Countdown to Madness 2023: 10 College Basketball Coaches Who Could Be Fired This Offseason

Bobby Hurley, Arizona State

We've reached an exciting time in the sports calendar, with March Madness right around the corner. As many teams gear up for what they hope are extended NCAA Tournament runs, others are already looking ahead towards 2023-2024. For those that have no chance at the postseason, it begins a time of reckoning, evaluating whether they have the pieces in place to steer themselves back into contention next winter. Some may simply need to get healthy, or add a piece or two through the portal, while others may need to fire a head coach to get back on track. In that spirit, I brainstorm ten coaches who could be looking for new gigs over the offseason. 

Arizona State Sun Devils: Bobby Hurley

Record at Arizona State: 136-108

A college basketball legend known for his fiery sideline antics, Bobby Hurley feels like he may have overstayed his welcome in Tempe. After a pair of sub-.500 campaigns in his first two years at Arizona State, Hurley delivered consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, and likely would have gone to a third had the event not been cancelled in 2020. It's been a rough road since; the Sun Devils have had two straight rough seasons prior to 2022-2023, and their NCAA Tournament hopes appear to be getting dimmer this year. If ASU is able to sneak into the Field of 68, it's highly unlikely they choose to move on from Hurley this offseason, but the NIT feels like the more likely scenario. For a program that is watching their chief rival, Arizona, quickly ascend back up the totem pole in both basketball and football, that might not be good enough to keep Hurley around for a ninth year.

California: Mark Fox

Record at California: 38-82

If not for the well-documented struggles at Louisville, California would be getting more attention as the worst major-conference team in college basketball this season. In fact, you could make the argument the Golden Bears have been even worse than the Cardinals, given some of their losses. Those defeats include games against such college basketball heavyweights like UC-Davis, UC-San Diego, Southern, and Texas State. Not exactly the resume you're looking for during your fourth season at the helm, but such is the case for Mark Fox. It's hard to imagine a fifth year for Fox, who was a baffling hire at the time. Although he had success in the mid-2000s at Nevada, Fox was fresh off an uninspiring run at Georgia, and the results speak for themselves here.

Florida State: Leonard Hamilton

Record at Florida State: 425-262

Leonard Hamilton isn't in danger of being fired this offseason, but it's not crazy to think him and Florida State brass could be headed for a mutual parting of ways. Hamilton's coaching chops are unquestioned; he's won 625 games at the collegiate level and also coached the Washington Wizards in the NBA. He has a winning percentage of .619 at Florida State and has brought the Seminoles to the NCAA Tournament eight times. However, there's no denying the program has slipped over the last two years, including an ugly 8-20 season in '22-'23, one of the weakest years in recent ACC memory. In the fast-paced, chaotic college coaching landscape, two bad seasons can doom you. Hamilton seems to believe he can turn things back around, confirming to media that he plans to be back for 2023-2024, but you never know in big-money collegiate athletics.

Georgtown Hoyas: Patrick Ewing

Record at Georgetown: 74-105

Patrick Ewing should always be a legend on Georgetown's campus for the work he did as a player back in the 1980s, but he has been a complete failure as a head coach. The Hoyas have suffered through horrific stretches under his tutelage, including losing 29 straight Big East games, which is now a record. In fact, they've had just one winning season under Ewing, going 19-14 in 2018-2019 with James Akinjo and Mac McClung. There was the shocking NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021 after a Big East Tournament run, but one appearance in the Big Dance shouldn't erase the other failures that have persisted throughout the Ewing era. It's blatantly clear that it's time to move on, and this remains an attractive job, located in a great location and inside a big-time conference. There's simply no reason Georgetown should remain this bad for this long.

Ole Miss: Kermit Davis

Record at Ole Miss: 74-78

Kermit Davis has been around college basketball coaching since the early 1980s, when he served as an assistant at his alma mater, Mississippi State. He's held college basketball coaching roles across the United States, and delivered success at several of them. But, you have to wonder how much longer the 63-year old Davis will be around the game, at least at his current school. Since taking over after an impressive run at Middle Tennessee, Davis has only delivered one NCAA Tournament berth in Oxford. The Rebels are in the midst of another lost season, as they sit at 2-12 and at the bottom of the SEC standings. This wouldn't be a reactionary firing, either. Davis has had five years to build a program at a school with modest basketball expectations. He just hasn't delivered, and it feels like the right time for Ole Miss to look elsewhere.

Oregon State Beavers: Wayne Tinkle

Record at Oregon State: 124-150

The spring of 2021 was a thrilling one for Oregon State basketball. The program put together one of the most shocking NCAA Tournament runs in recent memory, only getting there because of a Pac-12 Tournament Title. Wayne Tinkle was the architect of that 2021 Elite Eight run, which seemed to be the momentum he needed to help the program emerge from mediocrity. Unfortunately, Oregon State followed it up with one of the worst seasons in the school's history, going 3-28 overall and 1-19 in the Pac-12. It doesn't look like a one-year fluke either, as the Beavers are sitting at the bottom of the conference standings once more in 2023. Tinkle might still be able to coast off that NCAA Tournament run for at least one more year, but time is running out. This is his ninth year in Corvallis and he's well below .500 overall, including a brutal .348 winning percentage in the Pac-12.

South Florida Bulls: Brian Gregory

Record at South Florida: 76-105

South Florida isn't a school that invests in their basketball program like others in the American Athletic and they certainly aren't a program with a history of success, with one NCAA Tournament showing since 1992. But at some point, the Bulls have to be willing to move on from Brian Gregory, who has had just one winning season since taking over in Tampa. Granted, that one season included a nice College Basketball Invitational Championship, but there has to be higher expectations than that. Gregory and USF are once again hovering near the bottom of the AAC standings at 4-10 in the league, and they've won 28 games in total since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. They aren't going to go out and land a big name, but the program desperately needs fresh energy.

St. John's Red Storm: Mike Anderson 

Record at St. John's: 66-53

A Nolan Richardson disciple who has made his rounds in the college basketball coaching world, Mike Anderson is on a flaming hot seat at St. John's. He did take over a program that was in the dumps after the Chris Mullin era, but Anderson has done nothing to return the program back to Big East relevance. On the contrary, they've been one of the most vanilla and bland teams in the league, with a a 16-11 overall mark being their high-water mark under Anderson's leadership. Anderson always felt like a bit of an uninspired hire when the Red Storm brought him on, and there's plenty of candidates who could come on and kill it here.

Stanford Cardinal: Jerod Haase

Record at Stanford: 109-106

Stanford's athletic department has traditionally been very patient with their head coaches. It's understandable considering the stringent academic requirements of the university and the other natural barriers to success. But, the basketball program has so much more potential than what they've shown under Jerod Haase. To be fair, Haase has not been some complete disaster of a hire since taking over in 2016. No, the Cardinal have been respectable year-in, year-out, but Haase has yet to coach in an NCAA Tournament game as Stanford head coach. Considering some of the big-name players that have passed through Palo Alto in that span, including Tyrell Terry, KZ Okpala, and Ziaire Williams, that's unacceptable.

Syracuse Orange: Jim Boeheim

Record at Syracuse: 1,014-437

Much like the Leonard Hamilton situation, Syracuse is not going to fire the legendary Jim Boeheim. But, is anybody going to start having the uncomfortable conversation about this program? They've clearly slipped in recent years, and the prognosis for a turnaround is not super promising. Recruiting hasn't been as strong as it should be, and it's really impacted the depth on this roster. Boeheim's prickly personality also feels like it's beginning to wear on people. It can be considered lovable when 'Cuse is winning, but downright irritating when things are going the other way. Boeheim will still likely be back next year, it's hard to imagine Syracuse brass forcing him out, but 2023-2024 could be an important season to show the program can be relevant on a national scale under his leadership.

Big Ten Power Rankings 2022-2023: Edition 3

Boo Buie, Northwestern

 * Records updated as of 2/16/2023

1. Purdue Boilermakers (23-4 overall, 12-4 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 1

Purdue has been out in front of the Big Ten race the entire way, but the last week has displayed some kinks in the Boilermaker armor. They've lost three of four, which has dropped them to 23-4 overall and 12-4 in the league. It's clear there's still things Purdue has to figure out before they hit the postseason, but it's not time to worry just yet in West Lafayette. The defeats to Indiana and Northwestern weren't exactly overwhelming; both were close losses to quality opponents on the road. The Maryland loss felt a little bit different, even though it was also on the road. Purdue had their worst offensive showing of the year and couldn't contain Jahmir Young, two results that aren't particularly encouraging as we head into the home stretch of the regular season. There's plenty of time to right the ship, with a favorable schedule remaining, but dropping off the No. 1 seed line seems like a real possibility at this point.

2. Northwestern Wildcats (19-7 overall, 10-5 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 7

Just as everybody expected, Northwestern is in sole possession of second place in the Big Ten with five games left to play on the regular season. The victories over Purdue this past weekend and Indiana earlier in the week essentially locked in the Wildcats for just their second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, assuming they're able to stick the landing. That win over the Boilermakers was a reminder of what makes this Northwestern team so dangerous; guards Boo Buie and Chase Audige were overwhelming offensively and they did a great job containing Purdue's freshmen backcourt the other way. They are likely to have the edge in backcourt play in every game they play the rest of the regular season, which should put them in great position to finish off strong.

3. Indiana Hoosiers (18-8 overall, 9-6 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 10

It's been a wild second season of the Mike Woodson era in Bloomington. The Hoosiers opened the season with legitimate Big Ten Title aspirations, but a three-game losing skid in early conference play quickly dashed those hopes. Instead of accepting a disappointing campaign, Indiana has responded in the face of adversity, winning eight of ten. Trayce Jackson-Davis in particular has been unstoppable, with double-doubles in six of his last seven contests. He should be a serious threat to unseat Zach Edey as not only the Big Ten Player of the Year frontrunner, but National Player of the Year. The supporting cast has also stepped up, with Jalen Hood-Schifino, Trey Galloway, and Miller Kopp playing some of their basketball of the season. Plus, there's still hope Xavier Johnson could return before March, as he's missed the last two months following foot surgery. 

4. Maryland Terrapins (18-8 overall, 9-6 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 11

Heading into the week, it appeared as though there was separation between the top three teams in these rankings and the rest. Then, Maryland went out and ran past Purdue, winning in front of their home crowd by 14 points. It was a statement victory for the Terrapins, and likely helped secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament. Kevin Willard has done a superb job in Year One in College Park, and I wouldn't count out the Terps down the stretch. This team is so much more than Jahmir Young, even if he is the focal point of the offense. Donta Scott and Julian Reese may be the most underrated forward duo in the country, and played a major role in this team overcoming Purdue on Thursday night.

5. Michigan State Spartans (16-9 overall, 8-6 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 5

This doesn't feel like a year where Tom Izzo's team is going to be creating magic in March, but the Spartans have proven to be a formidable foe who could play their way into the second weekend. The offense remains mediocre at best, led by Tyson Walker and Joey Hauser, but this is a tough defensive team with plenty of depth. It's huge that Malik Hall has returned and should be working his way back to 100 percent, as the senior forward is probably the team's best player when fully healthy.

6. Illinois Fighting Illini (17-8 overall, 8-6 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 3

You could essentially pick-and-choose with just about any team from spots 5 through 11 in these rankings, but I remain a believer in the Fighting Illini. Their two losses early on in Big Ten play, to Northwestern and Penn State, looked concerning at the time, but both of those teams have proven to be quality opponents. Since, Illinois has been playing much better basketball, although they do enter a difficult stretch of games with losses in two of their last three. The Illini may have the toughest remaining road schedule in the conference, as they go to Indiana, Ohio State, and Purdue.

7. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (16-10 overall, 8-7 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 2

Oh, how quickly things can change in the Big Ten. At the time of my last power rankings, Rutgers was 5-2 in the league and were the only team to have beaten Purdue. Fast forward a month, and Rutgers has lost three straight and finds themselves reeling heading into a matchup with Wisconsin. The offense has struggled as of late, particularly the guards. Paul Mulcahy has always been streaky, but it feels like a complete mystery which version of him is going to come out every night, and Cam Spencer has cooled down. To make matters worse, the Scarlet Knights are going to be without glue guy Mawot Mag, as a knee injury will cost him the year. Fortunately, there's still time to figure it out, and the schedule the rest of the way isn't as treacherous as it has been lately.

8. Iowa Hawkeyes (17-9 overall, 9-6 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 8

If not for the sheer dominance of Zach Edey and Trayce Jackson-Davis, Kris Murray would be the Big Ten Player of the Year frontrunner and Iowa would have the third winner in four years (Luka Garza took home the award twice). Kris has been particularly lethal as of late, going for 28 against Minnesota and 24 against Purdue, likely to cement himself as First Team All-Big Ten. However, the rest of the Hawkeye supporting cast remains inconsistent, which is a concern as we hit the most important portion of the season. Filip Rebraca has been a revelation and Tony Perkins went off for 32 against Illinois, but it still feels like the Hawkeyes need one or two additional pieces to step up if they want to make a March run.

9. Wisconsin Badgers (15-10 overall, 7-8 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 4

There's been absolutely nothing pretty about Wisconsin basketball over the past month, but the win over Michigan earlier in the week kept them on track to earn an NCAA Tournament berth. The Badgers are hopeful it concludes a skid that saw them lose five of their past seven games. To be fair, there have been a lot of road tilts in that stretch, but the offense has been a truly atrocious watch. Even in the win over the Wolverines, the Badgers suffered through terrible shooting woes. In fact, they didn't score a single field goal over the last 10:45 of the game, but somehow managed to come out on top. This team needs to figure it out if they have any shot at making noise in March, but there's no reinforcements on the way.

10. Michigan Wolverines (14-12 overall, 8-7 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 6

A three-game win streak that appeared as though it could move Michigan on to the right side of the bubble has been erased by consecutive losses to Indiana and Wisconsin. The Wolverines aren't completely dead just yet, but they'll have to impress over their next five regular season games and likely have to do some damage in the Big Ten Tournament. Those two straight close defeats felt particularly painful, two more reminders that this team just hasn't been able to close out games this winter.

11. Penn State Nittany Lions (15-11 overall, 6-9 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 9

Four straight defeats put a damper on an otherwise super successful second season for Micah Shrewsberry in State College. The Nittany Lions have shown real growth this year and the offense was out in full force in the win over Illinois, with Jalen Pickett dropping 41 points. That four-game skid also has to be given some context; three of the four games were on the road, including games against Purdue and Maryland. The NCAA Tournament is pretty much out of the question at this point, but Penn State still has a viable shot at the NIT, which would make their first postseason trip since winning that tournament in 2018.

12. Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-14 overall, 6-10 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 12

The turnarounds at Northwestern and Penn State have been given ample attention in the league, and for good reason, but not enough is being said about the job Fred Hoiberg has done in Lincoln this winter. The 'Huskers have been more than just a pesky opponent; they've beaten some very good basketball teams and are poised for their most conference victories since 2017-2018, when they went 13-5 in the Big Ten. Lincoln native Sam Griesel has been a game-changing addition for the 'Huskers, but it's been Keisei Tominaga that has fueled the Nebraska offense as of late. In fact, he's been one of the best players in the country in the month of February, dropping 22 or more in four straight games. Coincidentally, Nebraska has done 3-1 in that stretch, including a win at Rutgers earlier this week.

13. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-15 overall, 3-12 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 13

Fortunately for Ohio State, spring football season is right around the corner! It's been a brutal season on the court for the Buckeyes, who have won one single game since beating Northwestern on New Year's Day. It's hard to take too many positives away from this lost season, but at the very least, the freshman backcourt duo of Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle Jr. has been impressive for their age, and Felix Okpara has shown flashes. Expect Chris Holtmann to be extremely active in the transfer portal over the offseason, as this most recent batch certainly did not pan out.

14. Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-16 overall, 1-12 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 14

Purdue has been a constant at the top of the standings in the Big Ten, and Minnesota has been a constant at the bottom. It's been a truly brutal campaign in Minneapolis, but the hope is that the young talent continues to progress and the hyped recruiting class next year delivers. There's still a chance the Gophers could add a win or two with seven conference games remaining, all against unranked foes, but they desperately need Dawson Garcia back in action. Garcia has missed the past five games with an ankle injury, and there's some real worry that we may have seen the last of him in 2022-2023.

Scouting the Contenders 2023: Alabama Crimson Tide

Jahvon Quinerly, Alabama

As March Madness slowly inches closer and closer, "Scouting the Contenders" takes a look at some of the nation's best teams in a chaotic race, scouts their strengths and weaknesses, and takes a best guess on just how far they could go in the NCAA Tournament. We begin with the nation's new No. 1 team, the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Track Record

• 22-3 overall, 12-0 SEC
• Wins over Michigan State (81-70), Houston (71-65), North Carolina (103-101)
• Losses to UConn (82-67), Gonzaga (100-90), @ Oklahoma (93-69)
• No. 2 in KenPom rankings

Scouting Report

Alabama is likely always going to be a football school, but there's no denying that head coach Nate Oats has built a winning culture on the basketball floor in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide have been one of the SEC's top dogs since Oats took over, but they have their sights set on even loftier goals in 2023. They celebrated another achievement earlier this week, earning their first No. 1 overall ranking since 2002-2003. It's an impressive accomplishment, but one that will feel hollow if the Tide aren't able to deliver when things really matter in March.

Strengths

Versatility on both ends ... Oats and company have epitomized the idea of position-less basketball, flaunting a roster full of guys who can play just about every role on the floor. It's an approach that gives Alabama nearly unlimited versatility and can allow them to find and attack mismatches more effectively than a traditional lineup. Take a guy like Mark Sears, who is currently second on the Tide in scoring this season. At 6'1", 185 pounds he acts as a guard, but you'll often see him defend forwards when needed, and his ability to crash the glass is one you don't often see at his position. Or, take freshman phenom Brandon Miller as an example. The 6'9" combo forward is a tough player to guard no matter the defender, but he can also handle the ball, and his passing ability is similar to that of a savvy veteran guard. This amount of versatility makes it incredibly hard for opponents to game-plan against, and makes the Tide particularly scary. It's certainly proved to be effective on the offensive end, as Alabama currently ranks seventh nationally, averaging over 83 points per contest.

They're incredibly tough ... One thing I've always appreciated about Nate Oats-coached teams is that they play with a certain attitude and purpose. You saw it when he was at Buffalo, and it hasn't disappeared at Alabama, as the talent level has elevated. The Crimson Tide are a tough basketball team, one that isn't going to be pushed over by any opponent they face. They play physical, aggressive on-ball defense and force offenses to beat them off the dribble. They're incredibly active in the post and on the glass; in fact, their 44.4 rebounds per game leads every team in Division I basketball, despite the fact there are plenty of larger teams out there. Even some of the smaller things, like setting hard screens or getting on the floor for loose balls, this team does. It's that type of toughness that doesn't always show up on the stat-sheet, but you see it every time this team takes the floor. And, it's there for the full 40 minutes, also. You won't see this Alabama team taking any plays off.

Depth ... Modern college basketball teams don't go 10-12 guys deep like they once did, but I still look for depth when evaluating which teams I believe have a legitimate shot at taking home the National Title. You need fresh legs deep in March if you want to win it all, and you never know when one of your key players gets in foul trouble. Fortunately, Alabama is a deep team with a balanced workload, especially in the backcourt. Beyond Sears and Miller, no player on this roster sniffs 30 minutes per game, a testament to just how many players can come in and contribute important minutes on this roster. Oats deserves ample credit for constructing a roster with this amount of depth, which becomes even more impressive when you consider the circumstances of this team. Forward Darius Miles was expected to play an important role on this team this season, but has since found himself in an ongoing legal battle that has cost him his spot on the Tide roster. Former Texas Tech transfer Nimari Burnett was also expected to play a role on this team, but has been out indefinitely since mid-December. Despite the absence of those two, the Tide feature an impressive second unit that could go toe-to-toe with just about anybody in the country.

Weaknesses

Pesky turnovers ... Oats has always featured a high-flying offense, one that plays incredibly fast and looks to get up as much shots as possible. It's been effective all season, but that comes with a catch: turnovers. It feels like this team can play too fast, where they get sped up and make poor decisions, which is backed up by the numbers. Their 14.1 turnovers per game are ranked 292nd in the nation, nestled among such college basketball heavyweights as Cal Poly and Hartford. Their turnover rate of 16.0% may rank higher, at 165th nationally, but it's still a startling number for a 22-3 basketball team. It puts the Tide in a precarious position every time they step out on the court, and the program knows first-hand the type of negative impacts it can have in March. As the No. 6 seed a year ago, the Crimson Tide looked like they got sped up and out-of-sync against Notre Dame and it cost them, with a 78-64 loss. Turnovers weren't the only problem on offense, but 14 of them doomed any chance of a heroic Alabama comeback. This team has to learn to take better care of the basketball, or it's hard to imagine them advancing deep in the chaos that is March Madness.

Do they have the three-point shooting? ... It's well-known that Nate Oats absolutely detests the mid-range jump shot. He wants his Alabama team to get downhill and get to the rim, or settle for a three-pointer rather than lean on the low-percentage mid-range game. It's a roster that's conducive to that game-plan, but the three-point shooting hasn't always shown up. In fact, Alabama's three-point shooting has been a major problem in all three of their losses so far, including their most recent blowout defeat at Oklahoma. The Tide went 6-22 from three in that loss, and it didn't help that they couldn't get any stops the other way against the Sooners. Alabama as a whole only has one player that currently shoots over 40% from three, which would be Brandon Miller, and shoots 35% as a team. It's understandable that a young team would have their struggles from three-point territory and it generally hasn't been a problem most of the year. But, you do wonder if it could be an issue if Alabama runs into a hot-shooting team down the stretch and isn't able to respond.

Lack of March experience ... NCAA Tournament experience is more of a luxury than commodity in modern college basketball, even as we transition into the NIL era and away from the "one-and-done" era. Even so, it is something to consider when scouting the top contenders for the National Title, and the Tide simply don't have much March experience. Sears played in the NCAA Tournament while at Ohio and won one game, but isn't exactly a Tournament veteran. Jahvon Quinerly, who started his career at Villanova, has also seen a decent dose of March action, but this team is extremely inexperienced beyond those two. That doesn't mean they can't achieve a deep run, but March Madness basketball is different than the regular season. The stakes are higher, the fans are louder, and the pressure is taken up a notch. Whether this team, which is still very young, can respond to that type of environment remains to be seen at this point.

The Verdict

As I said in my "Scouting the Contenders: Purdue" post, it's hard to feel particularly confident about any team at this point in the college basketball season. Every team in the country has taken their lumps this year, and there's still several weeks before we have a firm idea what the bracket will look like. With that being said, I'm a big fan of this Alabama team, and believe in them a lot more than many others at the top of the polls. That may not be a controversial statement considering they're the top team in the nation, but it still feels like a wide swath of the college basketball community isn't sold on the Tide just yet. To be fair, teams that turn the ball over at the rate Alabama does always have a high variance of outcomes in March. It would not shock me if this team ends up in Houston, but it also wouldn't shock me if they get knocked out during the first weekend. Such is life in college basketball, and what makes the NCAA Tournament such an engaging event. Yet, I'm willing to throw some weight behind the Tide and pencil them in as a Final Four team in my current bracket. In fact, there's only one team I prefer to the Tide at this point, and it's not Purdue (but we'll get to that in a later scouting report). 

NFL Mock Draft 2023: Edition 3 (Super Bowl Edition)

C.J. Stroud, Ohio State to Indianapolis

 1. Chicago Bears

Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama

This feels like a pick that Chicago will look to swap with a QB-needy team, but if not, Will Anderson Jr. feels right. The Alabama product was one of the sport's most dominant defenders in recent history and has transcendent talent off the edge. He's much more than a consolation prize for a rebuilding Bears defense.

2. Houston Texans

Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Do the Texans try to move up a spot, or instead take their chances picking No. 2? It's well-known Houston is in the market for a new quarterback, and Bryce Young feels like the clear No. 1 quarterback, at least right now. He injects some fresh energy and spirit into an organization that has been staggering since the Deshaun Watson fallout.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

All eyes will be on Arizona's offense as they bring in a new coach and overhaul their system, but the Cards will also have notable holes to fill defensively. Up front, J.J. Watt is calling it a career, and Zach Allen could leave in free agency. Enter Jalen Carter, a premier disruptor who should test extremely well at the Combine.

4. Indianapolis Colts

C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

The Colts have relied on several different bridge quarterbacks since the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck, but it's about time they invest in a true franchise quarterback. C.J. Stroud feels like a step below Bryce Young as it stands right now, but could easily ascend with a strong pre-Draft. He's fresh off a 41-touchdown campaign in nearby Columbus this fall.

5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)

Tyree Wilson, DE/LB, Texas Tech

Don't be surprised is a fast riser through the spring, as he's the type of prospect every GM is looking for in the modern NFL. Versatile, long, athlete that is probably a defensive end at the next level, but could still fit in at outside linebacker. Seattle is loaded with selections over the next several years and focus on pass rush to kick things off.

6. Detroit Lions

Myles Murphy, DL, Clemson

Detroit may have invested a No. 2 pick in a pass rusher last year, but you can never have too many impact defenders in this league, and Myles Murphy feels too good to pass up. Murphy was an impact player from the moment he stepped on campus at Clemson, and projects even better to the NFL.

7. Las Vegas Raiders

Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

There may not be a more controversial player in the 2023 NFL Draft than Will Levis. Those who love him can talk themselves into him going No. 1, but he has his fair share of detractors. He didn't exactly set the world on fire during his time at Kentucky, but he's a toolsy quarterback with a lot of physical gifts. Levis feels like a boom-or-bust move Las Vegas is willing to take a chance on as they move forward without Derek Carr.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson

Despite investing countless draft selections in their front seven over the past decade, Atlanta is still awfully porous up front, with one of the worst rush defenses in the NFC. Bryan Bresee could be the solution, formerly the nation's No. 1 prospect coming out of high school. He dealt with injuries and family tragedy during his three seasons at Clemson, but established himself as a physical force on the interior D-Line.

9. Carolina Panthers

Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Carolina is another team clearly in the market for a quarterback, but they find themselves in a predicament here if things shape up like this. With the top three quarterbacks on the board, Anthony Richardson is probably the best available, but that feels like a huge stretch at nine. Instead, the Panthers still work on their aerial attack but instead choose a pass-catching weapon in Michael Mayer. The well-rounded Notre Dame product could be the team's next Greg Olsen.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans)

Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

Philadelphia is on the cusp of their second Super Bowl Title in a half-decade, but that doesn't mean the Eagles don't have holes to fill as they look ahead towards the offseason. Cornerback feels like an obvious spot to address; although they've gotten quality production there in 2022-23, both James Bradberry and Darius Slay are aging and Bradberry is going to be a free agent. Philadelphia won't have to go too far to land a franchise corner, picking up Penn State's Joey Porter Jr.

11. Tennessee Titans

Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern

It could be an interesting offseason for Tennessee after a disappointing year, but this pick feels like a no-brainer. The Titans have obvious holes to fill along their offensive line, and Peter Skoronski is top blocker available. He may not test as well as other linemen at the Combine, but feels like the type of player who is going to have a long, steady NFL career.

12. Houston Texans

Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Houston has needs throughout their roster, but it's hard to imagine they go very long in this Draft without selecting a new playmaker on the perimeter. There's plenty of options here, but Quentin Johnston stands out to me as an NFL prospect. He's a long, physical receiver who was absolutely unstoppable at times through his collegiate career. It wouldn't be shocking to see him and Bryce Young terrorizing defenses for years to come.

13. New York Jets

Paris Johnson Jr., OL, Ohio State

I'm not ready to completely sell my Mekhi Becton just yet, but the former Top 10 pick needs to show up in a big way in 2023. However, he's not the only concern up front for the Jets, with several pieces set to hit free agency. Even if New York is able to hold on to one or two, it feels like the right move to invest long-term by adding Paris Johnson Jr. out of Ohio State. He's likely to battle Skoronski for top billing in this offensive line group.

14. New England Patriots

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

There may not be a more pedestrian receiver corps in the NFL than the group in New England entering the offseason. If the Patriots are actually committed to Mac Jones being their guy, they simply have to upgrade his weaponry. Fortunately, Jaxon Smith-Njigba lasts all the way to 14 in this scenario, gifting the Patriots a dynamic wide out with elite ball skills.

15. Green Bay Packers

Brian Branch, S, Alabama

All eyes will be on Aaron Rodgers this offseason and it's easy to project a receiver here, but Green Bay's priorities seem elsewhere. Safety is an obvious spot they could choose to upgrade, with Adrian Amos an unrestricted free agent and the team potentially willing to move on from Darnell Savage to open cap. Brian Branch offers a cheap, high-upside safety who can line up just about anywhere in the defensive backfield.

16. Washington Commanders

Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Statistically, the Commanders were decent in defending the pass in 2022, but they have long-term concerns, especially considering the quarterbacks in their division. Enter Christian Gonzalez, who emerged as a serious NFL Draft candidate with Oregon this fall after two years at Colorado. Well-built, versatile, and equipped with excellent hands, Gonzalez is a quality get here.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

A team with plenty of options here, trying to project which direction Pittsburgh goes in feels like complete guesswork. Offensive line and defensive line may be two possibilities, but corner feels like a real need, as the Steelers have significant moving parts here entering the spring. Cam Smith could be a potential steal at 17, and he plays with an attitude and toughness that fits this defense.

18. Detroit Lions

Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Pass defense has been an Achilles heel for Detroit for awhile now, and it's hard to imagine this team returning to the postseason without investing more capital on the back-end. Kelee Ringo feels like a prospect who could have a wide range in this Draft, but he offers plenty of value here in the mid-first round.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Bijan Robinson is one of the most complete running back prospects we've seen coming out of college in years and yet, it's nearly impossible to project where he'll be picked. It wouldn't shock me if Arizona or another team takes a swing at him in the Top 5, but if not, he could last into the 20s. In this scenario, Tampa takes a chance on the exciting tailback, as they embark on the post-Tom Brady era.

20. Seattle Seahawks

O'Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida

Geno Smith was a pleasant surprise in 2022, but Seattle didn't always supply him the best help, as he was sacked 46 times. It feels like the Seahawks will be in the market for offensive line help with one of their first-round selections, and O'Cyrus Torrence makes plenty of sense. He's the Draft's top guard as we stand today, and Seattle could be set to replace both starting guards in the offseason.

21. Los Angeles Chargers

Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah

The Chargers could use help at all three levels of their defense, as they were mediocre to plain bad in rush and pass defense in 2022. An interior defensive linemen could be the move if somebody drops but cornerback feels like the most likely option. Clark Phillips III is one of the top playmakers in this Draft and would add much-needed attitude to this secondary.

22. Baltimore Ravens

Jordan Addison, WR, USC

No matter what the future looks like regarding Lamar Jackson, Baltimore has to upgrade their receiver corps. Beyond Rashod Bateman, there's no Raven that can cause significant pressure on the back-end of a defense, which has made Baltimore extremely one-dimensional. Adding a downfield weapon like Jordan Addison, the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner, would work wonders.

23. Minnesota Vikings

Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M

New defensive coordinator Brian Flores will bring a much-needed culture shift for Minnesota's defense, but the organization also needs to invest money or draft picks on this side of the ball. Antonio Johnson feels like the perfect fit for a defense that will look to play more downhill in 2023; the Texas A&M defender can line up just about anywhere and make an impact.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Jacksonville boasted one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL this past season, and that was in arguably the weakest quarterback division in the league. They have to add a quality defensive back early in this Draft, and I'm a big fan of Devon Witherspoon. He's not a guy who will blow you away with his testing numbers, but is a sturdy, well-built corner who should have a lengthy pro career.

25. New York Giants

Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

New York appears set to bring back Daniel Jones in the long-term, but his receiving options have been underwhelming throughout most his NFL career. A healthy Wan'Dale Robinson will help, but taking a dynamic weapon like Zay Flowers feels even more effective. Flowers was one of the most electric receivers in college football, even in a vanilla Boston College offense, and projects well to the pros.

26. Dallas Cowboys

Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

Beyond CeeDee Lamb, Dallas doesn't have the weapons on the perimeter to seriously contend for an NFC Title. They missed Amari Cooper after shipping him away, but could find a better long-term fit in Jalin Hyatt, fresh off a huge year at Tennessee. Hyatt became known as a big-play option with the Vols, but he's a versatile wide out who could still be scratching the surface of his potential.

27. Buffalo Bills

Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa

It was a deflating conclusion to the 2022 season in Buffalo, but the Bills remain a serious Super Bowl contender, assuming they make the right moves over the offseason. Spending on a receiver or drafting one early is a real possibility, but this is a front office that has leaned on the best player available approach in the past. Lukas Van Ness could sneak into the Top 10, but is more likely to land somewhere in the 20s as a ferocious edge rusher with upside.

28. Cincinnati Bengals

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

Joe Mixon's future in Cincinnati seems murky after his recent legal troubles, throwing a wrench into Cincinnati's offensive game-plan. Perhaps Mixon will be back as normal in 2023, but the Bengals could find a long-term upgrade in Jahmyr Gibbs. The versatile tailback is an explosive open-field runner and capable receiver, adding yet another element to this potent Cincinnati attack.

29. New Orleans Saints (from San Francisco)

Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

With the selection they recently acquired in the Sean Payton deal, New Orleans adds an impact defender in Drew Sanders. The former Crimson Tide linebacker had a breakout 2022 while playing at Arkansas and can play multiple positions and contribute. He's too intriguing to pass up in the bottom of the first round.

30. Kansas City Chiefs

Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame

Kansas City's defense held up well in 2022 despite significant amounts of youth at just about every position group. They will likely be in play for defense somewhere early in this Draft, and Notre Dame's Isaiah Foskey offers excellent value here. Despite his size, Foskey moves incredibly well and has the type of physique every NFL team covets.

31. Philadelphia Eagles

Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor

With an earlier first-round selection already secured and without any overwhelmingly obvious needs at this spot, Philadelphia could trade down. If they don't, I like the idea of them pairing Baylor's Siaki Ika with Jordan Davis to form an impenetrable interior D-Line. They were banged up on the interior this fall and could see several pieces move on this offseason, adding even more value to this pick.

Scouting the Contenders 2023: Purdue Boilermakers

Matt Painter, Purdue

As March Madness slowly inches closer and closer, "Scouting the Contenders" takes a look at some of the nation's best teams in a chaotic race, scouts their strengths and weaknesses, and takes a best guess on just how far they could go in the NCAA Tournament. We begin with the nation's current No. 1 team, the one-loss Purdue Boilermakers.

Track Record

• 21-1 overall record, 10-1 Big Ten
• Wins over Gonzaga (84-66), Duke (75-56), Marquette (75-70), @ Michigan State (64-63)
• Lone loss to Rutgers (65-64)
• No. 5 in KenPom rankings

Scouting Report

During a season where few teams have been able to stay at the top of the rankings for long, Purdue has been a constant. Matt Painter's Boilermakers are off to one of their best starts in school history, with a 21-1 overall record that includes just a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Rutgers. With several weeks perched at the No. 1 overall ranking, Purdue seems like the prohibitive National Title favorite as we transition into the final months of the season. But, can they rid themselves of their recent March demons and finish the job this time around?

Strengths

Balance, balance, balance... Painter has established himself as one of the best in the game in roster construction, quite an impressive quality during this chaotic era of college basketball. The Boilermakers check just about every box you could want: they have a star big man (Zach Edey), a deep backcourt that can shoot it, and capable wings that provide plenty of versatility. They feature an efficient offense, one that doesn't often blow the doors off opponents, but rarely goes through the long cold stretches that often plague other teams at this level. Defensively, it's a prototypical Painter team, with a smoothering on-ball perimeter defense and elite rim protector underneath. It's rare to see a team with this much balance on both ends of the court, and an obvious reason why they're so incredibly consistent. The Boilermakers show up in every contest, whether it's a big-time bout with a Top 10 foe, or a weekday road game against a team at the bottom of the standings. That's a difficult thing in this sport, and part of the reason why they've outpaced just about every team they've seen in 2022-2023.

The enigma that is Zach Edey... A Big Ten team with an elite big is not uncommon, even in the modern world of guard-play and pace-and-space. That's particularly true in West Lafayette, a program that seems to churn out productive giants at an unrelenting pace. However, Zach Edey truly is a special talent, the likely National Player of the Year. The numbers don't lie: he's averaging 21.4 PPG, 13.0 RPG, and 2.3 BPG, while shooting over 60% from the field. But, it goes even beyond the numbers, the attention he brings in the post completely opens up this offense and forces opposing defenses to completely shift their strategy, night-in and night-out. He moves incredibly well for his size at 7'4" and may be the best rim protector we've seen in a long time, probably since Anthony Davis in the early 2010s. He blocks shots and disrupts everything at the rim, but does so without fouling. Despite playing over 30 minutes per game and averaging over two blocks per game, he averages just 1.6 fouls per contest. It's hard to quantify just how insane that is. In fact, I can't remember that type of defensive dominance in my lifetime. 

They do the little things... Painter-coached teams always have the fundamentals down, and that is definitely the case with this current edition. They set hard screens, execute their cuts and get open, and play excellent team basketball. One thing in particular I appreciate? How well they shoot the ball at the free-throw line. Purdue ranks 19th nationally in free throw percentage at 76.% and there's not an obvious player to foul late in games. In this sport, where so many games are won at the margins, that's a major strength that will be especially vital down the stretch. As a fan of the worst free-throw shooting team in the country (the mighty Gophers at 59.2%) it's one thing that's always stood out to me about Painter's teams.

Weaknesses

The freshman-led backcourt... Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith both entered this season as prized in-state recruits who were expected to contribute, but I'm not sure even the most optimistic Purdue fans expected them to be this good, this early. Loyer has taken on more of the scoring load, second behind Edey in points per game, but Smith is the real engine behind this Boilermaker offense. He's an excellent facilitator, consistent defender, and he shoots the ball well from everywhere on the court. The pair has been a great story, but it's fair to wonder whether they can hold up in the bright lights of the NCAA Tournament. There's a completely different atmosphere once you get to the sport's biggest stage, even for a group that has been playing in the rugged Big Ten. How do these freshmen handle the spotlight? It is important to note, despite the fact this pair doesn't bring much experience to the table, Purdue isn't devoid of veteran leadership in the backcourt. Guys like Ethan Morton and Brandon Newman have played in plenty of big spots, which helps soften the impact of this particular problem area.

Do they have the big-shot maker? College basketball legends are made in March. Simply go back through the sport's history just this millennium; players like Kemba Walker, Mario Chalmers, Anthony Davis, and many more have used the bright lights of the NCAA Tournament to forever go down in college basketball lore. Even among teams that typically don't have one signature star, there's usually one or two big-shot makers that can carry their teams through the huge moments. Think of Christian Braun or Ochai Agbaji on last year's Kansas or Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell on Baylor as recent examples. Looking at this Purdue team, do they have that one guy? Edey may be the NPOY frontrunner and has made big shots, but he's not your prototypical late-game isolation scorer that can create off the dribble. Perhaps Smith or Loyer could take on that role, but that's not clear as it stands today. The Boilermakers may not necessarily need just one, but it's something I've wondered when watching this team. Go back to their lone defeat of the year, when Rutgers guard Cam Spencer hit a huge three with 14 seconds left. It felt like Purdue didn't have a player that could respond, and the last possession was ugly, a bunch of back-and-forth passes that didn't move the defense before a missed three from Brandon Newman, a career 37% shooter.

Those pesky March demons ... I've always felt that using past March Madness experiences to argue against the current version of a team is a weak one, but there's no denying that Purdue has some NCAA Tournaments demons to overcome. Painter is probably the nation's top active coach who hasn't reached a Final Four now that Mark Few has gone to a pair, something that has to be at the front of his mind. It's not fair to say the Boilermakers have been complete disappointments, considering they've been to the second weekend four times since 2016 and could have easily played in a Final Four in 2019, but they just haven't quite been able to get over the top. The last two NCAA Tournament appearances in particular have felt incredibly deflating; losing to Saint Peter's with Jaden Ivey and three-seed billing felt even worse than the first round upset in 2021. Painter and this Purdue program are going to reach a Final Four at some point, he's too good of a coach not to. But, the first one always feels like the toughest.

The Verdict

The Boilermakers are the betting favorite to take it all in Houston this spring, which makes sense. Not only have they built an impressive resume, they've watched many other top contenders drop like flies, including an Alabama team that was thumped this past weekend by unranked Oklahoma. In a lot of ways, they check all the boxes you want for a National Title contender. They have a star player leading the way, a proven, well-respected head coach, ample experience, and depth. But, there's just something about this team that's holding me back from making a full-throated endorsement. Maybe it's the young guards, maybe it's the way they play, maybe it's just the fact we haven't seen this program play in a Final Four in four decades. Something about them as a true National Title favorite feels a bit off. That doesn't mean I'm against Purdue, I wouldn't be shocked if I still have them going deep by the time brackets drop. But let's put it this way: if this was a hand of poker, I'd fold instead of going "all-in" in the way I would have with past No. 1 or 2 teams at this point in the year.

Coaching Carousel 2022-23: Breaking Down Every Power Five Hire of the Offseason

Deion Sanders, Colorado

College football coaching has always been a turbulent business, but it feels like it's been taken up a notch in the last several years. The money being thrown around the sport these days means programs are more willing to pay up to afford a new head coach (or just to get rid of one), creating a hectic coaching carousel. With things settled, at least for the time being, it seems like the perfect time to recap another busy offseason of coaching changes, one that will have major impacts on the college football landscape moving forward.

 

Arizona State Sun Devils

Out: Herm Edwards

In: Kenny Dillingham, Oregon OC

Despite being just 32 years of age, Kenny Dillingham has long been considered a rising name in the collegiate coaching ranks. After several years in high school coaching and as an offensive assistant at Arizona State, his big breakthrough came during his time at Memphis. Under Mike Norvell, Dillingham rose from a grad assistant to the team's offensive coordinator, a position he parlayed into the same role at Auburn. Since, he's had pit stops at Florida State and most recently, Oregon, where he helped turn Bo Nix into a superstar. Now, Dillingham gets a chance to take over at his alma mater, a program he knows well and has emotional ties to. It's a logical next move for Arizona State after the disastrous end to the Herm Edwards experiment, but the program is in a tough spot. They were hit hard by transfers the last several off-seasons, recruiting has fallen off, and their chief rival, Arizona, looks to be on their way up. Even so, this is a program long considered to be a sleeping giant out West, at a massive institution with plenty of talent in the pipeline. Dillingham seems like the right guy to bring them into the modern era, but how quickly he responds to the unique challenges facing the program will likely determine his long-term success.

Auburn Tigers

Out: Bryan Harsin

In: Hugh Freeze, Liberty HC

Bryan Harsin was a strange hire by Auburn in the first place, and the former Boise State head man lasted less than two seasons on The Plains before he was unceremoniously dumped. In his place, Auburn has turned to a familiar face in the SEC West, one-time Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze. Freeze became a controversial figure in the college football world due to his demise in Oxford, but he quickly rebounded at Liberty. Helped by a former Auburn quarterback, Malik Willis, Freeze went 34-15 in Lynchburg, including four consecutive bowl trips. There's no questioning his coaching chops, but has he learned from past incidents off-the-field? Auburn is a job with unlimited potential, with a tradition of success and loads of resources, but it's also one that can chew up and spit you out. So far, Freeze seems to be looking for stability by bringing in veteran assistants, including former Tulsa head coach Phillip Montgomery as OC, but the roster remains in flux due to a wave of transfers. Recruiting will be the name of the game here; when you're competing Alabama in the state and the entirety of the SEC West, you will need elite talent. Freeze brought in plenty of big names during his time at Ole Miss and Liberty, can he do the same with Auburn?

Colorado Buffaloes

Out: Karl Dorrell

In: Deion Sanders, Jackson State HC

Since the turn of the millennium, Colorado has mainly been an afterthought on the national stage. They've had just two double-digit win seasons in that span and have spent plenty of time floundering at the bottom of the Big 12 and Pac-12. After an 1-11 mark this fall, the Buffaloes went out and made arguably the splashiest hire of this year's coaching carousel, bringing in Deion Sanders from Jackson State. "Primetime" went 27-6 during his time with Jackson State and brought in elite-level talent, namely the former No. 1 recruit in the nation, Travis Hunter. Sanders has come into Boulder and immediately injected a different energy into the program, but the reality is that this will be a stark transition. Going from an HBCU playing in the SWAC to Power Five ball is a significant leap and Colorado is not an easy job. While the administration appears ready to make adjustments to the stringent academic standards that have hamstrung past football coaches, this program is not exactly in a recruiting hotbed and the Pac-12 appears to be on the upswing after several lean years. Speaking of the Pac-12, the league's future is completely uncertain, which complicates the Colorado job in the long-term. Sure, Deion likely is not here for the long haul, but I'm not under the impression this is going to be a quick turnaround. This was the worst Power Five team in the country by a wide margin in 2022 and even if the roster is overhauled, it will take time. That doesn't mean this won't work out, and Deion was worth the risk for a Colorado program that needed a different direction, but I don't envision a lot of wins right away like there was at Jackson State.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Out: Geoff Collins

In: Brent Key, interim HC

It was always going to be a tough rebuild for Geoff Collins as he brought Georgia Tech into the modern era and away from the triple-option. But, the reality is that no head coach is going to survive going 10-28 in the year 2022, and the Yellow Jackets decided to move on. Instead of going with a flashy hire or taking a swing at a Group of Five head coach, Georgia Tech opted to stay close to home by promoting interim Brent Key to full-time head coach. Key is an alum who played for George O'Leary, then coached under him for a decade at UCF. After a brief stint with Alabama, he returned to his alma mater on Collins' staff and despite struggles, he earned a reputation as a great developer of offensive line talent. Key went 4-4 following Collins' midseason firing and has stabilized the program. He's not going to bring the flash that Collins did when he was brought on, but he's a strong hire. Key understands the program and knows what they need to compete. He'll have plenty of talent available to him in the loaded Atlanta area, and the school appears to be have a renewed commitment to the sport. It's not a hire that will get as much attention as others, but I believe this to be one of the more underrated hires of this carousel.

Louisville Cardinals

Out: Scott Satterfield

In: Jeff Brohm, Purdue HC

Scott Satterfield's relationship with Louisville administration and university power-brokers seemed to be on the ropes for awhile, leading to an unsurprising decision for him to take a new gig at Cincinnati. Satterfield helped the program recover from the brutal ending to Bobby Petrino's second tenure, but he was never able to develop them into a legit ACC Atlantic contender. Following his departure, the Cardinals turned to a familiar face to replace him, in Purdue's Jeff Brohm. Brohm played at Louisville in the early 1990s and previously served on their coaching staff from 2003-2008. He did a great job at Purdue, taking over a program mired in mediocrity for years before going 36-34, including a division title this fall. He had previously said no to the Louisville job before Satterfield took it in 2018, but this was different. Whether Brohm felt he had reached his ceiling at Purdue or just felt now was the time to make the jump, it's a big win for the Cards. 

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Out: Scott Frost

In: Matt Rhule, former Carolina Panthers HC

The long-drawn out Scott Frost saga concluded in quick order this fall, with Nebraska deciding to move on after an embarrassing loss to Georgia Southern. Frost seemed like the perfect, home-run hire, but the 'Huskers lost close game after close game and were not able to build any type of consistency. Firing their coach faster than any other Power Five team in the country, Nebraska had more time to conduct this search and in the end, chose Matt Rhule as their next head man. Rhule became a hot coaching candidate after success at Temple and turning around Baylor, but his short stint in the NFL was less than ideal. He went just 11-27 with the Carolina Panthers and was unceremoniously dumped early in 2022. Rhule never seemed like an NFL coach; his ability to develop talent the way he did always felt like a college coaching trait, and he's more of a program builder than X's and O's guru. Nebraska needed a coach that can bring in the right type of talent and elevate it, but I do have questions about Rhule. He wasn't at either Temple or Baylor long enough to see if he could sustain a program over the long-term and in both positions, he was recruiting against schools vastly different than he will at Nebraska. He's a good football coach, but the reality around this job is that it's a difficult one in the modern context. There are outsized expectations in comparison to the product they can realistically put in the field and it's tough to get players to come to Lincoln in the new era of NIL. 

Purdue Boilermakers

Out: Jeff Brohm (took Louisville job)

In: Ryan Walters, Illinois DC

Jeff Brohm's decision to return to his alma mater wasn't particularly shocking, but left Purdue scrambling for a replacement fairly late in the coaching carousel. In response, Boilermaker brass took a major swing at a young up-and-comer, bringing in 36-year old Ryan Walters as their next head man. It's been an amazingly quick ascent for Walters, as he played college football as late as 2008 before making the transition to coaching. He bounced around before making an impression at his last two stops, Missouri and Illinois, where he served as defensive coordinator. Leading the Illini defense this past fall, Walters' group became known for its discipline and physical nature, finishing second in the country in points allowed. He earned national attention as a Broyles Award finalist and despite the Illini's plans to keep him in Champaign, it wasn't shocking he got a head coaching job. With that being said, this is a significant jump; Walters has never been a head coach at any level and now makes the leap straight to Power Five football. It's likely his program will differ greatly from the one Brohm ran, which was about airing it out offensively and playing a bend-don't-break defensive style. Landing a well-known offensive coordinator in Graham Harrell helps, but this hire feels like a coin flip to me. It certainly wouldn't shock me if it works out, but there is clearly ample risk involved.

Stanford Cardinal

Out: David Shaw

In: Troy Taylor, Sacramento State HC

There's nothing easy about moving on from your winningest coach in program history, an alum who guided the program to some of their most successful years of all-time. Yet, it certainly felt like David Shaw's run at Stanford was heading in an ugly direction; the Cardinal capped off two consecutive 3-9 seasons and hadn't won double-digit games since 2016. Recruiting had stalled, roster turnover was high, and the energy in Palo Alto felt off. Shaw decided his time was over, resigning one day after Stanford's season-ending loss to BYU. His decision allows the Cardinal to go in a brand new direction, and they decided it was Sacramento State's Troy Taylor who would be ushering in the new era. Taylor has long been a regular on the West Coast football scene, coaching in the high school ranks and throughout colleges in the region. He served as Utah's offensive coordinator for two years before taking over at Sacramento State, leading the Hornets a 30-8 overall record and 23-1 mark inside the Big Sky. His aggressive, up-tempo offense will be a welcome change for Stanford, whose offensive philosophy seemed stuck in the early 2010s for too long. However, there are external factors in play here that are likely to decide just how effective Taylor will be with the Cardinal. They've been hurt, perhaps more than any other program in college football, by the Early Signing Period. Due to their stringent academic requirements, Stanford has oftentimes been unable to get recruits in during the early period, crippling their recruiting. Stanford's graduate school also has notoriously difficult entry requirements, meaning graduate transfers regularly leave, robbing the Cardinal of key veterans. Is the university willing to change in order to help their football program survive and compete? It's hard to imagine any coach building a long-term winner here in the NIL and transfer portal era the way it is currently constructed.

Wisconsin Badgers

Out: Paul Chryst

In: Luke Fickell, Cincinnati HC

Wisconsin's firing of Paul Chryst came as a major surprise in many ways, but also felt like a strategic one by Badger decision-makers. The program had begun to feel a bit lifeless under Chryst, and Wisconsin looked like they had his hand-picked successor picked out. That was supposed to be defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, a Wisconsin alum who had quickly become one of the hottest defensive names on the market. The logic went like this: Leonhard would get a change to guide the program through the conclusion of the 2022 campaign and assuming everything went as planned, he would take over long-term. That logic went out the window, with the Badgers instead pulling off a stunner, convincing Luke Fickell to leave his longtime post at Cincinnati and make the move north to Madison. It did feel like a bit of a middle finger to Leonhard, but the reality is that the Badgers landed arguably the nation's top Group of Five coach in Fickell. Early on, Fickell has looked like he will move Wisconsin away from the ground-and-pound approach and instead move them into the modern offensive era, bringing on North Carolina's Phil Longo as OC. That feels like a wise approach, but one that may take some getting used to in Madison. For so long, Wisconsin's run-oriented offense and gritty defense has defined the program, going all the way back to the Barry Alvarez years. Are they going to be able to make the transition, particularly in a conference going through an upheaval of its own, with UCLA and USC on the way? It's a fair question, but it's hard to argue that the Badgers were one of the major winners of the carousel by landing Fickell.

Group of Five Hires to Watch

Cincinnati: Scott Satterfield (Lousiville HC) -- Scott Satterfield entered the offseason looking for a change of scenery, and will move forward with Cincinnati after taking the job vacated by Luke Fickell. Although this is technically a Power Five to Group of Five move, Cincinnati will be moving to the Big 12 next season and this job has always had loads of potential, situated right in fertile recruiting grounds.

Florida Atlantic: Tom Herman (former Texas HC) -- Things didn't work out for Tom Herman at Texas, but it's no surprise he's getting another opportunity in the collegiate ranks. He's a superb offensive mind and known as a tireless recruiter who should be able to elevate Florida Atlantic's floor. He should also benefit from lesser expectations away from the drama and politics of being Texas head man.

Kent State: Kenni Burns (Minnesota RB coach) -- Looking for a quick rising name that could be manning a Power Five program shortly? Kenni Burns makes the jump to Kent State after spending years as an assistant under P.J. Fleck at Minnesota, and should be in high demand in short order. His work with the Minnesota RB room speaks for itself, and he also spent time at FCS juggernaut North Dakota State.

Liberty: Jamey Chadwell (Coastal Carolina HC) -- One of the more surprising hirings of the 2022-23 coaching carousel comes at Liberty. Many assumed Jamey Chadwell would be in line for a Power Five job after another strong season at Coastal Carolina, but he instead opted to replace Hugh Freeze at Liberty. This is a spot that has proven to be a good stepping stone and there's no shortage of talent, so it wouldn't be surprising if this is a short-term solution.

UAB: Trent Dilfer (former NFL QB, HS coach) -- Bill Clark's surprise retirement right before the start of the 2022 season left UAB a bit unprepared, although interim Bryant Vincent scrapped together a 6-6 campaign. Instead of making Vincent the head man or going with a young up-and-comer, UAB took a shocking swing with Trent Dilfer, a former Super Bowl winning QB who had been head coach at Lipscomb Academy (Tennessee) since 2019. I'm all for outside-the-box hires, but this was a major risk; Dilfer has never coached at any level of college ball.

Big Ten Power Rankings 2022-23: Edition 2

Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois

Records updated: morning of 1/19/2022*

 1. Purdue Boilermakers (17-1 overall, 6-1 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 1

While the rest of the Big Ten has beaten themselves up over the course of the early schedule, Purdue has been able to stay mainly above the fray. They come in at third nationally and have just one loss to their credit, a heartbreaker at home to Rutgers. Big man Zach Edey continues to be one of the main frontrunners for the National Player of the Year award, but the real fuel behind Purdue's success in 2022-23 has been their young, but talented, backcourt. Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer may be freshmen, but the duo has been arguably the best guard combo in the conference this season. Loyer has emerged as the scoring threat, averaging 13.4 PPG and gifted with unlimited range, while Smith has proven to be an adept playmaker and active defender. If that duo can keep it going over the course of a rugged league schedule, the Boilermakers won't just go home with a conference title, they can seriously challenge for a National Title.

2. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (13-5 overall, 5-2 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 10

Rutgers has evolved into a consistent winner under head coach Steve Pikiell, but they've been more of a pest than serious Big Ten Title contender the last several seasons. That has changed in 2022-23, as the Scarlet Knights are second only to Purdue in the league standings and currently own the tiebreaker over the Boilermakers. It's been an impressive stretch from the Scarlet Knights, winners of seven of eight, and the upcoming slate in late January seems as favorable as you can get in this league. They need Paul Mulcahy and Caleb McConnell to get back to full strength after being limited early on, but Cam Spencer has proven he can handle the offensive load. Spencer, a transfer from Loyola-Maryland, isn't just the team's leading scorer, he's been an absolute demon from deep, shooting 47% from three.

3. Illinois Fighting Illini (13-5 overall, 4-3 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 5

Is there a team that better epitomizes the chaos and strangeness of this year's Big Ten than the Illinois Fighting Illini? They had a rollercoaster of a non-conference, had a couple of bad conference losses, but have since reeled off four straight victories. The decision from hyped freshman Skyy Clark to leave the program midseason originally looked like a sign things were set to go off the rails, but the Illini have looked significantly better without him. Freshman Jayden Epps has looked like the real deal helping to steer the offense and Terrence Shannon Jr. and Matthew Mayer appear to be settling in. They look very scary at this point in the season, and their next four home games are extremely winnable.

4. Wisconsin Badgers (12-5 overall, 4-3 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 2

Wisconsin looked like a potential conference frontrunner when they jumped out to a 3-0 start in the league, but they've fallen back to Earth since. A close win at the Kohl Center over Penn State stopped a three-game skid, one that included a horrifying loss to Indiana in Bloomington. The offense remains underwhelming, but getting Tyler Wahl back to 100 percent will be huge. He left the Minnesota game early and proceeded to miss their next three before scoring 10 against PSU. The senior is not only their most consistent offensive weapon, his energy and hard work goes well behind the box score.

5. Michigan State Spartans (12-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 8

This year's Michigan State team doesn't seem like the group that's going to deliver Tom Izzo his first Big Ten Title since 2018-19, but they've proven they are a serious threat in the conference. A recent two-game losing streak has been frustrating, but the Spartans reeled off seven straight victories beforehand. One of the losses was also to Purdue on Martin Luther King Day, a heartbreaking defeat that occurred at the hands of a late layup from Zach Edey. Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard are a formidable backcourt, but it's the growth of Joey Hauser that has really stuck out to me. He's taken his scoring up a notch and is playing with much more confidence, giving the Spartans a versatile, consistent threat.

6. Michigan Wolverines (10-7 overall, 4-2 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 6

Juwan Howard's club remains a confusing one as we trek through January. They have some bad losses, punctuated by their defeat at the hands of Central Michigan, but have gotten off to a 4-2 start in the Big Ten. A lot of that can be accredited to a pretty soft schedule up to this point, but the Wolverines still deserve credit; it's not easy to get any wins in this league. Hunter Dickinson remains a threat to win Big Ten Player of the Year, but the supporting cast must develop consistency. Jett Howard, Kobe Bufkin, and Dug McDaniel can be a maddening trio at times, but they bring plenty of playmaking punch and seem to be figuring out their respective roles with the absence of Jaelin Llewellyn. 

7. Northwestern Wildcats (12-5 overall, 3-3 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 12

Northwestern has been one of the league's pleasant surprises over the early conference slate, with impressive road victories over Michigan State and Indiana and a home win over Illinois. Their veteran guard play has fueled their success, with Chase Audige and Boo Buie leading the way, but I still wonder if they have the bigs to last as a contender in the conference. Beyond combo forward Robbie Beran and center Matthew Nicholson, they're incredibly thin on the frontline, a real problem in a league defined by their low-post stars. The Wildcats have been able to make do just fine so far, but this is probably their ceiling at this point.

8. Iowa Hawkeyes (12-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 9

Iowa is another team that's had a wacky season so far, and it's anyone's guess how they'll wrap up the regular season. Things were looking dark, with a three-game losing streak that included a shocking loss to Eastern Illinois, but the Hawkeyes have won four since. Three of the four were at home, but it still indicates Iowa could be turning a corner as they look towards a brutal upcoming road slate. Finding a quality complement for Kris Murray has been the primary challenge, but could the emergence of Payton Sandfort create a strong final two-and-a-half months? Sandfort has been on fire as of late, averaging 20 points per in their final three games. If he can keep it up, Iowa's potent offense should be able to keep firmly cemented as an NCAA Tournament team.

9. Penn State Nittany Lions (12-6 overall, 3-4 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 11

Micah Shrewsberry had a quality debut campaign in State College, but his program looks like they may be ahead of schedule in Year Two. The Nittany Lions are off to a quality 3-4 start in the Big Ten and even in their losses, they've looked very competitive. With that being said, Penn State has lost three of four, indicating there's work to be done if this team wants to enjoy a postseason trip. This feels like a team that's going to live or die by their guards; when they're on, this team could challenge just about anyone in the league, but when they're not, it's probably a lower-tier group in the conference. Jalen Pickett has proven to be All-Big Ten worthy, but others need to step up if the Nittany Lions are to get back on track.

10. Indiana Hoosiers (11-6 overall, 2-4 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 3

There were hopes of a conference title entering the season in Bloomington. Six games into league play, those hopes have all but evaporated. The Hoosiers have probably been the league's greatest disappointment early on, but I'm still not ready to completely sell my stock. They remain one of the most talented teams in the Big Ten, with a bonafide 1-2 punch in Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino. It just feels like something is off in the locker room; the energy and execution on this team isn't there. It's going to take a tremendous coaching job from Mike Woodson to get this team back into the hunt in the conference. How he and this program battle through adversity will tell us a lot about whether he is the guy ready to return Indiana basketball to national relevance.

11. Maryland Terrapins (11-6 overall, 2-4 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 7

The Kevin Willard era got off to a hot start in College Park, as the Terrapins won their first eight games of the season. Since then, it's been frustration after frustration, with Maryland losing six of their next nine. A pair of those victories came against mid-majors, Saint Peter's and UMBC, but the home win over Ohio State showed the Terrapins can still be a feisty out. However, the offense remains in a severe slump, only hitting 70 once in their last four. Jahmir Young has shown he can carry an offense, but the three-point shooting has been atrocious for most of the year. There's still time to figure things out, but this is quickly looking like the hot start was more of a mirage than the norm in Year One for Willard.

12. Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-9 overall, 3-5 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 13

Nobody in Lincoln is throwing a parade over being 10-9 overall and 3-5 in the conference, but there shouldn't be any denying that this program is showing signs of life in Fred Hoiberg's fourth year. Their three conference victories are already nearing the high water mark for Big Ten wins under Hoiberg, which was previously four. And, it isn't just that; the 'Huskers have looked competent on both ends of the floor and have some really interesting pieces. The upcoming slate of games is manageable, meaning it wouldn't be crazy to see Nebraska continue to ascend these rankings.

13. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-8 overall, 2-5 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 4

Since Chris Holtmann took over at Ohio State, the Buckeyes have been one of the most consistent programs in the Big Ten. They've won at least 20 games each of Holtmann's five seasons, and have advanced in the NCAA Tournament three times. But right now, it feels like the sky is falling in Columbus. They've lost five straight to push them to the bottom of the Big Ten standings, losses that have included a defeat at home to Minnesota and defeats on the road to Maryland and Nebraska. The good news is that all of the losses have been close, a good sign that these recent road bumps shouldn't last in the long-term. I firmly expect Holtmann to turn things around, but this team has to figure out how to close out games. They're simply too talented and Holtmann is too good of a coach for this to continue.

14. Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-9 overall, 1-5 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 14

It's been a long season in Minneapolis, with the Gophers non-conference struggles lasting into the Big Ten schedule. They remain one of the youngest teams in the league and it's clear when you watch them play, with sloppy turnovers and bad free-throw shooting. With that being said, the freshmen have all shown potential and the late January - mid-February slate isn't terrible. If Jamison Battle can finally find his rhythm, there's still some hope for the Gophers to scrounge up a couple more league victories in Ben Johnson's second season.

2023 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

The 2022 college football season ended much the same way the 2021 one did: with Georgia crowned as National Champions. Now begins the longest offseason of sports, with eight grueling months until things kick back off in August. With so much time to go, why not get the offseason started by recklessly speculating about which teams will be in the hunt for the National Title next fall? With so much time between then and now, "way-too-early" rankings are more fun than serious analysis, but they do give us an indication on which teams, players, and storylines to watch over the coming months.

1. Georgia Bulldogs

When Kirby Smart was hired by his alma mater, conventional wisdom indicated it was only a matter of time before he got things rolling. With two consecutive National Titles under his belt, it seems fair to say that Smart and the Bulldogs have arrived. They've overtaken Alabama (for the time being) as the most feared program in the sport, an absolute machine that brings in blue-chip recruits and churns out NFL Draft selections. That story is unlikely to change much in 2023, particularly with one of the softest schedules in FBS. Stetson Bennett's storybook career may have come to a close Monday night, but both sides of the ball should remain loaded. Expect Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff to duke it out for the starting quarterback role, with Daijuan Edwards and Kendall Milton set to flank them in the backfield. The pass-catchers will be loaded, spearheaded by the one of the nation's best players, tight end Brock Bowers, and ultra-reliable Ladd McConkey. On the other side of the ball, UGA is set to send a host of players off to the NFL, namely Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Kelee Ringo, but do you really suspect any drop-off? The front seven will be incredibly fast, athletic, and deep, while Malaki Starks appears ready to be the next great Bulldog defensive back.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

Ryan Day and Ohio State proved a lot of detractors wrong with an impressive performance in the semifinal, even if a missed field goal left them just short in upsetting Georgia. Next year's group may have the ingredients to actually overcome the 'Dawgs, assuming they can find a suitable replacement for C.J. Stroud. Kyle McCord is expected to step into the starting role, and will have no shortage of weapons at his disposal. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka will the most feared wide receiver duo in the nation, and tight end Cade Stover is an underrated piece of the puzzle. TreVeyon Henderson should be 100 percent after battling injuries all 2022, and the defense took major strides in Year One under Jim Knowles. They could be even better next season, assuming J.T. Tuimoloau takes the next step and develops into the dominant pass rusher most expect him to.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

Do we really think Nick Saban is going to roll over and let Kirby Smart enjoy his moment atop the college football world? Saban will have his Crimson Tide back with a vengeance, although there are some notable losses on both sides of the ball. The obvious one is former Heisman winner Bryce Young, the likely No. 1 overall selection in this upcoming spring's draft. It will be a fascinating competition to replace him; Jalen Milroe gained valuable experience this fall, but highly touted newcomer Ty Simpson should push him. The more important thing to watch will be the rest of the offense, which has been very un-Alabama over the last two seasons. Will Bill O'Brien return to Tuscaloosa, or is a return to the NFL in the cards? No matter whether he stays or goes, the receiver corps has to find some consistency after a rough year. Defensively, Will Anderson Jr. is a major loss, but Dallas Turner has the tools to be one of the nation's best and the back-end should be strong, with Kool-Aid McKinstry and company patrolling deep.

4. Michigan Wolverines

There's some uncertainty in Ann Arbor entering the offseason, despite 25 wins over the last two seasons. For the second straight year, Jim Harbaugh is openly flirting with NFL jobs, even though he has the pieces in place to once again win the Big Ten. J.J. McCarthy was impressive after taking over as full-time starter and could be even better in 2023 with a full offseason as QB1 under his belt. He will be aided by the nation's best running back duo, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Corum likely could have been a fairly high draft pick this spring, but recently announced he was returning. The offensive line will be missing a few pieces from the Joe Moore-winning 2022 group, but they should still provide plenty of running lanes. The defense was tremendous this fall and despite a few losses, they should be strong once more. Mike Sanristil has already announced he's coming back to school, and the Wolverines landed a big-time transfer in Ernest Hausmann from Nebraska.

5. USC Trojans

Lincoln Riley has orchestrated a quick turnaround in Los Angeles, but USC's two defeats to close out 2022 should be an extra motivation for them heading into the offseason. The 2023 group will be headlined by reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams, the first 'SC quarterback to take home the award since Matt Leinart. Williams will be the leader of a terrifying offense, with receivers Mario Williams, Brenden Rice, and newcomer Dorian Singer on the perimeter. Raleek Brown appears primed to take over feature back duties with Austin Jones and Travis Dye set to move on, although new South Carolina transfer MarShawn Lloyd will push him. However, the key for the Trojans will be fixing a defense that was atrocious in some of their bigger moments. The pressure is on coordinator Alex Grinch, who has garnered attention as a future head coaching candidate, but who has struggled as of late. The front seven suffers heavy losses, but adding pieces like Oklahoma State transfer Mason Cobb at linebacker should help in a big way.

6. Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State has played third fiddle to Ohio State and Michigan the last several years, but the 2023 group might be the one to jump both of them. There's plenty of young playmakers who already have made an impact, aiming to do greater things. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen became the first true freshman teammates to eclipse 700 yards in Big Ten history, and the Nittany Lions will lean on the ground game early and often with Sean Clifford moving on. Clifford was a source of frustration for many PSU fans, but there's no denying that the program will miss their longtime leader, meaning youngster Drew Allar has big shoes to fill. On defense, there are a few big names set to move on, but coordinator Manny Diaz seemed to find his rhythm with this unit down the stretch. Corner Kalen King has a chance to emerge as a legit Jim Thorpe contender, and Chop Robinson and Abdul Carter should terrorize opposing offenses up front. Going on the road to Ohio State next year is a tough draw, but the Nittany Lions do get Michigan at home, and their cross-division games are winnable.

7. Washington Huskies

Not even the most optimistic Washington fan should have expected the Huskies to go 11-2 in 2022, but Kalen DeBoer did magical things in Seattle this past fall. The outlook looks even better next season, as Washington has a serious shot to return to the CFB Playoff for the first time since 2016. Michael Penix Jr. will be in the Heisman conversation after a massive 2022 campaign, reuniting with his former play-caller, DeBoer. His receiver corps takes a slight hit, but Taj Davis has proven is worth and keep an eye on Michigan State transfer Germie Bernard as a serious breakout candidate. The defense is still a work-in-progress, but it played very well in the bowl game and has some interesting pieces. I'm still waiting on Sav'ell Smalls to have his eventual breakthrough; the former blue-chipper is too talented to continue being an afterthought.

8. Florida State Seminoles

Remember October 2021, when Florida State was coming off a heartbreaking loss to Jacksonville State an we didn't know whether Mike Norvell was going to make it past his second year? Oh, how silly that sounds a year later. The Seminoles won nine games in 2022 and have serious momentum; they look like the early ACC favorite for next fall. Quarterback Jordan Travis displayed real growth this season and has Heisman-level upside, while his favorite target, Johnny Wilson, is likely to return. Those two should lead a quality Seminole offense, but it's the defense that has FSU fans particularly excited. Jared Verse likely would have been a Top 20 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, but instead decided to come back for one more run in Tallahassee. He will likely be a preseason All-American, and is joined by one-time Ole Miss transfer Fabien Lovett up front. On the back-end, Fentrell Cypress II was one of the most sought after players in the transfer portal this cycle and now arrives to lead the FSU pass defense.

9. Utah Utes

USC has become the flashy team in the Pac-12 but one thing is clear: the conference still runs through Salt Lake City. Utah beat the Trojans twice in 2022 and will be back in the CFB Playoff hunt once more this upcoming fall. Veteran quarterback Cam Rising has already announced his intentions to return, giving the Utes a proven, reliable signal-caller to run the show. It will help that he's likely to have two of his favorite targets back in tight end Brant Kuithe and wide out Devaughn Vele. Kuithe missed most of 2022 with injury, but is one of the nation's best when healthy. Add in converted QB Ja'Quinden Jackson, who will likely be the feature back, and this could be one of the best Utah offenses in a long time. The defense will undoubtedly miss Clark Phillips III, but Morgan Scalley reloads as well as anyone. They'll be tough and physical up front, and getting Stanford linebacker transfer Levani Damuni was big.

10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

A surprising 0-2 start could have sent Notre Dame spiraling, but Marcus Freeman and company righted the ship and finished 9-4. It was an understandable season of growing pains for the first-time head man, but the Irish should feel good looking ahead to 2023. For one, the quarterback position is about to get a major upgrade in the form of Sam Hartman, who smashed record after record at Wake Forest. He'll open up an offense that was pedestrian and one-dimensional in 2022. The supporting cast will be in store for a transition as Michael Mayer and numerous backs move on, but could this be the year Chris Tyree puts it all together? Al Golden looks like he'll be back as the defensive coordinator, and despite losses up front, the back-seven looks good.

11. LSU Tigers

Brian Kelly's first season in Baton Rouge was a success, as the Tigers took home an SEC West Title and won ten games. The 2023 group has the chance to repeat as division champs, even with Alabama likely to return with a vengeance. Quarterback Jayden Daniels was a pleasant surprise this fall, and now will return for his final season of college football. He's a dynamic runner, but it was his improved passing ability that came as a real surprise in 2022. We thought Daniels would have the luxury of having his top receiver, Kayshon Boutte, back for another year but after previously announcing his intention to return to school, Boutte pulled a 180 and went pro. Even so, Malik Nabers proved that he was quite the playmaker as a true sophomore, and has the potential to be even better. On defense, Harold Perkins was a superstar as a freshman and could be the most dominant defender in the country in 2023.

12. Clemson Tigers

It shows the standard that Dabo Swinney has set at Clemson that the Tigers are coming off two consecutive "down" years, despite 21 wins in that span. To be fair, Clemson has shown significant cracks in their armor after an astounding run in the mid-2010s, but don't expect them to roll over and let FSU take the ACC. Tailback Will Shipley is already one of the nation's best, and should enter 2023 on most Doak Walker Award shortlists. He'll be the fuel of the offense, but Clemson is hoping Cade Klubnik can provide much-needed stability at the quarterback position after two rollercoaster seasons with D.J. Uiagalelei. Klubnik is young, but he showed he could handle the spotlight in short spurts this fall, and he has higher upside than Uiagalelei. He'll be helped by the fact the offensive line should return most of its starters, and the receiver corps will also be well-stocked. It's actually the defense where more questions lie, as Myles Murphy, Bryan Bresee, and Trenton Simpson all look like they're off to the NFL.

13. Oregon Ducks

Dan Lanning had a strong debut campaign in Eugene, as the Ducks went 10-3 and came back to beat North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl. The prognosis for 2023 looks promising, even with the defense set to suffer significant losses. Quarterback Bo Nix was one of the best stories of the 2022 college football season, a player who was a constant source of hate among wide swaths of the college football community before putting together a remarkable year. He flirted with the idea of going pro, but instead opted to return for one more run. He'll be joined in the backfield by Mar'Keise "Bucky" Irving, who flashed elite playmaking ability after transferring from Minnesota. Lanning and Oregon were also quietly one of the major winners of the early transfer portal period, as they landed two instant starters on the O-Line in Junior Angilau and Ajani Cornelius and a productive corner in Khyree Jackson.

14. TCU Horned Frogs

The National Championship blowout shouldn't erase just how amazing TCU's 2022 was. Sonny Dykes took over a 5-7 program that had just fired longtime head coach Gary Patterson and took them all the way to the National Championship in under 12 months. However, he'll have to show he can keep things rolling, as the Horned Frogs are set to lose three of their most important pieces, Max Duggan, Quentin Johnston, and Kendre Miller. Chandler Morris was originally pegged as the Day One starter in 2022 before injury and should reclaim the role, and he may actually end up being a better fit for Dykes' offense than Duggan. He will lead an untested, but talented, offense that has brought in a host of transfers. The defense remains a work-in-progress and it doesn't help that Dee Winters and Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson are set to depart, but names like Mark Perry and Jamoi Hodge give them a decent starting point.

15. North Carolina Tar Heels

A year later than most expected, North Carolina rose to the top of the ACC and won the Coastal Division. They now enter the offseason as a serious threat to overpower Clemson and Florida State in the conference, although the ACC forgoing divisions will make a repeat trip to the Championship Game more difficult. The Tar Heels are blessed with one of the nation's top quarterbacks, Drake Maye, who could be the 2023 Heisman favorite. There was some question whether he may test the transfer waters to land a large NIL deal, but he appears committed to Chapel Hill. Maye will have to make do without his offensive coordinator, Phil Longo, or top wide out, Josh Downs, but there's still plenty of talent. The defense has been the Achilles Heel since Mack Brown's return and the back-end is a real question mark, but the staff has recruited this side of the ball very well and the talent will start showing through eventually.

16. Tennessee Volunteers

I don't see Tennessee as a one-hit wonder, but it's fair to wonder if the Vols may be in store for a slight step-back after their best season in two decades. Hendon Hooker is off to the NFL and offensive coordinator Alex Golesh took the head coaching job at South Florida, but Josh Heuepel's system remains in place. Former Michigan transfer Joe Milton should step in and take over for Hooker, and he was a revelation in their bowl win over Clemson. Milton won't have the luxury of the team's top two receivers, Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman, but there remains a healthy amount of playmaking weapons dotting the roster. Defensively, Tennessee is unlikely to put up great numbers considering how much they have to be on the field with this offense, but they showed they survive playing an aggressive, downhill style. Losing Byron Young up front hurts, but plenty returns in the back-seven.

17. Kansas State Wildcats

A friendly reminder: Kansas State, not TCU, was the Big 12 Champion in 2022, and Chris Klieman has built a consistent winner in Manhattan. They will have to move forward without dynamic tailback Deuce Vaughn, who is set go pro, but the Wildcats got a win in the transfer portal by landing Florida State transplant Treshaun Ward. He will be joined in the backfield by veteran QB Will Howard, although don't be shocked if newcomer Avery Johnson receives plenty of fanfare. He's one of the highest-rated recruits in program history, and K-State fans will be calling for him the moment the offense struggles. Klieman always seems to have strong defenses and that should be the case next season, particularly if impact edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah returns. The Wildcats are also helped by the fact the Big 12 is wide open as it's ever been. TCU will be back in the hunt, but they suffer heavy losses, and traditional powers Oklahoma and Texas remain in a strange transition stage. All four of the teams set to make their grand entrance to the league in '23 (Cincinnati, BYU, Houston, and UCF) all face similar questions, giving K-State a golden opportunity to repeat.

18. Tulane Green Wave

Willie Fritz engineered the greatest single-season turnaround in college football history this fall, taking Tulane from 2-10 to 12-2, with a New Year's Six Bowl victory to cap it all off. Fritz entertained the possibility of taking a Power Five job but instead decided to return to Tulane, likely assuring another great year for the Green Wave in 2023. Even more important than the return of Fritz was the return of star QB Michael Pratt, who likely could have earned a sizable NIL deal from a larger school, but instead stuck around. A lot of the major pieces from the offense are gone, but the O-Line should be experienced and the skill positions have loads of potential. Defensive coordinator Chris Hampton could have also taken a bigger job, but his return likely assures a quality unit once again. He's quickly become a big name to watch on the coaching carousel; don't be shocked if he's up for head coaching jobs next offseason. The Green Wave also benefit from the shifting landscape of college football; UCF, Cincinnati, and Houston all depart, making the conference even easier to win.

19. Ole Miss Rebels

Lane Kiffin's 2022 Ole Miss team essentially had two different seasons. One was in the first half of the year, when the Rebels went 7-0 and looked like a serious SEC contender. The other was in the second half, when the bottom fell out, and they lost five of six. Which will show up in 2023? Kiffin will have one of the nation's most exciting backs at his disposal in Quinshon Judkins, but he needs more consistency from QB Jaxson Dart. Dart will miss two of his top wide outs in Jonathan Mingo and Malik Heath, but Jordan Watkins and Dayton Wade seem ready to step up and tight end Michael Trigg has unlimited potential. The defense made major strides in 2023 under the tutelage of Chris Partridge, but there are heavy losses here. Defensive linemen J.J. Pegues could be a name to watch up front and UCF transfer Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste was a nice get, assuming he can make the jump to SEC ball.

20. Troy Trojans

Looking to jump on a Group of Five team's bandwagon in 2023? The Troy Trojans would be a great place to start. Jon Summrall went 12-2 in his first season with the Trojans, and they should be the Sun Belt favorite looking ahead towards next fall. Quarterback Gunnar Watson should return, but the big name on offense is tailback Kimandi Vidal, who topped 1,000 yards and ran all over UL-Monroe and Arkansas State last fall. The receiver corps took a hit when Tez Johnson transferred, but there's still weapons here, and the offensive line should be good. The defense was one of the nation's best in 2022 and despite losing program stalwart Carlton Martial, Troy should be okay. There's still names like corner Reddy Steward and fearsome pass rusher Richard Jibunor, and coordinator Shiel Wood opted to stay in town.

21. Texas Longhorns

Steve Sarkisian enters a pivotal third year in Austin. The Longhorns showed real progress in 2022, but Sarkisian is still just 13-12 with the program and the 2023 campaign could be their last one before their transition to the SEC. Fortunately, Texas has no shortage of talent, but can they reach their potential? Quinn Ewers is set to return at quarterback and should hold on to the job, even with the arrival of Arch Manning. Ewers won't have Bijan Robinson with him to take the pressure off him, but the receiver corps will be dangerous, with Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders set to return. The defense will be the X-factor, a group that has regularly underachieved all the way back to the end of the Mack Brown era. There's notable losses, but the defensive line is loaded with talent and newcomer Anthony Hill Jr. could be an instant impact player at linebacker.

22. Oregon State Beavers

There may not be a more underrated coach in America than Oregon State's Jonathan Smith. The one-time Beaver great has completely turned things around at his alma mater, and has this program in the hunt for a Pac-12 Title. They'll be dangerous in 2022, with notable pieces set to return and a healthy influx of talent through the transfer portal. Tailback Damien Martinez ran for 982 yards as a true freshman this past fall and could emerge as one of the nation's best with a full offseason under his belt. He'll be the focal point of the offense, but Oregon State did land a major get in the portal in quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. Uiagalelei should benefit not only from returning to his native West Coast, but going to a less high-pressure situation than he experienced at Clemson. Defensively, the front seven should be solid after making major strides in 2022, but there are losses on the back-end. All eyes remain on linebacker Omar Speights, one of the team's best players, who is mulling an NFL Draft decision.

23. UCLA Bruins

It looks like Chip Kelly finally has things figured out in Westwood, and the Bruins will still be a major player in the Pac-12 race. They do lose two of their best offensive pieces in longtime starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson and productive tailback Zach Charbonnet, but they've worked the portal and landed a big-time talent in five-star freshman Dante Moore. It might be a bit much to expect Moore to start in 2023, with Kent State transfer Collin Schlee the likely Day One guy, but don't be surprised if Kelly finds creative ways to get the talented youngster on the field. Schlee will be joined in the backfield by another MAC transplant, Ball State's Carson Steele, who went for over 1,500 yards in 2022. The receiver corps is a bit unproven at this point, but the defense gives reason to believe in the Bruins. Although UCLA struggled with consistency, they've become a much more physical, disciplined group than the early Kelly years. Whether or not twin defensive linemen Grayson and Gabriel Murphy go pro will be an interesting storyline to watch in the offseason.

24. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma suffered through their first losing season in over two decades during the debut campaign for Brent Venables, but there's hope for improvement in 2023. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has already announced he will be back for another year after dealing with injuries throughout the fall, giving the Sooners a veteran signal-caller to lead the way. He'll have some interesting weapons around him; while Eric Gray and Marvin Mims are set to depart for the NFL, Gavin Sawchuk is a real breakout candidate and Jalil Farooq could emerge as the top option outside. The Sooners also had a nice get in the portal, landing Michigan transfer Andrel Anthony Jr. The key, however, will be fixing a defense that was horrifyingly bad at times in 2022. The fact of the matter is things really can't get much worse, but Oklahoma needs a few young pieces to step up. Several additions in the portal should help out, including Indiana's Dasan McCullough, and leading tackler Danny Stutsman is set to return.

25. Duke Blue Devils

It didn't get a ton of national attention, but Mike Elko had arguably the best debut season with their new program of any head coach not named Lincoln Riley. He led the Blue Devils to a 9-4 mark, which included a bowl victory over UCF in the Military Bowl. They could be a sleeper in 2023, thanks in large part to the return of quarterback Riley Leonard, who led the team in passing and rushing this fall. He could be a dark horse Heisman candidate looking ahead to next year. Leonard is set to be joined by top tailback Jordan Waters and Jordan Moore, who is set to replace Jalon Calhoun as the top receiver. The other side of the ball should be stout, too, and I really like some of these pieces. Brandon Johnson has All-ACC talent in the secondary and DeWayne Carter swallows up opposing rushing attacks on the interior D-Line.

Just Missed the Cut

SMU Mustangs: Tanner Mordecai may be off to Wisconsin, but former high-profile recruit Preston Stone could took over as the new face of the offense at quarterback. He'll be paired with two former five-star running backs, Camar Wheaton and L.J. Johnson Jr.

South Carolina Gamecocks: South Carolina showed real progress during Shane Beamer's second season and they could be the greatest threat to Georgia in the division if Tennessee takes a step back. Getting Spencer Rattler back at quarterback was huge and he could have a huge grand finale.

Texas Tech Red Raiders: There's a feeling of momentum in Lubbock entering 2023, as Joey McGuire delivered an eight-win debut and has had success on the recruiting trail. The Red Raiders will have a veteran quarterback leading the way in Tyler Shough and an experienced defense that could become one of the Big 12's best.

Arkansas Razorbacks: The Razorbacks were a disappointment in 2022, but they could be in store for a bounceback this upcoming fall. K.J. Jefferson has already announced he'll be back and should form a fearsome duo with Raheim Sanders in the backfield. The defense loses Drew Sandders and coordinator Barry Odom, but there's still some interesting pieces.

Kentucky Wildcats: Kentucky has become of the most consistent programs in the nation and they should be a threat in 2023. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen is back after a one-year return to the Los Angeles Rams and now has an experienced quarterback to run the offense in NC State's Devin Leary.