After spring practices, Georgia emerges as the new No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports post-spring college football NCAA Re-Rank 1-134, with Alabama at No. 7 and defending national champion Michigan at No. 14. Led by quarterback Carson Beck, the Bulldogs are seen as the favorite to win a third national championship in four years. Ohio State, Texas, Oregon, Notre Dame, LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Clemson, and Mississippi round out the top 10.
Michigan is considered talented enough to win the Big Ten and potentially make it back to the College Football Playoff, but there are questions going into the summer. The Wolverines will need to replace key players like J.J. McCarthy and navigate a coaching transition from Jim Harbaugh to Sherrone Moore. In total, the post-spring Top 25 features eight SEC teams and seven Big Ten teams, showcasing the depth and competitiveness of these conferences.
One interesting addition to the re-rank is Nebraska at No. 25, despite finishing with a losing record in coach Matt Rhule’s debut season. The re-rank is betting on the Cornhuskers experiencing a second-year improvement similar to what Rhule’s previous teams at Temple and Baylor achieved. The NCAA Re-Rank continues to expand, now including 134 teams, with the addition of Kennesaw State at No. 132. The Owls, who played in the Championship Subdivision last season, finished with a 3-6 record.
Overall, the college football landscape is primed for an exciting season ahead, with Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, and Oregon leading the charge. While traditional powerhouses like Alabama and Clemson remain in the mix, there are also teams like Michigan and Nebraska looking to make a statement. As summer workouts and preparations begin, fans can look forward to an intriguing battle for the national championship title.
