Preseason USA Today Coaches Top 25 poll released for 2023 college football season

With college football right around the corner, the first coaches top 25 poll was released ahead of the 2023 season.

Coming in at No. 1 is Georgia and that should be no surprise to any fan, even the casual ones. The two-time defending champions are primed to win a third straight national title in January, but it won’t be without top competition.

Other schools like Michigan, Ohio State and Alabama and more will have something to say about it. Below are the top 25 teams in the first coaches poll of the 2023 campaign.

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. Alabama

Replacing a Heisman-winning quarterback isn’t easy and that’s the Crimson Tide’s biggest question: replacing Bryce Young. Everywhere else? It’s fine because it’s Nick Saban.

So will Alabama reclaim its SEC and playoff mantle? Never count out Alabama. It’s a bad move. Saban doesn’t have seven national titles to his name for nothing.

4. Ohio State

The Buckeyes were a field goal away from the national title game last season and arguably would’ve beaten TCU. But without CJ Stroud at quarterback now, where does Ryan Day turn?

Kyle McCord or Devin Brown seems to be the answer. But with receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, it should be an easy transition for whoever is under center.

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 is a popular pick to make its first College Football Playoff. Lincoln Riley is used to getting there, but the Trojans have to overcome the Pac-12 first.

Caleb Williams could win his second straight Heisman this year as well. But USC has to get through Utah, Oregon and Washington in a talented conference. Well, the final year of the Pac-12 as we knew it.

7. Penn State

Penn State just couldn’t beat Michigan and Ohio State last season. Other than that, it was a great year for James Franklin and company.

In order to get back to the top, the Nittany Lions have to beat those big two schools. Franklin won a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl as coach of Penn State. Does it all come together this year?

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

Speaking of Clemson, Dabo Swinney still does things his way. The Tigers should have a solid squad once again and it’s fair to predict the playoff in their future.

Can Cade Klubnik take the next step forward as quarterback? That’ll determine a solid year from a great year. He certainly had his moments last year, but 2023 is all on him operating this offense.

10. Tennessee

Gone is Hendon Hooker but in is Joe Milton. Tennessee has a chance to win the SEC East, but only if it pushes all of the right buttons.

Josh Heupel’s offense is tailor-made for quarterbacks. There is a lot of preseason hype around the Volunteers this season. But right now, national championships are won on the field, not the preseason written hype. But this could be Georgia’s kryptonite.

Rest of Top 25

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

Others receiving votes: Iowa 169, South Carolina 89, Florida 63, Texas-San Antonio 59, Pittsburgh 52, UCLA 42, Kentucky 34, Baylor 28, Troy 25, Arkansas 20, NC State 19, Fresno State 19, Boise State 18, Auburn 18, Minnesota 16, Miami 16, Mississippi State 13, Oklahoma State 12, Missouri 11, Maryland 10, SMU 8, South Alabama 8, Illinois 7, Wake Forest 6, Air Force 6, Toledo 5, Washington State 4, Houston 3, Duke 2, BYU 2, Arizona 2, Memphis 1, Kansas 1, James Madison 1.

The race to the top is going to be an interesting one this fall. The Bulldogs have all the talent in the world to earn the three-peat, but rivals within the SEC are destined to be a challenge.

The Big Ten can shake things up by finally winning a national title in the form of Michigan or Ohio State. But others can rise and as Herm Edwards said: “you play to win the game.”