I know we like to bag on him, but...too early '23 top 25
For the poors:
Let’s start guessing.
1. Georgia (15-0)
Like last year, the champions will likely lose a ton of NFL talent, including NT Jalen Carter, CB Kelee Ringo and RB Kenny McIntosh. Carson Beck should be Stetson Bennett’s successor at quarterback. Stud TE Brock Bowers, RBs Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton and WR Ladd McConkey return. ILBs Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon and DBs Javon Bullard and Malaki Starks lead a defense expected to reload.
2. Michigan (13-1)
It’s not certain Jim Harbaugh will still be their head coach, but QB J.J. McCarthy and standout RBs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards will all be back. Three Pac-12 starting offensive linemen have transferred in, as has Indiana TE AJ Barner. Linebacker Junior Colson, CB Will Johnson and S Mike Sainristil return. Coastal Carolina edge Josaiah Stewart was a big pickup, as was Nebraska LB Ernest Hausmann, a freshman starter.
3. Ohio State (11-2)
The quarterback job is up for grabs post-C.J. Stroud, but the Buckeyes bring back WRs Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming, and RBs TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams. Ohio State must replace its starting tackles. The defensive line should be strong with DEs Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau and DT Mike Hall Jr. returning, but the secondary must improve. Transfer S Ja’Had Carter, a three-year starter at Syracuse, should help.
4. LSU (10-4)
Brian Kelly’s first team overachieved. In 2023 he’ll have more experience and several high-end players in QB Jayden Daniels, stud LB Harold Perkins, 1,000-yard WR Malik Nabers, TE Mason Taylor and DTs Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo. An O-line that started two freshmen should return intact. Kelly needs to plug holes at CB and edge. So far, he’s added Texas A&M CB Denver Harris and Oregon DE Bradyn Swinson.
5. Alabama (11-2)
There’s more cause for concern with Alabama than usual. As of now, Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson will vie to replace Bryce Young. Though no Jahmyr Gibbs, Jase McClellan leads a deep RB room, and the O-line should be strong. Wide receiver could use an upgrade. The front seven loses Will Anderson and Henry To’o To’o, but should still be strong with Dallas Turner, Jaheim Oatis and Chris Braswell. The secondary could be young.
6. Penn State (11-2)
Penn State could be a College Football Playoff contender if five-star QB Drew Allar lives up to the hype. Running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen broke out as freshmen. Rose Bowl star WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith and projected NFL draft first-round LT Olu Fashanu are back. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz’s top-5 unit loses CB Joey Porter Jr. and S Ji’Ayir Brown, but All-Freshman LB Abdul Carter, DE Chop Robinson and CB Kalen King headline the returning talent.
7. USC (11-3)
Heisman winner Caleb Williams is poised for another huge year. He gets back WRs Tahj Washington, Mario Williams and Brenden Rice and adds Arizona transfer Dorian Singer (1,105 yards). But the Trojans’ atrocious defense will be no easy fix. Lincoln Riley has already landed two Power 5 starters, Oklahoma State LB Mason Cobb and Arizona CB Christian Roland-Wallace, but he’s losing All-American DL Tuli Tuipulotu.
8. Florida State (10-3)
Mike Norvell’s program took huge strides in 2022 and could be the ACC’s most talented team. QB Jordan Travis will be on Heisman lists. Top WR Johnny Wilson and RB Trey Benson are expected back, while DE Jared Verse, DT Fabien Lovett and LB Kalen DeLoach put off the NFL. And FSU has added several coveted transfers: Virginia CB Fentrell Cypress, UTEP OT Jeremiah Byers and Western Michigan DT Braden Fiske.
9. Washington (11-2)
Expectations went through the roof when star QB Michael Penix Jr. announced his return. Top WR Rome Odunze has not made his NFL decision, but WRs Jalen McMillan (1,098 yards) and Ja’Lynn Polk and TE Devin Culp will be back. Stud pass-rushers Bralen Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui return, but the secondary needs to improve. UW has already added Oklahoma State CB Jabbar Muhammad and USC LB Ralen Goforth.
10. TCU (13-2)
TCU will lose most of the offense from its title-game run, including QB Max Duggan, WR Quentin Johnston and RB Kendre Miller. But QB Chandler Morris was the Frogs’ Week 1 starter, and Sonny Dykes recently added Alabama RB Trey Sanders and WR JoJo Earle. Thorpe winner Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson will likely turn pro, but DT Damonic Williams, LBs Johnny Hodges and Dee Winters and S Bud Clark should be back.
11. Notre Dame (9-4)
Notre Dame has not had a star QB like Wake Forest add Sam Hartman (3,701 yards, 38 TDs) in some time. He boosts an offense that returns leading rushers Audric Estime and Logan Diggs and standout tackles Joe Alt and Blake Fisher and adds Virginia Tech WR Kaleb Smith (18.2 YPC). The defense, led by LB JD Bertrand and CB Ben Morrison, adds Oklahoma State S Thomas Harper but as of now is depleted on the D-line.
12. Utah (10-4)
The two-time Pac-12 champions got great news Monday, as QB Cam Rising, TE Brant Kuithe and WR Devaughn Vele are all returning. Converted QB Ja’Quinden Jackson emerged as a dangerous RB. Safety Cole Bishop and ex-Stanford LB Levani Damuni should lead a defense that saw younger players like LBs Lander Barton and Karene Reid and S Sione Vaki emerge. Utah added Ole Miss transfer Miles Battle.
13. Oregon (10-3)
Star QB Bo Nix returns, as does RB Bucky Irving and top WR Troy Franklin. Oregon added transfer WRs Tez Johnson (Troy) and Traeshon Holden (Alabama). The O-line must replace four veterans but landed coveted Rhode Island T Ajani Cornelius. Oregon’s D, led by LB Mase Funa, ranked just 89th nationally and will miss LB Noah Sewell and CB Christian Gonzalez. Alabama transfer DB Khyree Jackson should help.
14. Tennessee (11-2)
Numerous stars depart, but the Vols’ Orange Bowl win was a sneak peak of 2023, when sixth-year senior Joe Milton likely becomes QB1, and Squirrel White and Bru McCoy the top WRs. Freshman WR Chas Nimrod could emerge as well, and RB Jaylen Wright (875 yards) should play a bigger role. Standout LB Aaron Beasley and NT Omari Thomas announced their returns, but the defense as a whole could be inexperienced.
15. Clemson (11-3)
It’s QB Cade Klubnik’s team now, and he’ll be joined by star RB Will Shipley. But Clemson could use some upgrades on the O-line, and at WR beyond breakout freshman Antonio Williams and Beaux Collins. LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. emerged as a star on defense. D-line standouts Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee turned pro, but veteran Xavier Thomas is staying, as are CB Sheridan Jones and and S Jaylyn Phillips.
16. Oregon State (10-3)
The Beavers should return 15 starters from their bowl win over Florida, and ex-Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei could supplant incumbent Ben Gulbranson. Damien Martinez, the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, will run behind All-Pac-12 O-linemen Taliese Fuaga and Joshua Gray. The Beavers fielded the league’s top-rated defense. Star LB Omar Speights returns, and S Alton Julian will be back from injury.
17. Kansas State (10-4)
The Big 12 champion will miss decorated RB Deuce Vaughn, but DJ Giddens came on as a freshman. Quarterback Will Howard and the entire O-line return. Ex-Iowa WR Keagan Johnson will help fill the void left by Malik Knowles. Star DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah hasn’t announced his NFL decision, but the D could take a step back without NT Eli Huggins and CB Julius Brents. Defensive ends Brendan Mott and Nate Matlack lead the next wave.
18. Iowa (8-5)
The Hawkeyes fielded the nation’s No. 1 defense in 2022. All-everything LB Jack Campbell will be missed, but star CB Cooper DeJean and productive pass-rushers Joe Evans and Deontae Craig return. Touted freshman S Xavier Nwankpa is next in line. Two Michigan transfers, QB Cade McNamara and TE Erick All, should help deliver a much-needed offensive upgrade. All-American P Tory Taylor is coming back as well.
19. Wisconsin (7-6)
Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo, formerly at UNC, landed SMU’s Tanner Mordecai to lead a very different Wisconsin offense. The top three WRs return, and the Badgers still have RBs Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi. New DC Mike Tressel takes over a top-15 defense. Outside linebacker Nick Herbig (11 sacks) is a big loss, but top tackler Maema Njongmeta returns, and last week Fickell landed first team All-AAC DE Darian Varner from Temple.
20. North Carolina (9-5)
Drake Maye could be the sport’s top returning QB aside from Caleb Williams. UNC will be strong up front, having added All-Sun Belt C Willie Lampkin (Coastal Carolina), and is stacked at RB and TE. Kent State’s Devontez Walker (921 yards) helps fill a void at receiver. The Heels’ 116th-ranked defense has to get much better if they hope to win the ACC. Linebackers Cedric Gray and Power Echols are stout, but transfers depleted the secondary.
21. Texas Tech (8-5)
Joey McGuire’s first TTU team won its last four games, and 15 seniors on the two-deep are using their extra year to return. Quarterbacks Tyler Shough and Behren Morton return, as do top rusher Tahj Brooks and top WR Jerand Bradley. Likely first-rounder OLB Tyree Wilson is a big loss, but the D-line returns super senior DTs Tony Bradford Jr. and Jaylon Hutchings. A top-25 recruiting class could pay immediate dividends.
22. Ole Miss (8-5)
Ole Miss lost four of its last five after starting 7-0 but returns stud freshman RB Quinshon Judkins (1,567 yards), QB Jaxson Dart and four starting O-linemen. Lane Kiffin has already brought in three transfer WRs, including All-C-USA Tre Harris (Louisiana Tech). The defense loses several of its leaders but brings back DT JJ Pegues, DE Jared Ivey and LB Khari Coleman. The pass defense needs to get a lot better.
23. UTSA (11-3)
UTSA is loaded heading into the AAC. Decorated QB Frank Harris is coming back for a seventh season, joined by top WRs Zakhari Franklin, Joshua Cephus (currently suspended) and De’Corian Clark. Running back Kevorian Barnes won C-USA Freshman of the Year and Vanderbilt transfer Rocko Griffin could complement him. The defense brings back all-conference DL Brandon Brown and LB Jamal Ligon. Star S Rashad Wisdom should be healthy.
24. Tulane (12-2)
The Green Wave lose a bunch of key players from their breakout season, most notably AAC Player of the Year RB Tyjae Spears. But QB Michael Pratt and eight other all-conference players return. Tulane should be strong on the O-line but new receiving threats need to step up. DLs Darius Hodges and Patrick Jenkins and CB Jarius Monroe lead the defense. Tulane benefits from Cincinnati and UCF leaving its conference.
25. Texas A&M (5-7)
Bobby Petrino, for all his baggage, is a great offensive coach. He’ll work his magic with young QB Conner Weigman and promising WRs Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammad III. But he won’t have departed star RB Devon Achane. The Aggies’ woeful defense should improve as five-stars like DE Walter Nolen and Shemar Stewart move into their second seasons. UNC transfer CB Tony Grimes was a big boost to the depleted secondary.
Just outside the top 25: Texas, Arkansas, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Oklahoma
For the poors:
Let’s start guessing.
1. Georgia (15-0)
Like last year, the champions will likely lose a ton of NFL talent, including NT Jalen Carter, CB Kelee Ringo and RB Kenny McIntosh. Carson Beck should be Stetson Bennett’s successor at quarterback. Stud TE Brock Bowers, RBs Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton and WR Ladd McConkey return. ILBs Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon and DBs Javon Bullard and Malaki Starks lead a defense expected to reload.
2. Michigan (13-1)
It’s not certain Jim Harbaugh will still be their head coach, but QB J.J. McCarthy and standout RBs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards will all be back. Three Pac-12 starting offensive linemen have transferred in, as has Indiana TE AJ Barner. Linebacker Junior Colson, CB Will Johnson and S Mike Sainristil return. Coastal Carolina edge Josaiah Stewart was a big pickup, as was Nebraska LB Ernest Hausmann, a freshman starter.
3. Ohio State (11-2)
The quarterback job is up for grabs post-C.J. Stroud, but the Buckeyes bring back WRs Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming, and RBs TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams. Ohio State must replace its starting tackles. The defensive line should be strong with DEs Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau and DT Mike Hall Jr. returning, but the secondary must improve. Transfer S Ja’Had Carter, a three-year starter at Syracuse, should help.
4. LSU (10-4)
Brian Kelly’s first team overachieved. In 2023 he’ll have more experience and several high-end players in QB Jayden Daniels, stud LB Harold Perkins, 1,000-yard WR Malik Nabers, TE Mason Taylor and DTs Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo. An O-line that started two freshmen should return intact. Kelly needs to plug holes at CB and edge. So far, he’s added Texas A&M CB Denver Harris and Oregon DE Bradyn Swinson.
5. Alabama (11-2)
There’s more cause for concern with Alabama than usual. As of now, Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson will vie to replace Bryce Young. Though no Jahmyr Gibbs, Jase McClellan leads a deep RB room, and the O-line should be strong. Wide receiver could use an upgrade. The front seven loses Will Anderson and Henry To’o To’o, but should still be strong with Dallas Turner, Jaheim Oatis and Chris Braswell. The secondary could be young.
6. Penn State (11-2)
Penn State could be a College Football Playoff contender if five-star QB Drew Allar lives up to the hype. Running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen broke out as freshmen. Rose Bowl star WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith and projected NFL draft first-round LT Olu Fashanu are back. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz’s top-5 unit loses CB Joey Porter Jr. and S Ji’Ayir Brown, but All-Freshman LB Abdul Carter, DE Chop Robinson and CB Kalen King headline the returning talent.
7. USC (11-3)
Heisman winner Caleb Williams is poised for another huge year. He gets back WRs Tahj Washington, Mario Williams and Brenden Rice and adds Arizona transfer Dorian Singer (1,105 yards). But the Trojans’ atrocious defense will be no easy fix. Lincoln Riley has already landed two Power 5 starters, Oklahoma State LB Mason Cobb and Arizona CB Christian Roland-Wallace, but he’s losing All-American DL Tuli Tuipulotu.
8. Florida State (10-3)
Mike Norvell’s program took huge strides in 2022 and could be the ACC’s most talented team. QB Jordan Travis will be on Heisman lists. Top WR Johnny Wilson and RB Trey Benson are expected back, while DE Jared Verse, DT Fabien Lovett and LB Kalen DeLoach put off the NFL. And FSU has added several coveted transfers: Virginia CB Fentrell Cypress, UTEP OT Jeremiah Byers and Western Michigan DT Braden Fiske.
9. Washington (11-2)
Expectations went through the roof when star QB Michael Penix Jr. announced his return. Top WR Rome Odunze has not made his NFL decision, but WRs Jalen McMillan (1,098 yards) and Ja’Lynn Polk and TE Devin Culp will be back. Stud pass-rushers Bralen Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui return, but the secondary needs to improve. UW has already added Oklahoma State CB Jabbar Muhammad and USC LB Ralen Goforth.
10. TCU (13-2)
TCU will lose most of the offense from its title-game run, including QB Max Duggan, WR Quentin Johnston and RB Kendre Miller. But QB Chandler Morris was the Frogs’ Week 1 starter, and Sonny Dykes recently added Alabama RB Trey Sanders and WR JoJo Earle. Thorpe winner Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson will likely turn pro, but DT Damonic Williams, LBs Johnny Hodges and Dee Winters and S Bud Clark should be back.
11. Notre Dame (9-4)
Notre Dame has not had a star QB like Wake Forest add Sam Hartman (3,701 yards, 38 TDs) in some time. He boosts an offense that returns leading rushers Audric Estime and Logan Diggs and standout tackles Joe Alt and Blake Fisher and adds Virginia Tech WR Kaleb Smith (18.2 YPC). The defense, led by LB JD Bertrand and CB Ben Morrison, adds Oklahoma State S Thomas Harper but as of now is depleted on the D-line.
12. Utah (10-4)
The two-time Pac-12 champions got great news Monday, as QB Cam Rising, TE Brant Kuithe and WR Devaughn Vele are all returning. Converted QB Ja’Quinden Jackson emerged as a dangerous RB. Safety Cole Bishop and ex-Stanford LB Levani Damuni should lead a defense that saw younger players like LBs Lander Barton and Karene Reid and S Sione Vaki emerge. Utah added Ole Miss transfer Miles Battle.
13. Oregon (10-3)
Star QB Bo Nix returns, as does RB Bucky Irving and top WR Troy Franklin. Oregon added transfer WRs Tez Johnson (Troy) and Traeshon Holden (Alabama). The O-line must replace four veterans but landed coveted Rhode Island T Ajani Cornelius. Oregon’s D, led by LB Mase Funa, ranked just 89th nationally and will miss LB Noah Sewell and CB Christian Gonzalez. Alabama transfer DB Khyree Jackson should help.
14. Tennessee (11-2)
Numerous stars depart, but the Vols’ Orange Bowl win was a sneak peak of 2023, when sixth-year senior Joe Milton likely becomes QB1, and Squirrel White and Bru McCoy the top WRs. Freshman WR Chas Nimrod could emerge as well, and RB Jaylen Wright (875 yards) should play a bigger role. Standout LB Aaron Beasley and NT Omari Thomas announced their returns, but the defense as a whole could be inexperienced.
15. Clemson (11-3)
It’s QB Cade Klubnik’s team now, and he’ll be joined by star RB Will Shipley. But Clemson could use some upgrades on the O-line, and at WR beyond breakout freshman Antonio Williams and Beaux Collins. LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. emerged as a star on defense. D-line standouts Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee turned pro, but veteran Xavier Thomas is staying, as are CB Sheridan Jones and and S Jaylyn Phillips.
16. Oregon State (10-3)
The Beavers should return 15 starters from their bowl win over Florida, and ex-Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei could supplant incumbent Ben Gulbranson. Damien Martinez, the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, will run behind All-Pac-12 O-linemen Taliese Fuaga and Joshua Gray. The Beavers fielded the league’s top-rated defense. Star LB Omar Speights returns, and S Alton Julian will be back from injury.
17. Kansas State (10-4)
The Big 12 champion will miss decorated RB Deuce Vaughn, but DJ Giddens came on as a freshman. Quarterback Will Howard and the entire O-line return. Ex-Iowa WR Keagan Johnson will help fill the void left by Malik Knowles. Star DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah hasn’t announced his NFL decision, but the D could take a step back without NT Eli Huggins and CB Julius Brents. Defensive ends Brendan Mott and Nate Matlack lead the next wave.
18. Iowa (8-5)
The Hawkeyes fielded the nation’s No. 1 defense in 2022. All-everything LB Jack Campbell will be missed, but star CB Cooper DeJean and productive pass-rushers Joe Evans and Deontae Craig return. Touted freshman S Xavier Nwankpa is next in line. Two Michigan transfers, QB Cade McNamara and TE Erick All, should help deliver a much-needed offensive upgrade. All-American P Tory Taylor is coming back as well.
19. Wisconsin (7-6)
Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo, formerly at UNC, landed SMU’s Tanner Mordecai to lead a very different Wisconsin offense. The top three WRs return, and the Badgers still have RBs Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi. New DC Mike Tressel takes over a top-15 defense. Outside linebacker Nick Herbig (11 sacks) is a big loss, but top tackler Maema Njongmeta returns, and last week Fickell landed first team All-AAC DE Darian Varner from Temple.
20. North Carolina (9-5)
Drake Maye could be the sport’s top returning QB aside from Caleb Williams. UNC will be strong up front, having added All-Sun Belt C Willie Lampkin (Coastal Carolina), and is stacked at RB and TE. Kent State’s Devontez Walker (921 yards) helps fill a void at receiver. The Heels’ 116th-ranked defense has to get much better if they hope to win the ACC. Linebackers Cedric Gray and Power Echols are stout, but transfers depleted the secondary.
21. Texas Tech (8-5)
Joey McGuire’s first TTU team won its last four games, and 15 seniors on the two-deep are using their extra year to return. Quarterbacks Tyler Shough and Behren Morton return, as do top rusher Tahj Brooks and top WR Jerand Bradley. Likely first-rounder OLB Tyree Wilson is a big loss, but the D-line returns super senior DTs Tony Bradford Jr. and Jaylon Hutchings. A top-25 recruiting class could pay immediate dividends.
22. Ole Miss (8-5)
Ole Miss lost four of its last five after starting 7-0 but returns stud freshman RB Quinshon Judkins (1,567 yards), QB Jaxson Dart and four starting O-linemen. Lane Kiffin has already brought in three transfer WRs, including All-C-USA Tre Harris (Louisiana Tech). The defense loses several of its leaders but brings back DT JJ Pegues, DE Jared Ivey and LB Khari Coleman. The pass defense needs to get a lot better.
23. UTSA (11-3)
UTSA is loaded heading into the AAC. Decorated QB Frank Harris is coming back for a seventh season, joined by top WRs Zakhari Franklin, Joshua Cephus (currently suspended) and De’Corian Clark. Running back Kevorian Barnes won C-USA Freshman of the Year and Vanderbilt transfer Rocko Griffin could complement him. The defense brings back all-conference DL Brandon Brown and LB Jamal Ligon. Star S Rashad Wisdom should be healthy.
24. Tulane (12-2)
The Green Wave lose a bunch of key players from their breakout season, most notably AAC Player of the Year RB Tyjae Spears. But QB Michael Pratt and eight other all-conference players return. Tulane should be strong on the O-line but new receiving threats need to step up. DLs Darius Hodges and Patrick Jenkins and CB Jarius Monroe lead the defense. Tulane benefits from Cincinnati and UCF leaving its conference.
25. Texas A&M (5-7)
Bobby Petrino, for all his baggage, is a great offensive coach. He’ll work his magic with young QB Conner Weigman and promising WRs Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammad III. But he won’t have departed star RB Devon Achane. The Aggies’ woeful defense should improve as five-stars like DE Walter Nolen and Shemar Stewart move into their second seasons. UNC transfer CB Tony Grimes was a big boost to the depleted secondary.
Just outside the top 25: Texas, Arkansas, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Oklahoma
