CherryPickin 2024: The AP Top 25 Preseason College Football Poll

you're listening to Shar picking entertainment throw me the ball and watch what I do with [Applause] it you are now tuned in to a c picking podcast with your host Andre [Music] [Music] CH hey what's up everybody welcome into the cherry picking podcast I'm your host Andre Cherry thank you for downloading another episode of the show earlier this week the Associated Press released its top 25 preseason College Football Poll on this episode I will share my thoughts on all of the top 25 teams and what you're about to hear on this episode are my thoughts on each of the teams this episode incorporates some audio from episodes I previously released this season in addition to new thoughts on some of the teams I didn't already cover I want you to in just this episode as if it's your primer for the upcoming college football season I truly believe this will be one of the best seasons of college football that we've seen in a long long while and I am so ready for it I hope you are too so without further Ado I present to you my preseason top 25 podcast at number one Georgia the Georgia Bulldogs are number one on the AP Top 25 preseason College Football Poll for the second straight year the dogs are coming off a 13-1 record from a season ago a season in which they fell short of making it the college football playoffs this season it'll be full goal for Kirby Smart and his dogs as they try to navigate a different looking conference with new additions Texas and Oklahoma in the mix and a Nick Sabin List Alabama the time to strike is now if Georgia expects to try and take hold of the conference in route to an SEC Championship an eventual playoff spot the top two rushers from a season ago are gone as is Brock Bowers who led the team in receiving in 20 23 with 714 yards and six touchdowns however first team All-American quarterback Carson Beck returns he threw for 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns last season he will be critical to Georgia's success this season tough challenges will appear in week one against Clemson and then a few road trips to Alabama on September 28th followed by a stop to Texas on October 19th followed by a trip to Old Miss on November 9th Georgia does not have any room for error if it expects to make a deep run this season but I believe Kirby Smart and his staff will have his boys ready each week of the Season at number two Ohio State the task is simple Ohio State needs to win a National Championship this season or I think Ryan day is no longer the head coach in Columbus after this year it's crazy though right day has a massed a 56 wins to only eight loss record as head coach at Ohio State but I would argue many would say his tenure has been pretty unsuccessful a national title has a looted day unlike the coaches who came before him and his Buckeyes have dropped the last three games against Michigan which frankly is a fireable offense at Ohio State in and of itself the Buckeyes will reload like they normally do and while the schedule isn't too terribly tough there are a few games worth mentioning including Iowa at Oregon and then at Penn State these will be tough games as they always are but Ohio state must strike now while the iron is hot and Michigan is down I'm high on Ohio State wide receiver IMA egbuka I think he's poised for a big season for his Buckey as a sophomore in 2022 egbuka put up some big numbers over 1100 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns which was second best on the team next to Marvin Harrison Jr who was all world and is now set to have a breakout season in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals last season egbuka regressed a bit due to some ankle issues in a surgery which held him out of three games last year he had only 515 yards and four touchdowns however I believe egbuka is going to be ready to go this season and will return to his regular form I expect him to put up over 1,200 receiving yards with at least 15 receiving touchdowns at number three Oregon the ducks went 12-2 in 2023 the ducks have a very favorable Big 10 10 scheduled this season Dan Lanning is entering his third year in Eugene as a head coach and he is coming off his best season yet in which the ducks went 12- two and made an appearance in the Pack 12 title game the first real test for the Ducks doesn't come until October 12th when Oregon hosts Ohio State the Ohio State University the Ducks do travel to Michigan on November 2nd but I'm expecting the Wolverines to come back down to reality this season Oregon's final two games come on the road at Camp Randle before hosting the Washington Huskies on November 30th I'm excited to see how Oregon's brand football translates into Big 10 play the Ducks had a scoring defense in the top 10 in FBS with an offense that scored the second most points per game in the country at 44.2 points per game they lose some Firepower on offense most notably stud quarterback B Nicks but I think the ducks can hang in there with the Ohio States of the world this season and I honestly think they'll be a team to watch and a team that will compete in the Big 10 this season at number four Texas Texas will fare well in the SEC this season its schedule is favorable and does not include Alabama LSU or Old Miss Oklahoma will be a tough matchup in the Red River Showdown but the first real conference test comes on October 19th against Georgia at home if the long horns can hold it together and beat Georgia I think they can win out the rest of the way not to say they won't face tough competition especially on November 23rd against Kentucky at home but the Longhorns are deep and are well coached the team is ready for this moment to play in the SEC and get back to the college football playoffs the game against Texas A&M on November 30th will also be must C TV as the former Big 12 Rivals finally meet again as SEC Rivals A&M thought they finally got away from Texas but not so fast these two teams will be meeting again for the first time since 2011 in a matchup that ended up being a thriller in which Texas got the last laugh over little brother Texas A&M beating the Aggies 27 to 25 on a 40 yard field goal As Time expired at number five Alabama it'll be interesting to see how Alabama plays under a new head coach this season felt like we collectively got used to seeing Nick Sabin on the sideline for the crimson tied after all these years 17 years to be exact during that time span his teams helped him amass an impressive 206 wins to only 29 losses record bamama schedule is brutal this season with stops at Wisconsin hosting Georgia Missouri a trip to LSU and Oklahoma at the end of the season and the iron bow matchup against Auburn on November 30th head coach kayn dbor has all the right bonafides to be the new head coach in Tuscaloosa but I will tell you that I absolutely do not envy the position that he is in there's no way he can live up to the Legacy that Sabin built and I'm not saying that he necessarily has to but Tuscaloosa has gotten so accustomed to winning for 16 Seasons Bama has won at least 10 games each season dating back to 2008 and has seen seven national championships during that stretch what happens if they aren't able to match that level of productivity this season I wish that brother good luck I don't see a way that Alabama doesn't regress a bit this season not to say that they will be awful but by Alabama's standards this year will be a bit of a disappointment for everyone who is faithful to that program at number six ol Miss then in the SEC I think Old Miss is on the rise they went 11-2 in 20123 the Mississippi Rebels have a chance to seriously compete in the SEC this season Lane kein is in his grown man era at Oxford he's matured quite a bit and settled in with the rebels now in his Fifth Season at the helm assuming he completes the full season with Old Miss this will be the longest 10-yard stop that he's had on his head coaching resume if you can believe that or not in this season he's got reason to be excited he returns 20 starters including quarterback Jackson Dart who amass over 3,300 yards through the air 23 touchdowns to only five interceptions on defense old Miss's leading playmaker strong safety Trey Washington returns who was their leading tackler from a season ago and also tied for the the most interceptions on the team Old Miss doesn't have an easy schedule by any stretch but they should be favored in more games and they aren't I'm circling the game against LSU on October 12th followed by Oklahoma and then Georgia on November 9th the rebels host OU and the dogs but that trip to LSU on October 12th will really dictate where Old Miss season goes the rest of the way Lan kein has a real shot to break through to the upper echelon of the SEC this season can he and his rebeles do it we shall see from the SEC we have Jackson Dart from Old Miss Lane kein returns 20 starters including quarterback Jackson Dart who amassed over 3,300 yards through the air 23 touchdowns to only five interceptions the Old Miss signal caller had the third most passing yards in the SEC with the fourth most touchdowns thrown in the entire conference his best performance of last season came against LSU in which the Old Miss signal caller threw for 389 yards with four touchdowns and one touchdown on the ground he led the rebels to an impressive 55 to 49 victory over the 13th ranked tigers that same level of effort will be required from Dart if he expects the rebels to best their 11 wins from a season ago and end up playing in the SEC Championship game and ear a spot to the college football playoffs and come home with the Heisman he's going to have to have a Heisman likee performance every week in SEC play if they expect Old Miss to go on this run and be one of the better teams in the SEC and make it to the playoffs it just that's just the way it is in the SEC that is a very extremely tough conference to play in but there's enough Playmakers returning and the experience from Dart who I believe is a Heisman hopeful I think Old Miss will have a great season if it all comes together I believe that Dart has the talent and The Playmakers around him to make a huge impact in col football this season at number seven Notre Dame expectations are Skyhigh for Notre Dame to reach the playoffs Under head coach Marcus Freeman now in his third season in South Bend Freeman has been a good coach winning at least nine games his first two seasons but if Notre Dame doesn't make the playoffs this season I feel as if he won't be long for the job unfortunately at number eight Penn State James Franklin will benefit from having quarterback Drew allar returning in addition to the top three rushers from a season ago the offensive line will be serviceable but they lost some experience with players who have gone on to the NFL I believe from an offensive standpoint Penn State has the ability to overpower West Virginia their first matchup of the season the defense will be anchored by linebacker Kobe King and safety Kevin Winston this season these two guys accounted for 119 tackles in 2023 Penn State has a chance to be 6 and 0 before they travel to Wisconsin on October 26th the biggest question is can the NIT Lions finish the job in the second half of the Season where Ohio State awaits on November 2nd whoever wins that game will likely be able to dictate their own future in the Big 10 at number nine Michigan in the Big 10 I think Michigan will see a slide they went 15 and0 last season there are some folks who are more optimistic than I am when it comes to how we feel Michigan will Faire this season in the Big 10 I think they're going to struggle a bit this season the Wolverines lost way too much talent and its former head coach for me to feel otherwise and when you look at the schedule it's not going to be easy at all Texas comes into to Anne Arbor in the second week of the Season followed by the Ducks later in the season and the annual matchup against Ohio State to end the season I'm not necessarily saying Michigan will be terrible but to expect the Wolverines to go undefeated or to win the Big 10 make the playoffs and then win a National Title just doesn't seem realistic this season it's just not going to be in the cards I wouldn't be surprised if Michigan saw four losses this season if I'm being real Ohio State Oregon Texas and then they'll most likely lose an upset game against either Minnesota Illinois or Michigan State this season at number 10 Florida State and I'm taking Florida state is going to see a little bit of a slide they went 13-1 last season head coach Mike norell has done Yan's work for the Florida state program ever since he's been at the controls he's is now entering his Fifth Season which is impressive because I remember hearing folks say that Dion was going to come to take his job just a few seasons ago after the sem old saw consecutive losing seasons in 2020 the co year and then also in 2021 since that time though FSU has been a winner these last two seasons Florida state has gone 23 and4 and even won the ACC Championship last season they were one of the best teams all year last year but missed out on the playoffs in dramatic fashion almost sopra so Opera like fashion but we won't get into that right now however the question begs is Florida State officially back I would love to know the answer because I'm really curious to see how Norvell does this season after losing quite a bit of talent including Superstar quarterback Jordan Travis of course norel hit the portal hard to try to find replacements that can be filled in and plugged in and step up right away but that's never a guarantee for Success FSU has a tough schedule traveling to SMU followed by matchup against Clemson right after Florida State also travels to Miami and Notre Dame before the season is officially over and done with that being said I think Florida State takes a slide this season and misses out on a third straight 10- win season and a repeat trip to the ACCC championship game at number 11 Missouri I got to give a lot of credit to head coach Eli drink WTS for turning Missouri football around in the right direction especially after a very impressive 11-2 run last season most people love to dunk on Missouri as a team that doesn't really belong in the SEC but when they go six- two in conference play like they did last season the haters seemingly go quiet they will stay quiet if Missouri can continue to string together successful Seasons like they started last season I see at least eight wins on Missouri schedule this season but there will be some tough matchups beginning on October 5th at Texas A&M and then later on at Alabama followed by Oklahoma who visits KO for the first time since October 23rd 2010 the Tigers won that match up 36- 27 Missouri looks loaded on offense this season as quarterback Brady cook returns in addition to his three leading receivers from a season ago including wide receiver Luther Burton who caught 86 balls for 1,212 yard yards and nine touchdowns at number 12 Utah then we've got Utah who went 8 and5 in 2023 Utah has a tough travel schedule now that they're in the Big 12 trips to States like Oklahoma Arizona Texas Florida that will wear on a person it really does however with that being said I don't think their schedule is impossible Kyle Whittingham returns for his 20th season as head coach which is mind-blowing he's literally the third longest tenure coach in football today right there with Mike Gundy and right behind Kirk fence at Iowa Whittingham has been the coach ever since Urban Meyer left to accept the head coaching job at Florida if that makes you feel old at all and that was back in 2004 which is crazy I was in high school still I'm almost 40 now I'm a grown man I'm 40 almost anyway Utah is an experienced team and is fortunate to get the services of quarterback Cameron Rising who returns after after being sideline all last season the guy is a stud playmaker and he was a former Heisman watch list candidate a few seasons ago I think Utah can run its schedule but I'm circling its matchup against Oklahoma State on September 21st I think that'll be the biggest test for the youths in their new home in the Big 12 this season at number 13 LSU crazy to think that Brian Kelly is now entering his third season in Baton Rouge he's been successful winning 10 games in each of his two Seasons at the helm this season while LSU only returns 12 total starters they may have a good enough roster in favorable schedule to do some damage in the SEC this season it will be near impossible to replace former Heisman winner quarterback Jaden Daniels and stud wide receiver Malik neighbors but I would expect coach Kelly to have the next men up and ready to go on the other side of the ball Defenders major Burns and Greg Penn returned to LSU these guys led the team in tackles from a season ago I think if the defense can play at a high level this season it should take some pressure off of the offense in the first few weeks of the Season again LSU schedule isn't too brutal but I wouldn't Overlook their week one matchup against USC we'll pause here for a quick break but when we get back I'll provide you with my thoughts for the remaining 12 teams on the AP Top 25 college football preseason list don't go anywhere the cherry picking podcast will be right back they do it like that okay cool so who says what so I'm podcast you say that so I'm saying five Beth four three two one hey there I'm Dave I'm Beth and I'm Veronica and we are the ja hour We're a podcast dedicated to the most decorated NHL Franchise of all time the Montreal Canady a casual Listen by habst for habst we have new episodes every week so have a listen bye [Music] bye basketball is back and with that comes Joy tension heartbreak buzzer beers and elay it's time to be Courtside for every one of those moments no matter where your team is playing short courts specializes in making replica and custom basketball courts for your home office Sports cave to decorate your walls with all those memories if you have a picture we can recreate it feature in the 2021 uniat holiday gift guide short courts are made using real wood we frame and give them an epoxy finish to protect the new centerpiece of your memorabilia collection with previous customers including Northern Kentucky University Southern Utah University 199 apparel the perimeter podcast with Adam Morrison and many more celebrating the careers and retirements of their coaches it's time you visit shorts.com for more info in a gallery of our work or you can send us an email info@ shorts.com be sure to find us on social media just search for short courts it's time to bring the home court home at number 13 LSU crazy to think that Brian Kelly is now entering his third season in Baton Rouge he's been successful winning 10 games in each of his two seasons at the helm this season while LSU only returns 12 total starters they may have a good enough roster in favorable schedule to do some damage in the SEC this season it will be near impossible to replace former Heisman winner quarterback Jaden Daniels and stud wide receiver Malik neighbors but I would expect coach Kelly to have the next men up and ready to go on the other side of the ball Defenders major Burns and Greg Penn return to LSU these guys led the team in tackles from a season ago I think if the defense can play at a high level this season it should take some pressure off of the offense in the first few weeks of the Season again LSU schedule isn't too brutal but I wouldn't Overlook their week one matchup against USC at number 14 Clemson for Clemson the tigers are coming off a Down Season even though they posted nine wins last season which is a great season for most teams but at Clemson the bar has been risen dramatically ever since dabos Sweeny has been at the controls Clemson had posted 12 straight 10 plus win Seasons prior to last season that is ridiculous 12 straight 10- win Seasons that is crazy Clemson is going to be a tough out for a lot of teams in the ACC this season as a team returns a lot of offensive Firepower this fall I think this matchup between Clemson and Georgia is going to be extremely tight and should be a fun game to watch regardless of the outcome these two teams have a great shot of winning their respective conferences this season and may wind up seeing each other again in the playoffs before the season ends at number 15 Tennessee I don't want to doubt head coach Josh hyp in his Tennessee Volunteers this season but I just don't see them besting their 9 and4 record from a season ago I believe they lost a lot of talent from last season's roster especially on the defensive side of the ball they've also got some tough matchups this year including a game against Inc State NC State in week two followed by a trip to Oklahoma State on September 21st I think the ceiling for this team is seven wins in 2024 if I'm being honest at number 16 ok Oklahoma Oklahoma didn't get any favors pulled this season the sooner schedule is tough but it's not to say that OU can't rise to the challenge first real test will come on September 21st against Tennessee at home followed by a trip to Auburn the following week a much needed by week arrives before the Sooners hit the road to Texas Old Miss and Missouri in subsequent weeks Oklahoma gets the pleasure of facing a new look Alabama team in the second to last week of the Season before ending things with a trip to Baton Rouge honestly if Oklahoma can win eight games this season I think that's a really good start for Brett venables and the Sooners in their new home in the SEC I think both Oklahoma and Texas will be humbled a bit by the speed of the SEC and the level of physicality in which the SEC teams bring on defense every week at number 17 Oklahoma State then in the Big 12 we've got Oklahoma State who went 10 and4 last season Oklahoma state has been consistent for the last decade in that SP they've amassed a 57 and 33 record which is second best only behind Oklahoma who just recently departed for the SEC head coach Mike Gundy is entering his 20th season in Stillwater which is quite impressive even more impressive is the fact that he's only had one losing season during that entire stretch which came in his first season as head coach back in 2005 he's had eight seasons where the Cowboys have eclipsed double digit wins and for his Kookie and zany as Mike Gundy is he's definitely written the blueprint for creating a successful program this season I think the sky a limit for Oklahoma State it schedule isn't terribly tough on paper but the Cowboys do hit the road quite a bit but fortunately they get Utah at home this season and almost every player returns this year with 19 starters coming back for Action this fall including quarterback Alan Bowman and leading Cowboys rusher Ali Gordon who rushed for over 1700 yards in 21 touchdowns the season too he won the Big 12 rushing title last season and no doubt will be a player everyone has their eyes on it's my prediction that Oklahoma state will see its win total in the double digits again this season and quite possibly be on their way to a big 12 Championship matchup at the end of the season from the Big 12 we have olly Gordon II from Oklahoma State Oklahoma State should have a big year this season it'll help that almost every player returns this year with 18 starters coming back for Action this fall including leading Cowboys rusher Ali Gordon II who rushed for over 1700 yards and 21 touchdowns a season ago he won the Big 12 rushing title last season and no doubt will be a player everyone has their eyes on for the Heisman this year his breakout performance last season earned him first team allamerican honors as his rushing yards and rushing touchdowns were the best in all of college football he had 11 games where he rushed for at least 100 yards of which two games of over 200 yards and one game against Cincinnati where Gordon rushed for 315 yards and four touchdowns at number 18 Kansas State the Kansas State Wildcats are going to be a force on defense this season head coach Chris kman returns eight starters including the three leading tacklers from a season ago including senior linebacker Austin Moore who will be an anchor for the defense the wildcast schedule isn't terrible especially when they get to host Oklahoma state in Manhattan Kansas this year the defense will have its work cut out for them when Ali Gordon and his Cowboys come to town last season The Sensational running back posted above 36 on the ground with one touchdown during this match up this season I'll also be looking at Wildcats Running Back DJ giddens who is a solid rusher in his own right last year he gained 1,265 yards which was fifth best in the conference I think the floor for Kansas state is six or seven wins however keep an eye out for the matchup against Colorado on the road on October 12th I think this game has upset potential written all over it in favor of the Buffs at number 19 Miami the hurricanes are also waiting for their own breakthrough which may come this season in Mario Crystal Ball's third year back at his alma mater Miami schedule looks good they have a chance to go on a run in the ACC the canes welcome in transfer quarterback cam Ward to the program who put up some big numbers for Washington State last season and now that I say that cam Ward do you remember that movie the program cam Ward I believe it his name was cam ward he was a player and he I don't even think he had a speaking role he was just I remember ward in the movie in the program uh with Holly Barry James Khan Omar EPS Christy Swanson that movie was was crazy I love that movie one of my favorite movies of all time cam Ward was a wide receiver for the wolves if I'm remembering that correctly and that just I recalled that memory out of nowhere because of the name cam Ward and I believe that's what the player's name was and he he was just a wide receiver on in the movie but he he wasn't really he was like an extra but he didn't have a speaking role so I I just sorry I had to divert like that but it just the memory just popped in my head that's a great movie by the way if you haven't seen it you should go watch the program I love that movie anyways they welcome in quarterback cam Ward to the program he put up some big numbers for Washington State last season season I think it'll be an upgrade to former quarterback Tyler van djk if I'm being for real Tyler van djk he was a good quarterback but he was more interception prone than ward has been in his early career so far the top two wide receivers for Miami return which will help Ward settle in quite nicely and on the other side of the ball linebacker Francisco mawi Noah returns and will be an anchor of the defense if Miami is going to break through to the next level it has has to happen this season and I think Miami pulls off the victory in this matchup and goes on a run in the ACC cuz they really need it to bring that program back to respectability in the ACC we've got cam Ward a quarterback from Miami the can's welcome in transfer quarterback cam Ward to the program who put up some big numbers for Washington State last season he will be an upgrade to former quarterback Tyler van djk who was more interception prone than ward has been early in his career thus far the top two receivers return for Miami which will help Ward settle in quite nicely Ward stats if you look at them from Washington State were were pretty nice the signal caller threw for 3,736 yards with 25 touchdowns and only seven interceptions Ward's completion percentage at 66.6% and passing yards would have bested any quarterback in the ACC last year which is crazy to to think about this guy is better than anybody that played last season in the ACC Ward will provide an immediate spark to the Hurricanes offense where I expect him to lead this team to new heights Under head coach Mario cristall who enters his third year in Coral Gables with that said I think Miami is going to do well this season in the ACC the hurricanes' schedule on paper is one where I feel Miami could end up being in the ACC championship game at 20 Texas A&M it'll be a new look Texas A&M Squad this season with a new head coach on the sideline the Aggies welcome in former Duke head coach Mike Elco Elco and his A&M team host Notre Dame in week one and if the former Blue Devils coach can steal a win from the Irish in his first season and his first game for the agies I feel as if that's a huge confidence builder for not only him and his team but everyone who supports this program after all Elco has only been a head coach for two full seasons but he was highly successful Duke posting 17 combined wins and knocking off teams such as Miami Virginia Tech Clemson NC State and W Forest during that stretch elco's Duke team even played a ranked Notre Dame Squad very hard last season losing that game but remaining within seven points of Victory I say all that because Elco knows what it'll take to beat Notre Dame and he arguably has a better roster with Texas A&M with 18 returning starters I think the week one matchup between a& and Notre Dame will be very close it's not inconceivable for me to see A&M winning eight games this season at number 21 Arizona I'm really going to keep my eyes glued to the Arizona team this season it'll be head coach Brett Brennan's first season at the helm after coming from San Jose State he'll benefit from having 15 returning starters this season including his quarterback and top wide receiver I don't think they'll hit 10 wins this season but they should be able to go bowling I am concerned with matchups the Wildcats have on the road at Kansas State on September 13th followed by a stop at Utah on September 28th and then BYU UCF and TCU at various points this season it's not going to be easy but I think Arizona can remain competitive in the Big 12 and they will be one of the teams to watch this season mark my words at number 22 Kansas can you believe it Kansas is on the AP Top 25 preseason list for the first time since 2009 which is outstanding standing for a team that has been a laughing stock in football for the last decade it's felt like however head coach Lance lipold has come in now in his fourth season and brought a level of respectability to the program his j-hawks have gone Bolding in each of the last two seasons and the team posted its first nine- win season last year which isn't something they've done since 2007 I like the direction that this team is headed in and feel like they've got a great chance to win at least seven games in 2024 the leading rusher and receiver return to Lawrence with make quarterback Jaylen Daniels job a lot easier this season I also want to call out how much I love Kansas's uniforms I think they've got some of the best helmet jersey combinations in all of college football I truly believe that at number 23 USC then we've got USC who went 8 and5 in 2023 USC loses a lot of offense this season including Superstar quarterback Caleb Williams who is now on my Chicago Bears thank you very much but also his top two rushers and receivers it will be a rebuilding year of sorts for head coach Lincoln Riley who is now entering his third season in Los Angeles the Trojans open the season against LSU for non-conference play but then traveled to Michigan on September 21st however USC host Wisconson Penn State and Nebraska who like I said should be an improved team so it's not an easy schedule but the Trojans do look out getting Wisconsin and Penn State at home this season I'd set the over under at seven wins this season for you USC at number 24 NC State NC State is a team that I feel like will be on the rise this season NC State went 9 and4 last season and we saw a turnaround with NC State right at the point where Steve Smith Senor called the program out for waiting for basketball season to roll around this came on ESPN college game day on October 28th when he was a guest picker and the Clemson versus NC State game was mentioned and he said and I quote qu Clemson has been struggling they're not the Clemson that we've loved over the years Smith said but NC State unfortunately they're waiting for basketball to start end quote and this lit a fire and head coach Dave Doran who is now in his 12th season at NC State he clapped back with the w and some pointed comments to Steve Smith Senior after his Wolfpack beat Clemson by a score of 24 to 17 but after the after that point Point NC State went undefeated the rest of the regular season to finish 9 and4 prior to Steve Smith's comments NC State was 4 and3 and were coming off a very rare and ugly loss to Duke by a score of 3 to 24 where the offense just didn't show up at all things seemed pretty bleak for the program but to doran's credit he never lost his team this season NC State loses a lot of star power on its defense including stud linebacker and former benic award winner and first team All-American pton Wilson but there's a lot of excitement in Raleigh right now with the arrival of Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall on campus for his career he's amassed an 88 and 14 record with over 10,000 passing yards he's an athletic passer who should also help add an element to the rushing game for the wol pack this season McCall will add some stability to the quarterback position that the wack haven't seen in years his addition to the team provides a boost right away another call out here is that NC State schedule is very favorable this season on paper the tough set will come on September 21st when State travels to Clemson which undoubtedly will be a tough game for Clemson as well the wol pack have a real shot to best their 9 and4 record from a season ago and hopefully end up in the ACC Championship game and at number 25 Iowa Kirk ference is now in his 26th season at the program and he returns a lot of Talent on both sides of the ball Iowa got blessed with an amazing schedule this season they should be favored in most games this season aside from the game on October 5th at Ohio State I would be very surprised if the Hawkeyes aren't in serious contention for the Big 10 title game this season so there we have it those are my thoughts for each of the top 25 teams on the AP college football pre-season list what do you think about my opinions on each of these teams looking at the list I feel like there are some teams on here that are way too high including Alabama Notre Dame Michigan and Tennessee for instance I'm hoping NC State can climb up the ladder this season and hopefully make it into the playoffs and lastly teams like Ohio State Oregon and Oklahoma State have a chance to make it to the college football playoffs this season it's going to be a fun season either way so I'm just eagerly looking forward to the start of the Season thanks for listening I hope this gets you ready for college football and I can't wait to talk to you very soon here here take care everyone have a good one college football is almost here peace bye C thank you again for tuning into my cherry picking podcast if you enjoyed this episode please feel free to subscribe to my show and drop me a rating on Apple podcast all of my digital content can be found at the website Cherry Pickins outcom and if you are looking to interact with me via social media my Twitter handle is @ Cherry corpin that's p i c k i n on my Twitter you'll also find a link to my blog where I post my weekly college football predictions and Analysis I can also be reached via email at Cherry Pickin Sports atgmailcom please feel free to reach out to me regarding what you like about this podcast or about what content you like to hear more of on future episodes I sincerely thank you for your support and I can't wait to talk to you again soon take care [Music]