Here’s a look at Legion Report’s College Football Pre-Season Rankings and Season Outlook Part 2 (Ranks 1-14) – Be sure to check out Pre-Season Rankings and Season Outlook Part 1 (Ranks 25-15) HERE.

14. Southern California 

Steve Sarkisian has taken over a loaded USC team when it comes to skill players and defensive line. USC is returning 8 starters on both sides of the ball this year and will need the play of Cody Kessler to improve dramatically in order to win the PAC 12. The talent is in place with this USC team, however there are many question marks surrounding them with a new coach. The question is, will they be capable of putting up points to compete with the explosive PAC 12?

13. LSU Tigers

The LSU Tigers will be led behind a strong offensive line this season. The QB battle in Baton Rouge is between sophomore Anthony Jennings and freshman Brandon Harris. If the Spring Game is any indication – all signs point that Brandon Harris will be the starting quarterback after an 11-21 195 yard 3 touchdown performance while rushing for 77 yards and a TD. The O-line and freshman Phenom Leanard Fournett (who’s been compared to Adrian Peterson) is something to watch out for! Look for Cam Cameron to hash out the QB play and for Les Miles to lead the experienced Tiger defense.

12. South Carolina 

South Carolina is currently at the peak of the program’s success over their past 3 seasons.  Senior Dylan Thompson is a very athletic quarterback that has constantly under-performed in his time at South Carolina. This team is going to thrive off of the play of not only Dylan Thompson, but Heisman contender Mike Davis. This program will not break the preseason top 10 as their D-Line was gutted from the NFL Draft, but no worries, mid-way through the year look for them to be a Top 5 team. 

11. Baylor Bears

Can you guess the number 1 offense last season? No, not Oregon… Baylor Bears were the #1 ranked offense last year! They run a similar no huddle fast paced offense just like Oregon – the only difference is that Baylor has had better QB’s leading their team. Leading WR Antwan Goodly and Bryce Petty will return in hopes of making a 2014 run. Petty returning for his senior season is not only a Heisman Candidate, but keeps Baylor on the map as a Title Contender. There are many gaps to fill on defense, however it shouldn’t be much of a concern as Baylor can put up 70, yes 70, at any given time!

10. Stanford Cardinals

Stanford Cardinals win no matter what key losses they suffer from previous seasons. Under David Shaw the Cardinals are 34-7 over a 3 year span and 23-4 in conference play. The Cardinals have 5 returning starters on Offense and 7 on Defense.

The Cardinals offense will be led by Kevin Hogan a proven junior QB. The spotlight will be on the O-line and the man carrying the ball behind them, Barry Sanders Jr. Only having 5 carries last year Sanders takes over the load after the departure of Gaffney to the NFL Draft. On Defense, Stanford returns an all-senior defensive line that looks to lead this team in 2014. Expect Stanford to be the same old stingy ground and pound tough defense they are every year.

Stanford travels to South Bend to take on The Fighting Irish which will be their main non-conference contest in 2014. Stanford will face tough games down the stretch against Oregon and UCLA, but they have been known to shut down high powered offenses in the past.

9. UCLA Bruins

Jim Mora and Brett Hundley led UCLA to a Bowl Game and a 10 game winning season last year for the first time since 2005. This offense has 9 returning starters and the defense has 7. Even though this team lost major key players to the NFL Draft, UCLA fans are expecting a Pac 12 Championship plus more this year.

Quarterback Brett Hundley is possibly the best quarterback in the NCAA as he had a total of 3,000 passing yards, 748 rushing yard and combined 35 touchdowns last season. UCLA looks to bring back their explosive offense this season and are capable of running through the PAC 12. Defensively, keep an eye on Myles Jack to replace the departed Anthony Barr. Jack won rookie Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year last season in the Pac 12. This could be the start of a new face in the Pac 12 with UCLA being the top team in the future.

UCLA will travel to Virginia, Texas and Arizona State early in the season. The middle of their schedule will be much easier with Oregon the only real threat to the Bruins. They host Arizona, USC and Stanford late in the season as each game will be very important towards the Pac 12 Championship.

8. Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia is a team last year that was devastated by injury and the lack of defense. The Defense has hired new coordinator, Jeremy Pruitt, who is coming off a National Championship with Florida State. The Bulldog defense is returning 10 starters and the offense keeps Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall and Malcolm Mitchell.

The offense will be under the helm of Hutson Mason who had 2 starts late last year due to the injury of Aaron Murray. Todd Gurley could easily be the favorite for the Heisman if he can stay healthy all season. This Bulldog team has all the pieces in place to win the SEC.

Georgia will host Clemson week 1 and turn around and travel to South Carolina in week 2. They have a rather weak non-conference schedule, but when you play in the SEC voters are not really worried about the  non-conference competition. Auburn will travel to Athens late in the season – this could determine who is playing for the SEC Championship for both teams.

7. Michigan State

Big Ten fans prepare yourself for a totally different Michigan State team from what you saw last season. This team is returning 8 starters on the offensive side of the ball and 5 defensive players. After a Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl win at the end of the season MSU looks to contend for the playoffs this year.

Quarterback Connor Cook proved his capability at the end of the season last year and will run the offense with Jeremy Langford slotted at the RB position. The Spartans are returning a large number of their skill players on offense this coming season we look for the Spartans to score more points this season. The defense will be led by Defensive End, Shilique Calhoun. Consequently, the Spartans are filling a lot of holes on the defensive side so last year’s #1 defense will have work to do in order to keep that rank.

Michigan State will travel to Eugene, Oregon the second week of the season as Oregon will test that new defense early and often. The rest of the season the Spartans are home for their most challenging games – OSU, Nebraska and Michigan.

6. Oklahoma

There is a lot of hype coming out of Norman this year following last season’s late hot stretch. This team has high expectations stemming from the big win against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, heroics of Trevor Knight and the signing of Dorial Green-Beckham. It’s still unsure if the signing of DGB is going to be approved by the NCAA this season in order for him to be on the field, regardless the schedule of Oklahoma will have them in contention for the playoffs.

Oklahoma has 16 returning starters, but they have one of the youngest skill position players in the nation. The Sooner’s O-Line returns a lot of experience so protection shouldn’t be an issue.  The defense is returning everyone from the front 6-7 and should improve a defense that ranked 72nd in the nation last season.

Oklahoma has an easy schedule (one of the easiest in the NCAA this year) which gives this team the opportunity to grow throughout the season. The true test of the schedule will come late in the season when they host the Baylor Bears and travel to Texas Tech. This year could be the year “Big Game” Stoops wins his second National Championship.

5. Auburn

Last year’s No. 1 ranked rushing offense returns 8 starters and quarterback Nick Marshall. Although Auburn lost the 2 best players on the offensive side of the ball, Tre Mason and Greg Robinson, Coach Gus Malzahn’s system looks to be the Kryptonite of Alabama’s Nick Saban.

Quarterback Nick Marshall is returning for his senior year in an offense that seemed nearly unstoppable last year. The defense will return 7 starters and look to fill the spot of DE/LB Dee Ford.

Auburn will have to win the SEC in order to be considered for the playoffs. Auburn faces a tough road ahead of them this season as they travel to Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama.

4. Oregon 

Last season before a late season knee injury Marcus Mariota was a leading Heisman candidate and potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. With a solid cast around him and 5 starters returning to the offensive line the Oregon Ducks should have no problem filling the roles of De’Anthony Thomas and Josh Huff. We all have seen that Oregon’s offense hasn’t missed a beat since Chip Kelly moved on to the NFL.

The defense is also returning 5 starters and possibly the best corner in the nation, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. If Oregon’s front 7 are capable of withstanding a tough Stanford team, this year is a good chance the Duck will be swimming in the playoffs.

Oregon hosts Michigan State in week 2, this game could easily dictate playoff position at the end of the season. Oregon Ducks have 4 away games this season with only challenges being the UCLA Bruins and Utah Utes.

3. Alabama

The Crimson Tide will be the favorite to win the SEC in 2014.  Coach Nick Saban looks to find a replacement for quarterback AJ McCarron, Florida State transfer Jacob Coker is the likely person to replace him. Jacob Coker has nothing but high praises from his former coach Jimbo Fisher as he is said to have a stronger arm than former teammate Jameis Winston via Florida State coaches.

The Crimson Tide only have 5 returning starters on defense, which will be the biggest question mark for this year’s Tide team. Coach Nick Saban will have his hands full with a inexperienced secondary as  Junior safety Landon Collins is the lone returning starter. There are many questions heading into the season for Alabama, however, they have the best coach in college football – they will undoubtedly be in the playoff race.

The Crimson Tide really have no out of conference games that will raise concerns for fans. The Tide travels to Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU. They will host Florida, Texas A&M and of course Auburn.

2. Ohio State

OSU is coming off a two game losing streak from the end of last season. The Buckeyes lost 6 players to the NFL draft – notably linebacker Ryan Shazier, running back Carlos Hyde and Corner Bradley Roby. Returning is Heisman hopeful Braxton Miller and a defense with a lot of promise, but also a lot of question marks.

A healthy Braxton Miller is someone that is capable of running the high powered offense of Urban Meyer at an elite level. The biggest issue with Ohio State is going to be their defense. The Ohio State defense last year ranked 46th in total defense and 110th in passing defense. This D will have to improve this year in order to be an elite contender for the playoffs.

The Buckeyes open the season against the Navy Shipmen followed by a home game against Virginia Tech. The challenging part of the schedule is going to come mid and late in the season at Penn State, Michigan State and hosting Rival Michigan. Look for OSU and a healthy Braxton Miller to challenge for one of the four spots in the NCAA playoffs.

1. Florida State

Florida State lost 7 players to the NFL draft this past year, but the return of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston and a host of talented players will not keep FSU from making another championship run.

Mel Kiper has stated that Florida State is loaded with NFL talent. Although all the attention will be on Jameis Winston, I believe the player to watch will be Karlos Williams Sr. a senior running back. Williams Sr., a converted running back averaged 8 YPC with 91 carries last year, racking up 730 yards as a 3rd string running back!

Florida State has much harder path in order to stay on top this year with neutral-site opening game against Oklahoma State. Visiting late game from Notre Dame and a road trip to Louisville on a Thursday night isn’t exactly an advantage for the returning champs, not to mention the intrastate rivalry of Florida. This being said, it’s obvious the Seminoles are going to have to earn a back to back National Championship!