2023 preseason expectations 1-133

Submitted by BuckeyeChuck on August 8th, 2023 at 9:34 AM

Okay, last one. Now for the entire list! All teams ranked 1 to 133 (see first comment).

  • Georgia is a unanimous #1, followed by a pair of teams who I hear have been rivals at some point in the past.
  • Six of the top seven are B1G & SEC; nine of the top 18.
  • The PAC12 is well represented with 5 of the top 20, for a last hurrah.
  • The Big XII has 5 in the top 25.
  • The ACC has its top two at 8 & 10, and then a big drop-off.
  • The top G5 is Tulane at 30.
  • The full list more obviously exposes CFN’s over-respect for bottom P5 teams and disdain for quality G5 teams. As one example of many, observe CFN’s handling of James Madison & VaTech who are at 75 & 76 on this list.

According to 2024, the first year of the “Super Conference” era:

  • Five of the current top 9 will be in the B1G; nine of the top 23.
  • Eight of the top 24 will be in the SEC; 11 of the top 28; 13 of the top 33.
  • Only four of the top 16 won’t be in the B1G or SEC; eight of the top 28 will be outside of the two super conferences.
  • The Big XII will have Utah (11) and three others in the top 25: KSU (17), TCU (19), and TTech (25).
  • ACC has the same top two.

Non-conference opponents:

  • Michigan plays ECU (83), UNLV (110), and BGSU (120)
  • Ohio St plays ND (14), WKU (71), and YSU (FCS)
  • Michigan St plays Washington (9), CMU (112), Richmond (FCS)

Any other observations?

Prior threads:

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EGD

August 8th, 2023 at 12:03 PM ^

Okay, I'll play:

  • Tractor Supply Hawkeye
  • Dollar Tree Trojan
  • Target Terapin
  • Harbor Freight Nittany Lion
  • HomeGoods Hoosier
  • Meijer Thrifty Gopher
  • Wish-consin Badger
  • Belk Boiler
  • Ross Rutger
  • Dick's Duck
  • Circle K Cornhusker
  • Amazon Illini
  • TJ Maxx Wildcat
  • RCVA Bruin
  • Daiso Husky

Joined: 09/16/2009

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BuckeyeChuck

August 8th, 2023 at 2:03 PM ^

Yea, I had that problem too. The jpeg of the full length image came out really pixilated. The other images were resized by the file browser to 1024 wide, which look better; the full 133 was resized 1024 long and made it too narrow to read.

Really had nothing to do with Excel formatting, MoFaux. ;-)

Joined: 11/20/2011

MGoPoints: 18326

Amazinblu

August 8th, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^

It seems to me that ND has a total of three (3) games of note this season.  The Buckeyes visit in September, USC comes to South Bend and two weeks later ND plays at Clemson in October. 

In an expanded playoff year, would ND actually be in the playoff with a 9-3 record and losses to those three teams?

Having just seen "Oppenheimer", I'll be cheering for either a meteor or re-enactment of the Trinity test in South Bend on September 23rd.

Joined: 01/22/2010

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Amazinblu

August 8th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^

Chuck, unfortunately - I agree with you - that ND would be among the teams considered for the final at-large spot in the scenario I described.

And - though I would have no problem with a meteor in South Bend on September 23rd, I fully expect the Buckeyes to handle the Irish pretty easily.   My view is - for the Irish, a new OC - an OL that still has questions - a receiving corps which is unproven.   And, with the game in the evening - cramp causing heat / humidity shouldn't be a factor.

Not sure if you have plans to to to South Bend for the game.  If you are going - let me know.  I've been there a number of times - usually for ND v Michigan games.   And, if I can share any insight - I'd be happy to do so.

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Amazinblu

August 8th, 2023 at 11:23 AM ^

The ND v OSU game should be fun to watch.   I'll be quite interested to see how both squads play.  Right now, even with a first year QB - I have a sense that the Buckeyes will prevail; however, it is in South Bend - and, strange things happen there.

Just think - last year ND lost to Stanford - only beat Navy by three and scored ten unanswered in the fourth quarter to defeat Cal by seven.  To their credit, they did defeat Clemson in South Bend.

Right now, I have more confidence in Hartline as a team's OC than Gerad Parker (ND's first year OC).

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KBLOW

August 8th, 2023 at 11:44 AM ^

A 9-3 ND could get in just because of their TV draw, however, there are plenty of scenarios where there are easily 12 other ranked P5 teams with records of 12-0, 11-1, and 10-2 including the three teams who beat them. Then throw in a top 15 undefeated G5 and it's definitely ND on the outside looking in. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 22596

bronxblue

August 8th, 2023 at 12:07 PM ^

ND went 8-4 last year, including losses to Marshall and Stanford at home...and were #13 in the country before they played USC and only #19 before the bowl game.  They absolutely would make the top 12 if they went 9-3 because I'm sure the committee (which features ND's AD because of course that school deserves equal say in the playoffs as the commissioners of the other leagues) would talk themselves into wins over Duke, WF, and Louisville as the resume of a champion.

Joined: 11/22/2008

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jwk899

August 8th, 2023 at 12:27 PM ^

All of the FBS programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia are at best below-average.  JMU (2nd year in FBS) or Liberty (5th year in FBS) might be the best teams in the state.  Va Tech, UVA, and ODU are all looking at under .500 seasons.  It's sad to see how far VA Tech has fallen since Frank Beamer retired.  It wasn't that long ago they were consistently an ACC title contender and at times, a national title contender.  Now they're a bottom feeder in a weak ACC.  

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Wallaby Court

August 8th, 2023 at 9:59 AM ^

I love that CBS, CFN, Athlon, and Vs could agree on two things:

  • Georgia is the consensus first place preseason pick; and
  • Massachusetts is the consensus last place preseason pick.

Joined: 11/08/2008

MGoPoints: 10473

Amazinblu

August 8th, 2023 at 10:40 AM ^

An interesting point.   A number of SEC and ACC teams will point out that they actually schedule a P5 team during their OOC schedule - which is accurate.

What they don't mention is - they play an eight game conference schedule - and have four OOC games - one of which is often an FCS opponent.

Michigan plays nine (or more) P5 teams per year.   Those ACC / SEC schools that schedule a P5 opponent also play nine P5 schools per season.   So, is there a significant difference?

Looking at future OOC schedules for Michigan - the marquee OOC opponent in '24 is Texas (in A2), in '25 Michigan travels to play Oklahoma, in '26 Oklahoma comes to A2, and in '27 Michigan travels to Austin to complete the home and home with Texas.

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Amazinblu

August 8th, 2023 at 11:29 AM ^

What do you mean?   This season - Bama hosts the Chattanooga Mocs on November 18th.  Next year they host Mercer on November 16th.  And in '25 the Eastern Illinois Panthers visit Tuscaloosa on November 22nd.  Oh, I get your point...

Kidding aside - Michigan's OOC schedule hasn't been what most fans look forward to recently.  But, I do see the OOC opponents getting better in the near future - which is a nice thing.

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Amazinblu

August 8th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^

That week 12 slate of SEC games is usually interesting - it appears this year is no different.   It looks like a total of three (3) conference games that Saturday - November 18th.  Seven SEC teams will be facing non-conference foes.   Here are those matchups:

Florida International @ Arkansas

New Mexico State @ Auburn

Georgia State @ LSU

UL Monroe @ Ole Miss

Chattanooga @ Alabama

Southern Miss @ Mississippi State

Abilene Christian @ Texas A&M

If you're tempted to go to any of those games, the good news is - tickets are available.  For six of the seven - on StubHub - you can pick up a game ticket for $11 (plus fees) or less.

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