AP Top 10: Analyzing talent level of future opponents
The latest AP Top 25 was released Tuesday, and Rivals.com's Adam Friedman analyzes how tough the road through the regular season will be for the current top 10 teams. He used the final team rankings for the 2013-17 classes to determine talent level on each roster.
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1. Alabama
Average recruiting ranking of remaining opponents: 28.85
Most talented opponent remaining: LSU
Least talented opponent remaining: Mercer
Final regular-season record based on roster talent: 12-0
Summary: Alabama plays in the SEC West, arguably the best division in college football, but that hasn’t kept the Tide from, for the most part, dominating the competition. One thing to take note of here is that Alabama far and away has the most talented remaining schedule among the AP top 10.
2. Ohio State
Average recruiting ranking of remaining opponents: 44.13
Most talented opponent remaining: Oklahoma
Least talented opponent remaining: Army
Final regular-season record based on roster talent: 12-0
Summary: The Buckeyes have been recruiting at an unbelievable pace over the last few years and are favored to win all of the games on their schedule. As far as average class rankings go, Oklahoma will be Ohio State’s toughest test but Michigan is a close second. Penn State, Nebraska and Michigan State have all recruited well over the last few years and have the talent to give the Buckeyes a test.
3. Clemson
Average recruiting ranking of remaining opponents: 34.55
Most talented opponent remaining: Florida State
Least talented opponent remaining: The Citadel
Final regular-season record based on roster talent: 10-2
Summary: The Tigers got a major boost from Auburn and South Carolina, their second- and third-most talented opponents remaining this season. Louisville and N.C. State, two of Clemson’s toughest games this season, are only the fifth- and sixth-most talented remaining opponents based on average recruiting ranking.
4. Penn State
Average recruiting ranking of remaining opponents: 42.29
Most talented opponent remaining: Ohio State
Least talented opponent remaining: Georgia State
Final regular-season record based on roster talent: 10-2
Summary: As always, Ohio State and Michigan are the two most talented teams Penn State will face this year but, from a talent perspective, Nebraska is very evenly matched with the Nittany Lions. A potential hiccup game for Penn State could be Michigan State. The Nittany Lions play Michigan and Ohio State in the two weeks prior to facing the Spartans, with a similar average class ranking over the last few years, on the road.
5. Oklahoma
Average recruiting ranking of remaining opponents: 43.85
Most talented opponent remaining: Ohio State
Least talented opponent remaining: Tulane
Final regular-season record based on roster talent: 11-1
Summary: The Sooners have a relatively easy road to finish the regular season undefeated if they can beat Ohio State this weekend. Texas has the second-most talented roster on Oklahoma’s remaining schedule. Oklahoma State is set up well in its matchup with Oklahoma in early November despite not having an outstanding average class ranking.
6. USC
Average recruiting ranking of remaining opponents:34.67
Most talented opponent remaining: Notre Dame
Least talented opponent remaining: Colorado
Final regular-season record based on roster talent: 12-0
Summary: The Trojans are the recruiting power on the West Coast but there is clearly still plenty of talent to go around. After Notre Dame, UCLA is the most-talented opponent followed by Texas and Stanford. Cal and Arizona State are the only two other opponents that have recruited a five-star prospect in the last few years.
7. Washington
Average recruiting ranking of remaining opponents: 37.49
Most talented opponent remaining: UCLA
Least talented opponent remaining: Montana
Final regular-season record based on roster talent: 9-3
Summary: The Huskies have a good chance at getting back to the College Football Playoff if they are able to once again outperform a few more talented teams. UCLA, Oregon and Stanford have recruited more talent than Washington but the Huskies will also have to avoid a potential letdown against an equally talented team like Arizona State.
8. Michigan
Average recruiting ranking of remaining opponents: 46.45
Most talented opponent remaining: Ohio State
Least talented opponent remaining: Air Force
Final regular-season record based on roster talent: 11-1
Summary: The Wolverines will likely be favored in all but one game (Ohio State) this season. Outside of the Buckeyes, Penn State is Michigan’s most talented competition. Michigan State has a talented roster and some times strange things can happen when the Spartans and Wolverines get together.
9. Wisconsin
Average recruiting ranking of remaining opponents: 51.64
Most talented opponent remaining: Michigan
Least talented opponent remaining: Florida Atlantic
Final regular-season record based on roster talent: 9-3
Summary: The Badgers aren’t known for bringing in highly rated prospects but they can definitely play with the best of them. As far as average class rankings go, Wisconsin has more talent than all but three of their upcoming opponents: Michigan, Nebraska and Maryland. Iowa has the fourth-most talent on Wisconsin’s remaining schedule but the Badgers should watch out for Indiana and Northwestern even though they have recruited significantly less talent.
10. Florida State
Average recruiting ranking of remaining opponents this season: 42.22
Most talented opponent remaining: Florida
Least talented opponent remaining: Delaware State
Final regular-season record based on roster talent: 11-1
Summary: Florida edged out Clemson as the most talented roster on Florida State’s schedule by the slimmest of margins. Those two, along with Miami, will easily be Florida State’s most talented opponents this season. Florida State has averaged three five-star signees over the past few years so it has the talent to beat any of its opponents this season even with a season-ending injury to QB Deondre Francois.