College football post-spring Top 25 power rankings: Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State ahead of the pack

Post-spring College Football Rankings No. 4: Clemson Tigers

Despite how good D.J. Uiagalelei was when he filled in for Trevor Lawrence last season, there are questions about this Clemson offense. There’s no readymade replacement for Travis Etienne in the backfield, the wide receiver room has injury questions amid a talented group that could include Justyn Ross, Joseph Ngata, Frank Ladson and E.J. Williams, and the offensive line left a lot to be desired and loses arguably their best starter from last season, Jackson Carman.

In the end, it may not matter for the Tigers as they try to get through the ACC and into the College Football Playoff again thanks to the strength of their defense. Not only are nine starters back for Clemson on that side of the ball, including potential 2023 first-round pick Bryan Bresee, but they also have a strong incoming group of young players, including spring standout Andrew Mukuba at safety.

Post-spring College Football Rankings No. 3: Georgia Bulldogs

The big question for the Georgia Bulldogs (other than the big one of if Kirby Smart can win the big one) is if their defense can remain one of the best in the country. They clearly have the talent in the front seven as they cycle out more highly touted and well-developed players for more. However, they need some relatively inexperienced secondary players to step up.

Yet, that might not actually matter if what we saw from quarterback JT Daniels at the end of last season was for real. Losing George Pickens to a torn ACL is tough but Adonai Mitchell starred in the spring and joins an explosive group of pass-catchers in what could be a revelatory offense in Athens, especially with the running back room remaining intact.