Fansided

College football rankings 2023: Alabama outside Top 4 in preseason AP Top 25 prediction

By Cody Williams

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during pregame warmups prior to facing the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during pregame warmups prior to facing the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 8
Next
College football rankings 2023, AP Top 25
Quinn Ewers, Texas Longhorns. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

College football rankings 2023, projected preseason AP Top 25: No. 8

8. Texas Longhorns (2022 record: 8-5)

The preseason AP Top 25 and the Texas Longhorns hype train are more of a classic duo than Harry and Sally (you know, that couple who met). But the big change in the 2023 season might be that it’s wholly warranted for Steve Sarkisian’s team.

Quinn Ewers is the unquestioned starter and appears ready to make a leap in consistency, notably bulking up this offseason to better protect against injuries. The weapons around him, even with Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson gone, are absurd with Xavier Worthy, AD Mitchell, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Cedric Baxter and more. If the O-line holds up, this could be a top 3 offense in college football.

Texas should see an improved defense, even after the group was actually underrated a year ago. They are experienced at all three levels, especially with Jalen Catalon and Gavin Holmes transferring into the secondary. If the offense delivers on its unreal potential, the defense won’t cost the Longhorns many (if any) games.

7. LSU Tigers (2022 record: 10-4)

Say what you will about his dancing or accent work, but Brian Kelly can coach a damn good football team. After a 10-win season that exceeded expectations in year one, the sophomore season for the head coach at LSU could yield even bigger results.

Jayden Daniels is back and his best moments in 2022 were among the best of anyone in the sport. Consistency will be the key, but that should be helped by an elite receiver room headlined by potential first-rounder Malik Nabers. This offense will take a step forward if Daniels does so himself.

And that’s huge because this defense could be special. Harold Perkins Jr. is arguably the nation’s best pass rusher, but he’s joined by Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingon in the front seven to create a formidable force. If the secondary can come along and live up to its talent, the results could make the Tigers a playoff contender.

Home/College Football Rankings