25. Western Kentucky 

Tyson Helton has turned Western Kentucky into a pass heavy machine with crazy numbers. Here comes the next QB in line to try and break records in Austin Reed, who last year threw for over 4700 yards. They now are the odds on favorite to win the new Conference USA with 6 school leaving. Their toughest opponent will be against Ohio State if they pull off the upset or keep it respectful they can find their way into a New Years’ 6 bowl game. 

2022 Record: 9-5

247 Recruiting class rank: 136

24. UTSA

UTSA might’ve lost their offensive coordinator to Oregon but kept their longtime QB in the fold, Frank Harris. Jeff Traylor has made UTSA a dominant program in Conference USA and now with the move to the American Athletic he plans to keep it that way. They open up the season with Houston and play Tennessee and Tulane on the road. If they win two out of three of those games and win the American Athletic they can very well be positioned for a New Year’s 6 bowl game.

2022 Record: 11-3

247 Recruiting class rank: 60

23. Illinois

Bret Bieleima installed his toughness and ground and pound system to Illinois and last year it resulted in a  8 win season and Cody Brown rushing for over 1600 yards. Illinois lost their defensive coordinator who became the head coach at Purdue. The defense should still be the best in the Big Ten next year led by defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr. aka “The Law Firm”. Luke Altmeyer, the transfer from Ole Miss, could be the favorite to lead the offense this year after Tommy Devito’s departure. Illinois will have to face a really good Penn State team as their toughest test of the year at home in September.

2022 Record: 8-5

247 Recruiting class rank: 43

22. Texas Tech

Texas Tech went through a QB carousel but once they had Tyler Shough back they played very well down the stretch. The bowl blowout against Ole Miss should be a sign of things to come for Joey McGuire going into year 2. The Red Raiders will host PAC 12 favorite Oregon and have to find out where they are in the new Big 12 with the additions of BYU, Houston, UCF and Cincinnati. Texas Tech has a chance to make a big leap in year 2 and possibly go to their first ever Big 12 Championship game. Their toughest games will be at the house vs Kansas State and TCU, and a road visit to Austin to face Texas.

2022 Record: 8-5

247 Recruiting class rank: 27

21. Tulane

Tulane had a great season last year beating the Big 12 champs in Kansas State and also knocking off USC in the cotton bowl. Willie Fritz turned down Georgia Tech to make sure he can coach his team in the Cotton Bowl and now has said he plans to retire there. Tulane will be the best Group of 5 team coming back next season and also now play in a weaker conference with the exits from UCF, Cincinnati and Houston to the Big 12. Tulane brings back their QB in Michael Pratt to navigate the new American Athletic Conference. The Green Wave have a tough home game against Ole Miss in September and close out the year against UTSA at home.

2022 Record: 12-2

247 Recruiting class rank: 71

20. Texas

Will Texas ever be back and actually win the Big 12, they havent won the conference title since 2009. Coach Sarkisan will bring back Quinn Ewers and with the addition of Adonai Mitchell from UGA, Texas will have a great wide receiver room led by Worthy. Texas faces Alabama this time on the road with hopes to avenge last season’s loss. Texas also gets Kansas State and Texas Tech at Home.

2022 Record: 8-5

247 Recruiting class rank: 3

19. Oregon State

Jonathan Smith has built Oregon State up to now a Pac 12 contender, especially after knocking off rival Oregon in last year’s Civil War. Oregon State will bring back one of the best backfields in the nation and now adds D.J. Uiagalelei at QB, who should be an upgrade and for some reason transfer QBs seem to do well in the Pac 12 so we’ll see. The Beavers have tough games against Utah & Washington at home with Oregon on the road.

2022 Record: 10-3

247 Recruiting class rank: 49

18. Kansas State

The Big 12 champions come back without their best player in Deuce Vaughn, but here comes from the portal FSU running back Treshaun Ward. Kansas State plays a tough physical brand of football that should see them defending their crown all season. Kansas State goes on the road to face Texas and Texas Tech but will host TCU.

2022 Record: 10-4

247 Recruiting class rank: 32

17. North Carolina

North Carolina has one of the best QBs in the country in Drake Maye. I fully expect him to build on his campaign with a fairly easy schedule to navigate. If UNC can figure out how to play defense, this season can be a very promising one with tough opponents against their palmetto state rivals, Clemson & South Carolina.

2022 Record: 9-5

247 Recruiting class rank: 29

16. South Carolina 

South Carolina lost some valuable players to the portal and their offensive coordinator as well but I expect Shane Beamer to keep the gamecocks on the upward tick. Spencer Rattler should bounce back with an even stronger season for his senior year. They will face Drake Maye and UNC week 1 for an epic showdown. The Gamecocks travel on the road to face Georgia & Tennessee and face their rival Clemson at home looking for a repeat from last year.

2022 Record: 8-5

247 Recruiting class rank: 16

15. Notre Dame

Notre Dame won the off season when they got the best QB there was available with Sam Hartman from Wake Forest. Marcus Freeman got off to a rough start last season but bounced back down the stretch. I expect them to be better in year 2 with Marcus Freeman with tough games against USC & Ohio State at home with Clemson on the road in November.

2022 Record: 9-4

247 Recruiting class rank: 10

14. TCU

TCU just had one of their greatest seasons ever in school history with first year head coach Sonny Dykes. They did well in the transfer portal getting some much needed players to replace the outgoing stars on last year’s team. I expect Jojo Earle to make an impact with new coordinator Kendal Briles’ offense. They open up the season against a new look Colorado team, also have tough games on the road against Texas Tech and Kansas State and host Texas.

2022 Record: 13-2

247 Recruiting class rank: 20

13. Utah

Kyle Wittingham has established Utah as the most physical team in the Pac 12. They are coming off back to back conference titles and bring back QB Cam Rising to lead their defense of another conference title.

2022 Record: 10-4

247 Recruiting class rank: 21

12. Oregon

Oregon might have the hardest schedule going into next season with road games against Texas Tech, Utah, & Washington and host USC & Oregon State. Bo Nix revitalized his career last year when he transferred and now will look to improve some more with the former UTSA offensive coordinator taking over the offense this year. To win they will have to be better at closing games out, last year going for it on 4th down in their own side of the field led to losses late in the season.

2022 Record: 10-3

247 Recruiting class rank: 8

11. Clemson

The Cade Klubnik show starts now and he got blessed by having Garret Riley coming in as his new Offensive coordinator. Clemson seems to always have a stout defense but the offense has been lacking the last few years. They will need the offense to step up when they play FSU, Notre Dame & South Carolina this year.

2022 Record: 11-3

247 Recruiting class rank: 11

10. Florida State

Jordan Travis has finally evolved to a star QB that can run this Mike Norvell offense at a very high level. FSU also brings back several key players from last year’s team on both sides of the ball who could’ve gone to the pros. Norvell also dominated the transfer portal to cover any more holes they had to become the ACC favorite for next year. Their toughest opponents will be Clemson on the road and hosting LSU in Orlando.

2022 Record: 10-3

247 Recruiting class rank: 19

9. Tennessee

The Vols biggest question will be who starts at QB this year for the explosive Josh Heupel offense. Joe vs Nico will be the major headlines this offseason but for Tennessee to take the next stop they will need a better run game and defense to win the SEC. They will have to once again split or somehow sweep Georgia & Bama.

2022 Record: 11-2

247 Recruiting class rank: 9

8. Penn State

Is this the year James Franklin finally does it? Will Penn State with 5 star QB Drew Allar beat Michigan, and Ohio State to win the Big Ten East? They have the best backfield in the nation returning next year with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Penn State will have a tough game ealy with Illinois to start Big Ten play.

2022 Record: 11-2

247 Recruiting class rank: 13

7. USC

Caleb Williams is back for an encore performance and potential second heisman trophy. Lincoln Riley’s offense will be great again next year with all the weapons in the world, but their defense was abysmal all year last season. If they don’t improve on that side of the ball they might not make the trip to Vegas for the PAC 12 championship game. USC has a very tough schedule next year having to face Notre Dame & Oregon on the road, and hosting Washington & Utah at home.

2022 Record: 11-3

247 Recruiting class rank: 12

6. Washington

Washington has one of the most explosive offenses in the nation with Penix Jr. running the show. If their defense shows even more improvement on their side of the ball, they will be the toughest out in the conference. They have Oregon and Utah at home, while traveling to USC for their toughest games of the year.

2022 Record: 11-2

247 Recruiting class rank: 25

5. LSU

Year 2 in Brian Kelly system should be very promising with the return of Jayden Daniels leading the offense. The defense will be in great hands with superstar linebacker Harold Perkins. LSU has to open with the ACC favorite Florida State in Orlando, then faces Alabama in November for possibly the SEC west crown.

2022 Record: 10-4

247 Recruiting class rank: 6

4. Ohio State

The Buckeyes will have a new QB in place for the offense but bring back the best WR core in the nation. Their defense will need to improve if they want to win a championship next year, or even beat Michigan. Ohio State will have tough road tests with Michigan & Notre Dame but do host Penn State.

2022 Record: 11-2

247 Recruiting class rank: 5

3. Alabama

Nick Saban bounced back from not participating in the CFP by having the number one recruiting class. Alabama will be loaded with talent but questions remain with new coordinators  and a new QB. Life after Bryce Young and Will Anderson begins now. Alabama hosts their toughest opponents this year with Texas, LSU, and Tennessee all traveling to Tuscaloosa.

2022 Record: 11-2

247 Recruiting class rank: 1

2. Michigan

Michigan got some great news with the return of Blake Corum and Harbaugh not going to the NFL. They will have some tough tests on the road against Penn State & Maryland, but will look to beat Ohio State at home for the third straight time at the Big House.

2022 Record: 13-1

247 Recruiting class rank: 18

1. Georgia 

The back to back champs set forth on their path for a 3 peat. They will have a new QB in place, Carson Beck will be the favorite to lead the Dawgs this fall. The defense will have several players back from the number 2 defense in the nation. Georgia should have an easy path to the CFP with Tennessee on the road as their only true test all season.

2022 Record: 15-0

247 Recruiting class rank: 2