ESPN Future Power Rankings

[Tandaian]

College football Future Power Rankings - ESPN

WWW.ESPN.COM

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With future quarterbacks, defenses and offenses already accounted for, it's time to look at the top 25 teams in the Future Power Rankings.

 

 

1. UGA

2. Alabama

3. tOSU

4. Michigan

5. LSU

6. USC

7. Clemson

8. Penn St.

9. Tennessee

10. FSU

11. Ducks

2023 Future QB ranking: 10
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: 13
2022 Future team ranking: 13

Scouting the Ducks: Oregon is another team well-positioned for the expanded CFP. Coach Dan Lanning has sustained the pedal-down recruiting approach that began under predecessor Mario Cristobal. The Ducks signed 11 ESPN 300 players in 2023, headlined by top-100 players in wide receivers Jurrion Dickey and Ashton Cozart, and defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei. The 2024 class is off to a blistering start with quarterback Michael Van Buren, ESPN's No. 18 prospect in the class, and eight other ESPN 300 players. Oregon should be one of the most talented teams on the West Coast every year under Lanning. The Ducks likely won't be the Pac-12 favorites this season, but they have enough to contend, especially with Bo Nix back to lead the offense. The overall quarterback outlook is strong with Ty Thompson still there, ESPN 300 recruit Austin Novosad arriving and Van Buren in 2024. Oregon returns top wide receiver Troy Franklin, top rusher Bucky Irving and good running back depth with Noah Whittington and Jordan James. Oregon went to the portal for help along the line and at both wide receiver and tight end. Notable transfer additions include wideouts Traeshon Holden (Alabama) and Tez Johnson (Troy) and linemen Junior Angilau (Texas) and Ajani Cornelius (Rhode Island).

The Ducks defense missed the top 25 but not by much. Lanning's influence should start showing up more with the unit, and recruiting additions like Uiagalelei and cornerbacks Rodrick Pleasant and Daylen Austin -- both ESPN top-140 prospects -- should really help. Oregon brings back Brandon Dorlus to anchor the line for one more season, and he has some help inside with Casey Rogers and Keyon Ware-Hudson. If transfer additions Jordan Burch (South Carolina) and Jestin Jacobs (Iowa) pan out, Oregon should be able to hold up, even in a taxing offensive league like the Pac-12. The defense has some short-term challenges in the secondary after losing Christian Gonzalez, but production from Trikweze Bridges, Fresno State safety transfer Evan Williams and others could offset the loss. Lanning and coordinator Tosh Lupoi's defensive back recruiting bodes well for the future, and the 2024 class is set to include ESPN 300 cornerbacks Aaron Flowers and Ify Obidegwu.

 

 

12. Oklahoma

13. Utah

2023 Future QB ranking: 19
2023 Future defense ranking: 12
2023 Future offense ranking: 14
2022 Future team ranking: 14

14. Notre Dame

15. Texas

16. Washington

2023 Future QB ranking: 11
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: 8
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked

17. TCU

18. KSU

19. Wisconsin

20. Iowa

21. OSU

2023 Future QB ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future defense ranking: 22
2023 Future offense ranking: Not ranked
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked

Scouting the Beavers: Oregon State is clearly on the rise after its first 10-win season since 2006. Coach Jonathan Smith, who quarterbacked Oregon State to the team's only 11-win season in 2000, has crafted schematic and roster-building approaches that perfectly suit his alma mater. Oregon State finished No. 17 last season and knocked off rival Oregon, Mountain West champ Fresno State and others, despite a passing game that ranked 104th nationally. Smith needs to get the QB right and has options, including Clemson transfer D.J. Uiagalelei, drawn to the program because of its pro-style offense. Returning starter Ben Gulbranson has three years of eligibility left, and true freshman Aidan Chiles looked like the team's long-term answer this spring. Oregon State is in good shape at running back, as Damien Martinez will play at least through 2024 after a 982-yard freshman season. Junior Jam Griffin and others add to the mix. Offensive line also projects well with All-Pac-12 selections Joshua Gray and Taliese Fuaga, and veteran center Jake Levengood. Gray and Fuaga both can return in 2024, as could Nevada transfer Grant Starck, a starter last season. The Beavers need health and production from a receiver group that includes juniors Anthony Gould and Silas Bolden. Jack Velling (16 receptions, 3 touchdowns) leads a tight end group filled with non-seniors.

The defense has taken significant steps since coordinator Trent Bray took over. There are some short-term challenges after losing cornerbacks Alex Austin and Rejzohn Wright to the NFL and linebacker Omar Speights to LSU, but also obvious strengths, like the line. Seniors James Rawls and Isaac Hodgins anchor the front, which also has key non-seniors in Sione Lolohea and Wyoming transfer Oluwaseyi Omotosho. The Beavers also signed ESPN four-star defensive end Kelze Howard. Speights leaves a void at linebacker, but there's a nice mix of veterans (Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, John McCartan) and promising young players like junior Makiya Tongue. The secondary has two clear leaders in safety Kitan Oladapo and cornerback Ryan Cooper Jr. Greater depth is the next challenge for the Beavers, who likely will lean more on junior Skyler Thomas.

 

22. South Carolina

23. UCLA

24. Pittsburgh

25. Ole Miss

 

 

 

[Charles Fischer]

On 6/21/2023 at 12:41 PM, Wrathis said:

Right?! Sports analyst or weather-person. Both can be expected to be perpetually wrong and suffer no accountability for their inaccuracies!

And economists...."Usually wrong, but never in doubt!"