ESPN's 2023 Way-Too-Early college football Top 25

[Gandalf]

College football's Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2023

This is flat out stupid but you were warned, it is ESPN after all.

1. Georgia Bulldogs
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
3. Michigan Wolverines
4. Florida State Seminoles
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
7. USC Trojans
8. LSU Tigers
9. Oregon Ducks
10. Tennessee Volunteers
2022 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC
Expected key losses: QB Hendon Hooker, WR Jalin Hyatt, WR Cedric Tillman, OT Darnell Wright, DE Byron Young, DE LaTrell Bumphus, LB Jeremy Banks, S Trevon Flowers
Expected key additions: QB Nicholaus Iamaleava, DE Chandavian Bradley, WR Cameron Seldon, LB Caleb Herring, OT Andrej Karic, LB Keenan Pili, TE McCallan Castles
Outlook: The Volunteers enjoyed their best campaign in more than two decades and finally returned to national relevancy. Now, Josh Heupel has to replace many of the key pieces from his high-flying offense, including Hooker and star wideouts Hyatt and Tillman. Michigan transfer Joe Milton played well during a 31-14 victory over Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl, throwing for 251 yards with three touchdowns. Iamaleava, an incoming freshman from Downey, California, was the No. 6 pocket passer in the ESPN 300. Offensive coordinator Alex Golesh was hired as South Florida's coach, and Heupel promoted quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle as his replacement. The Volunteers have to figure out a way to get better on defense, and they'll have to do it without top pass-rusher Young and three other starters. Tennessee will play games against SEC West foes Alabama (road) and Texas A&M (home), and it'll face Georgia at home.
11. Washington Huskies
12. TCU Horned Frogs
13. Utah Utes
14. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
15. Clemson Tigers
16. Texas Longhorns
17. Oregon State Beavers
18. Kansas State Wildcats
19. Tulane Green Wave
20. Ole Miss Rebels
21. North Carolina Tar Heels
22. UTSA Roadrunners
23. Texas Tech Red Raiders
24. James Madison Dukes
25. Iowa Hawkeyes

Just missed the Top 25: South Carolina, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, UCLA, Troy, Maryland and Boise State

I think the big question is will Milton be able to turn the corner and can we shore up our defense (ask Clemson). If so, we are no doubt top 5. Problem is of course we have Bama on the road too.

 

[rockytop989]

Florida State is improving, but to start the season ahead of bama at 4?

 

[DonDiego]

College football's Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2023

This is flat out stupid but you were warned, it is ESPN after all.

1. Georgia Bulldogs
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
3. Michigan Wolverines
4. Florida State Seminoles
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
7. USC Trojans
8. LSU Tigers
9. Oregon Ducks
10. Tennessee Volunteers
2022 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC
Expected key losses: QB Hendon Hooker, WR Jalin Hyatt, WR Cedric Tillman, OT Darnell Wright, DE Byron Young, DE LaTrell Bumphus, LB Jeremy Banks, S Trevon Flowers
Expected key additions: QB Nicholaus Iamaleava, DE Chandavian Bradley, WR Cameron Seldon, LB Caleb Herring, OT Andrej Karic, LB Keenan Pili, TE McCallan Castles
Outlook: The Volunteers enjoyed their best campaign in more than two decades and finally returned to national relevancy. Now, Josh Heupel has to replace many of the key pieces from his high-flying offense, including Hooker and star wideouts Hyatt and Tillman. Michigan transfer Joe Milton played well during a 31-14 victory over Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl, throwing for 251 yards with three touchdowns. Iamaleava, an incoming freshman from Downey, California, was the No. 6 pocket passer in the ESPN 300. Offensive coordinator Alex Golesh was hired as South Florida's coach, and Heupel promoted quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle as his replacement. The Volunteers have to figure out a way to get better on defense, and they'll have to do it without top pass-rusher Young and three other starters. Tennessee will play games against SEC West foes Alabama (road) and Texas A&M (home), and it'll face Georgia at home.
11. Washington Huskies
12. TCU Horned Frogs
13. Utah Utes
14. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
15. Clemson Tigers
16. Texas Longhorns
17. Oregon State Beavers
18. Kansas State Wildcats
19. Tulane Green Wave
20. Ole Miss Rebels
21. North Carolina Tar Heels
22. UTSA Roadrunners
23. Texas Tech Red Raiders
24. James Madison Dukes
25. Iowa Hawkeyes

Just missed the Top 25: South Carolina, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, UCLA, Troy, Maryland and Boise State

I think the big question is will Milton be able to turn the corner and can we shore up our defense (ask Clemson). If so, we are no doubt top 5. Problem is of course we have Bama on the road too.

Not that bad, really.

 

[SayNoToJorts]

Meh. You guy’s remember their predictions for us last year?

 

[volfeeva]

This can't be true. Why is Notre Dame not ranked 5th ? This can't be an ESPN poll .

 

[GulfCoasterVol]

This can't be true. Why is Notre Dame not ranked 5th ? This can't be an ESPN poll .

I am shocked as well...How can this be allowed !!??

 

[volfeeva]

I am shocked as well...How can this be allowed !!??

I think Notre Dame has a right to be ranked every year, kinda like a handicapped parking spot.

 

[supersmo18]

I'd rather start low and work up and make them recognize us when we wax everyone.

 

[MontyPython]

College football's Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2023

This is flat out stupid but you were warned, it is ESPN after all.

1. Georgia Bulldogs
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
3. Michigan Wolverines
4. Florida State Seminoles
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
7. USC Trojans
8. LSU Tigers
9. Oregon Ducks
10. Tennessee Volunteers
2022 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC
Expected key losses: QB Hendon Hooker, WR Jalin Hyatt, WR Cedric Tillman, OT Darnell Wright, DE Byron Young, DE LaTrell Bumphus, LB Jeremy Banks, S Trevon Flowers
Expected key additions: QB Nicholaus Iamaleava, DE Chandavian Bradley, WR Cameron Seldon, LB Caleb Herring, OT Andrej Karic, LB Keenan Pili, TE McCallan Castles
Outlook: The Volunteers enjoyed their best campaign in more than two decades and finally returned to national relevancy. Now, Josh Heupel has to replace many of the key pieces from his high-flying offense, including Hooker and star wideouts Hyatt and Tillman. Michigan transfer Joe Milton played well during a 31-14 victory over Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl, throwing for 251 yards with three touchdowns. Iamaleava, an incoming freshman from Downey, California, was the No. 6 pocket passer in the ESPN 300. Offensive coordinator Alex Golesh was hired as South Florida's coach, and Heupel promoted quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle as his replacement. The Volunteers have to figure out a way to get better on defense, and they'll have to do it without top pass-rusher Young and three other starters. Tennessee will play games against SEC West foes Alabama (road) and Texas A&M (home), and it'll face Georgia at home.
11. Washington Huskies
12. TCU Horned Frogs
13. Utah Utes
14. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
15. Clemson Tigers
16. Texas Longhorns
17. Oregon State Beavers
18. Kansas State Wildcats
19. Tulane Green Wave
20. Ole Miss Rebels
21. North Carolina Tar Heels
22. UTSA Roadrunners
23. Texas Tech Red Raiders
24. James Madison Dukes
25. Iowa Hawkeyes

Just missed the Top 25: South Carolina, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, UCLA, Troy, Maryland and Boise State

I think the big question is will Milton be able to turn the corner and can we shore up our defense (ask Clemson). If so, we are no doubt top 5. Problem is of course we have Bama on the road too.

Last time our pre-season ranking was 10th was 1998.

We had just lost our best quarterback in decades.

Curious indeed.

 

[cgrish]

College football's Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2023

This is flat out stupid but you were warned, it is ESPN after all.

1. Georgia Bulldogs
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
3. Michigan Wolverines
4. Florida State Seminoles
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
7. USC Trojans
8. LSU Tigers
9. Oregon Ducks
10. Tennessee Volunteers
2022 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC
Expected key losses: QB Hendon Hooker, WR Jalin Hyatt, WR Cedric Tillman, OT Darnell Wright, DE Byron Young, DE LaTrell Bumphus, LB Jeremy Banks, S Trevon Flowers
Expected key additions: QB Nicholaus Iamaleava, DE Chandavian Bradley, WR Cameron Seldon, LB Caleb Herring, OT Andrej Karic, LB Keenan Pili, TE McCallan Castles
Outlook: The Volunteers enjoyed their best campaign in more than two decades and finally returned to national relevancy. Now, Josh Heupel has to replace many of the key pieces from his high-flying offense, including Hooker and star wideouts Hyatt and Tillman. Michigan transfer Joe Milton played well during a 31-14 victory over Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl, throwing for 251 yards with three touchdowns. Iamaleava, an incoming freshman from Downey, California, was the No. 6 pocket passer in the ESPN 300. Offensive coordinator Alex Golesh was hired as South Florida's coach, and Heupel promoted quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle as his replacement. The Volunteers have to figure out a way to get better on defense, and they'll have to do it without top pass-rusher Young and three other starters. Tennessee will play games against SEC West foes Alabama (road) and Texas A&M (home), and it'll face Georgia at home.
11. Washington Huskies
12. TCU Horned Frogs
13. Utah Utes
14. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
15. Clemson Tigers
16. Texas Longhorns
17. Oregon State Beavers
18. Kansas State Wildcats
19. Tulane Green Wave
20. Ole Miss Rebels
21. North Carolina Tar Heels
22. UTSA Roadrunners
23. Texas Tech Red Raiders
24. James Madison Dukes
25. Iowa Hawkeyes

Just missed the Top 25: South Carolina, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, UCLA, Troy, Maryland and Boise State

I think the big question is will Milton be able to turn the corner and can we shore up our defense (ask Clemson). If so, we are no doubt top 5. Problem is of course we have Bama on the road too.

And just how many of the top 10 teams outside of the sec do you think could be Bama at home?

 

[stolitonic]

Florida State is improving, but to start the season ahead of bama at 4?

FSU has to get past their main obstacle-Clemson before I am going to take them even remotely seriously.

One of them will get into the playoffs and get absolutely smoked by the first real team they have to face.

 

[Gandalf]

And just how many of the top 10 teams outside of the sec do you think could be Bama at home?

The Homer knows

 

[BradstarVols]

Penn St and FL St are definitely overrated imo

 

[Evol]

10th is actually the highest I’ve seen in one of these way too early polls

 

[Experiment626]

Imagine where we will be when Heupel isn't rehabbing cast-off QB's from other programs.

 

[volbound1700]

Florida State is improving, but to start the season ahead of bama at 4?

I called it in a post a while back. FSU will be that overrated team that starts in the top 10 and is out of the poll by mid-season. We tend to have 1-2 of them every year (Miami and Texas A&M were two this year).

 

[volbound1700]

Regarding the poll, I think it is pretty fair and will take it.

 

[Vol8188]

10 seems really fair to us

 

[orangebloodgmc]

I don't really like it ... and yet, if they think we are a top 10 team, then they think we will be situated at QB.

 

[volfanhill]

Imagine where we will be when Heupel isn't rehabbing cast-off QB's from other programs.

We will lucky to find anyone who matches Hooker's skill set

 

[happy-go_vol]

Ga schedule is such a joke for 2023. Who's going to compete with them besides us? Gaators?

 

[Titan&Volfan4life]

I can live with a top 10 ranking to start.

Just as long as we start climbing fast and we finish at # 1 where we belong.

It's always where you finish that really counts.

VFL...GBO!!!

 

[DC_Vol]

I think anywhere between 8-12 is reasonable.

 

[swampfoxfan]

If OSU, Mich and FSU played our schedule each would have 2-3 losses