Clemson in thick of football playoff contenders

2014 Record (Final playoff ranking): 14-1 (4)

Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense)

Trouble spots: at Virginia Tech, Michigan State

Summer update: In a bit of an upset, Ohio State still has all three of its talented trio of QBs, but that’s still subject to change. J.T. Barrett is the favorite to take hold of the job after an impressive run in Braxton Miller’s stead, while three-game sensation Cardale Jones lurks as another viable option.

2014 Record (Final playoff ranking): 12-1 (6)

Returning starters: 15 (9 offense, 6 defense)

Trouble spots: at Minnesota, at Kansas State, at Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Baylor

Summer update: TCU has a veteran, dual-threat QB (Trevone Boykin), an array of skill position weapons and a number returners off a top-10 defense in yards per play allowed (sixth). They have a much tougher road than the Buckeyes and could leave the decision in the committee’s hands again with one loss.

2014 Record (Final playoff ranking): 8-5 (19)

Returning starters: 12 (4 offense, 8 defense)

Trouble spots: Louisville, at LSU, Mississippi State, at Arkansas, at Texas A&M, Alabama

Summer update: New highly-paid D-coordinator Will Muschamp has pieces to work in overhauling an underperforming unit in recent years. The offense re-stocks with the talented duo of Jeremy Johnson at QB and Jovon Robinson at RB. The opener with Louisville in Atlanta is no cupcake.

2014 Record (Final playoff ranking): 11-2 (5)

Returning starters: 17 (8 offense, 9 defense)

Trouble spots: at Kansas State, at Oklahoma State, at TCU

Summer update: New QB Seth Russell commands an offense with plenty back that led the nation in total and scoring offense in 2014.There’s a good chance Baylor’s undefeated heading to play TCU on Nov. 27 – if they lose to TCU, will 11-1 leave them out of the playoffs again?

2014 Record (Final Playoff ranking): 10-3 (17)

Returning starters: 12 (7 offense, 4 defense)

Trouble spots: Notre Dame, Florida State, Georgia Tech, at Louisville, at South Carolina

Summer update: Would the committee make 2015 the first year with two teams from a Power Five conference in? Being a conference champ seemed pretty important in year one, and that’s what Clemson would need – plus a win over Florida State – to be in this position.

2014 Record (Final playoff ranking): 13-2 (2)

Returning starters: 13 (8 offense, 3 defense)

Trouble spots: at Michigan State, at Arizona State, at Stanford, USC

Summer update: Whether Heisman winner Marcus Mariota’s heir-apparent is former backup Jeff Lockie or Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams Jr., Oregon’s true issue is found in trips to Michigan State, Arizona State and Stanford.

2014 Record (Final playoff ranking): 8-5

Returning starters: 18 (8 offense, 10 defense)

Trouble spots: at Clemson, Southern Cal, at Stanford

Summer update: Yes, Everett Golson’s gone, but it appears the future already was now with four-star QB Malik Zaire, who led the Fighting Irish to a bowl win against LSU. Clemson might be their toughest challenge, however, as the Tigers have over two weeks to prepare for the early October matchup.

2014 Record (Final playoff ranking): 10-3 (13)

Returning starters: 11 (6 offense, 5 defense)

Trouble spots: Alabama, at Tennessee, Florida, at Auburn, at Georgia Tech

Summer update: We know they can run, and by the end of year one under Jeremy Pruitt, the defense was fine. Just who’s throwing is the issue with a wide-open race into fall camp. They should be the SEC East favorites, but drawing both Auburn and Alabama from the SEC West has done them no favors.

2014 Record (Final playoff ranking): 14-1 (1)

Returning starters: 12 (4 offense, 8 defense)

Trouble spots: Wisconsin, Ole Miss, at Georgia, at Texas A&M, LSU, at Mississippi State, at Auburn.

Summer update: The Crimson Tide have plenty to replace on offense, but all they do is win on the recruiting trail and filling the depth chart. A strong defense is a given, but it’s hard to project the firepower to survive a tough slate in making the top-four.

2014 Record (Final playoff ranking): 11-2

Returning starters: 14 (6 offense, 8 defense)

Trouble spots: Oregon, at Michigan, at Nebraska, at Ohio State

Summer update: Hosting Oregon early, the Spartans can make an early statement with a veteran QB (Connor Cook) and an impressive ‘D’ resume over the past couple seasons. A late-season trip to Ohio State is an opportunity in seizing the East Division and a Big Ten championship game berth.

Other teams considered: Florida State, Arizona, Southern Cal, UCLA, Oklahoma.