The college football season is just a couple of weeks away and rosters are taking shape. Here is the 2023 College Football Preseason Top 25.
25-21
25. Wisconsin Badgers
Luke Fickell’s new squad returns just 11 starters, but there is some room for optimism. They’ll lean on running back Braelon Allen offensively and Fickell can help the defense improve even after losing talent. Wisconsin will battle for the Big Ten West.
24. UTSA Roadrunners
The Roadrunners had a good run in the C-USA and are now joining the AAC. Frank Harris returns at quarterback, which should help the offense stay among the elite in college football, but the loss of Zakhari Franklin late in the transfer portal could limit them a bit. They can win the AAC in their first year, especially with the departures of some of the top teams in the conference.
23. South Carolina Gamecocks
Which Spencer Rattler will show up this season? The one who struggled early last season or the one who was able to turn it on late and help the Gamecocks upset Tennessee and Clemson? South Carolina returns just eight total starters, so this ranking is plenty based off the magic at the end of last season.
22. Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky brought offensive coordinator Liam Cohen back to help get the offense back on track. NC State-transfer Devin Leary is coming in at quarterback to try and revitalize his career after getting injured in 2022. Although the team returns just 11 starters, Kentucky hit the transfer portal hard and should keep their impressive streak of making bowls alive.
21. North Carolina Tar Heels
Last season, the Tar Heels had an atrocious defense, but on the bright side did have one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Drake Maye. They finished with nine wins last season, so even if the defense doesn’t improve, UNC is looking at a solid year ahead with Maye.
20-16
20. Arkansas Razorbacks
Keeping quarterback K.J. Jefferson healthy will be the most important thing for the Razorbacks. He and Rocket Sanders can give the team a bruising running game. The defense lost some key talent, but they were bad as a unit last season and have to improve.
19. Ole Miss Rebels
Lane Kiffin’s squad returns 14 starters and has plenty of senior leadership. The offense will run through running back Quinshon Judkins who was the most impressive freshman at the position last season. Defensively, the Rebels return seven starters and can be a solid unit. One of the bigger question marks will be the quarterback position. If Jaxson Dart can’t get the job done, Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard are waiting in the wings.
18. Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State needed better quarterback play and turned to D.J. Uiagalelei in the transfer portal. He will look to get his career back on track with the Beavers, who have seven starters back on that side of the ball. Their defense returns just five starters, but ranked 20th in scoring for the 2022 season.
17. TCU Horned Frogs
TCU is coming off a College Football Playoff appearance, but lost plenty of talent to the NFL. They have just three returning starters on offense, but with Sonny Dykes’ scheme and transfers, the Horned Frogs can still have a solid unit on that side of the ball. The defense returns seven starters and could take a step forward in 2023.
16. Kansas State Wildcats
While the Wildcats will need some skill position players to step up, they bring back their entire offensive line and quarterback Will Howard. Defensively, they lost some key players and will need to patch things together.
15-11
15. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks were able to get the most out of quarterback Bo Nix last season and he returns with five other starters on the offensive side of the ball. There are plenty of new faces on the offensive line that will need to gel together before the Ducks can really push for a Pac-12 title. The defense also had some departures to the NFL and the transfer portal, so things may be dicey early.
14. Utah Utes
Quarterback Cameron Rising being back is huge for the Utes, but so are the 11 other returning starters that are spread out through the depth chart. With an offense that ranked 11th and a defense that ranked 26th in 2022, a little improvement could really have the Utes pushing for a CFP spot.
13. Texas Longhorns
Steve Sarkisian has improved the team every season he has been at Texas. After winning eight games in 2022 and now bringing back 15 starters gives the Longhorns a lot of hope this season. Quarterback Quinn Ewers looked solid when healthy and can unleash his arm talent this year, especially with some talented receivers and an experienced offensive line. Texas should be looking to close out their time in the Big 12 with a bang.
12. Tennessee Volunteers
While Tennessee did lose quarterback Hendon Hooker and their top two wide receivers, they do return 14 starters. Joe Milton filled in well at quarterback when Hooker was injured last year and now is set to take over with some talent to work with. Defensively, they have experience back at every level of the defense.
11. Washington Huskies
Michael Penix deciding to return for a sixth-year of eligibility at quarterback really helps out, as he is one of the top Heisman contenders. With 14 total starters returning, Washington has the chance to win 11 games again in 2023. They’ll need the interior of their offensive line to hold up, but the Huskies have plenty of experience everywhere else on the roster.
10-6
10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Fighting Irish finished last season winning six of their last seven games to end up with a record of 9-4. Sam Hartman is transferring in from Wake Forest, which will give them an upgrade at the position. There are 15 starters returning and if Hartman can improve the offense, while Marcus Freeman continues to work on the defense, the improvements could put the Fighting Irish in CFP contention.
9. Clemson Tigers
Clemson has had some “down” years, but they still have won double-digit games, even when they haven’t qualified for the CFP. With Cade Klubnik taking over an offense with seven returning starters, the Tigers should expect a decent improvement on that side of the ball. Their defense will be led by a talented defensive line and one of the best linebacker units in the country.
8. Penn State Nittany Lions
After winning 11 games last season, the Nittany Lions return 13 starters. Those starters include some of the best players at their position in left tackle Olu Fashanu, running back Nick Singleton and defensive end Chop Robinson. A lot will be on the shoulders of sophomore Drew Allar, but he was able to learn last season as a backup.
7. LSU Tigers
Brian Kelly surprised the conference when he won the SEC West last season. He brings back 11 total starters, including quarterback Jayden Daniels. The offense should take a step forward with him returning and the return of four offensive line starters. While the defense only brings back four starters, they can be anchored by stars like edge rusher Harold Perkins and safety Greg Brooks.
6. Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles were able to win 10 games last season, but still need to get over the hump of beating Clemson to get back on top of the ACC. This is the year it might happen, as they return 14 starters, including quarterback Jordan Travis, who had an excellent 2022. The offensive line has three experienced starters, while the defense doesn’t just have a lot of players returning, but they have stars like defensive end Jared Verse back who could’ve gone pro.
5-1
5. USC Trojans
After being a Pac-12 Championship win away from being in the College Football Playoff, the Trojans could redeem themselves this year. Caleb Williams is back at quarterback after winning the Heisman, but his offensive line will be inexperienced. The defense was bad last year, but their offense was able to cover that up. They hit the transfer portal to help fix the defense and if it works the CFP could be calling their name.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide missed the CFP for the second time in four seasons in 2022. They return just nine starters, but Nick Saban can never be counted out, especially with the talent on the roster. Jalen Milroe will need to step up at quarterback for the Crimson Tide to truly succeed. Luckily they have stars on the defensive side of the ball in edge rusher Dallas Turner and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State brings back 12 starters, but the biggest question will be the quarterback position. Kyle McCord is set to take over and will have the benefit of having talented skill position players like wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and running back TreVeyon Henderson. The defense needs to improve in big games, but they have impact players who can help out with that like defensive ends JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer and cornerback Denzel Burke.
2. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan is coming off of two CFP appearances and has 15 returning starters. They will rely on a rushing attack offensively that is led by Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. The Wolverines need quarterback J.J. McCarthy to make some more big time throws after having a solid 2022. The defense ranked seventh in the country last season and has some good returning talent at linebacker.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
Can Georgia complete a three-peat? They have 13 returning starters, which includes seven on defense. A new quarterback will need to emerge, but they will have one of the best pass-catchers in the country to utilize in tight end Brock Bowers. The defense ranked fifth nationally and has the potential to rank even higher in 2023.
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- Source: https://thegamehaus.com/college-football/2023-college-football-preseason-top-25/2023/06/17/
