Gouvernail
Lottsa people don’t know I’m famous
The way too early predictions are out.
1. Alabama
Shocking, I know. But when you start with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner (quarterback Bryce Young), the nation’s best defensive player (linebacker Will Anderson Jr.) and the GOAT (Nick Saban), that’s a pretty good foundation. The rest of the team will be ridiculously talented as well, as usual.
2. Ohio State
Last we saw of the Buckeyes, quarterback C.J. Stroud was throwing for 573 yards and six touchdowns, Jaxon Smith-Njigba was breaking a bowl record with 347 receiving yards, and Marvin Harrison Jr. was nabbing three TD catches. They’ll all be back in 2022, and Jim Knowles arrives from Oklahoma State to shore up the defense. Buckeyes should be loaded.
3. Georgia
The NFL will have a huge influx of Bulldogs this offseason, especially from their vicious defense. But an abundance of talent remains, thanks to Kirby Smart’s stacking of monster recruiting classes. Will QB Stetson Bennett actually start the next season No. 1 on the Georgia depth chart, or will he be demoted once again?
Get SI's Georgia Bulldogs National Championship Commemorative Issue
4. Clemson
This will be a fascinating season for the Tigers, with Dabo Swinney overhauling his previously super stable coaching staff after losing both coordinators and others. But the player roster is stocked with guys who gained valuable experience in 2021 and should be improved in ’22. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei must make strides after a disappointing season, but there is an intriguing Plan B in freshman Cade Klubnik.
5. Utah
The Utes lose a few key contributors off their Rose Bowl team, but more are coming back. Running back Tavion Thomas is returning after a 21-touchdown season, and so is quarterback Cameron Rising. The defense should again be nasty. They open with a winnable game at Florida that could be a springboard into a big season.
6. Texas A&M
With Haynes King returning and Max Johnson arriving from LSU, the quarterback position should be in better hands. Most of the rest of the lineup is in good shape, thanks to several years of Jimbo Fisher’s recruiting. How quickly will the nation’s No. 1 freshman class make an impact? The nonconference schedule is manageable, with Miami coming to College Station.
7. Michigan
The losses from the 2021 Playoff team are major, especially on defense. And, again, we’ll see whether Harbaugh is still coaching the Wolverines in the coming days. But if he is, there is a good nucleus of skill-position talent to build around, starting with the quarterback tandem of Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy. The nonconference schedule should provide little opposition.
1. Alabama
Shocking, I know. But when you start with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner (quarterback Bryce Young), the nation’s best defensive player (linebacker Will Anderson Jr.) and the GOAT (Nick Saban), that’s a pretty good foundation. The rest of the team will be ridiculously talented as well, as usual.
2. Ohio State
Last we saw of the Buckeyes, quarterback C.J. Stroud was throwing for 573 yards and six touchdowns, Jaxon Smith-Njigba was breaking a bowl record with 347 receiving yards, and Marvin Harrison Jr. was nabbing three TD catches. They’ll all be back in 2022, and Jim Knowles arrives from Oklahoma State to shore up the defense. Buckeyes should be loaded.
3. Georgia
The NFL will have a huge influx of Bulldogs this offseason, especially from their vicious defense. But an abundance of talent remains, thanks to Kirby Smart’s stacking of monster recruiting classes. Will QB Stetson Bennett actually start the next season No. 1 on the Georgia depth chart, or will he be demoted once again?
Get SI's Georgia Bulldogs National Championship Commemorative Issue
4. Clemson
This will be a fascinating season for the Tigers, with Dabo Swinney overhauling his previously super stable coaching staff after losing both coordinators and others. But the player roster is stocked with guys who gained valuable experience in 2021 and should be improved in ’22. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei must make strides after a disappointing season, but there is an intriguing Plan B in freshman Cade Klubnik.
5. Utah
The Utes lose a few key contributors off their Rose Bowl team, but more are coming back. Running back Tavion Thomas is returning after a 21-touchdown season, and so is quarterback Cameron Rising. The defense should again be nasty. They open with a winnable game at Florida that could be a springboard into a big season.
6. Texas A&M
With Haynes King returning and Max Johnson arriving from LSU, the quarterback position should be in better hands. Most of the rest of the lineup is in good shape, thanks to several years of Jimbo Fisher’s recruiting. How quickly will the nation’s No. 1 freshman class make an impact? The nonconference schedule is manageable, with Miami coming to College Station.
7. Michigan
The losses from the 2021 Playoff team are major, especially on defense. And, again, we’ll see whether Harbaugh is still coaching the Wolverines in the coming days. But if he is, there is a good nucleus of skill-position talent to build around, starting with the quarterback tandem of Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy. The nonconference schedule should provide little opposition.
