Greg McElroy releases his preseason top 25 college football rankings
It’s that time of the year. College football experts declare picks and conjure rankings that will surely end in disaster after Week 1. Yet, we love it all the same. ESPN’s Greg McElroy is the most recent volunteer to take their best shot at creating a preseason top 25.
McElroy’s list is different than most. Instead of heavily relying on safe blue chip stocks, McElroy takes a few long shots. He particularly likes the Pac-12 and Big 12. Calm down, SEC and Big 10 fans. There are plenty of programs for you, too.
These rankings factor in returning players, transfer portal additions and incoming freshmen. Moreover, there’s been no shortage of staff swaps this offseason, which McElroy accounts for. While most fans can guess the top dog on the list, there are certainly a few surprises. Let’s dive in.
1. Georgia
There was no other answer that made sense. After the Bulldogs have won the last two national titles, putting any other team at the No. 1 spot would be downright disrespectful, especially with what the Bulldogs are returning.
Per ESPN, Georgia will bring back 52% of its offense this season and 70% of its defense. The latter part of the sentence will shake opponents to their core. Georgia led the nation in rushing defense last season, allowing 77.1 rushing yards per game. Factor in multiple highly-touted replacements for Stetson Bennett, and Georgia looks like the team to knock off in 2023.
2. Michigan
While Michigan didn’t make the National Championship last season, the program did appear in the College Football Playoff for its second-straight season. The Wolverines are poised to be even better in 2023.
First, Michigan returns star quarterback JJ McCarthy with now a full year of experience under his belt. Further, the Wolverines bring back running back Blake Corum, who suffered an injury before the postseason last year. With luck, the Wolverines could scratch outsiders’ preseason predictions.
3. Alabama
The Crimson Tide had to be in here somewhere, right? Although Alabama hasn’t reached familiar heights in the past couple of seasons, it is still the college football program. With the addition of a new offensive and defensive coordinator, Nick Saban hopes to return the Tide to their former glory.
The 71-year-old head coach has the players to achieve his lofty goal. Alabama had the No. 1 recruiting class in 2023, bringing in seven five-stars, 19 four-stars and two three-stars in Alabama’s 2023 recruiting class. If the Crimson Tide can replace Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, there’s a legitimate chance they will reclaim the throne.
4. Ohio State
If one play had gone differently, the Buckeyes could easily be No. 1 on this list. Ohio State fell in controversial fashion to Georgia 42-41 in the CFP semifinals last season. Ryan Day is ready to use the loss to burn a fire under his program.
That fire has already created a new mold. Brian Hartline will debut as the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator this season. Second-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will likely find his footing, as well. Mix in Ohio State’s elite receiving core, and Day has one delicious dish for Buckeyes fans.
5. LSU
The SEC made its presence known early in McElroy’s list. It’s not a surprise. The conference has won the last four CFPs. While LSU won the title in 2019 with Joe Burrow, that wasn’t under Brian Kelly. Now, the LSU coach wants to establish some history of his own.
Kelly has a chance. Jayden Daniels, who many consider the best quarterback in the nation, will be QB1 for the Tigers this season. Additionally, LSU will return preseason All-Americans Harold Perkins and Maason Smith on defense.
6. Florida State
This is a make-it-or-break-it season for Mike Norvell and his Seminoles. McElroy believes FSU will pass with flying colors, and why shouldn’t he? Florida State has the No. 1 returning production in all of college football.
That production led to 62 touchdowns last season, ranking 16th in the nation. To pile on, FSU made waves in the transfer portal. FSU gained six former four-star prospects while only losing one, the ninth-best 2023 transfer class, according to On3’s 2023 College Football Team Transfer Portal Rankings. Expect to hear a lot of war chants this year.
7. Texas
The Longhorns haven’t had expectations like these in years. Nonetheless, head coach Steve Sarkisian wouldn’t want it any other way. Texas has one of the best quarterback rooms in the country, with starter Quinn Ewers backed up by five-star Arch Manning and Maalik Murphy.
Quarterback isn’t UT’s only stacked position. The Longhorns return 15 starters, including all five members of the 2022 offensive line. If the Longhorns can replace Doak Walker Award-winning running back Bijan Robinson, they might run past the competition.
8. Washington
Kalen DeBoer is the real deal. In his first season leading the Huskies, Deboer captained the Huskies to an 11-2 overall record, including a 3-0 mark against ranked teams and a win over Texas in the Valero Alamo Bowl. The Huskies averaged 39.7 points per game last season and expect even more with QB Michael Penix Jr. returning.
Penix won’t lack options. Huskies receivers Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan have two things in common: they both recorded over 1,000 receiving yards last season, and they’re both returning. With EDGE Bralen Trice anchoring the opposite side of the ball, there are no limits for Washington in 2023.
9. Utah
Some might be surprised to see Washington one spot higher than the Utes on McElroy’s ladder. After all, Utah has won back-to-back Pac-12 titles. Yet, some undeniable questions surround Utah’s upcoming season, starting with quarterback Cameron Rising.
Rising suffered a torn ACL in Utah’s loss to Penn State in the Rose Bowl. The Utes are hopeful Rising will be back in time for the season, but he isn’t the only concern. Rising’s go-to guy and sixth-year tight end Brant Kuithe also is recovering from a torn ACL. Utah’s success will depend on how quickly the team recuperate from injuries.
10. Clemson
Clemson fans, party like it’s 2018! In all seriousness, the Tigers have a shot at making some real noise this season, especially with the addition of offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. Head coach Dabo Swinney swiped Riley from national runner-up TCU this offseason.
Simply put, Clemson will look to improve its passing game under Riley. Sophomore Cade Klubnik will lead this charge. Although Klubnik faced several hiccups last season, he showed promise. That promise will only be catalyzed by Clemson returning four of its five starting offensive linemen.
The rest of Greg McElroy’s preseason top 25
11. Penn State
12. USC
13. Notre Dame
14. Wisconsin
15. Ole Miss
16. Texas A&M
17. Oregon
18. Tennessee
19. Kansas State
20. UCLA
21. Texas Tech
22. UTSA
23. Oklahoma
24. TCU
25. Oregon State
College football fans are in for a fun season. No matter how accurate McElroy’s preseason rankings are, the sheer talent is overwhelming. Football junkies won’t have to wait long to get their gridiron fix. Notre Dame and Navy will kick off the 2023 college football season when the two program clash in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 26.