College Football Tiers: Who will surprise, letdown in 2023

There’s just 50+ days until football season now. All we have is talkin’ season as the old ball coach, Steve Spurrier used to call it.

There’s plenty of teams on the cusp of something special. While some of college football’s greatest programs of all-time are looking to rebound. Look, there’s some that are taking a downward trajectory with a not so promising 2022 season.

Is Texas back? What about Oklahoma? Georgia and Alabama look to remain the alpha dogs of the sport and continue domination.

Are there any programs that were flash in the pan’s last season? Tennessee, we are looking at you. All the while we wait to see if a program leaps into the next tier. Ole Miss, South Carolina, USC and Penn State that’s you.

Debuting my #CFB tier list. What do y’all think? pic.twitter.com/LmWB7cTfBc

— Jacob Davis (@JacobScottDavis) July 6, 2023

TIER 1 (National Title Contenders)

We all know why Alabama and Georgia are at the top of the food chain. Michigan made the playoffs last year and return a promising quarterback and plenty of other key pieces of last years team to make a run.

LSU is fresh off a strong 2022 season including a SEC Western division title.

Washington has plenty of promise and really took off under Michael Penix. It sounds like a surprise that they’re here but the PAC 12 has a chance to be a really good football conference this fall.

USC returns their Heisman quarterback, Caleb Williams and plenty of offensive weapons. They upgraded on defense because even the Trojans noticed how awful they were on that side of the ball.

TIER 2: Conference Contenders

Clemson and Florida State will be the leaders of the ACC. Anyone that watched the ‘Noles last year knew that they are on the verge of something very special. The Tigers received the spark needed from their new offensive coordinator, Garrett Riley, to return to the College Football Playoff in 2023.

But Louisville? Y’all are probably wondering what I’m thinking but hear me out the Cardinals are going to be contenders if they figure out the quarterback position. They’ve recruited up there and have a head coach now that just needed that big job to make the jump into stardom in the coaching ranks.

Texas, Texas Tech and Kansas State are all similar teams to me. Well coached, motivated and skilled to contend for the conference title. If any of them win the Big 12 with just one conferee loss they’ll make the playoffs. The final version of the conference with the Longhorns and Sooners in it will be a promising one.

TIER 3: Division Contenders/Darkhorse Contenders

‘ROW THE BOAT!’

There is some sort of confidence in the air around the Minnesota team following a solid 2022 season. After back to back nine win campaigns, the Gophers could surprise with a solid new quarterback and one of the best wide receiver rooms in the Big 10. They have a solid defense that was top 10 in the country, too.

Oklahoma State seems to be really good when people are doubting them. They lose their starting quarterback to Ole Miss via the portal. However, the Cowboys have pieces around both sides of the ball to rebound from a 7-6 season.

UCLA, Wisconsin and North Carolina are all very close to breaking their glass ceilings as playoff contenders. One of these three I think are darkhorses for a deep run.

TIER 4: Most Improved

Arkansas, Ole Miss and South Carolina are so close to being divisional contenders that it’s not even funny. All three teams are recruiting at a much higher level than they were previously. Plus, the crops they reap from the portal will eventually payoff. That’s why they should be above average this fall.

Notre Dame followed up a horrendous start with a 7-1 finish last season. It was definitely an adjustment with a first time head coach in Marcus Freeman. I’m high on them due to their addition of Sam Hartman who transferred in from Wake Forest this offseason. He’s had a very successful college career but could finish with a bang: making the College Football Playoff. 13000 yards and 110 touchdowns in 5 seasons is strong.

TIER 5: Just Outside

Mississippi State is a wildcard here. A new head coach, offense and being in the SEC is never easy. I don’t see them being anything better than bowl eligible.

Oklahoma wasn’t good at times under first year head coach. Eventually limping to a 6-7 season including losses to Texas Tech and Kansas State.

Kansas could be a team that takes a leap especially with Jalon Daniels at quarterback. Their toughest road opponent is Texas. Their home schedule includes Kansas State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, BYU and UCF. Is a special season ahead for a program that seemed dead just three seasons ago.