2014 College Football Preview: Ranking The Top 60 Teams In The Nation

Guess what! College football starts soon! Like, today. But it's never too late for some more season preview material.

1. Florida State

My top seed for the inaugural College Football Playoff is last year's defending national champions, Florida State. Of course, the Seminoles return Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston at quarterback along with four starters on the offensive line. Their opener is against Oklahoma State, a solid test but one they should win. The schedule continues to set up nicely after that, getting both Notre Dame and Florida at home. It's hard to see them not running the table.

2. Alabama

The second seed goes to Alabama, which also has the talent and depth to go undefeated. Guys like running back T.J. Cooper and wide receiver Amari Cooper will help along the Crimson Tide's inexperienced quarterback early in the season, while one of the top secondaries in the country will keep opponents at bay. Pundits that discount this team because of a young starter under center should keep in mind that three of the last four national champions have won it all with first-year quarterbacks. Their two bye weeks come at crucial points, the first between a game against Florida and then at Mississippi, and the second between road games at Tennessee and LSU. They will provide the stiffest test to Florida State this season.

3. UCLA

This was going to be my Cinderella pick until every other national prognosticator started to jump on the bandwagon. I can't remember a team ever being picked this high after so many years of just "meh" football. They showed potential at times last season but inconsistency ended up killing the Bruins at crucial points. Jim L. Mora has been stockpiling four and five star recruits everywhere and this is the year they get to shine. Nine starters return on offense, including Heisman candidate Brett Hundley, and their defense will be the best in the Pac-12.

4. Oklahoma

Last time we saw Oklahoma, they hung 45 points on Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. If that same team consistently shows up this season, the Sooners have an easy enough schedule to win all 12 games. They should be favored in all of them and get both Baylor and Oklahoma State in Norman.

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5. Michigan State

6. Marshall

7. Boise State

8. Ohio State

9. UCF

10. Wisconsin

11. Oregon

12. Georgia

13. Clemson

14. Auburn

15. Texas

16. Virginia Tech

17. Northwestern

18. North Carolina

19. Washington

20. Baylor

21. South Carolina

22. USC

23. Mississippi

24. Notre Dame

25. Cincinnati

26. Florida

27. Houston

28. Iowa

29. Pittsburgh

30. Toledo

31. Louisiana

32. Northern Illinois

33. Arizona

34. Bowling Green

35. Fresno State

36. UTSA

37. TCU

38. LSU

39. Stanford

40. Louisville

41. Michigan

42. Oregon State

43. BYU

44. Syracuse

45. Utah State

46. Nebraska

47. Miami (Florida)

48. Missouri

49. Kansas State

50. Memphis

51. San Diego State

52. East Carolina

53. Mississippi State

54. Oklahoma State

55. Arizona State

56. Tennessee

57. NC State

58. Illinois

59. Navy

60. Maryland