College football rankings: Predicting the final AP top 25 poll for 2023

The third time was the charm for Michigan, which rode a strong defense and a powerful ground game to slow Washington and win the College Football Playoff national championship for the 2023 season, putting a bow on the four-team format before it expands to 12 teams starting next year. Where does that leave things in the final AP top 25 college football rankings heading into the offseason? For the last time this year, let's look at our prediction for the updated poll.

Predicting the AP top 25 college football rankings

25. Liberty. The top Group of Five team lost its first game in the Fiesta Bowl against Oregon, but should still feature in the final rankings.

24. James Madison. Declared bowl eligible despite the jump from FCS to FBS, the Dukes fell to Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.

23. Oregon State. The Beavers' otherwise-successful season ended with a bad loss to Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl and an exodus of talent and coaches.

22. NC State. No 10th win for the Wolfpack against K-State in the bowl game, but this should be a good team heading into 2024.

21. Iowa. As expected, the Hawkeyes' offense disintegrated in the Citrus Bowl, but they'll start over as coordinator Brian Ferentz departs.

20. Clemson. After a tough 4-4 start, the Tigers rallied to win the last five and return quarterback Cade Klubnik to build this offense around.

19. Kansas State. The Wildcats lost the regular season finale and quarterback Will Howard but upended NC State in the bowl.

18. Tennessee. A good early preview of this offense with quarterback Nico Iamaleava on the field after a win over Iowa in the bowl.

17. Oklahoma State. The Cowboys won 7 of the last 8 games including against Texas A&M in the bowl, and will get Ollie Gordon back in 2024.

16. Louisville. A three-game losing skid to end the season threw Jeff Brohm's otherwise-solid debut season as coach off kilter, but there's talent to build off of.

15. Notre Dame. A 10-win season for the Irish and the acquisition of former LSU offensive play-caller Mike Denbrock to the same position, plus transfer quarterback Riley Leonard under center in '24.

14. Oklahoma. Two straight losses ended OU's shot at the Big 12 and a bowl loss to Arizona also hurt, but Brent Venables put out a better product in Year 2 and returns quarterback prospect Jackson Arnold as the Sooners head to the SEC.

13. LSU. The loss of Heisman quarterback Jayden Daniels highlights other changes, including the OC's departure, plus some defensive assistant shakeups.

12. Penn State. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is now head coach at Duke and this offense needs to get more aggressive to contend for the Big Ten next fall.

11. Arizona. The win over OU in the bowl capped off a brilliant second half of the season thanks to the Wildcats' offense, beating five ranked teams.

10. Florida State. The Seminoles ran the table as ACC champs but were snubbed for Alabama in the playoff and then lost by 60 to Georgia in the Orange Bowl after a slew of opt-outs.

9. Ole Miss. Another solid transfer class and quarterback Jaxson Dart returning are all major points for the Rebels, who are in the playoff hunt in 2024.

8. Ohio State. The loss to Michigan, a third-straight, and a bad showing from a depleted roster against Missouri in the bowl are bad spots for Ryan Day, but he gets two key transfers in QB Will Howard and RB Quinshon Judkins.

7. Missouri. The Cook/Burden/Schrader combo helped win 11 games for Mizzou, including a statement bowl victory over the Buckeyes.

6. Oregon. The losses to Washington hurt the Ducks' playoff hopes, but Dan Lanning brings on another solid recruiting class and two transfer QBs in Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore.

5. Alabama. Those offensive line issues reared their ugly head at the worst time in the Rose Bowl semifinal as Jalen Milroe was sacked 6 times by Michigan.

4. Texas. Big 12 champions and College Football Playoff semifinalists, the Longhorns come into the SEC on a high note with a very talented quarterback room.

3. Georgia. Despite losing a shot at a three-peat, the Bulldogs signed the No. 1 recruiting class, return quarterback Carson Beck, and are the favorites to win it all in 2024.

2. Washington. The Huskies' win streak came to a screeching halt as the No. 1 passing attack in college football had no answer for Michigan in the national title game.

1. Michigan. For the first time in their history, the Wolverines went 15-0 and won their first national championship since 1997 behind a strong defense and rushing attack.