College Football Rankings: Early preseason top 25 for the 2022 season (2023)

A memorable football season ended with Georgia ousting Alabama to win a national championship for the first time since 1980. The Bulldogs and their fans had plenty of time to celebrate, but everyone else might already be thinking about the 2022 season.

Knowing that next season is still many months away, why not have fun? Things can and will change, but here's an early, E-A-R-L-Y look at the preseason college football rankings for the 2022 season. These rankings are mine and mine alone.

1. Alabama (13-2 in 2021, lost to Georgia in CFP title game)

Look, if you bring back what could be the top two players in the country (Heisman QB Bryce Young, potential Heisman nominee LB Will Anderson), led by the coach with the most titles, you start No. 1. All in all, the loss to Georgia in the national championship it's easier to make the right choice here. Anytime in Alabamadoes notWinning it all does it somehow because of.

Bragging Rights:College football team with the most national championships

2. Ohio State (11-2, defeated Utah in Rose Bowl)

The Buckeyes eventually lost a conference game under Ryan Day 23-1. Don't expect Ohio State to lose two games in a row to Michigan. OSU outlasted Utah in the Rose Bowl, with QB C.J. Stroud an obvious Heisman contender.Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be one of the hottest names of the season after his 347 receiving yards in the Rose Bowl. Still, the defense needs to improve after allowing 87 points in the past two games.

3. Georgia (14-1, CFP National Champion)

The Bulldogs eventually defeated 'Bama (and Nick Saban) to win their first title since 1980. The NFL will be heavy on the Bulldogs, but Kirby Smart and his staff are recruiting like crazy. DC Dan Lanning is also now the head coach at Oregon. If he stays and keeps his job, can the QB Stetson Bennett IV-led offense take on a bigger load if a young defense needs time?

4. Texas A&M (8-4, withdrew from the Gator Bowl due to COVID-19 positive cases and injuries)

Injuries slowed the Aggies in 2021, but A&M still made then-No. 1 Alabama a thriller. This season, D.J. Durkin assumes the role of DC and has to make sure strong defenses don't crash too much. But LSU transfer quarterback Max Johnson is in College Station now, and Jimbo Fisher's elite draft will make A&M a projected contender in the SEC West.

5. Notre Dame (11-2, lost to Oklahoma State in Fiesta Bowl)

The hype would have been even greater had the Irish survived Oklahoma State and ended their BCS/New Year's Six woes. But Marcus Freeman is still making quite a splash as he enters his first full season as Notre Dame manager. Northwestern DB Brandon Joseph (nine interceptions in the last two years) will work with DE Isaiah Foskey and LB Jayson Ademilola and others to form a strong defense. The biggest hurdle will be the schedule: Ohio State, BYU, Clemson and USC are all in it.

CFP RUNS:Team with the most wins and appearances in the College Football Playoffs

6. Utah (10-4, lost to Ohio State in Rose Bowl)

Losing the Rose Bowl like that hurt, but the Utes likely erased any doubt about their ability to compete on a big stage. QB Cameron Rising should lead a dangerous offense working with RB Tavion Thomas and his 21 rushing touchdowns. Some key contributors are gone, but the Utes enter 2022 as the clear Pac-12 favorites. Remember, Utah in 2019 was probably just one win away (Pac-12 title game) from making the playoffs.

7. Clemson (10-3, def. Iowa State i Cheez-It Bowl)

It says a lot about a program that winning 10 games and a bowl game is considered a disappointment. But it's clear times are changing at Clemson, at least on the sidelines. DC Brent Venables now leads Oklahoma and OC Tony Elliott is Virginia's new coach. The Tigers may be the ACC favorites -- they defeated eventual conference runner-up Wake Forest by 21 in a "bad year" -- but D.J. Uiagalelei keeping CadeKlubnik out of starting quarterback job?

8. Oklahoma State (12-2, def. Notre Dame i Fiesta Bowl)

The Cowboys were overlooked for most of the season before coming close to a CFP bid and losing to Baylor in the Big 12 championship. In this underdog approach, Mike Gundy's program is at its most dangerous. QB Spencer Sanders is back leading the offense, which should be better. But the Cowboys lost DCJim Knowles to Ohio State.

9. Michigan (12-2, lost to Georgia in College Football Playoff semifinals)

WolverinesFinallyhas cleared Ohio State's hurdle, but losses to Michigan State and a stunning loss to Georgia in the CFP semifinals show Michigan still has work to do. DC Mike Macdonald will miss Heisman runner-up DEAidan Hutchinson and LB David Ojabo - who wouldn't? On offense, we'll look at the expected quarterback battle between Cade McNamara and J.J. view. McCarthy.

10. Wake Forest (11-3, def. Rutgers i Gator Bowl)

Dave Clawson and the Deacons continue their winning streak, moving up to 8-0 in the standings and playing in the ACC Championship Game. With QB Sam Hartman trailing after passing for 4,228 yards and 39 touchdowns, Wake Forest should once again score plenty. The defense must improve - and it must. The biggest concern may be how deacons manage expectations. There is no more surprise for everyone.

11. Oregon (10-4, lost to Oklahoma in Alamo Bowl)

New DC Dan Lanning takes over after helping build a dominant Georgia defense. Auburn's Bo Nix is ​​coming to Eugene for a possible quarterback position, which should help ease the growing pains there. LB will lead Noah Sewell (114 total tackles) on defense. The Ducks open the season against defending champion Georgia.

12. Baylor (12-2, def. Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl)

Dave Aranda worked wonders in 2021 as the Bears upset Oklahoma State to win the Big 12 championship and then defeated Ole Miss to win the Sugar Bowl. An experienced offensive line will be strong, as will returning QBs Gerry Bohanon (27 total touchdowns) and Blake Shapen (three touchdowns in the Big 12 title game).

13. Pitt (11-3, lost to Michigan State in Peach Bowl)

QB Kenny Pickett finished third in Heisman voting, but the Panthers will replace him with USC transfer Kedon Slovis (7,576 career passing yards). He will surely love to throw against Jordan Addison, the Biletnikoff Award winner with his 1,593 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.

14. Michigan State (11-2, def. Pitt i Peach Bowl)

Suddenly, humiliating losses to Purdue and Ohio State hit them as they climbed into the top 3, but Mel Tucker and the Spartans regrouped and won their final two games. The biggest loss is RB Kenneth Walker III, who rushed for 1,636 yards and won the Doak Walker Award. More will likely be asked of QB Payton Thorne. Defensively, the Spartans will get better against the pass.

MORE PREDICTIONS:Four things to think about ahead of the season

15. NC State (9-3, Holiday Bowl vs. UCLA abgesagt)

COVID issues with UCLA kept NC State from increasing its official win total, but the Wolves look poised for a big 2022. QB Devin Leary (35 passing touchdowns) is protected by a strong offensive line. On defense, NC State will bring back nearly all of its notable players, including LB Payton Wilson, who was out most of the season with an injury.

16. Houston (12-2, def. Auburn ved Birmingham Bowl)

After Cincinnati controlled the AAC the past two seasons, Houston might think 2022 is the time to win the Americans. WR Nathaniel Dell (1,329 receiving yards) will again be QB Clayton Tune's favorite target, while RB Alton McCaskill had 16 scores last season. DCDoug Belk will have to work with some new faces at key points.

17. Arkansas (9-4, def. Penn State i Outback Bowl)

In just his second season, Sam Pittman had the Razorbacks back in the polls and winning bowl games. QBKJ Jefferson is back after passing for 2,676 yards and rushing for another 664 yards. Oklahoma transfer WR Jadon Haselwood is a nice addition. LB Bumper Pool will be back on defense. But Arkansas faces Cincinnati, Texas A&M and Alabama in three of the first five games.

18. Kentucky (10-3, def. Iowa i Citrus Bowl)

Mark Stoops and the Wildcats won double-digit games for the second time in four years, defeating rival Louisville and winning a bowl game along the way. QB Will Levis returns and will throw to transfer WR Tayvion Robinson while getting help on the ground from RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (1,379 yards). A very strong recruiting class also helps.

19. Iowa (10-4, lost to Kentucky in Citrus Bowl)

The Hawkeyes finished second in the polls with turnovers and strong defense before finishing the season 4-4. If Iowa is to return to the Big Ten title game and contend for more, a better offense will be needed, though DB Riley Moss and the rest of the defense will be strong again. Iowa averaged just over 300 yards per carry. game - opponents outgained the Hawkeyes by 25 yards per carry. match.

20. Oklahoma (11-2, def. Oregon ved Alamo Bowl)

The Sooners seemingly played in close games every week, but impressed in the bowl game. New manager Brent Venables has to deal with big changes to the squad, although UCF transfer QB Dillon Gabriel is now leading the way. But Oklahoma is Oklahoma - the Sooners want to contend for titles every year.

21. USC (4-8)

Thanks to new coach Lincoln Riley, the Trojans will be one of the most interesting sides to watch. Every year Oklahoma was in the playoffs, three times he made it. It is highly unlikely that USC will be able to do thisThegood in Year 1, but the Trojans were able to turn that record around and take an 8-4 lead. This ranking may change depending on the quarterback situation. The inclusion of Alex Grinch as DC will be helpful.

NO LOSS HERE:All undefeated national champions in college football

22. BYU (10-3, loss to UAB in Independence Bowl)

The Cougars defeated Pac-12 teams 5-0 to secure double-digit straight wins this season. BYU has one more season as an independent club before moving to the Big 12. It could be a big season if the Cougars can shine against a slate that includes Baylor, Oregon, Notre Dame, Arkansas and Stanford. The defense brings back a lot after a disappointing end to the season, while the offense should be impressive.

23. Wisconsin (9-4, def. Arizona State at Las Vegas Bowl)

The Badgers bounced back from a 3-1 start and nearly made it to the Big Ten title, losing to rival Minnesota in the regular-season finale. Wisconsin is unlikely to lead the nation again in passing defense (239.1 yards per game) not with LBs Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn gone. QB Graham Mertz must take the next step.

24. Tennessee (7-6, lost to Purdue in Music City Bowl)

Josh Heupel took the Vols from 3-7 to 7-6 and should have the program in tip-top shape for another step forward in 2022. QB Hendon Hooker (2,945 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, 3 interceptions) will have a great receiving group led by Cedric Tillman (1,081 receiving yards). If the defense improves, Tennessee will really be in the running.

25. Cincinnati (13-1, lost to Alabama in CFP semifinals)

As long as Luke Fickell is here on the sidelines, there's no point in writing off the Bearcats. But how can Cincinnati top 2021? The biggest loss is QB Desmond Ridder, and the stout defense will need some new leaders. Fortunately, the Bearcats should be strong on offense. As long as Fickell is here, it makes sense to trust Cincinnati when in doubt and expect them to challenge in the AAC.