To celebrate the return of pageantry and spirited (sometimes intoxicated) Saturdays, here are our top 25 college football rankings entering Week 1.
32 weeks. 229 days. 5,496 hours. 329,760 minutes. 19,785,600 seconds. However you want to phrase it, that’s how long we have been starved of college football. But it returned with an appetizer in Week 0. Now, it’s time for the first full plate of the 2022 season.
Top 25 college football rankings following Week 0
No teams in the top 25 played in Week 0, meaning Week 1 is our first chance to watch the top programs in the nation duke it out. There will be movement in the rankings. There will be chaos. But as Sun Tzu said, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide have the greatest coach of all time (Nick Saban), the reigning Heisman winner (Bryce Young), and one of — if not the — top defenders in the country (Will Anderson Jr.). In all likelihood, it’s going to come down to Alabama vs. Ohio State in the national championship, and right now, I’d bet the Crimson Tide come out on top.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Sure, Alabama’s depth chart is loaded with top-tier talent, but so is Ohio State’s. They could end up with the QB1 (C.J. Stroud), WR1 (Jaxon Smith-Njigba), and OT1 (Paris Johnson Jr.) in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, head coach Ryan Day brought in Jim Knowles to revamp the defense as he did at Oklahoma State. If the offense simply keeps pace with last season and the defense improves, the Buckeyes will have no issue reaching the natty.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia sent five — yes, five — defenders to the NFL via the first round last year. And yet, they have three more Day 1 locks on the roster in Jalen Carter, Kelee Ringo, and Nolan Smith. Offensively, Stetson Bennett isn’t an elite QB, but the weapons around him should do the heavy lifting.
Sedrick Van Pran and Broderick Jones are top-of-class talents, while Brock Bowers is the best tight end in the nation. The Bulldogs may not win back-to-back national championships, but Kirby Smart’s team should be in contention once again.
4. Utah Utes
A Pac-12 team making the College Football Playoff? “Blasphemy!” I hear you declare. But hear me out. Yes, the conference has a certain … cannibalistic nature, with the top teams often knocking each other out of the national race. And yes, the Pac-12 hasn’t had a national champion since 2008 under the BCS system. But who was said champion? The Utah Utes.
Repeating as conference champions is no easy task, especially in the Pac-12. But the Utes have the talent to do so. Cameron Rising steers the ship, with Brant Kuithe, Dalton Kincaid, and Tavion Thomas shoring up the offense. CB Clark Phillips III highlights the defense, a unit that, if it were at full strength, may have done enough to secure a Rose Bowl victory over Ohio State last season.
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Marcus Freeman was always Notre Dame’s future. But that future quickly became the present when Brian Kelly unexpectedly left to force a southern accent at LSU. Freeman inherited a dominant offensive line and seven defensive starters. Oh, and likely the first tight end drafted in the 2023 cycle in Michael Mayer. Additionally, former Northwestern safety Brandon Joseph will fill Kyle Hamilton’s shoes as the defensive leader and aims to reprise his elite potential showcased in 2020 (six interceptions).
The only glaring area of concern on Notre Dame’s roster is at quarterback. Tyler Buchner got the nod as the lead man, but he didn’t exactly “wow” in limited action last year. If Buchner can simply be an upgrade over Jack Coan, the Fighting Irish have a — no pun intended — fighting chance at a playoff spot.
6. North Carolina State Wolfpack
A dark horse to take the ACC crown and earn a bid to the national dance, North Carolina State returns 17 of 22 starters. The offense took the major blows, with LT Ikem Ekwonu, WR Emeka Emezie, and RBs Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person Jr. leaving. Quarterback Devin Leary is back, and head coach Dave Doeren truly believes he is the best returning passer in the country.
Those are lofty expectations … but not unwarranted. Leary threw 35 touchdowns to just five interceptions last season, and he’s improved his mechanics and decision-making each year since 2019.
7. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M famously produced the No. 1 recruiting class in the country this year. Pulling in eight five-star athletes (three more than any other program) tends to have that effect. And Jimbo Fisher will need at least some of those recruits contributing early for the Aggies to make a significant push in the SEC.
Haynes King returns as the starting quarterback, with Devon Achane and Ainias Smith providing home-run threats from anywhere on the field. The defensive secondary, led by Demani Richardson and Antonio Johnson, should stabilize a unit with a new front four. But in the end, Texas A&M’s ceiling lies on King’s shoulders, with LSU transfer Max Johnson waiting in the wings.
8. Michigan Wolverines
Jim Harbaugh pulled the plug on incumbent starter Alex Smith in favor of the superior athlete in Colin Kaepernick with the San Francisco 49ers. So why can’t he do the same with Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy at Michigan?
Harbaugh stated McNamara would start Week 1, with McCarthy taking over in Week 2. By Week 3, the best man would own the starting spot — at least that’s what Harbaugh believes right now.
Nevertheless, whoever starts will have an exceptional supporting cast. Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards, Erick All, Ronnie Bell, Andrel Anthony, and Cornelius Johnson form one of the best arsenals of weapons in the nation.
9. Clemson Tigers
Clemson will go as far as DJ Uiagalelei and the offense will take it. DJU struggled with accuracy last season and must show vast improvements this year if the Tigers want to win the ACC outright. That is unless Dabo Swinney ultimately pulls Uiagalelei in favor of highly-touted five-star true freshman Cade Klubnik.
The defense is national championship-caliber, with Myles Murphy, Bryan Bresee, Xavier Thomas, Tyler Davis, Trenton Simpson, and Andrew Mukuba the headliners. But they did lose substantial experience and leadership on the back end, not to mention defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ departure.
10. USC Trojans
Southern California: home to the Pacific coastline, beautiful sunny weather, and a hot spot for artistry. Art comes in all sorts of forms, including offensive schematics. Lincoln Riley’s offense is poetic, lulling defenses with short, quick throws and RPOs before punctuating drives with designed chunk gains. Caleb Williams is already near the top of Heisman lists, especially with Jordan Addison making the trek from Pitt to SoCal.
The transfer portal was Riley’s muse as he constructed his new roster. DC Alex Grinch has playmakers at his disposal; he just needs to make sure the pieces fit. The foundation is there for a Beethoven-esque symphony at USC in 2022. And with Riley as the orchestrator, the Trojans should “Fight On” well into January.
11. Oklahoma Sooners
Swapping your star head coach and signal-caller isn’t exactly ideal. Yet, Venables and Dillon Gabriel have already begun to change the culture at Oklahoma. Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby reconnects with Gabriel to continue OU’s tradition of high-flying offenses under Lincoln Riley. RB Eric Gray, WR Marvin Mims, and OTs Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris raise the offense’s floor. But Venables has his work cut out for him on the other side of the ball.
12. Baylor Bears
Gerry Bohanon is gone, but Blake Shapen was the one to lead Baylor over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 title match. Abram Smith and Trestan Ebner are now in the NFL, leaving the backfield a bit unknown. Regardless, one of the nation’s top offensive lines should create rushing lanes with ease.
The secondary will be overhauled, but Siaki Ika, Jaxon Player, and Gabe hall are a devastating trio up front. Plus, Al Walcott will fill Jalen Pitre’s vacated “STAR” this year, adding further intrigue to the defense. Dave Aranda’s squad has a wide range of outcomes in 2022, but their 12-2 record in 2021 is more inductive of Baylor’s future than their 2-7 outing in 2020.
13. Oregon Ducks
Former Georgie defensive coordinator Dan Lanning brings a national championship pedigree as well as a sophisticated defense to Oregon. That should bode well for a unit filled with stars, including Noah Sewell, Justin Flowe, Colorado transfer Christian Gonzalez, and DJ Johnson. However, the offense needs to click into high gear with Bo Nix because the defense can only carry them so far.
14. Houston Cougars
“Clayton Tune to Nathaniel Dell” will be a nationally recognized phrase by the time the 2022 season is over. Houston should unseat Cincinnati as the top Group of Five team in the country after the Bearcats lost several integral pieces. Dana Holgorsen led the Cougars to 4-8 and 3-5 campaigns to begin his tenure, but with a high-powered offense, exceeding their 12-2 record in 2021 isn’t out of question.
15. Michigan State Spartans
Last season was a fairy tale for Michigan State, as they soared past their preseason win total of four toward an 11-2 finish. Thanks to the Spartans’ success, Mel Tucker earned a 10-year contract, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the country.
Losing Kenneth Walker III will hurt, but transfers Jalen Berger and Jarek Broussard can carry the load. With QB Payton Thorne and WR Jayden Reed back in action and nine returning defensive first-teamers, MSU may rise up these rankings in a hurry.
16. Pittsburgh Panthers
Change was inevitable, with longtime QB Kenny Pickett headed to the draft. But he was far from Pitt’s only loss, as Biletnikoff-winning WR Jordan Addison (USC) and OC Mark Whipple (Nebraska) sought greener pastors.
Ex-USC Trojan Kedon Slovis takes the reins of the offense and aims to tap into the potential he flashed as a true freshman. And under HC Pat Narduzzi’s tutelage, Calijah Kancey, SirVocea Dennis, Deslin Alexandre, and Habakkuk Baldonado should make life difficult for the opposition.
17. Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Cowboys appeared in the Big 12 Championship and finished with a 12-2 record in 2021. That was their best campaign in over 10 years (2011). But Oklahoma State will take a step back this year, if not a few.
There is a new sheriff in town to call the defense, and only four starters return offensively. Still, Spencer Sanders remains under center, and Mike Gundy hasn’t had a losing season since 2005 (his first as OSU’s head coach). So don’t expect the Cowboys to fall too far.
18. Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin is a running back factory, and the next one off the line is Braelon Allen. As a true freshman, he bulldozed his way to 1,268 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Thus far, QB Graham Mertz’s first collegiate start (five TDs, zero, INTs, and one incompletion) has been a mirage, and he’s provided nothing more than average play. But if he improves ever so slightly, the Badgers could challenge for a Big Ten West title.
19. Kentucky Wildcats
Mark Stoops is entering his 10th year at Kentucky, and expectations are high with QB Will Levis at the helm. The Wildcats recorded only their second 10-win season since 1977 last year, so any improvement will likely be marginal. Nevertheless, Levis’ growth (or lack thereof) should take headlines leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft.
20. Miami Hurricanes
New head coach Mario Cristobal hopes to lead Miami to just their third 10+ win season since 2003. With Tyler Van Dyke under center and Sam Hartman out for the season at Wake Forest, it’s certainly possible. There is no shortage of talent on the offensive side of the ball (Jaylan Knighton, Zion Nelson, Will Mallory), and the Canes bolstered their defense through the transfer portal (Mitchell Agude, Caleb Johnson, Akheem Mesidor).
21. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Don’t sleep on the Golden Gophers this season. I mean, just look at this offense: QB Tanner Morgan, RBs Mohamed Ibrahim and Trey Potts, WRs Dylan Wright and Chris Autman-Bell, TE Brevyn Spann-Ford, and C John Michael Schmitz.
Health will be a major key in 2022, and Morgan needs to return to his 2019 form if Minnesota wants to contend in the Big Ten — for second place behind Ohio State, of course.
22. Ole Miss Rebels
Lane Kiffin has yet to announce Ole Miss‘ starting QB. But whether USC transfer Jaxson Dart or holdover Luke Altmyer wins the job, Ole Miss will score points in droves. Transfer RBs Zach Evans (TCU) and Ulysses Bentley IV (SMU) form one of the best duos in the country. Yet, it will be up to the defense to hold up their end of the bargain. If they do, the Rebels could rise in these top 25 college football rankings.
23. BYU Cougars
Continuity is a significant advantage on the collegiate level, and BYU owns a ton of it. Not only is the coaching staff largely intact, but so is the first-team unit. The Cougars return eight starters on offense, including star QB Jaren Hall, and all 11 on defense. A schedule featuring Baylor, Arkansas, Notre Dame, and Oregon caps BYU’s ceiling, but they should remain competitive all season long.
24. Florida Gators
Billy Napier is the new man in “The Swamp,” bringing with him Louisiana stalwarts CB Mekhi Garner and G O’Cyrus Torrence. There is plenty of ancillary talent on both sides of the ball for Florida, but their success hinges on the man under center: Anthony Richardson. He oozes potential, but it will remain just that until he proves himself as the full-time starter.
25. Fresno State Bulldogs
Out is Kalen DeBoer, and in comes Jeff Tedford. Fresno State’s “new” head coach is no stranger to Bulldogs fans as he led the program to a 26-14 record from 2017-2019.
Reunited with quarterback Jake Haener, Tedford hopes to rekindle his early success. With Jalen Cropper and Josh Kelly catching passes and Dontae Bull and Co. protecting up front, Fresno should put up plenty of points this season.
