ESPN's way too early Top 25
Posted: January 10th, 2017, 11:48 am
As usual, ESPN came out with an early top 25 for next season. These are obviously just a guess, and for fun, but still worth reading.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/st ... op-25-2017
Notable: #4 Penn State.
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]4. Penn State[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]2016 record: 11-3, 8-1 Big Ten[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Returning starters: 9 offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Key losses: C Brian Gaia, WR Chris Godwin, DE Evan Schwan, LB Brandon Bell, SS Malik Golden, OT Paris Palmer, DE Garrett Sickels[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Outlook: The Nittany Lions' dramatic turnaround in 2016 -- they won their final eight regular-season games and beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game -- should serve as a big springboard to 2017. Leading receiver Chris Godwin opted to leave early for the NFL draft, but most of Penn State's starters on offense will return, including star tailback Saquon Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorley. Both will be top Heisman Trophy candidates. Plus, PSU will get back a few offensive linemen who were hurt for the stretch run. Four of the defense's most productive players are departing -- defensive ends Evan Schwan and Garrett Sickels, linebacker Brandon Bell and strong safety Malik Golden -- but everyone else is expected back. The Nittany Lions will have to navigate their way through a difficult Big Ten road schedule that includes trips to Iowa, Northwestern, Ohio State and Michigan State.[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]22. Pittsburgh[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]2016 record: 8-5, 5-3 ACC[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Key losses: RB James Conner, OT Adam Bisnowaty, G Dorian Johnson, TE Scott Orndoff, QB Nathan Peterman, DT Shakir Soto, DE Ejuan Price, LB Matt Galambos, K Chris Blewitt[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Outlook: The Panthers defeated both ACC champion Clemson and Big Ten champion Penn State, and four of their five losses came by a combined 18 points. Even with tailback James Conner and quarterback Nathan Peterman departing, Pitt might be poised for a breakthrough in coach Pat Narduzzi's third season. The Panthers have to eventually get better on defense, and Narduzzi is slowly upgrading the defensive talent. Pitt plays Penn State (road) and Oklahoma State (home) in nonconference games and doesn't play ACC foes Clemson, Florida State or Louisville during the regular season.[/font]
http://www.espn.com/college-football/st ... op-25-2017
Notable: #4 Penn State.
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]4. Penn State[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]2016 record: 11-3, 8-1 Big Ten[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Returning starters: 9 offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Key losses: C Brian Gaia, WR Chris Godwin, DE Evan Schwan, LB Brandon Bell, SS Malik Golden, OT Paris Palmer, DE Garrett Sickels[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Outlook: The Nittany Lions' dramatic turnaround in 2016 -- they won their final eight regular-season games and beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game -- should serve as a big springboard to 2017. Leading receiver Chris Godwin opted to leave early for the NFL draft, but most of Penn State's starters on offense will return, including star tailback Saquon Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorley. Both will be top Heisman Trophy candidates. Plus, PSU will get back a few offensive linemen who were hurt for the stretch run. Four of the defense's most productive players are departing -- defensive ends Evan Schwan and Garrett Sickels, linebacker Brandon Bell and strong safety Malik Golden -- but everyone else is expected back. The Nittany Lions will have to navigate their way through a difficult Big Ten road schedule that includes trips to Iowa, Northwestern, Ohio State and Michigan State.[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]22. Pittsburgh[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]2016 record: 8-5, 5-3 ACC[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Key losses: RB James Conner, OT Adam Bisnowaty, G Dorian Johnson, TE Scott Orndoff, QB Nathan Peterman, DT Shakir Soto, DE Ejuan Price, LB Matt Galambos, K Chris Blewitt[/font]
[font=BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Outlook: The Panthers defeated both ACC champion Clemson and Big Ten champion Penn State, and four of their five losses came by a combined 18 points. Even with tailback James Conner and quarterback Nathan Peterman departing, Pitt might be poised for a breakthrough in coach Pat Narduzzi's third season. The Panthers have to eventually get better on defense, and Narduzzi is slowly upgrading the defensive talent. Pitt plays Penn State (road) and Oklahoma State (home) in nonconference games and doesn't play ACC foes Clemson, Florida State or Louisville during the regular season.[/font]