13. TCU Horned Frogs
Don't sleep on Gary Patterson and the TCU Horned Frogs.
This team has excellent talent on defense to suffocate the line and blanket in coverage. With Jason Verrett (22 defended passes in 2012) to isolate half the field, his impact will resonate to the front seven.
There, Devonte Fields and Co. will take care of the extra pass rush time to control up front.
The offense is a minute concern, though. Quarterback Casey Pachall had 10 touchdowns to one pick before getting suspended (via Brett McMurphy and David Ubben ESPN.com) for a DWI. He has since returned but getting back to last season's early form won't be easy.
Still, TCU has the defense and potential in its running game to wreck havoc as the year progresses.
14. LSU Tigers
LSU lost immense defensive talent to pro football, but the Bayou Bengals still have players like Anthony Johnson to control the line of scrimmage. As long as Zach Mettenberger helps field a high-powered offense and Les Miles' team will contest for the SEC West title.
15. Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern returns an abundance of talent for the 2013 campaign. The Wildcats are also coming off a 10-3 season that included wins over Syracuse, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. Getting to play Ohio State this season, though, will be the ultimate test for Pat Fitzgerald's squad.
16. Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles appear to be in a rebuilding session. That said, Florida State will be able to move nicely courtesy of its reliable receivers. As a result, the ground game is set up to take pressure off the defense: A defense that lost an incredible amount of talent.
Don't sleep on Gary Patterson and the TCU Horned Frogs.
This team has excellent talent on defense to suffocate the line and blanket in coverage. With Jason Verrett (22 defended passes in 2012) to isolate half the field, his impact will resonate to the front seven.
There, Devonte Fields and Co. will take care of the extra pass rush time to control up front.
The offense is a minute concern, though. Quarterback Casey Pachall had 10 touchdowns to one pick before getting suspended (via Brett McMurphy and David Ubben ESPN.com) for a DWI. He has since returned but getting back to last season's early form won't be easy.
Still, TCU has the defense and potential in its running game to wreck havoc as the year progresses.
14. LSU Tigers
LSU lost immense defensive talent to pro football, but the Bayou Bengals still have players like Anthony Johnson to control the line of scrimmage. As long as Zach Mettenberger helps field a high-powered offense and Les Miles' team will contest for the SEC West title.
15. Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern returns an abundance of talent for the 2013 campaign. The Wildcats are also coming off a 10-3 season that included wins over Syracuse, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. Getting to play Ohio State this season, though, will be the ultimate test for Pat Fitzgerald's squad.
16. Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles appear to be in a rebuilding session. That said, Florida State will be able to move nicely courtesy of its reliable receivers. As a result, the ground game is set up to take pressure off the defense: A defense that lost an incredible amount of talent.