I may have overthought the top of my rankings four months ago, at the end of the season. Indiana No. 6? After visiting Bloomington this spring, I see no reason why the Hoosiers shouldn’t start right where they finished in January.The order from there was tough as all of my first seven teams look really good on paper, unlike a year ago when everyone seemed flawed. I did not anticipate having Big Ten teams 1-2-3 nor that my highest-ranked SEC team would be No. 6. … Or that the next Big Ten team did not show up until No. 12, while the SEC had six in the top 13.1. Indiana (Too-early ranking: No. 6)Familiar faces: WR Charlie Becker, OT Carter Smith, DT Tyrique Tucker, LBs Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones, CB Jamari Sharpe
Impact newcomers: QB Josh Hoover (TCU), RB Turbo Richard (Boston College), WR Nick Marsh (Michigan State), G Joe Brunner (Wisconsin), DE Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State)Will the Hoosiers repeat as national champs? Probably not (it’s hard!), but I’m done doubting Curt Cignetti. Even after losing eight stars to the NFL Draft, Cignetti is set to field another “old” team full of multi-year starters and seniors, especially in the trenches. The key to it all is QB1 Hoover, who was still getting up to speed in the spring.2. Oregon (Previous: No. 1)Familiar faces: QB Dante Moore, RB Jordon Davison, DE Matayo Uiagalelei, DT A’Mauri Washington, OLB Teitum Tuioti, S Brandon Finney Jr.
