PFF releases College Football Top 25 Power Rankings ahead of Week 0

Pro Football Focus have released their Top 25 college football rankings ahead of Week 0.

Some of the top teams in the country will be in action for the first taste of college football’s 2023 campaign. Starting things off are none other than Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who are traveling to Ireland to take on the Navy Midshipmen in what should be an emotional affair.

Later in the day, another College Football Playoff hopeful will be in action in the USC Trojans. Caleb Williams is the reigning Heisman winner, and he’ll hope to start his back-to-back campaign with a victory over San Jose State.

Additionally, some other fascinating games are on the docket, like Hawai’i at Vanderbilt and Ohio at San Diego State. It’s the perfect appetizer for a full slate of games coming Week 1.

It’s going to be awesome to watch these squads take the field for what’s one of the more unpredictable seasons in recent memory. Change is on the horizon, but before all of that, here’s PFF’s Top 25 ahead of Week 0.

1) Georgia Bulldogs

It could be no one else at the top of the food chain entering 2023. However, Georgia has plenty of questions marks as they look to win their third straight national title, even though they’re the top team entering the season.

Namely, their quarterback position remains a mystery. After the steady hand of Stetson Bennett led Georgia to back-to-back national titles, it’ll be Carson Beck leading the way in Athens. Even with Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs defense still being stout as ever, Beck will have to come up big.

2) Alabama Crimson Tide

Many might be surprised to see the Crimson Tide at No. 2 in PFF’s rankings, imagine writing that sentence just a couple of seasons ago. However, it makes sense entering 2023, as Alabama has plenty of questions marks of their own entering a new campaign.

Yes, Nick Saban’s team is supremely motivated, but they need to find their quarterback. Bryce Young is gone, and it’s either going to be Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson or Tyler Buchner leading the charge. One of them will be tasked with leading a resurgence, and Saban isn’t showing his cards.

3) Michigan Wolverines

Michigan has completed some of their biggest goals over the last two seasons. They’ve defeated Ohio State, won the Big Ten and made it to the College Football Playoff. However, that’s where it’s stopped for the Wolverines.

They haven’t been able to advance to the national title game, despite having golden opportunities to do so. Jim Harbaugh earned himself some favor with fans for Michigan’s recent success, but with talented quarterback JJ McCarthy leading the charge, the Wolverines want more in 2023.

4) Ohio State Buckeyes

Last season, Ohio State snuck into the College Football Playoff, and came within a field goal of sending Georgia home. That’s sticking in their craw as they enter 2023, and like the Bulldogs, they have questions at quarterback that may drag them down.

However, Ryan Day‘s bunch has an ace up their sleeve in wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who could be the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. All they need is someone to get him the ball, and the Buckeyes are in business again.

5) Texas Longhorns

Texas will be leaving the Big 12 after the 2023 season. What better way to show you’re prepared for the SEC than proving you’re the top dog in your old conference? That’ll be the Longhorns’ challenge.

They have the talent, like quarterback Quinn Ewers, and they have the coaching with Steve Sarkisian leading the charge. We’ve seen Texas falter when they’ve been expected to rise before, so there’s some hesitation, but it’s up to the Longhorns to prove their doubters wrong in 2023.

6) Clemson Tigers

Dabo Swinney once again has a top tier quarterback prospect who’s ready to explode. Cade Klubnik is looking to leas Clemson out of the darkness and into the light in 2023.

If the Tigers can get past Florida State, they could be the top team in the ACC once agin. Swinney is missing the thrill of the College Football Playoff, but a return could be imminent for the Tigers.

7) Penn State Nittany Lions

James Franklin and Penn State are looking to break through the glass ceiling. With star recruit Drew Allar quarterbacking their team, 2023 could be the time for the Nittany Lions. 

With questions marks surrounding Ohio State, Michigan could be the biggest obstacle in Penn State’s way. They’ve been knocking on the door for many seasons now, but the Nittany Lions are ready to enter a new standard.

8) Tennessee Volunteers

Hendon Hooker is on to the NFL, but many believe Joe Milton can continue to lead the resurgence of the Volunteers in 2023. Josh Heupel has proven he’s a mastermind on offense, and is without a shadow of a doubt the right guy to lead Tennessee.

However, there are question marks regarding if Tennessee’s 2022 was a fluke, or if they can continue to ascend to become one of the best teams in the SEC. Teams like Georgia and Alabama have proven it takes a lot more than one good season, and that’ll be the Vols’ task in 2023.

9) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

It was a bumpy start for Marcus Freeman’s tenure at Notre Dame, but the Fighting Irish figured it out as the season went on. After reeling in one of the transfer portal’s biggest fishes in quarterback Sam Hartman, the Irish are ready to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Of course, that’s easier said than done, as we’ve learned over the last couple of seasons. Is Freeman ready for the grind? We’ll find out this weekend.

10) LSU Tigers

Last season, Brian Kelly and LSU shocked the college football world. Many expected their 2022 to be a disaster, and they beat Alabama and made it all the way to the SEC title game against Georgia.

Now, with quarterback Jayden Daniels returning to the fold, expectations are being raised. The element of surprise is no longer on their side, but Kelly’s proven not to need it in the past.

PFF Top 25: 11-25

11-T) USC Trojans
11-T) Oregon Ducks
11-T) Oklahoma Sooners
14) Utah Utes
15) TCU Horned Frogs
16) Florida State Seminoles
17) Kansas State Wildcats
18-T) Arkansas Razorbacks
18-T) Kentucky Wildcats
20) Illinois Fighting Illini
21) Minnesota Golden Gophers
22) Pittsburgh Panthers
23) Florida Gators
24) Mississippi State Bulldogs
25) Washignton Huskies

Alas, it remains to be seen who will be the top team in college football this season, and if anyone can knock the reigning, defending back-to-back champions in Georgia. Nevertheless, there are plenty of contenders, and even the Bulldogs have their questions marks, making this one of the most unpredictable, exciting seasons in recent memory, beginning with Week 0.