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College Football Rankings: Post-spring 2017 Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

Apr 22, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) is hit by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Hootie Jones (6) as he scores during the A-day game at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) is hit by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Hootie Jones (6) as he scores during the A-day game at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) throws a pass during the orange and blue debut at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) throws a pass during the orange and blue debut at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Christian McCaffrey is gone and quarterback Keller Chryst is coming off an ACL injury during the team’s bowl game. However, Stanford should return one of the best defenses in the country, especially the secondary, even with Solomon Thomas gone. Bryce Love should be just fine in the backfield in place of McCaffrey. He had 779 yards and three touchdowns (7.0 yards per carry) in 2016.

Louisville tailed off near the end of the season, but one thing remained constant: Lamar Jackson’s ability to create offense. The Heisman-winning quarterback had one heck of a sophomore season and he returns as a junior, looking to put Louisville back on the college football map. Freshman receiver Dez Fitzpatrick had a breakout spring game and should be Jackson’s top target. This offense, pending the offensive line’s progression, should be elite once again.

Landing Baylor quarterback transfer Jarrett Stidham could make all the difference, especially if his spring game performance was any indication of what Tigers fans should expect. He will be the dynamic passer that Auburn has been lacking and Johnahan Franklin III was a highly-regarded dual-threat JUCO QB transfer, but he might be making a move to receiver. The backfield is also loaded and the defense should be strong once again, despite key losses.

Jim McElwain has turned the Florida Gators into defense-first annual SEC contenders. However, the Gators have to be sick of finishing as runner-ups, losing the last two SEC Championship to Alabama. The offense has been an area of concern for the past couple of years, but if Feleipe Franks can live up to his blue-chip status out of high school, the Gators may finally have their answer under center. This team could be destined for another SEC title appearance.

There is a lot of hype surrounding Oklahoma State, specifically Mason Rudolph, heading into the 2017 season and the Cowboys deserve it. Many believe this could be Mike Gundy’s best team yet and this might be the year the Cowboys steal a conference title from in-state foe Oklahoma. As long as the Rudolph to James Washington connection is going strong, this team will be tough to beat.

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