With the 2021 NFL preseason underway and college football right around the corner, football is officially back. So, our team of analysts put on our pads, strapped our helmets, and Oklahoma-drilled our way to create Pro Football Network’s consensus college football top 25 rankings ahead of the 2021 season.
College Football Rankings 2021 | 1-10
Who is the team to beat in our 2021 college football rankings?
1) Alabama Crimson Tide
Nick Saban has nothing left to prove. Yet, he continues to coach with a chip on his shoulder. And that chip is passed on to his players, who give their all to Alabama. The Crimson Tide lost a vast amount of talent on both sides of the ball, but that’s nothing new. Every season, Alabama contends for a national championship and pumps talented players into the NFL like clockwork.
True sophomore Bryce Young will lead the offense, the highest-rated quarterback recruit in Alabama history (247Sports). He isn’t alone, with OT Evan Neal, OG Emil Ekiyor, WR John Metchie III, TE Jahleel Billingsley, and a stable of running backs surrounding him. The defense should be as dominant as ever, with Christian Harris, Will Anderson, Josh Jobe, Malachi Moore, and Jordan Battle headlining the unit.
2) Clemson Tigers
We can talk all we want about true sophomore phenom D.J. Uiagalelei, but the real star in Death Valley is Clemson’s defense. Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, and Tyler Davis could be the next Clemson “Power Rangers.” The last time that nickname was uttered, a true freshman Trevor Lawrence and head coach Dabo Swinney hoisted a national championship trophy.
3) Oklahoma Sooners
The last two teams are enduring a changing of the guard under center, but that is not the case for Oklahoma. After heating up toward the end of 2020, Spencer Rattler is primed to explode this season. The offensive line is solid, Kennedy Brooks and Eric Gray are a dynamic duo in the backfield, and Marvin Mims flashed his potential as a true freshman last year.
With Perrion Winfrey, Isaiah Thomas, and Nik Bonitto rushing the passer on the other side of the ball, the Sooners should make a deep playoff run.
4) Ohio State Buckeyes
Following two years of stellar play from Justin Fields, the Buckeyes have a bit of a QB battle ensuing. Regardless of who takes snaps under center (likely C.J. Stroud), their job should be pretty easy throwing to Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and TE Jeremy Ruckert. They will also have the best tackle tandem protecting them in Thayer Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere.
Defensively, Ohio State owns an electric pass rush that should make life easier for the secondary. However, questions at the second level limit the Buckeyes’ ceiling in our top 25 college football rankings entering the 2021 season.
5) Georgia Bulldogs
J.T. Daniels looked like a star in the making in the final stretch of last season for the Bulldogs. If he can keep that momentum rolling in 2021, Georgia can legitimately challenge for the SEC crown. Facing Clemson in Week 1, the Bulldogs can quickly cement themselves in the national championship conversation by knocking off the No. 2 team to begin their season.
Daniels has no shortage of weapons at his disposal, even if George Pickens misses significant time with his ACL injury. Darnell Washington, Arik Gilbert, Kearis Jackson, and Jermaine Burton have proven to be reliable pass catchers. Additionally, the defense has an abundance of talent. Just look at this list of names: Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Adam Anderson, Derion Kendrick, Lewis Cine, Kelee Ringo, and Tykee Smith. I mean, that is just unfair.
6) Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M’s season lays in the hands of their quarterback. Kellen Mond locked down the position for four years. Now, the Aggies and Jimbo Fisher need to find his heir apparent. Haynes King and Zach Calzada are the favorites, but will either provide enough to get this immensely gifted roster over the hump?
7) Oregon Ducks
Tyler Shough is out, and Anthony Brown is in. The former Boston College signal-caller seems poised to break out in 2021. All he needs to do is take advantage of short fields as Oregon’s defense will provide plenty. Justin Flowe, Noah Sewell, Verone McKinley III, and Mykael Wright are certified studs. However, the engine that makes everything click for the Ducks is the best defender in college football, Kayvon Thibodeaux.
8) Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State can hit Brock bottom next season, or things can go Purdy well. Brock Purdy’s receivers are once again unimpressive, but Charlie Kolar and Breece Hall return for another year. Nearly the entire starting lineup is returning, so if there were any season the Matt Campbell-led Cyclones could win the Big 12 and make a bid for the playoffs, it would be 2021.
9) Cincinnati Bearcats
Although they lost some key players to the 2021 NFL Draft, the Bearcats should once again be the best Group of Five team in the country. They proved they could hang with Georgia in the Peach Bowl and had a chance to win. Luke Fickell built a winning culture in Cincinnati. And with Desmond Ridder, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Coby Bryant, and Myjai Sanders returning, there’s no reason to believe that will change in 2021.
10) USC Trojans
Like many teams in our top 25 college football rankings, USC’s destiny rests in the right arm of the starting QB. Kedon Slovis displayed impressive accuracy in 2019, but a shoulder injury and the pandemic disrupted his rhythm in 2020. With a full offseason under his belt, can he return to form?
WRs Drake London, Bru McCoy, K.D. Nixon, and Gary Bryant Jr. are solid perimeter targets, while Keaontay Ingram and Stephen Carr carry the rushing attack. Furthermore, Drake Jackson anchors a defense that could make some noise in the Pac-12.