It's the MAC. The Cowboys had some tight wins to begin last season but surged to a 12-2 mark, an appearance in the Big 12 title game and a comeback vs. Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Key starters expected to leave: WR Garrett Wilson, WR Chris Olave, G Thayer Munford, OT Nicholas Petit-Frere, DT Haskell Garrett, DE Tyreke Smith, CB Marcus Williamson, PK Noah Ruggles Key starters expected to leave: RB Abram Smith, CB Kalon Barnes, S Jalen Pitre, WR Tyquan Thornton, LB Terrel Bernard, S JT Woods, WR R.J. Sneed, CB Raleigh Texada, RB Trestan Ebner 2023 College Football Rankings 1 To 133:Offseason First Look Starters expected to return: 5 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams Outlook: The Aggies took a step back in 2021, which wasn't much of a surprise after they lost four starting offensive linemen and quarterback Haynes King broke his leg in the second game. But new coach Mario Cristobal will have some fun with QB Tyler Van Dyke and an improved defense. It wouldn't be a surprise, however, if Kiffin adds a more experienced passer through the transfer portal. Pac-12 college football rankings and predictions with the realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis - the 2022 spring version. To compete in the Big Ten West in 2022 . Key additions: LB Aaron Brule, DE Khris Bogle, LB Jacoby Windmon, RB Jalen Berger, CB Caleb Coley, DT Alex VanSumeren, RB Dillon Tatum, WR Antonio Gates Jr. Outlook: Mel Tucker is convinced he can build a national championship caliber program at Michigan State, and he took a big step toward credibility in his second season. But A&M didupset then-No. College football preseason rankings: Predicting the AP Top 25 Utah is likely the Pac-12's top playoff contender, but the Utes aren't on their own tier. Stroud and running back TreVeyon Henderson coming back, the offense should again be explosive, even with Wilson and Olave turning pro. Starters expected to return: 8 offense, 7 defense, 2 special teams 1, it would be the Tide's seventh time in the top spot to start under Nick Saban. A 2-2 start heading into a neutral-site affair with BYU would be quite worrisome for a team that'll likely begin inside the preseason's top 10. USC "won" the coaching carousel this cycle with its pickup of Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley, or at least it appears that way from the outside looking in. Alabama and Georgia had 10 players drafted each, joining the exclusive 27-team club of teams with at least 10 draft picks in a single NFL draft during the seven-round era. They beat three ranked foes and nearly took down two more. If Arkansas is able to beat Cincinnati at home in the opener, you're looking at a team whose expectations shoot through the roof nationally inside the top 15. section: | slug: college-football-playoff-rankings-prediction-ohio-state-takes-no-4-kansas-state-utah-surge-in-final-top-25 | sport: collegefootball | route: article_single.us | Three top receivers are departing, but the addition of Haselwood should give the passing game a boost. College Football Playoff Rankings prediction: USC moves to No. 4 2021 record: 10-3 2021 record: 9-3 (6-2 ACC) 2021 record: 12-2 (7-2 Big 12) Houston's "Third Ward" defense is what has fueled its resurgence under Dana Holgorsen, and the Cougars are fortunate coordinator Doug Belk is sticking around after drawing interest from a handful of Power 5 programs. ET on Saturday, Dec 3. 2021 record: 11-2 (7-2 Big Ten) Beal-Smith, the team's leading rusher, entered the transfer portal. Tim Warner/Getty Images, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and offensive lineman Olusegun Oluwatimi (55) warm-up ahead of the Maryland game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Attendance is based on the average per game over the last five years, followed up by % capacity, followed by the average home attendance for every school last season. Key additions: QB Max Johnson, QB Conner Weigman, DT Walter Nolen, DT Gabe Brownlow-Dindy, WR Evan Stewart. Kentucky (10-3, beat Iowa in the Citrus Bowl). This title is often reserved for Auburn given the Tigers' annual spells of highs and lows, but Florida under first-year coach Billy Napier will be one of college football's most intriguing teams to watch in 2022. But that's when things get interesting for the Sooners and the meat of the Big 12 slate begins away from home. the Tigers finished by winning their last six. Follow Phil Harrisonon Twitter. More on the Gators in just a bit. That's what happens when you're with Alabama. College football will crown its national champion next week and the morning after officially commences the offseason ahead of the 2022 campaign, which promises to be just as exciting as what we've witnessed over the past four months and change. Key additions: CB Eli Ricks, OT Tyler Booker, DE Jeremiah Alexander, WR Shazz Preston, RB Emmanuel Henderson, RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Ohio State (11-2, beat Utah in the Rose Bowl). CFP:College Football Playoff rankings release schedule. 6. Oregon (10-4, lost to Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl). Key starters expected to leave: OT Kenyon Green, DT DeMarvin Leal, RB Isaiah Spiller, TE Jalen Wydermyer, DL Jayden Peevy, DB Leon O'Neal Jr., DE Tyree Johnson, LB Aaron Hansford, DE Micheal Clemons The offense has the veterans to be a whole lot better. There are plenty of pieces coming back on offense, including quarterback Clayton Tune, RB Alton McCaskill and receiver Nathaniel Dell. 2021 record: 10-3 (6-2 ACC) USC transfer Jaxson Dart (orLuke Altmyer) should have a good time scoring points. They do lose some stars (Heisman finalist Kenny Pickett, WR star Jordan Addison), but USC's Kedon Slovis will take over at quarterback. Back against the wall, I'm a believer in Scott Frost. Ole Miss (10-3, lost Baylor in the Sugar Bowl). Outlook: The Wildcats narrowly missed out on possibly playing in a New Year's Six bowl game, but they still won 10 games in a season for only the second time since 1977. Key additions: QB Bo Nix, LB Devon Jackson, ATH Jalil Tucker, DE Gracen Halton, S Trejon Williams, LB Harrison Taggart, DB Christian Gonzalez, DT Sam Taimani. 2021 record: 11-2 (7-2 Big 12) Enter your information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners. The Spartans started 8-0 and were No. The Tigers lost their second game in a row to end the season. CollegeFootballNews.com Apr 10, 2022 ACC college football rankings and predictions with the realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis - the 2022 spring version. But the Irish should have the talent to compete for a CFP spot, thanks to an experienced defense and an offensive line that will be one of the nation's best. Here's 22 way-too-early predictions for the 2022 season that are bound to miss the mark or be surprisingly accurate when this is revisited around the holidays next season. The Hawkeyes need much more out of their passing game. Grade: A. This is NOT the actual 2022 final USA TODAY Coaches Poll - it's our prediction and projection of what it might be. Uiagalelei threw more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (nine) in his first full season as a starter, and he might be pushed by Klubnik, who is enrolling this month. It's not too unusual for Texas to start ranked even when coming off 5-, 6- or 7-win seasons. How top college football recruits do in the NFL draft 2022 CFN Preseason Ranking: 62 102 Georgia Southern (6-7) Final Regular Season Ranking: 92 2022 CFN Preseason Ranking: 117 Camellia Bowl: Buffalo 23, Georgia Southern 21 101 Georgia State (4-8) Final Regular Season Ranking: 94 2022 CFN Preseason Ranking: 95 CFN College Football Rankings: 2022 Final Top 100 100 Buffalo (7-6) Durkin to replace Elko. Outlook: The Bears completed a remarkable turnaround after going 2-7 in coach Dave Aranda's first season. The Utes should again be favored to win the Pac-12, even with star players such as Lloyd, Sewell and Covey departing for the NFL. 13. 23. Joseph, an All-American at Northwestern in 2020, has had nine interceptions the past two seasons. Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports, Oct .22, 2022; Clemson, South Carolina; Clemson Tigers quarterback D.J. The Aggies could end up being one of the top teams in the nation, but only second best in their division. The Sooners weren't taking a chance, however, and grabbed Gabriel, who threw for more than 8,000 yards with 70 touchdowns in three seasons at UCF. While neither the Buckeyes or Tide played this weekend, the CFP committee left the door open for Alabama's playoff hopes with his remarks saying, "That's not necessarily the case" when asked about Ohio State remaining in front of Alabama. The defense got a boost with junior end Isaiah Foskey deciding to return, along with fifth-year seniors Jayson Ademilola and Justin Ademilola. Key starters expected to leave: WR Jaquarii Roberson, RB Christian Beal-Smith, TE Brandon Chapman, DT Miles Fox, LB Luke Masterson, LB Traveon Redd, CB Ja'sir Taylor Apr 18, 2022 AAC college football rankings and predictions with the realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis - the 2022 spring version. After there was mounting pressure to fire Harbaugh following the 2020 season, he shook up his coaching staff, and the changes paid off. Key starters expected to leave: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, CB Mykael Wright, CB DJ James, QB Anthony Brown, WR Devon Williams, G George Moore, S Verone McKinley III QB Dillon Gabriel should be a strong performer, while new coach Brent Venables could spark noticeable defensive improvement. Loading up on wins early is extremely important for a group needing confidence. Outlook: The Utes' inspiring season ended with a disappointing 48-45 loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. 21. Help will also be needed on the perimeter, with Thornton and Sneed moving on. Find out where your favorite team is ranked in the AP Top 25, Coaches Poll, CBS Sports Rankings, or Playoff Rankings polls and rankings. Utah (10-4, lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl). Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports, Oct. 22, 2022; Knoxville; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Outlook: The Cowboys came within a few inches of winning the Big 12 title and possibly reaching the CFP, but instead settled for a 21-point comeback in their win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, which coach Mike Gundy called the biggest in the program's history. Iowa (10-4, lost to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl). Falling to the Bulldogs is not nearly as bad as the prior loss to Texas A&M. Mel Kiper reveals final 2023 NFL Mock Draft for Round 1 Outlook: It might have taken seven seasons, but Jim Harbaugh finally broke through what looked like a ceiling at his alma mater. The college football landscape is changingquickly in the name, image and likeness era and those with deep-pocketed boosters are set to cash in. There's still a lot to learn about NIL's impact on our game and we're still combing our way through the infancy of everything. We'll know the temperature on his future by midseason point after the Tigers have played three straight against LSU, Georgia and Ole Miss. The offensive guru and elite quarterback developer at the college level should bring excitement back to the Trojans and at least give the Pac-12 another nationally-relevant team not named Oregon or Utah in 2022. The Utes open the 2022 season at Florida and also play San Diego State in a nonconference game. Key additions: QB Dillon Gabriel, G McKade Mettauer, TE Daniel Parker Jr., RB Gavin Sawchuk, ATH Gentry Williams, LB Kobie McKenzie, WR Nicholas Anderson, DL Jonah La'ulu. Ivan Pace, the MAC DPOY at Miami (Ohio), and brother Deshawn will anchor the defense at linebacker. Outlook: Kirk Ferentz's football machine keeps chugging along, inch by inch, at a very Iowa-like speed. Predicting the next AP top 25 college football rankings 25. Well, those doubts have been answered. Key additions: DE Aaron Graves, S Xavier Nwankpa, DE Caden Crawford, RB Kaleb Johnson, RB Jaziun Patterson, OT Jack Dotzler. That could be frustrating a bit for a new-look Florida defense that will have already been beaten up in physical affairs with Utah and Kentucky to open. The Ducks hit the top 5 twice last year thanks to an upset of Ohio State. Former Florida and South Carolina coach Will Muschamp and inside linebackers coach Glenn Schumann will work as co-coordinators in 2022. Below is how we predict the AP Poll could look. These are the biggest stadiums in college football, Here are the final top 25 College Football Playoff rankings, Recapping conference championship weekend, College Football Playoff rankings release schedule, Michigan thinking big thoughts, Ohio State wondering about CFP hopes after The Game blowout, Georgia wins the 2023 CFP National Championship, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 2022 College Football Playoff rankings predictions for fourth release Get the latest FBS College Football game predictions, power and performance rankings, offensive and defensive rankings, and other useful statistics from VersusSportsSimulator.com. Starters expected to return: 6 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams Starters expected to return: 5 offense, 9 defense, 1 special teams Outlook: The Badgers recovered from a 1-3 start to produce a nine-win campaign, which ended with a 20-13 victory against Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl. If at least a handful decide to return, the Wildcats might push for 10 victories again. Grant DuBose, WR, Charlotte. Who won the spring transfer cycle? The Bulldogs are coming off their first national championship since 1980 and got there by solving the Alabama Problem (the Tide had won the last seven in the series, including the 2021 SEC Championship Game). College Football Playoff rankings predictions: What the final - NCAA We're guessing here peeking at the slate, but USC isn't going to play a nationally-ranked opponent until Utah in Week 7 and by then, the Trojans should be humming offensively in their first season with Riley on the sideline. The Trojans should have one of the more dramatic turnarounds this season under new coach Lincoln Riley. With C.J. The big picture: 29% of the five-star recruits drafted between 2015-2022 were first-round picks . After another wild weekend, there is sure to be another shakeup in the fourth release of the college football rankings. Good luck trying to figure out the Big 12 pecking order. 5 Ohio State. Sign up for the Buckeyes Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, Big Ten Tournament champs again! 1 Alabama last year. Oregon opens with Georgia, then takes on BYU in Week 3 prior to the Pac-12 opener at Washington State. Kansas is still likely going to be near the bottom, but it's better. They'll likely to be ranked in the top 25 again, only this time Wisconsin has a manageable schedule before going to Ohio State to close September. This would be UGA's fifth consecutive season starting in the top 5. Kirk Ferentz will have Iowa competing for another Big Ten West championship. As we get into the specifics and all the research coming out of spring football, here's a first-look spring version of the rankings and thoughts about every American Athletic Conference team. Oregon has finished under .500 only twice since 2000, the last dreadful season coming in 2016 under Mark Helfrich. Key additions: DE Mario Eugenio, CB Oliver Bridges, DT Derrick Shepard, QB J.Q. Historical data is from collegepollarchive.com. Backup quarterback Luke Altmyer was shaky in the Sugar Bowl, but it was the first extensive action of his career. Alabama Crimson Tide. As a first-year head coach, you're looking for any positivity you can get early and that's exactly what Brent Venables will find with the Sooners. Rebecca Warren-USA TODAY Sports, Oct. 29, 2022; College Station, Texas; Mississippi Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (4) celebrates with quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) after a touchdown run against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at Kyle Field. What can the Wolverines do for an encore? Oklahoma will be unbeaten heading to TCU the first weekend of October after an impressive opening month of the season with former UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel at quarterback putting up notable numbers in Jeff Lebby's familiar scheme. Starters expected to return: 6 offense, 5 defense, 0 special teams Starters expected to return: 8 offense, 10 defense, 1 special teams Quarterback Jaren Hall and four starting offensive linemen are returning. Key additions: S Tykee Smith, DB Malaki Starks, CB Jaheim Singletary, RB Branson Robinson, OLB Jalon Walker, CB Daylen Everette, QB Gunner Stockton. Alabama was ranked sixth in last week's CFP rankings. Key starters expected to leave: WR Kendric Pryor, WR Danny Davis III, TE Jake Ferguson, G Josh Seltzner, OT Logan Bruss, LB Leo Chenal, LB Jack Sanborn, S Scott Nelson, LB Noah Burks, CB Caesar Williams. 2021 record: 10-3 (5-3 SEC) Leading tacklers Chenal and Sanborn are moving on, along with four starters in the secondary. College Football rankings 2022: Preliminary 2023 top 25 rankings Starters expected to return: 7 offense, 6 defense, 1 special teams The following has been assumed: Michigan wins the Big Ten, Clemson wins the ACC. The 2022 season will be demanding, with a home opener against Notre Dame, Big Ten road games against Michigan State and Penn State and divisional crossover games versus Iowa and Wisconsin at home. However, to remain in the top 25, the defense will have to get better (allowed 30+ points per game). He has entered the transfer portal, although Williams said returning to OU remains an option. Key starters expected to leave: RB Kenneth Walker III, WR Jalen Nailor, C Matt Allen, OT Kevin Jarvis, DE Jacub Panasiuk, DE Drew Beesley, K Matt Coghlin If King is healthy, he'll battle LSU transfer Max Johnson and incoming freshman Weigman, the No. Another eye-opening non-conference win this season would mean beatingdefending champion Georgia. Key additions: WR Jordan Watkins, S Ladarius Tennison, LB Jaron Willis, DT Zxavian Harris, CB Nick Cull, OT Bryson Hurst, LB Reginald Hughes, RB Zach Evans. In other words, we're predicting preseason predictions. They're not going to last long once Marcus Freeman gets the ship headed in the right direction, butafter a season-opening loss to Ohio State puts the new Irish coach 0-2 to begin his tenure, questions will arise nationally surrounding his fit at Notre Dame. Rhyming aside, UCF should get a good bowl assignment. Streeter might look to get running backs Will Shipley and Kobe Pace and tight ends more involved in the passing game. With Mel Tucker and James Franklin both signing gargantuan deals at Michigan State and Penn State, respectively, it's only right for the Big Ten's second-winningest coach since his tenure began to receive a sizable bump in salary to where he's paid somewhere near or around the top five in his profession. 2022 preseason college football power rankings 1. Southern California is ranked fourth ahead of the final rankings. Lanning inherits a defense that loses Thibodeaux, potentially the No. The addition of Mettauer, who started 28 games at California, will help ease the losses in the interior offensive line. It'll be interesting to see how the Bruins play this and how the program moves forward with or without its current coach. Key starters expected to leave: G Keenan Murphy, C Kody Russey, OT Dennis Bardwell, CB/KR Marcus Jones, DT Logan Hall, DE David Anenih, LB Deontay Anderson, CB Damarion Williams, WR Jake Herslow Wesley Hitt/Getty Images, Lwal Uguak #96 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates after defeating the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Nov. 12, 2022, in Austin, Texas. They do not consider where teams are ranked when the games were played either in the CFP, AP Top 25, etc. The Razorbacks went 2-10 in both 2018 and 2019. Day hired Jim Knowles, who revamped Oklahoma State's defense the past two seasons, and Knowles will have his work cut out for him. HEISMAN:Everywinner andrunner-up since 1935|Collegeswith the most Heisman Trophy winners, 16. Thanks to some industry-shaking coaching moves and an overflowing transfer portal, this has been a wild offseason that shows no signs of slowing down. Three bad losses dumped the Hogs from the rankings, but two straight wins - and scoring a combined 93 points against BYU and Auburn . College football rankings: Predicting the AP top 25 poll for 10. Two starters will have to be replaced up front on offense, along with offensive line coach Joe Rudolph, who left for Virginia Tech. Even if Oregon falls in that one, the Ducks and Auburn transfer Bo Nix at quarterback, or one of the redshirt freshmen will be a Pac-12 favorite. OU could be the Big 12's highest-ranked team to start. Key starters expected to leave: RB Jaylen Warren, WR Tay Martin, G Josh Sills, LB Malcolm Rodriguez, LB Devin Harper, S Kolby Harvell-Peel Outlook: The Badgers recovered from a 1-3 start to produce a nine-win campaign, which ended with a 20-13 victory against Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl. Still, they scratched out seven victories, including wins over Florida, Auburn and a 38-21 rout of North Carolina in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. 2021 record: 4-8 (3-6 Pac-12) Here's 22 way-too-early predictions for the 2022 season that are bound to miss the mark or be surprisingly accurate when this is revisited around the holidays next season. With Hendon Hooker returning at quarterback, the Volunteers could have the SEC's second-best signal caller entering the season who anchors an offense that could be even better than this season's group that led the nation in plays per minute. The season ended with a thud, after they lost Corral to an injury and lost to Baylor in the Sugar Bowl. Enter your information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners. The SEC's 62 picks are a slight step down from consecutive record-setting years when it had 65 players selected in the NFL Draft across both 2021 and 2022. Whether he's the starter for the season opener remains to be seen, but Swinney knows his team will need to be more productive at the position to win the league title next fall. The defense will need a facelift -- Knowles left for Ohio State and leading tacklers Rodriguez and Harper departed. (The CFP does not have a way to measure "game control" -- I've seen the data the committee uses -- but let's not kid ourselves: They do talk about it.). Get the fastest scores, stats, news, LIVE videos, and more. The next step is for the run of ridiculously talented recruiting classes to lead to a more consistent run the Aggies lost to Mississippi State before beating Alabama and later lost two of their final three games. Please check your email for a confirmation. Quarterback D.J. 22. The Tigers have to play better on the offensive line and need playmakers to emerge at receiver. After failing to post a winning season in Year 1 on the Plains, Bryan Harsin must take positive strides in 2022 with the Tigers, or else. Quarterback Stetson Bennett is eligible to return for another season; he will probably battle JT Daniels and Brock Vandagriff for the starting job next season. 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Mel Kiper predicts where college football's top prospects will go. The receiver corps is in good hands with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Last week, the Utes added transfer Diabate, who was Florida's second-leading tackler last season. Hardaway, QB Luther Richesson. Sorry, Cincinnati. Key starters expected to leave: S Kyle Hamilton, RB Kyren Williams, G Cain Madden, QB Jack Coan, NG Kurt Hinish, DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, LB Drew White This time, however, he'll enter the season with national notoriety and voters will be keeping an eye on his production levels. Outlook: After winning 12 games for only the third time in school history, the Cougars will again be among the AAC favorites in 2022, if not the favorite. Below are the rankings from 1 to 133, welcoming in Jacksonville State and Sam Houston to the FBS party, and including James Madison who made its debut last year. What No. Starters expected to return: 8 offense, 6 defense, 1 special teams The Rebels returned to the polls after a handful of years away, with QB Matt Coral piloting an offense that had to deal with injuries. 2022: 130 2021: 56 2020: 57 2019: 74 2018: 48 College Football Rankings First Look: (2-10) Things can't - and won't - be worse after a disastrous 2022. What Kiper says: "He's going to be their . 22. While the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft was unique in the fact that the first and only quarterback wasn't taken until the 20th overall pick, three quarterbacks heard their names called on the 2023 NFL Draft's opening evening one that was filled with surprises.. Over at PFF's Live Draft Tracker, we analyzed every single pick in real time and gave a grade for each selection.