Way too early ESPN top 25 football rankings has LSU ranked right behind...

Mississippi

WAOM

Ole Piss





also behind the Rajin Cajuns in state



Full Rankings

1. Oklahoma Sooners

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

Outlook: Yes, Georgia might appear more talented on paper; Oklahoma might be more explosive on offense, and Ohio State and Clemson might have easier CFP paths while playing in the Big Ten and ACC, respectively.

Until someone knocks the defending national champions off their perch, however, I'll go with the Crimson Tide to win the SEC once again and get back in the CFP -- even after losing six first-rounders in last week's NFL draft.

Quarterback Bryce Young looked comfortable in the spring game, completing 25 of 44 passes for 333 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Tide coach Nick Saban and new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will undoubtedly be preaching ball security during the offseason, after he nearly threw a pick and lost a fumble on a sack that resulted in a defensive score.

Freshman receiver Hall was impressive during the spring as the Tide continue to search for pass-catchers to replace Smith (the Heisman Trophy winner) and Waddle.

3. Georgia Bulldogs

Outlook: Georgia's national championship drought is at 41 years and counting, and it's starting to feel like it's now or never for the Bulldogs. If they can rebuild the back end of their typically stingy defense, they should be back in the mix for their first CFP appearance since 2017. Georgia coach Kirby Smart addressed one of the holes in the secondary by securing the former West Virginia starting safety Smith.

For the first time in a while, Georgia's strength this coming season might be its offense. Quarterback JT Daniels, a onetime transfer from USC, is poised to flourish in his second season in coordinator Todd Monken's offense. He completed 67% of his passes for 1,231 yards with 10 touchdowns and two picks in the final four games of 2020.

Daniels probably won't have star receiver George Pickens, at least for the first several games, after he tore the ACL in his right knee during spring practice. Pickens underwent surgery and it isn't certain if he'll play at all this season.

Even without Pickens, Georgia has plenty of playmakers on the perimeter, especially if Blaylock (missed all of 2020 with a knee injury) and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (leg) are healthy. Tight end Darnell Washington looked like a matchup nightmare in the spring, and freshman Adonai Mitchell was a pleasant surprise.

JT Daniels will be the key for Georgia breaking its 41-year drought without a national championship. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

4. Clemson Tigers

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

6. Iowa State Cyclones

7. Texas A&M Aggies

Outlook: Like many CFP contenders, Texas A&M is also searching for a new quarterback after Mond, a four-year starter and the program's all-time leading passer, departed. Sophomore Haynes King seems to have a slight edge over sophomore Zach Calzada after the spring, with the competition figuring to stretch into preseason camp. Both players looked solid in the spring game. King completed 16 of 31 passes for 211 yards with one touchdown and one interception; Calzada threw for 253 yards with one score and one pick on 19-of-40 passing.

The more pressing concern for the Aggies this offseason is rebuilding an offensive line that was their biggest strength in 2020. All-America guard Kenyon Green is the only returning starter and is moving to left tackle. Tennessee transfer Jahmir Johnson, the projected starter at right tackle, won't join the team until this summer.

With a new quarterback and rebuilt offensive line, the Aggies figure to lean heavily on tailbacks Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane and an improving defense in 2021.

8. North Carolina Tar Heels

9. Cincinnati Bearcats

10. Oregon Ducks

11. Indiana Hoosiers

12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

13. USC Trojans

14. Iowa Hawkeyes

15. Washington Huskies

16. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns

17. Florida Gators

Outlook: It's difficult to know what the Gators' rebuilt offense might look like this season, as coach Dan Mullen didn't hold a spring game and severely limited access for fans and media at practices. Regardless, the Gators are undergoing a facelift after losing so many playmakers from a team that won the first SEC East title of Mullen's tenure.

The Gators figure to go from a pass-heavy to run-heavy offense, even when the ball is in new quarterback Emory Jones' hands. Florida's running backs room is especially crowded, and Mullen will look to get the ball into Dameon Pierce, Malik Davis, Nay'Quan Wright, Bowman and former Miami transfer Lorenzo Lingard's hands as much as possible.

Florida's defense also is undergoing a makeover after it ranked 100th in the FBS in pass defense (257.5 yards per game) in 2020. Mullen hired former Auburn secondary coach Wesley McGriff, and South Florida's Jules Montinar was hired as cornerbacks coach.

18. Wisconsin Badgers

19. Ole Miss Rebels

Outlook: Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is proving to be as unpredictable as ever. He fired offensive line coach Randy Clements a few days after the spring game. Sources told ESPN that the decision was football-related. What makes the decision even more surprising is that the Rebels ranked third in the SEC in rushing (210.6 yards) and fourth in sacks allowed (19) in 2020. Kiffin hasn't yet named a replacement.

Ole Miss should again have one of the most explosive offenses in the FBS with quarterback Matt Corral returning. The Rebels added former Western Kentucky slot receiver Pearson, whom they hope will help replace some of Moore's production. He had 76 catches for 804 yards with seven touchdowns for the Hilltoppers in 2019. He played in only two games last season before leaving the team in September.

Much of Ole Miss' attention this spring was on improving what was a woefully bad defense in 2020. Juco defensive linemen Gordon and Iton looked like they might be ready to help, and cornerbacks Deane Leonard and Miles Battle played well. Johnson might be able to play right away, and Navy transfer Springer, who sat out last season, was working with the No. 1 defense.

20. LSU Tigers

Outlook: After flaming out in the defense of their national championship in 2020, the Tigers are undergoing a massive rebuild. Coach Ed Orgeron has two new coordinators -- former Carolina Panthers assistant Jake Peetz is leading the offense and former Minnesota Vikings secondary coach Daronte Jones is guiding the defense. There are three other new assistants as well, including passing game coordinator DJ Mangas, who like Peetz worked with former LSU coordinator Joe Brady.

There was a four-way battle for the starting quarterback job this spring, and Myles Brennan and Max Johnson will keep competing into preseason camp. Brennan opened 2020 as the starter, but he missed the final seven games with a torn abdominal muscle. Johnson played well as a freshman last season, and Peetz might favor his mobility.

The Tigers brought back their entire starting offensive line, although Anthony Bradford was pushing right guard Chasen Hines during the spring. It needs to perform better than it did a year ago. Marshall Jr. turned pro, along with Ja'Marr Chase, who opted out of the entire 2020 season. Tight end Arik Gilbert's availability for next season is also uncertain.

21. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

22. Texas Longhorns

23. Penn State Nittany Lions

24. Arizona State Sun Devils

25. Miami Hurricanes