CFN 2019 Rankings: Spring
Top 10 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 76-100 | 101-130
25. UCF Knights
Why do you think it’s all going to stop now? As long as the offensive line is fine, everything else is there. The skill guys are strong, and they got better with Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush coming in to battle for the starting quarterback gig. The defense loses a slew of key tacklers, but the back seven will be just fine.
2019 Spring Prediction: 10-2
2018 Final Record: 12-1
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 9
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
24. Virginia Tech Hokies
2018 was an aberration, but losing a few key transfers – including QB Josh Jackson to Maryland – will hurt. Youth was a problem on defense, but those growing pains should be over. The offense might not be a killer, but it’ll be efficient enough to win with if the defense does its job.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 6-7
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 65
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
23. Washington State Cougars
It’s a loaded team that should be every bit as good as last year’s version if Eastern Washington transfer QB Gage Gubrud can be another Gardner Minshew. The lines are great, the receivers are solid, and the defensive back seven is good enough.
2019 Spring Prediction: 7-5
2018 Final Record: 11-2
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 16
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
22. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Now it’s time for the offense to do its part. The defense will still be good despite the losses of Jeffery Simons and Montez Sweat, but it’ll take a slight step back. QB Keytaon Thompson and the great group of receivers should pick up the slack.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 8-5
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 35
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
21. Virginia Cavaliers
The program has been building fast under Bronco Mendenhall, and now he has his best team yet. Bryce Perkins is one of the ACC’s better quarterbacks, but he needs help from the running game. The defense will be the star with just about everyone of note but S Juan Thornhill and LB Chris Peace returning.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 8-5
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 39
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
20. TCU Horned Frogs
2018 was an aberration after playing in the Big 12 Championship the year before. This year’s team should be back in the mix with an improved offense, starting with a stronger backfield and WR Jalen Reagor. Even with parts gone from the linebacking corps and a few top receivers done, it’s not going to take much of a rebuild.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 7-6
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 52
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
19. Wisconsin Badgers
Call this a leap of faith ranking. The Badgers don’t have a sure-thing quarterback – although, freshman Graham Mertz should be a superstar with a little time – and almost everyone is gone on the O line. On the plus side, the receivers are terrific – for Wisconsin – and the defense should be closer to the 2017 version.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 8-5
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 54
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
18. Utah Utes
The Pac-12 South will be better, but there’s no reason the Utes can’t keep it all going. QB Tyler Huntley and RB Zack Moss are back along with most of the top receivers. The O will start running the ball a bit more, but it’ll be adaptable. The defense has the line in place to make up for the loss of a few star linebackers.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 9-5
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 29
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
17. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
There should be a bit of a regression after last year’s amazing run, but the Irish will still be strong. The offensive system is still great, Ian Book is established at quarterback, and the O line returns four starters. A lot of tackling experience returns, but the star power has to emerge.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 12-1
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 7
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
16. Washington Huskies
There’s a whole lot of work to do to replace stars on both sides of the ball, but give Chris Petersen the benefit of the doubt at this point. Georgia transfer Jacob Eason has to be great in place of Jake Browning. If he is, the O will be strong, and the defense will eventually be good despite the loss of six of the top seven tacklers.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 11-2
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 14
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
15. Penn State Nittany Lions
The strong recruiting classes under James Franklin are about to pay off. A quarterback – likely Tommy Stevens – has to rise up and be great, but the rest of the offense is more than solid. The youth has to kick in on defense, but there’s a whole lot of talent around Micah Parsons.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 9-4
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 26
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
14. Auburn Tigers
The schedule is a bear, and the offense has to be better despite the loss of QB Jarrett Stidham, but the running backs are solid, the O line should be great, and Derrick Brown and the defensive front will be a killer. The linebacking corps will be the early concern, but that won’t take long to rebuild.
2019 Spring Prediction: 8-4
2018 Final Record: 8-5
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 40
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
13. Miami Hurricanes
The 2017 team fattened up on a relatively easy schedule, but the 2018 team underachieved. This year’s squad under new head coach Manny Diaz should bounce back fast. Ohio State transfer Tate Martell is a huge upgrade at quarterback and the receiving corps is fantastic, but the line has to be better. The defense – led by one of the nation’s best linebacking corps – is going to be a Turnover Chain-filled killer.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 7-6
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 60
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
12. Texas Longhorns
Slow the roll a wee bit. Texas will be good around QB Sam Ehlinger, but most of the top tacklers have to be replaced, the offensive line needs a little help, and more playmakers have to emerge among the skill spots. Good recruiting classes should be ready to step in and shine, but give it another year before national title talk kicks in.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 10-4
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 13
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
11. Michigan State Spartans
Let’s just assume the offense will step up and do anything to be a wee bit better. The defense that was national title good last year should be just as good, but it’s up to the offense to hold up its end of the bargain at least a little bit. There’s experience, but there needs to be production.
2019 Spring Prediction: 9-3
2018 Final Record: 7-6
2018 CFN Final Season Ranking: 57
– 2019 Schedule Analysis
CFN 2019 Rankings: Spring
Top 10 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 76-100 | 101-130
