College football rankings: Predicting the AP top 25 preseason poll
The day most college football fans have been waiting for since January is finally here as the AP top 25 preseason rankings are set to be announced on Monday. There's not much drama about which team will come in at No. 1 this year, as back-to-back national champion Georgia should emerge as the clear favorite.
But judging by the recent Coaches Poll, the Bulldogs may not be guaranteed the unanimous vote, not with SEC contender Alabama and Big Ten favorites Michigan and Ohio State in the conversation. What can we expect when the votes are all counted?
College football rankings: Predicting the AP top 25 preseason poll
What to expect in the AP top 25 college football rankings - USA Today Images
25. Oklahoma. Notable transfers on defense need to contribute right away to avoid a repeat of Brent Venables' 6-7 debut with SEC membership coming next season, while Dillon Gabriel settles in for another year in Jeff Lebby's offense, a unit that needs to replace some blockers up front.
24. Wisconsin. Get ready for a new-look Badgers team, one that will open things up under first-year head coach Luke Fickell and play-caller Phil Longo, who has transfer quarterback Tanner Mordecai to unleash on Big Ten defenses, plus two major WR pickups who will balance things out with lead back Braelon Allen returning, too.
23. South Carolina. Spencer Rattler returns after spearheading a late offensive resurgence that included titanic upsets over Tennessee and Clemson, but the Gamecocks also have to find a replacement for tight end Jaheim Bell and rejuvenate a defense that loses edge rusher Jordan Burch.
22. Texas Tech. Tyler Shough hasn't played a ton of games as starter, but when he does, he tends to win them, and he's playing behind line should improve on the Big 12's second-best total offense, combined with 6 starters back on a D that led the conference in sacks and disruptive plays last season.
21. Tulane. Big turnover at defensive coordinator leaves questions on that side of the ball, as does the departure of lead back Tyjae Spears, but the return of quarterback Michael Pratt is the foundation for the Green Wave to return to AAC title contention and another New Year's bowl bid.
20. North Carolina. Drake Maye is one of college football's best returning quarterbacks, but the Tar Heels will have a new playbook, new receivers, and field a defense that was one of the country's worst at getting to opposing QBs last fall.
Ole Miss back Quinshon Judkins, the SEC's best rusher - USA Today Images
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19. Ole Miss. Quinshon Judkins is back to lead what was college football's third-ranked rushing attack while the Rebels sort out what is the nation's most intriguing quarterback race, between veteran Spencer Sanders and incumbent Jaxson Dart.
18. Oregon State. Jonathan Smith won 10 games a year ago, including one over the rival Ducks, and now returns four starting offensive linemen, the bulk of a solid defensive unit, and scored a big transfer in quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who is hoping a change of scenery will bring out his 5-star potential.
17. TCU. College football's national title runner-up lost eight players to the NFL Draft, but also gained notable transfer additions like tackle Tommy Brockermeyer, receiver JoJo Earle, back Trey Sanders, all from Alabama, and tight end Jack Bech from LSU, important skill pieces who will help presumptive quarterback Chandler Morris.
16. Kansas State. Losing the likes of Deuce Vaughn and Felix Anudike-Uzomah hurts, but the Big 12 champs return quarterback Will Howard, all five of his blockers, signed transfer back Treshaun Ward, and Chris Klieman has a solid track record building and maintaining talent all over the roster.
15. Utah. The path to a third-straight Pac-12 title and Rose Bowl appearance is there with quarterback Cameron Rising under center this fall, but the Utes also lost some important pieces and the league looks loaded right now.
14. Oregon. Bo Nix is back after a strong midseason showing, but the offense is a more open question after losing four offensive linemen, though the Ducks also brought on transfer receiver Traeshon Holden and Jordan Burch, a former 5-star edge rusher.
13. Notre Dame. Tommy Rees and his playbook are gone, just as veteran transfer quarterback Sam Hartman arrived on campus to jump start the Irish offense, which boasts some of college football's best running backs and offensive linemen this year.
12. Tennessee. College football's top-ranked offense loses its quarterback, top two targets, and play-caller, but the Vols return their top two rushers, promoted their QBs coach to OC, and have two quarterbacks worth watching: Joe Milton, who boasts a big arm but has some accuracy concerns, and true freshman 5-star Nico Iamaleava.
11. Texas. Steve Sarkisian is 13-12 in two seasons and cracked the rankings only once, but has the bulk of his offensive line, solid receiver talent, and quarterback Quinn Ewers to lead the way offensively, but with huge road games against the likes of Alabama and Big 12 rivals Baylor and TCU.
Washington could be a surprise College Football Playoff contender - USA Today
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10. Washington. College football's most productive passer is back as Michael Penix announced his return for 2023, as did his two 1,000-yard receivers, and the Huskies boast a skilled defensive core that should be able to get to the quarterback, something they'll have to do in a Pac-12 whose farewell tour includes some elite QB play.
9. Penn State. Some of the nation's best running backs, an experienced defense that might have the best pass rush in the Big Ten, and a line with huge potential blocking for 5-star quarterback prospect Drew Allar all add up to a potential Big Ten title contender, provided it can beat either Ohio State or Michigan, or preferably both.
8. Clemson. Missing out on the College Football Playoff for two straight years had Dabo Swinney getting aggressive this offseason, hiring offensive coordinator Garrett Riley to help build around quarterback Cade Klubnik and tailback Will Shipley, but Clemson needs more athleticism at wide receiver and has to replace some huge holes on the defensive front.
7. Florida State. Mike Norvell's 10-win breakout last season came courtesy of some close wins late, but the Seminoles return the core of a roster that won those games, including quarterback Jordan Travis and edge rusher Jared Verse, combined with another solid rushing attack, and key transfers like tight end Jaheim Bell, receiver Keon Coleman, and cornerback Fentrell Cypress.
6. LSU. The surprise SEC West champs have what it takes to make it a repeat in Brian Kelly's second year, with quarterback Jayden Daniels, a stable of solid backs, its entire offensive line, some stealthy wide receivers, and a defensive front that can wreck opponents at the line all coming back.
5. USC. Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams can do just about anything, especially with transfer wideout Dorian Singer stepping in, but until the Trojans can repair their leaky defense, a Pac-12 title and College Football Playoff berth are still at arm's length.
4. Ohio State. Losing your quarterback and best offensive linemen isn't ideal, especially with two straight losses to Michigan staring you in the face, but the Buckeyes return college football's premier wide receiver corps, can run the ball with authority, and have a lot of power at the line defensively, too. But there are also road games at Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
3. Alabama. Major change is coming to the Crimson Tide after losing key contributors and adding two new coordinators, including offensive play-caller Tommy Rees from Notre Dame in a move that leaves more questions than answers, and big decisions to be made at quarterback and offensive line, but Alabama still presents major potential in the secondary and at receiver with big tests at home against Texas and LSU.
2. Michigan. More old-school Big Ten football is coming for the Wolverines, who return both their elite backs, their quarterback, and one of the nation's best offensive line combinations, not to mention some nice transfers, including Josiah Stewart, an edge rusher who had over a dozen sacks a year ago.
1. Georgia. No college football team has won three straight national titles since the 1930s, but the Bulldogs are in prime position to make history returning what might be Kirby Smart's best overall offense, even with a quarterback change, and a schedule from heaven that features a rotation of very beatable teams, but watch for a trip to Rocky Top in November that will have huge implications.
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