Here are the trouble spots for the AP preseason Top 10.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide: Quarterback
At some point, the Lane Kiffin magic has to run out, right? More than ever, college football seems to be a quarterback's game, but the Tide keep winning titles with solid but rarely spectacular signal-callers. Perhaps one of the highly recruited quarterbacks on the roster blossoms this season. If not, Alabama could have a few hiccups as it also deals with inexperience at running back and a few new starters along the offensive line.
Whether it's Cooper Bateman, Blake Barnett or intriguing freshman Jalen Hurts, Alabama's quarterback can expect some heat.
"The biggest key is making them somewhat one-dimensional," an SEC coach said. "It goes back to being able to stop the run. If you can make them one-dimensional, there's a lot of pressure on that [quarterback]."
2. Clemson Tigers: Special teams
The tempting answer would be the defensive line or secondary, where Clemson lost multiple early entries to the NFL draft. But defensive coordinator Brent Venables knows how to reload. A bigger issue: Clemson could have won the national title with better special-teams play.
An onside kick and a 95-yard kick return touchdown propelled Alabama past Clemson, which last season ranked last in the FBS in special teams expected points added (minus-52.2). Its opponents' average starting field position after kickoffs was the 29-yard line, sixth worst among Power 5 teams.
Here's what an ACC coach told Insider of Clemson before the national title game: "Their biggest weakness is special teams. We were surprised watching them, just how below average they were. Not their kicking and punting, but the way that they played on those [coverage] units didn't match up to how they played on offense and defense. It could kill them."
It still could.
3. Oklahoma Sooners: Linebacker
The Sooners' shift to an odd front several years ago has typically put more defensive backs than linebackers on the field, and the defense's improvement last season is linked to vastly improved secondary play. Still, Oklahoma returns only one linebacker with significant experience in Jordan Evans, who will occupy an inside spot. OU must fill the hybrid position where Eric Striker starred and will turn to Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to step up.
Sophomore Tay Evans will take on a bigger role, and the Sooners could lean on younger players like Ricky DeBerry, Arthur McGinnisand Caleb Kelly. Junior college transfer Emmanuel Beal also is in the mix for playing time.
"Those are the areas that we really have to concentrate on getting new guys in position to play at a high level," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops told Insider. "We feel like we have guys coming up that are capable."
4. Florida State Seminoles: Linebacker
Several teams on this list have potential holes at traditionally strong positions, and Florida State is one of them. The program with 14 linebackers drafted since 2006 has struggled with injuries and attrition in its defensive midsection the past two seasons. Florida State's shift to a 4-2-5 alignment against pass-oriented or spread offenses has lessened the demand for linebacker depth, but the coaches need more options to surround Ro'Derrick Hoskins, the team's lone experienced linebacker.
The hope is Matthew Thomas, ESPN's top linebacker and No. 6 overall player in the 2013 recruiting class, will blossom after years of off-field issues and injury. FSU needs Sh'Mar Kilby-Lane, Josh Brown and others to become reliable reserves.
Coach Jimbo Fisher didn't sound worried about the linebackers this spring, and he might remain that way. Florida State has elite-level defenders in the secondary and up front, but it needs its best linebackers to stay on the field this fall.
5. LSU Tigers: Quarterback
Defensive line was considered after season-ending knee injuries to likely starter Christian LaCouture and reserve Isaiah Washington. But quarterback play has held back LSU from winning more SEC (and potentially national) titles.
If Brandon Harris plays like he did against Florida and South Carolina last year, LSU could have the SEC's most complete team. If Harris can't eclipse 55 percent completions or 160 passing yards, which happened in six games last season, LSU likely won't contend for anything.
Harris shares the backfield with Heisman Trophy candidate Leonard Fournette. He has talented receivers Travin Dural, Malachi Dupreand D.J. Chark at his disposal, although LSU is thin after those three. The Tigers should be stingy on defense under Dave Aranda. But they haven't overcome average quarterback play as well as Alabama. They need Harris to make a difference.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide: Quarterback
At some point, the Lane Kiffin magic has to run out, right? More than ever, college football seems to be a quarterback's game, but the Tide keep winning titles with solid but rarely spectacular signal-callers. Perhaps one of the highly recruited quarterbacks on the roster blossoms this season. If not, Alabama could have a few hiccups as it also deals with inexperience at running back and a few new starters along the offensive line.
Whether it's Cooper Bateman, Blake Barnett or intriguing freshman Jalen Hurts, Alabama's quarterback can expect some heat.
"The biggest key is making them somewhat one-dimensional," an SEC coach said. "It goes back to being able to stop the run. If you can make them one-dimensional, there's a lot of pressure on that [quarterback]."
2. Clemson Tigers: Special teams
The tempting answer would be the defensive line or secondary, where Clemson lost multiple early entries to the NFL draft. But defensive coordinator Brent Venables knows how to reload. A bigger issue: Clemson could have won the national title with better special-teams play.
An onside kick and a 95-yard kick return touchdown propelled Alabama past Clemson, which last season ranked last in the FBS in special teams expected points added (minus-52.2). Its opponents' average starting field position after kickoffs was the 29-yard line, sixth worst among Power 5 teams.
Here's what an ACC coach told Insider of Clemson before the national title game: "Their biggest weakness is special teams. We were surprised watching them, just how below average they were. Not their kicking and punting, but the way that they played on those [coverage] units didn't match up to how they played on offense and defense. It could kill them."
It still could.
3. Oklahoma Sooners: Linebacker
The Sooners' shift to an odd front several years ago has typically put more defensive backs than linebackers on the field, and the defense's improvement last season is linked to vastly improved secondary play. Still, Oklahoma returns only one linebacker with significant experience in Jordan Evans, who will occupy an inside spot. OU must fill the hybrid position where Eric Striker starred and will turn to Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to step up.
Sophomore Tay Evans will take on a bigger role, and the Sooners could lean on younger players like Ricky DeBerry, Arthur McGinnisand Caleb Kelly. Junior college transfer Emmanuel Beal also is in the mix for playing time.
"Those are the areas that we really have to concentrate on getting new guys in position to play at a high level," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops told Insider. "We feel like we have guys coming up that are capable."
4. Florida State Seminoles: Linebacker
Several teams on this list have potential holes at traditionally strong positions, and Florida State is one of them. The program with 14 linebackers drafted since 2006 has struggled with injuries and attrition in its defensive midsection the past two seasons. Florida State's shift to a 4-2-5 alignment against pass-oriented or spread offenses has lessened the demand for linebacker depth, but the coaches need more options to surround Ro'Derrick Hoskins, the team's lone experienced linebacker.
The hope is Matthew Thomas, ESPN's top linebacker and No. 6 overall player in the 2013 recruiting class, will blossom after years of off-field issues and injury. FSU needs Sh'Mar Kilby-Lane, Josh Brown and others to become reliable reserves.
Coach Jimbo Fisher didn't sound worried about the linebackers this spring, and he might remain that way. Florida State has elite-level defenders in the secondary and up front, but it needs its best linebackers to stay on the field this fall.
5. LSU Tigers: Quarterback
Defensive line was considered after season-ending knee injuries to likely starter Christian LaCouture and reserve Isaiah Washington. But quarterback play has held back LSU from winning more SEC (and potentially national) titles.
If Brandon Harris plays like he did against Florida and South Carolina last year, LSU could have the SEC's most complete team. If Harris can't eclipse 55 percent completions or 160 passing yards, which happened in six games last season, LSU likely won't contend for anything.
Harris shares the backfield with Heisman Trophy candidate Leonard Fournette. He has talented receivers Travin Dural, Malachi Dupreand D.J. Chark at his disposal, although LSU is thin after those three. The Tigers should be stingy on defense under Dave Aranda. But they haven't overcome average quarterback play as well as Alabama. They need Harris to make a difference.
