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

By Connor Muldowney

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 28, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) carries the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the first half of the 2022 Holiday Bowl at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) carries the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the first half of the 2022 Holiday Bowl at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Yes, it’s weird to me, too, that Oregon State is in a preseason Top 25 projection article, but Jonathan Smith has done a remarkable job with the Beavers. The Beavers just won 10 games for the first time since 2006 and they bring in DJ Uiagalelei to take the offense to another level. The excitement is back in Corvallis.

Rocket Sanders and KJ Jefferson are both back and Isaiah Sategna looks poised to take over that WR1 role this season. Arkansas is being overlooked after a disappointing 7-6 season in 2022 but I think this team is going to push for 8-9 regular-season wins behind some veteran stars on offense.

Drake Maye returns at quarterback for Mack Brown and many believe he’s going to be a legitimate Heisman contender. If he has the year that people are expecting from him, North Carolina is going to contend for the ACC title with Clemson and Florida State and Brown will be one step closer to riding off into the sunset happily.

Kansas State shocked everyone last season and won the Big 12 title over TCU, shocking the Horned Frogs and ending their perfect season. Chris Klieman’s team should be back near the top of the conference again this season with Will Howard at quarterback and Treshaun Ward transferring in at running back.

Tulane has to be the favorite to represent the Group of Five in the New Year’s Six after an incredible 12-2 season in 2023 which concluded with a thrilling Cotton Bowl win over USC. Although some key pieces to that 12-win team have moved on, the Green Wave are arguably the most talented Group of Five squad in the nation.

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