TexAgs' Top 25: South Carolina headlines Nos. 15-11

This week TexAgs is revealing its countdown of our projected top 25 college football teams for the 2014 season. We’ll take a look at five teams each day this week. Today, we look at teams ranked 15th to 11th.

15. Wisconsin Badgers

Overview: Last season’s Badger team was one of the best across the statistical spectrum in the school history. In 2013 Wisconsin set a school record with 480.3 yards per game and broke the FBS rushing record for a duo (3,053 yards). Led by a returning QB Joel Stave and Maxwell Award semifinalist RB Melvin Gordon (1,609 yards), it would be no surprise if those ways continued on the offensive side. Losing eight starters could spell different things for the defense.

Repeating national top-10 performances in scoring and total defense will prove difficult. With the Big Ten’s emphasis on the run game, replacing an entire linebacker corps will prove pivotal to success. If coach Gary Andersen can fill in those holes, 2014 could see the Badgers covered in roses.

Coach: Gary Andersen
2013 record: 9-4
Bowl result: Lost to South Carolina, 34-24, in the Capital One Bowl
Returning starters:

• Offense (7): QB Joel Stave, RB Melvin Gordon, WR Jordan Fredrick, LT Tyler Marz, C Dan Voltz, RG Kyle Costigan, RT Rob Havenstein
  
  
• Defense (3): CB Darius Hillary, CB Sojourn Shelton, SS Michael Caputo
  
  
• Special teams (2): K Jack Russell, P Drew Drew Meyer

2014 schedule:

• Aug. 30 vs.  LSU at Houston
• Sept. 6 vs. Western Illinois
• Sept. 20 vs. Bowling Green
• Sept 27 vs. USF
• Oct. 4 at Northwestern
• Oct. 11 vs. Illinois
• Oct. 25 vs. Maryland
• Nov. 1 at Rutgers
• Nov. 8 at Purdue
• Nov. 15 vs. Nebraska
• Nov. 22 at Iowa
• Nov. 29 vs. Minnesota

 

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14. USC Trojans

Overview: New coach Steve Sarkisian is looking to change things up out West. With the implementation of a hurry-up offense, the Trojans hope returning QB Cody Kessler can bring back images of USC offenses of the early 2000s. That task is made tougher with the losses of C Marcus Martin and WR Marquise Lee. Alongside Kessler, however, will be seven other returning starters with loads of experience behind them. RB Javorius Allen (785 rushing yards, 14 TDs) was team MVP a year ago.

Sarkisian welcomes back eight starters from a defensive unit that led the nation in red zone defense. All-American DL Leonard Williams is a stable base to build upon as the Trojans aim for their first Pac-12 title since ’08.

Coach: Steve Sarkisian
2013 record: 10-4
Bowl result: Defeated Fresno State, 45-20, in the Las Vegas Bowl
Returning starters:

• Offense (8): QB Cody Kessler, RB Tre Madden, FB Jahleel Pinner, WR Darreus Rogers, TE Randall Telfer, LG Aundrey Walker, RG Chad Wheeler, LT Max Tuerk
  
  
• Defense (8): DE Leonard Williams, NT Antwaun Woods, LB Anthony Sarao, LB Lamar Dawson, LB J.R. Tavai, CB Kevon Seymour, CB Josh Shaw, S Su’a Cravens
  
  
• Special teams (3): P Kris Albarado, K Andrew Heidari, PR Nelson Agholor

2014 schedule:

• Aug. 30 vs. Fresno State
• Sept. 6 at Stanford
• Sept. 13 at Boston College
• Sept. 27 vs. Oregon State
• Oct. 4 vs. Arizona State
• Oct. 11 at Arizona
• Oct. 18 vs. Colorado
• Oct. 25 at Utah
• Nov. 1 at Washington State
• Nov. 13 vs. Cal
• Nov 22 at UCLA
• Nov. 29 vs. Notre Dame

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13. LSU Tigers

Overview: The Tigers could have been more ready to pounce this season if not for the call of the NFL. With WR Odell Beckham and RB Jeremy Hill among several early entries into last May’s draft, LSU must find new way to score touchdowns and new people to score them. That may mean relying more on the run game behind a stout offense line and senior RBs Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard and newcomer Leonard Fournette.

The defense, possibly sans DB Jalen Mills, should help the cause. DEs Jermauria Rasco and Danielle Hunter lead a unit that looks to regain top 10 form. The secondary appears much healthier than a year ago. If Coach Les Miles can adequately replace the departures with the constant influx of talent to Death Valley, the pieces will be in place to move up the rankings.

Coach: Les Miles
2013 record: 10-3
Bowl result: Defeated Iowa, 21-14, in the Outback Bowl
Returning starters:

• Offense (6): RB Connor Neighbors, TE Dillon Gordon, LT La’el Collins, LG Vadal Alexander, C Elliot Porter, RT Jerald Hawkins
  
  
• Defense (5): DE Jermauria Rasco, DE Danielle Hunter, LB Kwon Alexander, LB D.J Welter, CB Tre’Davious White, CB Jalen Mills
  
  
• Special teams (2): K Colby Delahoussaye, P Jamie Keehn

2014 schedule:

• Aug. 30 vs. Wisconsin at Houston
• Sept. 6 vs. Sam Houston
• Sept. 13 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
• Sept. 20 vs. Mississippi State
• Sept. 27 vs. New Mexico State
• Oct. 4 at Auburn
• Oct. 11 at Florida
• Oct. 18 vs. Kentucky
• Oct. 25 vs. Ole Miss
• Nov. 8 vs. Alabama
• Nov 15 at Arkansas
• Nov 27 at Texas A&M

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12. Georgia Bulldogs

Overview: For the sake of coach Mark Richt’s sanity, let’s say the Bulldogs stay healthy. That means mean they have nine returning starters on defense and RB Todd Gurley for a full season slate. Those two elements will be key for the Bulldogs.

With star QB Aaron Murray gone, the offensive scheme will require Gurley (989 rushing yards, 10 TDs last season) and a wealth of talent behind him to carry more of the load. Much of the Dawgs’ power comes from the defensive side where new coordinator Jeremy Pruitt will work to eliminate the big plays that proved costly last year. Georgia will rely on the leadership of senior LB Ramik Wilson, the SEC’s leading tackler in 2013.

If Georgia tackles better and, of course, avoids injury, there could be great success between the hedges.

Coach: Mark Richt
2013 record: 8-5
Bowl result: Lost to Nebraska, 24-19, in the Gator bowl
Returning starters:

• Offense (6): RB Todd Gurley, FB Merritt Hall, WR Michael Bennett, WR Chris Conley, LT John Theus, C David Andrews
  
  
• Defense (9): DE Sterling Bailey, NT Chris Mayes, LB Jordan Jenkins, LB Amario Herrera, LB Ramik Wilson, LB Leonard Floyd, CB Damian Swann, CB Shaq Wiggins, S Quincy Mauger
  
  
• Special teams (2): K Marshall Morgan, P Adam Erickson

2014 schedule:

• Aug. 30 vs. Clemson
• Sept. 13 at South Carolina
• Sept. 20 vs. Troy
• Sept. 27 vs. Tennessee
• Oct. 4 vs. Vanderbilt
• Oct. 11 at Missouri
• Oct. 18 at Arkansas
• Nov. 1 vs. Florida in Jacksonville
• Nov. 8 at Kentucky
• Nov. 15 vs. Auburn
• Nov. 22 vs. Charleston Southern
• Nov. 29 vs. Georgia Tech

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11. South Carolina Gamecocks

Overview: The Gamecocks appear ready to continue a streak of three straight top-10 finishes. The loss of top NFL Draft pick DE Jedaveon Clowney will hurt, but the South Carolina defense still appears solid with LBs Skai Moore and Kaiwan Lewis.

QB Connor Shaw completed his eligibility and WR Bruce Ellington left for the NFL, creating some offensive issues. But stepping into Shaw’s footsteps will be QB Dylan Thompson, a fifth-year senior who led the Gamecocks to victory over Clemson in 2012. South Carolina needs Thompson, RB Mike Davis and WR Shaq Roland to thrive behind an powerful line that returns four starters from a year ago.

Steve Spurrier, the old ball coach, still has not led South Carolina to an SEC title. That could change this year.

Coach: Steve Spurrier
2013 record: 11-2
Bowl result: Defeated Wisconsin, 34-24, in the Capital One Bowl
Returning starters:

• Offense (8): TE Rory Anderson, WR Damiere Byrd, TB Mike Davis, G A.J. Cann, OT Corey Robinson, WR Shaq Roland, OT Brandon Shell, C Clayton Stadnik
  
  
• Defense (6): SPR Sharrod Golightly, LB Kaiwan Lewis, S Kadetrix Marcus, LB Marcquis Roberts, DT J.T. Surratt, S Brison Williams
  
  
• Special teams (4): K Elliott Fry, P Tyler Hull, KR Landon Ard, PR Pharoh Cooper

2014 schedule:

• Aug. 28 vs. Texas A&M
• Sept. 6 vs. East Carolina
• Sept. 13 vs. Georgia
• Sept. 20 at Vanderbilt
• Sept. 27 vs. Missouri
• Oct. 4 at Kentucky
• Oct. 18 vs. Furman
• Oct. 25 at Auburn
• Nov. 1 vs. Tennessee
• Nov. 15 at Florida
• Nov. 22 vs. South Alabama
• Nov. 29 at Clemson