There isn’t very much at all that happens in spring practices or spring games that should be taken to seriously. After all, teams are working at their own pace with their own agendas in order to evaluate specifics that they might not even reveal to outsiders. However, the end of those workouts does represent another step towards the college football season as the countdown continues towards the real action. Here is a look at the top five teams in college football following spring practices.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide is coming off a disappointing loss to Clemson in the National Championship game. However, no team is deeper than Alabama and there is plenty for their fans to get excited about heading in to a new season. Jalen Hurts passed for 301 yards in the spring game while Tua Tagovailoa passed for 315. Hurts will start for the Crimson Tide in 2017 but they have to feel a lot more comfortable about their QB situation with a capable backup in place. Alabama has been a perennial national title contender under Nick Saban. Don’t expect that to change in 2017.
2. Florida State Seminoles
Florida State turned a lot of heads a year ago when they looked primed to do some serious damage on the national stage one year ahead of schedule. The Seminoles were always expected to contend for a national championship in 2017 and nothing has changed. Freshman tailback Cam Akers ran for a spring game-best 87 yards rushing as the highlight of their offseason sessions. The five-star early enrollee has the potential to add another explosive offensive dimension to the FSU offense in 2017.
3. USC Trojans
The Trojans limited their spring game to 62 plays in order to make sure they limit the injury exposure for their key players. It’s a smart concept that kept the players sage and didn’t give much insight in to how far along USC is in their season preparation. What we do know is that the Trojans have one of the most talented rosters in the country led by star quarterback Sam Darnold. An improved offensive line should help keep Darnold on his feet this season. Darnold is primed for a monster season that could end with him listed as the consensus No. 1 overall pick for the 2017 NFL Draft. It’s been a while since USC has had a legitimate quarterback like this. Going into the season, he’s the best in the Pac-12. With a decent coach in place, the drama behind them and a manageable schedule, the Trojans are deserving of being in the Top 5.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State is another team that appears primed to contend on the national stage after surprising last season. J.T. Barrett made only a cameo appearance at the Buckeyes spring game but the offenses combined for 654 yards. Junior receiver Parris Campbell has emerged as a ridiculously talented playmaker that could take over the vacated spot left by Curtis Samuel.
What’s scary is that Barrett wasn’t that good last year and Ohio State was still within arm’s reach of the College Football Playoff. You can rest assured that Urban Meyer is going to straighten the out offense. They aren’t going to labor like they did last year. So far what we’ve seen in spring practice is that Ohio State’s offense has the potential to be downright explosive.
Meanwhile, the defense will return seven starters so they should be in decent shape as well following the spring sessions. They lost a lot of talent to the NFL Draft but the early returns show that they’ve again reloaded.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions
Clemson and Oklahoma both deserve honorable mention in this spot but right now No. 5 on this list belongs to the Nittany Lions. Redshirt sophomore receiver Juwan Johnson draw rave reviews following his spring performance and could be the perfect compliment to Saeed Blacknall in the Penn State offense. Trace McSorley should have an even better cast of offensive weapons this season. If the Nittany Lions can stay healthy then they could be a legitimate Big Ten title contender once again in 2017.
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