SB Nation's college football stats-ninja Bill C. has an always fun "too early" Top 25 forecast, and while the usual suspects are holding serve at the top - LSU, Alabama, USC, Oregon and Florida State are the Top 5 (in that order) - both Missouri and Kansas State made the cut for next season.
For a rebuilding, migrating Mizzou team, Bill C. forecasts an experienced team making its SEC debut:
19. Missouri Tigers. Quarterback James Franklin, running back Kendial Lawrence (assuming no miraculous recovery from Henry Josey), receiver T.J. Moe, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, cornerback E.J. Gaines and linebackers Zaviar Gooden and Andrew Wilson are all high-caliber, and Missouri could be wonderfully experienced after this year's youth and injuries.
Kansas State's unpredictable, numbers-defying course through 2011 earned Bill C.'s respect enough to make the cut:
24. Kansas St. Wildcats. This is a pure respect pick for quarterback Collin Klein and linebacker Arthur Brown. The offensive line loses three starters, the defensive front seven loses some quality (end Jordan Voelker, tackles Ray Kibble and Raphael Guidry, linebacker Emmanuel Lamur), and David Garrett (who, at times in his career, was KSU's best linebacker, cornerback and safety) is out of eligibility. But Kliein, Brown and corner Nigel Malone return, and for now, that's enough. Though I'm already regretting not going with Oklahoma State (whose trajectory I love despite an inevitable, and lengthy, step backwards in 2012) instead. Let's just move on.
For the complete Top 25, click here.
For more on the Missouri Tigers, check out Rock M Nation. For Kansas State news and notes, go to Bring On The Cats. For college football news and notes, vist SB Nation's college football page.