Georgia's amazing, we get it, blah, blah, blah. Boring. While Stetson Bennet led his team to back-to-back championships, people were ragging him about how much he older than his competition, but in reality, he'd fit right in at BYU where 36 of their players are already married. Also, it turns out that a team is greatly improved when its best running back has two functioning hands and the quarterback doesn't throw two pick-sixes, who knew?
In other news, this is the only part of the rankings where a coach didn't leave or get fired, although I've got my eye on Jim Harbaugh trying to ruin this statement. It took 10 wins to get into this part of the rankings, with the lone exception being James Madison, who wasn't allowed to play in any reindeer or bowl games as they transitioned to FBS and made problems for their Sun Belt amigos.
Tulane had the biggest turnaround for any team in college football by improving 120 spots from last season. On the flip side, Nevada, Louisiana, and Northern Illinois all finished 79 spots worse than they did in 2021. It was truly a weird year for college football, yet it still ended in the most predictable fashion. That's why we celebrate the unpredictable here at the Pool Poll and now it's time for the grand finale.
25. Ohio (10-4, 92.2, 51.3)
Prediction and Preseason Rank: 4-8 (121)
Last Year Rank: 107
Recap: The Bobcats had an amazing turnaround in 2022 after Tim Albin had to piece together things in his first season when Frank Solich abruptly resigned before the season started. Albin had things clicking with his quarterback Kurtis Rourke, leading the Bobcats to a seven-game win streak and an appearance in the MAC Championship. Unfortunately, Rourke tore his ACL against Ball State and the MAC's Vern Smith Award winner (Top MAC player) would miss their game against Toledo and their bowl game. OU couldn't generate any offense in the MAC Championship and Ford Field continued to be a haunted place for the Bobcats. Instead, they settled for a showdown in the worst announced bowl game of all time, the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl, against Wyoming. Watching this game on mute still allowed you to witness the Bobcats win the game in overtime 30-27.
24. Boise St (10-4. 86, 71.8)
PR: 9-3 (36)
LYR: 49
Recap: The Broncos looked like they might be in trouble with a 2-2 start that included a loss to UTEP, but the men of the blue turf rattled four-straight wins over quality Mountain West opponents to regain their confidence. They earned a spot in the MW Championship game in a rematch with Fresno State, who they beat 40-20, earlier in the season. This time it was the Bulldogs getting the upper hand to claim the title. The Broncos settled for the Frisco Bowl where they had to rally past North Texas to win 35-32.
23. Fresno St (10-4, 80.8, 55.8)
PR: 9-3 (25)
LYR: 20
Recap: It looked like Jeff Tedford was a little rusty in his return to coach after some health-related issues that caused him to leave coaching the past few seasons. The Bulldogs got off to a 1-4 start but finished the season with nine-straight wins to not only claim the Mountain West Championship but also a spot in the L.A. Bowl against Washington State. There they lambasted their Pac-12 foe 29-6 to continue their second-half dominance in 2022.
22. Utah (10-4, 80.3, 23)
PR: 9-3 (27)
LYR: 27
Recap: The Utes began the year by blowing a late lead to Florida and were upset by the Gators on the road. While they lost to UCLA and Oregon, the Utes were able to keep their Pac-12 hopes alive by going for two and knocking off USC. The Trojans had a chance to exact revenge in the Pac-12 Championship, but Utah hit Caleb Williams and company early and often to ruin USC's playoff dreams. That earned Kyle Wittingham's squad a second straight trip to the Rose Bowl. Looking to redeem themselves from an embarrassing loss to Ohio State in 2022's contest, the Utes had the Nittany Lions close by, but quarterback Cam Rising went down with an injury that opened the floodgates for Penn State to roll to a 35-21 win.
21. LSU (10-4, 47.8, 39.3)
PR: 6-6 (51)
LYR: 74
Recap: The Tigers opened the season with a wild game that saw them on the losing end of a 24-23 game with Florida State. Brian Kelly could hear the doubters in Baton Rouge and quickly got his team on a four-game winning streak. They followed a beatdown by Tennessee with three-straight wins, capped by a gutsy overtime call that saw get a two-point conversion to beat Alabama. Their playoff hopes were knocked down when they lost to Texas A&M, but they still earned a spot in the SEC Championship against Georgia. That was an ugly finish on a great regular season, but they took out their frustrations on Purdue in the Citrus Bowl, clobbering the Boilermakers 63-7.
20. Kansas St (10-4, 46.9, 27.3)
PR: 7-5 (35)
LYR: 44
Recap: It looked like it might be a tough year when the Wildcats lost to Tulane in Week 3, but it turns out that both the Green Wave and Kansas State were pretty good. Despite losses to Texas and TCU in the regular season, the Wildcats used a 48-0 beatdown of Oklahoma State and three-straight wins to earn an appearance in the Big 12 Championship. There they stunned the Horned Frogs in overtime, nearly costing them a playoff spot. Kansas State was rewarded for its accomplishment by getting a disgruntled Alabama team in the Sugar Bowl. The Tide were like a gang of cats tossing around a dead mouse en route to a 45-20 finish that was actually much uglier than the score. Chris Kleinman also watched his old employer lose in the FCS Championship when South Dakota State ran over North Dakota State.
19. James Madison (8-3, 90.9, 48.3)
PR: 4-7 (113)
LYR: N/A (FCS)
Recap: It's hard to know how a team will make the jump to the next level, but the Dukes looked like they had been doing this for quite some time. The first good sign came when they beat an Appalachian State team that had just upset Texas A&M. That helped get them to a 5-0 start, but three-straight losses seemed to ground them back to Earth. They won their next two and got a shot at the reigning Sun Belt Champs, Coastal Carolina, and dumped the Chanticleers 47-7 to end their season. For some reason, they only had 11 games scheduled and were done in the second to last week.
18. South Alabama (10-3, 94.7, 41.7)
PR: 3-9 (104)
LYR: 95
Recap: The Jaguars had never had a winning season and had not been to a bowl game since 2016, so there was no indication that they would almost upset UCLA and nearly make an appearance in the Sun Belt Championship. They were just one win away from making the latter happen but lost a defensive slugfest to Troy, 10-6. South Alabama earned a trip to the New Orleans Bowl, guaranteed to finish with their first-ever winning season at the FBS level. The good feelings stopped there when Western Kentucky employed a passing attack so potent, the Jags were down early and couldn't recover in a 44-23 loss.
17. Air Force (10-3, 92.5, 72.3)
PR: 8-4 (44)
LYR: 23
Recap: The Falcons were all about running the football and not letting their opponents score. They were very effective on both fronts. Brad Roberts ran the ball 345 times for 1,728 yards and 17 touchdowns to finish as the nation's leading rusher. The defense kept games close with Air Force losing their three games by a total of 15 points. In their final four games, opponents scored just 25 points. Most importantly for the Falcons is that they won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy for the first time since 2016. In the Armed Forces Bowl, it was cold and miserable, just the way the boys from Colorado Springs like it. It was a ground-and-pound contest that saw them knock off Baylor 30-15.
16. Oregon St (10-3, 80.7, 34.3)
PR: 8-4 (38)
LYR: 54
Recap: The Beavers showed they were different by winning back-to-back games against elite Mountain West teams to begin the season. Losses to USC, Utah, and Washington doomed their Pac-12 Championship hopes, but they could play spoiler for a lot of teams. They entered their rivalry with Oregon down big and the Ducks needed a win to secure a spot in the Pac-12 title game and possibly the playoffs. Instead, the Beavs used a rushing attack to rally and upset the Ducks 38-34. In the Las Vegas Bowl, Oregon State made it four-straight wins to close out the season when they cooked up a lackluster Florida team 30-3.
15. Florida St (10-3, 77.2, 22.3)
PR: 7-5 (53)
LYR: 87
Recap: The Seminoles got a very different team than Oregon State when it came time to play their in-state rival, but that would end up being one of Mike Norvell's many big wins for the program in 2022. He started with a one-point victory over LSU and also wiped out Miami. They failed to make the ACC Championship game thanks to three-straight losses to Wake Forest, NCST, and Clemson. They earned a blue chip bowl match-up in the Cheez-It Bowl against Oklahoma and the 90s powerhouses put on a show. The Seminoles would come out on top 35-32 to win their final six games.
14. Oregon (10-3, 61.3, 16.3)
PR: 9-3 (11)
LYR: 28
Recap: The Ducks know TCU's pain as they too were lambasted by Georgia, but their beating came back in Week 1. Oregon recovered by winning eight in a row to get back in the playoff discussion, but a loss to Washington seemed to end those talks and that blow lead to Oregon State was the final nail. They earned a spot in the disappointment Holiday Bowl against North Carolina and were very close to finishing the year losing three of their last four games. A score in the final minute tied the game and their go-ahead extra point hit nearly every part of the goal post before bouncing in to secure a 28-27 victory.
13. UTSA (11-3, 82.6, 33)
PR: 9-3 (26)
LYR: 9
Recap: The AAC should fear the Roadrunners and returning quarterback Frank Harris. UTSA cruised to their second-straight CUSA Championship before they move up the Group of 5 ladder in 2023. They began the year with a wild 37-35 loss in three overtimes to Houston, then beat Army in overtime and lost to Texas, putting them at 1-2. Nine straight wins later, including a double-overtime win over UAB, placed them in the CUSA Championship where they dismantled North Texas so badly, they fired their coach. They looked like the favorite in the Cure Bowl, but the Sun Belt Champs defense proved to be as advertised, with Troy claiming the 18-12 victory.
12. USC (11-3, 72.2, 22.3)
PR: 9-3 (57)
LYR: 101
Recap: The Trojans were on the cusp of a return to glory in the 2022 season. Lincoln Riley showed he was just the right fit to get USC back to relevancy and it didn't hurt that he brought a top-notch quarterback, Caleb Williams, with him from Oklahoma. All Williams did was lead the Trojans to an 11-1 record with their only blemish a one-point loss to Utah. He put up video game numbers with his 4,537 yards passing and 42 touchdowns (most in the FBS). This was good enough to earn Williams the Heisman Trophy, USC's first since Reggie Bush in 2005. They even got a rematch with Utah and were win and in to the College Football Playoff. Then came the most physical game the Trojans played all season. The Utes hit Williams early and often, actually forcing him to be taken out of the game when Utah put things well out of hand. They still earned a trip to a New Year's Six Bowl despite not winning the Pac-12. They appeared to have the Cotton Bowl in the bag against their Group of 5 opponent, but nobody mentioned to the Green Wave that they were supposed to roll over. Instead, Tulane rallied and scored with less than 10 seconds to end USC's season with two-straight losses.
11. Clemson (11-3, 55, 31.7)
PR: 11-1 (13)
LYR: 21
Recap: The Tigers looked to have another easy year after most of their ACC competition struggled out of the gate. However, Clemson didn't look the sharpest either thanks to the struggles of quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei who threw for just 2,500 yards and 22 touchdowns. His 8-29 performance against South Carolina eventually led to his benching when he got off to a cold start in the ACC Championship. They qualified for the ACC title after going undefeated in conference play, but missed out on the playoffs because of losses to Notre Dame and South Carolina. Cade Klubnik took over at QB and the Tigers offense got a big boost to blow past North Carolina to win the title yet again. That win earned them a trip to the orangest of Orange Bowls against Tennessee. The Volunteers defense was too much for Clemson and Rocky Top rolled to a 31-14 victory. DJU announced that he was entering the transfer portal and will be suiting up for Oregon State in 2023.
10. Washington (11-2, 67.7, 70)
PR: 7-5 (78)
LYR: 104
Recap: Kalen DeBoer inherited a mess both on and off the football field, but took just one year to recover. DeBoer brought in a familiar face as he recruited Michael Pennix Jr. over to Washington from Indiana, where Deboer had served as his offensive coordinator. Pennix used his Big Ten knowledge to help knock off Michigan State for an early statement win, but then came back-to-back losses to UCLA and Arizona State. Despite not earning a spot in the Pac-12 Championship, they certainly altered the course of who could earn a spot. The Huskies knocked out both Oregon schools and capped the regular season with six-straight wins inlcuding an 18-point victory in the Apple Cup. They met Texas in the Alamo Bowl and knocked off the Longhorns 27-20 to make it seven-in-a-row to end the year.
9. Ohio St (11-2, 65.2, 3)
PR: 11-1 (2)
LYR: 12
Recap: Just devastated that the Buckeyes season ended the way it did. Sure they beat Notre Dame and Penn State to build quite the resume, but for the second-straight year, the Wolverines came out victorious. That meant another year watching the Big Ten Championship. Suddenly, like a life preserver tossed their way, USC and TCU both lost their respective championships. The door was open for the Buckeyes who entered the back door of the College Football Playoffs to the ire of Nick Saban. Many predicted a route of tOSU, but it was anything but. Perhaps if Marvin Harrison Jr. had not been knocked out of the game, the Buckeyes would've been the ones trouncing Hypnotoad, but the luck finally ran out. 48-yeard old (approx.) Stetson Bennett rallied the defending champs down the field to give the Bulldogs a 42-41 lead. Still, the Buckeyes had a chance to dethrone Georgia if they could make a field goal as not only time expired, but as the ball dropped for New Year's simultaneously. As everyone on the East Coast rang in the New Year, it turned out that 2023 didn't get off on the right foot as Noah Ruggles right foot missed a 50-yard field goal with little doubt to secure the victory for UGA and two-straight losses to end the season.
8. Tennessee (11-2, 55, 31)
PR: 8-4 (41)
LYR: 62
Recap: It's tough to think what could have been for Tennessee as they had the breakout season of any Power 5 school, save TCU. Hendon Hooker looked like a Heisman favorite when he led the Vols past Pitt, Florida, LSU, and Alabama. Then came the true test against the Bulldogs, who reminded everyone why they were the reigning champs by holding Tennessee to 13 points. Hooker threw for 3,100 yards and had just two interceptions. Most of his 27 touchdowns went to Jalin Hyatt, who finished the season with 15. Hooker would not finish the year, going down with a season ending injury against South Carolina, the game that eliminated the Vols from the playoffs. They took their anger out on Vanderbilt the next week 56-0. Former Michigan QB, Joe Milton, took the reins from Hooker and led Tennessee to an overwhelming victory against the ACC Champ, Clemson Tigers. At this rate, just put four SEC teams into the playoffs because they are probably better than everyone else.
7. Penn St (11-2, 54.5, 6.5)
PR: 9-3 (27)
LYR: 53
Recap: The Nittany Lions must have felt like the most ignored 10-win team in the country. After a 5-0 start that included a win over Auburn, Penn State carried a halftime in Ann Arbor, but got in the always fatal Michigan tunnel fight. That jacked the Wolverines up so much, they won the game by 24. Two weeks later they have the Buckeyes down at halftime before they lose by 13. The two losses elimated them from any conversation the rest of the year. After Ohio State snuck into the playoffs, that allowed them to earn a trip to the Rose Bowl to represent the Big Ten. After Utah's pummelling of USC, no one was giving Sean Clifford and James Franklin any hope. However, it was the Nittany Lions who showed off their defense and next-level quarterback to win easily, 35-21.
6. Alabama (11-2, 50.5, 3)
PR: 11-1 (3)
LYR: 4
Recap: There was nothing better than watching Nick Saban death stare the ESPN panel as they repeatedly talked about how college football now belongs to Georgia. As seen in the photo above, Saban could care less about the fact that they dominated the Sugar Bowl over Big 12 Champ Kansas State. He doesn't care that they rolled Auburn in the Iron Bowl or went to Texas and beat the Longhorns. No, he cares about the overtime loss to LSU where Brian Kelly went for two and won it. He cares about the walk-off field goal by Tennessee. Those four points cost him a shot at a title and he was livid that he didn't get a shot at Georgia all season to square them up. With Bryce Young leaving, everyone will be watching to see how Saban will respond to those that have unwisely buried him and his program for the boys in Athens.
5. Troy (12-2, 69.3, 36)
PR: 6-6 (92)
LYR: 92
Recap: One of the bigger surprises was how Jon Sumrall's team responded after beginning the season 1-2. The defense became the calling card with Troy fending off Marshall, Southern Miss,South Alabama and a bevy of other Sun Belt foes, allowing more than 20 points just once over their next nine games, all wins. That earned them a trip to their first conference championship game where they dismantled Coastal Carolina 45-26. That earned them a trip to the Cure Bowl against CUSA Champs UTSA. Defense was again what Troy leaned on, holding Frank Harris and the Roadrunner offense to just 12 points in an 18-12 victory. Sumrall certainly made his mark in his first season and led the Trojans to their third ten win season in the last six seasons.
4. Tulane (12-2, 66.3, 69)
PR: 4-8 (111)
LYR: 124
Recap: Last season the Green Wave had two wins. This year they added a one in front of that number and pulled off some impressive wins along the way. The season started with a 3-0 run that included a win over Kansas State in Manhattan. There was a bit of a let down as they dropped their next game to Southern Miss. They rattled off five-straight wins before dropping a close game to UCF. They needed a win over Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium to secure a spot in the AAC Championship. The Green Wave clung to a 27-24 victory and just needed to avenge their loss to the Knights to make a New Year's Six Bowl. Avenge is just what they did, cruising to a 45-28 win and earned a trip to the Cotton Bowl against USC. A heavy underdog against the Trojans, Tulane got amazing play in the final minutes and even some luck to secure a 46-45 upset. They now take top position in the conference as UC, UCF, and Houston all head for the Big 12.
3. TCU (13-2, 51.9, 9.5)
PR: 5-7 (60)
LYR: 89
Recap: It was going to be hard to replace the legend that was Gary Patterson, but Sonny Dykes was tabbed to be the man to do just that. Dykes not only met expectations, but did something Patterson couldn't, make the playoffs. TCU got all the bounces they needed to maintain an undefeated regular season that included the field goal unit running onto the field as time was running out to kick a game-winning field goal against Baylor. Those bounces went the wrong way in the Big 12 Championship and it looked like Kansas State may have stolen their chance at a title. Then USC lost and the Frogs were back in the thick of things. They drew the Big Ten Champs and used a strong defensive effort to make J.J. McCarthy uncomfortable, as he threw two costly pick-sixes. A few more breaks from replay and a turnover at the goalline sealed the game for the Horned Frogs to pull off the 51-45 upset. Hypnotoad found themselves against the reigning champs, but apparently forgot to make their way to California because the Bulldogs devoured TCU 65-7, the largest victory in CFP history. The big question in 2023 is can the Frogs repeat or will the addition of four new teams stiffen the competition?
2. Michigan (13-1, 58.9, 3)
PR: 10-2 (5)
LYR: 6
Recap: The Wolverines were clearing all sorts of hurdles in 2022. After their cupcake non-conference, they earned comeback victories over Penn State and Illinois. They also reclaimed the Paul Bunyan Trophy from Michigan State (finally) and won in Columbus for the first time since 2000. Then they put together back-to-back Big Ten titles. A no doubter of a selection for the playoffs, Michigan must have believed its own hype and forgot to respect their opponent. It didn't help that Blake Corum and his 1,400 yards were in street clothes, or that J.J. McCarthy threw nearly as many interceptions (2) as he had all season (3), both going for touchdowns. They almost had a chance to rally, but every attempt was thwarted by a big play on TCU's end that made the 51-45 score insurmountable. Jim Harbaugh is being courted by NFL teams, but a slightly bigger concern depends on the finidings by the NCAA in their investigation of some violations that involved the COVID freeze period for recruiting. Now add playoff games to things Harbaugh needs to prove he can win, hopefully, it doesn't take six or seven tries.
1. Georgia (15-0, 53.4, 0)
PR: 11-1 (4)
LYR: 1
Recap: They won again, who cares.
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