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Quick look: Amway Coaches Poll top 25

Eddie Timanus
USA TODAY

USA TODAY Sports provides outlooks for every team in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll top 25.

Quarterback Trevone Boykin and the TCU Horned Frogs will open the season at No. 2.

1. Ohio State: The defending champs have so many quarterbacks, one of them (Braxton Miller, a two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year) is becoming a receiver.

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2. TCU: QB Trevone Boykin will lead a veteran offense as the Horned Frogs look to correct last year's playoff snub.

3. Alabama: If the Crimson Tide run the ball as effectively as expected and shore up the perimeter defense, they'll be in the championship hunt once again.

4. Baylor: The Bears' high-octane attack has some new faces, but they should have time to hone their teamwork before the key November stretch.

5. Oregon: Heisman winner Marcus Mariota is gone, but the Ducks still have a lot of weapons and a well-established system to move the ball.

6. Michigan State: After an 11-2 2014 campaign, QB Connor Cook and the Spartans hope to take the next step.

7. Auburn: The return of defensive guru Will Muschamp to the Plains has Tigers' fans optimistic for a bounce-back season.

8. Florida State: Jameis Winston is off to the NFL and the Seminoles have to go to Clemson, but they're the three-time defending ACC champs.

9. Georgia: TB Nick Chubb and a strong linebacker corps look to lead the Bulldogs back to the top of the SEC East.

Southern California Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler.

10. Southern California: The Pac-12 South is crowded, but QB Cody Kessler and a steady defense could help the Trojans rise above the rest.

11. Notre Dame: A killer schedule awaits a young Fighting Irish squad, but their defense should keep them in most games.

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12. Clemson: With Deshaun Watson healthy and the Florida State game at home, the Tigers' faithful are thinking ACC title or bust.

13. LSU: TB Leonard Fournette and a stout defense will be the building blocks, but the Bayou Bengals must find consistency at QB.

14. UCLA: Standout LB Myles Jack and TB Paul Perkins are among 18 starters back for the Bruins, but QB Brett Hundley is not.

15. Mississippi: The Rebels have the physicality to compete in the SEC West with DT Robert Nkemdiche in the trenches, but do they have enough playmakers?

16. Arizona State: The young Sun Devils must find their footing quickly to negotiate a tough early slate.

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17. Georgia Tech: QB Justin Thomas is back to run the option as the Yellow Jackets look to repeat their finish atop the ACC Coastal.

18. Wisconsin: The Badgers are under new management with former offensive coordinator Paul Chryst returning to Madison; he gets no honeymoon thanks to an opening clash with Alabama.

19. Oklahoma: Being picked third in the Big 12 doesn't sit well in Norman, where the Sooners need to better defend the league's proliferation of spread attacks.

Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema.

20. Arkansas: Built around RBs Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams, the Razorbacks will try to power their way through the loaded SEC West.

21. Stanford: QB Kevin Hogan returns, but the Cardinal defense will have to be rebuilt once again because eight starters were lost to graduation.

22. Arizona: QB Anu Solomon was one of the nation's surprise stars as a freshman last season leading the Wildcats to the Pac-12 South title; LB Scooby Wright returns to anchor the defense.

23. Missouri: TB Russell Hansbrough, QB Maty Mauk and a solid LB group are among the returnees for the Tigers, seeking a third consecutive appearance in the SEC title game.

24. Boise State: Star TB Jay Ajayi and steady QB Grant Hedrick are gone from the Fiesta Bowl champion Broncos, but all other starters on offense are back.

25. Tennessee: After last season's strong finish, QB Joshua Dobbs and Co. could be poised for a breakout year on Rocky Top.

PHOTOS: Top 25 teams in the Amway Coaches Poll

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