MY Top 25 CFB Teams

Good morning, folks. It’s been a bit since my last college football posting. I read and researched on 133 teams and chose MY Top 25 teams that look good for the 2023 season in anticipation of the Preseason Top 25 rankings this month. I’m doing my best to stay up to date with each team’s depth charts for changes in the transfer portal, recruits, injuries, etc. I have plenty of college football content planned for upload in the coming days and weeks, so stay tuned. Have a great week, everyone!

I also asked the AI “who would win between Georgia and Alabama?” This was my response: I’m working with it thanks to WordPress’ latest update. If it survives and updates to be a little more efficient and up to date, I will name it “E.A.”:

“As an AI assistant, I don’t have personal opinions, but based on the information you provided, both Alabama and Georgia are included in your Top 25 teams for the upcoming 2023 season. Both teams have historically been strong contenders in college football. Ultimately, the outcome of a game between these teams would depend on various factors such as team performance, strategy, and individual matchups. It is best to watch the game and see how it unfolds.”

Yeah. That’s all I can get out of it for a response…

1) GEORGIA

Georgia returns plenty of talent, including backups with starting opportunities. It will look a tad different at quarterback, but Carson Beck likely wins the job starting the Week 1 season. They have little to no competition on their schedule until November 18th at Knoxville.

2) MICHIGAN

Big Blue returns plenty of experience, including J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum (coming off an injury). However, Jim Harbaugh is suspended for four games. It shouldn’t hurt the team since their season technically doesn’t start until September 30th unless Rutgers trips them up. A road game at Michigan State could be tricky, but back-to-back road games against Penn State and Maryland could determine their season prior to The Game against Ohio State.

3) OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes have some pressure without CJ Stroud (Houston Texans). Defeating Michigan and winning the Big Ten are 2023 priorities. Games at Notre Dame and Wisconsin could prove challenging. A home game against Penn State shouldn’t be taken lightly either. Kyle McCord is slated to take over, but Devin Brown lurks for that spot. Could defensive coordinator Jim Knowles defense also take a step forward in Year 2?

4) ALABAMA

Until Nick Saban retires or croaks, Bama will be in the CFP and Championship conversation. However, this might be the toughest schedule for the program in over a decade. There’s no cakewalks for over 50% of their schedule, especially at the start of October. Also, they haven’t chosen a quarterback yet.

5) PENN STATE

Penn State should be in prime position to break the hearts of either Michigan or Ohio State. Their defense will challenge their offense, but the Drew Allar hype must become a reality if they want any shot at the Big Ten title and playoff appearance.

6) WASHINGTON

Coach Kalen DeBoer revived Washington to their old form when they were formidable in the Pac-12. The Huskies look primed for the conference title and potentially a playoff return since 2016. They must overcome a schedule full of formidable Pac-12 opponents to get there.

7) FLORIDA STATE

Florida State may have the roster to finally conquer the ACC conference. With questions coming from the rest of the ACC, Florida State may have the best odds to win the ACC this season.

8) USC

USC has no excuse this season. Very talented recruits, transfers (including Bear Alexander), and experienced players (including Caleb Williams) mold one of the best teams in the country to compete for a CFP and a Natty appearance. While the offense is elite, the defense is plays like a poor FCS defense. Turnovers is not an issue, but tackling and fundamental defense is which leads defensive coordinator Alex Grinch to being the non-head coach on the hot seat. With great transfers and recruits that arrived to add on defense, he should benefit greatly from them.

9) LSU

Key returns and transfers are built for potentially a big year for the Tigers. Brian Kelly hopes to continue an upward trajectory for back-to-back SEC West titles. LSU women’s basketball and men’s baseball became 2023 champions. Now, the pressure’s put on the Tigers football team to do the same.

10) TEXAS

This is a Big 12 title or bust year for Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns. Quinn Ewers returns with improvement and the overall roster should be better too. However, can they do it without their two best running backs in Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson? Can they also overcome a competitive Big 12 conference looking to down the Longhorns?

11) CLEMSON

Clemson had a subpar 11-win season (which is weird to say but it’s true). They could’ve lost more games due to their lackluster offensive performance excluding Will Shipley and sophomore Antonio Williams. The offense should bounce back, and Cade Klubnik hopefully improves with help from new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley (Lincoln’s younger brother).

12) UTAH

Utah feels unappreciated for the success they’ve had in the past few seasons, including back-to-back Pac-12 titles. They return key players on both sides, but no one more important than Cam Rising (when he’s 100% healthy). Hopefully defense improves after an unusual performance last season. It’s difficult they can repeat as Pac-12 champs, but as long as Rising is healthy, the Utes have a chance.

13) NOTRE DAME

Coach Marcus Freeman and the Irish have a full plate this season. If their expectations weren’t high before, it has soar to new heights after Sam Hartman transferred in. 50% of their schedule could either make or break their playoff hopes. 10 wins isn’t out of the question, but it comes down to how this team responds after Year 1 under coach Freeman.

14) KANSAS STATE

Chris Klieman continues his winning tradition with the Wildcats since his appearance in Manhattan, Kansas. He finally netted them a Big 12 title against the eventual Natty champ runner-up TCU. Can this team repeat with minimal returns on defense?

15) UNC

The Tarheels have one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and a pretty dangerous offense that should be a year better at each level. However, their ACC title hopes and more hinges on their defense’s improvement.

16) IOWA

The Hawkeyes are a wild card. They could either win the Big Ten West and potentially shock the CFB world with an upset over Michigan, Ohio State, or Penn State, or the offense suffers another letdown to the team and offensive Brian Ferentz watches his father coach from home. Michigan transfer Cade McNamara could offset that issue if he succeeds with them.

17) WISCONSIN

Changes came to Madison and all sound positive despite losing great defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard (now joining Illinois staff). New coach Luke Fickell brings the same essence he brought to Cincinnati. The offense also lands Phil Longo from North Carolina and should make them better with key returns and key transfers led by Tanner Mordecai. But how much better?

18) OREGON STATE

Could this be the year coach Johnathan Smith takes the Beavers over the top? He has a solid roster that won 10 games, including a massive comeback win over rival Oregon. DJ Uiagalelei arrives from Clemson and hopes to revive his chance and help lead Oregon State to the Promiseland. This is the season that could set the tone long term for Corvallis in the conference moving on from USC and UCLA next season…if the Pac-12 still has a future.

19) OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma was lackluster last season, but with good reason after the exodus of transfers thanks to Lincoln Riley ditching the program for USC (still not happy but finally moved on after their loss to Tulane, ha ha ha…overrated!). The defense by assumption should be better, but it’s best to see results on the field than through word of mouth. That by itself will make OU a serious Big 12 title threat and maybe more. God help me the defense shows signs of improvement in Big 12 play.

20) TEXAS A&M

The Aggies will certainly be a mystery this season. Bobby Petrino was a needed hire for a lackluster offense, but the cooperation with Jimbo Fisher will be very interesting. All the 5-star recruits in the world won’t save Fisher’s job if results (like an SEC title push, 10 wins or a couple of big upsets) don’t happen on the field.

21) OREGON

Bo Nix is back, and that’s enough to make Oregon a serious Pac-12 title and playoff contender. He needs more from his offense to have a shot though. If their defense plays up to par consistently, Oregon will hang around long enough against Washington, Utah, USC, and Oregon State.

22) TENNESSEE

The Volunteers are poised for an SEC East title opportunity and a playoff appearance. They must do it without Hendon Hooker, Cedric Tillman, and Jalin Hyatt, however. Joe Milton was highly spoken about his arm strength and potential after bum rushing Clemson. However, he lost his starting job twice at Michigan and Tennessee last season. Did he learn from his times as a backup in both places to finally lead a team for a full season?

23) ILLINOIS

After what Illinois did under Bret Bielema last year, there’s no telling what the Fighting Illini are capable of. Their defense should be as good (if not better), and the offense receives quarterback Luke Altmeyer from Ole Miss and should win the job. They host Penn State and Wisconsin but travel to Minnesota and Iowa. It could go either way.

24) SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina may not win the SEC East, but they should lurk for second place in the East. It all depends on Spencer Rattler. If he plays lights out football consistently, the Gamecocks are the surprise SEC team. If not, they’re looking at a par finish. The team won at Athens, GA before (2019). Since then, they haven’t sniffed 20 points against Georgia (0-3 when scoring less than 20). Special teams will once again play a key part for the Gamecocks under Shane Beamer.

25) UTSA

The Roadrunners debut in the AAC. The conference is competitive, but to an extent since Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston left for greener pastures in the Big 12. The Roadrunners are favored to win the AAC title with only Tulane in the way in the last game of the regular season.