With the 4th of July in the rear view mirror, and as we head into the dog days of summer, the 2015 College Football season looms on the horizon of the sports landscape. Last year, we saw Ohio State crowned the National Champion after the first ever college football playoff. Since our specialty is getting you to the biggest games for your favorite team or alma mater, we are going to take our own spin on the “Top 25” rankings. While we wait for the first official AP & coaches poll, here is the VIPTIX top 25 most in-demand teams for the upcoming season!
(rankings are based on total sales & traffic to each team’s page on VIPTIX.com)
1. Alabama (Last Season 12-2; ESPN Preseason Rank: 2)
There is no doubting the passion of the Alabama faithful. Head Coach Nick Saban has the Tide in the National Championship picture each and every season. They fell short in the inaugural playoff in 2014, but with no shortage of talent in Tuscaloosa, look for Bama to be in it again this year!
Alabama Crimson Tide Tickets
2. Michigan (Last Season 5-7; ESPN Preseason Rank: 25)
From Rich Rodriguez to Brady Hoke, it has been a rough few seasons for Michigan. One of the NCAA’s most prestigious teams has fallen on tough times as of late, but the Wolverines white knight may have arrived (albeit wearing khaki pants). Former Stanford & 49er coach Jim Harbaugh has returned to Ann Arbor to lead the Maize & Blue!
Michigan Wolverines Tickets
3. Texas A&M (Last Season 8-5; ESPN Preseason Rank: 11)
Since their move to the SEC, Texas A&M has risen their status as a program. Under coach Kevin Sumlin, they have made waves it what has been known as the toughest conference in the NCAA. After a they ended 2014 with 5 losses in 8 games, the Aggies have something to prove!
Texas A&M Aggies Tickets
4. Texas (Last Season 6-7; ESPN Preseason Rank: 27)
The Longhorns are another “Big Name” program that hasn’t experienced their usual level of success on the field recently. Mack Brown is history as Charlie Strong begins his 2nd full season in burnt orange. Look out for the Longhorns in the Big XII Conference!
Texas Longhorns Tickets
5. Oregon (Last Season 13-2; ESPN Preseason Rank: 6)
The high-scoring Ducks came up a little short last season, losing to Ohio State in the Nation Championship game. A scoreboard operators worst nightmare, Oregon shows no signs of slowing down in 2015. Many fans think THIS will be the year!
Oregon Ducks Tickets
6. LSU (Last Season 8-5; ESPN Preseason Rank: 4)
The LSU Tigers are always a contender in the tough SEC. 2015 will carry high hopes, most of which will be on the shoulders of their talented, young running back! If their defense plays a tough as people think it will, Tiger fans better get their college football playoff tickets NOW!
LSU Tigers Tickets
7. USC (Last Season 9-4; ESPN Preseason Rank: 13)
With no NFL team in town, USC has carried themselves as the “talk of the town” in LA for the last 20 or so years (their crosstown rivals, UCLA, begs to differ!). The Trojans will boast a powerful attack in 2015 and with Head Coach Steve Sarkisian behind the helm for a 2nd year, the Trojans are dreaming BIG!
USC Trojans Tickets
8. Ohio State (Last Season 14-1; ESPN Preseason Rank: 1)
The defending champs only come in at #8 on our list, but there is no reason they can’t finish 2015 as #1…again! The Buckeyes rode hot QB play into the Big 10 Championship Game & beyond in order to capture another title for Columbus. Odds on favorite to repeat!
Ohio State Buckeyes Tickets
9. Notre Dame (Last Season 8-5; ESPN Preseason Rank: 7)
The Irish have been on the upswing since Brian Kelly took over a few years back. Notre Dame will come into 2015 with high expectations and an eye on the playoff. With no conference affiliation, they will have to make each game in 2015 count!
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Tickets
10. Auburn (Last Season 8-5; ESPN Preseason Rank: 18)
In the tough SEC, Auburn disappointed in 2014, losing its last 3 conference games, plus their bowl game vs Wisconsin. The 2015 version of the Tigers will be out for revenge and to prove that last year was a fluke. War Eagle!
Auburn Tigers Tickets
11. Georgia (Last Season 10-3; ESPN Preseason Rank: 9)
Steady as she goes for the Dawgs. Always a contender, Georgia has been a model of consistency under Head Coach Mark Richt. Unfortunately, while the Bulldogs haven’t been consistently in the National Championship game, they can always be found near the top of the polls!
Georgia Bulldogs Tickets
12. Florida (Last Season 7-5; ESPN Preseason Rank: 28)
The Gators have been a team in transition the last few seasons. After an up and down 2014, Florida and Head Coach Will Muschamp are looking for better results this season. Once again, playing in the SEC means every week will be tough!
Florida Gators Tickets
13. Wisconsin (Last Season 11-3; ESPN Preseason Rank: 34)
The Badgers have been knocking on the door for a few years now, but always seen to run into a hot team in the Big 10. With teams like Ohio St & Michigan St looking strong again in 2015, Wisconsin will have a tough task ahead of them.
Wisconsin Badgers Tickets
14. Penn State (Last Season 7-6; ESPN Preseason Rank: 37)
It was a rocky road for James Franklin. The Big 10 got the best of the new Penn State coach in Year 1, but the Nittany Lions hope for a better 2015. Despite a so-so record, Penn State tickets are always a hot item!
Penn State Nittany Lions Tickets
15. Florida State (Last Season 13-1; ESPN Preseason Rank: 21)
Everything was great for the undefeated ‘Noles until they fell flat in the Rose Bowl to Oregon. Florida State sent a lot of talent to the NFL, and many experts think this team is ripe for a fall in 2015. The Seminoles are using that as motivation this year!
Florida State Seminoles Tickets
16. Stanford (Last Season 8-5; ESPN Preseason Rank: 17)
The 2014 version of the Cardinal gave it a great shot, with all their losses coming to ranked teams. As they say, to be the best, you have to beat the best! Stanford will have to leave it all on the field when it counts the most if they want to compete in a tough Pac-12!
Stanford Cardinal Tickets
17. Oklahoma (Last Season 8-5; ESPN Preseason Rank: 15)
Boomer Sooner! Oklahoma spent most of the 2014 season near the top of the standings, but a few key losses sent their year off the rails. It appears that Bob Stoops will once again have his team focused on the task at hand. Look for a big rebound!
Oklahoma Sooners Tickets
18. South Carolina (Last Season 7-6; ESPN Preseason Rank: 40)
It was a down year for the Gamecocks under the “Ol’ Ball Coach” Steve Spurrier. With some losses to weaker opponents, South Carolina could not tread water in the SEC, but still managed to eek out a Bowl Game win over Miami. A tough 2015 could lie ahead.
South Carolina Gamecocks Tickets
19. Tennessee (Last Season 7-6; ESPN Preseason Rank: 14)
After a few years with no identity and little success, Butch Davis appears to have righted the ship heading into his 3rd season on the Vols sideline. A potent offense could have fans in Knoxville singing “Rocky Top” over and over again!
Tennessee Volunteers Tickets
20. Nebraska (Last Season 9-4; ESPN Preseason Rank: 41)
Nebraska will have an uphill climb in the Big 10 this year. After being ranked for most of 2014, experts are down on this year’s Cornhuskers team. Each week will be a tough test if they want to prove the so-called “experts” wrong!
Nebraska Cornhuskers Tickets
21. Michigan State (Last Season 11-2; ESPN Preseason Rank: 16)
How’s this for an impressive season: The two teams the Spartans lost to in 2014, met for the National Championship. No shame in dropping those games, but Head Coach Mark Dantonio expects more this season. First step: the Big 10 Title; Second Step: The National Title!
Michigan State Spartans Tickets
22. Iowa (Last Season 7-6; ESPN Preseason Rank: 64)
It was a bland campaign for the Hawkeyes in 2014, and this upcoming year does not look to be much different. Kirk Ferentz will have his hands full to try and turn this team into a winner. Iowa may have made this list by reputation alone.
Iowa Hawkeyes Tickets
23. Washington (Last Season 8-6; ESPN Preseason Rank: 46)
In his first season since leaving Boise State, Head Coach Chris Petersen watched his Huskies lose some tough games to teams ranked in the Top 20 last year. Losing to quality opponents is nothing to hang your head about, but the Huskies will want to improve in 2015!
Washington Huskies Tickets
24. Clemson (Last Season 10-3; ESPN Preseason Rank: 19)
The Clemson Tigers have sent some big talent to the NFL in recent years, but haven’t missed a beat on the field! The Tigers dropped some games to big time opponents, but Dabo Sweeny will be working hard to make sure his boys are ready for 2015!
Clemson Tigers Tickets
25. Virginia Tech (Last Season 7-6; ESPN Preseason Rank: 26)
The Hokies are poised to bounce back after a roller coaster 2014. Last year, they held the ONLY victory over eventual Champ Ohio State, in Columbus no less, but then Tech lost their next two contests. The ACC should be up for grabs and Virginia Tech will be in contention in 2015!
Virginia Tech Hokies Tickets
Just Missed (ESPN Preseason Rank):
TCU (3)
Baylor (5)
Ole Miss (8)
Arkansas (10)
UCLA (12)
Conference Breakdown:
SEC – 8
Big 10 – 7
Pac-12 – 4
ACC – 3
Big XII – 2
NCAA Indenpendent -1