10. It's already time for way-too-early predictions, a precursor to the start of spring practice and a glimpse at storylines that will likely define the upcoming football year. The Hawkeyes won 10 games for the second time in three seasons, but it's impossible not to imagine what they might have done with a more-than-pedestrian offense. Stroud returning at quarterback and a new-look defense under Jim Knowles, the Buckeyes should be in playoff contention down the stretch next fall. 3 in the initial CFP rankings before cooling off. OU could be the Big 12's highest-ranked team to start. Pac-12 college football rankings and predictions with the realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis - the 2022 spring version. 2021 record: 13-1 (8-0 AAC) Notice that "game control" is not listed in the criteria. Will USC be penalized for playing and losing in their conference championship game, allowing Ohio State to rise above them? They beat three ranked foes and nearly took down two more. These are the biggest stadiums in college football, Here are the final top 25 College Football Playoff rankings, Recapping conference championship weekend, College Football Playoff rankings release schedule, Michigan thinking big thoughts, Ohio State wondering about CFP hopes after The Game blowout, Georgia wins the 2023 CFP National Championship, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. College football rankings: Predicting the AP top 25 poll for Key additions: OT Kingsley Suamataia, WR Cody Hagen, WR Dominique McKenzie, DE Aisea Moa, DE Logan Fano, RB Christopher Brooks, FB Houston Heimuli. QB Spencer Sanders should help get the offense going if it takes time for a new start to emerge at running back or receiver. Join the conversation today. The Wolverines defeated Ohio State for the first time in a decade, won the Big Ten for the first time since 2004 and reached the playoff for the first time. With Hendon Hooker returning at quarterback, the Volunteers could have the SEC's second-best signal caller entering the season who anchors an offense that could be even better than this season's group that led the nation in plays per minute. As a result, these rankings will be updated several times throughout the offseason. College Football rankings 2022: Preliminary 2023 top 25 rankings College Football Playoff rankings predictions: What the final - NCAA It's the conference where worst-to-first is the norm, with 2020 winless Northern Illinois winning the MAC championship in 2021, everyone can beat anyone else, and Toledo will end up . Much of that was due to disappointing play at the quarterback position, but that's expected to change with elite signee Cade Klubnik coming in. Panthers: Bryce Young. With tailback Chris Rodriguez Jr. opting to come back, the Wildcats could be very explosive on offense next season. There are plenty of pieces coming back on offense, including quarterback Clayton Tune, RB Alton McCaskill and receiver Nathaniel Dell. College Football Playoff Rankings prediction: Ohio State takes No. The race to win the SEC for college football's 2022 season starts where the national championship ended. 2021 record: 11-3 (7-1 ACC) Tim Warner/Getty Images, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and offensive lineman Olusegun Oluwatimi (55) warm-up ahead of the Maryland game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. The Trojans lost their conference championship game, marking their second loss to Utah. Much of Ohio State's problems in 2021 can be attributed to the defense. Starters expected to return: 6 offense, 7 defense, 1 special teams Below is how we predict the AP Poll could look. Outlook: Shane Beamer's first season as a head coach couldn't have gone much better, given the Gamecocks' lack of depth and problems at quarterback. What can the Wolverines do for an encore? Outlook: After former coach Mario Cristobal bolted to return to Miami, his alma mater, the Ducks are gambling on Lanning, a first-time head coach. It's Wisconsin, so the offensive front and defense (despite losses) will be good. Key additions: LB Mohamoud Diabate, QB Nathan Johnson, ATH Justius Lowe, LB Lander Barton, S Elijah Davis, LB Justin Medlock, WR Landon Morris, TE Logan Kendall. Position: Quarterback. 2021 record: 12-2 (7-2 Big 12) Key starters expected to leave: RB Jaylen Warren, WR Tay Martin, G Josh Sills, LB Malcolm Rodriguez, LB Devin Harper, S Kolby Harvell-Peel This would be UGA's fifth consecutive season starting in the top 5. Early SEC Football Predictions for 2022 - AthlonSports.com Joseph, an All-American at Northwestern in 2020, has had nine interceptions the past two seasons. College Football Playoff Rankings prediction: USC moves to No. 4 Starters expected to return: 8 offense, 11 defense, 2 special teams He has covered numerous NCAA championship events, including the FCS Championship, DI Track & Field Championships and Men's Frozen Four. 2021 record: 10-4 (7-2 Pac-12) Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports, Nov. 19, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia; Kansas State Wildcats safety Josh Hayes (1) celebrates after a defensive stop during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Round 7, Pick 256. As if playing in the rugged SEC West wasn't enough, the Hogs will play nonconference games against Cincinnati, BYU and Liberty in 2022. College Football Rankings, Season Predictions: SEC Spring Version 2022 Georgia (14-1, won CFP National Championship Game) The Bulldogs are coming off their first national championship since 1980 . Follow along with CFP and bowl game announcements throughout the dayhere. 2021 record: 11-2 (7-2 Big Ten) Key starters expected to leave: DE Nik Bonitto, LB Brian Asamoah, DE Isaiah Thomas, DL Perrion Winfrey, S Delarrin Turner-Yell, S Pat Fields, WR Jadon Haselwood, RB Kennedy Brooks, G Marquis Hayes, OT Tyrese Robinson Outlook: The Buckeyes just missed making the College Football Playoff for a third straight time under coach Ryan Day, with a humbling 42-27 loss at rival Michigan knocking them out of contention. Hartman will miss Roberson, who had 71 catches for 1,078 yards with eight touchdowns, but A.T. Perry is just as good. Grade: A. Starters expected to return: 3 offense, 4 defense, 2 special teams On Monday, QB Jaxson Dart entered the transfer portal (former starter Kedon Slovis has already transferred to Pittsburgh), potentially opening the door for former Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams to rejoin Riley at USC.