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College Football Rankings 2022: Projected preseason AP Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

Sat., Jan. 1, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the 108th Rose Bowl Game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl.02 rosebowl
Sat., Jan. 1, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the 108th Rose Bowl Game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl.02 rosebowl /
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Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) celebrates his touchdown with teammates in the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) celebrates his touchdown with teammates in the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Dan Lanning took over for Mario Cristobal and his presence has already been felt on the recruiting circuit but he also landed Bo Nix to help replace Anthony Brown at quarterback. Many fans want Ty Thompson, but the quarterback battle will be good for the team. Lanning’s defensive mind will take full advantage of that incredibly talented defensive unit in Eugene as well.

I struggled to put USC here because I really don’t believe the Trojans are the No. 9 team in the country yet, but the media has adored everything that Lincoln Riley has done there so far. AP voters will be ready to declare the Trojans “back” due to the additions of Caleb Williams and Jordan Addison, and while I don’t think that’s quite the case, I do believe USC will be much better.

Is Notre Dame slightly overrated here? Of course, the Irish are overrated just about every year in the preseason, but Marcus Freeman’s hype is palpable. He has gotten his players to buy in in a short period of time after Brian Kelly’s sudden departure, but the quarterback situation is a huge question mark. He needs to figure that out and then this ranking will make more sense.

Has Jim Harbaugh turned the corner as a head coach? It’s hard to say because he hasn’t captured a ton of momentum this offseason after winning his first Big Ten title which may be due to his flirtation with the NFL. But Michigan does return just about everyone on offense but the defense has some big shoes to fill — Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. This team should still be pushing Ohio State for the Big Ten title.

Charlie Brewer transferred from Baylor to Utah prior to the 2021 season and everyone kind of expected him to break out, but he fizzled into the background and Cameron Rising took over at quarterback. That turned out to be the best thing that happened to the Utes as he led them to a Rose Bowl and he’s back in 2022 to lead them to a playoff. Utah is the early favorite to win the Pac-12 again.

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