Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated; si.com
The preseason top 25 rankings have just been released. It’s no shock that Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia are in the top three. Alabama and Georgia met in the National Championship game last year, with the Georgia Bulldogs coming out on top, 33-18. Ohio State missed the cut last year, finishing sixth in the rankings with losses against Oregon and Michigan. Michigan’s win over Ohio State propelled them into the College Football Playoff and knocked Ohio State out. Michigan started their season unranked last year and finished the regular season ranked second before falling to Georgia in the semifinals. Now let’s take a look at the upcoming college football season and enjoy the breakdown of each team’s upcoming schedule.
#25 – Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee finished last year unranked at 7-6. Tennessee’s quarterback Hendon Hooker was the SEC’s most efficient passing quarterback the previous year. The Vols also landed a USC transfer in a wide receiver, Bru McCoy. Tennessee’s defense was a massive part of their struggle last year, allowing 34 points per game to in-conference opponents. Head coach Josh Heupel will look to turn this program around.
Prediction : 6-6 (3-5 SEC)
Wins – Ball State, Akron, UT Martin, Missouri, South Carolina, Vanderbilt
Losses – Pittsburgh, Florida, LSU, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia
#24 – Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State’s starting quarterback Will Rogers is returning to play for the Bulldogs. Rogers threw for 4,739 yards and racked up 36 touchdowns to go along with that. The Bulldogs’ defense finished last year ranked fourth in the conference. This team finished 7-6 and was unranked to finish the season.
Prediction : 6-6 (2-6 SEC)
Wins – Memphis, Arizona, LSU, Bowling Green, Arkansas, ETSU
Losses – Texas A&M, Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss
#23 – Oregon Ducks
Oregon finished last year ranked 22nd with a 10-4 record. Oregon has lost some very critical pieces to its puzzle, however. Oregon lost their head coach Mario Cristobal and ran back Travis Dye to the transfer portal, where he would join USC. Dan Lanning will take over for the Ducks, coming over from the Georgia Bulldogs, where he was the defensive coordinator. Oregon also landed Auburn quarterback Bo Nix from the transfer portal.
Prediction : 8-4 (6-3 Pac-12)
Wins – Eastern Washington, BYU, Washington State, Stanford, Arizona, Cal, Colorado, Washington
Losses – Georgia, UCLA, Utah, Oregon State
#22 – Baylor Bears
Baylor had a fantastic season last year, finishing 12-2 and holding the number five spot in the season’s final rankings. Baylor won the Big 12 championship game over Oklahoma State and beat Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. Baylor’s defense was a strong point for them the last year, and they look to repeat that as they return most of their defense from last year/
Prediction : 10-2 (7-2 Big 12)
Wins – Albany, BYU, Texas State, Iowa State, West Virginia, Kansas, Oklahoma, Kansas State, TCU, Texas
Losses – Oklahoma State, Texas Tech
#21 – Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin finished last season unranked at 9-4. Wisconsin had the number one overall defense in the nation last year, but they lost some of that talent. Graham Mertz has been a question mark for Wisconsin as the starting quarterback they need to reach the next level. Mertz will get some pressure taken off of him with the return of Braelon Allen, who rushed for over 1,200 yards last year.
Prediction: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Wins – Illinois State, Washington State, New Mexico State, Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue, Maryland, Nebraska, Minnesota
Losses – Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa
#20 – Pittsburgh Panthers
Pitt finished last season 11-3, placing them 13th in the final rankings. Pitt lost their x-factor starting quarterback Kenny Pickett to the NFL Draft, but they reeled in former USC quarterback Kedon Slovis. Pitt might have received an even more significant loss in wide receiver Jordan Addison. Addison won the Biletnikoff Award for being the nation’s top receiver before transferring to USC.
Prediction : 9-3 (5-3 ACC)
Wins – West Virginia, Tennessee, Western Michigan, Rhode Island, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Syracuse, Duke
Losses – North Carolina, Virginia, Miami
#19 – North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina had a train wreck of a season last year, finishing 6-7. North Carolina might be in for another long ride after losing four starting offensive linemen. North Carolina’s defense, however, has taken a boost. The Tarheels have brought back Gene Chizik to be the defensive coordinator, and they also brought in five-star recruit Travis Shaw to bolster the defensive line.
Prediction : 9-3 (6-2 ACC)
Wins – Florida A&M, Appalachian State, Georgia State, Duke, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, NC State
Losses – Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Miami
#18 – Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky finished last year with a 10-3 record, which put them right where they are starting this season, 18th. Will Levis returns for the Wildcats and runs back Chris Rodriguez. Levis threw for 24 touchdowns and over 2,800 yards. Rodriguez ran for 1,300+ yards and punched the ball into the endzone nine times. Kentucky did, however, lose three starters on the offensive line and six defensive players, as well as wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson.
Prediction : 10-2 (6-2 SEC)
Wins – Miami (OH), Youngstown State, Northern Illinois, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Louisville
Losses – Florida, Georgia
#17 – Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss’ offense took a huge hit this offseason to their number one ranked offense in the SEC last year, and the main piece they lost was starting quarterback Matt Corral. Ole Miss brought in two key offense transfers in quarterback Jaxson Dart from USC and running back Zach Evans from TCU. Ole Miss has a lot of replacing they must do, and they will bring back six defensive starters to their defense that improved heavily last year. The Rebels finished 10-3 and finished 11th in the final rankings.
Prediction : 8-4 (4-4 SEC)
Wins – Troy, Central Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Tulsa, Vanderbilt, LSU, Arkansas, Mississippi State
Losses – Kentucky, Auburn, Texas A&M, Alabama
#16 – Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State had a rocky year last year, finishing unranked with a 7-6 record. Penn State’s defense ranked third in the Big Ten in points allowed, but their defense will need to be sorted out because they lost some key defensive pieces. Sean Clifford returns for the Nittany Lions after throwing for over 3,000 yards and collecting 21 touchdowns. Penn State’s running back, Noah Cain, also transferred out to LSU, leaving Penn State in need to find their running game and get that together.
Prediction: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Wins – Purdue, Ohio, Auburn, Central Michigan, Northwestern, Minnesota, Indiana, Maryland, Rutgers
Losses – Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State
#15 – Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State finished last season with an 11-2 record placing them ninth in the final rankings. Michigan State lost one of the best running backs in college football in Kenneth Walker, but Payton Thorne will look to shine coming back off a 3,200+ yard campaign with 27 touchdowns. The Spartans also bring back a big weapon on the outside in Jayden Reed. Reed came away with ten touchdowns and over 1,000 yards receiving. The Spartans’ defense, however, was terrible. They ranked 111th in the nation overall defensively.
Prediction: 8-4 (6-3 Big Ten)
Wins – Western Michigan, Akron, Minnesota, Maryland, Wisconsin, Illinois, Rutgers, Penn State
Losses – Washington, Ohio State, Michigan, Indiana
#14 – Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State is coming off a good season where they went 12-2, which was good enough to place them seventh in the final rankings. Oklahoma State’s defense last year was outstanding, but they lost their defensive coordinator and three key pieces in the secondary. Spencer Sanders is a solid starting quarterback who can struggle at times. He threw 20 touchdowns last year but also threw 12 interceptions to go along with that. Sanders will not have the help of running back Jaylen Warren this year either.
Prediction : 9-3 (6-3 Big 12)
Wins – Central Michigan, Arizona State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Baylor, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Kansas, Iowa State, West Virginia
Losses – TCU, Texas, Oklahoma
#13 – Utah Utes
Utah had a good year last year, finishing 10-4 just outside the top ten at 12th. Utah returns big offensive starters such as quarterback Cameron Rising and running back Tavion Thomas. Utah did lose star wideout Britain Covey, who they will look to replace this season as a big target for Rising. Utah also lost star linebacker Devin Lloyd to the NFL draft and two safeties who they will look to return.
Prediction : 11-1 (8-1 Pac-12)
Wins – Florida, Southern Utah, San Diego State, Arizona State, Oregon State, UCLA, Washington State, Arizona, Stanford, Oregon, Colorado
Losses – USC
#12 – Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies finished unranked last year, but they are looking to make a lot of noise this year. Texas A&M has the number one recruiting class in the nation and is looking to show off that talent. A&M was a roller coaster last season; they defeated Alabama but lost four games in the SEC.
Prediction : 10-2 (6-2 SEC)
Wins – Sam Houston State, Appalachian State, Miami, Arkansas, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Florida, UMass, LSU
Losses – Alabama, Auburn
#11 – Auburn Tigers
Auburn has a lot of work to keep its ranking this year. Auburn was under .500 last year at 6-7 and finished unranked. Auburn lost a lot of players to the transfer portal as well as a bunch of coaches. Bryan Harsin is coming into his second year, and if he doesn’t turn things around, he could be in trouble.
Prediction : 7-5 (4-4 SEC)
Wins – Mercer, San Jose State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Western Kentucky
Losses – Penn State, LSU, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama
#10 – LSU Tigers
LSU finished last season 6-7. They have now brought in former Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly. LSU lost four of their starting offensive lineman, but Brian Kelly and LSU have recruited well and managed the transfer portal well. The LSU secondary will also need some work after they lost star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. to the NFL Draft.
Prediction : 8-4 (4-4 SEC)
Wins – Florida State, Southern, New Mexico, Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas, UAB
Losses – Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas A&M
#9 – Miami Hurricanes
Miami was a just above .500 team last year with a 7-5 record, which was not good enough to have them ranked at the end of the year. Miami brings in former Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal who returns to his alma mater. Miami’s quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is a solid QB1 who will have fresh faces in the receiving core. Miami lost most of their top production guys to the NFL. Miami is a new young team who is looking to pounce.
Prediction : 10-2 (7-1 ACC)
Wins – Bethune Cookman, Southern Miss, Middle Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Duke, Virginia, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh
Losses – Texas A&M, Clemson
#8 – Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma finished last season at 11-2, which ranked them 10th in the final poll. Oklahoma has had a lot of moving parts this offseason. They lost their head coach Lincoln Riley to USC and not one but two quarterbacks. Spencer Rattler transferred to South Carolina, and Caleb Williams went with Riley to USC. Oklahoma brought in defensive mastermind Brent Venables and quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Prediction : 9-3 (6-3 Big 12)
Wins – UTEP, Kent State, Nebraska, Kansas State, TCU, Kansas, Iowa State, West Virginia, Oklahoma State
Losses – Texas, Baylor, Texas Tech
#7 – Texas Longhorns
Texas had a bad year last year, going 5-7 and not being bowl eligible. The Longhorns have an exciting quarterback room. They landed five-star transfer Quinn Ewers, and they also have a five-star commit in Arch Manning. Bijan Robinson returns for the Longhorns in the backfield along with Xavier Worthy on the outside. These two should provide big numbers for the Longhorns offensively.
Prediction : 10-2 (8-1 Big 12)
Wins – UL Monroe, UTSA, Texas Tech, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, TCU, Kansas
Losses – Alabama, Baylor
#6 Michigan Wolverines
Michigan is coming off a 12-2 season in which they found themselves in the college football playoff as the two seed. Michigan is only returning three defensive starters with the critical departures of Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo, and Daxton Hill. Michigan does return most of their offensive production, however. Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy returned for the Wolverines alongside two dynamic running backs in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards.
Prediction : 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Wins – Colorado State, Hawaii, UConn, Maryland, Iowa, Indiana, Penn State, Michigan State, Rutgers, Nebraska, Illinois
Losses – Ohio State
#5 – Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame went 11-2 last year, just missing out on the College Football Playoff. Defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman will take over at the head coach position amid the departure of Brian Kelly. The Independent Notre Dame will be tested early in their season with a week one tilt against the Ohio State Buckeyes, which will be a big game for both programs.
Prediction: 9-3
Wins – Marshall, Cal, Stanford, Navy, UNLV, North Carolina, Boston College, Syracuse, BYU
Losses – Ohio State, Clemson, USC
#4 – Clemson Tigers
Clemson finished last year ranked 14th with a 10-3 record. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw nine touchdowns last year while throwing ten interceptions. Clemson’s offense was second-worst in the ACC last year. The defense should be a solid corps led by Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy.
Prediction : 10-2 (6-2 ACC)
Wins – Georgia Tech, Furman, Louisiana Tech, Boston College, Florida State, Syracuse, Notre Dame, Louisville, Miami, South Carolina
Losses – Wake Forest, NC State
#3 – Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are coming off a National Championship season where they went 14-1. Georgia’s strong point is that their defense only returns three starters, but Georgia’s recruiting has them plenty prepared to fill those spaces. Stetson Bennett returns alongside Brock Bowers and Arik Gilbert. Georgia will be a team to watch as they look to defend what is there and go back to back.
Prediction : 12-0 (8-0 SEC)
Wins – Oregon, Samford, South Carolina, Kent State, Missouri, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Georgia Tech
Losses – None
#2 Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State’s season came down to the final game of the season to determine whether they would make their way into the College Football Playoff. Michigan would defeat Ohio State for the first time since 2011 and secure their playoff spot knocking Ohio State out. Ohio State returns the Heisman finalist C.J. Stroud, the beast of TreVeyon Henderson and maybe the best receiver in college football Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Prediction: 12-0 (8-0 Big Ten)
Wins – Notre Dame, Arkansas State, Toledo, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Michigan State, Iowa, Penn State, Northwestern, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan
Losses – None
#1 – Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama fell just short of adding another National Championship to their historic dynasty. But Alabama will be right back as they keep eight defensive starters from last season, including Will Anderson. Anderson led the nation in sacks and TFLs. Alabama also brings back Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young. With the loss of Jameson Williams, Alabama has brought in Georgia’s leading receiver from last year, Jermaine Burton.
Prediction : 12-0 (8-0 SEC)
Wins – Utah State, Texas, UL Monroe, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Mississippi State, LSU, Ole Miss, Austin Peay State, Auburn
Losses – None
Although it is rare to see multiple teams go undefeated in the regular season in college football, Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia are far and away the three best teams, without a doubt. Those three locking up three of the National Championship spots only leave one left. Will it be Clemson, Notre Dame, Michigan, or Texas, or will there be a team that shocks the world and makes a run?
