I re-ranked my post-spring practice Top 25. The numbers in parentheses represent movement up or down (NC = No Change, NR = Not Ranked). As you will see, I had a significant change of opinion on Michigan, Ole Miss and Kentucky.
1. Alabama (NC) – Same as it ever was.
2. Ohio State (NC) – Best offense in college football in terms of personnel. They’ll go as far as the defense takes them.
3. Georgia (NC) – Defending national champs have a lot to replace, especially on defense, but a deep pool of talent from which to do it.
4. Texas A&M (NC) – It’s time for four-straight Top 10 recruiting classes, including #1 in 2022, to start paying dividends.
5. Clemson (NC) – An important season if they are to remain among the elite. Quarterbacking is key.
6. Oklahoma (NC) – Can a new coaching staff overcome significant roster turnover? The pieces are there for a great season, but it could go either way.
7. Utah (NC) – A model of consistency as a good team, they broke through in ‘21. Can they take the next step with 14 returning starters?
8. Michigan (+6)- Two new coordinators plus defensive stars to replace. The offense should be excellent.
9. Michigan State (NC) – Hit gold in the transfer portal in ‘21. They’ll need the portal to come through again to repeat that level of success.
10. Notre Dame (-2) – About as much stability as you could expect following a head coaching change. Still have to replace some key pieces, plus tough preseason losses at WR.
11. BYU (NC) – Lots of returning production from a 10-win team and a schedule that could earn enough respect to be in the CFP conversation…IF they go 12-0.
12. Baylor (NC) – One of 2021’s great stories, they’ll have to fill some holes from departures on what was a Top 10 defense, not to mention a new QB1 and RB1.
13. NC State (+4)- One of the top QBs in the country and a loaded defense have expectations sky high.
14. Oklahoma State (-1)- Another Top 10 defense that has even more departures to replace. They must get more consistent quarterbacking too.
15. Ole Miss (-5)- The self-proclaimed “Portal King” will have to rely on as many as a dozen transfers, plus two new coordinators, to keep the momentum rolling.
16. Kentucky (NR)- A team built to run the ball and play defense now has a potential 1st Round NFL QB. Could be the school’s best team ever.
17. Tennessee (-2) – They never let last year’s offseason turmoil become an excuse on the way to 7 wins in ‘21. More stability this offseason raises expectations.
18. Iowa (NC) – One of the nation’s best defenses in ‘21 could be even better this season. They must get more out of what was an anemic offense.
19. Miami (-3) – Will The U finally be back? They have some solid offensive talent, and a future pro at QB1. The defense is a question mark.
20. Oregon (-1) – A new coaching staff inherits a talented roster, but inexperience at the offensive skill positions leaves questions.
21. Arkansas (-1) – Another one of ‘21’s big surprises returns a lot of offensive talent, but must replace 8 defensive starters.
22. USC (NC) – If the OL can stay healthy, they’ll have an elite offense. They’ll need it, because the defense looks iffy at best.
23. Wisconsin (+1) – The RB and OL look excellent, as always. But they must get more consistency from the QB. They’ll need several new faces on defense to step up too.
24. Houston (-1) – A tough loss of RB1 to an ACL tear in the spring is a setback, but the talent is still there to win the AAC.
25. Pitt (NR) – While the losses for the ‘21 ACC champs get all the attention, especially QB1 and WR1, what they return is too good to ignore.
Dropped Out: Wake Forest, Cincinnati
College Football Analyst
Mike is a Baltimore native living in Portland, OR since 2007. He currently runs his own business specializing in video production and online marketing. Prior to that he was a legal technology consultant, worked for 9 years at Johns Hopkins University and served 6 years in the Air Force. He also enjoys travel, food, beer, and is a volunteer at the Oregon Humane Society.