For a better part of the title game it looked like the Seminoles were going to get steam rolled. However they were able to get the momentum and ended up winning one of the best National Title Games in the past then years. The best team in the nation won the title!
2. Auburn Tigers (12-2)
Even with a loss I can't drop the Tigers from the #2 spot. They beat their rival Alabama, won the SEC and nearly won the National Title. This was a team that only won three games last year and looked horrible. A tremendous season for the Tigers.
3. Michigan State Spartans (13-1)
It would have been interesting to see how the Spartans would have done in a 4 team playoff. Wouldn't have been shocked if they won it all. That's how great the Spartans were playing at the end of the season. But as good as their defense was, it was the play of QB Connor Cook that made this team.
4. Missouri Tigers (12-2)
Gary Pinkel went from being on the hot seat coming into this year to being one of the best teams in the nation. Missouri enjoyed a great breakout season winning the SEC East and setting themselves up to make a run for a while with QB Maty Mauk and their offensive talent.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide (11-2)
0-2. The last time Alabama was on a two game losing streak was all the way back to 2008. Ironically that year they dropped their last game of the regular season and then got beat by a lesser team in the Sugar Bowl. But after winning two straight titles, anything else is a disappointment in Tuscaloosa.
6. South Carolina Gamecocks (11-2)
Without a dynamic offense it was easy to have low expectations for the Gamecocks this season. However after sluggish start to the season they bounced back and were bad game against Tennessee from winning another SEC East Title. But their win over Wisconsin shows that they belong here.
7. Central Florida Knights (12-1)
I've been reluctant to put UCF too high, but their win over Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl was a huge win and proves that they are for real. QB Blake Bortels and RB Storm Johnson were dynamic this year and helped this former Conference USA school a player this year.
Despite being 10-2, there wasn't a whole lot of confidence that the Sooners would be able to get a win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. However Big Game Bob Stoops got the most out of the Sooners and they were able to finish the season strong and earn another top ten finish.
They looked like one of the best teams in the nation several times this season, but suffered two bad losses to Utah and USC which cost them a shot at a National Title. Then add in a loss against Michigan State in the Rose Bowl and you have to think they could have done so much better.
10. Oregon Ducks (11-2)
Oregon was my pick to win the National Title, but it ended up being another disappointing season. They still can't get past Stanford and then uncharacteristically got drubbed by Arizona. Next year should be interesting with them having to replace longtime DC Nick Aliotti and still have questions about HC Mark Helfrich.
11. Clemson Tigers (11-2)
I'm beginning to think that what we've seen lately out of Clemson is going to be the norm. They'll enter the season with a ton of hype as a National Title contender and then lose one or two games to the best team(s) on their schedule and finish right around 10th. Next year should be the same.
12. Baylor Bears (11-2)
Even though it may seem like a disappointment that Baylor didn't get the National Title and lost the Fiesta Bowl, this has still be a great season for the Bears. Their 11-2 finish is the best in school history and even better is they were able to lock up head coach Art Briles for the rest of his career.
13. Ohio State Buckeyes (12-2)
Going into the season the Buckeyes were a national title contender, but didn't get a whole lot of respect because of their weak schedule. Well those doubters proved to be right because once Ohio State played Michigan State and then Clemson they got beat.
LSU didn't have the highest expectations going into the year, but with improved QB play out of Zach Mettenberger proved to be the catalyst for them winning ten games again. Next year they'll have to reload like usual, but they may be set at QB with what Anthony Jennings showed to end the season.
15. UCLA Bruins (10-3)
Long been considered a sleeping giant, the Bruins are looking like a breakout candidate in the Pac 12. Not only did they hold onto coach Jim Mora but they got QB Brett Hundley to come back. They should be the favorite to win the Division and might be ready to challenge Stanford and Oregon.
16. Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-3)
More and more does it look like Mike Gundy is moving towards something special in Stillwater. This was the third time in four years the Cowboys won ten games and are a player in the Big 12. But they'll have to replace QB Clint Chelf who graduates this year.
More and more does it look like Mike Gundy is moving towards something special in Stillwater. This was the third time in four years the Cowboys won ten games and are a player in the Big 12. But they'll have to replace QB Clint Chelf who graduates this year.
Not too often does a 12-1 season seem like a disappointment. High expectations were had for the Cardinals, but they needed to go undefeated to even sniff the title game. Their loss to UCF cost them that. Now they need a new coach and head to the ACC. It will be tough sledding from here on out.
18. Arizona State Sun Devils (10-3) At the end of the season the Sun Devils were playing at an extremely high level and if wasn't for such a bad match up with Stanford they could have won the Pac 12. The program is heading in the right direction, just as long as Todd Graham stays there.
19. Texas A&M Aggies (9-4)
Plain and simple, the Aggies were let down this year because of their defense. They couldn't stop anybody and gave up 32 points per game. Even with another dominant Johnny Manziel season couldn't prevent them from losing four games. It will be interesting to see them next year without him.
20. USC Trojans (10-4)
The old adage about bowl games is the team that's more motivated usually wins. With sentimental favorite Ed Orgeron being passed over for the job many thought they wouldn't be too excited to play Fresno State. Instead they played with the old USC swagger and ran away with it. Next year could be a good on in LA.
21. Wisconsin Badgers (9-4)
For a better part of the season the Badgers looked like a top ten team, but ended up on a two game losing streak mainly because of their pass defense. If the Badgers can fix those issues and pair that up with their juggernaut rushing attack they could easily been Michigan State next year.
22. Mississippi Rebels (8-5)
You really can't judge how good Mississippi is by looking solely at their record. Yes they lost five games but only the Miss State game was a bad one. I'd like to see some of the top ten teams play all the ranked teams they had to. Ole Miss is a team to really watch out for next year. The West is gonna be more open than you think.
A season for a lifetime happened for Duke this year and it could have been even bigger with a win against A&M in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. However we need to really appreciate the coaching job David Cutcliff did this year. The Dukies are not a fly by night team.
What was thought to be a magical season for the Bulldogs ended up on a sour note. Their loss to San Jose State ended their shot at a BCS Game, but the egg they laid against USC gives all the critics ammunition to point out how weak their schedule was.
25. Vanderbilt Commodores (9-4)
When was the last time Vanderbilt was ranked? I'm not sure, but you have to give them credit for what James Franklin is doing there. Yeah they lost four games but everyone they did was to a ranked team. Their victory over a though Houston team was a feather in their cap.
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