• Posted by Admin
• Date : 07 Jan 2023

Subscribe today! A detailed look at a Way-Too-Early Top 25 college football team rankings for 2023 from the editors of the most accurate NCAAF preseason CFB ranking magazine. The 2023 college football season doesn't officially start until August, but it's never too early to look ahead and project the Top 25 rankings for next year. Georgia takes the top spot in the Way-Too-Tarly Top 25 for '23 by Athlon Sports, but coach Kirby Smart's team will be pushed by Michigan, Ohio State, USC and Alabama. Also, an intriguing second tier of contenders appears to be in place next season. Florida State is on the rise after a 10-3 record in '22, and coach Mike Norvell's squad returns the bulk of the team for next fall, including quarterback Jordan Travis and end Jared Verse. Could Penn State topple Michigan and Ohio State in the Big Ten? Coach James Franklin's team won 11 games this year and is loaded for a run at the College Football Playoff in '23. With explosive offenses in place, Tennessee, Oregon and Washington are teams capable of easily exceeding our early projection. The arrival of Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman should make Notre Dame a playoff contender too. With the transfer portal, recruiting, coaching changes, and more moves to come this offseason, this list could look a lot different by April and then by August. But with some clarity about rosters for next fall, here is Athlon Sports' Way-Too-Early Top 25 for next season: College Football's Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2023 1. Georgia Making a third consecutive trip to the national championship game won't be easy, but if any team is capable, it's Kirby Smart's Bulldogs. Although the roster has some turnover, talent certainly isn't an issue in Athens. Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton will battle to replace Stetson Bennett at quarterback. As always, Georgia won't have a problem finding running backs or building one of the SEC's top offensive lines. And whichever quarterback wins the job will be throwing to a talented group of weapons, including tight end Brock Bowers. Standout lineman Jalen Carter and safety Christopher Smith depart the defense, but the next wave of stars is ready, headlined by lineman Mykel Williams, linebackers Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon, as well as safety Malaki Starks. 2. Michigan With back-to-back East Division titles, and The Game in Ann Arbor late in the season on tap, the path to the Big Ten championship runs through Michigan in 23. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Donovan Edwards headline coach Jim Harbaughs offense once again next fall, but the standout juniors will be operating behind a retooled offensive line that could feature three transfer starters, including former Stanford center Drake Nugent. Tight end Colston Loveland (16 catches) is a rising star. Michigans defense should rank among the best in the nation once again, especially with Will Johnson returning at cornerback after a standout freshman season, along with the continued development of linebacker Junior Colson, safety Rod Moore and linemen Mason Graham, Eyabi Okie and Derrick Moore. 3. Ohio State After losing a heartbreaker to Georgia in the Peach Bowl, the Buckeyes have plenty of motivation behind a retooled lineup to get back to the CFB Playoff and make another run at the national title. Devin Brown and Kyle McCord will battle to replace C.J. Stroud at quarterback, but the winner can throw to receivers (and likely first-team All-American) Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka and hand off to running backs Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson. Tackles Dawand Jones and Paris Johnson Jr., guard Matthew Jones and center Luke Wypler have NFL decisions to make. Although the defense struggled late in the season and especially against Michigan and Georgia, this unit was better than it was in 21. Can coordinator Jim Knowles elevate this group to another level next fall? End Zach Harrison and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg could depart early for the NFL, but lineman JT Tuimoloau is back to anchor the defense. In addition to filling the holes on the depth chart, Knowles and the assistants have to find ways to improve the secondary before next season. Road trips to Notre Dame and Michigan will make or break Ohio States hopes of a trip to the playoff. 4. USC The Trojans came within one win of a Pac-12 championship and trip to the CFB Playoff in coach Lincoln Rileys first year. Taking the next step in 23 is a realistic expectation, especially with Heisman winner Caleb Williams back to direct USCs high-powered offense. The skill talent around Williams is once again a strength, and Riley bolstered this group with the arrival of Arizona transfer Dorian Singer. The line must restock a line losing guard Andrew Voorhees, tackle Bobby Haskins and center Brett Neilon. Improvement on defense is also a must after this unit struggled in two losses to Utah and turned in a dismal performance against Tulane in the Cotton Bowl. The Trojans ended 22 by allowing 29.2 points a game and 6.5 yards per play. A good chunk of the two-deep is expected to return and help is on the way from the portal. However, lineman Tuli Tuipulotu (21 TFL) and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon left for the NFL. 5. Alabama Quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. are off to the NFL, but the dynasty is far from over in Tuscaloosa. As always, Nick Saban will have this team back in the mix to earn a spot in the CFB Playoff. Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson will battle to replace Young, with JaCorey Brooks, Jermaine Burton, Kobe Prentice and Isaiah Bond forming a solid collection of weapons at receiver. Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams and a collection of up-and-coming backs will power the ground game behind a retooled offensive line. New faces have to emerge at all three levels of the defense, but the cupboard is hardly empty. Linebacker Dallas Turner is primed to become the next star edge rusher, Kool-Aid McKinstry should be one of the SEC's top corners, and Malachi Moore opted to return to anchor the safety position with Brian Branch, Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams off to the NFL. LSU visits Tuscaloosa next year, so Alabama will have a chance to avenge the 22 loss in Baton Rouge and regain control of the SEC West. 6. Florida State After winning double-digit games (10) for the first time since 2016, Florida State has a strong case to rank ahead of Clemson as the ACCs preseason favorite for 23. The Seminoles have improved their win total from three to five to 10 under coach Mike Norvell, so the next logical step is to win the ACC. The pieces are in place to reach that goal, starting with quarterback Jordan Travis, who should rank among the nations best at his position in 2023. Trey Benson headlines a loaded backfield, and Johnny Wilson (20.9 yards per catch) leads an improving set of receivers. Improvement along the offensive line has been instrumental in Florida States rise recently, and three transfers are on the way to push the returning starters. The Noles are also trending