A breakdown of teams in the preseason AP Top 25 college football poll released Monday:
No. 1 Georgia
2023 finish: 13-1, No. 4 final ranking.
Coach: Kirby Smart, ninth season.
Key games: vs. No. 14 Clemson at Atlanta, Aug. 31; at No. 5 Alabama, Sept. 28; at No. 4 Texas, Oct. 19; vs. No. 15 Tennessee, Nov. 16.
Potential All-Americans: QB Carson Beck; DE Mykel Williams; S Malaki Starks; OG Tate Ratledge.
Outlook: The Bulldogs have as many national titles as losses over the last three seasons (two). The offense is replacing some of Beck’s top targets, but is well equipped to do so with TE Oscar Delp and WR Dillon Bell primed to step up. The defense is loaded again, with CJ Allen potentially Georgia’s next impact linebacker. The road schedule is daunting.
No. 2 Ohio State
2023 finish: 11-2, No. 10.
Coach: Ryan Day, seventh season.
Key games: vs. Iowa, Oct. 5; at No. 3 Oregon, Oct. 12; at No. 8 Penn State, Nov. 2; vs. Northwestern at Wrigley Field, Nov. 16; vs. No. 9 Michigan, Nov. 30.
Potential All-Americans: WR Emeka Egbuka; RB TreVeyon Henderson; DE JT Tuimoloau; S Caleb Downs.
Outlook: The Buckeyes are trying to recover from three straight losses to Michigan. They are experienced and deep with 16 starters returning, 11 of whom were eligible to enter the NFL draft. Egbuka is poised to step out of the shadow of Marvin Harrison Jr. Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins give Ohio State maybe the best running back tandem in college football. Kansas State transfer Will Howard is the likely starting quarterback.
No. 3 Oregon
2023 finish: 12-2, No. 6.
Coach: Dan Lanning, third season.
Key games: vs. Boise State, Sept. 7; No. 2 Ohio State, Oct. 12; at No. 9 Michigan, Nov. 2; at Washington, Nov. 30.
Potential All-Americans: QB Dillon Gabriel; WR Evan Stewart; CB Jabbar Muhammad.
Outlook: The Ducks enter the Big Ten ready to contend behind another veteran transfer quarterback. Gabriel takes over for Heisman finalist Bo Nix in his sixth season and with his third team. The offense should be as potent as last year. A secondary remade with transfers (Muhammad, S Kobe Savage and S Tysheem Johnson) is key to the defense.
No. 4 Texas
2023 finish: 12-2, No. 3.
Coach: Steve Sarkisian, fourth season.
Key games: at No. 9 Michigan, Sept. 7; vs. No. 16 Oklahoma in Dallas, Oct. 12; vs. No. 1 Georgia, Oct. 12; at No. 20 Texas A&M, Nov. 30.
Potential All-Americans: QB Quinn Ewers; OT Kelvin Banks; LB Anthony Hill Jr., DB Jahdae Barron.
Outlook: Last season’s Big 12 champion and CFB semifinalist makes its long-awaited move to the SEC and the Longhorns believe they are ready. Ewers is primed for a big season but has missed time the last two years with injuries. Ace backup Arch Manning looks ready to take over if if happens again. DT Alfred Collins should anchor a DL that must replace the dominant duo of T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy.
No. 5 Alabama
2023 finish: 12-2, No. 5.
Coach: Kalen DeBoer, first season.
Key games: vs. No. 1 Georgia, Sept. 28; at No. 15 Tennessee, Oct. 19; at No. 13 LSU, Nov. 9; at No. 16 Oklahoma, Nov. 23.
