Saturday Blitz
Fansided

College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2023

By Connor Muldowney

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Adonai Mitchell #5 congratulates Arian Smith #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs on his touchdown catch during a game between Ohio State Buckeyes and Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Adonai Mitchell #5 congratulates Arian Smith #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs on his touchdown catch during a game between Ohio State Buckeyes and Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 14
Next
Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) runs with the ball during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) runs with the ball during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /

Although Tyjae Spears is gone, Michael Pratt announced that he’d be returning at quarterback for the Group of Five’s top team in 2023. I still think the Green Wave are the team to beat in the AAC, especially with Luke Fickell leaving Cincinnati, and Willie Fritz is on repeat watch.

I may be in the minority in thinking that Arkansas will be one of the better teams in the SEC next year after struggling in 2022, but getting KJ Jefferson and Rocket Sanders back definitely won’t hurt. Arkansas was one of the more disappointing teams this season, but I like what the Razorbacks have returning in 2023.

Kansas State just won the Big 12 by beating the national runner up and although Alabama ripped the Wildcats apart in the Sugar Bowl, Chris Klieman has proven to be one of the best coaches in the country and will have this team back and better than ever in 2023. Do I think the Wildcats will repeat? Not necessarily, but Klieman will have them contending every year.

People might overlook UCLA now that Dorian Thompson-Robinson is gone, but Chip Kelly has this program all the way back. The Bruins will be right up there in a loaded Pac-12 next season and they’ll be able to hang with, and beat, anyone on any given night. Plus, they have five-star quarterback Dante Moore coming in.

I considered moving Notre Dame up just slightly in these rankings because it landed Sam Hartman in the transfer portal, but I’m not sold that Tyler Buchner should be the backup after a really solid bowl performance. Either way, the Irish will be improved at quarterback and they’re bringing in the No. 8 recruiting class.

Home/College Football Rankings