I had to write a way too early 2020 top 25. I miss college football so damn much, it actually hurts. It has not even been a week and I just feel empty inside. But, the season-ending will not stop me from writing about the greatest sport in the world. So, here is my way too early 2020 top 25 as we long for next season.
1. Clemson
Taking the top spot in the way too early 2020 top 25 is Clemson. After suffering his first-ever college loss, Trevor Lawrence will be back in orange for the final time, hoping for one last run. With Justyn Ross, returning and potentially others, the offense will still be solid. Add the number one recruiting class and a young defense and watch out.
2. Ohio State
I’m still of the belief that Ohio State should have been playing LSU in the championship, but had a classic Ohio State choke job. They are losing a lot from the 2019 team. Chase Young, J.K. Dobbins, K.J. Hill, Jeffrey Okudah, Damon Arnette, and a couple of other key players. They will return Justin Fields, Master Teague III, and bring in a young, very talented WR group led by Chris Olave.
3. Georgia
For whatever reason, I am in love with Georgia. After losing Jake Fromm to the NFL, Wake Forrest transfer, Jamie Newman announced he will be playing for Georgia in 2020. With one of the better pound-for-pound rosters in CFB, they should make another run to the championship.
4. Oklahoma
I’m putting my faith in Oklahoma at number four because of my faith in Spencer Rattler. I believe in him to be the next great Lincoln Riley QB at Oklahoma.
5. Oregon
I think Oregon is back. With some top recruiting classes coming in and a couple of studs coming back, they have a really solid team. Obviously losing Justin Herbert to the NFL stinks and they have some questions at O-line, but this team will be tested early as Ohio State is coming into town week two.
6. Alabama
I think Alabama still has a playoff team but I still need to see more of Mac Jones. They will be very young at WR with Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III leaving, but with Najee Harris and Jaylen Waddle, they will still be electric and a player for the playoffs.
7. LSU
What an unbelievable team, I’m not going to say just yet that they were better than the 2018 Clemson Tigers, who I think is the greatest of all time, but it is neck and neck. But losing Joe Burrow, Grant Delpit, and Justin Jefferson is just so so brutal. We shall see if they recover but I think these players have set the tone for the program. No longer is LSU just an occasional power-house.
8. Florida
Florida is my darkhorse to make the playoffs. If you have not heard the Kyle Trask story, go listen, it’s pretty unreal. They have a bunch of talent but do have holes to fill. With Dan Mullen‘s recruiting classes starting to get better and better, they are in a good spot moving forward.
9. Notre Dame
Notre Dame is what it is, a really good team that never wins the big game. They will need to win more than just “the” big game. They need to win multiple big games with Clemson coming into town and going to Lambeau field to play Wisconsin.
10. Penn State
Penn State is really not all that close to dethroning Ohio State in the Big 10 but they still have a really good team. With Sean Clifford and Micah Parsons returning, they still have their leaders on both sides of the ball.
11. Minnesota
That’s right, they are back, and here to stay. With all the talent that Wisconsin lost this season, they should now be the front-runner for the Big 10 West crown. Outside of Wisconsin and Michigan, their schedule is very easy.
12. Auburn
Bo Nix was able to grab two statement wins in his true-freshman season. A comeback against Oregon in week one and defeating Alabama at his home stadium. If Nix takes the next step, Auburn could be a surprise.
13. Wisconsin
The Badgers are going to do what they always do: win a lot of games, have an explosive running back, crush a really good Big 10 team, lose a heart-breaker, and then get smoked against Ohio State in the Big 10 championship. I will say, I think they are still very talented. But they have to watch out for Minnesota this season.
14. USC
I am on the USC bandwagon. I really like Kedon Slovis, I like their schedule. They do have Alabama week one at Jerry World, if they beat the Tide, which I think they can do, watch out.
15. Cincinnati
Big fan of this team last year, and now this year. They are bringing in Jerome Ford, a transfer RB from Alabama and they are getting their star QB, Desmond Ridder back.
16. Oklahoma State
Star RB Chuba Hubbard announced he will be returning to OSU for his last season. They were able to grab some solid wins last season, plus it’s Mike Gundy, dude is a whole man.
17. Texas A&M
I do it every year and I will be damned if I don’t do it this year. I overrate Texas A&M. It is time for Jimbo Fisher’s recruiting classes to take form and finally play up to the high expectations they always have.
18. Memphis
Really, really, really good team last season. With Mike Norvell bolting for Florida State, we shall see if this team was for real.
19. North Carolina
Everyone, including me, is in love with the now sophomore QB Sam Howell. They went 7-6 in Mack Brown‘s first year back and they could take that giant leap this year, possibly even being too low in my way too early 2020 top 25.
20. Texas
Are they back? No, but Sam Ehlinger is. Which is ok, I guess?
21. Michigan
For the first time in the Jim Harbaugh era, Michigan will not start off the season extremely overrated. The biggest question for this team is who will be taking snaps this season.
22. Arizona State
Herm Edwards is starting to get his players into the program and built some excitement for this team. They were teetering on very good last season.
23. Mississippi State
Mike Leach has me so excited for this team, and so excited for the annual matchup against Lane Kiffin in the Egg Bowl.
24. Boise State
Has a very large senior presence on the roster. A team that was flirting with perfection last season has the experience to make some noise.
25. Tennesse
Rounding out the way too early 2020 top 25 are the Tennessee Volunteers. They had a very good ending to the season, capped off with an unreal win over Indiana in the bowl game. With a pretty decent recruiting class, they are primed for a classic “the once pretty good program is back.”
