The transfer portal is (mostly) done re-homing college football players, coaches are settled, and rosters are as close to complete as they’re going to get before fall camp gets underway. That makes this as good a time as any to piece together a preseason top 25, and folks, that’s exactly what we did in this week’s unlocked premium Flipping The Field episode.
You can listen to the episode for a much closer look at the teams populating our rankings, but you can also find a quick rundown of our full list here, which was compiled using a combination of my (Patrick) personal rankings, Ryan’s rankings, and the average rankings of the Meet at Midfield faithful, collected on our wonderful forum (subscribers only). If you subscribe to Meet at Midfield and have yet to submit your vote, be sure to get over there lest you allow democracy to die in darkness.
Tier 1 – Top Contenders
No. 1: Georgia Bulldogs – 75 points
Georgia needs to replace quite a bit of talent from last year’s championship team, including quarterback Stetson Bennett, tight end Darnell Washington, guard Broderick Jones and defensive line stalwarts Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith, but attrition didn’t stop the Dawgs from repeating after their 2021 title run, and it won’t stop them from leading off our top 25. Brock Bowers may be the most talented player in America, the offensive line should again dominate, and Kirby Smart has yet to slip in producing an elite defense. There’s no reason to expect that changes this year.
No. 2: Michigan Wolverines – 70 points
The 2022 team was as good a squad as Michigan has seen in quite some time, and this bunch should be right there with it as J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards return to a star-studded backfield supported by a perennially elite offensive line. There are some pieces to replace defensively, but super sophomore Will Johnson is ready to star at cornerback, and Coastal Carolina defensive end Josaiah Stewart should prove a major addition as Michigan looks to three-peat as Big Ten champions and return to the College Football Playoff.
No. 3: Ohio State Buckeyes – 69 points
Ohio State needs to find a quarterback to take over for C.J. Stroud and could see some regression there, though either Kyle McCord or Devin Brown will certainly get plenty of help from one of college football’s best skill corps: TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams, with Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming, and of course, Marvin Harrison Jr., out wide. The defense has plenty of star power, too, though the Buckeyes have holes to fill on the offensive line and in the defensive secondary that could again hold them back as they make the trek to Ann Arbor for their one-game season.
No. 4: LSU Tigers – 67 points
LSU has a veteran quarterback in Jayden Daniels, big-time talent out wide with Malik Nabers, a bruising tailback in Josh Williams, and a veteran offensive line to lead the way. On the other end of the field, Harold Perkins Jr. is the best edge rusher in America, and the transfer portal has helped to rebuild a defensive backfield that needed an infusion of talent. LSU will get an early test against Florida State, and may not feel the pressure again until a Nov. 4 matchup with Alabama.
No. 5: Florida State Seminoles – 64 points
Rounding out the top tier is Mike Norvell’s best Florida State team to date. The Seminoles bring back quite a few difference-makers from last season’s 11-2 squad, led by quarterback Jordan Travis, wideout Johnny Wilson, tailback Trey Benson, defensive end Jared Verse and tackle Fabien Lovett. But, they didn’t rest with that group, adding Michigan State wideout Keon Coleman, Western Michigan defensive tackle Braden Fiske, Virginia cornerback Fentrell Cypress II and quite a few others in a loaded transfer class that launches the Noles into the top five.
Tier 2 – Playoff Hopefuls
No. 6: USC Trojans – 58 points
If Florida State’s transfer class is the best in college football, USC’s isn’t far behind. Lincoln Riley bolstered the supporting cast around incumbent Heisman winner Caleb Williams, adding wideout Dorian Singer, halfback MarShawn Lloyd, defensive tackle Bear Alexander and quite a few other standouts. The question, though, is the same as always under Riley: Can they stop anyone on defense?
No. 7: Alabama Crimson Tide – 57 points
Nick Saban is often at his best when he looks to be down and out, and that may be the case again with this team – but it sure is hard to talk yourself into this Crimson Tide squad as a title contender. Alabama has to replace Bryce Young (and is without any good options to do so) and Will Anderson from an already lackluster (relative to expectations) 2022 group. There’s more than enough talent here to figure something out, but this feels like a transition year in Tuscaloosa.
No. 8: Penn State Nittany Lions – 56 points
Penn State is still running third in its division behind the Wolverines and Buckeyes, but there’s room for three top 10 teams in the Big Ten, and the Nittany Lions fit the billing – even if they aren’t likely to overcome the behemoths awaiting them on Oct. 21 and Nov. 11. Drew Allar adds a much-needed dimension to a talented offense, joined by do-it-all tailback Nicholas Singleton. The defense looks excellent too, as usual.
No. 9: Washington Huskies – 50 points
One of the most entertaining teams in college football a year ago, Washington’s 2023 squad looks quite a bit like the 11-2 bunch in Kalen DeBoer’s debut season. Michael Penix Jr. is back to lead the offense, joined by a tremendous receiving corps of Jalen McMillan, Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk. The Huskies have to find some new faces to rely on in the middle of their offensive line and the back seven of their defense, but this offense should be more than good enough to keep Washington firmly in Pac-12 contention.
Tier 3 – NY6 Hopefuls
No. 10: Utah Utes – 44 points
Staying in the Pac-12 for the second of three-straight picks, last year’s champions look every bit as physical and tough to beat as they did a season ago. Cameron Rising returns behind center (though he is recovering from a torn ACL), the defense is loaded with talent and the offense should have two all-conference-level skill players in tight end Brant Kuithe and tailback Ja’Quindon Jackson. A brutal stretch to open the season may ding the Utes early on, though they always get stronger in October and November, and this year should be no different.
No. 11: Oregon Ducks – 44 points
Oregon has a veteran quarterback (Bo Nix) and skill players (Bucky Irving, Troy Franklin, Kris Hutson) on offense, and plenty of talent on defense, led by Fresno State safety transfer Evan McWilliams, Iowa linebacker transfer Jestin Jacobs and South Carolina defensive end transfer Jordan Burch. It also has a new offensive coordinator, and last year’s defense left a lot to be desired. Can the Ducks build a serious contender, or are they again doomed to falter against the best teams on their schedule?
No. 12: Clemson Tigers – 41 points
The Cade Klubnik/Will Shipley partnership should be electric, but this is honestly a legacy ranking for Clemson more than anything else. The Tigers have a lot of talent to replace on defense, and the only thing guarding against continued regression is the addition of Garrett Riley to the coaching staff. Maybe he can get rid of the malaise that has afflicted this program of late, but he’ll need to find some receivers from a group without much to be excited about.
No. 13: Tennessee Volunteers – 39 points
If you like jingling keys, you’ll love Joe Milton in this Tennessee offense.
No. 14: Texas Longhorns – 37 points
Texas is set to enlist in the eternal battle this fall: Steve Sarkisian vs. winning more than nine games in a single season. He’s 0-for-9 so far (only once winning more than eight games, even). Maybe this is the year.
Or, more likely, it isn’t.
Tier 4 – The Manball Corner
No. 15: Wisconsin Badgers – 32 points
The marriage of Luke Fickell’s hard-nosed program with offensive coordinator Phil Longo doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but the Badgers are immediately the Big Ten West’s most talented team after hitting the portal hard heading into Fickell’s first season at the helm. If that offense clicks into competence with SMU transfer Tanner Mordecai behind center next to the excellent Braelon Allen, Wisconsin could be right back in the Big Ten title game.
No. 16: Notre Dame Fighting Irish – 30 points
Notre Dame is hoping Sam Hartman can fix up an uninspiring offense heading into Marcus Freeman’s second season at the helm – a bet that would have made a lot more sense had the Fighting Irish done literally anything to surround him with talent. The defense should again be solid, but this offense is too limited to expect all that much from Notre Dame.
No. 17: Oregon State Beavers – 30 points
Oregon State has some new pieces to fit into big roles as it looks to replicate the success of a 10-3 campaign last fall, namely Clemson transfer D.J. Uiagealelei behind center, but it’s hard to doubt this coaching staff. The Beavers develop talent as well as anyone in the country, and should be right back in Pac-12 contention as they return a talented defense to take on a favorable schedule that sees UCLA, Utah and Washington all come to town, with a season-ending trip to Oregon standing as the only real road test.
No. 18: Iowa Hawkeyes – 18 points
Any hopes of Iowa emerging as more than an eight-win team are obviously contingent on the development of a truly awful offense, though there is cause for optimism on that side of the ball. Cade McNamara is a capable quarterback, joined by fellow Michigan transfer Erick All at tight end, plus the excellent Luke Lachey and Ohio State wideout transfer Kaleb Brown. If the offensive line can hold up, and if Iowa is willing to take just a few more risks on offense, the defense should be able to lead the Hawkeyes to contention at the top of the West.
No. 19: Kansas State Wildcats – 17 points
There’s no replacing Deuce Vaughn or Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and that may ultimately hold Kansas State back from matching the 10-win conference title run of a season ago. In a wide-open Big 12, though, the Wildcats still look the part of a contender on the strength of returning quarterback Will Howard, several defensive stalwarts, and the very nice addition of Florida State tailback Treshaun Ward.
Tier 5 – G5 Leaders, Unbalanced P5 Teams
No. 20: UTSA Roadrunners – 16 points
UTSA loses Zakhari Franklin out wide, but Frank Harris is back behind center, joined by Kevorian Barnes at tailback and a still-excellent receiving corps of De’Corian Clark and Joshua Cephas. The offensive line is experienced and strong, the defense returns seven starters, and UTSA should immediately be considered a favorite to take over at the top of the AAC. If I was predicting the G5’s NY6 representative right now, it would be very hard to pick against Jeff Traylor’s boys.
No. 21: TCU Horned Frogs – 12 points
TCU was in the national championship game last year, so it has to be ranked somewhere. That’s the only possible justification for this, because this team is not good on paper. Maybe Sonny Dykes has some more magic in his back pocket.
No. 22: Tulane Green Wave – 11 points
Like Kansas State with Vaughn, it’s hard to see Tulane replacing what Tyjae Spears brought to this offense. The Green Wave have plenty to be excited about, returning Michael Pratt at quarterback, four offensive linemen and quite a few defensive playmakers, it’s just hard to see Willie Fritz engineering a repeat of last season’s title run without that team’s heart and soul.
No. 23: Ole Miss Rebels – 11 points
You know the deal with Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin’s offense has plenty of talent and will score in bunches. Pete Golding’s defense is Wet Ass. The Rebels are perpetually winning eight games.
No. 24: North Carolina Tar Heels – 10 points
Other websites will lie to you and tell you that Drake Maye is good enough to put North Carolina in the top 25. I’m not going to do this. He isn’t good enough to put North Carolina in the top 25. This team sucks major ass, and it would still suck major ass if Peyton Manning was back there playing quarterback.
Tier 6 – The unranked, and Oklahoma
No. 25: Oklahoma Sooners – 4 points
Somebody has to be ranked No. 25, and Brent Venables’ goofy ass gets the honor this time around. Oklahoma has approximately two good players and a head coach with terminal Clemson brain. No thanks.
Also Receiving Votes
Texas A&M Aggies – 4 points
UCLA Bruins – 3 points
Texas Tech Red Raiders, Troy Trojans – 2 points
Duke Blue Devils, Boise State Broncos – 1 point