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2021 preseason top 25 college football rankings: Oklahoma, Georgia, Clemson coming for Alabama’s crown

By Cody Williams

Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban runs in a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Rose Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban runs in a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Rose Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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There has been no shortage of excitement throughout the college football offseason, highlighted by Texas and Oklahoma paving their path to the SEC in a few years while the College Football Playoff has started to lay the groundwork for expansion (likely to 12 teams) as well. But that all pales in comparison to the games actually being played for the 2021 season.

While changes are transpiring throughout college football, that is not the case at the top of the college football rankings coming into this year. All you need to do is look at the teams who have been staples in the College Football Playoff to see which programs are the leading preseason candidates to take one of those spots yet again.

But how do the rest of the preseason top 25 college football rankings shake out and, just as importantly, who could possibly spoil the party for the top dogs in the country? Before we dive into our rankings, let’s first touch on a few teams that just missed the cut.

College football rankings: Just missing the preseason top 25

Arizona State Sun Devils – If not for the recent recruiting allegations against Arizona State, they would’ve cracked the top 25 as Jayden Daniels and the Sun Devils have proven their merit and are extremely talented. But the possible penalties hanging over the program are knock them out of the preseason rankings.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers – Jamie Chadwell is one of the brightest young coaching stars and quarterback Grayson McCall emerged as a star-in-the-making amid the Chanticleers’ historic run last season. Losing two bonafide studs in running back C.J. Marable and defensive end Tarron Jackson, however, is concerning enough to knock them just outside the top 25.

Liberty Flames – Malik Willis is one of the most exciting players in college football and he’s part of 20 returning starts for Liberty, a team that suffered only one loss last season. Hugh Freeze, for all his faults, is a darn good football coach and, though the Flames might’ve caught lightning in a bottle last season, they’ll have the chance to prove themselves again with some enticing Power 5 games on the slate.

Oklahoma State Cowboys – Something that few thought would be the case under Mike Gundy but the offense has to step up for the Cowboys to prove they deserve a top 25 ranking, quarterback Spencer Sanders in particular. He’s flashed top-tier upside but he must be consistent for Oklahoma State to be worthy of cracking these rankings.

Utah Utes – Utah has the feeling of a legitimate sleeper in the Pac-12 with the arrival of Baylor transfer Charlie Brewer at quarterback. Head coach Kyle Wittingham has always done a phenomenal job of maximizing talent with the Utes and, with eight returning defensive starters and the upside that Brewer gives the offense, they could be a quick riser in the polls this season.