We’ll follow this more throughout the year as we have previously, but Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY has come out with his preseason re-rank (subscription required) of every college football team for the upcoming 2021 season.
You wouldn’t expect Ohio State to land too far down the list, and that’s exactly the case. Despite having to replace Justin Fields at quarterback, as well as losing two offensive starters on the offensive line and a ton on defense, Myerberg still has OSU as the No. 4 team in the country behind — surprise — Alabama (1), Clemson (2), and Oklahoma (3.)
That’s not exactly going out on a limb, but most at this point, why would anyone with what we’ve seen over the last few years. However, I continue to wonder why Clemson is being thought of so highly. The Tigers lost a pretty talented starting quarterback as well in Trevor Lawrence, along with other key members of the team after the Buckeyes absolutely trounced them in the Sugar Bowl last year.
But I digress.
Rounding out the top ten in Myerberg’s preseason rankings are Georgia (5), Iowa State (6), Cincinnati (7), North Carolina (8), Texas A&M (9), and Notre Dame (10).
Ranking every college football team, 1 through 130, before the season begins. https://t.co/uv9A14DtbD
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) August 23, 2021
Other teams from the Big Ten appearing in the preseason re-rank include Penn State (12), Wisconsin (14), and Iowa (16). Michigan is just outside the top 25 at No. 26, but who’s counting?
It should be another fantastic college football season, and one where Ohio State is in the thick of some pretty special things once again. It can’t get here soon enough.
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