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The 10 college football teams with the best chances of going undefeated in 2015

Published Jul. 21, 2015 7:19 p.m. ET

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By Dustin Tackett

An undefeated college football season is easier said than done, but not all that uncommon. 

There have been 15 different undefeated seasons over the last 15 years, beginning with Bob Stoops’ 13-0 Sooners in 2000 and ending with Jimbo Fisher’s 14-0 Seminoles in 2013. And during that time, only two programs – Ohio State (’02 & ’12) and Auburn (’04 & ’10) – have done so more than once. While it may seem that making it through an entire schedule without a loss is the ultimate goal, not all of these 15 seasons have ended in similar fashion – just eight of these teams have finished as National Champions. 

It comes down to a team’s schedule, chemistry and a bit of luck, but we decided to take a shot anyways and put together a list of 10 teams that we believe have the best chances of going undefeated in 2015. There likely won’t be a repeat of 2004, when three different teams – Auburn, Utah and USC – went undefeated, and there’s absolutely no chance that we’ll see 10, but here are the teams we think have any shot at all. 

10. Florida State

SOS (Strength of schedule): 58; Biggest challenges: at Clemson, at Georgia Tech

FSU has won 29 of its last 30 games under Fisher, but will begin a new chapter in 2015 after former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston was selected No. 1 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2015 NFL Draft. 

Even without Winston, and the 10 other players selected during this year’s draft, the Seminoles remain locked and loaded with plenty of talent after Fisher and staff have continued to recruit at the highest of levels. Redshirt junior quarterback Sean Maguire sits in the driver’s seat for the starting quarterback role, but former Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson’s transfer has stirred the pot quite a bit in regards to FSU’s quarterback situation. 

FSU is loaded with four-star and five-star talent at just about every position on the field, on both sides of the ball, and will be a challenge for just about anybody on the schedule. The questions at the quarterback position will play a big part in FSU’s success, but both Maguire and Golson have proven they can win games. 

9. Georgia

SOS: 18; Biggest challenges: Alabama, at Auburn

The Bulldogs will also replace a starter at the quarterback position, but return one of the best running backs in all of college football in Nick Chubb. 

After going 10-3 in 2014, Mark Richt and company look to bounce back and make a splash in 2015. The departure of quarterback Hutson Mason leads to a new signal caller in redshirt sophomore Brice Ramsey. Luckily for Ramsey, he has a very sturdy defense and monster in Chubb to lean on during his first season under center. 

Playing out of the SEC East, Georgia will have the luxury of playing some of the weaker members of college football’s toughest conference, and the Bulldogs will look to take advantage. 

8. UCLA

SOS: 27; Biggest challenges: at Stanford, at, Arizona, at USC

The Bruins also look to replace a starting quarterback after Brett Hundley departed for the NFL. With Hundley gone, redshirt junior Jerry Neuheisel steps in under center. 

Redshirt junior running back Paul Perkins, who rushed for 1,575 yards in 2014, will make his return, taking some of the pressure off of Neuheisel’s shoulders. Along with Perkins, the Bruins will also see the return of leading receivers Jordan Payton, Thomas Duarte and Devin Fuller. 

If Neuheisel can settle in and take advantage of the more seasoned talent around him, UCLA will have a good shot at making it to the Pac-12 Championship. 

Michigan State has a couple of very difficult games on the schedule, but has the talent to make it out alive. And if the Spartans do escape those tough games, it should be smooth sailing from there. 

After going 11-2 in 2014, the Spartans will see the (very crucial) return of senior quarterback Connor Cook. His favorite target and only 1,000-yard receiver from last season, Tony Lippett, may be gone after being drafted by the Miami Dolphins, but Cook’s a cool character and will be able to spread things out. And he’ll likely lean on that defense, too. 

The Big Ten is friendly to those who seek an undefeated season, and Michigan State will be worth keeping an eye on. 

6. Oregon 

SOS: 33; Biggest challenges: at Michigan State, at Stanford

It’s the Ducks after all that will be losing reigning Heisman Trophy-winner Marcus Mariota after he was drafted No. 2 overall by the Tennessee Titans in this year’s NFL Draft. 

But the loss of Mariota shouldn’t slow down the Ducks. There’s plenty of speed to go around when looking at the Oregon roster, and the first name worth mentioning is now sophomore running back Royce Freeman, who broke onto the scene last season rushing for 1,365 yards and 18 touchdowns. With Mariota gone, the Ducks will turn to either Jeff Lockie or Eastern Washington transfer-to-be Vernon Adams.

The Ducks have been a force to be reckoned with for some time now in the Pac-12, and it’s hard to see that changing any time soon. 

5. Marshall 

SOS: 125; Biggest challenges: Purdue, at W. Kentucky

Marshall, out of Conference USA, may not be a team you’re familiar with, but that doesn’t mean the Thundering Herd don’t have a solid chance at an undefeated season. And it doesn’t mean we’re going to forget about them.

Believe it or not, Marshall also looks to replace a long-time starter at quarterback after Rakeem Cato departed for the undrafted free agent market in the NFL. Without Cato under center, the Thundering Herd will look towards redshirt junior Michael Birdsong to step in. The return of senior running back Devon Johnson will ease that transition, though, after rushing for 1,767 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2014. 

Look out for the Herd as they battle through the weakest schedule on the list. 

4. TCU

SOS: 37; Biggest challenges: Baylor, at Oklahoma

Gary Patterson and his Horned Frogs went 12-1 out of the Big 12 last season, and believed they had a major case for one of the four spots in the first ever College Football Playoff. And now they’ll have a chance to strengthen that argument. 

Senior quarterback Trevone Boykin returns after throwing for an astounding 3,901 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2014, and one can only assume he’s bringing a chip on his shoulder. Yikes for anybody in their way. 

The Horned Frogs will be a scary opponent for anybody on their schedule this season.

3. Baylor

SOS: 50; Biggest challenges: Oklahoma, at TCU

After two seasons under center, the Bears will have to find a way to replace Bryce Petty, who was drafted by the New York Jets in the 4th round of this year’s NFL Draft. 

Seth Russell looks to step in under center for the Bears, but he’ll have a little help from Baylor’s three leading receivers from last season in Corey Coleman, KD Canon and Jay Lee. Baylor has become a regular threat in the Big 12 with an explosive offense and doesn’t appear to be slowing in that regard.

With the help of a weak schedule, look out for the Bears.

2. Boise State

SOS: 116; Biggest challenges: Washington, at Virginia 

Boise State is just another team on this list searching for a replacement under center, yet they’ll have a good shot at an undefeated season – thanks to a favorable schedule. 

With the departure of Grant Hendrick, redshirt sophomore Ryan Finley will step in at quarterback, but he won’t be alone. Boise State’s leading receivers from last season, Thomas Sperbeck and Chaz Anderson, will make their return to ease the burden. 

And when your biggest challenges are at home against Washington and on the road against Virginia, you’re in good shape. 

1. Ohio State 

SOS: 49; Biggest challenges: Michigan State, at Virginia Tech

The defending National Champions are favorites to win it all again, and are the odds-on favorite to go undefeated in 2015. And for good reason. 

Other than having to find a way to replace Devin Smith’s big play capability, the Buckeyes are bringing back just about everybody. Junior running back Ezekiel Elliott will carry much of the load after rushing for 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2014, and head coach Urban Meyer has brought in plenty of receiving talent in guys like Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall to offset the loss of Smith to the NFL.

Besides the plethora of skill position talent, Urban Meyer also has a trio of extremely capable quarterbacks in Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller at his disposal. 

If you look at OSU’s schedule and the talent on the roster, it’s easy to see why the Buckeyes sit atop this list. 

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