By John Sarianides

With the 2017 season kicking off tonight, here is my pre-season top 25.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide: An experienced offense makes the Tide the pre-season favorite to get back to the national title game.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes: J.T Barrett and a talented defense makes the Buckeyes a favorite to make the college football playoff once again. 

3. Florida State Seminoles: The Noles return a bevy of talented players on both sides of the ball and that is why they are the favorite in the ACC.

4. USC Trojans: Sam Darnold and company are the best team in the PAC-12 and are poised to make a run at a national championship.

5. Oklahoma Sooners: New coach Lincoln Riley inherited a talented team. Heisman Trophy candidate Baker Mayfield is back to run Riley’s spread offense. 

6. Clemson Tigers: Replacing Deshaun Watson and Wayne Gallman on offense will be tough but the Tigers have plenty of talent on the roster and an experienced defense returning.

7. Washington Huskies: The Huskies return quarterback Jake Browning, running back Myles Gaskins and wide receivers Lavon Coleman and Davon Pettis . That talented skill group makes the Huskies a national title contender.

8. LSU Tigers: The Bayou Bengals return quarterback Danny Etling and running back Derrius Guice. They will operate behind an experienced offensive line. A rebuilding defense will determine LSU’s long term chances.

9. Penn State Nittany Lions: Penn State is poised to make a national championship run thanks to quarterback Trace McSorely and running back Saquon Barkley. The duo forms one of the best running back tandems in the nation.

10. Michigan Wolverines: People are writing off the Wolverines because of the talent exodus that took place after last season but there is plenty of talent in place, especially on defense.

11. Oklahoma State Cowboys: Quarterback Mason Rudolph is one of the best signal callers in the country and has a talented skill group to work with. A rebuilding offensive line and defense could be an issue for the Pokes.

12. Georgia Bulldogs: The Dawgs have an elite backfield with quarterback Jacob Eason and running back Nick Chubb. That back field along with a talented returning tdefense makes the Bulldogs the favorites in the SEC East.

13. Wisconsin Badgers: The Badgers return one of the nation’s top defense’s as well as quarterback Alex Hornibrook and a talented skill group. Wisconsin will once again be the front runner in the Big Ten West.

14. Florida Gators: The Gators are loaded with talent but questions at the quarterback position could limit their ability to make a run in the SEC.

15. Louisville Cardinals: The Cardinals return Heisman Troohy winner Lamar Jackson and a slew of skill players from last year’s team. The Cardinals also boast the best secondary in the ACC and that should allow them to compete for a conference title.

16. Auburn Tigers: The Tigers will be a factor in the SEC West thanks to the addition of quarterback Jarrett Stidham and the emergence of running back Kamryn Pettway. Auburn could surprise this season.

17. Virginia Tech Hokies: New coach Justin Fuentes turned the Hokies around last season winning 10 games. Repeating that feat will be tough but the Hokies are talented enough to do it if young players emerge. 

18. Miami Hurricanes: Mark Richt is slowly but surely putting the U back on the map. Finding a quarterback who can operate  his pro-style will be key for this season.

19. Stanford Cardinal: The backfield duo of Keller Chryst and Bryce Love makes the Cardinal a legit contender both in the PAC-12 and nationally.

20. West Virginia Mountaineers: Quarterback Will Grier should help improve what was a mediocre passing game last year. The Mountaineers can run the football and play good defense. 

21. Kansas State Wildcats: Quarterback Jesse Ertz headlines a bevy of returning starters that should enable the Wildcats to contend in the Big 12.

22. Tennessee Volunteers: Butch Jones and his staff have recruited well in Knoxville, enabling the Vols to once again contend for an SEC East title.

23. Texas Longhorns: Tom Herman inherits a talented roster ready to make some noise in the wide open Big 12. 

24. Utah Utes: The Utes will push the Trojans in the PAC-12 South. Head coach Kyle Whittingham once again returns a talented defense.

25. N.C State Wolfpack: The Pack is the sleeper team in the ACC. Expectations are high for Dave Doeren’s team thanks to a veteran offense and loaded defense returning.