The Silver Bulletin’s Senior Editor, Blake Biscardi, unveils his Preseason Top 25 Rankings and Watch Lists for the 2023 College Football Season, which is the Final Year of Four. 

The 2023 college football season is quickly approaching, which means prediction mania is in full swing. Georgia looks to be the first team to 3-peat since Minnesota in the 1930s. On paper, what is going to stop the Dawgs? Enter Nick Saban? Alabama is supremely talented, but can the Tide get out of their own division? Brian Kelly and Jayden Daniels conquered the Crimson Mountain on their first try a year ago. 

USC and Texas are in a prime position to catapult into the CFP in their final season representing the PAC-12 and Big 12 conferences. Or will their counterparts UCLA and Oklahoma rise from the middle of the pack and outshine them on the way out? 

New faces in new places for the Big Ten as Luke Fickell and Matt Rhule open their tenures at Wisconsin and Nebraska. Both teams should make some noise in the Big Ten West. Across divisions, Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State will be the country’s most talented trio of teams, all under the same roof. Not to take away from the West, but it will be nearly criminal that two teams won’t get a chance to play in the Big Ten Championship Game. In 2024, that will change, however, as USC and UCLA join the conference and eliminate divisions altogether.  

The hunt for the ACC title may be the most underrated race in the country this year as Florida State opens as the favorite for the first time since 2017. Dabo Swinney and Clemson will have something to say about that in late September in what may be the first of two meetings for the Tigers and Seminoles. North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Pittsburgh may pull an upset or two, but they must be stronger to get to the conference championship game. 

The preseason hunt may be the most crowded yet in the final year of the four-team playoff. So let’s dive into my seventh annual season outlook to see how I have everything shaking out:

Teams to Watch

1. Florida State Seminoles 
2. Texas Longhorns 
3. Oregon Ducks 
4. Wisconsin Badgers 
5. Texas A&M Aggies 
6. Oregon State Beavers

A constant theme of this season preview is how bullish I am on Florida State’s ceiling. I know they are in my group of playoff contenders and among my teams to watch. I don’t usually overlap the two, but the Seminoles finally won 10 games last year and have all the pieces to exceed last year’s numbers. 

Texas and Oregon are two teams generating buzz and excitement on paper but need to prove it with wins on the field. Quinn Ewers could work into the Heisman conversation early on if the Longhorns can pull the upset in Tuscaloosa. Despite the in-game injuries, Texas outplayed Alabama last year, but that was at home, and this year is on the road. Bo Nix is another QB with a lot in front of him in a crowded conference with deep QB play. Expect a PAC-12 champion-caliber season from the Ducks. 

Luke Fickell joins the ranks of the Big Ten at Wisconsin, which is in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten West. The Badgers always have a stout defense and punishing running game featuring Braelon Allen that will be complimented nicely by Phil Longo’s high-flying offensive attack. Expect to see Fickell and the Badgers competing in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship in early December. 

Texas A&M was one of the most underwhelming teams in 2022 following its record-setting recruiting class. Tumultuous times will ensue for Jimbo Fisher if he doesn’t right the ship in 2023. Anything less than nine wins will cause panic in College Station unless an upset victory over Alabama cancels out the woes. Texas A&M has a talented roster and the pieces to contend in the SEC West, but like in previous years, it must translate to the field and win column. 

Finally, Oregon State surprised many last year, winning ten games with a stellar defense and potent ground attack. The Beavers added Clemson transfer QB DJ Uiagalelei, which is the missing piece from contending for a conference title. DJ U will have one of the top offensive lines in the sport, so they will be a difficult team to beat in the PAC-12 and could be a dark horse CFP contender. 

Next is a snapshot of my Top-25 teams, conference predictions, Heisman hopefuls, and CFP picks as I see the 2023 college football season playing out. 

The Break Down

25. Ole Miss Rebels   

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 8-4
• SOS: #12
• Key Matchups: @Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, @Georgia 

24. TCU Horned Frogs 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 8-4
• SOS: #40
• Key Matchups: Colorado, @Kansas State, @Texas Tech, Texas, Baylor

23. Kansas State Wildcats  

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 9-3
• SOS: #15
• Key Matchups: @Missouri, @Oklahoma State, @Texas Tech, @Texas, Baylor, @Kansas 

22. Oklahoma Sooners  

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 9-3 
• SOS: #49
• Key Matchups: @Cincinnati, Texas (in Dallas), @Kansas, @Oklahoma State 

21. UCLA Bruins 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 9-3
• SOS: #72
• Key Matchups: @Utah, @Oregon State, @Stanford, @USC 
• Reminder: the 2023 college football season is UCLA’s last in the PAC-12.

20. North Carolina Tar Heels 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 9-3
• SOS: #43
• Key Matchups: South Carolina (in Charlotte), @Pittsburgh, @Clemson, @NC State 

19. Texas A&M Aggies 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 9-3
• SOS: #24
• Key Matchups: @Miami (FL), Alabama, @Tennessee, @Ole Miss, @LSU 

18. Iowa Hawkeyes 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 9-3
• SOS: #69
• Key Matchups: @Iowa State, @Penn State, @Wisconsin, @Nebraska 

17. Utah Utes

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2 
• SOS: #42
• Key Matchups: Florida (Thursday), @Baylor, UCLA, @Oregon State, @USC, Oregon, @Washington

16. Wisconsin Badgers  

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2 
• SOS: #59
• Key Matchups: @Washington State, @Purdue (Friday), Iowa, Ohio State, @Minnesota 

15. Oregon State Beavers  

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 9-3
• SOS: #57
• Key Matchups: @Washington State, Utah (Friday), @California, UCLA, Washington, @Oregon (Friday) 

14. Oregon Ducks 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2 
• SOS: #68
• Key Matchups: @Texas Tech, @Washington, @Utah, USC, Oregon State 

13. Texas Longhorns  

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2 
• SOS: #10
• Key Matchups: @Alabama, @Baylor, Oklahoma (in Dallas), Kansas State, @TCU

12. Washington Huskies 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2
• SOS: #52
• Key Matchups: @Michigan State, Oregon, @Stanford, @USC, Utah, @Oregon State  

11. Tennessee Volunteers  

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 9-3 
• SOS: #18
• Key Matchups: Virginia (in Nashville), @Florida, South Carolina, Texas A&M, @Alabama, Georgia

10. Clemson Tigers 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2 
• SOS: #25
• Key Matchups: @Duke (Monday), Florida State, @Miami (FL), Notre Dame, North Carolina, @South Carolina 

The 2023 college football season is a big year for Dabo Swinney and Clemson, as their run of 6 straight CFP appearances was snapped by not making it either of the last two seasons. The Tigers are in good hands with Cade Klubnik under center, and they get Florida State and Notre Dame at home. Outside of those matchups, the schedule sets up nicely for another run at the playoff. 

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2
• SOS: #21
• Key Matchups: Navy (in Ireland), Ohio State, @Duke, @Louisvile, USC, @Clemson, @Stanford 

Enter Sam Hartman. Notre Dame has been missing high-level quarterback play to win games in the College Football Playoff. The Irish will get it this year with Hartman at the helm, coupled with a strong ground game. Marcus Freeman has three massive games with CFP implications against Ohio State and USC at home and Clemson on the road. Notre Dame will have to win two of those matchups to contend for a playoff spot in a crowded field. 

8. Florida State Seminoles 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2  
• SOS: #41
• Key Matchups: LSU (in Orlando, Sunday), @Clemson, @Wake Forest, @Florida 

Finally returning to double digits wins last season, the Seminoles are ready to build on a solid foundation. Florida State opens against Brian Kelly and LSU again. The winner of that matchup will be in the driver’s seat for a playoff berth ahead of tricky road conference schedules. Mike Norvell gets 17 starters back, and the September game against Clemson figures to be the first of two in 2023. FSU needs to beat one of LSU or Clemson in the opening month to stay in contention. I think they do, but will it be enough to return to the College Football Playoff in the final year of four? 

7. LSU Tigers  

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2 
• SOS: #13
• Key Matchups: Florida State (in Orlando, Sunday), @Ole Miss, @Alabama, Florida, Texas A&M 

Brian Kelly needs to open the year with a revenge win over Florida State to propel the momentum gained from last season. Jayden Daniels is back at quarterback and will be a dark horse Heisman contender. The Tigers played with fire last year and will not have the same luxuries with a demanding schedule on the docket. This team will be in the playoff mix entering the final month of the regular season. But that’s why they say the games you remember are played in November. Alabama, Florida, and Texas A&M await LSU to close the schedule. 

6. USC Trojans  

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2 
• SOS: #50
• Key Matchups: @Colorado, @Notre Dame, Utah, Washington, @Oregon, UCLA 

Caleb Williams returns as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner looking to be the second player to win it twice. If he does, he will be the first quarterback to accomplish the feat. Lincoln Riley’s offense will be high-flying again, but just like his other teams, their ceiling will rest on the shoulders of the defense. USC brings back 17 starters, so the veteran roster is talented. The Trojans will vie for a playoff spot but be cautiously optimistic when picking them to reach the field of four if they struggle to stop the run. Also, to note, this will be the best USC team in recent years. Reminder: the 2023 college football season is USC’s last in the PAC-12. 

5. Penn State Nittany Lions 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 10-2 
• SOS: #60
• Key Matchups: West Virginia, Iowa, @Ohio State, Michigan 

Can Penn State overcome “Big Game James Franklin?” The Happy Valley faithful know what I’m talking about. The Nittany Lions will have one of the best defenses in college football, and its RB tandem is also among the top units. Penn State needs to find weapons on the outside to spread and stretch the field vertically to compete with Ohio State and Michigan. If they do, those battles will be even more intense. Michigan is at home but will not be the Whiteout (Iowa), while Ohio State is on the road. A win in either matchup creates a dark horse playoff contender if they take care of business elsewhere. 

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 11-1 
• SOS: #8
• Key Matchups: Texas, Ole Miss, @Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU

My opening analysis for Alabama is that they’re not being discussed as the “kings of the SEC.” When Nick Saban is doubted, the Crimson Tide exceeds expectations. 2023 will be a reminder of modern-day Alabama football. Both losses last year came on the final play of the game. This year, the schedule is challenging with games against Texas, Tennessee, and LSU at home, which may be the saving grace. An improved Texas A&M and Auburn are both roadies, so an upset alert always follows the Tide to those venues. My maybe-not-so-bold prediction is that Alabama will find a way to win the SEC. 

3. Ohio State Buckeyes 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 11-1  
• SOS: #27
• Key Matchups: @Notre Dame, @Purdue, Penn State, @Wisconsin, Minnesota, @Michigan 

Ryan Day and Ohio State were a missed field goal away from erasing the November home loss to Michigan. While the Buckeyes lose CJ Stroud and three offensive linemen to the NFL, they gain Kyle McCord (or Devin Brown) under center and return the entire group of wide receivers and running backs. Ohio State will also be experienced on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the front seven. Two units will define the Buckeyes this season: defensive backs and the offensive line. 

However, Ohio State may have the best player in the country lining up on the perimeter in Marvin Harrison Jr, who will be virtually unguardable. But for the first time in over a decade, Ohio State is playing catch-up to Michigan in the Big Ten after losing back-to-back years. Even still, the Buckeyes are dangerous and will play with an edge similar to the one we saw against Georgia in the Peach Bowl. This team will contend for the CFP and National Championship again in 2023, which is a big moment for Ryan Day with a less-than-ideal road schedule. 

2. Michigan Wolverines 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 11-1
• SOS: #67
• Key Matchups: @Nebraska, @Minnesota, @Penn State, Ohio State 

Michigan returns the best running back tandem in the nation with Blake Corum (all in the name, of course) and Donovan Edwards. Additionally, the Wolverines are one of the only contenders to bring back its quarterback. JJ McCarthy will lead the offense behind a stout offensive line and trustworthy weapons. Jim Harbaugh and company will rise and fall on the defense and how it will replace critical losses. 

Keep in mind Michigan is right behind Georgia with a more favorable schedule than its counterparts. Traveling to Happy Valley is no easy task, but it will not be the Whiteout, so the Wolverines catch a break. However, a few weeks later, the archrival Buckeyes will come to Ann Arbor hungry for their first win in the series since 2019. Win or lose in ‘The Game,’ Michigan is a legitimate College Football Playoff and National Championship contender. 

1. Georgia Bulldogs 

• Projected Reg. Season Record: 12-0 (12-1)
• SOS: #56
• Key Matchups: South Carolina, Florida (in Jacksonville), @Tennessee 

Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs won back-to-back National Championships and are on the prowl for the first three-peat since Minnesota nearly 90 years ago. Georgia has the most favorable schedule of the top contenders. Aside from the rivalry game against Florida, it will be a one-game season for the SEC East against Tennessee. Thankfully, the game isn’t until later in the season, which means Carson Beck will have reps under his belt. Winning on the road in Knoxville won’t be easy, but the Dawgs will get it done and reach the SEC Championship Game against Alabama. 

Full Preseason Top 25 Rankings 

1. Georgia
2. Michigan 
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Penn State
6. USC
7. LSU
8. Florida State
9. Notre Dame
10. Clemson 
11. Tennessee 
12. Washington
13. Texas 
14. Oregon
15. Oregon State 
16. Wisconsin
17. Utah
18. Iowa 
19. Texas A&M
20. North Carolina
21. UCLA 
22. Oklahoma
23. Kansas State  
24. TCU
25. Ole Miss

Playoff Contenders:

According to my analyses, a group of eleven teams can contend for a playoff spot this season, spanning all five power conferences. The SEC and Big Ten lead the way with three teams each, while the PAC-12 and Big 12 each have one. The ACC has two contenders, and its conference-adjacent member, Notre Dame, rounds out the list. 

On paper, Georgia and Michigan shouldn’t have any hiccups outside the rivalry games and have less stressful paths than others around the sport. However, the Bulldogs and Wolverines will be challenged for the conference crowns, as Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Ohio State, and Penn State are embracing the chase. 

USC and Florida State are fascinating teams in this top group of eight. The Trojans will be led by Heisman-winner Caleb Williams, surrounded by 17 familiar faces. Experience and defense were missing last year for Lincoln Riley, so 2023 is his best chance at the CFP as USC heads to the Big Ten next year. 

Continuity is the message in Tallahassee for the Seminoles, piloted by Jordan Travis. He’s been in the system for years and has reliable units on both lines of scrimmage for the first time in his career. A win against LSU in the opener allows for an increased margin of error and provides the foundation for an excellent playoff resume. What a battle for ACC supremacy it will be between Florida State and Clemson this season!

Evaluating the Big 12 is an enigma outside of Texas. There are multiple unanswered questions for Oklahoma, Kansas State, Baylor, and the rest of the conference. The Longhorns boast one of the top rosters in the country, but can they finally put things together in Austin to get into the playoff mix? The 2023 college football season will be one of the most entertaining to date. 

Stay tuned for Part II of my Preseason series where I reveal my postseason predictions, including the final four-team bracket. 

• Listen to Blake Biscardi on the Bunch of Nuts podcast discussing the series and 2023 college football season.