Preseason College Football Power Rankings

Despite the seismic changes that took place during college football’s offseason, the upcoming season will provide fans with a breath of familiarity.

Yes, the preseason College Football Power Rankings are once again led by perennial playoff teams, Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia and Clemson. But last season’s rankings had the Spencer Rattler-led Oklahoma Sooners at No. 2 and both Iowa State and North Carolina in the top 10 — and we all know how that turned out.

Which team will we talk about as a bust next season? And which teams will tumble out of the rankings after two weeks this year? None of that matters now. It’s August, and there’s hope for all top 25 teams that made the preseason rankings.

Without further ado, this season’s first Power Rankings.

Methodology: Forty-eight ESPN college football experts submitted their own top-25s, leading to this consensus list.

2021 record: 13-2
Opening week game: vs. Utah State, Sept. 3
Most important game of the season: vs. Texas A&M, Oct. 8

X factor (player the season depends on): Nick Saban mined the transfer portal for All-American cornerback Eli Ricks from LSU, All-ACC running back Jahmyr Gibbs from Georgia Tech and top receivers from Georgia (Jermaine Burton) and Louisville (Tyler Harrell). But perhaps the most important pickup might have been offensive lineman Tyler Steen, who started 33 consecutive games before leaving Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound senior could go a long way toward solidifying a line that struggled for much of last season.

Biggest question mark this season: Saban said it himself after the first practice of fall camp: “I don’t think there’s any question about the fact that we need to play better on the offensive line. We need to be more physical up front … and get movement on the run.” Bringing in Steen and getting center Darrian Dalcourt healthy again should help solve last season’s Achilles’ heel. But equally as pivotal might be the change in leadership, with Eric Wolford now coaching the position. His lines at Kentucky were known for being physical and aggressive — areas where Alabama could improve. — Alex Scarborough

2021 record: 11-2
Opening week game: vs. Notre Dame, Sept. 3
Most important game of the season: vs. Michigan, Nov. 26

X factor: Quarterback C.J. Stroud. Ohio State is built to win with its big-play passing attack, which Stroud executed to perfection down the stretch last season. He’s a popular pick to become Ohio State’s first Heisman Trophy winner — and the…