Mark Gronowski 
Iowa's offense sucks. Rinse, repeat, for years. But this year, if you're not at least curious what an Iowa team with a dynamic veteran QB looks like, honestly what are you doing here at Punt and Rally? The 6'3, 230 pound runner with real arm talent could be the missing link Kirk Ferentz has been searching for since, well, a long while. Gronowski can make throws that Hawkeye fans aren't used to, at least not in Black and Gold. He's used to playing in cold & shitty weather (South Dakota State) and has 93 career passing and 37 rushing TD's. If that doesn't convince you, check out these highlights. If you're still not excited, I'm not the droid you're looking for.
John Mateer
In a do or die year for Brent Venables, he's turned to Wazzu OC Ben Arbuckle and his star QB in Mateer. Mateer was a 3000+ yd passer and had 178 carries for 826 yds/15 TD's. He's an instant upgrade for this OU program that's forgotten how to field a competent QB under this staff. Hopefully they've decided to stop teaching the turnstyle OL play as well as field a WR corp that's less MASH unit and more typical Sooner weaponry. Adding Jayden Ott (Cal) in the spring tells me they are dead serious about actually moving the football forward in 2025. I'm expecting big things from Norman this season, and Mateer is the biggest reason why.
Devon Dampier
Utah is finally free of the will he/won't he madness of Cameron Rising. HC Kyle Whittingham found himself a playmaking baller out of New Mexico in Dampier. For you sickos that didn't watch the Lobos last year, Dampier threw for 2750+ and rushed for 1150+ and a total of 31 TD's. He also started a cool 0-4 including a loss to Montana State and had 19 turnovers. That said, the supporting cast is much better in Salt Lake City, starting with an offensive line that returns 5 starters and a couple of talented backs to take the heat off of him. He will need to find reliable targets, as the Utes WR/TE are in rebuild mode, but I'm excited to see how new OC Jason Beck unleashes Dampier this fall.
Demond Williams Jr
Williams started the last two games for Jedd Fisch last year and burst onto the scene with a 374 yard, 5 TD performance in the Sun Bowl vs Louisville. Now that he's QB1 with a full year under his belt, I think Williams is going to explode this year. New OC Jimmie Dougherty was Willams QB coach last year,, and he's now elevated to the OC role. The schedule sets up nicely with 2 should be easy W's before the Apple Cup vs Wazzu. I have the Huskies between 7-8 wins this year, and QB play is a big reason I see them making some noise in the Big Ten.
CJ Carr
Full disclosure, I'm a huge Irish fan. Last season was such an amazing run, and Riley Leonard was an incredible leader and dyanmic runner that nearly won the whole damn thing with mostly arm punts. Now we move onto Carr (probably), a highly touted Sophmore with a real live arm and more mobility than he's given credit for. Carr has been the fan favorite since he signed with ND, and from what little we've seen of him, he can absolutely spin the football. With playoff hero WR Jaden Greathouse back, Malachi Fields (UVA) added with others, Notre Dame should have a fun passing game to go with a top 3 running game in 2025. Now if only OC Mike Denbrock can teach Carr or Kenny Minchey to be an unstoppable man child runner on 3rd and 4...
Arch Manning
I mean, come on, it's Arch Manning. However this goes, it will be fun. But he looks scary good from what we've seen so far, and Texas is now a yearly CFP lock.
Jackson Arnold
Auburn could be really, really good this year. If the Tigers can keep Arnold upright with all playmakers they have at WR and a nasty defense, the Tigers will be in the SEC race. It's a critical 3rd year for Hugh Freeze, so stay loose, Tampa escorts.
Joey Aguilar/Nico Iamaleava
The future 30 for 30 on the Iamaleava family will be a must watch. For 2025, how does each handle his situation? Aguilar could be an instant cult hero in Knoxville. Nico and his brother Madden are now the present & future of Bruin football, if any of their 73 fans care.
Carson Beck
I will admit I have no idea how good Beck really is. He's a good QB, that I'm sure of, but how much more? Cam Ward was an incredible leader for the Canes, and word from Georgia is that isn't Beck's strongest asset. Like his dating life, there's a lotta ways this could go.
DJ Lagway
If Lagway can get and stay healthy, and improve his consistency, he's a Heisman finalist. He's already the reason Napier still roams the sidelines in Gainesville.
Bryce Underwood
Thanks to Mrs Oracle the Wolverines have a prodigy at QB. With all respect to Mikey Keene (Fresno transfer), I'm not interested. Michigan's offense has been like watching paint dry, and with Underwood at least it will be interesting paint.
Beau Pribula
Pribula looks like the next plucky Mizzu QB you'll suddenly be watching with great interest in November wondering how the Tigers are in still the SEC race.
The Powerhouses
2025 is setting up to be a wild year, as QB newcomers Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Dante Moore (Oregon), Ty Simpson (Alabama) and Gunner Stockton (Georgia) will each play a huge part in determining the national title race. As will Drew Allar (Penn St) in a make or break season, and make means actually win some big games. Cade Klubnik (Clemson) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) have the talent and rosters to make real noise this year. The majority of these QB's will be playing in the CFP.
Other Fun QB's worth watching
CJ Bailey would've been much higher on my list, but NC State hired Kurt Roper as their new OC so I just hope Bailey survives 2025 now. Gio Lopez is on my shit list for bailing on South Alabama for the Belichick carnival at North Carolina, but it doesn't make him less dynamic. Virginia technically has the 4th ranked passing yardage leader in Chandler Morris from North Texas. Sam Leavitt (ASU), Sawyer Robertson (Baylor), Rocco Becht (ISU), Josh Hoover (TCU), Avery Johnson (KSU), Jalon Daniels (KU) are all Big 12 QB's worth the price of admission. Luke Altmyer is a baller for Illinois, Dylan Raiola is now a 2nd year starter looking to build off an adequate freshman season at Nebraska, Fernando Mendoza (Cal) is a fun 2nd act for HC Curt Cignetti at Indiana and Jayden Maiava did some good things to finish last year at USC. Diego Pavia (Vandy) is back for hopefully a repeat as the savior of Nashville, Taylen Green (Arkansas) should be a lot of fun in his 2nd year under OC Petrino, LaNorris Sellers is an insane talent at QB and will take some big swings vs South Carolina's brutal schedule, and what we saw out of Austin Simmons at Ole Miss in the Georgia game was very promising. Can Zach Calzada finally be a competent SEC QB at Kentucky after chucking for 3400 yds and 32 TD's last year at Incarnate Word? Finally, watch out for KaMario Taylor at Miss St, if/when he takes over. Early word is he's a gifted athlete with a live arm, and HC Jeff Lebby's offense is as fun as his family is... problematic.
QB's for the Sickos
If you haven't watched JMU's Alonza Barnett, make it a priority in 2025. Maverick McIvor was a big pick up for Tyson Helton at Western Kentucky. I'm very interested to see new FBS member Missouri State and their 3500+ yard passer Jacob Clark. Owen McCown is back to run UTSA's fun offense under Jeff Traylor. New FIU coach Zach Kittley found a huge portal QB in Caden Vetkamp from WKU. Maddux Madsen is back for Boise, interested to see how he elevates now that all everything RB Ashton Jeanty is in NFL jail (aka a Raider). Blake Horvath is back for Navy with his 30 TDs from last years commander in chief trophy winners. Find some time to watch Walker Eget at San Jose State with their high flying offense under former option coach Ken Niumatalolo. Some others if you're so inclined would be Kadin Semonza at Tulane (from Ball St), JC French at Georgia Southern, EJ Warner at Fresno (from Rice), Parker Navarro at Ohio and Tucker Gleason at Toledo.
Iowa's offense sucks. Rinse, repeat, for years. But this year, if you're not at least curious what an Iowa team with a dynamic veteran QB looks like, honestly what are you doing here at Punt and Rally? The 6'3, 230 pound runner with real arm talent could be the missing link Kirk Ferentz has been searching for since, well, a long while. Gronowski can make throws that Hawkeye fans aren't used to, at least not in Black and Gold. He's used to playing in cold & shitty weather (South Dakota State) and has 93 career passing and 37 rushing TD's. If that doesn't convince you, check out these highlights. If you're still not excited, I'm not the droid you're looking for.
John Mateer
In a do or die year for Brent Venables, he's turned to Wazzu OC Ben Arbuckle and his star QB in Mateer. Mateer was a 3000+ yd passer and had 178 carries for 826 yds/15 TD's. He's an instant upgrade for this OU program that's forgotten how to field a competent QB under this staff. Hopefully they've decided to stop teaching the turnstyle OL play as well as field a WR corp that's less MASH unit and more typical Sooner weaponry. Adding Jayden Ott (Cal) in the spring tells me they are dead serious about actually moving the football forward in 2025. I'm expecting big things from Norman this season, and Mateer is the biggest reason why.
Devon Dampier
Utah is finally free of the will he/won't he madness of Cameron Rising. HC Kyle Whittingham found himself a playmaking baller out of New Mexico in Dampier. For you sickos that didn't watch the Lobos last year, Dampier threw for 2750+ and rushed for 1150+ and a total of 31 TD's. He also started a cool 0-4 including a loss to Montana State and had 19 turnovers. That said, the supporting cast is much better in Salt Lake City, starting with an offensive line that returns 5 starters and a couple of talented backs to take the heat off of him. He will need to find reliable targets, as the Utes WR/TE are in rebuild mode, but I'm excited to see how new OC Jason Beck unleashes Dampier this fall.
Demond Williams Jr
Williams started the last two games for Jedd Fisch last year and burst onto the scene with a 374 yard, 5 TD performance in the Sun Bowl vs Louisville. Now that he's QB1 with a full year under his belt, I think Williams is going to explode this year. New OC Jimmie Dougherty was Willams QB coach last year,, and he's now elevated to the OC role. The schedule sets up nicely with 2 should be easy W's before the Apple Cup vs Wazzu. I have the Huskies between 7-8 wins this year, and QB play is a big reason I see them making some noise in the Big Ten.
CJ Carr
Full disclosure, I'm a huge Irish fan. Last season was such an amazing run, and Riley Leonard was an incredible leader and dyanmic runner that nearly won the whole damn thing with mostly arm punts. Now we move onto Carr (probably), a highly touted Sophmore with a real live arm and more mobility than he's given credit for. Carr has been the fan favorite since he signed with ND, and from what little we've seen of him, he can absolutely spin the football. With playoff hero WR Jaden Greathouse back, Malachi Fields (UVA) added with others, Notre Dame should have a fun passing game to go with a top 3 running game in 2025. Now if only OC Mike Denbrock can teach Carr or Kenny Minchey to be an unstoppable man child runner on 3rd and 4...
Arch Manning
I mean, come on, it's Arch Manning. However this goes, it will be fun. But he looks scary good from what we've seen so far, and Texas is now a yearly CFP lock.
Jackson Arnold
Auburn could be really, really good this year. If the Tigers can keep Arnold upright with all playmakers they have at WR and a nasty defense, the Tigers will be in the SEC race. It's a critical 3rd year for Hugh Freeze, so stay loose, Tampa escorts.
Joey Aguilar/Nico Iamaleava
The future 30 for 30 on the Iamaleava family will be a must watch. For 2025, how does each handle his situation? Aguilar could be an instant cult hero in Knoxville. Nico and his brother Madden are now the present & future of Bruin football, if any of their 73 fans care.
Carson Beck
I will admit I have no idea how good Beck really is. He's a good QB, that I'm sure of, but how much more? Cam Ward was an incredible leader for the Canes, and word from Georgia is that isn't Beck's strongest asset. Like his dating life, there's a lotta ways this could go.
DJ Lagway
If Lagway can get and stay healthy, and improve his consistency, he's a Heisman finalist. He's already the reason Napier still roams the sidelines in Gainesville.
Bryce Underwood
Thanks to Mrs Oracle the Wolverines have a prodigy at QB. With all respect to Mikey Keene (Fresno transfer), I'm not interested. Michigan's offense has been like watching paint dry, and with Underwood at least it will be interesting paint.
Beau Pribula
Pribula looks like the next plucky Mizzu QB you'll suddenly be watching with great interest in November wondering how the Tigers are in still the SEC race.
The Powerhouses
2025 is setting up to be a wild year, as QB newcomers Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Dante Moore (Oregon), Ty Simpson (Alabama) and Gunner Stockton (Georgia) will each play a huge part in determining the national title race. As will Drew Allar (Penn St) in a make or break season, and make means actually win some big games. Cade Klubnik (Clemson) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) have the talent and rosters to make real noise this year. The majority of these QB's will be playing in the CFP.
Other Fun QB's worth watching
CJ Bailey would've been much higher on my list, but NC State hired Kurt Roper as their new OC so I just hope Bailey survives 2025 now. Gio Lopez is on my shit list for bailing on South Alabama for the Belichick carnival at North Carolina, but it doesn't make him less dynamic. Virginia technically has the 4th ranked passing yardage leader in Chandler Morris from North Texas. Sam Leavitt (ASU), Sawyer Robertson (Baylor), Rocco Becht (ISU), Josh Hoover (TCU), Avery Johnson (KSU), Jalon Daniels (KU) are all Big 12 QB's worth the price of admission. Luke Altmyer is a baller for Illinois, Dylan Raiola is now a 2nd year starter looking to build off an adequate freshman season at Nebraska, Fernando Mendoza (Cal) is a fun 2nd act for HC Curt Cignetti at Indiana and Jayden Maiava did some good things to finish last year at USC. Diego Pavia (Vandy) is back for hopefully a repeat as the savior of Nashville, Taylen Green (Arkansas) should be a lot of fun in his 2nd year under OC Petrino, LaNorris Sellers is an insane talent at QB and will take some big swings vs South Carolina's brutal schedule, and what we saw out of Austin Simmons at Ole Miss in the Georgia game was very promising. Can Zach Calzada finally be a competent SEC QB at Kentucky after chucking for 3400 yds and 32 TD's last year at Incarnate Word? Finally, watch out for KaMario Taylor at Miss St, if/when he takes over. Early word is he's a gifted athlete with a live arm, and HC Jeff Lebby's offense is as fun as his family is... problematic.
QB's for the Sickos
If you haven't watched JMU's Alonza Barnett, make it a priority in 2025. Maverick McIvor was a big pick up for Tyson Helton at Western Kentucky. I'm very interested to see new FBS member Missouri State and their 3500+ yard passer Jacob Clark. Owen McCown is back to run UTSA's fun offense under Jeff Traylor. New FIU coach Zach Kittley found a huge portal QB in Caden Vetkamp from WKU. Maddux Madsen is back for Boise, interested to see how he elevates now that all everything RB Ashton Jeanty is in NFL jail (aka a Raider). Blake Horvath is back for Navy with his 30 TDs from last years commander in chief trophy winners. Find some time to watch Walker Eget at San Jose State with their high flying offense under former option coach Ken Niumatalolo. Some others if you're so inclined would be Kadin Semonza at Tulane (from Ball St), JC French at Georgia Southern, EJ Warner at Fresno (from Rice), Parker Navarro at Ohio and Tucker Gleason at Toledo.
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News flash, Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama and Georgia are really good. Texas officially starts the Arch Manning era with a still punishing defense. Even perennial bridesmaids Notre Dame or Penn State could win a title this year. Clemson looks like they've leveled back up, and Bizzaro Foghorn Leghorn Brian Kelly looks to have a sneaky great team at LSU. Yeah yeah yeah, same ole same ole. I want to highlight the next tier of teams, those who either look primed for a big season, or primed for great podcast content due to the fallout. We eat the whole hog here at Punt and Rally, so here are some thoughts on the other 127 or so teams that normally don't factor in January.
Texas Tech 
Joey McGuire's won 8-7-8 games as he enters his 4th season, and it's shaping up to be a big one. #4 in returning production, QB Grehen Morton & most of his receiving core is back. If they can firm up the OL along with finding a RB rotation of Quinten Joyner (from USC) & RB depth that can produce, they could improve their offense even higher after finishing 22nd in my rankings last year. The defense returns the most production in CFB, and 5 of their 3rd ranked portal class are highly rating defensive players. That includes a massive upgrade along the line with DE's David Bailey (Stanford) & Romello Height (GT) to go along with DT Lee Hunter (UCF). With new OC Mack Leftwich (Texas St) bringing his creative offense to Lubbock, dare I say the Red Raiders could be a CFPlayoff contender? Before you laugh this away, keep in mind the Red Raiders play the 9th easiest strength of schedule in all of P4 and my preseason outlook is already approaching 10 wins.
Auburn
Auburn has a title contending roster. But Auburn is also a dumb football team, or at least it has been under HC Hugh Freeze. Penalties, turnovers, drops, you name it, they've bungled it. But this year looks different (insert laugh track). Let's start with an OL that returns all 5 starters, plus 2 more power 5 staring tackles via the portal. They've got (possibly) the best WR core in the country. They imported Jackson Arnold from OU, who had 0 healthy WR's to throw to last year while he was running for his life. The must replace RB Hunter, and that may start with UConn import Durell Robinson. They wasted a really good defense last year, and while they have to find some new parts, their 3rd ranked incoming class (portal + croots) should be able to help. They do play my #9 ranked schedule, but if Freeze can't get this team at least in the playoff discussion maybe Hogville can start combing his phone records again so the Tigers can find someone who can use all of this talent.
Colorado
Coach Prime proved me wrong. I thought this was only a fun, but short, two year exercise to showcase Shedeur, Shilo and Travis Hunter. But Prime remains in Boulder and I'm excited to see how he progresses. CFB needs more fun teams like this, and last year the Buffs proved that Prime can back up the talk. Now he's signing new signal callers, new weapons, an all star coaching staff and building both the lines. Kaidon Salter is a great add, and ripping Julian Lewis away from USC is hysterical. People still skeptical of Prime should watch 2022 clips of Colorado, because legally I can't call them highlights. I realize coach Prime is a polarizing figure, but I say sit back and enjoy this ride either by rooting for him or against him. Either way you have feelings about Colorado football. There's no other coach in football that could've made that happen three years ago.
South Carolina
I love coach Shane Beamer. I think LaNorris Sellers is one of the most fun QB's in CFB. But they are getting a lot of hype for a team that lost a whole lot from last years squad, and they face my 6th hardest schedule. They've added a lot of talent with my 18th ranking incoming class, but that's some of the issue I see here with 1/2 the roster turning over. Out of the gate they get Va Tech, Vandy, Mizzu and Kentucky, all of which they should beat, but all of which can ruin your Sandman redux if you're sleepwalking. And things get much tougher from there @LSU, OU, Bama, @Ole Miss, @A&M before finishing with Clemson. Add is all up and thats 4 elite opponents along with 4 good ones for my #10 ranked SOS. This is in no way a knock on the Cocks, an 8-4(ish) season would be a really good one (to me), but I get the feeling would not be appreciated as much in Columbia.
Miami
If I were to be tasked with building a program, Mario Cristobal would be the man I want building the roster. He would also have a Fisher Price headset that would communicate solely with farm animals. How did he not take last years team to the playoff, or at least the ACC championship game? World class offense, a defense full of misaligned talent and he finished 1-2 vs GT, Wake and Syracuse? No disrespect, but Miami's 2nd team talent should've won those games. Yes they've added Carson Beck (Georgia), the most fitting shotgun marriage I could dream up. But WR is a ?, albeit with talented options. They do have one of CFB's best Offensive Lines, and Mark Fletcher is a big, explosive back. And they've added 4 power four CB's to tighten up the turnstyle secondary they had. This year's roster is a Lexus after he put last year's Ferrari in a swamp, and I simply do not trust Cristobal went to driving school this offseason. Could he improve? Sure. But I'm betting he'll have that WTF just happened look on his face again after Notre Dame runs over them in week one, and Florida does the same in week four.
Florida State
From 12-0 to 2-10, with one FBS win over Cal by 5 points (shoutout Richard Johnson of Split Zone Duo, big fan). HC Mike Norvell has cleaned house, portaled back up and rides into 2025 on the proverbial hot seat. Pairing OC Gus Malzahn with Wile E. Weird Wing QB Thomas Castellanos (BC)is certainly a choice, but should be a fun watch. If he manages to get the ball out and on target, FSU has a lot of really good options at WR & TE. Four P4 OL portals should help, as should 5 good DL highlighted by James Williams (Nebraska). This is still my #2 talent rated ACC squad with loads of options, and new DC Tony White did some really good things at Nebraska. But we all need some schadenfreude and my vote goes to the program that sued the ACC for trying to add SMU, got smoked 42-16 in Dallas and ultimately watched them play for the ACC Championship (and yeah, they sued for many other reasons, but this one is the most hysterical).
The G5
Sometimes number can lie, and that's my case with Troy. My power ratings put them at #56, 3rd in the G5 this preseason, which is just wrong no matter how much they return from a team that started last year 1-7. Boise State remains my preseason G5 fav, but Tulane, Memphis and South Florida all make a good case. Charles Huff taking over at Southern Miss has my attention with the top G5 portal class, and I am a huge G.J. Kinne fan at Texas State even though he has a ton to replace. Toledo is the class of the MAC, but that's almost always the case and HC Jason Candle finds a way to blow it most years. I'm a huge fan of Scotty Walden and see Utep taking the next step to bowl this year. But I'd like to say that I feel for the fans of Louisiana Tech for having to endure an inexplicable 4th year of Sonny Cumbie. With DC Jeremiah Johnson (big fan) finding a life boat at Coastal Carolina, I simply wish the good people of Ruston a happy hunting season (Oct 1). Last years G5 darling UNLV is rebuilding under legendary non-crootin Dan Mullen, but they've added some fun parts and should be a good watch this year. Bob Chesney's 2nd year at James Madison could get really special in a hurry if electric QB Alonza Barnett can find a way to take down Louisville in week 2. And finally there's Liberty, so much more talented compared to the rest of CUSA and would likely schedule an animal rehab center if allowed. I believe Jamey Chadwell is a good coach, but if he has another 3-4 stretch this year I'm applying the Gene Chizik label and moving on.
Joey McGuire's won 8-7-8 games as he enters his 4th season, and it's shaping up to be a big one. #4 in returning production, QB Grehen Morton & most of his receiving core is back. If they can firm up the OL along with finding a RB rotation of Quinten Joyner (from USC) & RB depth that can produce, they could improve their offense even higher after finishing 22nd in my rankings last year. The defense returns the most production in CFB, and 5 of their 3rd ranked portal class are highly rating defensive players. That includes a massive upgrade along the line with DE's David Bailey (Stanford) & Romello Height (GT) to go along with DT Lee Hunter (UCF). With new OC Mack Leftwich (Texas St) bringing his creative offense to Lubbock, dare I say the Red Raiders could be a CFPlayoff contender? Before you laugh this away, keep in mind the Red Raiders play the 9th easiest strength of schedule in all of P4 and my preseason outlook is already approaching 10 wins.
Auburn
Auburn has a title contending roster. But Auburn is also a dumb football team, or at least it has been under HC Hugh Freeze. Penalties, turnovers, drops, you name it, they've bungled it. But this year looks different (insert laugh track). Let's start with an OL that returns all 5 starters, plus 2 more power 5 staring tackles via the portal. They've got (possibly) the best WR core in the country. They imported Jackson Arnold from OU, who had 0 healthy WR's to throw to last year while he was running for his life. The must replace RB Hunter, and that may start with UConn import Durell Robinson. They wasted a really good defense last year, and while they have to find some new parts, their 3rd ranked incoming class (portal + croots) should be able to help. They do play my #9 ranked schedule, but if Freeze can't get this team at least in the playoff discussion maybe Hogville can start combing his phone records again so the Tigers can find someone who can use all of this talent.
Colorado
Coach Prime proved me wrong. I thought this was only a fun, but short, two year exercise to showcase Shedeur, Shilo and Travis Hunter. But Prime remains in Boulder and I'm excited to see how he progresses. CFB needs more fun teams like this, and last year the Buffs proved that Prime can back up the talk. Now he's signing new signal callers, new weapons, an all star coaching staff and building both the lines. Kaidon Salter is a great add, and ripping Julian Lewis away from USC is hysterical. People still skeptical of Prime should watch 2022 clips of Colorado, because legally I can't call them highlights. I realize coach Prime is a polarizing figure, but I say sit back and enjoy this ride either by rooting for him or against him. Either way you have feelings about Colorado football. There's no other coach in football that could've made that happen three years ago.
South Carolina
I love coach Shane Beamer. I think LaNorris Sellers is one of the most fun QB's in CFB. But they are getting a lot of hype for a team that lost a whole lot from last years squad, and they face my 6th hardest schedule. They've added a lot of talent with my 18th ranking incoming class, but that's some of the issue I see here with 1/2 the roster turning over. Out of the gate they get Va Tech, Vandy, Mizzu and Kentucky, all of which they should beat, but all of which can ruin your Sandman redux if you're sleepwalking. And things get much tougher from there @LSU, OU, Bama, @Ole Miss, @A&M before finishing with Clemson. Add is all up and thats 4 elite opponents along with 4 good ones for my #10 ranked SOS. This is in no way a knock on the Cocks, an 8-4(ish) season would be a really good one (to me), but I get the feeling would not be appreciated as much in Columbia.
Miami
If I were to be tasked with building a program, Mario Cristobal would be the man I want building the roster. He would also have a Fisher Price headset that would communicate solely with farm animals. How did he not take last years team to the playoff, or at least the ACC championship game? World class offense, a defense full of misaligned talent and he finished 1-2 vs GT, Wake and Syracuse? No disrespect, but Miami's 2nd team talent should've won those games. Yes they've added Carson Beck (Georgia), the most fitting shotgun marriage I could dream up. But WR is a ?, albeit with talented options. They do have one of CFB's best Offensive Lines, and Mark Fletcher is a big, explosive back. And they've added 4 power four CB's to tighten up the turnstyle secondary they had. This year's roster is a Lexus after he put last year's Ferrari in a swamp, and I simply do not trust Cristobal went to driving school this offseason. Could he improve? Sure. But I'm betting he'll have that WTF just happened look on his face again after Notre Dame runs over them in week one, and Florida does the same in week four.
Florida State
From 12-0 to 2-10, with one FBS win over Cal by 5 points (shoutout Richard Johnson of Split Zone Duo, big fan). HC Mike Norvell has cleaned house, portaled back up and rides into 2025 on the proverbial hot seat. Pairing OC Gus Malzahn with Wile E. Weird Wing QB Thomas Castellanos (BC)is certainly a choice, but should be a fun watch. If he manages to get the ball out and on target, FSU has a lot of really good options at WR & TE. Four P4 OL portals should help, as should 5 good DL highlighted by James Williams (Nebraska). This is still my #2 talent rated ACC squad with loads of options, and new DC Tony White did some really good things at Nebraska. But we all need some schadenfreude and my vote goes to the program that sued the ACC for trying to add SMU, got smoked 42-16 in Dallas and ultimately watched them play for the ACC Championship (and yeah, they sued for many other reasons, but this one is the most hysterical).
The G5
Sometimes number can lie, and that's my case with Troy. My power ratings put them at #56, 3rd in the G5 this preseason, which is just wrong no matter how much they return from a team that started last year 1-7. Boise State remains my preseason G5 fav, but Tulane, Memphis and South Florida all make a good case. Charles Huff taking over at Southern Miss has my attention with the top G5 portal class, and I am a huge G.J. Kinne fan at Texas State even though he has a ton to replace. Toledo is the class of the MAC, but that's almost always the case and HC Jason Candle finds a way to blow it most years. I'm a huge fan of Scotty Walden and see Utep taking the next step to bowl this year. But I'd like to say that I feel for the fans of Louisiana Tech for having to endure an inexplicable 4th year of Sonny Cumbie. With DC Jeremiah Johnson (big fan) finding a life boat at Coastal Carolina, I simply wish the good people of Ruston a happy hunting season (Oct 1). Last years G5 darling UNLV is rebuilding under legendary non-crootin Dan Mullen, but they've added some fun parts and should be a good watch this year. Bob Chesney's 2nd year at James Madison could get really special in a hurry if electric QB Alonza Barnett can find a way to take down Louisville in week 2. And finally there's Liberty, so much more talented compared to the rest of CUSA and would likely schedule an animal rehab center if allowed. I believe Jamey Chadwell is a good coach, but if he has another 3-4 stretch this year I'm applying the Gene Chizik label and moving on.
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