The race to the College Football Playoff begins

For the top teams in college football in 2023, the goal is to be playing at the NRG Stadium in Houston on January 8, 2024. This is the biggest prize in college sports, the College Football Playoff National Championship. Let’s take a look at what’s to come this college football season.

The Georgia Bulldogs have had a dominant two years, winning back-to-back National Championships including a 65-7 shellacking of TCU in the championship game last season. They could be the mix to win it again this year with another stacked roster.

For UGA, the big question for the 2023 season is around the quarterback position. Stetson Bennett has been under center the past two years and proved to be the perfect facilitator for the Bulldog’s weapons. This year Carson Beck seems the obvious choice but with Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton in the mix, there is no certainty who will be taking the first snaps of the season.

Since Kirby Smart stepped on campus (again) as head coach, the Bulldogs immediately emerged as a serious player in recruiting, able to attract the very best players in the nation in way they hadn’t previously. This has been reflected in their on-field performances and top-draft picks, but with so much talent gone, do they have the replacements ready to step up?

After a two-loss season in 2022, Alabama missed out on the CFP, not something Nick Saban will be looking to repeat. After losing starting QB Bryce Young, the Crimson Tide have some questions to answer, but we know they are going to be in the mix once again.

Much like Georgia, Alabama doesn’t seem quite set on their starting signal-caller for 2023 year, with Jalen Milroe, Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson all still in contention. Milroe seems to have the upperhand so far but this is a big year for the Tide as they look to rebound, so Saban won’t be rushing his decision.

The University of Southern California finished the 2022 season ranked number 12 in the nation. This year, in Lincoln Riley’s second season as head coach, the Trojans have a real chance to make a playoff push.

For USC, they can sit back and relax knowing they have the best QB in the nation under-center for them. Caleb Williams is basically a lock to be the number one overall pick come April 2024 and the Trojans will be riding his arm all season. If he plays as well as expected, USC will be in or around the playoffs come December

For Ohio State, the 2023 season looks to be a great opportunity to push for another Natty. With Kyle McCord taking the reins from the departed C.J. Stroud, the QB position looks set. Not that it matters too much with Marvin Harrison Jr. on the outside catching everything thrown to his general vicinity.

OSU are never far away from the top of the CFB rankings but this year they have a chance to blow most teams out of the water. Alongside future first-round pick Harrison is Emeka Egbuka, who is an elite prospect himself. Teams will have to pick their poison against the Buckeyes in 2023.

Jim Harbaugh has not always had things his own way during his time as a coach in Ann Arbor, with a big part due to poor quarterback play. That can’t be an excuse this season as the Wolverines are going into 2023 with J.J. McCarthy under center. McCarthy was a revelation last year and if they are going to contend again, he will be a big reason why.

Even if McCarthy has a down year, the Wolverines look to be well set to dominate most teams anyway with a running back duo that will strike fear into opposing defenses. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards is as good a duo as anywhere in the nation and will be key parts of any push for a Natty.

Brian Kelly is entering his second year in charge in Baton Rouge and has a roster built to compete. A lot of their gameplan will be centered around dual-threat QB Jayden Daniels who showcased his talent last year and will look to be even better in 2023.

Rarely do we see a defensive player with as much talent and potential as LSU’s Harold Perkins Jr. The sophomore linebacker is already drawing comparisons to Micah Parsons with his ability to play linebacker and rush the passer. Perkins will be a key player for LSU this season with oppositions offenses needing to gameplan around him.

Florida State is looking like a very dangerous team in 2023, starting the season ranked number eight, if teams above them slip up, they could quickly find themselves in CFP contention. If they do have a successful season, QB Jordan Travis will play a huge part in it.

Whilst teams in college are far more the sum of their parts than relying just on individuals, the University of North Carolina have one exceptional individual in Drake Maye. Highly touted by NFL draft experts, if he plays to his potential, the Tarheels could well finish the season in the top 10.