Miami
18-Louisville
19-Washington St.
20-Va. Tech
21-Kansas St.
22-South Florida
23-North Carolina St.
24-BYU
25-Tennessee

Just Missed: South Carolina, West Virginia, TCU, Texas, Notre Dame, Utah & Northwestern.

CFP Picks: Alabama, Oklahoma St., Washington & Ohio St./Wisconsin winner at Big 10 Championship Game.

Big Ten: I’m really high on Wisconsin and IF QB Alex Hornibrook elevates his play as a sophomore, I think the Badgers will have an excellent shot at beating Ohio St. in early December. However, I’ll hedge for now in August until I see Hornibrook play in September.

What of Michigan? First of all, Michigan has to play Wisconsin, the best team on the other side of the league, while OSU and PSU do not. In Michigan’s three toughest conference games, it is at a disadvantage from a situational standpoint. When the Wolverines play at Penn St., the Nittany Lions have two weeks to prepare. When Jim Harbaugh’s squad plays at Wisconsin, it’s in look-ahead mode with Ohio St. on deck. When the Wolverines host the Buckeyes, they’ll be coming off a 60-minute war at Camp Randall, while Urban Meyer’s team gets a layup (Illinois) in Columbus the prior weekend.

The ACC? I think this is an outstanding league, but one that will beat each other up and get left out of the CFP. I have Clemson and FSU both finishing 10-2. Although I’m unsure about the QB play that Miami and Va. Tech will get, I like both teams on paper and feel they are the best teams in the Coastal Division.

For more of my college football thoughts, check out Preseason Preparation.

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