College football rankings: ESPN unveils SP+ Top 25 poll
It's never too early to get a look at the Top 25 college football rankings, to get a leg up on where things stand as we come into the new season.
Georgia is our defending national champion, winning the natty for the first time since 1980, and comes in as the favorite out of the SEC East. But the Crimson Tide still rules this conference, and there are plenty of new teams to keep an eye on.
USC, for instance, after the Trojans brought on head coach Lincoln Riley in arguably the move of the offseason. Several blue-chip players followed him, including quarterback Caleb Williams, already on several Heisman Trophy short lists.
And there are the other usual suspects — Big Ten favorite Ohio State, a resurgent Clemson, and Texas and Oklahoma will square off with Baylor for Big 12 supremacy.
What does the Top 25 picture look like with spring football getting started? Let's take a look at the ESPN SP+ rankings ahead of the 2022 season.
College football rankings: ESPN reveals Top 25 preseason SP+ poll
25. BYU
Where BYU was: 10-3
Where BYU is: Another interesting schedule for the Cougars, which includes five games against Power 5 competition, including at Oregon and Stanford, and against Notre Dame, Arkansas, and Big 12 champ Baylor. Jaren Hall returns at quarterback and this defensive line group is one of the more physical in college football.
24. Oregon
Where Oregon was: 10-4 (7-2 Pac-12)
Where Oregon is: Hoping that new head coach Dan Lanning can repeat his success with Georgia's defense with the Ducks. Lanning coached UGA's historic unit to a College Football Playoff title last year, inherits a few choice defensive pieces, and brings on Auburn transfer quarterback Bo Nix to work with some solid skill players. Up first: a date with Lanning's old team, in Atlanta against Georgia.
23. Florida
Where Florida was: 6-7 (2-6 SEC)
Where Florida is: Looking for answers with first-year coach Billy Napier, who led Louisiana to a Top 25 finish and now comes into Florida with recruiting connections in the state and a mandate to unseat Georgia in the SEC East. Napier needs to decide on a quarterback and get this defensive unit much tighter than it has been.
22. Auburn
Where Auburn was: 6-7 (3-5 SEC)
Where Auburn is: Bryan Harsin comes into a second season on the heels of what looked like an attempted coup by some football boosters to oust the coach. He survived, but will be on a short leash with major holes to fill at quarterback and receiver and looking at a traditionally tough slate in the SEC West.
21. Minnesota
Where Minnesota was: 9-4 (6-3 Big Ten)
Where Minnesota is: One of the most experienced teams in the Big Ten this season, the Gophers improved last fall and returns both fifth-year quarterback Tanner Morgan and star running back Mo Ibrahim. But new offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca has to get this unit into a more aggressive state of mind and attack the deep field if it wants to make a run for the Big Ten West.
20. Kentucky
Where Kentucky was: 10-3 (5-3 SEC)
Where Kentucky is: Will Levis returns at quarterback, as does Chris Rodriguez at running back (provided he isn't suspended over a reported legal issue), and both play behind a stout group of offensive line blockers. And looking over the Wildcats' schedule, it's possible to see this team winning 10 games again. But watch for a late-season home tilt against defending champion Georgia.
19. Pittsburgh
Where Pitt was: 11-3 (7-1 ACC)
Where Pitt is: The reigning ACC champions lose quarterback Kenny Pickett, offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, and wide receiver Jordan Addison, who led college football with 17 touchdown catches last season. That's a lot of turnover for one of the sport's most improved teams, but USC transfer quarterback Kedon Slovis could help smooth over the transition, and there are other skill options to work with, too.
18. NC State
Where NC State was: 9-3 (6-2 ACC)
Where NC State is: The Wolfpack was four points away from an 11-win season last fall, including a field goal loss against Coastal Division winner Wake, and boasted a home win against No. 9 Clemson. Now, quarterback Devin Leary is set for a reunion after throwing 35 touchdowns and five picks in 2021, in addition to many of the pieces around him that made this offense go.
17. Ole Miss
Where Ole Miss was: 10-3 (6-2 SEC)
Where Ole Miss is: A ton of that top 10 ranked Rebs offense is gone, including quarterback Matt Corral, but Lane Kiffin scored a major coup in transfer quarterback Jaxson Dart from USC. That, plus TCU transfer Zach Evans in the backfield, plus a few other choice additions, should help ease the transition, but don't be surprised if Ole Miss slips a little in the always tough SEC West this season.
16. Michigan State
Where Michigan State was: 11-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
Where Michigan State is: A high-powered offense behind Payton Thorne and Kenneth Walker propelled Sparty to new heights a year ago, but Walker is gone and this was one of the worst pass defense units in college football. Head coach Mel Tucker has 95 million reasons to turn that group around and keep the Spartans in the conversation against the likes of Ohio State and Michigan. Retaining thousand-yard receiver Jayden Reed is a major plus to keep this offense on the move.
15. Mississippi State
Where MSU was: 7-6 (4-4 ACC)
Where MSU is: Every preseason Top 25 rankings have one surprise team, and this appears to be it. Will Rogers returns as one of the SEC's most productive quarterbacks in an offense suited to his skill set, but the Bulldogs face arguably the toughest schedule in college football. Don't be surprised if Mississippi State doesn't win a game in October or most of November.
14. Miami
Where Miami was: 7-5 (5-3 ACC)
Where Miami is: Another bombshell coaching hire in the 2022 cycle, Mario Cristobal is a Miami alum and native, and is a proven recruiter, helping build Oregon into a national power on the trail. Now he lands in a South Florida market stacked with talent, an elite coaching staff working behind him, and a quarterback in Tyler Van Dyke with tons of potential. Watch for an early season test at Texas A&M.
13. Penn State
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Where Penn State was: 7-6 (4-5 Big Ten)
Where Penn State is: The other new big money man in the Big Ten, head coach James Franklin is coming off two straight sub-par seasons. Sean Clifford returns at quarterback, but Franklin needs to plug in holes on a defense that was among the Big Ten's best a year ago, and figure out how to run the ball after Noah Cain left for LSU. All in time to face off against SEC foe Auburn on the road in September before the grind of the Big Ten East slate.
12. Utah
Where Utah was: 10-4 (8-1 Pac-12)
Where Utah is: The only team out of the Pac-12 in these preseason rankings, Utah won the conference last fall, beating Oregon twice, and taking Ohio State to the wire in a thrilling Rose Bowl. Utah's core is back for 2022, including quarterback Cameron Rising and running back Tavion Thomas, who had over 1,100 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. But the Utes have some holes to patch up defensively, especially after losing stud linebacker Devin Lloyd.
11. Cincinnati
Where Cincinnati was: 13-1 (8-0 AAC)
Where Cincinnati is: The four players that helped Cincy make the College Football Playoff are gone: QB Desmond Ridder, RB Jerome Ford, and defensive backs Coby Bryant and Ahmad Gardner. A total of nine draft picks departed this roster, proving Luke Fickell knows how to develop talent. Now we'll see if he knows how to replace it. Expect the Bearcats to regress somewhat in 2022, but still be in the thick of the AAC race alongside up-and-coming Houston.
10. Wisconsin
Where Wisconsin was: 9-4 (6-3 Big Ten)
Where Wisconsin is: This was the No. 1 ranked total defense in college football last season, even ahead of Georgia, but it has to replace some of those starters this fall. Still, there's enough continuity and coaching experience to keep this unit among the Big Ten's best and keep Wisconsin in the West Division race, especially when looking at lead back Braelon Allen taking handoffs from behind a solid Badgers line. Quarterback play is still a question as Graham Mertz hasn't found his rhythm yet.
9. Tennessee
Where Tennessee was: 7-6 (4-4 SEC)
Where Tennessee is: Another surprise in the early Top 25, the Vols should be better than last year, but perhaps not quite ready to hang with the Top 10 just yet. Tennessee has quarterback Hendon Hooker back under center after leading the SEC in pass efficiency, but this schedule is as tough as ever, with some winnable games early and late, but a mid-season stretch that is as difficult as they come. A good test for a secondary unit that struggled against conference opposition.
8. Texas A&M
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Where Texas A&M was: 8-4 (4-4 SEC)
Where Texas A&M is: Winning half its SEC games a year ago isn't going to cut it for the Aggies, who just signed arguably the greatest recruiting class in modern history. This should be Jimbo Fisher's best team at A&M, and he's coming off an upset of No. 1 Alabama a year ago.
Max Johnson steps into the QB role after transferring from LSU, and Devon Achane is a more-than-capable replacement for Isaiah Spiller at running back. If this defensive front lives up to its potential, then A&M should be in the College Football Playoff race much of this season. Watch for a road date against the Tide in mid-October.
7. Notre Dame
Where Notre Dame was: 11-2
Where Notre Dame is: In a state of transition after Brian Kelly up and bolted for LSU. Marcus Freeman steps in as head coach with a to-do list that includes settling on a quarterback, beefing up this receiving corps, and finding a way to run the ball after Kyren Williams' departure. Up first: a Week 1 date at Ohio State. Games against BYU (in Vegas), against Clemson, and at a resurgent USC highlight a tough schedule.
6. Clemson
Where Clemson was: 10-3 (6-2 ACC)
Where Clemson is: Many pollsters will be cautious when ranking Clemson this preseason after its "down year" in 2021. Injuries on defense and a passing game that couldn't get off the ground threw the Tigers out of rhythm last fall, and now the program is at another crossroads.
Both coordinators are gone, and now the ACC has the likes of Wake Forest, Miami, and NC State to throw in Clemson's way. This is the most talented team in the conference, but can a new staff put it all together?
5. Oklahoma
Where Oklahoma was: 11-2 (7-2 Big 12)
Where Oklahoma is: Brent Venables finally took the plunge after a long and storied career as a defensive coordinator, and gets his first shot at running a program.
He has to replace some high-profile losses, but brought on offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and signed transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a pair that engineered a top 10 offense a few years ago at UCF. Perhaps no big-time college football program will look more different, but few others have as much upside, either.
4. Michigan
Where Michigan was: 12-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
Where Michigan is: Jim Harbaugh finally got this team in the College Football Playoff, but is looking at a lot of new faces this time around. That potent pass rush needs new blood, that one-two punch at running back is gone, as is top safety Daxton Hill, and UM's offensive playmaker left for Miami.
But the Wolverines still have a great pair of quarterbacks in Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy and some speed to develop on the perimeter with Andrel Anthony at receiver, and Blake Corum leading this backfield after a stellar 2021 outing.
3. Georgia
Where Georgia was: 14-1 (8-0 SEC) and the College Football Playoff national champion
Where Georgia is: A lot of what was a historically-dominant defense isn't coming back, but Kirby Smart has built a recruiting machine that all but ensures the unit will come back as loaded as ever. Stetson Bennett announced a return at quarterback, and he'll have Brock Bowers to lead arguably the best tight end group in the country. But the Bulldogs need to re-tool a backfield that loses both Zamir White and James Cook, a duo that combined for almost 1,600 yards and 18 scores last fall.
2. Alabama
Where Alabama was: 13-2 (7-1 SEC)
Where Alabama is: Blue-chip talent in, blue-chip talent out. That's the name of the game during the Nick Saban era at Alabama, and this season the Crimson Tide bring back two vital pieces in addition to a stellar transfer portal haul. Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young returns, as does linebacker Will Anderson, who led college football in sacks and TFLs last fall and might be the best overall player in the nation.
Add in former LSU corner Eli Ricks, Georgia's leading wideout in Jermaine Burton, one-time Louisville receiver Tyler Harrell, Vandy tackle Tyler Steen, and Jahmyr Gibbs, the back who leads the nation in active total yards, and Alabama is once again the team to beat in the SEC and nationally.
1. Ohio State
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Where Ohio State was: 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
Where Ohio State is: Once again, the Buckeyes are the favorites to win the Big Ten and make the College Football Playoff, but not without one major caveat. Defense doomed this team a year ago in statement losses against Oregon and Michigan, but Jim Knowles is on staff looking to replicate the success he had at Oklahoma State, which placed No. 3 nationally in defense and No. 1 in sacks in 2021.
Aside from that project, the Buckeyes shouldn't have much trouble reloading on offense, even with losing the likes of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson at receiver. Heisman finalist C.J. Stroud has Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the outside and TreVeyon Henderson working between the tackles for what should look like a re-run of college football's No. 1 offense.