Predicting how the next college football season will finish in the immediate aftermath of the previous campaign is going to require adjustments once NFL decisions and transfer portal moves are completed.
With all the Bowl Subdivision schools completing spring practices, it’s a good time to reexamine the too-soon Top 25 from January and assess where things stand heading into the 2022 campaign.
Familiar names remain at the top. Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Oklahoma have made at least half of the eight semifinals during the College Football Playoff era.
However, last year was an anomaly as the Crimson Tide was the only team selected. They were joined by SEC counterpart Georgia, which took home the title in its second appearance. Michigan and Cincinnati also crashed the party with the latter exceeding its high expectations and snapping the Group of Five drought.
Will those teams be back in contention? What about newcomers looking to break through?
The answers will be provided this fall. But this season sets up to be the most unpredictable in the last decade. The gap between the top four teams and others is even closer than last year, creating the opportunity for any team to make a run if it can get hot.
Here’s the early outlook as we head into the summer months that set the stage for training camp. Ranking in the postseason early Top 25 in parenthesis.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts after throwing a pass for a touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
1. Alabama (1)
The reasons for having the Crimson Tide here are obvious. Heisman Trophy winning quarterback (Bryce Young)? Check. Best defensive player in the country (Will Anderson)? Check. Incoming impact transfers? Check. So while the losses at wide receiver, running back and offensive line provide some…
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