CFN 2019 Rankings: Spring
Top 10 | 11-25 | 51-75 | 76-100 | 101-130
50. Arizona State Sun Devils
There won’t be a lot of early buzz, but this ranking could turn out to be way, way too low. The passing game needs new parts, but Eno Benjamin is one of the nation’s best running backs. The D? Loaded – 16 of the top 19 tacklers are back.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 7-6
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 63
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
49. Purdue Boilermakers
It’s going to be a fight to get back to a bowl game, but head coach Jeff Brohm is back instead of at Louisville. Start there, and everything else looks okay. There’s enough experience on defense returning to be better, and the offense needs more explosion than WR Rondale Moore.
2019 Spring Prediction: 6-6
2018 Final Record: 6-7
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 55
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
48. Boston College Eagles
There’s too much of a talent overhaul on defense not to hurt, but BC always has good pieces ready to go on that side of the ball. Offensively, it’ll be the AJ Dillon show – he’ll once again be among the nation’s best running backs. However, the receivers and line lose way too much.
2019 Spring Prediction: 6-6
2018 Final Record: 7-5
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 50
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
47. Houston Cougars
Alright, Dana Holgorsen. Time to prove to the world just how good you are. The passing game will be fantastic as long as QB D’Eriq King is okay, and there should be a solid ground attack, too. The defense is another story with a do over in the back seven and the Ed Oliver-less line needing to be stronger.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 8-5
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 56
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
46. San Diego State Aztecs
It’s all about finding something more on offense. The running game should be outstanding with four starters back on the line, and with the 1-2 rushing punch of Juwan Washington and Chase Jasmin good enough to carry the attack. The D line might need some new parts, but the back eight will be among the Mountain West’s best.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 7-6
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 62
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
45. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
It’s going to take a little while to pivot from the option offense to what new head man Geoff Collins is putting together, and it starts with finding the right quarterback. There’s talent on the O, but they have to change things up. If the line comes around fast, the defensive should be fine.
2019 Spring Prediction: 6-6
2018 Final Record: 7-6
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 64
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
44. Boise State Broncos
There’s a whole lot to like, but the offensive backfield has to be great right away. The offensive line is outstanding, and the defense could be the best in the Bryan Harsin era. At least, it had better be right away with Florida State up first.
2019 Spring Prediction: 10-2
2018 Final Record: 10-3
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 8
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
43. Baylor Bears
There’s a whole lot to like. QB Charlie Brewer leads an offense that should be able to hang with anyone in the Big 12, but a few new go-to receivers have to emerge. A whole lot of key tacklers from last year are back, but the secondary has to be a whole lot better.
2019 Spring Prediction: 7-5
2018 Final Record: 7-6
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 80
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
42. Kentucky Wildcats
Okay, okay, so the Wildcats are being disrespected again, but a whole lot of key parts – led by Josh Allen – are gone on defense, RB Benny Snell is gone of the offense, and it’s going to take a whole lot of rebuilding to get back to that level.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 10-3
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 12
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
41. Tennessee Volunteers
Jeremy Pruitt should have his team stronger and far better in his second year, but the lines are still a question mark and the offense has to be more consistent. The overall experience is there, but it all has to turn into production.
2019 Spring Prediction: 7-5
2018 Final Record: 5-7
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 86
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
40. West Virginia Mountaineers
2018 was supposed to be the big year, and it didn’t quite happen. New head coach Neal Brown might just be an upgrade over Dana Holgorsen, but can Oklahoma transfer Austin Kendall at least match what Will Grier was able to do? The defense loses just enough top tacklers to be annoying, but it’s the offense that should be the star.
2019 Spring Prediction: 7-5
2018 Final Record: 8-4
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 37
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
39. Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa has to prove it’s a factor for defensive linemen after losing everyone up front, but the defense will be okay. Losing tight ends TJ Hockenson and Noah Fant hurts, but QB Nate Stanley is growing into an underappreciated passing talent.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 9-4
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 25
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
38. Minnesota Golden Gophers
If the Gophers can get decent quarterback play, look out. The running game should be stellar, the experience at receiver is there, and the defense has the potential to be solid, especially in the secondary. Now a star has to emerge under center.
2019 Spring Prediction: 7-5
2018 Final Record: 7-6
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 44
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
37. Missouri Tigers
In terms of talent, the Tigers have the upside to be terrific, with QB Kelly Bryant leading an outstanding O full of playmakers in the receiving corps. The defensive front needs work, and there’s that issue of not being able to go bowling, but the team should have an attitude.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 8-5
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 41
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
36. UCLA Bruins
Okay, ha ha – now the Chip Kelly era should really begin. The passing game should be more consistent, Joshua Kelley is a productive running back, and the line is experienced. The young defense is now experienced, but it has to be a whole lot better.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 3-9
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 100
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
35. NC State Wolfpack
It’s going to take some work to do more on offense without QB Ryan Finley – the attack needs to be far more balanced, and it has to do it with RB Reggie Gallaspy gone. The other side, though, is going to pick up the slack. The secondary is going to be fantastic, and despite losing LB Germaine Pratt, the tacklers are there.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 9-4
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 36
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
34. Florida State Seminoles
FSU will be in for a better Year Two under Willie Taggart, but only if the offensive line play that’s been a problem for the last two seasons improves. Cam Akers is a special running back, and the receivers are in place for either James Blackman or Alex Hornibrook at quarterback. The defensive back seven is going to be as good as any in the ACC as the year goes on.
2019 Spring Prediction: 7-5
2018 Final Record: 5-7
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 83
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
33. USC Trojans
There should be a big turnaround after the rebuilding job done last year, but QB JT Daniels has to be better, there has to be a ground game, and the defense needs to rock in the secondary. Overall, the D will be better, but it has to replace several key tacklers.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 5-7
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 87
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
32. Oklahoma State Cowboys
The offense is loaded at receiver, the line is full of veterans, and Chuba Hubbard is poised and ready for a massive season. Now the quarterback situation has to be settled. The secondary is the strength of the defense, but the front seven is going to be an early concern.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 7-6
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 45
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
31. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska will be better, but how fast can it get to up to full speed? Adrian Martinez is a rising superstar quarterback, but the running game needs to be a bit better and the defense has to be a whole lot more consistent.
2019 Spring Prediction: 7-5
2018 Final Record: 4-8
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 88
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
30. Iowa State Cyclones
It’s time to accept that Iowa State is just that good under head coach Matt Campbell, and this might be his best team yet. The offensive line gets everyone back, and Brock Purdy is a rising star quarterback, but other skill players are there. The D line is great and the safeties are among the Big 12’s best.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 8-5
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 42
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
29. South Carolina Gamecocks
It’s going to be an interesting season for a Gamecock team that has a whole lot of talent and upside. The defensive front will be a killer, and the offense should more than fine, but the secondary and O line are concerns.
2019 Spring Prediction: 6-6
2018 Final Record: 7-6
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 69
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
28. Northwestern Wildcats
Last year’s breakthrough team was great, but it was helped by a mediocre Big Ten West. These Wildcats will be even better, but the division will be stronger, too. Hunter Johnson is a quarterback upgrade, the receivers are there to help the cause, and the defense will be a brick wall.
2019 Spring Prediction: 7-5
2018 Final Record: 9-5
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 27
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
27. Syracuse Orange
As long as the line is okay and Tommy DeVito can handle the quarterback gig, the offense should fly. The receivers are great and the running backs are strong. The linebacking corps might need a few new parts, but the overall defensive depth is there, and the secondary is going to be great.
2019 Spring Prediction: 7-5
2018 Final Record: 10-3
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 17
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
26. Stanford Cardinal
It might take a little while to get the parts in place on defense, but the front three will be more than good enough to overcome the loss of all the starting linebackers. QB KJ Costello is terrific, but he needs new receivers to rise up and the running game has to be stronger.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 9-4
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 32
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
CFN 2019 Rankings: Spring
Top 10 | 11-25 | 51-75 | 76-100 | 101-130
