CFF 2017 Rankings -- 20-16

   

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       2017 TOP 60 RANKINGS

 It isn't always easy, determining (read that as guessing) who will have the best teams in college football. Last year we had two of the four playoff teams, but all four CFP teams were in our top six, including Washington at 4 -- the only forecaster (at least that we are aware of) that had the Huskies making the playoffs.

 A number of factors go into these rankings -- talent, experience, strength of schedule. It's up to us to figure out which are the most important, and rank the teams accordingly. One note -- this is how we see the teams finishing up the season, not who has the strongest bunch heading into the year. If we did it that way, Alabama and Ohio State would be 1-2 every single season.

 Today we spotlight the teams ranked 20-16.

16. Louisville (9-4) -- If you thought Lamar Jackson did a lot last year, you ain't seen nothing yet. The Heisman Trophy winner started like a house afire, scoring eight touchdowns in the opener and then putting up 611 total yards the next week, building a huge lead after just two games. The Cardinal lose their top running back, both receivers and three members of an offensive line that was a bit inconsistent in 2016, so it could be up to Jackson to once again do the Superman routine.. True freshman Colin Wilson could handle the rushing chores, and Jaylen Smith averaged 22.2 yards per grab last year, so the big play component is there. Louisville returns five of its top eight tacklers and seven starters overall, led by LB Stacy Thomas (85 tackles, 6.5 TFL) and CB Jaire Alexander (5 INT, 9 PBU). UL must go to Florida State and NC State, but gets Clemson at home. FAST FACT --  Jackson became the first player in ACC history to have 15 passing and rushing touchdowns in the same season -- and he achieved that in just six games.

Chris Evans (Detroit Free Press)

17. Michigan (10-3) -- The natives still love Jim Harbaugh in Wolverine country, but that could dissipate if Michigan loses yet again to Ohio State. Michigan is back on the map nationally, but hasn't won the Big Ten since 2004, and with 17 starters gone (most in FBS), it probably won't do it this year, either. The offense is almost all-new, though QB Wilton Speight returns. He doesn't wow you with numbers, but stands tall in the pocket and can make the throws into a window that are needed. Chris Evans averaged 7.0 yards per carry last season and gets first dibs on the running back chores. The defense returns one starter from a unit that led the nation in total yards (261.7) and was second in points allowed (14.1 per game). The Wolverines open with a doozy in Jerry World, taking on the Florida Gators, and face Penn State and Wisconsin on the road before getting a crack at the hated Buckeyes. FAST FACT -- People talk about the UM defense, and with good reason. However, the 40.3 ppg the offense averaged in 2016 was the highest total since 1904.

18. LSU (8-4) -- Make no mistake about it, LSU is still a physical, grind it out, run-first offense, even with Leonard Fournette gone to the pro ranks. But the Tigers might actually show traces of a passing attack this year after poaching OC Matt Canada from Pittsburgh (the only FBS team to score at least 28 points in every regular season game in 2016). Danny Etling is a game-manager, but Canada may have him take more shots down the field. There are no established receivers, so that might be tough, but they can always lean on RB Derrius Guice (1,387 yards, 15 TD, 7.6 ypc), a legit Heisman candidate. Guice is breathtaking in the open field and has three O-line starters back to open holes. Just five starters return on defense, but LSU typically reloads on that side of the ball. Hybrid rusher Arden Key (56 tackles, 12 sacks) makes everything go, and corner Kevin Toliver leads a fiesty, aggressive secondary. The Tigers open with BYU and must face Florida and Alabama on the road. FAST FACT -- Guice has seven touchdowns runs of 40 yards or more in his two seasons in Baton Rough, despite being mostly a backup.

D.J. Reed (Getty Images)

19. Kansas State (9-4) -- If KSU could face only teams from Texas it would be national champion. The Wildcats swept four contests in league play against Texas teams, and threw in a bowl win over A&M for good measure. Experience at quarterback typically equals success in Manhattan, and senior Jesse Ertz is back after eclipsing 1,700 yards through the air and 1,000 on the ground. The offensive line returns nearly intact, and playmaking wideout/returner extraordinaire Byron Pringle (16.2 ypc) is back. Six starters are back on a defense that pared its ppg from 31.5 to 22.3, the best being corner D.J. Reed (75 tackles, 3 INT, 16 PBU). Coach Bill Snyder was absent for a bit battling throat cancer after the 2016 campaign concluded. At 77, he's still got his faculties and loves to coach, but you have to wonder how much longer he'll be around. KSU must go to Texas and Oklahoma State, but gets TCU and Oklahoma at home in consecutive weeks. FAST FACT -- The Wildcats have scored 106 non-offensive touchdowns since 1999, the best figure in the country.

20. Virginia Tech (10-4) --  All Justin Fuente did in his first season as coach was get the Hokies to double-digit wins, something they hadn't done since 2011 (the last year of an eight-year string of at least 10 victories). With a bit less experience this year it might be difficult to repeat, but a solid recruiting class means Tech is in good shape for the future. Quarterback is a concern with three untested arms, but Travon McMillan (671 yards) should do well as the lead runner. Cam Phillips caught 76 passes a year ago, but there isn't much experience opposite him. Tech allowed just 22.8 points per game, the sixth time in seven years it has been under 23 per game. LB Tremaine Edmunds made 106 stops and 14 TFL, and plays fast and aggressive in Bud Foster's scheme. Tech misses Florida State and Louisville and hosts Clemson, but must venture to Miami in early November, likely for top honors in the ACC Coastal. FAST FACT -- The Hokies were third in the country in opponents third down conversion percentage (27.45), and led a contingent of four ACC teams in the top 10 of that category.

Tomorrow we will present teams 15-11.

25-21 

30-26 

35-31 

40-36 

45-41 

50-46 

55-51 

60-56