The Bulldogs reclaim the No. 1 spot after slipping from the top last season. Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and Alabama fill out the top five, while Notre Dame and Michigan hover among the elite.
A year after ceding their national championship reign, Georgia is poised to reclaim the throne as they top the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll. The Bulldogs garnered an overwhelming 46 of 55 first-place votes, a testament to their unwavering dominance.
Georgia Reigns Supreme in Preseason Coaches Poll
Preseason No. 2 Ohio State trails closely behind, receiving seven first-place votes, followed by Oregon, Texas, and 2023 College Football Playoff champion Alabama.
Oregon's ascent to No. 3 marks a significant jump from their previous preseason ranking of 11th. Texas, with their highest preseason ranking since 2010, showcases their resurgence under head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Alabama, despite their unprecedented achievements under Nick Saban, finds themselves in their lowest preseason position since 2009. Meanwhile, Ole Miss secures a historic No. 6 ranking, their highest preseason ranking since 1970.
Notre Dame, an independent powerhouse, holds steady at No. 7, while defending national champion Michigan settles at No. 8 after losing several key players to the NFL. Penn State and Florida State round out the top 10.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) boasts an impressive nine teams in the poll, with half of them occupying the Top 12. Missouri (11th) and LSU (12th) hover just outside the elite tier.
The Big Ten also makes a strong showing with four teams in the Top 10 and six ranked overall. The Big 12 boasts five ranked teams, while National Championship runner-up Washington narrowly misses the Top 25.
Georgia's quest for a repeat championship begins with their opener against the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers on September 9th. The Bulldogs face a challenging schedule that includes matchups with Kentucky, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and South Carolina in SEC play.
Ohio State opens their season against Notre Dame in Ireland on September 2nd. They face a formidable Big Ten schedule that includes Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin.
Oregon's first test comes against Florida State in week one. They face Utah, Arizona, and rival Washington in crucial Pac-12 contests.
Texas looks to prove their preseason ranking with a showdown against Alabama in week two. They face Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Baylor in Big 12 play.
Alabama, seeking to regain their status as the nation's top team, faces Texas, LSU, Tennessee, and Auburn during their SEC slate.
The 2023 college football season promises fierce competition and unexpected outcomes. Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and Alabama stand as the early favorites, but the rise of Ole Miss and the resurgence of other programs add an element of intrigue. The chase for the National Championship is underway, and only time will tell which team will emerge victorious.
