College football rankings: Georgia, Michigan top early Top 25 for 2023

Georgia is the favorite to win the national championship in 2023. Michigan, Alabama, Florida State, Penn State and Ohio State are the other teams in the early Top 25 for next season. Several teams from the Pac-12 are expected to improve their teams.  

Georgia is going to have to choose between Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff, Gunner Stockton and possibly an unknown transfer at quarterback. Stetson Bennett is gone and Georgia will lose standouts such as defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Georgia has an easier September schedule.

Jim Harbaugh is considering leaving Michigan to play in the NFL. Michigan has won back-to-back Big Ten titles and made the College Football Playoff. The Wolverines have a physical running game and a suffocating defense.

Alabama is 11-2 and hasn't gone more than two seasons without a title since 2007. The last championship was in 2020. Alabama's next game is against Texas on Sept. 9.

Florida State is 10-3 and is looking to dethrone Clemson in the ACC. Quarterback Jordan Travis is back and set to make a Heisman push. The team will kick off with a neutral-site game against LSU on Sept. 3.

Penn State is 11-2 and won the Rose Bowl. Second-year running back Nick Singleton is set to make a Heisman run. The Nittany Lions draw Illinois and Iowa from the Big Ten West, get Michigan at home and face Ohio State in Columbus.

Ohio State is ranked No. 6 in the Big Ten. They haven't lost more than two games in a season since 2011. Ryan Day's team is 42-6 with him as the full-time coach. C.J. Stroud is going to be difficult to replace. The team has a new quarterback and a defense that took a step forward in 2022 but cratered against Michigan and Georgia.

Hartman will improve the passing game for the Irish. Marcus Freeman should be more comfortable as a first-time coach in 2023. Notre Dame's schedule includes Clemson, Ohio State and Southern California.

Georgia and Michigan are the early Top 25 for 2023.

Cade Klubnik's team lost in the Orange Bowl. Clemson's defense should be very stout this year. The team has a tough non-conference schedule.

Southern California is ranked No. 9. The team is rebuilding its defense after losing a star player. It's going to be a tough road for the team, but it's a dangerous team.

Washington is ranked No. 10 for 2023. The Huskies were one of the top teams in the country in 2022 under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer. Washington's offense should improve with Michael Penix Jr. back under center.

LSU finished 10-4 in Brian Kelly's first season. The Tigers have some big-time star power, including Harold Perkins Jr. and most of this year's offense.

Oregon is 12th in the new Top 25 for 2023. Bo Nix is back and will have to develop a rapport with new offensive coordinator Will Stein. The defense needs to improve. Jestin Jacobs is expected to play a big role.

Iowa's offense ranked 129th in the FBS in yards per play and 130th on the ground. The Hawkeyes won eight games and finished tied for second in Big Ten West. Iowa welcomes in Michigan transfer quarterback Cade McNamara for 2023.

Joe Milton will start at quarterback for Tennessee. The team needs to improve its defense to be a contender for the national title. They play early games against Florida, Texas-San Antonio and South Carolina.

Texas is on the verge of now-or-never territory for coach Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns have a new incoming freshman quarterback Arch Manning. TCU and others are poised to make another run in the Big 12.

TCU went to the championship game last season. The team is rebuilding for the second season under Sonny Dykes. Chandler Morris will start at quarterback.

Kansas State is going to miss Deuce Vaughn. The team is also going without a senior running back. Will Howard will start at quarterback for the Wildcats.

North Carolina is ranked No. 18 for the 2023 season. Quarterback Drake Maye is a star in the making. The Tar Heels lost their top receiver Josh Downs to the NFL and offensive coordinator Phil Longo to Wisconsin. They play a neutral-site game against South Carolina and home games against Appalachian State and Minnesota.

Oregon State is ranked 19th. The Beavers have 10 wins this year for the first time since 2006. DJ Uiagalelei could improve for coach Jonathan Smith.

Texas-San Antonio won 23 games the past two seasons. The team is getting veteran quarterback Frank Harris back for another year. Coach Jeff Traylor could be off to a major Power Five job with another big year at Texas- San Antonio.

Oklahoma is expected to improve its record this season. The team has a lot of talent on offense and experience on defense. Five of the team's seven losses came by a touchdown or less.

Utah is the 22nd team in the new college football rankings. The Utes lost their star player Clark Phillips III and one of their top tight ends Dalton Kincaid. They will start against Florida and play against Baylor and Oregon State.

Ole Miss finished the season 8-5. The Rebels lost four in a row to end the year. They have a good offense with quarterback Jaxson Dart and rising sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins.

Troy is on an 11-game winning streak. The team is in a good Group of Five league. It will play Kansas State, Western Kentucky and Army in non-conference play.

Luke Fickell takes over at Wisconsin. He will introduce some new offensive wrinkles. Tanner Mordecai and Braelon Allen will play at quarterback. The defense loses a key player.

Tulane is preseason co-favorites in the American. N.C. State could get to nine wins with the help of transfers from LSU, Louisiana Tech and Northwestern. Texas Tech is a program on the rise under coach Joey McGuire. Boise State will be without at least six starters from one of the top defenses in college football. UCLA has cracked the code under Chip Kelly but inconsistency remains an issue.

Texas A&M is coming off the radar heading into a crucial year for coach Jimbo Fisher. Bobby Petrino will be the new offensive coordinator for the Aggies.