Also preseason rankings by 247. 19-25.
NO. 19 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
(Photo: G Fiume, Getty)
Returning Production: 18th
This is the program with the best chance to jump from fringe bowl team to divisional contender. Having freshman record-setter
Sam Howell is the biggest plus in the North Carolina’s favor. He’s the type of passer who can elevate a program. The Tar Heels also bring back 17 starters, including 10 on offense. Another thing working in UNC’s favor? All six of its losses last season were by a possession or fewer. Those games won’t all go against the Tar Heels next year. What’s working against UNC? The Tar Heels have a brutal slate to open the year: UCF, Auburn and James Madison that could derail the campaign before the momentum can truly start rolling.
Mack Brownhas jumpstarted this program quickly, the ACC Coastal is, as always, there for the taking.
NO. 20 UCF KNIGHTS
UCF QB Dillon Gabriel (Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
Returning Production: 38th
UCF fatigue kicked in last year once the Knights’ unbeaten streak came to an end against Pittsburgh. But this still a team that won 10 games and finished second nationally behind LSU, averaging 540.5 yards per game. The quarterback who spearheaded that effort,
Dillon Gabriel, should actually be better in 2020 entering his sophomore season. It certainly helps Gabriel that seven starters return around him, including receivers
Tre Nixon (830 yards, 7 TDs) and
Marlon Williams(717 yards, 6 TDs). A stat that may surprise you? The Knights, built on explosive offenses, finished fifth nationally in yards allowed per play. Eight starters off that stellar unit return, including standout defensive tackle
Kenny Turnier (13.5 TFLs) and all-conference safety Antuwan Collier (74 tackles, 4 INTs). UCF vs. North Carolina to open the season is going to be a heck of a lot of fun.
NO. 21 ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS
Returning Production: 72nd
Think of Arizona State as the West Coast version of North Carolina. Both teams are legit sleepers in their divisions largely thanks to the presence of their promising sophomore quarterback. In this case it’s
Jayden Daniels, who threw for 2,943 yards and 17 touchdowns against just 2 INTs last season. The Sun Devils are loading up around Daniels offensively. Their 2020 offensive skill talent class (
Daniyel Ngata, Johnny Wilson,
Elijhah Badger, LB Bunkley-Shelton) is sick, and they went heavy in the transfer portal to beef up an o-line that struggled last year. The defense should improve despite the departure of coordinator
Danny Gonzales (took over as New Mexico’s head coach) thanks to the return of eight starters.
Antonio Pierce (a Super Bowl winner) and
Marvin Lewis (a long-time NFL head coach) take over as co-coordinators on the defensive side of the ball. The Sun Devils will need to survive trips to USC and Oregon.
T-NO. 22 TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
Returning Production: 50th
There’s a decent chance Tennessee is the team we overhype greatly thanks to a late-season push. Still, it’s hard to ignore a six-game win streak to end the season and the team’s rising talent (and competency) level. The Vols bring back 17 starters, including the core of a young defense that allowed just 15.5 points per game during their season-ending win streak. Quarterback is a bit of a question for Tennessee, though
Jarrett Guarantano played well over the team’s final six games. Finding replacements for
Marquez Callaway and
Jauan Jennings at receiver will be critical. We’ll know plenty about the Vols by the end of September with games with Oklahoma and Florida on the docket.
T-NO. 22 UTAH UTES
90COMMENTS
Returning Production: 130th
Utah was a controversial team in 247Sports’ preseason poll. Six people left Utah off their ballot while two included them in the top 20. There is plenty to like about this team. First, the schedule is favorable. USC and Arizona State are the only teams on their slate that came close to cracking this Top 25. Utah also draws USC and Washington at home.
Kyle Whittingham has produced six straight teams that have won at least seven games – five of those campaigns resulted in win totals of nine or more. Whittingham is a proven talent producer and developer. Thing is … almost all of last season’s playoff-worthy defense is gone with nine starters departing. The offense fares better with seven starters back, but that doesn’t include
Tyler Huntley, one of the nation’s most efficient passers. All eyes are on South Carolina transfer quarterback
Jake Bentley this fall. The Utes need him to return to his freshman year form if they hope to remain atop the Pac-12 South.
NO. 24 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES
Returning Production: 6th
The Hokies are coming off an 8-5 season and return 18 starters from a unit that made drastic strides late last season after a disastrous September. Things are looking up again for
Justin Fuente in Blacksburg.
Hendon Hookertaking a step in Year 2 as the starter is a must. Hooker was efficient last year (13 TDs, 2 INTs), but the Hokies need him to continue that with increased responsibility. The defense should be good,
Bud Foster or not. Almost the entire unit is back and elevated DC
Justin Hamiltongives a top 40 defense some continuity. The Hokies’ secondary should be a among the best in the country with star cornerback
Caleb Farley leading the way.
NO. 25 CINCINNATI BEARCATS
Returning Production: 31st
The Bearcats cemented themselves as an AAC mainstay last season under
Luke Fickell, producing an 11-win season for the second straight year. Fourteen starters are back from that team, including eight off a defense that finished 31st nationally in yards allowed per play. The loss of star linebacker
Bryan Wright(99 tackles, 14.5 TFLs) hurts, but there are several All-AAC caliber players on this unit, including defensive tackle
Elijah Ponder, linebacker Jarrell White and cornerback
Ahmad Gardner. Finding an offensive pace setter is in question after star running back Michael Warren left for the NFL. Quarterback
Desmond Ridder is back for his junior season, but his completion percentage needs to return to 2018 levels (62.4%) instead of what he produced a season ago (55.1%). Don’t be shocked if four-star quarterback
Evan Praterpushes his way into the conversation this fall. He’s the kind of talent who can raise Cincinnati’s offensive ceiling
