Cream of the Crop

Tier 1a: A Great Matchup for Week 1 and/or the Championship Game (Two Teams)

• Ohio State: The reigning national champions, Ohio State, are poised to defend their title with a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents. However, the departure of key players to the NFL and the introduction of a new quarterback could pose challenges.
• Texas: With a robust SEC schedule, Texas is a formidable contender. Their Week 1 clash against Ohio State is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in the season.

Tier 1b: The Rest of the Best (Three Teams)

• Georgia: Known for their consistent performance, Georgia remains a top contender with a strong defense and strategic gameplay.
• Oregon: Under the guidance of Dan Lanning, Oregon continues to build on their strengths, focusing on a balanced attack and solid defense.
• Penn State: With a talented supporting cast and a promising quarterback, Penn State is expected to make significant strides this season.

Teams That Are Hot

Tier 2: Playoff Expectations (Six Teams)

• Alabama: Breaking in a new quarterback, Alabama aims to reclaim their dominance in the SEC.
• Clemson: Despite recent setbacks, Clemson is determined to return to their winning ways with a focus on offensive improvements.
• Miami: With a wealth of talent, Miami has the potential to make a deep playoff run, provided they can overcome their historical inconsistencies.
• Michigan: Following a national title, Michigan faces the challenge of maintaining their high standards with a new quarterback at the helm.
• Notre Dame: With a new quarterback and a strong skill position depth, Notre Dame is set to compete at the highest level.
• LSU: Despite a tough schedule, LSU remains a strong contender with a focus on defensive strategies.

Big Ten's Ticking Clocks

Tier 10a: The Big Ten's Ticking Clocks (Three Teams)

• Nebraska: With a promising quarterback and a focus on offensive play-calling, Nebraska is looking to make a significant impact this season.
• USC: Despite losing key players, USC is determined to rebuild and compete in the Big Ten.
• Wisconsin: Returning to their foundational strengths, Wisconsin is focusing on a ground game to drive their success.

Room for Improvement

Tier 14: Room for Improvement (Six Teams)

• Arizona: With a new quarterback and a focus on offensive strategies, Arizona is looking to improve their standings.
• Northwestern: Known for their smart players and good defense, Northwestern aims to build on their strengths.
• Oklahoma State: Despite recent struggles, Oklahoma State is focused on making a comeback with a new quarterback.
• UCF: Bringing back a familiar face, UCF is looking to return to their winning ways.
• Wake Forest: With a new coach and a focus on roster improvements, Wake Forest is set to make strides this season.
• West Virginia: Despite a history of mediocrity, West Virginia is determined to turn their fortunes around.

Potential Sleepers

Tier 11: Potential Sleepers (Seven Teams)

• Cincinnati: With a focus on defensive strategies, Cincinnati is looking to make a significant impact this season.
• Colorado: Under the guidance of Deion Sanders, Colorado is focused on building a competitive team.
• Houston: With a new offensive approach, Houston is looking to improve their standings.
• North Carolina: With a complete roster overhaul, North Carolina is focused on building a strong foundation.
• Pittsburgh: Known for their defensive strengths, Pittsburgh is looking to make a deep playoff run.
• Rutgers: With a focus on higher aspirations, Rutgers is determined to push for bigger achievements.
• Virginia: With a strong transfer class and a focus on offensive improvements, Virginia is set to make significant strides.

Even Stevens

Tier 12: Even Stevens (Seven Teams)

• Arkansas: With a focus on consistency, Arkansas is looking to improve their standings.
• Boston College: Known for their consistent performance, Boston College aims to build on their strengths.
• Cal: With a focus on close games, Cal is looking to turn their fortunes around.
• Kentucky: Despite a history of mediocrity, Kentucky is determined to make a significant impact.
• Maryland: With a focus on offensive strategies, Maryland is looking to improve their standings.
• Michigan State: Known for their defensive strengths, Michigan State is looking to make a deep playoff run.
• UCLA: With a focus on balanced gameplay, UCLA is set to compete at the highest level.

Stars & Stripes

Tier 13: Stars & Stripes (Three Teams)

• Air Force: Known for their disciplined approach, Air Force is looking to make a significant impact.
• Army: With a focus on ground game, Army is determined to compete at the highest level.
• Navy: Known for their strategic gameplay, Navy is looking to build on their strengths.

Group of 6 with Upside

Tier 15: Group of 6 with Upside (15 Teams)

• App State: With a focus on offensive strategies, App State is looking to make a significant impact.
• Buffalo: Known for their consistent performance, Buffalo aims to build on their strengths.
• East Carolina: With a focus on defensive strategies, East Carolina is looking to improve their standings.
• Florida Atlantic: Despite recent struggles, Florida Atlantic is focused on making a comeback.
• Fresno State: Known for their balanced gameplay, Fresno State is set to compete at the highest level.
• Louisiana: With a focus on offensive improvements, Louisiana is looking to make significant strides.
• Ohio: Known for their defensive strengths, Ohio is looking to make a deep playoff run.
• North Texas: With a focus on consistency, North Texas is looking to improve their standings.
• South Alabama: Despite recent setbacks, South Alabama is determined to turn their fortunes around.
• Texas State: With a focus on offensive strategies, Texas State is looking to make a significant impact.
• Troy: Known for their disciplined approach, Troy is looking to build on their strengths.
• UConn: With a focus on defensive strategies, UConn is looking to improve their standings.
• South Florida: Despite recent struggles, South Florida is focused on making a comeback.
• UTSA: Known for their balanced gameplay, UTSA is set to compete at the highest level.
• Western Kentucky: With a focus on offensive improvements, Western Kentucky is looking to make significant strides.

At Least You Tried

Tier 16a: At Least You Tried (Three Teams)

• Mississippi State: Despite recent struggles, Mississippi State is focused on making a comeback.
• Purdue: Known for their defensive strengths, Purdue is looking to make a deep playoff run.
• Stanford: With a focus on offensive strategies, Stanford is looking to improve their standings.

The Lost Boys

Tier 16b: The Lost Boys (Two Teams)

• Oregon State: Despite recent setbacks, Oregon State is determined to turn their fortunes around.
• Washington State: With a focus on offensive improvements, Washington State is looking to make significant strides.

They're Fine. Solid. Decent. OK.

Tier 17: They're Fine. Solid. Decent. OK. (10 Teams)

• Arkansas State: With a focus on consistency, Arkansas State is looking to improve their standings.
• Bowling Green: Known for their disciplined approach, Bowling Green is looking to build on their strengths.
• Colorado State: With a focus on offensive strategies, Colorado State is looking to make a significant impact.
• Georgia Southern: Despite recent struggles, Georgia Southern is focused on making a comeback.
• Miami (Ohio): Known for their defensive strengths, Miami (Ohio) is looking to make a deep playoff run.
• Northern Illinois: With a focus on offensive improvements, Northern Illinois is looking to make significant strides.
• Old Dominion: Despite recent setbacks, Old Dominion is determined to turn their fortunes around.
• San Diego State: Known for their balanced gameplay, San Diego State is set to compete at the highest level.
• San José State: With a focus on defensive strategies, San José State is looking to improve their standings.
• Utah State: Despite recent struggles, Utah State is focused on making a comeback.

We Could Be Talked Into Them

Tier 18: We Could Be Talked Into Them (Eight Teams)

• Coastal Carolina: With a focus on offensive strategies, Coastal Carolina is looking to make a significant impact.
• Hawai'i: Known for their consistent performance, Hawai'i aims to build on their strengths.
• UL Monroe: Despite recent setbacks, UL Monroe is determined to turn their fortunes around.
• Louisiana Tech: With a focus on offensive improvements, Louisiana Tech is looking to make significant strides.
• Sam Houston: Known for their disciplined approach, Sam Houston is looking to build on their strengths.
• Southern Miss: With a focus on defensive strategies, Southern Miss is looking to improve their standings.
• UAB: Despite recent struggles, UAB is focused on making a comeback.
• Wyoming: Known for their balanced gameplay, Wyoming is set to compete at the highest level.

The Best Entertainment You're Likely to Find on a Tuesday Night in Mid-November

Tier 19: The Best Entertainment You're Likely to Find on a Tuesday Night in Mid-November (12 Teams)

• Central Michigan: With a focus on offensive strategies, Central Michigan is looking to make a significant impact.
• Delaware: Known for their consistent performance, Delaware aims to build on their strengths.
• Eastern Michigan: Despite recent setbacks, Eastern Michigan is determined to turn their fortunes around.
• Florida International: With a focus on offensive improvements, Florida International is looking to make significant strides.
• Jacksonville State: Known for their disciplined approach, Jacksonville State is looking to build on their strengths.
• Marshall: With a focus on defensive strategies, Marshall is looking to improve their standings.
• Missouri State: Despite recent struggles, Missouri State is focused on making a comeback.
• Nevada: Known for their balanced gameplay, Nevada is set to compete at the highest level.
• Temple: With a focus on offensive strategies, Temple is looking to make a significant impact.
• Tulsa: Despite recent setbacks, Tulsa is determined to turn their fortunes around.
• UTEP: Known for their disciplined approach, UTEP is looking to build on their strengths.
• Western Michigan: With a focus on offensive improvements, Western Michigan is looking to make significant strides.

Participation Trophies

Tier 20: Participation Trophies (11 Teams)

• Akron: Despite recent struggles, Akron is focused on making a comeback.
• Ball State: Known for their defensive strengths, Ball State is looking to make a deep playoff run.
• Charlotte: With a focus on offensive strategies, Charlotte is looking to improve their standings.
• Georgia State: Despite recent setbacks, Georgia State is determined to turn their fortunes around.
• Kennesaw State: Known for their disciplined approach, Kennesaw State is looking to build on their strengths.
• Kent State: With a focus on offensive improvements, Kent State is looking to make significant strides.
• Middle Tennessee: Despite recent struggles, Middle Tennessee is focused on making a comeback.
• New Mexico: Known for their balanced gameplay, New Mexico is set to compete at the highest level.
• New Mexico State: With a focus on offensive strategies, New Mexico State is looking to make a significant impact.
• Rice: Despite recent setbacks, Rice is determined to turn their fortunes around.
• Massachusetts: Known for their disciplined approach, Massachusetts is looking to build on their strengths.