Post your early top 25 for the upcoming season

Volbound1700

Volbound1700

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Top 25 for 2022-2023 CFB Season

Here is my best stab at it. It probably isn't great. Feel free to share your top 25.

  • Alabama – Heavy favorite with a lot of their players returning and Saban still at the helm
  • Ohio State – They return a lot of talent from 2021 as well and should be the favorite to win the B1G
  • Georgia – Georgia has to replace quite a lot but I expect them to reload and perhaps make it back to playoffs again
  • Michigan – I initially had them outside the top ten but with Harbaugh returning, I think they remain Ohio State’s greatest threat, especially since they got the monkey off their back
  • Clemson – I am expecting Clemson to return more to form. Clemson hit a hot streak in late 2021 and might have figured out some of their issues
  • Baylor – I think they are kind of a dark horse and someone has to win the Big12. I think Oklahoma state lost too much so I am going with Baylor.
  • Cincinnati – A dark horse from the American. They actually return a lot of players from last years squad and can make another shot at the CFB Playoff. Too bad the playoff isn’t expanding, that messes up the future Big12 more than any other league.
  • Texas A&M – I am still not 100% sold on them until they can overcome their QB woes.
  • Utah – I have them winning the Pac12, I am not confident in Oregon with a new coach nor with USC yet
  • Ole Miss – Losing Matt Corral is huge for this program but I have a funny feeling that Lane Kiffin might have another backup on his roster. Another dark horse team. I can see them finishing #2 in SEC West
  • Michigan State – Can they keep up the performance from 2021? It will be hard playing in the B1G East.
  • Wisconsin – I think Wisconsin is going to take a step forward and dethrone Iowa in 2022
  • Oklahoma State – Losing their QB leader will hurt but this team is full of talent and will make some noise in a weaker Big12
  • UCLA – Chip Kelly may be starting to finally find his grove and they could be a dark horse to win Pac12 South as Utah doesn’t strike me as the strongest contender.
  • NC State – The Wolfpack return a lot of players from a successful 2022 campaign and can make some real noise in a down ACC
  • Iowa – Iowa and Wisconsin should battle for B1G West. I have Wisconsin winning it.
  • Kentucky – A very favorable schedule will give this team at least 9 wins again
  • Wake Forest – I think they will be challenged to duplicate 2021 success but will still collect a lot of wins in a still struggling ACC
  • Notre Dame – They will have to replace a lot including a new coaching staff. One of those question mark teams
  • Tennessee – I really think they could beat Kentucky and finish higher but I still don’t have that much confidence in my team so I have them lower in the rankings and even this ranking maybe generous
  • USC Trojans – A favorable schedule could make this team a dark horse although they do have to travel to Utah and UCLA. It is hard for me to envision a 4-8 team winning the Pac12 South but they should make some noise.
  • BYU – Can they take it to the next level and make playoffs?
  • Kansas State – Another dark horse team in the Big12
  • Purdue – This team went 9-4 last year and could take a step forward in 2022. I don’t see them dethroning Iowa or Wisconsin. However, they do get a lot of their critical matchups at home
  • Oregon – I am not high on Oregon in 2022 having to rebuild their coaching staff. They also have a brutal OOC schedule that has Georgia and BYU in the first two games making a 1-2 start likely. However, no one in the Pac12 North appears to be strong enough to dethrone Oregon


Where are they?

Arkansas – They lost a ton of players off their 2021 squad and will be doing a major rebuild

Oklahoma – I think they lost too much to be in top 25 but we will see. I could be a hypocrite for including Oregon and Notre Dame who are having similar issues, however they play softer schedules than Oklahoma.

Auburn/Florida/LSU – All three programs are really struggling and have a lot of question marks right now

Penn State – Similar situation to Auburn/Florida/LSU trio

Minnesota – I thought hard about them. I consider them about equal to Purdue but I got Purdue beating them

Texas – LOL

San Diego State – I don’t trust mid-majors very often so I don’t have them listed for now.

Arizona State – This team is intriguing and I will say they are one that I considered. I decided to go with USC Trojans over them

Pittsburgh – They lost most of their 2021 squad, I doubt they repeat their performance from last year
 
Volbound1700 said:
Top 25 for 2022-2023 CFB Season
  • Tennessee – I really think they could beat Kentucky and finish higher but I still don’t have that much confidence in my team so I have them lower in the rankings and even this ranking maybe generous
Texas – LOL
Click to expand...
Spider-Man Reaction GIF
 
Volbound1700 said:
Oklahoma State – Losing their QB leader will hurt but this team is full of talent and will make some noise in a weaker Big12
Click to expand...

Uh, Sanders has 1 or 2 years of eligibility left (COVID year). Our biggest loss was our DC but we made a big boy move and yanked Derrick Mason from Auburn so I think we will be alright their.
 
  • NC State – The Wolfpack return a lot of players from a successful 2022 campaign and can make some real noise in a down ACC
Click to expand...

I agree, they're poised for a big 2023
 
Volbound1700 said:
Top 25 for 2022-2023 CFB Season

Here is my best stab at it. It probably isn't great. Feel free to share your top 25.

  • Alabama – Heavy favorite with a lot of their players returning and Saban still at the helm
  • Ohio State – They return a lot of talent from 2021 as well and should be the favorite to win the B1G
  • Georgia – Georgia has to replace quite a lot but I expect them to reload and perhaps make it back to playoffs again
  • Michigan – I initially had them outside the top ten but with Harbaugh returning, I think they remain Ohio State’s greatest threat, especially since they got the monkey off their back
  • Clemson – I am expecting Clemson to return more to form. Clemson hit a hot streak in late 2021 and might have figured out some of their issues
  • Baylor – I think they are kind of a dark horse and someone has to win the Big12. I think Oklahoma state lost too much so I am going with Baylor.
  • Cincinnati – A dark horse from the American. They actually return a lot of players from last years squad and can make another shot at the CFB Playoff. Too bad the playoff isn’t expanding, that messes up the future Big12 more than any other league.
  • Texas A&M – I am still not 100% sold on them until they can overcome their QB woes.
  • Utah – I have them winning the Pac12, I am not confident in Oregon with a new coach nor with USC yet
  • Ole Miss – Losing Matt Corral is huge for this program but I have a funny feeling that Lane Kiffin might have another backup on his roster. Another dark horse team. I can see them finishing #2 in SEC West
  • Michigan State – Can they keep up the performance from 2021? It will be hard playing in the B1G East.
  • Wisconsin – I think Wisconsin is going to take a step forward and dethrone Iowa in 2022
  • Oklahoma State – Losing their QB leader will hurt but this team is full of talent and will make some noise in a weaker Big12
  • UCLA – Chip Kelly may be starting to finally find his grove and they could be a dark horse to win Pac12 South as Utah doesn’t strike me as the strongest contender.
  • NC State – The Wolfpack return a lot of players from a successful 2022 campaign and can make some real noise in a down ACC
  • Iowa – Iowa and Wisconsin should battle for B1G West. I have Wisconsin winning it.
  • Kentucky – A very favorable schedule will give this team at least 9 wins again
  • Wake Forest – I think they will be challenged to duplicate 2021 success but will still collect a lot of wins in a still struggling ACC
  • Notre Dame – They will have to replace a lot including a new coaching staff. One of those question mark teams
  • Tennessee – I really think they could beat Kentucky and finish higher but I still don’t have that much confidence in my team so I have them lower in the rankings and even this ranking maybe generous
  • USC Trojans – A favorable schedule could make this team a dark horse although they do have to travel to Utah and UCLA. It is hard for me to envision a 4-8 team winning the Pac12 South but they should make some noise.
  • BYU – Can they take it to the next level and make playoffs?
  • Kansas State – Another dark horse team in the Big12
  • Purdue – This team went 9-4 last year and could take a step forward in 2022. I don’t see them dethroning Iowa or Wisconsin. However, they do get a lot of their critical matchups at home
  • Oregon – I am not high on Oregon in 2022 having to rebuild their coaching staff. They also have a brutal OOC schedule that has Georgia and BYU in the first two games making a 1-2 start likely. However, no one in the Pac12 North appears to be strong enough to dethrone Oregon


Where are they?

Arkansas – They lost a ton of players off their 2021 squad and will be doing a major rebuild

Oklahoma – I think they lost too much to be in top 25 but we will see. I could be a hypocrite for including Oregon and Notre Dame who are having similar issues, however they play softer schedules than Oklahoma.

Auburn/Florida/LSU – All three programs are really struggling and have a lot of question marks right now

Penn State – Similar situation to Auburn/Florida/LSU trio

Minnesota – I thought hard about them. I consider them about equal to Purdue but I got Purdue beating them

Texas – LOL

San Diego State – I don’t trust mid-majors very often so I don’t have them listed for now.

Arizona State – This team is intriguing and I will say they are one that I considered. I decided to go with USC Trojans over them

Pittsburgh – They lost most of their 2021 squad, I doubt they repeat their performance from last year
Click to expand...
TAMU at 8. Here we go again. Lmao.
 
I get why, but Bama always get the benefit of the doubt about "reloading" not rebuilding. You've fallen for it.

Ohio State of the top 3 has them most production coming back. At their level of recruiting, that's significant. Bama and UGA are within 6% points with us ahead on the O, them on the D.

Then you have think through what that means ... UGA played 22-27 players on D per game. Even before trash time we rotated 9 guys on the DL regularly. We have guys these stats see as new guys who played 40% of the snaps last year.

And then finally you have to see the quality of the returners and the new guys. Based on past recruiting, coaching changes, etc. I really see the Top 3 being way above the rest at least as the season starts.

Returning Production For 2022​

TEAMRET. PROD.OFF. (RK)DEF. (RK)
24. Ohio St.76%70% (53)82% (13)
33. Tennessee74%80% (26)68% (60)
65. Alabama65%61% (80)70% (53)
67. Michigan65%87% (13)43% (124)
71. Oklahoma64%47% (117)82% (15)
72. Penn St.64%71% (51)57% (103)
76. Oregon63%58% (90)69% (58)
82. LSU62%54% (96)69% (57)
84. Texas A&M61%62% (76)60% (91)
92. Cincinnati59%68% (62)51% (115)
93. Notre Dame59%49% (113)69% (56)
94. USC59%59% (83)59% (95)
96. Georgia59%73% (43)44% (122)

www.espn.com

Which teams return the most production for 2022?

We rank every team based on the amount of production it has coming back, with NC State and BYU in position to build off last season's success.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
WhosYourDawggy said:
I get why, but Bama always get the benefit of the doubt about "reloading" not rebuilding. You've fallen for it.
Click to expand...
I think with Bama this year, it isn't as much the amount they have returning as it is who, they have returning. Young and Anderson would be the top 2 picks in the NFL draft this year and both are returning to Bama.
 
Volbound1700 said:
Top 25 for 2022-2023 CFB Season

Here is my best stab at it. It probably isn't great. Feel free to share your top 25.

  • Alabama – Heavy favorite with a lot of their players returning and Saban still at the helm
  • Ohio State – They return a lot of talent from 2021 as well and should be the favorite to win the B1G
  • Georgia – Georgia has to replace quite a lot but I expect them to reload and perhaps make it back to playoffs again
  • Michigan – I initially had them outside the top ten but with Harbaugh returning, I think they remain Ohio State’s greatest threat, especially since they got the monkey off their back
  • Clemson – I am expecting Clemson to return more to form. Clemson hit a hot streak in late 2021 and might have figured out some of their issues
  • Baylor – I think they are kind of a dark horse and someone has to win the Big12. I think Oklahoma state lost too much so I am going with Baylor.
  • Cincinnati – A dark horse from the American. They actually return a lot of players from last years squad and can make another shot at the CFB Playoff. Too bad the playoff isn’t expanding, that messes up the future Big12 more than any other league.
  • Texas A&M – I am still not 100% sold on them until they can overcome their QB woes.
  • Utah – I have them winning the Pac12, I am not confident in Oregon with a new coach nor with USC yet
  • Ole Miss – Losing Matt Corral is huge for this program but I have a funny feeling that Lane Kiffin might have another backup on his roster. Another dark horse team. I can see them finishing #2 in SEC West
  • Michigan State – Can they keep up the performance from 2021? It will be hard playing in the B1G East.
  • Wisconsin – I think Wisconsin is going to take a step forward and dethrone Iowa in 2022
  • Oklahoma State – Losing their QB leader will hurt but this team is full of talent and will make some noise in a weaker Big12
  • UCLA – Chip Kelly may be starting to finally find his grove and they could be a dark horse to win Pac12 South as Utah doesn’t strike me as the strongest contender.
  • NC State – The Wolfpack return a lot of players from a successful 2022 campaign and can make some real noise in a down ACC
  • Iowa – Iowa and Wisconsin should battle for B1G West. I have Wisconsin winning it.
  • Kentucky – A very favorable schedule will give this team at least 9 wins again
  • Wake Forest – I think they will be challenged to duplicate 2021 success but will still collect a lot of wins in a still struggling ACC
  • Notre Dame – They will have to replace a lot including a new coaching staff. One of those question mark teams
  • Tennessee – I really think they could beat Kentucky and finish higher but I still don’t have that much confidence in my team so I have them lower in the rankings and even this ranking maybe generous
  • USC Trojans – A favorable schedule could make this team a dark horse although they do have to travel to Utah and UCLA. It is hard for me to envision a 4-8 team winning the Pac12 South but they should make some noise.
  • BYU – Can they take it to the next level and make playoffs?
  • Kansas State – Another dark horse team in the Big12
  • Purdue – This team went 9-4 last year and could take a step forward in 2022. I don’t see them dethroning Iowa or Wisconsin. However, they do get a lot of their critical matchups at home
  • Oregon – I am not high on Oregon in 2022 having to rebuild their coaching staff. They also have a brutal OOC schedule that has Georgia and BYU in the first two games making a 1-2 start likely. However, no one in the Pac12 North appears to be strong enough to dethrone Oregon


Where are they?

Arkansas – They lost a ton of players off their 2021 squad and will be doing a major rebuild

Oklahoma – I think they lost too much to be in top 25 but we will see. I could be a hypocrite for including Oregon and Notre Dame who are having similar issues, however they play softer schedules than Oklahoma.

Auburn/Florida/LSU – All three programs are really struggling and have a lot of question marks right now

Penn State – Similar situation to Auburn/Florida/LSU trio

Minnesota – I thought hard about them. I consider them about equal to Purdue but I got Purdue beating them

Texas – LOL

San Diego State – I don’t trust mid-majors very often so I don’t have them listed for now.

Arizona State – This team is intriguing and I will say they are one that I considered. I decided to go with USC Trojans over them

Pittsburgh – They lost most of their 2021 squad, I doubt they repeat their performance from last year
Click to expand...
Deacs will be much better than the Pack
 
WhosYourDawggy said:
I get why, but Bama always get the benefit of the doubt about "reloading" not rebuilding. You've fallen for it.

Ohio State of the top 3 has them most production coming back. At their level of recruiting, that's significant. Bama and UGA are within 6% points with us ahead on the O, them on the D.

Then you have think through what that means ... UGA played 22-27 players on D per game. Even before trash time we rotated 9 guys on the DL regularly. We have guys these stats see as new guys who played 40% of the snaps last year.

And then finally you have to see the quality of the returners and the new guys. Based on past recruiting, coaching changes, etc. I really see the Top 3 being way above the rest at least as the season starts.

Returning Production For 2022​

TEAMRET. PROD.OFF. (RK)DEF. (RK)
24. Ohio St.76%70% (53)82% (13)
33. Tennessee74%80% (26)68% (60)
65. Alabama65%61% (80)70% (53)
67. Michigan65%87% (13)43% (124)
71. Oklahoma64%47% (117)82% (15)
72. Penn St.64%71% (51)57% (103)
76. Oregon63%58% (90)69% (58)
82. LSU62%54% (96)69% (57)
84. Texas A&M61%62% (76)60% (91)
92. Cincinnati59%68% (62)51% (115)
93. Notre Dame59%49% (113)69% (56)
94. USC59%59% (83)59% (95)
96. Georgia59%73% (43)44% (122)

www.espn.com

Which teams return the most production for 2022?

We rank every team based on the amount of production it has coming back, with NC State and BYU in position to build off last season's success.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...
Even with those two guys returning -- I still cant wait to see Bama/Georgia play again. I will be interested to see the replacements Georgia have on defense and if they can replicate the dominance that defense had.
 
NewPhoneWhoDis said:
I think with Bama this year, it isn't as much the amount they have returning as it is who, they have returning. Young and Anderson would be the top 2 picks in the NFL draft this year and both are returning to Bama.
Click to expand...
i think Stroud will be drafted as the #1 QB next year
 
Thiefery said:
i think Stroud will be drafted as the #1 QB next year
Click to expand...
Stroud will be up there. It will come down to preference for the teams. My Lions will be in the market for a QB. If I had a choice -- I'd take Young over Stroud, but it is because I've watched essentially every game for Stroud. He can get rattled if he is pressured and in the NFL he will have to deal with that.

But as I said -- it will basically come down to preference. Either would be deserving.
 
NewPhoneWhoDis said:
Even with those two guys returning -- I still cant wait to see Bama/Georgia play again. I will be interested to see the replacements Georgia have on defense and if they can replicate the dominance that defense had.
Click to expand...
With what tOSU has returning ... see chart above ... it's hard to see them not the no. 1, to be honest. Can't see anyone challenging them in the B1G.

Just to have to see 2 things: (1) teams speed (see, Orange Bowl) and (2) how that D looks. Returning a lot, but they didn't look so good last year.

As for UGA I really like where our O is going to be. The D will without a debt take a step back. But I don't think it will be as big as people think. I'd bet we give up about 15 points a game, instead of 10 we did this past year. We also have a very favorable schedule and UF with a new coach.
 
WhosYourDawggy said:
With what tOSU has returning ... see chart above ... it's hard to see them not the no. 1, to be honest. Can't see anyone challenging them in the B1G.

Just to have to see 2 things: (1) teams speed (see, Orange Bowl) and (2) how that D looks. Returning a lot, but they didn't look so good last year.

As for UGA I really like where our O is going to be. The D will without a debt take a step back. But I don't think it will be as big as people think. I'd bet we give up about 15 points a game, instead of 10 we did this past year. We also have a very favorable schedule and UF with a new coach.
Click to expand...
OSU's biggest problem will be their defense. They had the best offense in CFB last year, but their defense was soft. Unless they have about a half dozen guys make huge jumps -- it will be much of the same this year. A national title caliber offense, but a defense who can be pushed around by a physical team.

Outside of UM, OSU is the team i watch the most. Their defenses biggest issue is -- they lack the game changers defensively they've had for the past decade plus. They don't have a Chase Young, a Joey Bosa, a Nick Bosa, etc. defenses have to game plan for. In the secondary, they had a true freshman who was solid, but they don't the shut down corner they have had for about a decade who would shut down half the field, like a Jeff Okudah, a Marshawn Lattimore, a Denzel Ward, Gareon Conley, Eli Apple, etc. etc.

I don't think they will have much trouble with the B1G. UM plays them in Columbus this year and we have to replace a ton of talent on Defense. Unless JJ McCarthy becomes a superstar/heisman trophy type QB -- I think OSU will be tough to be at OSU.

So I think it will come down to Bama and Georgia again next year.
 
NewPhoneWhoDis said:
OSU's biggest problem will be their defense. They had the best offense in CFB last year, but their defense was soft. Unless they have about a half dozen guys make huge jumps -- it will be much of the same this year. A national title caliber offense, but a defense who can be pushed around by a physical team.

Outside of UM, OSU is the team i watch the most. Their defenses biggest issue is -- they lack the game changers defensively they've had for the past decade plus. They don't have a Chase Young, a Joey Bosa, a Nick Bosa, etc. defenses have to game plan for. In the secondary, they had a true freshman who was solid, but they don't the shut down corner they have had for about a decade who would shut down half the field, like a Jeff Okudah, a Marshawn Lattimore, a Denzel Ward, Gareon Conley, Eli Apple, etc. etc.

I don't think they will have much trouble with the B1G. UM plays them in Columbus this year and we have to replace a ton of talent on Defense. Unless JJ McCarthy becomes a superstar/heisman trophy type QB -- I think OSU will be tough to be at OSU.

So I think it will come down to Bama and Georgia again next year.
Click to expand...
One or two are always better than we think - UM and Cincy last year as examples.

Clemson, do they bounce back? A ton of coaching changes, their talent on the OL is questionable, they aren't deep at RB. And the QB is up in the air. But they place in the ACC. Miami and NC State could compete with them. Wake maybe, but I don't have that level of faith. They have ND, NCSU, Miami and FSU ... you would think a few of those teams could make it a game.

UM, Baylor, ATM?
 
I could see Tennessee taking a step back for 2022 then moving forward in 2023 and beyond as the messy transition continues. UT had some nice bright spots in ‘21 but lost some post season.

I could also see Texas A&M become the meh..… 2nd through 4thish best team in the SEC. Jimbo is recruiting well and IMO Johnson will win the QB1 job and have A&M playing well offensively. Losing that DC may set em back but I think they’ll be ok long term.

Disagree with OU not being a top 25 team. I won’t be shocked at all to see them win the Big12 even with a new HC. Texas may take a step forward too and make the Big12 the SoonerHorns conference for awhile on their way out the door.

UGA will be good again but I’m not sold on championship level good. Agree on Clemson, I can see them getting the ship pointed back in the right direction this year.
 
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