1. Georgia Bulldogs

Projected Record: 13-0

I mean what can I say… this defense returns almost everybody and is going to be insanely good again. Sure you can nitpick and question edge rusher and the second cornerback spot, but the Bulldogs are still elite. On offense, Carson Beck will step in for Stetson Bennett. While they aren’t unbeatable and have a few question marks, the Bulldogs have way less questions than other teams in the nation.

2. Penn State Nittany Lions

Projected Record: 12-1

I am buying the hype as this is Coach James Franklin’s most talented team. On offense, I trust this offensive line to open up holes for one of the most talented running back duos in the country, Nic Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Quarterback Drew Allar ceiling is off the charts and where this team’s ceiling is dependent on him. Defensively, they are loaded with athleticism with 4 players making Bruce Feldman’s “Freak List”. One of those players who didn’t make the list is cornerback Kalen King… a potential first round pick. I put Penn State up there with Ohio State and Michigan even if the betting market doesn’t. Go ahead and sprinkle a little on Penn State +550 to win the Big Ten.

3. Michigan Wolverines

Projected Record: 10-2

Michigan made it to the playoff the last two years, but have fell flat when they get there. The offense will be good again, but it depends on if quarterback JJ McCarthy can take a step forward or if his ceiling is capped. The defense is where this group shines as they were a top ten unit last year and should be even better. this year The Wolverines are led by Kris Jenkins up front and Will Johnson as one of the best young corners in the secondary. Michigan is a legitimate contender for a playoff spot again.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

Projected Record: 11-2

This is another talented Alabama team, but it has the biggest quarterback question since the start of the 2016 season where Jalen Hurts, Blake Barnett, and Cooper Bateman battled it out. What doesn’t add to the optimism is Alabama adding Notre Dame’s Tyler Buchner to the mix after both Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson failed to win the job. I still believe the starter will be Milroe or Simpson. The rest of the offense is stellar with a really good offensive line, talented running back room and deep receiving group.

The defensive talent is undeniable. Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell will lead the pressure off the edge with 5-star true freshman Keon Keeley waiting right behind him. One of the best players on the defense will be another 5-star freshman, safety Caleb Downs and also the best corner in the country Kool-Aid McKinstry. Overall, the quarterback question keeps them out of the elite group (Georgia)… but if Saban has a quarterback emerge from medicority, the Tide are a National title contender.

5. LSU Tigers

Projected Record: 10-2

LSU’s offense will be solid as they return most of their offensive line and have a top 5 receiving group in the country. While I think Jayden Daniels has a ceiling, he proved last year to be an efficient player. The defensive line is the strength with Mekhi Wingo and Maason Smith. Add in Harold Perkins and Oregon State transfer, Omar Speights, the Tigers will be fine in the front seven. However, people are glancing over the depth at corner behind transfer starters Duce Chesnut (Syracuse) and Zy Alexander (Southern). LSU could win the SEC West again.

6. Ohio State Buckeyes

Projected Record: 10-2

Ohio State can’t lose three times in a row to Michigan right? There are legitimate questions with this team though: (1) They haven’t named a starter at quarterback between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown. (2) The offensive tackles were not impressive in the spring and the Buckeyes were forced to go to the transfer portal to pick up Josh Simmons from San Diego State to start. (3) They lost 4 of their top 6 defensive backs from last year and had to replace those guys via the portal. However, outside of those three questions this team has the best receiving group in the country and some real difference makers on defense. I just see those questions leading to 1-2 losses this year.

7. Texas Longhorns

Projected Record: 11-2

I know. I know. “You can’t trust Texas.” But I can’t find a football reason not to trust this team. Offensively, I like Quinn Ewers’ potential, the running back room is fine, they bring back everyone back to what will be the best offensive line in the Big 12, and the wide receiver room is legitimately a top 3 unit in the nation with Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell (Georgia transfer), Isaiah Neyor, Jordan Whittington, and Five-Star Freshman Johntay Cook. On defense, the Longhorns return many of their key starters that finished 1st in the Big 12 in points per game. Texas is by far the favorite to win the Big 12… which would be their first since 2009.

8. USC Trojans

Projected Record: 11-2

There is no secret USC is led by their offense. It will even be better in 2023 with Caleb Williams getting South Carolina’s top running back, Marshawn Lloyd, and Arizona’s top wide receiver, Dorian Singer. The defense remains the question. It should be slightly improved after continuing to add via the transfer portal with potential breakout defensive linemen Bear Alexander and Anthony Lucas. This is a team with College Football Playoff potential because of their offense, but it all will be determined how much their defense holds them back.

9. Clemson Tigers

Projected Record: 11-2

Clemson is revamping their offense with new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. Cade Klubnik takes over at quarterback and if they find a wide receiver to step up, this offense should be much improved. On defense, there will be also improvement with Tyler Davis and Peter Woods on the interior defensive line and returning the entire secondary. Clemson is the team to beat in the ACC, not Florida State.

10. Florida State Seminoles

Projected Record: 9-4

Florida State hit the transfer portal hard and strengthened their wide receiving room (Keon Coleman -MSU), tight end room and defensive line. Add in expereinced players Jordan Travis, Trey Benson, and Jared Verse… this is a very good team ready to make the jump. Now is that a jump to ACC champs remains the question.

11. Tennessee Volunteers

Projected Record: 10-2

Out goes Hendon Hooker, in comes Joe Milton at quarterback. The offense is set up for success with the skill position players, Josh Heupel’s offense, and new left transfer left tackle John Campbell Jr. The defense returns almost everyone, but are there any standouts? Can the Vols get a pass rush? I’d expect a slight improvement to the defense and another solid season for Tennessee.

12. Washington Huskies

Projected Record: 10-3

Overall, Washington finished 11-2 last year and had a top 15 offense. Expect them to be really good again with all three talented wide receivers back, two very good offensive tackles, and a solid quarterback – Michael Penix Jr. Defensively, I expect them to also be a strong unit after bringing back their entire defensive line and adding Oklahoma State transfer corner Jabbar Muhammad. This is a dark horse candidate to win the entire Pac-12.

13. Utah Utes

Projected Record: 10-2

Utah is a tough team that is led by their players on the line of scrimmage. While they don’t have the playmakers at the skill position of a Oregon or USC, the Utes have a solid overall team and one of the best home-field advantages in college football. Add in a good veteran quarterback with Cam Rising… they will have another solid year.

14. Oregon Ducks

Projected Record: 10-2

I really like Oregon’s skill guys and Bo Nix is a very good Pac-12 quarterback. Losing four starting offensive lineman hurts though. The Ducks are also faced with improving their secondary which wasn’t very good last year. But it just might happen with the transfers the Ducks brought in. Oregon will be a tough out for many in the Pac-12.

15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Projected Record: 9-3

This is a very strong team that will rely on a solid defense and experienced offensive line. Oh and transfer quarterback Sam Hartman helps. The Fighting Irish will make a massive jump from last year’s offensive performance and be a top 15 team in the country.

16. Texas A&M Aggies

Projected Record: 9-3

Connor Weigman enters season two and he showed some glimpses of being a pretty good quarterback. Plenty of help is in the wide receiver room with upcoming star Evan Stewart, Noah Thomas, and seniors Moose Muhammad II and Ainias Smith. The offensive line was just alright last year, but they return almost everyone. Defensively, A&M will take a step forward with so many returning starters. McKinley Jackson and Walter Nolen will lead the interior defensive line, but they will need an edge rusher to step up. Overall, this is a very good team with a high ceiling and a low floor, like we saw in last year’s 5-7 season. The floor will end the Jimbo train quicker than a motorcycle accident, if the offense doesn’t get it together under Bobby Petrino.

17. Iowa Hawkeyes

Projected Record: 10-3

Iowa finished 120th in offense and in the top five on defense. This led to OC Brian Ferenz’s contract restructuring where if Iowa does not score 25 points per game this year, he will be fired. Let the chase to 300 begin (12 games x 25 points = 300 total points). This should be easy with new quarterback Cade McNamara and four returning starters at offensive line. The defense will also be just as good. This should absolutely be Iowa’s year to win the west.

18. Wisconsin Badgers

Projected Record: 10-2

The Luke Fickell era starts in Madison. Add in Phil Longo’s new “Dairy Raid” offense and this should be fun. The Badgers’ offense will be fast pace and led by running back Braelon Allen. But I’m not sure they have the playmakers on the outside to be one of the top scoring teams in the Big Ten. Luckily, the defense can lead this team as the unit remains solid with plenty of returning starters. Expect a big year for the Badgers in year one of Fickell.

19. Kansas State Wildcats

Projected Record: 9-4

Kansas State’s offense could be better than last year with the entire offensive line back and returning quarterback Will Howard. I say that even with losing their best player, Deuce Vaughn. Defensively, I think the front is strong, but they lack some size on the interior of the defensive line. If they get the FCS transfer corners to step up (big question) this will be a dangerous team in the Big 12.

20. Oklahoma Sooners

Projected Record: 9-3

2022 was more than disappointing for Oklahoma, finishing with a losing record and 3-6 in conference play. However, the offense was pretty good when Dillon Gabriel was healthy. He returns, and even though I have no idea who will step up in their receiving room and take over the #1 position left by Marvin Mims, the offense will be fine with OC Jeff Lebby. The offensive line also lost a few starters, but I see them being set at the tackle position with Tyler Guyton at Right Tackle and the Stanford transfer Walter Rouse at Left Tackle. Defense is the unit that needs to improve if the Sooners want to finish in the top of the Big 12. With the amount of talent Oklahoma has returning, the transfers they acquired in the portal, and Venables defensive mind… I trust there will be a jump. Overall, I project the Sooners to finish in the top quarter of the division, but making the Big 12 championship? I don’t know if I am buying it. The easy schedule gets them to 9 wins.

21. TCU Horned Frogs

Projected Record: 8-4

Sonny Dykes returns for season number two after a dream season where TCU beat Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl and nothing else happened after that. While the Horned Frogs did lose quite a few players to the NFL draft, they lessened the impact with transfers. Chandler Morris will also be starting at QB after winning the QB battle for the second year in a row (Max Duggan took over due to injury). I’m still not in love with the running back room with Emani Bailey at starter and Trey Sanders taking 2nd team reps. But the receiver room is deep/intriguing with transfers John Paul-Richardson, Jojo Earle Jack Bech, Jaylon Robinson, and Dylan Wright. Savion Williams also returns to this receiving room. Damonic Williams is the star at the defensive line at nose tackle, but as for the other defensive line starters?? Huge concern. The strength of this TCU defense will be on the back end with solid starting corners Josh Newton and Avery Helm and returning safeties Bud Clark and Mark Perry. Overall, I expect more of a regression to the mean with a solid 8-4 season.

22. North Carolina Tar Heels

Projected Record: 8-4

North Carolina can be summed up as having a very good offense (would be better if Tez Walker received a transfer clearance) and below average defense. However, the defense should improve with everyone in the front seven that played 200 snaps being back. Drake Maye can carry this team to eight wins.

23. Ole Miss Rebels

Projected Record: 8-4

I could go in depth on every transfer Lane Kiffin took and every single one that left. But I know for a fact you would not sit here and read all that. So we will keep it simple: I like Jaxson Dart and I trust the direction of this offense with Quinshon Judkins at running back. But the defense is a total question mark with transfers all over the place (watch out for Five-Star freshman LB Suntarine Perkins though). Just like Lane, the defense makes this team a total wildcard. I’m going on the positive side with an 8-4 prediction, which tracks with history as Lane Kiffin hasn’t won less than 8 games in a full season during his time with the Rebels.

24. Oregon State Beavers

Projected Record: 8-4

What an incredible job Johnathan Smith has done turning around this Oregon State program. The question going into 2023 is their quarterback situation. Will DJ Uiagalelei play to his recruiting ranking or like he did in his last season at Clemson? While Oregon State is confident in their wide receivers, I’m a little hesitant. This is all sounding negative, but I expect Oregon State to be really good again because of their offensive line and defense. However, there is a dam on how high the Beavers can climb.

25. Kentucky Wildcats

Projected Record: 7-5

Last year’s offense was absolutely atrocious. This is a new season though where there is a lot to believe in offensively: Liam Cohen coming back at OC, Devin Leary coming in at QB, RB Ray Davis transferring from Vandy, a dangerous, young receiving tandem, and a retooled offensive line with a legit LT in Marques Cox. Defensively the Cats were fantastic last year, but expect a step back. Especially with the corners being transfer dependent (JQ Hardaway and Jantzen Dunn). The offensive improvement will be enough to get this team to 7 wins.