ESPN unveils 2022 college football preseason power rankings

A new season kicks off in two weeks but looking at the top of the college football rankings, it appears not much has changed since the end of last season. ESPN unveiled the 2022 preseason power rankings this week with a familiar cast of characters at the top.

The Alabama Crimson Tide, Ohio State Buckeyes, Georgia Bulldogs and Clemson Tigers look as powerful as ever despite an offseason of changes. Last season, Alabama defeated Georgia in the SEC Championship Game to earn the No. 1 seed in the CFP while the Bulldogs fell to No. 3. Michigan earned the No. 2 seed, while Cincinnati made history at No. 4. Georgia emerged victorious, breaking a 40-year national title drought behind former walk-on quarterback Stetson Bennett.

After those powerhouses, there seems to be a general consensus about the teams chasing a top-five billing. The ESPN power rankings, AP voters and league’s coaches all have the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at No. 5 despite the exit of long-time head coach Brian Kelly. The Oklahoma Sooners are in a similar position, with analysts predicting little, if any, drop off between Lincoln Riley to Brent Venables in Norman.

With Week One games providing a host of opportunities for top-25 upsets, ESPN’s power rankings could look very different come Sept. 5. ESPN’s rankings combined the results from 48 ESPN college football experts’ own top-25s, leading to a consensus list.

Here are the 2022 college football preseason power rankings.

ESPN Preseason Power Rankings

1. Alabama 
2. Ohio State 
3. Georgia 
4. Clemson
5. Notre Dame
6. Utah
7. Texas A&M
8. Michigan
9. Oklahoma
10. Baylor
11. NC State
12. USC
13. Oregon
14. Oklahoma State
15. Michigan State
16. Miami
17. Arkansas
18. Wisconsin
19. Pittsburgh
20. Ole Miss
21. Cincinnati
22. Kentucky
23. Texas
24. Houston
25. BYU

The SEC leads the way with six teams included in the preseason power rankings. The ACC has four, as do the Big Ten and Big 12. The Pac-12 trails with three, meanwhile two G5 teams made the list, as well as two independents.