College football: Post-spring Top 25 projections for 2023 season

Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly reacts towards the fans after being defeated by the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly reacts towards the fans after being defeated by the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jase McClellan (2) runs the ball against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jase McClellan (2) runs the ball against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Before spring ball started, I had Alabama right up there with Georgia, battling for the top spot nationally, but I’m taking a bit of a step back with that early reaction.

Instead, the quarterback play for the Crimson Tide scared me a bit and I think they’ll be sitting somewhere around No. 4 heading into the season. They did add Tyler Buchner from Notre Dame, joining Tommy Rees, but he didn’t exactly look like a world-beater in the Irish spring game.

If Jalen Milroe nor Ty Simpson can secure the starting job and Buchner takes over, I’m not so sure the Crimson Tide will be in the best spot. He was a highly-touted recruit, so maybe he just needed a fresh start with Alabama. Not too hard to succeed there as a quarterback.

The Crimson Tide have the biggest question marks attached to them after spring ball, but talent alone puts them at No. 4.