Only one weekend stands between us and the start of the college football season.
As with any preseason, the best anyone can offer is analysis and speculation. That’s what we’ll do here.
Take a look at Pete Snyder’s preseason top 25:
25. Kentucky
Photo courtesy of Kentucky football
2021 Record: 10-3
Key Returners: Senior QB Will Levis, Senior RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., Junior LB JJ Weaver, Senior LB Jacquez Jones
QB1 – The Will Levis Story https://t.co/1G0ZBNEcf9
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) July 20, 2022
Key Losses: Dare Rosenthal, Darian Kinnard, Wan’Dale Robinson, Josh Ali, Josh Paschal
Top Newcomers: Senior WR Tayvion Robinson, Jr. (Transfer from Virginia Tech), Senior OL Tashawn Manning (Transfer from Auburn)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Florida, Sept. 10
24. Ole Miss
Photo courtesy of Ole Miss football
2021 Record: 10-3
Key Returners: Senior WR Jonathan Mingo, Junior DE Cederic Johnson, Senior S AJ Finley
It’s Fall Camp 2022 and yes, we still like to #ScoreFromFar pic.twitter.com/OMm6yOwZK9
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 4, 2022
Key Losses: Matt Corral, Sam Williams, Jerrion Ealy, Snoop Conner, Henry Parrish, Braylon Sanders, Dontario Drummond, Jahcour Pearson
Top Newcomers: Junior RB Zach Evans (Transfer from TCU), Junior RB Ulysses Bentley (Transfer from SMU), Sophomore QB Jaxson Dart (Transfer from USC), Junior S Isheem Young (Transfer from Iowa State)
Biggest Game on Schedule: vs. Alabama, Nov. 12
23. Cincinnati
Photo courtesy of Cincinnati athletics
2021 Record: 13-1
Key Returners: Senior TE Josh Whyle, Sophomore QB Evan Prater, Senior RB Ryan Montgomery, Junior LB Deshawn Pace,
Key Losses: Desmond Ridder, Sauce Gardner, Alec Pierce, Coby Bryant, Jerome Ford
Practice #1: ☑️
More details ➡️ https://t.co/jzIpinnxbv#Bearcats pic.twitter.com/Yfm4FRc4KE
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) August 3, 2022
Top Newcomers: Sophomore RB Corey Kiner (Transfer from LSU), Senior LB Ivan Pace (Transfer from Maryland), Junior K Ryan Coe (Transfer from Delaware)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Arkansas, Sept. 3
22. Wisconsin
Photo courtesy of Wisconsin athletics
2021 Record: 9-4
Key Returners: Senior RB Chez Mellusi, Sophomore RB Braelon Allen, Junior QB Graham Mertz, Junior WR Chimere Dike, Senior NT Keeanu Benton, Junior LB Nick Herbig
Key Losses: Logan Bruss, Josh Seltzner, Leo Chenal, Jack Sanborn
Shake ‘N Bake 🤙#OnWisconsin | @15Latu pic.twitter.com/yl1P7ReeUy
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) August 13, 2022
Top Newcomers: Sophomore WR Keontez Lewis (Transfer from UCLA), Senior CB Justin Clark (Transfer from Toledo)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Ohio State, Sept. 24
21. Oregon
Photo courtesy of Oregon athletics
2021 Record: 10-4
Key Returners: Sophomore WR Troy Franklin, Sophomore RB Byron Cardwell, Senior OL T.J Bass, Sophomore LB Noah Sewell, Sophomore LB Justin Flowe
Key Losses: Mario Cristobal (head coach), Kayvon Thibodeaux, Troy Dye, Devon Williams, Anthony Brown
Where’s your 1 percent? #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/dy7se43or6
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) August 6, 2022
Top Newcomers: HC Dan Lanning, Senior QB Bo Nix (Transfer from Auburn), Senior WR Chase Cota (Transfer from UCLA), Senior WR Caleb Chapman (Transfer from Texas A&M), Sophomore DB Christian Gonzalez (Transfer from Colorado)
Biggest Game on Schedule: vs. Utah, Nov. 19
20. Tennessee
Photo courtesy of Tennessee athletics
2021 Record: 7-6
Key Returners: Senior QB Hendon Hooker, Senior WR Cedric Tilllman, Senior TE Princeton Fant, Junior RB Jabari Small, Senior DE Byron Young
Key Losses: Tiyon Evans, Theo Jackson
Mic’d up 🎤 with @coachjoshheupel#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/Y4iEGKsOdx
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 3, 2022
Top Newcomers: Junior WR Bru McCoy (Transfer from USC)
Biggest Game on Schedule: vs. Florida, Sept. 24
19. Arkansas
Photo courtesy of Arkansas athletics
2021 Record: 9-4
Key Returners: Junior QB KJ Jefferson, Senior LB Bumper Pool, Sophomore RB Raheim Sanders, Senior DL Zach Williams
Key Losses: Treylon Burks, John Ridgeway, Montaric Brown, Tre Williams
The preparation continues. pic.twitter.com/qhsAFe1WD4
— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) August 10, 2022
Top Newcomers: Junior WR Jadon Haselwood (Transfer from Oklahoma), Junior LB Drew Sanders (Transfer from Alabama), Senior DB Latavious Brini (Transfer from Georgia)
Biggest Game on Schedule: vs. Alabama, Oct. 1
18. Penn State
Photo courtesy of Penn State athletics
2021 Record: 7-6
Key Returners: Senior QB Sean Clifford, Sophomore RB Keyvone Lee, Sophomore WR Parker Washington, Sophomore WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Junior CB Joey Porter Jr., Senior S Ji’Ayir Brown
Key Losses: Jahan Dotson, Arnold Ebiketie, Jaquan Brisker, Brandon Smith, Tariq Castro-Field, Jesse Luketa, Noah Cain, Brent Pry (DC)
📶📶📶
STACK ᴛʜᴇ DAYS #WeAre pic.twitter.com/Q7vkejV6mF
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 12, 2022
Top Newcomers: DC Manny Diaz, Freshman RB Nick Singleton, Freshman QB Drew Allar, Senior WR Mitchell Tinsley (Transfer from Western Kentucky)
Biggest Game on Schedule: vs. Ohio State, Oct. 29
17. Pittsburgh
Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh athletics
2021 Record: 11-3
Key Returners: Senior WR Jared Wayne, Sophomore TE Gavin Bartholomew, Junior RB Israel Abanikanda, Senior RB Vincent Davis, Sophomore RB Rodney Hammond Jr., Senior DE Habakkuk Baldonado, Junior DL Calijah Kancey
Key Losses: Kenny Pickett, Jordan Addison
Be persistent. Be great.#H2P 🏈⛺️ #WeNotMe pic.twitter.com/wpUyGTmV4D
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) August 11, 2022
Top Newcomers: Senior QB Kedon Slovis (Transfer from USC), Sophomore WR, Konata Mumpfield (Transfer from Akron), Senior LB Shayne Simon (Transfer from Notre Dame)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Miami, Nov. 26
16. USC
Photo courtesy of USC athletics
2021 Record: 4-8
Key Returners: Junior WR Tahj Washington, Junior WR Gary Bryant Jr., Junior RB Darwin Barlow, Senior LB Ralen Goforth
Key Losses: Kedon Slovis, Drake Jackson, Chris Steele, Drake London
day 6 pix 😤✌️ pic.twitter.com/SvBx86D5Gj
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) August 11, 2022
Top Newcomers: HC Lincoln Riley, Junior WR Jordan Addison (Transfer from Pittsburgh), Sophomore QB Caleb Williams (Transfer from Oklahoma), Sophomore WR Mario Williams (Transfer from Oklahoma), Senior RB Travis Dye (Transfer from Oregon)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Utah, Oct. 15
15. Miami
Photo courtesy of Miami athletics
2021 Record: 7-5
Key Returners: Sophomore QB Tyler Van Dyke, Sophomore RB Jaylan Knighton, Sophomore WR Key’Shawn Smith, Senior TE Will Mallory, Sophomore DL Leonard Taylor
Key Losses: Charleston Rambo, Jonathan Ford, Bubba Bolden
👂💥🤌 pic.twitter.com/oHi1z5Bsvi
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) August 11, 2022
Top Newcomers: HC Mario Cristobal, Freshman T Jonathan Denis (Transfer from Oregon), Freshman T Logan Sagapolu (Transfers from Oregon), Sophomore RB Henry Parrish Jr. (Transfer from Ole Miss), Junior WR Frank Ladson Jr. (Transfer from Clemson), Senior DL Jacob Lichtenstein (Transfer from USC)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Texas A&M, Sept. 17
14. Oklahoma State
Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State athletics
2021 Record: 12-2
Key Returners: Senior QB Spencer Snaders, Junior WR Brennan Presley, Junior RB Dominic Richardson, Sophomore DE Collin Oliver, Junior DE Trace Ford, Senior DE Tyler Lacy
Key Losses: Malcolm Rodriguez, Devin Harper, Christian Holmes, Shane Illingworth, Tay Martin, Jaylen Warren, Dezmon Jackson
Sunday f̶u̶n̶d̶a̶y̶ 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙙𝙖𝙮#DAT | #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/XAWVKAd7dj
— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) August 14, 2022
Top Newcomers: Junior LB Xavier Benson (Transfer from Texas Tech)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Baylor, Oct. 1
13. Michigan State
Photo courtesy of Michigan State athletics
2021 Record: 11-2
Key Returners: Junior QB Payton Thorne, Junior RB Jordon Simmons, Senior WR Jayden Reed, Junior WR Tre Mosley, Junior DE Jeff Pietrowski, Senior DT Jacob Slade
Key Losses: AJ Arcuri, Kenneth Walker, Jalen Nailor Connor Heyward, Jacob Panasiuk, Drew Beesley
The Process: @payton15thorne ➡️ @keoncoleman6
QB1 talks us through it 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/NbNK9oi7e9
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) August 14, 2022
Top Newcomers: Sophomore RB Jalen Berger (Transfer from Wisconsin), Senior TE Daniel Barker (Transfer from Illinois), Senior DE Kris Bogle (Transfer from Florida), Senior CB Ameer Speed (Transfer from Georgia)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Michigan, Oct. 29
12. Texas
Photo courtesy of Texas athletics
2021 Record: 5-7
Key Returners: Junior RB Bijan Robinson, Sophomore WR Xavier Worthy, Junior WR Jordan Whittington, Sophomore TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Senior LB DeMarvion Overshown, Senior LB Luke Brockermeyer, Senior DB Anthony Cook
Key Losses: Cameron Dicker, Josh Thompson, Casey Thompson, Cade Brewer, BJ Foster
Scrimmage 1 scenes 📸 pic.twitter.com/D2jIKu8KHA
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) August 14, 2022
Top Newcomers: Freshman QB Quinn Ewers (Transfer from Ohio State), Junior WR Isaiah Neyor (Transfer from Wyoming), Senior TE Jahleel Billingsley (Transfer from Alabama), Senior LB Diamone Tucker-Dorsey (Transfer from James Madison)
Biggest Game on Schedule: vs. Alabama, Sept. 10
11. NC State
Photo courtesy of NC State athletics
2021 Record: 9-3
Key Returners: Junior QB Devin Leary, Senior WR Thayer Thomas, Junior WR Devin Carter, Junior RB Jordan Houston, Junior LB Drake Thomas, Sophomore CB Shyheim Battle, Senior DT Cory Durden
Defense brought the 🧃!#HTT pic.twitter.com/tM2aA3xSkh
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) August 11, 2022
Key Losses: Ickey Ekwonu, Trenton Gill, Emeka Emezie, Vi Jones
Top Newcomers: Senior WR Darryl Jones (Transfer from Maryland), Senior P Shane McDonough (Transfer from Towson)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Clemson, Oct. 1
10. Oklahoma
Photo courtesy of Oklahoma athletics
2021 Record: 11-2
Key Returners: Junior WR Marvin Mims, Junior WR Theo Wease, Senior RB Eric Gray, Junior RB Marcus Major, Senior LB Dashaun White
Key Losses: Lincoln Riley (head coach), Mario Williams, Caleb Williams, Spencer Rattler, Nik Bonitto, Delarrin Turner-Yell, Perrion Winfrey, Michael Woods, Isaiah Thomas
Putting in work at the Palace. #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/Xx5H26v11s
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) August 11, 2022
Top Newcomers: HC Brent Venables, Junior QB Dillon Gabriel (Transfer from UCF), Freshman QB Nick Evers, Senior DL Jeffery Johnson (Transfer from Tulane), Senior DB Trey Morrison (Transfer from North Carolina)
Biggest Game on Schedule: vs. Baylor, Nov. 5
9. Texas A&M
Photo courtesy of Texas A&M
2021 Record: 8-4
Key Returners: Sophomore QB Haynes King, Senior WR Ainias Smith, Junior RB Devone Achane, Senior LB Andre White Jr., Junior DB Jaylon Jones
Key Losses: Jalen Wydermyer, Tyree Johnson, Leon O’Neil, Jayden Peevy, Zach Calzada, Isaiah Spiller
Sunday work session inside Kyle Field 🏟#GigEm pic.twitter.com/Nvjrj5u2As
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) August 8, 2022
Top Newcomers: Junior QB Max Johnson (Transfer from LSU), Freshman QB Conner Weigman, Freshman WR Evan Stewart, Freshman DL Walter Nolan, Freshman DL Shemar Stewart
Biggest Game on Schedule: vs. Ole Miss, Oct. 29
8. Clemson
Photo courtesy of Clemson athletics
2021 Record: 10-3
Key Returners: Junior QB DJ Uiagalelei, Senior TE Davis Allen, Senior WR Joseph Ngata, Sophomore WR Beaux Collins, Sophomore RB Will Shipley, Junior RB Kobe Pace, Sophomore DT Bryan Bresee, Junior DE Myles Murphy
Key Losses: Brent Venables, Justyn Ross, Baylon Spector, James Skalski
Y’all earned it.
IT’S A CATCH!!! @_ejda1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BRA5ry9Fgx
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) August 8, 2022
Top Newcomers: Freshman QB Cade Klubnik
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Notre Dame, Nov. 5
7. Baylor
Photo courtesy of Baylor athletics
2021 Record: 12-2
Key Returners: Sophomore QB Blake Shapen, Senior WR Gavin Holmes, Junior RB Craig Williams, Junior DT Siaki Ika, Senior LB Dillon Doyle, Junior DL Gabe Hall
Key Losses: Trestan Ebner, Kalon Barnes, Jalen Pitre, Tyquan Thornton, J.T. Woods, Terrel Bernard, Gerry Bohanon, RJ Sneed, Drew Estrada
Scrimmage 1 in the books 📚✅#SicEm | #BUncommon pic.twitter.com/jZzPlbOVOP
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) August 15, 2022
Top Newcomers: Senior DT Jaxton Player (Transfer from LSU)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Oklahoma, Nov. 5
6. Notre Dame
Photo courtesy of Notre Dame athletics
2021 Record: 11-2
Key Returners: Sophomore QB Tyler Buchne, Junior TE Michael Meyer, Sophomore WR Lorenzo Styles, Junior RB Chris Tyree, Junior CB Cam Hart, Junior CB Clarence Lewis
hard work#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/F9yevxtDba
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 14, 2022
Key Losses: Jack Coan, Kyle Hamilton, Kyren Williams, Kevin Austin, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Brian Kelly (head coach)
Top Newcomers: Junior S Brandon Joseph (Transfer from Northwestern)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Ohio State, Sept. 3
5. Utah
Photo courtesy of Utah athletics
2021 Record: 10-4
Key Returners: Junior QB Cameron Rising, Junior OL Braeden Daniels, Sophomore G Sataoa Laumea, Junior RB Tavion Thomas, Senior TE Brant Kuithe, Senior TE Dalton Kincaid, Sophomore DT Van Fillinger, Junior DT Junior Tafuna, Sophomore CB Clark Phillips
Key Losses: Devin Lloyd, Britain Covey, Nephi Sewell
Eyes on the prize pic.twitter.com/2L85iFTlN9
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 12, 2022
Top Newcomers: Senior LB Mohamoud Diabate (Transfer from Florida), Freshman S Clayton Isbell (Transfer from Illinois State)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Oregon, Nov. 19
4. Michigan
Photo courtesy of Michigan athletics
2021 Record: 12-2
Key Returners: Sophomore QB J.J. McCarthy, Senior QB Cade McNamara, Senior WR Ronnie Bell, Senior WR Cornelius Johnson, Senior TE Erick All, Junior RB Blake Corum, Senior DL Mazi Smith, Sophomore LB Junior Colson, Senior DB DJ Turner
Hey Will 👋#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/DqzfmZAWR4
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) August 15, 2022
Key Losses: Aidan Hutchinson, Daxton Hill, David Ojabo, Hassan Haskins, Andrew Stueber
Top Newcomers: Senior OL Olusegun Oluwatimi (Transfer from Virginia)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Ohio State, Nov. 26
3. Georgia
Photo courtesy of Georgia athletics
2021 Record: 14-1
Key Returners: Senior QB Stetson Bennett, Sophomore TE Brock Bowers, Junior TE Darnell Washington, Sophomore TE Arik Gilbert, Sophomore WR Ladd McConkey, Senior RB Kenny McIntosh, Junior DL Jalen Carter, Senior LB Nolan Smith, Senior DB Christopher Smith, Sophomore DB Kelee Ringo
Key Losses: Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Lewis Cine, George Pickens, James Cook, Nakobe Dean, Channing Tindall, Justin Shaffer, Jamaree Salyer, JT Daniels
Back Between the Hedges.#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/D1NyGy5zDR
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) August 13, 2022
Top Newcomers: Freshman DE Mykel Williams
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Kentucky, Nov. 19
2. Ohio State
Photo courtesy of Ohio State athletics
2021 Record: 11-2
Key Returners: Junior QB C.J Stroud, Junior WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sophomore RB TreVeyon Henderson, Sophomore WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Junior RB Miyan Williams, Senior LB Tommy Eichenberg, Senior DT Taron Vincent, Senior S Ronnie Hickman
Key Losses: Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jeremy Ruckert, Tyreke Smith, Thayer Munford, Haskell Garrett
R2❌#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/bVp1P26MlV
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 7, 2022
Top Newcomers: Senior S Tanner McCalister (Transfer from Oklahoma State)
Biggest Game on Schedule: vs. Michigan, Nov. 26
1. Alabama
Photo courtesy of Alabama athletics
2021 Record: 13-2
Key Returners: Junior QB Bryce Young, Junior RB Trey Sanders, Senior TE Cameron Latu, Junior LB Will Anderson Jr., Sophomore LB Dallas Turner, Senior LB Henry To’o To’o, Senior DL Byron Young, Senior DB Jordan Battle, Sophomore DB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Junior DB Malachi Moore
Key Losses: Evan Neal, Jameson Williams, John Metchie, Phidarian Mathis, Christian Harris, Jalen Tolbert, Brian Robinson Jr., Jalyn Armour-Davis
Scrimmage 1 ✅ pic.twitter.com/LZO0qW7Udf
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) August 13, 2022
Top Newcomers: Junior RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Transfer from Georgia Tech), Junior WR Jermaine Burton (Transfer from Georgia), Junior DB Eli Ricks (Transfer from LSU)
Biggest Game on Schedule: at Tennessee, Oct. 15
Featured image courtesy of Utah athletics
