College Football Top 25: Buying or selling the 2015 preseason rankings

Nov 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) throws a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Highest Rank:  6 (SN, Athlon)
Lowest Rank:  10 (Coaches)

SELLING

USC has some talent, and they could possibly go on to win the Pac-12, but until I see better than a 4-loss season out of a Sarkisian-coached team (he usually averages around six losses), I’m not buying into any high ranking for the Trojans.

Lots of distractions (per the usual) and some serious questions on defense are what plague the Trojans in 2015. Losing Leonard Williams is a huge blow, especially when you consider he was the best player on a defense that gave up over 400 yards a game in 2014.

Cody Kessler is the x-factor for this team. He seems ready to jump in and take his role as a team leader, Heisman Contender and SportsCenter fixture. If he can keep the offense cranking out over 35 points per game again, the Trojans have a chance at some tough contests.

What might be the backbreaker for USC is a schedule that contains seven preseason Top 25 teams. If even half those teams perform as well as expected, the Trojans are staring right down the barrel at another 4-loss season.

Next: FSU