The Silver Bulletin’s Senior Editor, Blake Biscardi, reveals his Post-Spring Top 10 Rankings heading into the 2023 college football season. 

The 2023 college football season marks the final installment of the four-team playoff format. But for now, it’s time for the Post-Spring Top 10 reveal. Three leagues have claimed National Championships during this era: ACC (Clemson), Big Ten (Ohio State), and SEC (Alabama, Georgia, and LSU). Conference realignment and expansion are on the horizon, too, as the Big Ten and SEC lead the way as the marquee leagues head and shoulders above the rest. 

The Big Ten will add California rivals USC and UCLA, while the SEC brings in Texas and Oklahoma. Both of these moves become effective for the 2024 season alongside the 12-team College Football Playoff.  

Spring ball and the latest transfer portal window are behind us, so which teams crack the Post-Spring Top 10 in the final edition of traditional college football? 

10. Washington 

The Huskies were a surprise team last year and are poised to build on its double digits wins. Michael Penix Jr is one of the conference’s premier signal callers, and a solid defense put Washington in a prime position to contend for the PAC-12. Watch out for the Huskies in 2023. 

9. Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman will enter his second season as head coach. He brought in transfer QB Sam Hartman to lead the 2023 campaign for the Irish. Ohio State travels to South Bend for a late September showdown defining both teams’ seasons. 

8. Florida State

Since the 2020 COVID season, the sport’s hallmark has revolved around teams led by veterans. Florida State earned its first 10-win season in nearly a decade last year and is widely considered an ACC favorite and dark horse playoff contender this year. The Seminoles will be an experienced team, and the matchup against Clemson will most likely decide the eventual conference champion. 

7. LSU 

Speaking of the Seminoles, LSU draws Florida State in another neutral site season opener. The game features two darkhorse playoff teams, and the winner earns street cred in the committee’s eyes to battle for a spot in the CFP. Jayden Daniels returns under center for Brian Kelly, as the Tigers will need him to play at a high level to escape the vigorous SEC. 

6. USC 

Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams headline the college football season. Williams is the reigning Heisman Trophy Winner and the most dynamic playmaker in the country. However, Riley’s achilles heel has been a weak defense. The Trojans will be elite offensively, but the team’s ceiling is its defense and ability to win tough, physical battles. If USC can find ways to grind out games, Riley will return to the College Football Playoff. 

5. Penn State 

This may be James Franklin’s most talented team in Happy Valley. On paper, based on expectations, Penn State is a playoff contender. Albeit, predicated on the level of play from Drew Allar. The Nittany Lions have a strong backfield with Kaytron Allen and Nicolas Singleton and a solid offensive line. Defensively, the unit could be Top 3 in the conference. If Penn State can find playmakers on the perimeter and James Franklin finally manages a big game for sixty minutes, watch out. 

4. Alabama

Last season was uncharacteristic for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide as they dropped two regular season contests. Alabama has a quarterback battle of its own but is littered with talent all over the field. Expect the modernized offense with a stronger Saban flare in the power-spread style. As it currently stands for a Post-Spring Top 10, No. 4 is correct for Alabama. 

3. Ohio State 

Ryan Day and Ohio State return an experienced roster and should have a defense similar to the level of 2019. If so, Kyle McCord or Devin Brown need to distribute the ball to the treasure chest of weapons and play within the offense. The Buckeyes have playmakers all over the field and should have between 4-6 first-round NFL Draft Picks in 2023. That’s been an indicator of success and eventual national champions over the last few years. Should Ohio State return to the summit of Mount Michigan, a gold trophy could return to Columbus to bookend the 4-team format era of the CFP with national titles. 

2. Michigan 

The Wolverines have conquered the Buckeyes in the last two seasons en route to Big Ten supremacy. Jim Harbaugh’s squad boasts another top offensive group on the OL and in the backfield. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards headline the sport’s RBs as the best in the nation. Another solid offensive line, thanks to the transfer portal, will bode well for QB JJ McCarthy. Michigan’s season will ride on the shoulders of the defense because the OL and RBs will do their jobs. 

1. Georgia  

Kirby Smart and company have won back-to-back championships and show no signs of slowing down in 2023. Mainly in part to a more manageable schedule than most contenders, Georgia shouldn’t have any trouble reaching the SEC Title game. Carson Beck and the Dawgs essentially have a one-game season against Tennessee to win the East. 

Full Rankings:

1. Georgia
2. Michigan 
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Penn State
6. USC
7. LSU
8. Florida State
9. Notre Dame
10. Washington