Preseason AP Poll Top 25 released for 2023 college football season

College football is oh-so-close and the AP Poll released its preseason top 25 rankings ahead of the 2023 season.

No. 1 should be no surprise as Georgia comes in as the top dog, pun fully intended. The Bulldogs won the last two national titles, have the talent to win a third and shouldn’t have too many challenges in the regular season, sans a few standouts.

Trailing Georgia are teams like Michigan, Ohio State and Alabama, which could easily make up this year’s playoff. But in a season that’s expected to get totally weird before realignment in 2024, expect a lot of top teams to give us one heck of a year. Below are the full top 25.

1. Georgia

It’s a matter of who the quarterback is because there is so much talent at Georgia. Carson Beck seems to be the guy to replace Stetson Bennett, but it’s not easy to step in for a campus legend.

Kirby Smart’s dominance is Nick Saban-like, so we’ll see if it continues. The biggest challenger in the SEC East has to be Tennessee. Otherwise, it’s the Bulldogs or the field.

2. Michigan

This might be the most talented Michigan team under Jim Harbuagh yet. Feels like we’ve said that the last two seasons. But a third straight Big Ten title and College Football Playoff appearance are there for the taking. It helps to have JJ McCarthy at quarterback plus Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum behind him. This might be a freight train that rolls right to the playoff.

3. Ohio State

Ohio State doesn’t have its quarterback battle settled yet, but Kyle McCord or Devin Brown should do just fine. That’s the benefit of this offense with some of the best weapons in college football.

Ryan Day has a history of coaching top notch quarterbacks. Justin Fields and CJ Stroud are great examples. With a bevy of offensive weapons like Marvin Harrison Jr. and defensive talent returning, this is a national championship roster.

4. Alabama

Here comes Alabama, regardless of who Nick Saban’s quarterback is. The program went with some changes in the offseason, bringing in Tommy Rees as the offensive coordinator and Kevin Steele as the DC.

The quarterback competition isn’t done yet, and it could be one of three guys, but Alabama regularly produces a lot of NFL talent. It could be a revenge tour type of season after missing out on the College Football Playoff.

5. LSU

Is Year 2 under Brian Kelly the year of immense success? The Tigers got to the SEC title game in 2022, but the College Football Playoff could be in their crosshairs.

Jayden Daniels at quarterback, Harold Perkins at linebacker and the ability to beat Alabama? Maybe LSU recaptures some 2019 magic. We’re not expecting a historic team, but one that contends for the playoff? Absolutely.

6. USC

USC ended its season in disappointment but Lincoln Riley goes into Year 2 with the program with a clear vision. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is back under center and the Trojans are the favorite in a loaded Pac-12.

Of course, whatever happens to the Pac-12 itself is anyone’s guess, but USC should make it quite fun in 2023 before moving to the Big Ten. Can Riley get this team to the playoff? And actually win in the postseason?

7. Penn State

Oh yeah, this is another loaded Big Ten team that happens to play in the same division as Michigan and Ohio State. Drew Allar takes over at quarterback with weapons like Nick Singleton there to help.

James Franklin won a Big Ten title before but it’s definitely a challenge to do so again. But hey, Penn State could shake up the apple cart and come out on top in a tough conference.

8. Florida State

Jordan Travis, Mike Norvell and a lot of Seminoles hype going into 2023. Can Florida State top Clemson for the ACC title?

Other than the 2021 season, Clemson pretty much ran this conference. But Florida State showed moxie last season and looks like a steadily improved program.

9. Clemson

It seems like we forgot about Clemson after last season on the field and off of it amid realignment. Cade Klubnik was hailed as the next great quarterback but had mixed results as a true freshman.

But no matter. Dabo Swinney and crew went through a full offseason of tweaking and tinkering and Clemson is definitely the favorite in the ACC, along with Florida State. We could easily see the Tigers back in the playoff.

10. Washington

Kalen Deboer has quite the program going into the 2023 season. With the Pac-12 on its last legs, Washington could be the winner when it’s all said and done.

Michael Penix Jr. returns at quarterback, giving the Huskies one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Washington’s made the playoff before, can it be its second appearance in the CFP?

Rest of AP Poll Top 25

11. Texas
12. Tennessee
13. Notre Dame
14. Utah
15. Oregon
16. Kansas State
17. TCU
18. Oregon State
19. Wisconsin
20. Oklahoma
21. North Carolina
22. Ole Miss
23. Texas A&M
24. Tulane
25. Iowa

Others receiving votes: Texas Tech 101, South Carolina 73, UCLA 66, UTSA 64, Arkansas 22, Boise St. 17, Pittsburgh 16, Kentucky 14, Louisville 10, Troy 10, Kansas 10, Auburn 7, Minnesota 6, Toledo 4, Duke 4, Mississippi St. 4, Florida 4, Illinois 3, Baylor 3, Coastal Carolina 3, South Alabama 1, NC State 1, James Madison 1, Liberty 1.

Will we get more of the same with a dominant champion from the SEC? Will the Big Ten finally win a national title for the first time since Ohio State in 2014?

Or can someone else take the title entirely? These are the questions that will be answered this fall. Don’t worry folks, just a couple of more weeks.