Way-too-early 2020 college football rankings: Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama vie for No. 1

8. Georgia Bulldogs, 12-2 (7-1)

Jake Fromm opted not to return to Georgia for his senior season. Despite the shortcomings of the Bulldogs offense in 2019, and Fromm’s less than spectacular stats last year, his return (and the stability it would provide) would had been huge to Georgia’s SEC and national championship hopes.

But, like running back D’Andre Swift and offensive linemen Andrew Thomas, Solomon Kindley and Isaiah Wilson, Fromm turned pro early,  which left the Dawgs with backup Stetson Bennett IV, injured D’Wan Mathis and incoming true freshman Carson Beck as the only options. Until, of course, Georgia landed Wake Forest grad transfer Jamie Newman, who was one of the most exciting players in the ACC in 2019 and should bring a few new wrinkles to the Bulldogs’ offense.

The offensive line lost four starters, but wideout George Pickens, the former five-star signee who exploded for 12 receptions, 175 yards and a touchdown (and who scored eight touchdowns as a true freshman, including at least one in five of his last six games) in the Sugar Bowl, provides a major weapon for Newman, and Georgia still has lots of options at running back.

Ant though the Dawgs must replace several key seniors on defense, such as All-American safety J.R. Reed, productive linebacker Tae Crowder and several key contributors on the defensive line, the talent base is excellent, and the unit should be among the SEC’s best again in 2020.

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 11-2

There was a point in which it looked like Notre Dame might sneak into the Way-Too-Early top four. As in, the Fighting Irish would be projected to make it to the College Football Playoff in 2020. There’s still a chance, but a trio of somewhat unexpected early NFL Draft entries (running back Tony Jones, Jr., safety Alohi Gilman and tight end Cole Kmet, who might be the top player drafted at his position but had previously declared he would return for his senior season) knocked Notre Dame down a few spots.

The return of quarterback Ian Book is big, and though he struggled against top competition in 2019, Book showed improvement down the stretch. He won’t have Kmet or Chase Claypool to throw to in 2020, and the Irish must rebuild the secondary around rising star Kyle Hamilton, but the Irish should be among the nation’s best along the line of scrimmage.