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No. 1 Clemson
The defending national champions start at No. 1 on the strength of what they have coming back on offense, starting with preseason Heisman candidate Trevor Lawrence. The true sophomore led the No. 3 offense in the country a year ago, with the Tigers averaging 527 yards per game. With Travis Etienne, Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross and three starters back on the offensive line, expect this unit to be even more dynamic. To put into greater perspective how dominant many expect the Tigers to be this season, they placed 13 of their 22 starters on the preseason all-ACC team -- eight on offense. Clemson has work to do to replace its starting defensive front, but Xavier Thomas is a star in the making. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons is a preseason All-America candidate, and the starting secondary is strong. -- Andrea Adelson
No. 2 Alabama
Whether you buy Alabama's reasons for why it lost to Clemson or not, the fact remains that this team is motivated by how it ended last season. And a hungry Nick Saban-coached team is a dangerous one. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa says he's in the best shape of his college career, and with his top four receivers back, including Biletnikoff Award winner Jerry Jeudy, the offense could be in for another monster year. -- Alex Scarborough
No. 3 Georgia
"Do more" is the motto in Athens these days as the Bulldogs are trying to get over the hump from really good to great. Standing in the way, of course, is Alabama. The offense is well-positioned, with quarterback Jake Fromm, running back D'Andre Swift and offensive tackle Andrew Thomas all returning. It's the defense, which must replace cornerback Deandre Baker and linebacker D'Andre Walker, that raises some questions. -- Scarborough
play
2:12
Georgia using the motto 'Do more' to get over the hump
Laura Rutledge examines how QB Jake Fromm and the Georgia Bulldogs can take the next step in 2019.
No. 4 Oklahoma
Two newcomers are under the microscope in OU's preseason camp: quarterback Jalen Hurts and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. Hurts, the Alabama transfer who follows two Heisman Trophy winners and No. 1 NFL draft picks, will get most of the attention, although coach Lincoln Riley maintains that the QB1 job still must be claimed. Grinch might become the more significant addition, though, if he can improve one of the nation's worst defenses. Although Grinch is a strong tactician who understands how to complement an Air Raid offense, his impact on the defense's psychology has been most significant. "Coach Grinch has put in a mentality that we're going to go out there and try to make the offense play on our terms," linebacker Kenneth Murray said. -- Adam Rittenberg
No. 5 Ohio State
New coach Ryan Day would probably prefer to have an established quarterback room rather than breaking in transfers Justin Fields and Gunnar Hoak, but Fields is a former No. 1-ranked recruit and fits well within the system. Despite losing quite a bit at quarterback and receiver, Ohio State should return enough to propel the Buckeyes to success this season. The defense should be a strength, returning most of the top performers, and despite losing Urban Meyer, the continuity with the rest of the staff and the additions Day has made should equate to a smooth transition. -- Tom VanHaaren
No. 6 Michigan
The Wolverines are sitting directly behind Ohio State in the power rankings, and Jim Harbaugh and his staff need to get past the Buckeyes this season to propel the program toward its lofty expectations. Everything is set up for Michigan to have a big run, with continuity at quarterback with Shea Patterson returning, an experienced offensive line and a new offensive coordinator to modernize the offense. Don Brown's defense will have some big pieces to replace, but Brown has proven his ability to produce a top defense season after season. -- VanHaaren
Preseason college football power rankings: Can anyone stop Alabama vs. Clemson?
Clemson and Alabama at 1-2 is easy. But how does the rest of the Top 25 look with football season fast approaching? Check out our preseason power rankings.
www.espn.com
No. 1 Clemson
The defending national champions start at No. 1 on the strength of what they have coming back on offense, starting with preseason Heisman candidate Trevor Lawrence. The true sophomore led the No. 3 offense in the country a year ago, with the Tigers averaging 527 yards per game. With Travis Etienne, Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross and three starters back on the offensive line, expect this unit to be even more dynamic. To put into greater perspective how dominant many expect the Tigers to be this season, they placed 13 of their 22 starters on the preseason all-ACC team -- eight on offense. Clemson has work to do to replace its starting defensive front, but Xavier Thomas is a star in the making. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons is a preseason All-America candidate, and the starting secondary is strong. -- Andrea Adelson
No. 2 Alabama
Whether you buy Alabama's reasons for why it lost to Clemson or not, the fact remains that this team is motivated by how it ended last season. And a hungry Nick Saban-coached team is a dangerous one. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa says he's in the best shape of his college career, and with his top four receivers back, including Biletnikoff Award winner Jerry Jeudy, the offense could be in for another monster year. -- Alex Scarborough
No. 3 Georgia
"Do more" is the motto in Athens these days as the Bulldogs are trying to get over the hump from really good to great. Standing in the way, of course, is Alabama. The offense is well-positioned, with quarterback Jake Fromm, running back D'Andre Swift and offensive tackle Andrew Thomas all returning. It's the defense, which must replace cornerback Deandre Baker and linebacker D'Andre Walker, that raises some questions. -- Scarborough
play
2:12
Georgia using the motto 'Do more' to get over the hump
Laura Rutledge examines how QB Jake Fromm and the Georgia Bulldogs can take the next step in 2019.
No. 4 Oklahoma
Two newcomers are under the microscope in OU's preseason camp: quarterback Jalen Hurts and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. Hurts, the Alabama transfer who follows two Heisman Trophy winners and No. 1 NFL draft picks, will get most of the attention, although coach Lincoln Riley maintains that the QB1 job still must be claimed. Grinch might become the more significant addition, though, if he can improve one of the nation's worst defenses. Although Grinch is a strong tactician who understands how to complement an Air Raid offense, his impact on the defense's psychology has been most significant. "Coach Grinch has put in a mentality that we're going to go out there and try to make the offense play on our terms," linebacker Kenneth Murray said. -- Adam Rittenberg
No. 5 Ohio State
New coach Ryan Day would probably prefer to have an established quarterback room rather than breaking in transfers Justin Fields and Gunnar Hoak, but Fields is a former No. 1-ranked recruit and fits well within the system. Despite losing quite a bit at quarterback and receiver, Ohio State should return enough to propel the Buckeyes to success this season. The defense should be a strength, returning most of the top performers, and despite losing Urban Meyer, the continuity with the rest of the staff and the additions Day has made should equate to a smooth transition. -- Tom VanHaaren
No. 6 Michigan
The Wolverines are sitting directly behind Ohio State in the power rankings, and Jim Harbaugh and his staff need to get past the Buckeyes this season to propel the program toward its lofty expectations. Everything is set up for Michigan to have a big run, with continuity at quarterback with Shea Patterson returning, an experienced offensive line and a new offensive coordinator to modernize the offense. Don Brown's defense will have some big pieces to replace, but Brown has proven his ability to produce a top defense season after season. -- VanHaaren