247 Sports projected AP Top 25

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This is not the preseason top 25, only a projection of the Aug. 14 reveal based on voting predictions. The USA Today Coaches Poll also releases in mid-August with Week Zero coming soon.

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25. South Carolina Gamecocks

The Gamecocks face one of the nation's toughest schedules — bookended by non-conference games against UNC and Clemson. Spencer Rattler is back, third-year coach Shane Beamer hired a new offensive coordinator and signed a top-25 class.

24. Texas Tech Red Raiders

23. Tulane Green Wave

22. TCU Horned Frogs

21. Kansas State Wildcats

20. Ole Miss Rebels

Lane Kiffin has not decided on a quarterback yet and there are three quality options available. And with Quinshon Judkins in the backfield, this offense should be potent.

19. NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS

18. WISCONSIN BADGERS

17. OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Thanks to an impressive transfer portal haul and 2023 signing class, Brent Venables and the Sooners should gain some respect despite last season's 5-7 finish. Edge rusher and Indiana transfer Dasan McCullough could have an incredible season on defense if he stays healthy and plays like he did this spring. Oklahoma must improve on that side of the football. From the outside looking in, it appears the Sooners are being undersold a bit after last season's fall from grace this summer, but AP voters may change that narrative.

16. TEXAS A&M AGGIES

Perhaps the toughest team to project in this AP lookahead, Texas A&M has a top-10 roster in college football, but that didn't show up in 2022 on the field. The Aggies went 5-7. Conner Weigman now studies under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, who could take the SEC by storm if he's given actual reign over this unit free from Jimbo Fisher's fingers. The Aggies should be strong up front and if they can start the season on a positive note, perhaps they challenge for a crown in the final year of the SEC West.

15. UTAH UTES

14. OREGON DUCKS

13. WASHINGTON HUSKIES

12. TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

College football knows how favorable Tennessee is viewed within SEC circles, but where do the Volunteers fall among other AP voters? Joe Milton is the next potential superstar at quarterback in Knoxville and there's talent around him returning. This is the only SEC team that potentially starts 10 seniors on the defensive side of the football, so there's not much of a drop-off expected at a program that expects to be in the mix for a league championship and more.


11. CLEMSON TIGERS

10. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

9. TEXAS LONGHORNS

Texas-Alabama in September to determine the biggest threat to Georgia outside of the Big Ten in the playoff conversation? Count us in. That's what's called a "show us" game for Steve Sarkisian and this loaded roster. If Quinn Ewers takes the next step at quarterback, his numbers should help an offense that welcomes back a litany of playmakers. Those blocking for him are some of the most talented players in the Big 12. It's the defense that could make or break Texas as a legitimate title contender.


8. PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

7. FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

6. USC TROJANS

5. LSU TIGERS

Picked just behind Georgia and Alabama at SEC Media Days according to the league's projected order of finish, LSU should find a spot inside the top half of the top 10 by AP voters. Not only do the Tigers bring back one of the nation's top quarterbacks in Jayden Daniels, but linebacker Harold Perkins is the runaway favorite to be the SEC's defensive player of the year. Couple those factors with this program having bragging rights over Alabama from last fall and there are considerable expectations. Brian Kelly could make the final four in Year 2 with a couple breaks, but even he recently suggested the Tigers are one year away from doing so.


4. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

If Alabama ranks fourth via AP voters, that is the lowest preseason spot in more than a decade. That is a testament to Nick Saban and his unrivaled success in Tuscaloosa. However, Saban is not yet settled on a quarterback, and that's part of the reason for some doubt in the Crimson Tide. Notre Dame's Tyler Buchner certainly adds to the intrigue at the position. Replacing both coordinators is another worry with Tommy Rees and Kevin Steele (defense) taking over. Needless to say, this team is loaded at every other position on the field and if the Crimson Tide figure out the situation under center, there's no reason why Alabama can't be in the thick of the title conversation coming down the stretch.


3. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

2. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

1. GEORGIA BULLDOGS (52)

Georgia will not be the unanimous preseason No. 1, but the Bulldogs should be considering back-to-back national championships and the nation's longest winning streak. This is an unprecedented run in Athens and the tidal wave of success could very likely continue given the schedule and wealth of talent returning between the hedges. Georgia has a new quarterback and OC, but that shouldn't matter for Kirby Smart when you look at the stockpile of four and five-stars over the last several recruiting cycles.

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In terms of the programs expected to be "receiving votes" but just miss the preseason rankings, Iowa, NC State, Arkansas, Miami, Mississippi State, Florida, Pittsburgh, UTSA and UCLA should be in that conversation.

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