2023 Top 25 Rankings

It is officially NOT too early to rank the top 25!

With the college football season right around the corner it’s time to talk about the Top 25 teams heading into the 2023 season. Will Georgia three-peat? Can Michigan take the big leap? Does the ACC have a legitimate contender? Find out here:

1. Georgia

Offense Returning Starters: 6
Defense Returning Starters: 6
Key Players: TE Brock Bowers, QB Carson Beck, RB Kendall Milton, WR Ladd McConkey, OT Amarius Mims, C Sedrick Van Pran, EDGE Mykel Williams, LB Smael Mondon Jr., CB Kamari Lassiter, S Javon Bullard, S Malaki Starks, S Tykee Smith

Is there a new top dawg in college football? It feels so after Georgia has won back-to-back National Championships. The Bulldogs are once again loaded (no duh they’re ranked No. 1) but they have to replace a ton of players too.

The offense brings back six players with starting experience (four on the offensive line) but they’ve lost some stars - Like QB Stetson Bennett. Thankfully, the Dawgs bring back TE Brock Bowers and QB Carson Beck has looked solid in limited play. Georgia might not put up a ton of points in 2023 but with their defense that shouldn’t be a problem.

The Georgia defense also lost a lot of talent (mostly to the NFL) but they reload even better than the offense does. Linebackers Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon are about to have breakout seasons now that they are taking on more reps and the secondary is the best in the country. Safeties Malaki Starks and Javon Bullard are two of the best in the SEC - maybe in all of college football.

Record Prediction: 12-0

2. Michigan

Offense Returning Starters: 6
Defense Returning Starters: 8
Key Players: QB J.J. McCarthy, RB Blake Corum, RB Donovan Edwards, LB Michael Barrett, CB Amorion Walker, CB Will Johnson, S Rod Moore

Jim Harbaugh went from the hot seat to two-time Big Ten Champion in just two seasons. Now the Wolverines enter as the Big Ten favorite and No. 2 team in the Nation. Michigan brings back 14 players with starting experience, including their starting quarterback and top running back duo in the country.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy is no longer a project with potential. The veteran quarterback is looking to lead the pack to the National Championship and he has the surrounding cast to do so. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards will make McCarthy’s job even easier this season and the duo could rush for 1,000 yards each behind an offensive line that could also be the best in the Nation. If Michigan can find targets in the passing game their offense will have no problem putting up points in balk once again.

Defensively the Wolverines lost some talent and don’t have many standout stars, yet. But, they return eight out of 11 positions with starting experience and the defense has been impressive, to say the least, over the past few seasons. The secondary could carry the defense with emerging players like Will Johnson, Amorion Walker and Rod Moore.

Record Prediction: 11-1

3. Ohio State

Offense Returning Starters: 7
Defense Returning Starters: 7
Key Players: RB TreVeyon Henderson, RB Miyan Williams, WR Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Emeka Egbuka, G Donovan Jackson, DE J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE Jack Sawyer, DL Michael Hall, LB Tommy Eichenberg, CB Denzel Burke, S Lathan Ransom

Ohio State comes in at No. 3 yet it feels like Ryan Day’s seat is warming in Columbus. After losing two in a row to Michigan the Buckeyes need a bounceback - despite being one of the best teams in the country over the last decade. As usual, the Buckeyes have to replace a ton of stars, but they have an impressive group coming up.

Losing QB CJ Stroud is going to be tough but Ohio State has recruited the position very well and former five-star Kyle McCord will get his shot to start in 2023. The Buckeyes have better weapons than just about everyone and the best weapon of all in Marvin Harrison Jr. Marvin Harrison Jr. is already a star and so is fellow receiver Emeka Egbuka - he just hasn’t received the same attention as Harrison. You’ll also notice Ohio State has two running backs listed on their key players and they are both 1,000 yard rusher candidates - especially with what Ohio State has returning on the offensive line.

Defensively Ohio State is as impressive as anyone. They have numerous All-Big Ten players sprinkled throughout at every level but specifically on the defensive line. Defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg were already first team All-Big Ten in 2022 and will most likely repeat in 2023. Defensive tackle Michael Hall, corner Denzel Burke and safety Lathan Ransom could also be All-Big Ten players in 2023.

Record Prediction: 10-2

4. Florida State

Offense Returning Starters: 7
Defense Returning Starters: 9
Key Players: QB Jordan Travis, RB Trey Benson, TE Jaheim Bell, EDGE Jared Verse, S Akeem Dent, CB Fentrell Cypress II

Maybe the first big surprise on the Top 25? FSU comes in ahead of teams like Alabama and Clemson but they have been building under head coach Mike Norvell. Norvell has been building and 2023 is the year to officially return to ACC power with 16 starters returning.

The most important returning starter is quarterback Jordan Travis. Travis led one of the most efficient offenses in the ACC and brings back a ton of talent with him. Running back Trey Benson should have a breakout season with more National exposure and 6-foot-7 receiver Johnny Wilson is just hard to miss - unless you’re trying to tackle him. For the first time in forever - FSU is loaded on offense.

The defense is no joke either with All-American edge rusher Jared Verse coming back to Tallahassee - along with EIGHT other starters. The defense hasn’t been too impressive under Mike Norvell but they may finally have the pieces in place to take the next step. One thing is for sure about their defense though - they will be able to get after the quarterback.

Record Prediction: 10-2

5. Alabama

Offense Returning Starters: 5
Defense Returning Starters: 5
Key Players: EDGE Dallas Turner, OT JC Latham, DL Damon Payne Jr, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, S Malachi Moore, WR Jermaine Burton, QB Jalen Milroe

Alabama at No. 5??? The Tide have lost a ton of talent and do not return the fire power we’re used to seeing in Tuscaloosa. Alabama must replace their Heisman winning quarterback, top running back, Heisman candidate pass rusher and other top players along the offensive line and secondary. Luckily, no one has reloaded like Alabama under Nick Saban and last time I checked he was still at Alabama.

Offensively the biggest question is going to be who is at quarterback? Jalen Milroe took most of the reps and appears to be the guy but he will be challenged into the fall by Ty Simpson and Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner. Milroe is going to be a little more Jalen Hurts than Bryce Young and has the ability to be a real threat on the ground - as we saw from him last year. The weapons around Milroe are reloading too and the Tide will have to find a new RB1 and also need a receiver to step up and lead the team in receptions - Jamyr Gibbs led the team with 44 catches last year.

Replacing Will Anderson might be impossible - or so you would think. Alabama has Dallas Turner that should be able to fill the shoes of Will Anderson and make a name for himself in 2023 - if he hasn’t done so already. Alabama also returns Kool-Aid McKinstry at corner and Malachi Moore at safety so the secondary should be as scary as usual but the linebackers will need to step up and find an alpha of the group this season. All in all, the Alabama defense is going to be just fine. We just haven’t seen some of their new players yet - which could also be said for their offense.

Record Prediction: 10-2