Preseason Top 15 Countdown

 

 

Preseason Top 15 Countdown

 

15. Notre Dame

14. Miami

13. LSU

12. Texas A&M

11. Florida State

10.

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

 

    Just missing the cut for my top 10, Florida State lands at #11. There are many questions surrounding the Noles as they approach the start of the season. Is this unit rebuilding or reloading? How good will the defense be after losing several key players to the NFL Draft? Losing players to the draft, what about replacing SIX assistant coaches including a defensive coordinator. Those are just a few of the questions.....
    What about replacing EJ Manuel? or Chris Thompson? Jimbo Fisher may have a couple of solid running backs in James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freeman, but who is going to be the big home-run threat that Chris Thompson was?
     This season will be a very telling season for Jimbo Fisher. It will be his 4th season as head coach, and it should give fans a pretty good sign of whether he has to rebuild after losing 13 players to the draft or whether he can reload. Are the Noles back? Can this program get back to performing at a high level like it did in the 1990's?
      The biggest key at this point has to be Jamies Winston. He doesn't have to be a superstar (although he has been pegged as one even before he has taken ONE snap in a game), but he has to have a solid season in order for the Noles to have a good season (10+ wins and possibly a shot at the ACC).

Here is a look at the schedule:

At Pittsburgh
Nevada
Bethune Cookman (Thanks again, West Virginia)
At Boston College
Maryland
At Clemson
NC State
Miami
At Wake Forrest
Syracuse
Idaho
At Florida

    The Noles are still feeling the affects of West Virginia cancelling their home and home agreement. Bethune-Cookman doesn't really satisfy the fans, even though it's another home game.
     Their biggest games early in the season are Pitt and Clemson. Pitt will be a solid road test to start the season. Outside of those two games, Winston should be able to get things rolling in the right direction and get his confidence up. Trap games? I don't really see one at this point. I think a couple games that could turn into trap games as the season draws closer could be the At Wake then at home vs Syracuse.
     The media still wants to pump this team full of hype this season. Last year the hype was deserving and they choked ( they choked and still won the ACC and a BCS bowl; which was what they were predicted to do). This season, I feel like their should be a cautious hype. The potential is there, but they still have to prove they can play every week at the same high level. If this team can get through their growing pains early in the season and head into the Clemson game and get a win on the road........it will be an interesting second half of the season.

     Send in your questions/comments to Jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post them at our facebook page. www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day Don't forget to give us a 'LIKE'. Check back later this week as I release the first team in my Preseason Top 10 Countdown.