College Football Rankings 2021 | 11-20
Which teams are knocking on the door of the top 10 in our 2021 college football rankings?
11) Indiana Hoosiers
Players love Tom Allen, and I do too. The man can flat out coach and bring men from vastly different backgrounds together for one goal — winning football games. Michael Penix Jr. tore his ACL last November, and all reports point toward him returning for Week 1 of the season. The Hoosiers have the talent to compete; they just need their signal-caller to stay healthy.
12) North Carolina Tar Heels
No. 12 feels a little low for the Tar Heels, considering Sam Howell and Phil Longo are still running the offense. However, there are many question marks with the offense’s top two running backs and receivers gone to the NFL. The majority of the offensive line and defense return, so this team has a puncher’s chance of making the playoffs with Howell at the helm.
13) Arizona State Sun Devils
The NCAA is moving at a snail’s pace to discipline the Sun Devils, and considering the sanctions placed on Baylor, I don’t think Herm Edwards and Co. will get the hammer. Jayden Daniels is one of the most nationally underrated QBs in college football. His dual-threat ability is electric, and he isn’t too shabby as a pure passer.
14) Miami Hurricanes
It is D’Eriq King or bust for the Hurricanes. King is one of the best college football QBs of the last few seasons, but he is recovering from a torn ACL. If he loses just a step or two upon his return, Miami will struggle to be relevant. That is not to say the Canes lack star power (see Zion Nelson, Cam’Ron Harris, Bubba Bolden, Mike Harley), but that is how valuable King’s legs are.
15) Wisconsin Badgers
In 2020, the Badgers averaged more passing yards per game than rushing yards for the first time since 2015. Was that an anomaly? Or is there an offensive philosophy change occurring? With Paul Chryst still the head coach, I lean toward the former. Nonetheless, if Graham Mertz plays the way he did against Illinois last year (1 incompletion, 5 touchdowns), we may see a more balanced attack.
16) Washington Huskies
Washington will have to challenge Oregon for the Pac-12 North crown in 2021, and they have the defense to do it. CB Trent McDuffie, the leader of the unit, plays with the spirit of his late brother alongside him, leading to an all-or-nothing mentality. Offensively, QB Dylan Morris won’t make many “wow” plays, but he gets the job done.
OT Jaxson Kirkland and TE Cade Otton are NFL prospects, and in Jimmy Lake’s second season, the Huskies should improve.
17) Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
The Mullets were exceptional last year, knocking off BYU 22-17 despite Zach Wilson leading the charge. Coastal Carolina has their own star QB in Grayson McCall. He is deadly on RPOs and can heave downfield when necessary. TE Isaiah Likely and WR Jaivon Heiligh run it back on offense along with a nasty defense that forced 25 turnovers last season — second-most in the FBS.
18) Texas Longhorns
Is Texas finally back? I don’t see why not with head coach Steve Sarkisian, QB Casey Thompson/Hudson Card, and RB Bijan Robinson. This Longhorns team is full of potential, and if they can reach it, they could give Oklahoma a run for their money.
19) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Many outlets would rank Notre Dame much higher, even in the top 10. Yet, Pro Football Network is not just another website. Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan is no Ian Book, and Book was a sixth-round pick. RB Kyren Williams, OL Jarrett Patterson, TE Michael Mayer, and S Kyle Hamilton carry the Fighting Irish in our college football rankings.
20) Ole Miss Rebels
Lane Kiffin. Matt Corral. Those two names are all you need to know about the Rebels. Kiffin, Corral, and RB Jerrion Ealy helped propel Ole Miss into offensive juggernaut status last season, and I believe they can maintain their position this year. Still, the defense has enough unknowns to limit how high the Rebels can reach.
PFN’s Top 25 | 21-25
Who rounds out the top 25?
21) Florida Gators
Is Emory Jones a competent college quarterback? He’s looked exhilarating in limited action, but the offense lost a ton of crucial players to the draft, including generational TE Kyle Pitts. Regardless, the defense could look even better in 2021, with Kaiir Elam shutting down WRs, Ventrell Miller patrolling the box, and Brenton Cox Jr. wreaking havoc in the backfield.
22) Utah Utes
The Utes are one of the most underrated college football teams in the nation. They have two QBs vying for the starting spot. Charlie Brewer is a wily veteran with an impressive résumé hailing from Baylor. Cam Rising is the incumbent starter who is returning from a shoulder injury. No matter who wins, they will not need to carry this team.
Transfers WR Theo Howard and RB T.J. Pledger aim to end their collegiate careers on a high note in Utah. TE Brant Kuithe is a versatile weapon, and LB Devin Lloyd is the heart and soul of the defense.
23) Boston College Eagles
If you were looking for a dark horse team to win the ACC, look no further than Boston College. The Eagles return their entire offensive line, dynamic receiver Zay Flowers, transfer TE Trae Berry, and Big Phil Jurkovec under center. The defense may hold them back, and BC has to travel to face Clemson. Although, the Eagles only lost 34-28 in their matchup with the Tigers last year.
24) TCU Horned Frogs
While TCU’s national championship odds are far lower than others in the Big 12, they will have the opportunity to spoil their conference rivals’ aspirations this season. The Horned Frogs will have Texas, Iowa State, and Oklahoma circled in black Sharpie heading into the season. Losing safeties Trevon Moehrig and Ar’Darius Washington is a big blow, but CBs Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson and Noah Daniels can lockdown the boundaries.
QB Max Duggan and RB Zach Evans are an incredible duo and will cause headaches for opposing defenses. It’s Gary Patterson’s 21st season as head coach of the program, so he knows a thing or two about competing in college football.
25) Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions had a weak roar last season, finishing with a disappointing 4-5 record. Yet, they ended the year winning four straight. QB Sean Clifford can be a rollercoaster, but RB Noah Cain, WR Jahan Dotson, and LT Rasheed Walker form a stellar supporting cast. Penn State needs to produce in 2021, or else head coach James Franklin’s lukewarm seat will feel quite a bit hotter.
James Fragoza is a Writer and News Editor at Pro Football Network. You can read his other work here and follow him on Twitter @James Fragoza.