I can't stand Dodd, he's a terrible reporter. But here's his top 25. About the only two I can agree with are tOSU and TCU based on last year. Baylor is too high. They are going to find out what attrition means this year. And no Bryce Petty and a new OC. The rest pretty much make no sense to me. Why is a Miss. St team who lost half of their starters from last year ranked above a team who kicked their ass in a bowl game? Other than the top 2, you can pretty much throw a hat over the rest of these teams. OU not in his top 25. I can live with that, although you have to keep in mind that Dodd is a Texan. No other Big 12 teams other than Baylor or TCU in his top 25. But the Big 12 will be more competitive than he thinks.
DENNIS DODDCBSSports.com
Post-spring Top 25: Ohio State will begin 2015 where it left off in 2014
May 12, 2015 10:05 am ET
What's changed since spring started? Plenty.
Everett Golson is leaving Notre Dame. Ohio State set a record but still can't settle on a quarterback. Jim Harbaugh has re-energized the Big Ten.
The Big 12 changed its mind, then didn't. (Pick a lane, fellas.)
Because of that -- and more -- there has to be a post-spring top 25.
1. Ohio State: The Buckeyes set what they claim was a record with a crowd of more than 99,000 attending the spring game. They were treated to a halftime skills competition of Braxton Miller racing and Cardale Jones throwing. Next, the most intriguing fall camp of all time. Math reminder: There is only one starting quarterback position. Pre-spring: No. 1
2. TCU: No more ties in the Big 12. Whether it means a darn thing to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee remains to be seen. The Frogs are loaded for a Big 12 and national championship run. Trevone Boykin is arguably the Heisman favorite going in. Pre-spring: No. 2
3. Oregon: The improving Pac-12 will have a CFP participant for the second straight year. Vernon Adams arrives on campus on or about June 15. He'll find most of the skill positions stocked. Pre-spring: No. 5
4. Alabama: As much uncertainty as there is at quarterback and receiver, the defense has that intimidating look to it again. It better. The last two Sugar Bowls have exposed massive holes. Pre-spring: No. 4
5. Baylor: Art Briles keeps saying an undefeated Big 12 team will get in the playoff. We'll likely find out about the Bears on Nov. 27 at TCU. Meanwhile, Baylor continues to be the most fascinating program around. A 410-pound tight end? Pre-spring: No. 3
6. Michigan State: If the Buckeyes falter at all, the Spartans are ready to win the Big Ten. Their only losses in 2014 were to playoff teams (Oregon, Ohio State). Mark Dantonio may have the best draft-eligible quarterback of 2015. Pre-spring: No. 9
7. Auburn: The defense has to be better, especially with the addition of coordinator Will Muschamp. The Tigers gave up at least 31 points six times last season, the most in one campaign since 2011. At quarterback, Jeremy Johnson may be Nick Marshall plus one-half. Pre-spring No. 7
8. USC: Steve Sarkisian actually took the field for a game last year with 44 scholarship players. In the end, he won the third-most games ever by a first-year USC coach (nine). Welcome to your Pac-12 and CFP dark horse. Cody Kessler (39 touchdown passes) was completely overshadowed by Marcus Mariota last season. Also, watch Adoree Jackson -- all over the field. Pre-spring: No. 6
9. Florida State: Yes, this means the ACC is this season's musical chairs loser in the CFP. There is plenty of talent left for Jimbo Fisher but sooner or later losing 29 draft picks in three years has to have an effect. Pre-spring: No. 8
10. Georgia: With some decent quarterback play, the Bulldogs should win the SEC East. OK, without decent quarterback play the Dawgs could still win the East. Nick Chubb could be a 1,700-yard rusher in a league that values that approach. Pre-spring: No. 19
11. Clemson: Offensive coordinator Chad Morris is missing from Tigers' returning starters list. How much difference will that make when we get the full Deshaun Watson this season? We'll see. Morris says Watson is more advanced than Vince Young at same stage in career. Pre-spring: No. 12
12. Wisconsin: Are the Badgers a system program? No matter who coaches, Wisconsin seems to win. The next 1,000-yard rusher is Corey Clement. He fell only 51 yards short last season while averaging 6.5 per carry. Pre-spring: No. 21
13. LSU: We can only hope Leonard Fournette makes it to the SEC Championship Game against Georgia's Chubb. Les Miles has to get better quarterback play. Tiger Nation won't stand for another eight-win season. Pre-spring: No. 11
14. Mississippi State: Dan Mullen produced the most NFL draft picks in Starkville since 1995 (five). Dak Prescott wasn't one of them, giving the Bulldogs a chance in 2015. They won't challenge for a playoff berth, but they won't go away either. Pre-spring: No. 13
15. Missouri: How do you pick against the Tigers in the SEC East? Since 2001, only three schools have played in back-to-back SEC title games. Missouri is one of them. Look at the schedule. The Tigers should be 6-0 heading to Georgia on Oct. 17. Pre-spring: No. 15
16. Boise State: If the Broncos are the Group of Five's Golden Ticket holder again this year, Bryan Harsin will do something Chris Petersen never did -- go to major bowls in consecutive seasons. Pre-spring: No. 14
17. Georgia Tech: Quarterback Justin Thomas threw and ran for at least 1,000 yards each last season. The Yellow Jackets beat both Georgia and Mississippi State in a 32-day span. In the middle, they played Florida State off its feet in a two-point ACC title game loss. That was the difference in the Big 12 not getting in the CFP, which is a whole different argument. Coming off an 11-win season, Georgia Tech is an ACC not-so-dark horse. Pre-spring: 23
18. Arizona: The Wildcats won the Pac-12 South probably a year before they officially “arrived.” The conference's coach of the year -- an offensive mastermind -- produced the national defensive player of the year (Scooby Wright). Freshmen Anu Solomon and Nick Wilson combined for 69 percent of Arizona's total yards last year. The Cats would be rated higher but have to play at USC and Arizona State. Pre-spring: No. 16
19. Arizona State: Job-hopping Todd Graham has brought stability to the desert. The Sun Devils have won double-digit games in consecutive seasons for the first time since the early 1970s. The defense -- Graham's specialty -- gets nine starters back. Pre-spring: No. 20
20. UCLA: The loss of Brett Hundley is huge but Paul Perkins, the Pac-12's leading returning rusher, gives the offense a chance. The defense returns three first- or second-team all-Pac 12 players. Relentless Jim Mora Jr. is a force of nature. He has beaten USC three consecutive years. Pre-spring: No. 18
21. Notre Dame: It's a shame Brian Kelly is reportedly blocking Everett Golson from transferring to anyone on ND's 2015 schedule. Consider that with Golson, Kelly has some of the best quarterback depth in the country. Without him, well, Malik Zaire better be really, really good. Pre-spring: NR
22. Ole Miss: Three teams from the SEC West debuted in the first CFP rankings. Ole Miss was one of them at No. 4. Then those teams started playing each other. The Rebels are going to be special with the return of defensive lineman/master-tweeter Robert Nkemdiche, massive offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and recovered receiver Laquon Treadwell. Pre-spring: No. 10
23. Arkansas: Bret Bielema is creating Wisconsin South in Fayetteville. A pounding running game is supported by the return of four offensive linemen. The Hogs may not win the West, but they will bloody everyone they play. Check the game film from Missouri and Texas. Pre-spring: No. 22
24. Tennessee: Few teams have as much potential as the Vols. Back-to-back top five recruiting classes by Butch Jones have repositioned Tennessee. First, the SEC East. Tomorrow, the SEC! At least that's what they're thinking in Knoxville. Pre-spring: No. 25
25. Louisville: This is why athletic director Tom Jurich rehired Bobby Petrino: He won nine games in his first season (back). That's the sixth time in 10 years as a head coach Petrino's won at least that many. Elsewhere, express your (possible) outrage any way you wish. Petrino signed former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Devonte Fields, despite domestic violence allegations. Pre-spring: NR
Just missed out: BYU, Utah
DENNIS DODDCBSSports.comPost-spring Top 25: Ohio State will begin 2015 where it left off in 2014
May 12, 2015 10:05 am ET
What's changed since spring started? Plenty.
Everett Golson is leaving Notre Dame. Ohio State set a record but still can't settle on a quarterback. Jim Harbaugh has re-energized the Big Ten.
The Big 12 changed its mind, then didn't. (Pick a lane, fellas.)
Because of that -- and more -- there has to be a post-spring top 25.
Just missed out: BYU, Utah
