Memphis Spence’s Super 16 is BACK!

1. Georgia

Photo Cred: Fox 5 Atlantic

The Bulldogs have gone 29-1 during their two-year reign as national champions. There is no question who the number one team is. The offense should be in solid shape, thanks to a veteran line and standout tight end Brock Bowers and top wideout Ladd McConkey returning. The defense will be at peak form reloading with 5 and 4-star players in the scheme.

2. Ohio State

Photo Cred: Land Grant

Back-to-back losses to hated rival Michigan have the Buckeye fanbase riled up. They should calm down with Ohio State coming off a playoff appearance and near-miss against Georgia. Scoring points should not be an issue, even with a new signal-caller – likely Kyle McCord or Devin Brown – taking over for C.J. Stroud.

3. Michigan

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Coming off back-to-back Big Ten crowns and playoff appearances, the Wolverines look to take the next step. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy also returns. He is the only returning QB from playoffs teams. Explosive running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards ran behind an outstanding offensive line.

4. Alabama

Photo Cred: Alabama Sports

This year’s group has more questions coming in. First is finding the quarterback Bryce Young replacement. Speedster Jalen Milroe, highly recruited prospect Ty Simpson and Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner will all have opportunities to win the job in camp.

5. USC

Photo: ABC7

Caleb Williams no longer has Jordan Addison to throw to, but he does have four out of five top targets from 2022 back. Arizona transfer Dorian Singer also joins the team. They still have defensive issues. That weakness could cost them later in the season.

6. LSU

Photo Cred: LSU Athletics

Year one under Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge delivered an upset of Alabama, an SEC West title, and a Citrus Bowl victory. Returning quarterback Jayden Daniels was productive despite being forced to run for his life often. The offensive line must improve. He should have better protection this year. LSU will rely on defense and the running game.

7. Penn State

Photo Cred: CBS Sports

Some key talent is gone with Sean Clifford and star corner Joey Porter leaving. After that, Penn State returns enough of this defense, especially on the edges at the line. They have elite skill at running back, keys to build on as 5-star quarterback Drew Allar learns the playbook.

8. Utah

Photo Cred: Utah Athletic

Star-tight end Dalton Kincaid and stud cornerback Clark Phillips are gone. Quarterback Cameron Rising, who is at fall camp after tearing his ACL in the Rose Bowl, is returning behind a veteran offensive line. The two-time defending league champions seek to make it three straight Pac-12 football titles in a more crowded field.

9. Tennessee

Photo Cred: Tennessee Athletics

The core of college football’s No. 1 ranked offense is gone. Quarterback Hendon Hooker and receivers Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman went to the NFL. UT’s defensive struggles held the team back. They ranked 121st in pass defense. This could result in a minor step backward.

10. FSU

Photo Cred: Tampa Bay Times

Mike Norvell may have finally figured this thing out. He led the Seminoles to their first 10-win season since 2016. A lot of the skill is back: quarterback Jordan Travis, receiver Johnny Wilson, a gifted running back room, and edge rusher Jared Verse. They have one of the deepest teams in the conference.  Corner Deuce Cypress and deep threat wideout Keon Coleman lead their team’s efforts.

11. Clemson

Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports

Clemson offense has been poor since Trevor Lawrence left. Dabo Swinney hopes he has found a solution by adding former TCU play-caller Garrett Riley. Cade Klubnik showed flashes of good football and he’s backed up by Will Shipley and Phil Mafah. They beefed up more elite skill at receiver, and Clemson has some surgery to do on the front seven after some major departures to the draft.

12. Washington

Photo Cred: The Athletic

Michael Penix elected to return to school for 2023. He’s one of the best QBs in the courty. It ensures that the most productive passer in college football from a year ago has a chance to repeat that success. And he will! Huskies bring back most of its receiving core,  Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan, they were the first pairing to surpass 1,000 receiving yards each in UW history.

13. Texas

Photo Cred: UT Athletics

Texas lost all five games by seven points or fewer. A few tweaks here and there should have this team take the next step. Quarterback Quinn Ewers has high potential, and 5-star Arch Manning is waiting in the wings. Bijan Robinson is gone, but the Longhorns return their offensive line and three top receivers. The defense must hold on at the end of games.

14. Oregon

Photo Cred: USA Today

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s the new Oregon offensive coordinator Willie Stein’s task. Nix played more control last year. Stein must develop Nix and the offense that can win the Pac-12. Oregon also went 2-3 against ranked opponents last season, and this season they can’t duck USC.

15. Notre Dame

Photo Cred: CBS Sports

Notre Dame finished the 2022 season on a strong note, going 6-1 down the stretch, including wins over three ranked teams. The sudden departure of offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to Alabama hurts That could throw a wrench into Year 2 for Marcus Freeman. But the addition of transfer Sam Hartman, the ACC’s all-time leader in touchdown passes, at quarterback is a major plus for the offense.

16. Oklahoma

Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports

Brent Venables is regarded as college football’s premier defensive mind. But the unit was 123rd nationally and 90th in points per game allowed. Dillon Gabriel returns at quarterback, but he loses top target Marvin Mims and thousand-yard rusher Eric Gray. The Sooners once again went into the transfer portal to find players that can help the defense.