College Football Rankings: ESPN Reveals Preseason 2023 Poll

Where Wisconsin was: 7-6 (4-5 Big Ten)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Where Wisconsin is: There's a lot to like about the changes that Wisconsin has made in an eventful offseason, hiring Luke Fickell away from Cincinnati as head coach and his bringing on Phil Longo as offensive coordinator. Add in transfer quarterback Tanner Mordecai and receivers Bryson Green and C.J. Williams, and the Badgers are about to open things up in a big way.

24. Kentucky

Where Kentucky was: 7-6 (3-5 SEC)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Where Kentucky is: Losing quarterback Will Levis is not expected to cut too dearly into UK's production there after the school scored a coup in transfer Devin Leary, who comes in with over 6,800 career yards and 62 touchdowns. Combine him with the return of Liam Coen at coordinator and one of the better receiving corps in the SEC and the Wildcats should be in the mix for the second spot in the East Division.

23. Mississippi State

Where Mississippi State was: 9-4 (4-4 SEC)

Previous ranking: No. 20

Where Mississippi State is: Zach Arnett steps in as head coach after the death of Mike Leach, a move that should put the program on stronger footing defensively given its improvement in that phase under Arnett so far. Will Rogers returns at quarterback, but two of his receivers are gone: RaRa Thomas transferred to Georgia and leader Caleb Ducking is heading out, too.

22. Kansas State

Where Kansas State was: 10-4 (7-2 Big 12)

Previous ranking: No. 14

Where Kansas State is: Chris Klieman comes into Year 5 on the job as the defending Big 12 football champion after the Wildcats upset TCU for the league crown. Will Howard returns at quarterback and, while star back/receiver Deuce Vaughn is out, K-State returns the bulk of its offense, including its entire line, and scored a notable piece in transfer running back Treshaun Ward.

21. UCLA

Where UCLA was: 9-4 (6-3 Pac-12)

Previous ranking: No. 21

Where UCLA is: Two of the building blocks in the Bruins' recent success are gone as quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and running back Zach Charbonnet both turn pro this year. That leaves Chip Kelly facing a statement season and so far he's performed well in the transfer portal, adding Collin Schlee at quarterback, J. Michael Sturdivant at wide receiver, and Carson Steele at running back. Plus, 5-star quarterback Dante Moore flipped to UCLA from his previous pledge to Oregon.

20. Florida

Where Florida was: 6-7 (3-5 SEC)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Where Florida is: Good question, considering the Gators' roster coming into Week 1 against Utah will look very little like the roster we saw last time out. Florida has lost something like two dozen players to the transfer portal and watched quarterback Anthony Richardson leave for the NFL when many analysts thought he could have used some more time to build his skill set. Graham Mertz came to UF from Wisconsin, bringing some experience to the quarterback position, but not a ton of statistical success, either.

19. TCU

Where TCU was: 13-2 (9-0 Big 12)

Previous ranking: No. 2

Where TCU is: Max Duggan, Kendre Miller, and Quentin Johnston are all gone from the Frogs' brilliant College Football Playoff team, making Sonny Dykes' job harder going into 2023. With some key add-ons via the transfer portal, TCU should stay in the Big 12 title hunt, likely with Chandler Morris back at QB.

18. Ole Miss

Where Ole Miss was: 8-5 (4-4 SEC)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Where Ole Miss is: Still with Lane Kiffin as head coach despite some persistent rumors he would take the Auburn job, and with by far the most interesting QB competition in college football this spring. Jaxson Dart returns, and now he's joined by Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders in his last year of eligibility, along with LSU transfer Walker Howard.

17. Texas A&M

Where Texas A&M was: 5-7 (2-6 SEC)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Where Texas A&M is: Hoping to get this thing back on track after a brutal showing last fall despite signing a historically-promising recruiting class. A&M lost three 5-star and 18 four-star players to the portal, the NFL Draft, or to graduation. But the team also added three 5-star and 12 four-star players from recruiting and the portal, so on balance the talent could even out. Now comes the task of getting the results.

16. Washington

Where Washington was: 11-2 (7-2 Pac-12)

Previous ranking: No. 8

Where Washington is: Very happy that Michael Penix elected to return to school for 2023, ensuring that the most productive passer in college football from a year ago has a chance to repeat that success. He can, given the Huskies also bring back most of its receiving production. But how well can the team fill its personnel voids on defense to make a run at the Pac-12 title?

15. Notre Dame

Where Notre Dame was: 9-4

Previous ranking: No. 18

Where Notre Dame is: Personnel losses, not to mention the sudden departure of offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to Alabama, could throw a wrench into Year 2 for Marcus Freeman, but the addition of transfer Sam Hartman at quarterback is a major plus for the offense. He should pair well with a superb offensive line and a gifted running back rotation.

14. Oklahoma

Where Oklahoma was: 6-7 (3-6 Big 12)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Where Oklahoma is: Bracing from its first losing season since 1998, and its first outing overall under new head coach Brent Venables, regarded as college football's premier defensive mind, but whose defense was 123rd nationally and 90th in points per game. Dillon Gabriel returns at quarterback, but he loses top target Marvin Mims and thousand-yard rusher Eric Gray. OU got some big help defensively by adding transfer linemen Trace Ford and Dasan McCullough, adding speed and physicality to the front seven.

13. Utah

Where Utah was: 10-4 (7-2 Pac-12)

Previous ranking: No. 10

Where Utah is: The losses are notable, including both talented running backs, tight end Dalton Kincaid, and stud corner Clark Phillips. But quarterback Cameron Rising is returning, a not insignificant development for the Utes as they seek to make it three straight Pac-12 football titles in a crowded field.

12. Clemson

Where Clemson was: 11-3 (8-0 ACC)

Previous ranking: No. 13

Where Clemson is: Trying to avoid slipping out of the College Football Playoff elite for good, now with two straight seasons of missing out on the semifinal. Offense has been skittish to say the least, but Dabo Swinney hopes he has found a solution by adding former TCU play-caller Garrett Riley, a major addition to the coaching staff to help develop quarterback Cade Klubnik. There's a lack of elite skill at receiver and some surgery to do on the front seven after some major departures.

11. Florida State

Where Florida State was: 10-3 (5-3 ACC)

Previous ranking: No. 11

Where Florida State is: Mike Norvell may have finally figured this thing out after bringing the Seminoles their first 10-win season since 2016 and crucially, a lot of the skill that helped do that is back: quarterback Jordan Travis, a gifted running back room, and edge rusher Jared Verse. Add in transfer corner Deuce Cypress and tight end Jaheim Bell, and Florida State is poised to make a run at the ACC title right now.

10. USC

Where USC was: 11-3 (8-1 Pac-12)

Previous ranking: No. 12

Where USC is: Losing a trio of promising wide receiver talent wasn't ideal for an offense that wants to move the ball in the air as aggressively as Lincoln Riley's does, but the bigger problem was the team's porous defense, a unit that almost cost it several games early on and did cost it in two critical late losses in the Pac-12 title game and the Cotton Bowl. 

The addition of edge rusher Anthony Lucas and linebacker Mason Cobb are crucial, incremental improvements to repairing those mistakes. Heisman quarterback Caleb Williams is back to make this offense go, and potentially get back in College Football Playoff contention.

9. Texas

Where Texas was: 8-5 (6-3 Big 12)

Previous ranking: No. 25

Where Texas is: Steve Sarkisian is all of 13-12 on the Forty Acres so far, but he came awfully close to bringing the Longhorns back last fall, losing all five games by seven points or fewer. You get the feeling a few tweaks here and there and this team could go places, especially with quarterback Quinn Ewers so high on potential and 5-star Arch Manning coming up behind him. Bijan Robinson is gone, but the Longhorns return their offensive line and three top receivers.

8. Oregon

Where Oregon was: 10-3 (7-2 Pac-12)

Previous ranking: No. 15

Where Oregon is: Bo Nix returns at quarterback after piling on 3,594 yards with 44 total touchdowns, including a midseason streak of brilliant play, but the Ducks are also losing four offensive line starters and crucial defensive pieces. Dan Lanning recovered somewhat by adding transfer edge rusher Jordan Burch. Wide receiver Traeshon Holden and safety Tysheem Johnson are important pickups, too. Defensive and offensive line play will define Oregon in 2023, for good or ill.

7. LSU

Where LSU was: 10-4 (6-2 SEC)

Previous ranking: No. 16

Where LSU is: Jayden Daniels returns at quarterback, behind his full complement of blockers, with Malik Nabers back at receiver, and Maason Smith and Harold Perkins filling out a physical front seven. Add in some key transfers like cornerbacks Denver Harris and Zy Alexander and former Alabama receiver Aaron Anderson, and 2023 should prove that LSU wasn't a fluke in Brian Kelly's debut season.

6. Tennessee

Where Tennessee was: 11-2 (6-2 SEC)

Previous ranking: No. 6

Where Tennessee is: A somewhat surprising ranking for the Vols given how much they just lost. The core of college football's No. 1 ranked total offense is gone, including quarterback Hendon Hooker and receiver Jalin Hyatt. That, combined with UT's considerable defensive struggles, could result in a minor step backwards. But Joe Milton has real promise at QB as does incoming 5-star signal caller Nico Iamaleava.

5. Penn State

Where Penn State was: 11-2 (7-2 Big Ten)

Previous ranking: No. 7

Where Penn State is: Some key talent has gone including Sean Clifford and star corner Joey Porter, but otherwise Penn State returns enough of this defense to hold things down, and boasts remarkable skill at running back, both keys to build on as 5-star quarterback Drew Allar learns the playbook and gets comfortable. PSU lost twice, to Ohio State and Michigan, in 2022; win one of those games in '23 and this program can take a huge step forwards.

4. Alabama

Where Alabama was: 11-2 (6-2 SEC)

Previous ranking: No. 5

Where Alabama is: Big questions for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide with major holes to fill on defense and at quarterback. That's something this program has done with rare ability in Saban's tenure and is coming off signing another No. 1 recruiting class. Bama has two new coordinators and faces a mandate to improve its play at the line offensively, choose between 5-star Ty Simpson and Jalen Milroe at quarterback, get better output at receiver, and clean up the penalties and turnover issues coming into 2023.

3. Michigan

Where Michigan was: 13-1 (9-0 Big Ten)

Previous ranking: No. 3

Where Michigan is: Two wins over Ohio State, two Big Ten titles, and two College Football Playoff bids. It's been a good two years for Michigan. And it can be a third, as well, looking at the return of quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, the addition of some solid O-line talent in the portal, and looking at a defense that should remain at par compared with last season's general output. Watch out for edge rushing transfer Josaiah Stewart, who had 12.5 sacks at Coastal two years ago.

2. Ohio State

Where Ohio State was: 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten)

Previous ranking: No. 4

Where Ohio State is: The one thing we know is that the Buckeyes should have plenty of production at wide receiver, the position they've recruited so well in recent memory. Marvin Harrison is arguably college football's best wideout, and Emeka Egbuka isn't far behind. Running back TreVeyon Henderson returns, but there's a big question at quarterback between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown. Ohio State plays Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Michigan on the road, too.

1. Georgia

Where Georgia was: 15-0 (8-0 SEC), College Football Playoff national champion

Previous ranking: No. 1

Where Georgia is: After losing 15 starters to the draft last offseason, the Bulldogs somehow got better, running the table and winning their second straight CFP title, this time by the biggest margin in the postseason, ever: by 58 points over TCU. 

Quarterback is a question, with Carson Beck the fave to succeed Stetson Bennett, while all-world tight end Brock Bowers is back after 56 catches for 790 yards and six TDs this past season, and Ladd McConkey returns at receiver, too. Dominic Lovett and RaRa Thomas are two huge receiver pickups in the portal, as was the No. 2 recruiting class this year.

You can see the full 133 team rankings here

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