Author : Evan Kohuth
The 2022 college football season is quickly approaching. We now know which title contender starts the year ranked #1, with only two weeks remaining until the season begins. According to the Preseason AP Top 25, which was released on Monday, Alabama will begin the season as the best team in the country for the fifth time in the past seven years. Here is a further breakdown of the Top 10 , as well as the full AP Top 25 List.
- Alabama
This is really a no brainer,while you could make a case for Georgia after winning the National Championship but the Tide return much of their key talent with Byrce Young and Will Anderson.
- Ohio State
The Buckeyes come into this season after losing to rival Michigan last year which ultimately made them miss the playoffs, they return star Qb in CJ Stroud and wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, they’ll look to win the Big Ten and make it back into the playoffs.
- Georgia
The Bulldogs are coming off a National Championship victory over SEC rival Alabama, and although they could make a case for number one, 3 fits them well because of key losses including seven defensive starters, RB, James Cook, and WR, George Pickens.
- Clemson
Coming off a disappointing season in their eyes, Clemson is looking to turn some heads this year. Going 10-3 in 2021 may seem like a good season to most, but that is not the standard for the Tigers. QB DJ Uiagalelei will look to improve on his 2021 season and lead the Tigers back to the playoffs along with their studs at the defensive line.
- Notre Dame
After losing to Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl, the Irish are led by first year head coach Marcus Freeman. With a great recruiting class coming in and Northwestern transfer Brandon Joseph, expect the Irish to be near the top of the ranks all season long.
- Texas A&M
The Aggies beat Alabama at home last year on a game-winning field goal. Bringing the number one ranked recruiting class in the country, Texas A&M will look to make even more noise this year and contend for the playoffs.
- Utah
After a heart-breaking loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, Utah looks to go above and beyond that and make the playoffs. Playing in a rather weak conference in the PAC-12, they are the favorites to make it out of there and if they can manage an undefeated season, look for them to make the playoffs.
- Michigan
After Finally making the College Football Playoffs last season and beating rival Ohio State for the first time in 10 years, the Wolverines are looking to repeat that and make it back in the playoffs. Losing star DE Aiden Hutchinson and David Ojabo, along with first round safety Daxton Hill, the wolverines will have some big roles to fill in 2022.
- Oklahoma
The Sooners have not started the season this low since 2015 when Lincoln Riley was hired in. with a first year head coach in Brett Venables and bringing in a new starting quarterback in Dillon Gabriel,
The Sooners will be an interesting team to keep an eye on this year.
- Baylor
After winning the Big 12 championship last season the Bears have An offense that lost a lot at running back and receiver and got a boost with the return of four senior offensive linemen with starting experience. Baylor will look to repeat and win back to back Big-12 titles.
11-25
- Oregon
- Oklahoma State
- NC State
- USC
- Michigan State
- Miami
- Pitt
- Wisconsin
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- Ole Miss
- Wake Forest
- Cincinnati
- Houston
- BYU