The 2022 season is only a couple of weeks away & anticipation couldn’t be higher. The first edition of the Gridiron Top 25 rankings was released on Tuesday & will update throughout the college football year. Like most rankings, the poll shows Alabama securing the No. 1 spot, receiving 17 of 18 first-place votes. The Tide returns Heisman quarterback Bryce Young & several key pieces throughout its roster. Including Will Anderson, one of the only defenders entering the season with a Heisman spark. Head Coach Nick Saban will lead a rejuvenated Alabama squad seeking revenge from their title loss against Georgia last season.
Ohio State finds itself at the No. 2 spot, again sticking to the national trend. The Buckeyes received the only first-place vote not belonging to Alabama. CJ Stroud will lead Ohio State as the Buckeyes return around 84% of last year’s defensive production, along with a new defensive mind in Jim Knowles. Knowles joined Ohio State after leading Oklahoma State to a top 3 defense last season.
Georgia, the defending national champions, stick right behind Ohio State at No. 3 receiving a few 2nd place votes. Several question marks surround the Bulldogs this year after losing significant production from a historic defense in their championship run.
Let’s go ahead & take a look at the Top 25 heading into the 2022 season according to Gridiron Heroics’ new media poll:
- Alabama (17) – 449
- Ohio State (1) – 430
- Georgia – 415
- Clemson – 384
- Michigan – 348
- Utah – 348
- Texas A&M – 347
- Notre Dame – 345
- Baylor – 284
- Oklahoma State – 268
- Oklahoma – 259
- Oregon – 258
- NC State – 211
- Michigan State – 209
- USC – 208
- Arkansas – 155
- Wisconsin – 145
- Pittsburgh – 127
- Miami – 114
- Kentucky – 82
- Cincinnati – 70
- Ole Miss – 69
- Houston – 54
- BYU – 50
- Tennessee – 37
OTHER RECEIVING VOTES: Wake Forest (36), Texas (26), Iowa (15), Penn State (12), Minnesota (11), UCLA (6), Fresno State (5), Kansas State (5), Liberty (4), Boise State (1), San Diego State (1)