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Way-too-early AP Top 25 projections for 2022 college football season

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Kris Hutson (14) catches a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half of the 2021 Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Kris Hutson (14) catches a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half of the 2021 Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports /

There aren’t a ton of services who have Ole Miss in their way-too-early preseason Top 25 projections for 2022 and that surprises me. Sure, Matt Corral might be gone, but this roster is impressive and Lane Kiffin is one of the best coaches in the country. Don’t be surprised if the Rebels are back in the New Year’s Six in 2022.

I’ll be the first to admit that I believe that Cincinnati might have too much to replace this offseason to truly be back in that playoff conversation, but the Bearcats broke some barriers this year with a 13-1 campaign. Luke Fickell is an elite coach and he’ll be back in the AAC title conversation even with the departure of Desmond Ridder.

Who thought they’d be seeing Mario Cristobal donning that famous “U” in 2022? Definitely not me, but Miami fans are happy to see him return to his alma mater, taking over for the disappointing Manny Diaz. He’s already forming an impressive 2022 recruiting class and the Hurricanes will be better coached in 2022 and they’ll have just as much talent as the rest of the SEC, if not more.

Cristobal’s departure was shocking following the Pac-12 title game loss to Utah, but the Ducks did a solid job of replacing him with national title-caliber defensive coordinator Dan Lanning from Georgia. He’s hired an excellent staff and the quarterback position will improve more than likely along with the offense as a whole. This team will contend for another Pac-12 title.

How much stock should be put into Penn State? I think it’s safe to rank the Nittany Lions in the Top 25 darn near every year based on talent alone, but I think that Sean Clifford’s return will help bridge the offense from his final year to Drew Allar eventually taking over under center — the five-star may even win the job this season. Penn State will have as much talent as any team in the Big Ten to rebound from a disappointing 7-6 campaign this year.

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