ESPN Preseason Top 25 for 2016

[JasonS.]

Our schedule looks fairly manageable if this were to hold up (and who knows ...). The SEC East can't stay as bad as its been recently forever ... but, with so many new coaches, I'm not sure next year is the year it turns the corner.

We've got:

#2 Alabama
#11 Tennessee
#23 Georgia
#24 Louisville

http://espn.go.com/college-football...a-crimson-tide-lead-2016-way-too-early-top-25

 

[allabouttheUK]

Bama and UT will probably both be top 5 when we play them. I can see UGA taking a while to adjust and possibly being outside the top 25. Louisville will be about the same spot. I don't see any of the teams on UK's schedule outside of those listed that could enter the poll before we play them.

 

[TJS4UK]

Our schedule looks fairly manageable if this were to hold up (and who knows ...). The SEC East can't stay as bad as its been recently forever ... but, with so many new coaches, I'm not sure next year is the year it turns the corner.

We've got:

#2 Alabama
#11 Tennessee
#23 Georgia
#24 Louisville

I'd flip flop Alabama (put them @ 11) & UT (put them @ 2), but I suspect that poll is about right.

UK's schedule next year will be tough, but not as quite as tough as some are making it out to be.

As bad as I hate to say it, UT is likely to make the final 4. I think that Bama will be very good, but they will probably lose to UT & possibly to USC, LSU, Arkansas or Ole Miss. I think Bama will be at least a 2 loss team (maybe twice to UT). But, only time will tell...

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Bama and UT will probably both be top 5 when we play them. I can see UGA taking a while to adjust and possibly being outside the top 25. Louisville will be about the same spot. I don't see any of the teams on UK's schedule outside of those listed that could enter the poll before we play them.

FL could be ranked 100th and it still wouldn't matter when we play them. I guess their bad end to the season has hopes low for next year, but that will be another tough game in addition to the 4 ranked teams IMO.

 

[TJS4UK]

FL could be ranked 100th and it still wouldn't matter when we play them.

Against FL, it might be time to start a WR @ QB and put in an extra OT @ TE (or maybe try Hyde @ TE). It worked to stop another long losing streak. Maybe it might work again.

 

[KYCAT78]

I'd flip flop Alabama (put them @ 11) & UT (put them @ 2), but I suspect that poll is about right.

UK's schedule next year will be tough, but not as quite as tough as some are making it out to be.

As bad as I hate to say it, UT is likely to make the final 4. I think that Bama will be very good, but they will probably lose to UT & possibly to USC, LSU, Arkansas or Ole Miss. I think Bama will be at least a 2 loss team (maybe twice to UT). But, only time will tell...

Tn. might win the East, but I do not see them beating Bama. Bama will have a 5 star at every position on defense next year. I will take my chances with Saban and his stable of talent.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Bama and UT will probably both be top 5 when we play them. I can see UGA taking a while to adjust and possibly being outside the top 25. Louisville will be about the same spot. I don't see any of the teams on UK's schedule outside of those listed that could enter the poll before we play them.

Bama could lose quite a bit if they have a lot leave for the draft, but they are deep and will return a lot of experience, but UT almost got them this year and if Dobbs is healthy could very well get them in 16. If Kelly stays, I would't be surprised if OM doesn't win the West.

I don't expect us to be world beaters, very likely starting a new a true frosh at QB, at least 1 WR and at least 1 spot on the OL, maybe 2 true frosh WR and OL. Defense will have to play well enough to keep us in games. WIth Chubb maybe not playing in 16 our backup RB will likely be a true frosh and most of the WR's will be true frosh. Awfully young, complete new staff but hard to imagine us being much worse offensively than we were in 15 after Chubb went down. We scored 11 offensive TD's in the last 8 games, not counting the bowl.

 

[akaukswoosh]

Our schedule looks fairly manageable if this were to hold up (and who knows ...). The SEC East can't stay as bad as its been recently forever ... but, with so many new coaches, I'm not sure next year is the year it turns the corner.

We've got:

#2 Alabama
#11 Tennessee
#23 Georgia
#24 Louisville

http://espn.go.com/college-football...a-crimson-tide-lead-2016-way-too-early-top-25

I think UT is a top 4 team, if the QB stays healthy.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

SEC is rising...well the East is getting back in the picture anyway...West never really went anywhere...

UT is going to be strong with Dobbs a battle tested Sr and top play maker in the country along with a very good back field lead by Hurd...They could end up in the playoff picture with maybe only one loss to Bama in the SEC title...returning solid talent and depth overall on both sides...

Florida and UGA will be fine long run...but right now both have uncertainty at the QB position and are losing some key pieces to draft and graduation...

this is the year to take a nice step forward by beating gators and dawgs...but overall the window is closing...it's been as wide open as it ever has the past 6 years or so...if we can't make some progress this year with everyone except UT being very beatable...then we aren't going to make progress unless drastic changes from top to bottom are made...

 

[allabouttheUK]

FL could be ranked 100th and it still wouldn't matter when we play them. I guess their bad end to the season has hopes low for next year, but that will be another tough game in addition to the 4 ranked teams IMO.

I wasn't meaning that Florida won't still be loaded with talent and have a really good shot at extending their streak over us. I was just speaking to the teams in the way to early pre-season ranking.

I had forgot how much UGA struggled to end the year. Surprised they are in the top 25 with a new staff, and lots of unanswered questions.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

SEC is rising...well the East is getting back in the picture anyway...West never really went anywhere...

UT is going to be strong with Dobbs a battle tested Sr and top play maker in the country along with a very good back field lead by Hurd...They could end up in the playoff picture with maybe only one loss to Bama in the SEC title...returning solid talent and depth overall on both sides...

Florida and UGA will be fine long run...but right now both have uncertainty at the QB position and are losing some key pieces to draft and graduation...

this is the year to take a nice step forward by beating gators and dawgs...but overall the window is closing...it's been as wide open as it ever has the past 6 years or so...if we can't make some progress this year with everyone except UT being very beatable...then we aren't going to make progress unless drastic changes from top to bottom are made...

I don't see the loser of SEC championship game making it to the final 4, They have to beat Bama in regular season too and I don't know who their rotating west opponent is for 16, not Arkansas or Auburn I am pretty sure. Dobbs isn't the passer Watson is, not close but I think he might be a better runner.

 

[allabouttheUK]

This would be my East predicted order of finish:

1) UT - Strong team. O-line may be the question mark
2) FL - Well coached and still very talented. Will only get better with the staff they have
3) UGA - First you adjustments, lots of key holes to fill. This team could go either way.
4) UK - Don't want to be a homer. Offense will be improved. D will carry this team.
5) Vandy - Stronger team, but still a year or two away on Offense
6) Mizzu - Strong D, nothing else to speak of
7) USClite - Dumpster fire

Just my uneducated guess, I'm no expert, just a fan.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

This would be my East predicted order of finish:

1) UT - Strong team. O-line may be the question mark
2) FL - Well coached and still very talented. Will only get better with the staff they have
3) UGA - First you adjustments, lots of key holes to fill. This team could go either way.
4) UK - Don't want to be a homer. Offense will be improved. D will carry this team.
5) Vandy - Stronger team, but still a year or two away on Offense
6) Mizzu - Strong D, nothing else to speak of
7) USClite - Dumpster fire

Just my uneducated guess, I'm no expert, just a fan.

That's how it SHOULD HAVE BEEN in 2015 so nothing wrong with your prediction. I might flip 2 and 3, and really have no clue about 5, 6, and 7 as they are all pretty bad.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

I don't see the loser of SEC championship game making it to the final 4, They have to beat Bama in regular season too and I don't know who their rotating west opponent is for 16, not Arkansas or Auburn I am pretty sure. Dobbs isn't the passer Watson is, not close but I think he might be a better runner.

didn't realize they play bama in the regular season...

maybe that's their one loss...they head into the SEC championship motivated to beat the tide...

If that scenario plays out and UT beats bama for the crown and they both end up with 1 loss...very hard to keep those programs and fan bases out of the play off picture...

No way the committee denies the defending champs and Saban a chance to go back to back...and unless there are 3 other outstanding teams, 2 of them would have to be undefeated, then I'm not sure they tell another top SEC squad who's only loss is to bama no...

slim chance of that being the exact scenario though...Bama is going to be going through some changes...might lose Kiffin...if not they still are losing Henry, Coker...Ole Miss will be very good again and Miles may be coaching for his job again...and not to mention they open with USC west coast...I think Bama probably drops 1 if not 2 of those 3...

UT has a much easier road...their other west opponent is the Aggies...

 

[Oldtrainer_rivals]

SEC East: UT, UGA, Fla., UK, USC, VANDY, MIZZOU..
SEC West: BAMA, OLE MISS.., LSU, ARK., AUB., MISS. ST., TEX. A&M..

 

[allabouttheUK]

SEC West: LSU, BAMA, ARK, OLE MISS, AUB, MISS ST, A&M

 

[TJS4UK]

Tn. might win the East, but I do not see them beating Bama. Bama will have a 5 star at every position on defense next year. I will take my chances with Saban and his stable of talent.

UT should have beaten Alabama this year. I expect several Bama players to declare early & losing Coker @ QB is going to hurt them a lot. I won't be surprised if they fall short in the west.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Guys explain why Bama is going to win the west? Very lucky this year to not lose 2 sec games. They lose their QB and their RB's have nothing to mention coming back at either position. Their D seems to have problems with certain styles and it's a matter of time before more sec teams are going to playing them much tougher than they are now.

I like Ole Miss and UT with UT going to the playoffs.
If they were smart they could have this year. Very good and talented team. Has recruited as good as anybody in the country in the last 4 cycles.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Forgot to mention I like Clemson to win it all. Love to see a Clemson vs UT game. Think it would be really exciting and entertaining.

 

[Stonewall12]

Guys explain why Bama is going to win the west? Very lucky this year to not lose 2 sec games. They lose their QB and their RB's have nothing to mention coming back at either position. Their D seems to have problems with certain styles and it's a matter of time before more sec teams are going to playing them much tougher than they are now.

I like Ole Miss and UT with UT going to the playoffs.
If they were smart they could have this year. Very good and talented team. Has recruited as good as anybody in the country in the last 4 cycles.

No RB?

He is # 9 and the other guy is Pettaway the DT. They will be fine.

 

[RammerJammer91_rivals23256]

Guys explain why Bama is going to win the west? Very lucky this year to not lose 2 sec games. They lose their QB and their RB's have nothing to mention coming back at either position. Their D seems to have problems with certain styles and it's a matter of time before more sec teams are going to playing them much tougher than they are now.

I like Ole Miss and UT with UT going to the playoffs.
If they were smart they could have this year. Very good and talented team. Has recruited as good as anybody in the country in the last 4 cycles.

We definitely can win the west, but my gut says we won’t. Even with a new QB and starting RB, our offense will have the potential to be the best since Saban has been here. I believe Barnett will be the starter, and he is the perfect fit for Kiffin’s offense, and Bo/Damien will be a solid 1-2 punch at RB. Our OL will be significantly better and the only WR/TE we lose for sure is Mullaney. Some people close to the team believe that OJ Howard will return, and we get Robert Foster back from injury. Ridley became a starter because Foster went down in the Ole Miss game.

On the defensive side, our starting 11 will be fantastic, even with only 3 returning full-time starters (1LB, 1DB, 1S). Not worried at all about our starters. Depth might be a concern, and hopefully members of the ’14 and ’15 classes step up and we close strong between now and NSD. And it’s looking like we will, as we are the favorite for 4 5-star defensive prospects.

 

[allabouttheUK]

No RB?

He is # 9 and the other guy is Pettaway the DT. They will be fine.

#9 is a RB?! :flushed:

I would NOT want to be in his way once he gets going.

 

[JasonS.]

#9 is a RB?! :flushed:

I would NOT want to be in his way once he gets going.

Dude has veins the size of my torso.

 

[allabouttheUK]

Dude has veins the size of my torso.

Hope that dude doesn't suffer a serious injury and become another 30 for 30 what could have been story.

 

[RUPPsRevenge1]

Sorry, but the off season hype for us is already starting. I'm not convinced we will be better than Missouri, Vandy, or USClite. We very well may be looking for a new coach at the end of the season.

Why do folks think the offense will be better? We will be lucky to win 4 games next year.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Guys explain why Bama is going to win the west? Very lucky this year to not lose 2 sec games. They lose their QB and their RB's have nothing to mention coming back at either position. Their D seems to have problems with certain styles and it's a matter of time before more sec teams are going to playing them much tougher than they are now.

I like Ole Miss and UT with UT going to the playoffs.
If they were smart they could have this year. Very good and talented team. Has recruited as good as anybody in the country in the last 4 cycles.

Alabama's one SEC loss was the epitome of bad luck. You can't say "they should have lost 2 SEC games" without acknowledging the 1 they lost was a fluke loss. They could have went 15-0....see how easy that is. And Alabama will just plug in the next QB and RBs into the breach and fill it fine. They do it every year. I'm not predicting another national title or even SEC Title (Too many unknowns with a tough schedule), but I think you are just assuming a lot to say SEC teams are gonna "play them tougher" year in and year out when they already play them as tough as can be. Saban is a winner and will continue to win big as long as he is there.

And UT will find a way to choke some games away in 2016, just like this past year. You know what whole winner thing about Saban? Butch Jones is not a winner, and not a good coach. They will win a lot inspite of him due to the insane recruiting. Mad props to his recruiting ability, b ut not a very good coach.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Is like to see what they have at QB and some performance from a RB before I'm going to annoint them west winners.

I wasn't too impressed with Harris and might not get going till later in his career if he does. Bama has the #1 and something like the #3 RB already committed for next years class. So Harris is going to have to start gettin better sooner rather than later or he's going to find himself in Juco.

We were supposed to have a top notch offense this past season and we see how that turned out. And we had a QB with a lot of reps and a RB that has been producing much more than Harris has. Don't know their schedule but wouldn't be surprised at 2 losses for them even with a top notch D.


Ole miss was a fluke I guess but a win against UT was one as well.
Ya the UT squad was a bit raw at the start of the season in losing big leads but they seemed to straighten that out and dominated. And they pretty much return everybody from a young squad.

 

[gojvc]

Sorry, but the off season hype for us is already starting. I'm not convinced we will be better than Missouri, Vandy, or USClite. We very well may be looking for a new coach at the end of the season.

Why do folks think the offense will be better? We will be lucky to win 4 games next year.

You play in the ACC. 11 warm bodies could win four games with your schedule.

 

[Michigan Fan]

You play in the ACC. 11 warm bodies could win four games with your schedule.

According to the ESPN Way Too Early Top 25 you have 5 SEC Schools in it with Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee & Georgia...the ACC has 4 Schools in Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina and Louisville...at the Top of both leagues not that much difference according to ESPN....

 

[Michigan Fan]

Here is CBS Way Too Early:

SEC
2. Alabama
4. LSU
11. Tennessee
17. Ole Miss
22. Georgia

ACC
1. Clemson
12. Florida State
13. Miami
23. Louisville

Kemtucky has according to CBS on it upcoming schedule #2 Alabama on the road, #11 Tennessee on the road, #22 Georgia on the road and #23 Louisville on the road.

Louisville has according to CBS on it upcoming schedule #1 Clemson on the road, #10 Houston on the road and #12 Florida State @ home.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...-football-power-rankings-for-2016-lots-of-sec

 

[allabouttheUK]

Sorry, but the off season hype for us is already starting. I'm not convinced we will be better than Missouri, Vandy, or USClite. We very well may be looking for a new coach at the end of the season.

Why do folks think the offense will be better? We will be lucky to win 4 games next year.

Do you walk around with an umbrella on sunny days?

Why do folks think the offense will be better? That's a good question so let me take a stab at the answer.
Love Dawson or hate him, he was never really wanted at UK and his resume was lacking. In hindsight he was a desperate hire, and not the hire we needed to take the next step.
Gran has a proven track record as an OC, is a very good recruiter, and has plenty of ST experience as well. We also get Hinshaw as a co-OC and QB coach. He is experience in both areas, and is also known as a very good recruiter.
The best aspect to me is that Gran and Hinshaw have worked together for several years and are very comfortable with each other. So having one coach the QB's and the other the WR's gives me hope that there will be much better continuity between the two positions. Then add that Hinshaw will be in the booth relaying to Gran what he sees.
Yeah, there is reason to be excited this year. Unlike last year, this year we have the right people in place, and it appears that Stoops has addressed his weaknesses by the moves on the staff.

 

[Stonewall12]

Sorry, but the off season hype for us is already starting. I'm not convinced we will be better than Missouri, Vandy, or USClite. We very well may be looking for a new coach at the end of the season.

Why do folks think the offense will be better? We will be lucky to win 4 games next year.

After what we saw this past year. I don't know how everybody is not thinking like this.

 

[Tannerdad]

I am still amazed people think next year's schedule is manageable. We could manage to be a better team and still only win 5.

 

[JHB4UK]

As I've always said when the topic of looking ahead to 2016, just don't see the same as those who shriek in fear that the schedule is so much more difficult and daunting than 2015.

Actually in many ways I like our '16 schedule better than '15 or 14. It is better spaced out, the more difficult games are not all in a row after midseason. I just don't see a long 5 or 6 game losing streak in 2016, plenty of manageable opponents right before and right after our most difficult games.

the fun thing about college football is everything you assume and know to be true for the 8 months of the offseason proves to be completely wrong once the real games kick off. This time last year we all thought Auburn was our most difficult game of '15, marking it down for a loss. While at the same time the Vandy game was in everyone's "W" column. Unpredictability and going counter to assumptions is what makes sports fun.

 

[JHB4UK]

After what we saw this past year. I don't know how everybody is not thinking like this.

Because we were a trainwreck and still won 5 games with 3 close losses. hardly a stretch to think problems fixed in the coaching staff and in the locker room we could improve 1 or 2 games.

 

[allabouttheUK]

After what we saw this past year. I don't know how everybody is not thinking like this.

Maybe because it's not the same staff, problems, and problem areas have been addressed. The class that a lot of the downers predicted to fall apart, in fact did not fall apart. Logical reasoning based on the hires of Gran and Hinshaw suggest that the offense will take a step forward. The line won't be responsible for holding a block on a pass play for 5 seconds, thus the line "look" and perform better.

I'm not jumping up and down declaring we are going to win the east, but I think we will see a better product and the numbers will be improved. Does that mean more wins? Who knows.
What I do know is that the SEC always have a positive surprise and a negative surprise just about every year.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

didn't realize they play bama in the regular season...

maybe that's their one loss...they head into the SEC championship motivated to beat the tide...

If that scenario plays out and UT beats bama for the crown and they both end up with 1 loss...very hard to keep those programs and fan bases out of the play off picture...

No way the committee denies the defending champs and Saban a chance to go back to back...and unless there are 3 other outstanding teams, 2 of them would have to be undefeated, then I'm not sure they tell another top SEC squad who's only loss is to bama no...

slim chance of that being the exact scenario though...Bama is going to be going through some changes...might lose Kiffin...if not they still are losing Henry, Coker...Ole Miss will be very good again and Miles may be coaching for his job again...and not to mention they open with USC west coast...I think Bama probably drops 1 if not 2 of those 3...

UT has a much easier road...their other west opponent is the Aggies...

UT having A&M as their rotating West opponent helps them because they are a mess right now. Bama will have some growing pains, losing Henry, most likely, their qb and very likely their TE they will most likely struggle some offensively unless the qb steps up big, regardless of who the rb is he is likely a step down. OM returns quite a bit, losing Threadwell will hurt, so will Tunsil, but they didn't miss a beat defensively with the DT being out, I won't attempt to spell his name. Unless LSU can develope some type of respectful passing game I don't see them winning the west. I think it comes down to OM and Bama, we have OM as as our rotating opponent and they have Vandy as their non rotating opponent. We have too many unknowns heading into the season to be much of a threat in 16, so don't think we will compete for the East, probably 4 losses, will either be very young or very bad at qb, only 1 WR with more than 10 catches returning, replacing 2 OL and Chubb still a question mark. Could be pretty good by end of the year offensively, qb with some experience, Chubb back, WR and new OL getting experience. Defense could be pretty good early and keep us close but don't think we can score much.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Sorry, but the off season hype for us is already starting. I'm not convinced we will be better than Missouri, Vandy, or USClite. We very well may be looking for a new coach at the end of the season.

Why do folks think the offense will be better? We will be lucky to win 4 games next year.

Tell you what folks better not look past the first game...So Miss is not a pushover

 

[JHB4UK]

I think fans will have plenty of appreciation for 8 months that S. Miss is a quality opponent to be respected and to not assume a 50-0 cakewalk. Kinda the way we respected ULL all last offseason.

 

[RUPPsRevenge1]

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The same old off season, with the same folks down plating teams we have struggled to beat and make unrealistic predictions. We had one of the weaker schedules last year with key teams being down and we barely won five games. Next year's schedule is brutal. No way our wins improve. It's not being a Debbie Downer, it is being realistic.