Top projected scoring offenses in college football, per Phil Steele
With the 2023 college football season less than two months away, Phil Steele has released a preseason ranking of the top 15 offenses. The list is among several he has put out as part of his annual preview magazine, which has come to be one of the most recognized and respected preseason outlooks available.
Steele likes two-time defending national champion Georgia to claim the top spot despite losing several key players from its championship run. However, he also had held teams such as Ohio State and USC in high regard thanks to their returning stars.
Elsewhere on the list, there were plenty of surprises with even a couple of Group of 5 schools making the cut. You can view Steele’s full rankings of the top 15 offenses for the 2023 college football season below.
1. Georgia
Although much of the focus was on the Bulldogs’ defense the past two seasons on their way to winning back-to-back national titles, the offense ranked fourth in the country in 2022 with 41.1 points per game. Steele doesn’t see them skipping a beat this season despite losing starting quarterback Stetson Bennett and leading rusher Kenny McIntosh.
The Bulldogs return their top two receivers in Ladd McConkey and tight end Brock Bowers, who led the team with 63 catches for 942 yards and three TDs. That should give Carson Beck, a former four-star recruit who figures to replace Bennett, plenty of weapons as Georgia aims for a threepeat.
2. Ohio State
Ohio State has ranked as one of the top five scoring offenses in all of college football in three of its five seasons under coach Ryan Day. Thanks to one of the most talented receiving corps in the country and a dangerous backfield duo of Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson, Steele sees them making it four out of six.
The Buckeyes return receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, both of which had 1,000-yard seasons in 2022. They’ll have to replace quarterback CJ Stroud, and Kyle McCord, a former five-star recruit and Harrison’s high school teammate, seems like the frontrunner in a battle with Devin Brown.
3. Michigan
Behind the backfield duo of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, the Wolverines ranked first in the Big Ten and No. 5 in the country with 238.9 rushing yards per game. Both players return in 2023 to give Michigan one of the most dangerous ground attacks in the country once again.
Quarterback JJ McCarthy is also back and poses a threat with his legs as well after rushing for 306 yards and five TDs in 2022. If he can improve as a passer in his second season as the starter, watch out for the Wolverines as they aim for their third straight College Football Playoff appearance.
4. USC
The Trojans offense will remain among the best thanks to the return of quarterback Caleb Williams, last year’s Heisman winner and the projected No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams threw for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 2022 as USC ranked third in the country with 41.4 points per game.
The quarterback loses top receiver Jordan Addison to the NFL, but brings back the other three of his top four receivers from last season in Tahj Washington, Mario Williams and Brenden Rice. He also adds Arizona transfer Dorian Singer, fresh off of a 1,000-yard season with the Wildcats.
5. Oregon
Quarterback Bo Nix helped the Ducks to rank among the top 10 scoring offenses in college football this past season (38.8 ppg) after transferring from Auburn. He had the best season of his college career, throwing for 3,593 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading Oregon to a 10-3 finish.
This year, Nix will have some added protection after the Ducks brought in offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius, the No. 8 player in On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings. They also return running back Bucky Irving, who rushed for 1,058 yards and five touchdowns this past season, to give the offense balance.
6. Tennessee
Coach Josh Heupel quickly turned around the Volunteers in just two seasons, leading them to an 11-2 record, Orange Bowl victory and upset of Alabama. Under his system, Tennessee was the No. 1 scoring offense this past season with 46.1 points per game.
Still, the Volunteers enter this year with plenty of questions after losing starting quarterback Hendon Hooker and leading receiver Jalin Hyatt. Joe Milton, who figures to be Hooker’s replacement had a big showing in the Orange Bowl, and Vols fans will hope that momentum carries over into 2023. Tennessee also returns its top two rushers in Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small, and with Heupel’s track record should remain a major offensive threat.
7. SMU
SMU ranked just outside the top 10 scoring offenses in college football this past season thanks to the connection between quarterback Tanner Mordecai and receiver Rashee Rice. Both players are gone this season, but Steele still likes the Mustangs to take a leap forward in coach Rhett Lashlee‘s second season.
SMU will turn to Preston Stone, a former four-star recruit, at quarterback. They also bring in a pair of highly touted transfers in TCU receiver Jordan Hudson and Miami running back Jaylan Knighton, which should make things interesting.
8. Texas
Texas fans have hope for a breakthrough in Steve Sarkisian‘s third season, and the offense is a major reason why. The Longhorns lose the heartbeat of their offense in running back Bijan Robinson, putting the pressure on quarterback Quinn Ewers to take a step forward in his second year as starter.
The No. 1 quarterback in the 2021 class, Ewers had 2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions in 10 games this past season. He should have plenty of weapons at his disposal thanks to the returns of Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders as well as the addition of Georgia transfer AD Mitchell.
9. Florida State
Coming off of a 10-3 season, the Seminoles are receiving a lot of hype as a potential College Football Playoff contender in 2023. They return starting quarterback Jordan Travis, his leading receiver Johnny Wilson and leading rusher Trey Benson.
That experience is why Steele believes FSU can improve upon its 36.1 points per game this past season that ranked 16th in the nation.
10. Utah
Quarterback Cameron Rising returns after leading the Utes to back-to-back Pac-12 Championships. He threw for 3,034 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions this past season while also proving a dual threat with 465 yards rushing and six scores.
Utah also returns running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, who led the team with nine rushing touchdowns on 6.8 yards per carry. The real question will be who steps up to replace tight end Dalton Kincaid, the team’s leading receiver from 2022.
11. Alabama
Alabama loses starting quarterback Bryce Young and leading rusher Jahmyr Gibbs. However, if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that Nick Saban always has a player waiting to step up.
The Crimson Tide has a three-man quarterback battle on their hands with redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe, redshirt freshman Ty Simpson and Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner. But with skills players such as Jase McClellan and Jermaine Burton set to return, there is hope that Alabama can reach the CFP again after missing this past season.
12. Washington
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is coming off of a breakout season in which he threw for a Pac-12-leading 4,641 yards to go with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He helped the Huskies to lead the country in passing offense (369.8 yards per game) and seventh in scoring offense (39.7 ppg).
Now returning for another season, he has hopes of making Washington a contender in what should be a tough Pac-12. He returns all three of his top receivers from a year ago, including Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan, each of whom had 1,000-yard seasons.
13. LSU
LSU had about the best season it could have hoped for in the inaugural season of coach Brian Kelly, winning the SEC West and finishing 10-4. Now the Tigers enter Kelly’s second season looking to build upon those results and return plenty of key playmakers on offense.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels is the leader of them all after throwing for 2,913 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions while also leading LSU with 885 yards rushing and 11 scores. He returns top receiver Malik Nabers to run back what was a lethal connection in 2022.
14. Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin has built a reputation for developing high-powered offenses and 2023 should be no different. The Rebels ranked third in the country this past season with 256.6 yards rushing per game, and should again boast a strong ground attack thanks to the return of star running back Quinshon Judkins.
Judkins wasted no time making an impact as a true freshman this past season, shattering the Ole Miss freshman record with 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns. The real question is at quarterback, where last year’s starter Jaxson Dart is battling it out with transfers Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard to keep his job.
15. Western Kentucky
Quarterback Austin Reed led the country with 4,746 yards passing to go with 40 touchdowns and 11 interceptions a year ago. Now he returns for another year hoping to once again make the Hilltoppers one of the most productive passing offenses in the nation.
WKU returns 1,000-yard receiver Malachi Corley and brings in transfer Blue Smith from Cincinnati. That’s why Steele likes the Hilltoppers to finish 15th in scoring offense, which is exactly where they were a year ago with 36.4 points per game.