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Projecting The Preseason Top 25: Did The Hawkeyes Make The Cut?

By Dan Vasta

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Keith Duncan
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Keith Duncan /
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Five Who Just Missed?

The AP Poll loves to focus on offensive players that return from the previous season. It helps to becoming off a good season on top of finishing the season strong too. These five have a bunch of talent, but for many reasons could not put it together in 2016. Look for these teams below to perhaps surpass everybody’s expectations as they will likely start the season unranked.

PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 24: Akrum Wadley
PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 24: Akrum Wadley /

Iowa Hawkeyes

The Hawkeyes clearly will be close to starting out in the AP Poll that comes out in less than two months here. Despite the rough loss against the Gators to close out the season, they did finish strong demolishing Nebraska like they seemingly have done at will and let us not forget the major upset victory over Michigan. Kirk Ferentz is the dean of college football and they should have a solid season coming up.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 19: Running back Royce Freeman
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 19: Running back Royce Freeman /

Oregon Ducks

Arguably the biggest disappointment last season, the Ducks flat out were bad in many facets last season. Defensively, they were a joke and the funny thing is they bring back a ton of talent offensively. Royce Freeman will become the greatest statistical runner in Ducks history, so I anticipate them to at least double their win total from last season.

KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Butch Jones of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with his son Alex Jones
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Butch Jones of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with his son Alex Jones /

Tennessee Volunteers

Losing Josh Dobbs will be key depending on how well Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano perform. The schedule is fairly brutal as usual, which may not mean good things are ahead due to their miserable record against ranked foes as of late (6-20 last five years against AP Top 25).

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shouts at Jerry Tillery
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shouts at Jerry Tillery /

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Golden Domers don’t deserve a ton of hype going into the season after an absolute disaster of a 4-8 season where some thought they were a lock for eight or more wins.

Whoops!

Look for a turnaround from what has been a productive head coach in Brian Kelly.

FORT WORTH, TX – DECEMBER 03: Kenny Hill
FORT WORTH, TX – DECEMBER 03: Kenny Hill /

TCU Horned Frogs

I have a bit of a ‘crush’ on this team heading into the year. I love the talent returning and feel that QB Kenny Hill has all the weapons at his disposal to put up legit numbers. Nearly the entire defense returns as well, which will be very good for Big 12 standards. Don’t be shocked if they either play for the Big 12 crown and or get to ten wins this season.