2023 College Football Playoff Predictions
It’s time to focus on what really matters: the 2023 season after yet another offseason in which conference realignment and regular college football scandals dominated the conversation. There is no better way to accomplish that than with a series of predictions, so with only a few days until Week 1 begins, CBS Sports is ready to do our bit with predictions, expert picks, and plenty of personal opinions.
Whose school will comprise the final four teams in the College Football Playoff? Georgia is attempting to become the first team in the wire service period (since 1936) to win three straight championships, but the Big Ten has three teams that could challenge them in Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. Although USC and Washington are the front-runners in the Pac-12 season finale, nobody should overlook Oregon, Utah, or even Oregon State. Florida State is looking to show that its hot finish in 2022 was not an anomaly, Alabama and Clemson are both vying to reclaim the top spot, and Texas could be the most talented team in the Big 12 (for whatever that’s worth).
What about the once-proud powers Oklahoma and Florida, who are entering their second years of leadership under Brent Venables and Billy Napier, respectively, and have a lot of doubts about their ability to turn things around? Meanwhile, Texas A&M is striving to make Jimbo Fisher and Bobby Petrino’s coaching combination work while LSU is looking to keep winning in Year 2 under Brian Kelly. Who could forget Deion Sanders’ beginnings with Colorado, too? (As if you hadn’t already heard enough about that.)
The teams who might just miss the four-team field, the widely overrated and undervalued programs, and the coaches and players that have the best chance of earning year-end awards are some of the other things we decided to look at in addition to projecting the playoff and the national title.
As we prepare for what should be a fantastic college football season before change rocks the sport in 2024, let’s look at our experts’ opinions.
Penn State Nittany Lions (+2000)
The only two teams the Nittany Lions lost to last season were Michigan and Ohio State, both of whom advanced to the College Football Playoff. Penn State will need to triumph in at least one of those games if it hopes to have any chance this season.
Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, the first freshman combination in Big Ten history to rush for at least 700 yards each, could lead the Nittany Lions‘ potent rushing attack. Drew Allar, a former five-star quarterback, takes over, while Olu Fashanu, a predicted top-10 choice in the NFL Draft, will keep the offensive line in check.
USC Trojans (+2000)
Caleb Williams, the current Heisman Trophy winner as quarterback, will lead one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses for USC. The only obstacle between it and the CFP and a chance to play for the national title is the defense.
In terms of points allowed per game (29.3) and yards per play (6.5), the Trojans were rated 93rd and 124th, respectively, in the nation last season. Since they let the Spartans to score 28 points and gain 396 yards in their season opener on Saturday against San Jose State, they didn’t really appear much improved. Similar to previous season, it appears they will have to rely on Williams and playmakers like Dorian Singer and Mario Williams to outscore rivals.
Clemson Tigers (+1600)
Coach Dabo Swinney of Clemson guided the Tigers to two national championships and six consecutive College Football Playoff appearances from 2015 to 20. The last two seasons, Clemson hasn’t participated in the CFP, though.
With linebackers Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter returning, the Tigers, who have two years in a row with one of the best defensive groups, could once again be in the discussion. The real question is whether Cade Klubnik, the top quarterback in the class of 2022 recruits, can breathe some life into the offense. Following his first season with 1,000 yards rushing, running back Will Shipley is back and will help keep defenses on their toes.
LSU Tigers (+1200)
In Brian Kelly’s first season, LSU improved from a 6-7 record in 2021 to 10-4 last year, capturing the SEC West. That has raised the stakes in Baton Rouge as the Tigers aim to contend with Alabama and Georgia for both the league championship and the national championship.
Jayden Daniels, the offense’s starting quarterback, is back after tossing for almost 3,000 yards, 17 touchdown passes, and only three interceptions. After leading LSU with 885 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground in 2022, he poses a threat with his legs as well. The Tigers have a very balanced defense thanks to the return of stars like DL Mekhi Wingo and LB Harold Perkins Jr.
Michigan Wolverines (+850)
Although Michigan has won the Big Ten title the last two seasons, it has never advanced past the Playoff semifinals. However, many think that as coach Jim Harbaugh begins his ninth season in Ann Arbor, this is the best Wolverines team he has ever had.
That is because veteran players like Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, two running backs who helped Michigan rank sixth in the nation with 238.9 rushing yards per game, are still on the team. In his second season as the starter, quarterback JJ McCarthy will look to improve as a passer in addition to his contributions on the ground. The defense ought to continue to play well after being seventh in the nation in yards allowed per play (4.7) the previous season.
Ohio State Buckeyes (+700)
Last year, the Buckeyes came one field goal shy of defeating Georgia in a CFP semifinal contest. They appear to be back in the mix to contend for a title in 2023 now that a lot of excellent skill players have returned to the offense.
Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, two members of Ohio State’s receiving corps, are both first team AP All-Americans. Additionally, after finishing third in the Big Ten with 192.4 ground yards per game, it retains its top three rushers. The winner of the quarterback duel between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown is still up in the air, but both men will be well-armed.
Alabama Crimson Tide (+600)
There is always some danger when placing a wager against Nick Saban. The coach of the Crimson Tide has won seven national titles, which is more than any other coach in college football history, including six since moving to Tuscaloosa in 2007.
After losing to Georgia in the 2021 championship game, Alabama didn’t participate in the College Football Playoff in 2022. When that happened previously, Saban and company retaliated by finishing an unbeaten season in 2020 to overcome Ohio State in the final. The Crimson Tide, who are expected to be the Bulldogs’ main rival entering the season, have yet to name a quarterback to take Bryce Young’s position as the No. 1 overall choice.
Georgia Bulldogs (+200)
There is always some danger when placing a wager against Nick Saban. The coach of the Crimson Tide has won seven national titles, which is more than any other coach in college football history, including six since moving to Tuscaloosa in 2007.
After losing to Georgia in the 2021 championship game, Alabama didn’t participate in the College Football Playoff in 2022. When that happened previously, Saban and company retaliated by finishing an unbeaten season in 2020 to overcome Ohio State in the final. The Crimson Tide, who are expected to be the Bulldogs‘ main rival entering the season, have yet to name a quarterback to take Bryce Young’s position as the No. 1 overall choice.
Teams having the strongest chances of winning the national championship in 2023
Florida State Seminoles (+2500)
Texas Longhorns (+2500)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+3000)
Tennessee Volunteers (+4000)
Oregon Ducks (+4000)
Washington Huskies (+4000)
Texas A&M Aggies (+6000)
Utah Utes (+6000)
Oklahoma Sooners (+6500)
Wisconsin Badgers (+7000)
Ole Miss Rebels (+10000)
North Carolina Tar Heels (+12000)
Kansas State Wildcats (+15000)
Iowa Hawkeyes (+15000)
UCLA Bruins (+15000)
South Carolina Gamecocks (+15000)
These remaining teams should have the strongest chances to win a championship in 2023 outside of the top eight. Jordan Travis and Quinn Ewers, the quarterbacks for Florida State and Texas, respectively, each have preseason Heisman odds that place them in the top five. These two teams round out the top 10 in a tie with odds of +2500.
