USA TODAY’s early 2022 preseason college football rankings
USA TODAY has released its early top-25 for the 2022 college football season just days after the Georgia Bulldogs were crowned national champions.
Georgia’s season kicks off on September 3 in Atlanta, where the Dawgs will take on the Oregon Ducks who will be coached by former UGA defensive coordinator Dan Lanning.
It’s your usual contenders at the top for next year, and the Dawgs should open right in the thick of things. Here’s a look at USA TODAY’s top-10 for next year.
10. Iowa (2021 record: 10-4)
Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Arland Bruce IV (10) runs the ball while Michigan Wolverines defensive back Vincent Gray (4) defends in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The defending Big Ten West champs.
9. Notre Dame (2021 record: 11-2)
Nov 6, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Logan Diggs (22) runs the ball against Navy Midshipmen safety Rayuan Lane (18) in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s see what promoted defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is made of after taking over for Brian Kelly as head coach in South Bend.
8. Michigan (2021 record: 12-2)
Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara (12) celebrates his touchdown pass with teammates in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Can Michigan do it again?
7. Utah (2021 record: 10-4)
Utah Utes players honor a pair of fallen teammates during the fourth quarter of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2022. Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Utah is returning a ton of talent from its Pac-12 championship-winning team.
6. Oklahoma (2021 record: 11-2)
Nov 3, 2018; Lubbock, TX, USA; An Oklahoma Sooners helmet on the sidelines during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Is this too high for a team that is going through such a large transition?
5. Texas A&M (2021 record: 8-4)
Oct 23, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Tyreek Chappell (7) is congratulated by teammates on his touchback in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Jimbo has been recruiting well. Could this be the year the Aggies take that next step?
4. Clemson (2021 record: 10-3)
Sep 4, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) leaps to throw the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Clemson lost both its coordinators. But one down year should not be enough for us to rule out Dabo Swinney.
3. Georgia (2021 record: 14-1)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 10: Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18 during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Your defending national champions. I don’t care where you put us. We have a very navigable schedule and should return to the SEC championship undefeated.
2. Ohio State (2021 record: 11-2)
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) fires off a pass while pressured by Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker JoJo Domann (13) during Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., on November 6, 2021. Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
There’s no reason to think the Buckeyes won’t make their way back to the top in 2022 after a somewhat weak 2021.
1. Alabama (2021 record: 13-2)
Jan. 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs away from Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Travon Walker (44) during the first quarter in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama returns the best two players in college football: Bryce Young and Will Anderson.
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