Typically with the Top 25, there aren’t too many questions about the Top 5 or Top 10. We know who the best of the best should be and while their order may not be perfect, they deserve to be there. However, the back end of the Top 25 is where things get a little more interesting. There’s plenty of debate as to who makes the cut and who doesn’t. Teams like Baylor, Oregon, Louisville, UCLA and Florida will open the year listed 21 through 25 in the preseason rankings, but none of those five has a firm hold on their spots heading in to Week 1. Here is a look at the biggest questions for the teams on the top-25 bubble.
#21 Baylor Bears
The Bears will field some substantial talent in 2016 but it is the issues they are dealing with off the field that could hurt them the most. Baylor’s outlook has shifted dramatically following Art Briles’ dismissal as head coach. That came on the heels of an independent investigation into the program’s response to sexual assault allegations released in May. However, the Bears still have one of the most talented teams in the Big 12 and as long as they stay healthy – something their quarterbacks struggled to do last year – there is every reason to think they could contend for a conference championship. What’s interesting is that with Briles and without such a dramatic offseason, they’d easily be in the Top 15 or maybe even the Top 15. As it stands, they’re barely inside the Top 25. Can they overcome the scandal surrounding the program and win a Big 12 title in 2016?
#22 Oregon Ducks
Oregon has the weapons on offense to emerge as a legitimate force in the Pac-12 this season. However, the Ducks will need their defense to improve in order to be considered a legitimate contender and a true Top 25 team. The Oregon defense was a disaster last season under Don Pellum, which led to Mark Helfrich hiring former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke as his defensive coordinator. Will Hoke be able to turn around the defense in order to help the Ducks contend for a Pac-12 title in 2016? All eyes are on this team as it used to be able to get many of the best recruits. They’ve tumbled down the ranks in the last couple of years, though, and another so-so season will cost them.
#23 Louisville Cardinals
Will Louisville’s offensive line be good enough to perform at a high level all season? On an offense that is led by dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson, protection stands as the biggest question mark for the Cardinals heading into the 2016 season. Louisville’s offense has the potential to put up big numbers – we all know Bobby Petrino teams can score – this coming season but they will face some tough opponents in the ACC. In order to contend, they will need to improve up front after allowing the third-highest rate of pressures among Power Five teams in 2015. They simply won’t challenge Florida State, Clemson or even North Carolina unless that improves.
#24 UCLA Bruins
How quickly will the Bruins hit their stride on offense after installing a new offense? Sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen will play a big role in answering that question but it isn’t all on him either. Rosen has the talent and intelligence to make the adjustment but the entire unit will need to step up including the running backs, wide receivers and offensive line. UCLA will face a tough schedule playing in the Pac-12 and how they fare this season will depend largely on how quickly they hit their stride on offense.
#25 Florida Gators
The defending SEC East champions will have a tough time repeating after being one of the biggest surprises in college football in 2015. Will the Gators get strong enough quarterback play to repeat in 2016? Transfer Luke Del Rio is slated to replace Treon Harris at quarterback and his performance will have a big impact on how quickly things come together for Florida on the offensive side of the football. Del Rio has the talent to help the Gators improve substantially on the offensive side of the football in 2016 and whether or not he plays to his potential will be a key factor in whether or not Florida climbs or falls out of the top-25 this coming season.
