The Michigan Wolverines secured the top spot in the final US LBM Coaches Poll of the season, solidifying their position as the best team of the 2023 season. Looking forward, Dan Wolken speculates on what the next college football season has in store.
After the conclusion of spring practices, Georgia has claimed the No. 1 spot in the USA TODAY Sports post-spring college football NCAA Re-Rank 1-134. The Bulldogs, led by standout quarterback Carson Beck, have emerged as a formidable force and are favored to win their third national championship in four years. Following closely behind are teams like Ohio State, Texas, Oregon, Notre Dame, LSU, and Alabama, who now must navigate a season without Nick Saban at the helm.
Despite being the defending national champion, Michigan finds itself ranked at No. 14 in the post-spring re-rank. With questions surrounding the replacement of key players and the transition from Jim Harbaugh to Sherrone Moore, the Wolverines face uncertainties heading into the summer. However, they remain a strong contender in the Big Ten and for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, the Top 25 features a strong showing from the SEC and Big Ten conferences. Notably, No. 25 Nebraska is seen as a wildcard due to their losing record in coach Matt Rhule’s first year, but the re-rank is optimistic about a potential second-year improvement akin to Rhule’s previous coaching experiences.
Expanding the rankings to 134 teams, Kennesaw State enters the list at No. 132, coming off a 3-6 record as a Championship Subdivision independent team last season. Despite their previous performance, the Owls are ahead of Louisiana-Monroe and Kent State in the re-rank. Overall, the landscape of college football is shaping up to be competitive and intriguing for the upcoming season.