2013 College Football Preseason Rankings: Top 5 Offenses – Oregon Ducks Nation’s Best

2013 College Football Preseason Rankings: Top 5 Offenses – Oregon Ducks Nation’s Best: From traditional pro-style offenses to the spread-option and pass-happy attacks that have become popular in recent years, there is no shortage of offensive systems in college football these days. While each coach and coordinator seems to have their own philosophy on what truly is the best system, the fact remains that any offensive attack can be dominant given the proper personnel and proper play calling. Heck, 13 teams averaged more than 40 points per game last year, and none of them use an identical offensive system. Heading into the 2013 college football season, there are once again plenty of teams that should light up the scoreboard, and here is a closer look at those offensive units.

1.      Oregon Ducks

Chip Kelly may have left for the NFL, but the system he installed that made the Ducks an offensive juggernaut is still in place. More importantly, the pieces are still in place to make the high-octane system work. Quarterback Marcus Mariota is a dual-threat weapon and a Heisman Trophy candidate in his second year at the helm, and a backfield that already featured the speedy and versatile De’Anthony Thomas and Byron Marshall will welcome highly-touted recruit Thomas Tyner. Oregon ranked second in the country in scoring last season at 50.8 points per game and fourth in yards, and the firepower is in place for a repeat performance.

2.      Texas A&M Aggies

The Aggies ranked third in the country in both scoring and yards per game last season, and with Heisman-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel back under center, there is a good chance Texas A&M will continue to pile up points in 2013. After all, Manziel can be a one-man wrecking crew with his ability to carve up defenses with his arm and his legs, and he will also have plenty of help in the backfield with starting backs Ben Malena and Trey Williams returning. Meanwhile, star offensive tackle Jake Matthews will slide back to the left side of the line to replace the departed Luke Joeckel, ensuring that Manziel will have time to work the magic that makes the Aggies’ offensive so explosive.

3.      Oklahoma State Cowboys

If there was any doubt about whether Mike Gundy’s offensive system is legit, it was put to rest last year. Injuries forced the Cowboys to start three different quarterbacks during the course of the year, but their offense still ranked in the top five nationally in both scoring and yards per game. Granted, this year’s unit loses a proven starter at running back in Joseph Randle, but Oklahoma State’s receiving corps is one the best around. Josh Stewart is a monster regardless of where he lines up, and Tracy Moore and Charlie Moore are both dangerous deep threats.

4.      Alabama Crimson Tide

Although Nick Saban’s philosophy doesn’t exactly lend itself to gaudy offensive numbers, Alabama still had a top-15 scoring attack last season. This year’s unit will be led by quarterback A.J. McCarron, and he led the country in passing efficiency last year en route to his second national title in as many seasons under center. Meanwhile, Amari Cooper, Kenny Bell and Chris Black will form McCarron’s most potent group of receivers to date. The Crimson Tide will also welcome back one of its two 1,000-yard rushers from a year ago in T.J. Yeldon to go along with another loaded recruiting class. Alabama’s stout defense is sure to limit the yardage the offense piles up by giving McCarron and company some short fields to work with, but the Crimson Tide’s scoring attack is dangerous nonetheless.

5.      Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia’s offense was strong last season, and it should be elite in 2013. Quarterback Aaron Murray is back for his senior season, and with 10,091 yards and 95 touchdowns already under his belt, he is set to rewrite the SEC record books. As steady as Murray is under center, the backfield duo of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall is what makes the Bulldogs’ offense special. As true freshmen last year, the two backs topped 2,100 yards combined and accounted for 25 scores. Gurley was responsible for 17 of the scores, and with all five starting offensive linemen back in the fold, the Bulldogs should be running and throwing the ball all over opponents.

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