re: Josh Pate releases his JP Power Poll

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FSU - returns a ton of talent & good QB

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Fair

But with both teams returning roughly the same amount of production what's the "tiebreaker"? Brian Kelly...176 wins. Mike Norvell...still hoping to someday beat Wake Forest, Clemson, NC St.

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USC- Returns the best player in college football. Was very close to making the playoff last year.

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Their defense was horrible last season. Williams is a good QB in Riley's system. But beating crappy teams in the Pac 12 doesn't exactly move the needle. Plus, LSU returns MORE offensive production

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Penn St- Return a lot of talent & good QB

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a good QB who has started exactly ZERO games in his college career and has thrown for 300 yards and 4 TDs...mostly in mop up duty. He may be the best QB in the history of college football. But that is all just potential. LSU's QB has started 43 games

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Clemson - Returns a highly ranked young quarterback.

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Whose entire production thus far consist of two game. Again, he may be great. But guys like Anthony Jennings, Brandon Harris, Jared Lee has a few great game/moments early in their careers.

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Plays in a weaker conference.

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Should have ZERO to do with a preseason ranking. If you want to project Clemson to have a better record than LSU because of that fact, that's fine. But don't label the list as preseason rankings. Label it as preseason projections.

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All of these teams finished 2022 with an equal or better record than LSU and with a higher ranking.

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Last year's rankings are meaningless. What do you have this season is really at that matters.

Of that group, really only Florida St. has a great argument. They return a ton of production and a very experienced QB. Outside of QB, SC returns less on offense than LSU. They return a bit more on defense. But when you were one of the worst defenses in the country is that really a good thing?

Ultimately, these are projections as to where the teams stand TODAY. They may end up totally wrong, but taking account of all the variables it is very difficult to rank many teams ahead of LSU.