Fox Sports has released its Spring top 25 rankings for college football, and it has caused quite the stir among fans and analysts. While there are many familiar teams at the top of the list, there are also some surprises, including some notable omissions. The poll reveals that many respected Big 12 teams are pushing towards the top of the conference standings, while some SEC teams that were expected to perform well have been left out of the rankings.
In this article, we will be looking at the top five teams in the Fox Sports rankings and what they have to offer this season.
#5 Tennessee Volunteers
For the second time this Spring, the Tennessee Volunteers are ranked inside the top five. While they will be replacing a couple of key playmakers, they did take out Clemson in the Orange Bowl and did not appear to miss a beat. With Joe Milton at quarterback, who will be on the preseason Heisman shortlist next season, the Volunteers will hope to continue their surge nationally. However, losing Alex Golesh as the offensive coordinator could be a bigger blow than most people assume.
#4 USC Trojans
No team in college football next season feels better about its quarterback situation than the USC Trojans with Heisman winner Caleb Williams returning. He’ll have plenty of weapons in his arsenal too, even with Jordan Addison off to the NFL. After the 2022 season ended badly for the Trojans, Lincoln Riley and his staff will be motivated to reach the playoffs in the upcoming season. While ESPN’s SP+ rankings included the Trojans as one of its two Pac-12 teams in the top 10, Fox Sports is the only media organization to place USC inside the top four.
#3 Ohio State Buckeyes
For the first time in several years, Ohio State will have somewhat of a quarterback controversy entering the 2023 season as Kyle McCord and Devin Brown battle during spring camp. Given Ryan Day’s history, that competition won’t be decided until fall. However, with Marvin Harrison Jr. returning at wideout, who is the top player at his position nationally, the Buckeyes have a loaded offense. Emeka Egbuka is their second highest-rated receiver entering the season, and Julian Fleming is another playmaker that they have ranked inside the top 15 at the position. This offense should be a nightmare to contain regardless of the quarterback.
#2 Michigan Wolverines
Fox Sports loves the Michigan Wolverines, and honestly, what’s not to like about them heading into 2023? Jim Harbaugh’s team was slotted at No. 1 on our analyst’s way-too-early ballots earlier this spring. They have a loaded offense and defense, with some of the best players in the nation in both categories. The Wolverines are led by an experienced and talented quarterback in JJ McCarthy. With a top-15 signing class and notable transfer haul, this team will be talented and dangerous.
#1 Georgia Bulldogs
At the top of the rankings are the Georgia Bulldogs. With a dominant defense that should be even better than last year, they have one of the best teams in the nation. With a deep and talented roster, the Bulldogs will be one of the favorites to win the national championship next season.
The college football world is buzzing with the release of Fox Sports’ spring top 25 rankings. While there are some surprises, the list provides insight into the teams that are expected to perform well this upcoming season. The top five teams on the list have the talent and potential to make a deep run in the playoffs and contend for the national championship. Fans of these teams will be eagerly anticipating the start of the season to see how they perform on the field.
It’s important to note that these rankings are just one organization’s opinion, and there are still many unknown factors that could impact the performance of these teams. Injuries, unexpected player developments, and off-field issues can all play a role in the success of a team. However, these rankings do give us a good idea of which teams are likely to be the most competitive in the upcoming season.
As the season approaches, college football fans will be eagerly anticipating the first kickoff and the start of another exciting season of college football. With so much talent on display, it’s sure to be another thrilling year for the sport.
