AJC's way too early 2014 rankings

[ohstatefan]

1 FSU
2 Oregon
3 OSU
The knock on the Buckeyes - that they hadn't beaten anybody - was borne out when they lost to Michigan State for the Big Ten title and to Clemson in the Orange Bowl. But those were the first losses suffered by Urban Meyer in his latest gig and he's only getting started. And his quarterback, Braxton Miller, returns.
4 Alabama
5 UCLA
6 Michigan State
7 Stanford
8 Auburn
9 Notre Dame
10 Oklahoma
11 Baylor
12 Georgia
13 Washington
14 Wisconsin
15 South Carolina
16 LSU
17 Duke
18 Missouri
19 Clemson
20 USC
21 Louisville
22 Arizona State
23 Ole Miss
24 Texas
25 Central Florida

[WANG]

Oregon that high?

[Deleted]

No Michigan but Duke is ranked. HAHA!

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2014 10:48:28 GMT -5 WANG said:

Oregon that high?

Same thought here.

[ohstatefan]

Jan 14, 2014 10:50:46 GMT -5 @buckina said:

Jan 14, 2014 10:48:28 GMT -5 WANG said:

Oregon that high?

Same thought here.

Here's their take on Oregon:
If Famous Jameis doesn't claim another Heisman, Marcus Mariota might be the reason. He's the best quarterback Oregon has found to engineer it's sleek offense, and he's among the few with NFL options who chose to stay in college. Even so, the Ducks must stop losing games whenever their offense encounters the hint of resistance.

[ohstatefan]

Jan 14, 2014 10:50:21 GMT -5 @buckina said:

No Michigan but Duke is ranked. HAHA!

For Duke it's the 10 wins, doing well agains A&M in their bowl, and the QB and WR returning, even though their OC went to Florida.

[WANG]

Only 2 ESS-EEE-CEE teams in the top 10, me likey!

[ohstatefan]

Jan 14, 2014 11:12:01 GMT -5 WANG said:

Only 2 ESS-EEE-CEE teams in the top 10, me likey!

That's probably the most significant item I got out of these rankings, for it being an Atlanta newspaper. Ohio State ranked ahead of Bama, Michigan State ranked ahead of Auburn. Granted, Wisconsin is the only other Big Ten team listed, and they do have 7 SEC teams ranked.

Another interesting omission is Texas A&M. I realize Manziel is gone, but that's quite a drop.

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2014 11:23:18 GMT -5 ohstatefan said:

Jan 14, 2014 11:12:01 GMT -5 WANG said:

Only 2 ESS-EEE-CEE teams in the top 10, me likey!

That's probably the most significant item I got out of these rankings, for it being an Atlanta newspaper. Ohio State ranked ahead of Bama, Michigan State ranked ahead of Auburn. Granted, Wisconsin is the only other Big Ten team listed, and they do have 7 SEC teams ranked.

Another interesting omission is Texas A&M. I realize Manziel is gone, but that's quite a drop.

Manziel is a huge lose but losing their top OL player and top WR as well. With that porous defense, it's hard to assume anyone other than Manziel can make up for it.

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2014 11:23:18 GMT -5 ohstatefan said:

Jan 14, 2014 11:12:01 GMT -5 WANG said:

Only 2 ESS-EEE-CEE teams in the top 10, me likey!

That's probably the most significant item I got out of these rankings, for it being an Atlanta newspaper. Ohio State ranked ahead of Bama, Michigan State ranked ahead of Auburn. Granted, Wisconsin is the only other Big Ten team listed, and they do have 7 SEC teams ranked.

Another interesting omission is Texas A&M. I realize Manziel is gone, but that's quite a
drop.

6 pac teams ....

[victor2111]

The pac 12 had a very good year this year OOC/Bowl games and the biggest thing for them is they're returning QB on their major teams. Oregon & UCLA QB could have been first round draft picks and both are going back to school. HUGE.

[socaljd3]

I think they're being a little generous to the bucks...without Miller, they're probably a ranking between 20-25 at best. Does anything point to them fixing the D and being better?

[WANG]

Jan 15, 2014 8:11:25 GMT -5 socaljd3 said:

I think they're being a little generous to the bucks...without Miller, they're probably a ranking between 20-25 at best. Does anything point to them fixing the D and being better?

Withers "leaving" is probably a good start.

[victor2111]

Jan 15, 2014 8:11:25 GMT -5 socaljd3 said:

I think they're being a little generous to the bucks...without Miller, they're probably a ranking between 20-25 at best. Does anything point to them fixing the D and being better?

- More depth
- Better coaches at DL and secondary
- More Talent


Just young now. Very young. Can they grow up fast?

I think the defense will be better this year. I think the ST will be better this year(At KR & PR). I think the offense will take a small step back(maybe average 3PPG or so less) but not much.


I think preseason Ohio State should be a little lower on the list but by the end of the year, I do think they could be a top 4 team. And in 2015, I think they can be the #1 team(depending on if the QB steps up his game and replaces Braxton).

[WANG]

Jan 15, 2014 10:07:55 GMT -5 victor2111 said:

Jan 15, 2014 8:11:25 GMT -5 socaljd3 said:

I think they're being a little generous to the bucks...without Miller, they're probably a ranking between 20-25 at best. Does anything point to them fixing the D and being better?

- More depth
- Better coaches at DL and secondary
- More Talent


Just young now. Very young. Can they grow up fast?

I think the defense will be better this year. I think the ST will be better this year(At KR & PR). I think the offense will take a small step back(maybe average 3PPG or so less) but not much.


I think preseason Ohio State should be a little lower on the list but by the end of the year, I do think they could be a top 4 team. And in 2015, I think they can be the #1 team(depending on if the QB steps up his game and replaces Braxton).

I can't imagine the D can get any worse lol