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2020 College Football Power Re-Rankings

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  • 2020 College Football Power Re-Rankings

    JOAL RYAN
    Posted: 2020-08-26

    That s the mantra for this comprehensive update to our 2020 college-football power rankings. While Ryan Day s sidelined Ohio State Buckeyes and more disappear from our rankings, other programs move into the picture. On the whole, the competition for the top spot remains fierce.

    Will the No. 1 ranking go to Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide? Dabo Swinney's Clemson Tigers? Ed Orgeron's LSU Tigers? Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs?

    Here s how we came up with our answers:

    These power rankings represent a blend of the preseason picks issued, as of Aug. 24, by 247Sports, CBS Sports, the Associated Press, USA Today s Amway Coaches Poll and ESPN s College Football Power Index.
    Like the 247Sports and CBS Sports rankings, we only rank schools that are planning to play football in the fall. Since we first published the power rankings on June 22, 63 of the FBS s 130 schools have canceled fall action due to the coronavirus pandemic.
    As a result of the cancelations by the likes of the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences, Ohio State, Michigan, USC and 13 other schools have lost their power-rankings spots.
    Our list, originally a Top 40 rundown, has been trimmed a Top 25. This better aligns the rankings with 247Sports and the AP s. The trimmed-down list also acknowledges that, as of this update, FBS football is down to only 67 active programs total.

    For all these provisos, this list should look familiar. The power rankings were -- and are -- heavy with SEC schools. Especially in the Top 10.

    And not to rub salt in the wounds of Ohio State fans, but at the end of our Top 25, you ll find a rundown of what might ve been: a rundown of the elite schools that were ranked in our first pass, but were eliminated from this one because their programs were idled.

    In the event more schools drop out of the fall (or any come back?), these power rankings will be adjusted accordingly.

    As of now, college-football season is scheduled to lurch to life in September. We ll update these power rankings weekly once the majority of the active programs are in action.

    Enough with the pregame program. Let s get to the game: our totally revised 2020 college-football power rankings.
    25. PITTSBURGH PANTHERS

    Previous ranking: N/A

    The ACC’s Pitt is a new entry on this list. The Panthers jump from nowhere to No. 25. Overall, 247Sports’ college-football experts expect the program to be a middle-of-the-pack ACC team. But so-so’s pretty good when about half the nation’s programs aren’t playing. Look for a star turn from Pitt’s Paris Ford (pictured), called the “best coverage safety” in his conference by Panthers247.
    24. FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

    Previous ranking: 40 (tie)

    It s amazing what a whole bunch of other teams dropping out can do for your national standing, yes? Florida State is another middling ACC team, per 247Sports college-football experts. But Seminoles are showing up. And not only that, they re showing up with projected first-round 2021 NFL Draft pick Marvin Wilson (pictured).
    23. BAYLOR BEARS

    Previous ranking: 21

    How do you drop in the rankings when so many other teams just plain dropped out? The AP preseason poll s just not sold on you. But fear not, Baylor faithful, 247Sports and CBS Sports both have Baylor as one of the nation's Top 25 teams. And there's no disputing that senior QB Charlie Brewer (pictured) is money, especially when it comes to engineering comeback wins.
    22. KENTUCKY WILDCATS

    Previous ranking: 40 (tie)

    With an upset Belk Bowl victory over Virginia Tech, the Wildcats outdid modest expectations last year. Thanks to the likes of Kavosiey Smoke (pictured), they head into the new season with a solid run game.
    21. MIAMI HURRICANES

    Previous ranking: N/A

    Welcome back to the Top 25, Miami! The Hurricanes are another new entry here. After failing to crack AP s preseason poll in 2019 (and then going on to prove the experts correct, with a 6-7 season), the program is, well, still unranked in AP s 2020 poll. But 247Sports and CBS Sports are believers -- those rankings have Miami at No. 21 and No. 20, respectively.
    20. TCU HORNED FROGS

    Previous ranking: 30 (tie)

    TCU features the Big 12's most valuable safety in Trevon Moehrig (pictured), a potential 2021 NFL Draft first-rounder. 247Sports national reporter Brandon Marcello notes the TCU offense should be on the upswing -- especially since it "can't get much worse."
    19. IOWA STATE CYCLONES

    Previous ranking: 38 (tie)

    Led by QB Brock Purdy (pictured), one of the prospective first-rounders in our 2021 NFL Mock Draft, Iowa State could vie for its first-ever Big 12 title.
    18. TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

    Previous ranking: 32

    Tennessee lands in this spot on the strength of its showing in the preseason polls from 247Sports and CBS Sports. The Vols will have to be sharp to make these projections a reality: According to 247Sports Chris Hummer, Tennessee s 2020 got markedly tougher when the SEC revised its schedule in mid-August.
    17. LOUISVILLE CARDINALS

    Previous ranking: 27 (tie)

    Second-year head coach Scott Satterfield looks to keep the buzz -- and wins -- going in 2020. 247Sports, CBS Sports and the ESPN FPI see the Cardinals, featuring 5-foot-9 running back Javian Hawkins (pictured), as a Top 25 team.
    16. MEMPHIS TIGERS

    Previous ranking: 23 (tie)

    247Sports likes Memphis; CBS Sports really likes Memphis -- the latter has the Tigers as its preseason No. 14. Expectations are just as high for returning running back Kenny Gainwell (pictured), a preseason All-American who compiled nearly 1,500 rushing yards in 2019.
    15. VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES

    Previous ranking: 23 (tie)

    Even with potential first-round 2021 NFL Draft pick Caleb Farley (pictured) opting out of the season, the Hokies are projected to be a solid team in the ACC.
    14. CINCINNATI BEARCATS

    Previous ranking: 27 (tie)

    Quarterback Desmond Ridder (pictured) is among the Bearcats key returning players. Rising-star coach Luke Fickell is back, too -- and he may be the biggest difference-maker of them all.
    13. NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS

    Previous ranking: 25

    Sam Howell (pictured) turned heads in his 2019 freshman year with more than 3,600 passing yards and 39 touchdowns (all but one via the air). His rising stock has North Carolina looking good, especially in the updated preseason rankings from 247Sports and CBS Sports. Both polls have the school ranked 12th.
    12. UCF KNIGHTS

    Previous ranking: 19

    Coming off a 10-3 season, the Knights are projected to score another Top 25 finish by all five polls surveyed for this ranking. Dillon Gabriel (pictured), one of the Sporting News' Top 25 quarterbacks, will lead the way for the Knights.
    11. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

    Previous ranking: 18

    In 2019, the Cowboys' Chuba Hubbard (pictured) ran for more than 2,000 yards. In 2020, he's a preseason All-American. Come the 2021 NFL Draft, he may be a first-round pick. His legs should take Oklahoma State (8-5 in 2019) a long way -- provided he and coach Mike Gundy stay on the same page.
    10. TEXAS LONGHORNS

    Previous ranking: 13

    Texas' offense will lead its charge in the Big 12. Elite returning starters include QB Sam Ehlinger (pictured), and prospective 2021 NFL Draft first-round offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi.
    9. TEXAS A&M AGGIES

    Texas A&M zooms up our rankings -- and in case you were wondering, no, it’s not a bad thing to be assigned a revised SEC schedule that, per 247Sports’ Bud Elliott, is “decently below the average.”

    The Aggies are led by quarterback and Heisman candidate Kellen Mond
    8. AUBURN TIGERS

    Previous ranking: 11

    After just one (great) year, sophomore Auburn quarterback Bo Nix is considered to have an outside shot at the Heisman. 247Sports updated preseason Top 25 says the big question is whether Nix can continue to thrive, even with Tigers losing four offensive-line starters from their 2019 squad.
    7. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

    Previous ranking: 12

    Notre Dame jumps five spots in our ranking -- and maybe that s the least it can get for perseverance. The pandemic shredded Notre Dame s initial schedule, and cost it its annual games against USC and Navy. The Fighting Irish subsequently pivoted to the ACC (for one football season only, it says).

    On the field, the Notre Dame offense will benefit from the return of several key 2019 players, including standout OT Liam Eichenberg (pictured) and quarterback Ian Book.
    6. FLORIDA GATORS

    Previous ranking: 7

    Florida's veteran offense, including returning QB Kyle Trask, looks to lead the Gators to the (almost) top of the SEC East.
    5. LSU TIGERS

    Previous ranking: 5

    For all the upheaval of the 2020 college-football preseason, one thing has remained constant: Pretty much nobody expects LSU to repeat as national champion. 247Sports updated preseason Top 25 is the least sold on the school s 2020 prospects: It has the Tigers at No. 7.
    4. OKLAHOMA SOONERS

    Previous ranking: 9 (tie)

    Jalen Hurts is gone, but Creed Humphrey (pictured), the 6-foot-4, 310-pound center, will return to help Spencer Rattler settle in as the next Oklahoma quarterback to watch.
    3. GEORGIA BULLDOGS

    Previous ranking: 4

    With Jake Fromm a rookie now for the Buffalo Bills, Georgia has a QB battle to settle. Among those competing for the job are two transfers: Wake Forest grad Jamie Newman and former USC Trojans player JT Daniels.
    2. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

    Previous ranking: 3

    The more things change, the more they stay the same: Nick Saban s Alabama is projected to be at or near the top of the college-football game.

    After losing four players to the 2020 NFL Draft in just the first round, the Crimson Tide is expected to roll on with the help of prospective 2021 NFL Draft first-rounders Jaylen Waddle, Alex Leatherwood, Patrick Surtain II, Dylan Moses and DeVonta Smith.
    1. CLEMSON TIGERS

    Previous ranking: 2

    Ohio State s loss is Clemson s gain. The Tigers are your new, undisputed No. 1 team -- at least in the five major polls we surveyed. With Trevor Lawrence (pictured), the Heisman favorite and presumed No. 1 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, leading the way, Clemson is expected to qualify for its sixth-straight College Football Playoff.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS

    Previous ranking: 38 (tie)

    Per 247Sports national reporter Brandon Marcello, the offensively challenged Wildcats were going to be a middling team in the Big Ten East. But where there was standout tackle Rashawn Slater (pictured), there was hope. Now, there s neither. The Big Ten canceled fall football, and Slater declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: WASHINGTON HUSKIES

    Previous ranking: 36

    This was to be Jimmy Lake's first season as Washington s head coach. And we guess it still is, but it presumably won t be the one Lake envisioned: The Pac-12 has ruled out football until at least the spring.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: AIR FORCE FALCONS

    Previous ranking: 35

    The Air Force s season got taken out with the Mountain West s decision to cancel fall football. The Falcons may still play games against their fellow service academies, Army and Navy.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: INDIANA HOOSIERS

    Previous ranking: 34

    The Big 10's third-best offense in 2019 was to return eight starters in 2020, including receiver Whop Philyor (pictured).
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: BOISE STATE BRONCOS

    Previous ranking: 33

    Jack Sears (picture) is a transfer from USC who was to compete for the Broncos QB job. And maybe he still will in the spring? For now, there are no games to play for the Mountain West s Boise State.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

    Previous ranking: 30 (tie)

    Heading into his third year in Tempe, head coach Herm Edwards had the Sun Devils poised to potentially rule the Pac-12 South. A lot was to ride on sophomore QB Jayden Daniels (pictured), who passed for more than 2,700 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2019.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: IOWA HAWKEYES

    Previous ranking: 22

    Per 247Sports national reporter Brandon Marcello, Iowa had lost too many key players from 2019 to muscle out either Wisconsin or Minnesota for dominance in the Big Ten West. But a talented wide-receiver group, including Ihmir Smith-Marsette (pictured, left) and Brandon Smith (pictured, right), stood to help the school make up ground. Now it s all moot.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: UTAH UTES

    Previous ranking: 20

    Quarterback Jake Bentley (pictured) is a graduate transfer from South Carolina to Utah, and is the projected No. 1 starter for the Pac-12 school -- if the Utes play in the spring, that is.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS

    Previous ranking: 17

    If the Golden Gophers regroup during the 2020-2021 school year, the team will regroup without star wide receiver Rashod Bateman (pictured). Even before the Big Ten pulled the plug on fall football, Bateman opted out in favor of prepping for the 2021 NFL Draft.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: USC TROJANS

    Previous ranking: 16

    Was USC really one of the elites of 2020? A team could've taken out Alabama in a head-to-head contest? We'll never know.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

    Previous ranking: 15

    The Big Ten s out -- and so is Wolverines star Jalen Mayfield. The offensive tackle, a potential 2021 NFL Draft first-round pick, has left Michigan to prep for his pro career.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: WISCONSIN BADGERS

    Previous ranking: 9 (tie)

    Once upon a time, Wisconsin was ranked as high as No. 3 in the ESPN FPI.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: OREGON DUCKS

    Previous ranking: 7 (tie)

    With the Pac-12 packing it, offensive tackle Penei Sewell (pictured) won t be able to raise his NFL Draft stock this fall -- not on the field, at least.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

    Previous ranking: 6

    Penn State didn t just lose its fall season: It lost Micah Parsons (pictured), who opted out in favor of prepping for the 2021 NFL Draft. Parsons is considered perhaps the best linebacker prospect.
    ELIMINATED FROM RANKINGS: OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

    Previous ranking: 1

    This one's tough. What do you say about a team that was primed to contend for a national championship? What do you say about a quarterback, Justin Fields (pictured), who was primed to contend for a national championship? Oh, what might've been.
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