[jwplayer EMumQLl5-Esf0Ippc]
2018 College Football Rankings: Where Is Boise State?
The Broncos have the inside track for a New Year’s Six bowl
Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire
It’s early but Boise State looks like to be the team to beat.
With the college football season in the books it is time to look forward to 2018 — we are guilty as well — by putting together a ridiculously too early top 25 rankings. Clearly things will change like transfers, incoming recruits, injuries, spring football, the NFL Draft and probably some other random incident.
We go through all of the publications that ranked Boise State in a top 25 and it is pretty convincing that the Broncos will be the top rated team from the Group of 5, well except for The Big Lead, Dr. Saturday and The Sporting News which does not ranked the Broncos.
UCF does make a few high appearances through these lists and The Athletic puts them at No. 10 due to the Golden Knights returning QB McKenzie Milton, RB Adrian Killins, RB/WR Otis Anderson and four starting O-lineman all return. Overall, Boise State has a higher composite.
Boise State does lose talent like Cedrick Wilson and defensive player of the year in Leighton Vander who declared early for the NFL Draft. They do retain running back Alexander Mattison QB Brett Rypien who will get all the reps, most of the offensive line and plenty of returning talent on defense.
What also should be note that Fresno State is not receiving any consideration despite coming off of a 10-win season, returning its starting quarterback who came on campus with no fall camp, top four running backs, three of the top four wide receivers, three starting offensive lineman and eight defensive starters which were one of the best units in the Mountain West.
We go through the early rankings from Athlon, CBS, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, The Athletic and 247Sports.
[lawrence-related id=2850]
Athlon Sports
19. Boise State
The Broncos should open 2018 as the preseason favorite to claim the Group of 5 bowl spot in the New Year’s Six. Boise State got off to a slow start in 2017 but improved throughout the season, eventually finishing 11-3 with a win over Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl.
It should be noted that Athlon did have Fresno State as one of a handful of teams to be considered.
CBS Sports
19. Boise State
The Broncos go into the season as the Group of Five New Year’s Six favorite. A win over Oklahoma State in the non-con seems like a nice prelude to a Mountain West title. Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State come to Boise.
ESPN
17. Boise State
With quarterback Brett Rypien and all but one defensive starter coming back in 2018, the Broncos should be the preseason favorites among Group of 5 teams to grab a New Year’s Six bowl berth.
Sports Illustrated
24. Boise State
The Broncos won 10 games in 2017, finishing the year No. 25 in the College Football Playoff rankings, and a Sept. 15 matchup with Oklahoma State will be a good test of how far they can go in 2018.
USA TODAY
14. Boise State
Boise will be the best team in the Group of Five. The offense is ready to roll behind Brett Rypien, running back Alexander Mattison and a strong front. But the big story for the Broncos is a loaded defense, which looks the part of not just the best in the Group of Five but a top unit nationally.
The Athletic
18. Boise State (11-3)
Coming off a Mountain West title and Las Vegas Bowl win against Oregon, the Broncos should be even better thanks to 10 returning defensive starters. QB Brett Rypien returns for his fourth season as starter but will need to find a new top target to replace 1,511-yard receiver Cedrick Wilson. Top RB Alexander Mattison will play behind a more mature offensive line.
Of course these rankings will likely be shot up after the first week of the season, if not sooner.