1. Georgia (2022 record: 15-0)
With Stetson Bennett gone, there will be a decision to make at quarterback among Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff, Gunner Stockton and potentially an unknown transfer, should Kirby Smart bring an outsider into the mix. The Bulldogs will also lose standouts such as defensive tackle Jalen Carter. But look for Georgia to reload and be up for the challenge of making history with a threepeat. An easier September — Tennessee-Martin, Ball State, South Carolina and Alabama-Birmingham, all at home — will help the new cast of contributors survive the early learning curve before turning to the heart of SEC action.2. Michigan (13-1)
Will Jim Harbaugh be around? He's received NFL interest and could opt to leave his alma mater after back-to-back Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff berths. If he does return, Michigan could be highly motivated by a Fiesta Bowl loss to TCU and again roll through Big Ten play with a physical running game and suffocating defense. The Wolverines have quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, and will rebuild on the offensive line with multiple transfers. The floor for this team is probably 10 wins due to an easy non-conference schedule and only a trip to Penn State and home game against Ohio State that seem dangerous.3. Alabama (11-2)
There's a mammoth hole at quarterback with Bryce Young off to the NFL and no way to feel truly comfortable in the position until Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson or a possible transfer proves capable of handing the load. But talent abounds on both sides of the ball, including an influx of athletes from this year's top-ranked signing class. And then there's this math: Alabama hasn't gone more than two seasons without a title since Nick Saban arrived in 2007. The last championship? In 2020. A big test comes early with a home game against Texas on Sept. 9.4. Florida State (10-3)
Are the Seminoles ready to dethrone Clemson in the ACC after winning 10 games for the first time since 2016? Quarterback Jordan Travis is back and set to make a Heisman push. He's just one of several contributors who decided to come back to Tallahassee in 2023, including a likely preseason All-America pick in defensive end Jared Verse. The biggest challenge for Mike Norvell may be managing his team's expectations given its not been in this position recently. FSU will kick things off with a neutral-site game against LSU on Sept. 3.5. Penn State (11-2)
The hype train is about to take off for the Nittany Lions after the Rose Bowl win and bounce-back season under James Franklin. Joining Allar in the backfield is second-year running back Nick Singleton, who is set to make a Heisman run after a very strong rookie season. Penn State needs receivers but will be very good on the defensive side in the second year under coordinator Manny Diaz. The Nittany Lions draw Illinois and Iowa from the Big Ten West, get Michigan at home but face Ohio State in Columbus.6. Ohio State (11-2)
Picking the Buckeyes No. 6 and third in the Big Ten goes against recent history. They haven't lost more than two games in a season since 2011 and are a combined 42-6 with Ryan Day as the full-time coach. But C.J. Stroud is going to be very difficult to replace and there are still some outstanding issues with a defense that took a step forward in 2022 but cratered against Michigan and Georgia. The new quarterback will have three games to get settled before that huge matchup at Notre Dame on Sept. 23.7. Notre Dame (9-4)
Hartman nails down a position that produced middling results the past two seasons. One of the nation's best, the Wake Forest transfer will broaden Notre Dame's passing tree and lead to a dramatic boost in offensive production after the Irish ranked 45th nationally this season in yards per play. After getting the hang of things as a first-time coach, Marcus Freeman should be more comfortable in 2023; look for the Irish to follow his lead and be a playoff factor. Notre Dame's schedule includes Clemson, Ohio State and Southern California with the latter two at home.8. Clemson (11-3)
Cade Klubnik's sloppy Orange Bowl against Tennessee raises some questions about whether he'll be able to play at an all-conference level in his first year in the full-time job, though he'll benefit from an entire offseason as the established starter. There also are concerns about the offense in general, and specifically whether Clemson can give Klubnik the talent he needs at wide receiver. But the Tigers bring back star defensive tackle Tyler Davis and should be very stout defensively. They'll need to handle a pretty tough schedule that has Notre Dame and South Carolina in non-conference play.9. Southern California (11-3)
And speaking of cratering defenses: USC can't be taken seriously as a championship favorite until fixing one of the worst units in the Bowl Subdivision. That starts by addressing needs in the portal after focusing on offense entering Lincoln Riley's debut. Unfortunately, the defense suffered a massive loss with lineman Tuli Tuipulotu's decision to forego his final two seasons for the NFL draft. The offense is going to be nasty, though. USC draws Oregon on the road but will face UCLA, Utah and Washington at home.10. Washington (11-2)
The Huskies were quietly one of the top teams in the country in 2022 under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer and could be even better in 2023. One reason to like the Huskies is the drastic improvement on offense — from 113th nationally in yards per play in 2021 to 10th this season. The offense should improve with Michael Penix Jr. back under center. Pass rushers Zion Tupuola-Fetui and Bralen Trice will help the defense remain in the top four in the Pac-12. The Huskies face Boise State and Michigan State in non-conference play and could sneak into the top five by October.11. LSU (10-4)
The Tigers were ahead of schedule in Brian Kelly's first season. Winning another 10 games may be difficult in 2023, if in part because of a schedule that begins with Florida State and includes trips to Mississippi State, Mississippi and Alabama. But the Tigers will be deeper overall and have some big-time star power, including one of the top young talents in the sport in edge rusher Harold Perkins Jr. and most of this year's offense.12. Oregon (10-3)
Bo Nix is back and possibly even better in his second season on campus, though he'll have to develop a rapport with new offensive coordinator Will Stein. With the offense seemingly in strong hands, it'll be on coach Dan Lanning to address a defense that gave up 7.1 yards per pass attempt and 27.4 points per game in 2022. Look for Oregon to dip into the portal to address its needs on that side of the ball. One addition, former Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs, is expected to play a big role.13. Iowa (8-5)
Like USC's defense, Iowa's offense can't get any worse after a historically inept 2022 season. Iowa ranked 129th in the FBS in yards per play and 130th in yards per game. Even with this sputtering group, the Hawkeyes still won eight games and finished tied for second in the Big Ten West. The 2023 team welcomes in Michigan transfer quarterback Cade McNamara, giving Iowa a proven Big Ten starter at a position of major need. The defense loses stud linebacker Jack Campbell, but c'mon: Iowa's still going to get stops.14. Tennessee (11-2)
Joe Milton will likely draw the starting nod at quarterback after his great performance in the Orange Bowl. He won't have Jalin Hyatt, however, even if that wasn't an issue against Clemson. The offense keeps getting better under Josh Heupel but the defense has to improve for Tennessee to be a true factor for the national title. This year's team gave up 28.4 points per game against opponents with a winning record. The Volunteers will need to hit the ground running with early games against Florida, Texas-San Antonio and South Carolina.15. Texas (8-5)
We're on the verge of now-or-never territory for coach Steve Sarkisian even as he enters just his third season with the Longhorns. He'll have his best team yet in 2023 and the added security blanket of incoming freshman quarterback Arch Manning should incumbent starter Quinn Ewers struggle to take the next step after an up-and-down year. Picking Texas to win the Big 12 isn't easy, though, and not just because TCU and others are poised to make another run. The league adds four teams next season and has yet to release its conference schedule.16. TCU (13-2)
Despite this year's magical run to the championship game, TCU still has some work to do rebuilding a roster that should undergo another overhaul heading into Sonny Dykes' second season. But there shouldn't be any major issues at quarterback: Max Duggan will be missed but Chandler Morris is ready to resume the starting job. One of the biggest questions in all of college football this offseason asks how the Frogs respond to getting every opponent's best shot after spending most of this year under the radar.17. Kansas State (10-4)
The Wildcats are really going to miss would-be senior running back Deuce Vaughn, and it'll take an all-hands-on-deck approach to replicate his impact. The offense also needs to develop one or two more receivers and the defense will lose end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the top defender in the Big 12. But Kansas State brings back quarterback Will Howard, who had a great year after taking over as the starter, and has made annual gains under coach Chris Klieman. So the Wildcats aren't going anywhere.18. North Carolina (9-5)
Quarterback Drake Maye is a superstar in the making. The early Heisman favorite won't have top receiver Josh Downs, who left for the NFL, and the Tar Heels also lost offensive coordinator Phil Longo to the same position at Wisconsin. That leaves some question marks about the direction of the offense, but Maye alone could make UNC a factor in the ACC chase and a contender for the New Year's Six. Things heat up quickly with a neutral-site game against South Carolina and home games against Appalachian State and Minnesota to open the year.19. Oregon State (10-3)
This may be too low for the Beavers, especially if coach Jonathan Smith can coax improvement out of Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei. For a team that has flourished in recent years, including 10 wins this year for the first time since 2006, better quarterback play could carry OSU into the conference championship game. Just as important is the continued growth of a defense that went from allowing 5.7 yards per play in 2021 to 5.2 this past season. The Beavers have to be taken seriously as a New Year's Six option.20. Texas-San Antonio (11-3)
After winning 23 games the past two seasons, look for UTSA to transition to the American and hit the ground running as the league's best team and possibly the best team in the broader Group of Five. Getting veteran quarterback Frank Harris back for another year ensures the offense will stay on point even with coordinator Stein off to Oregon. The biggest key will be carrying over the defensive improvement from the second half of this season. Coach Jeff Traylor could be off to a major Power Five job with another big year.21. Oklahoma (6-7)
It has to get better. There's plenty of talent on offense to team with established starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Based on his track record, it feels very safe to expect the defense to take a huge leap in Brent Venables' second season. The Sooners will also be a deeper and more experienced team after almost completely redoing the roster last winter and making significant headway in the transfer portal this offseason. Don't forget that five of OU's seven losses came by a touchdown or less, so simply returning to the mean in these close games would bring OU back into the eight-or-nine win range.22. Utah (10-4)
The two-time defending Pac-12 champs will bring back quarterback Cam Rising, but he'll have to recover from a knee injury suffered in the Rose Bowl loss to Penn State. The Utes will lose a huge piece in star cornerback Clark Phillips III, an All-America choice this season, and one of the top tight ends in the country in Dalton Kincaid. If there is a new starter under center, look for Utah to lean on a running game that will turn to rising sophomore Ja’Quinden Jackson. The Utes get started against Florida (home) and Baylor (away) and will get Oregon State, USC and Washington on the road.23. Mississippi (8-5)
Putting Ole Miss on this list reflects some faith in Lane Kiffin and requires overlooking the Rebels' miserable close to the season. Once 8-1, Ole Miss lost four in a row to end the year amid a disappearing defense. That unit will keep the Rebels from being a major player in the SEC race, but the offense brings back quarterback Jaxson Dart and rising sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins, a sneaky Heisman contender. Even if back in 2021 form, the Rebels will be stymied by a schedule that includes road games against Tulane, Alabama and Georgia.24. Troy (12-2)
The Trojans will enter 2023 on an 11-game winning streak, the second-longest active run in the FBS behind Georgia. While matching this year's record will be a tall ask, Troy does get chances to make some noise in non-conference play against Kansas State, Western Kentucky and Army. This year's defense was terrific but will miss linebacker Carlton Martial, the all-time leading tackler in FBS history. It's more important to get a boost on offense after ranking eighth in the Sun Belt in scoring. But the Trojans are still the team to beat in a very good Group of Five league.25. Wisconsin (7-6)
New coach Luke Fickell kicks off some serious changes with a brand-new look on offense. Longo could insert some tempo and spread concepts to the Badgers' old-school physicality, a potentially dynamic combination. SMU transfer Tanner Mordecai brings a high level of experience at quarterback and joins possible All-America rusher Braelon Allen in a very strong backfield. The defense loses one key contributor on each level, including a good one in all-conference linebacker Nick Herbig.Teams that just missed the cut
Tulane. The Green Wave will be at worst the preseason co-favorites in the American and could get to nine wins with the help of transfers from LSU, Louisiana Tech and Northwestern.North Carolina State. Injuries ravaged N.C. State's 2022 season. If healthy, look for the offense to benefit from the addition of former Virginia offensive coordinator Robert Anae and former Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong.
Texas Tech. This is a program on the rise under coach Joey McGuire, but it seems a year too soon to place the Red Raiders in the Top 25.
Illinois. This year's surprising push in the Big Ten West underscores the Illini's long-term potential under coach Bret Bielema. Illinois loses some major talent in running back Chase Brown and defensive backs Sydney Brown and Devon Witherspoon.
Boise State. Getting back to 10 wins this season was a very positive sign after the Broncos slid to 7-5 in 2021. At least six starters will be gone from one of the top defenses in the country.
UCLA. The Bruins have cracked the code under Chip Kelly but inconsistency remains an issue.
Texas A&M. Coming in off the radar might be good for the Aggies heading into a crucial year for coach Jimbo Fisher. Will the offense be reborn under new coordinator Bobby Petrino or will Fisher refuse to let go of the controls?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...op-25-early-rankings-2023-season/10997285002/
