First of all, congratulations to Georgia on winning back-to-back National Championships. They have not lost since the 2021 SEC Championship, and they’re looking towards a possible three-peat, something that has not been done in college football history.
I also want to congratulate TCU on an unbelievable season. Sonny Dykes accomplished so much in just one year in Fort Worth. They became the first Big 12 team to reach the College Football Playoff National Championship game, and the first to appear since Texas in 2010. The last team to win the National Championship out of the Big 12 was Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl.
College football will take a break for a bit, as the season is over. The next time college football is mentioned will be during the 2023 NFL Draft, so stay tuned for coverage coming very soon. Anyways, here is my final top 25:
- Georgia (15-0) (PREV: 1)
Georgia has now won back-to-back National Championships. I’m not sure you’ll find a more dominant title game than last night’s blowout.
- TCU (13-2) (PREV: 3)
TCU was not as bad as it looked last night. They were very impressive in their upset win over Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl. I believe the moment was just too big for Max Duggan and the Horned Frogs. Plus, Big 12 defense.
- Michigan (13-1) (PREV: 2)
Michigan had another terrific season, and Blake Corum returning means they will most likely have the best running back group in college football next year. They’re ahead of Ohio State because the Wolverines upset them in Columbus back in November.
- Ohio State (11-2) (PREV: 4)
Ohio State was just a field goal away from playing last night. However, as the ball dropped in Times Square, Noah Ruggles kicked the 50-yard attempt wide left. The Buckeyes will be without C.J. Stroud next year, who had a brief but phenomenal career in Columbus.
- Alabama (11-2) (PREV: 5)
Bryce Young and the Crimson Tide showed why they were one of college football’s best teams, routing Kansas State 45-20 in the Sugar Bowl. Had they not suffered two losses this season, they could have been in the College Football Playoff.
- Tennessee (11-2) (PREV: 6)
Even without Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee beat down Clemson, 31-14. Joe Milton, the backup quarterback, has an arm that can throw the ball farther than some NFL quarterbacks. Tennessee will still have a quarterback battle in the spring, but I’m sure the former Michigan Wolverine will win the starting role as Hooker leaves for the NFL.
- Penn State (11-2) (PREV: 11)
Penn State impressed me as they won their first Rose Bowl since 1994. Nick Singleton proved to be one of the best running backs in the Big Ten this season, with two touchdowns in the win over Utah.
- Tulane (12-2) (PREV: 12)
Tulane shocked the college football world by upsetting Caleb Williams and USC, 46-45 in the Cotton Bowl. The Green Wave were led by an outstanding performance by Tyjae Spears, who rushed for 205 yards and four touchdowns. A safety and a last-second touchdown put Tulane in front, just barely.
- Washington (11-2) (PREV: 13)
Michael Penix Jr. finished a great 2022 season with 287 yards and two touchdowns as the Huskies defeated Texas in San Antonio. Good news for Washington: he’s coming back for the 2023 season.
- Florida State (10-3) (PREV: 14)
Jordan Travis passed for 418 yards and two touchdowns as the Seminoles edged Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl, 35-32. Mike Norvell had a Coach of the Year type of season, as he brought Florida State its first bowl win since 2017.
- Utah (10-4) (PREV: 7)
Losing Cam Rising in the Rose Bowl for the second-straight year had to hurt, as Utah’s offense did not look the same without him on the field. They may have lost the Rose Bowl again, but Rising is set to return for another season, which was just announced.
- USC (11-3) (PREV: 10)
It was the same thing all year for the Trojans. Their defense was one of the worst that I’ve seen the program have. The defense had a complete meltdown in the brutal Cotton Bowl loss to Tulane. Caleb Williams is back next season, but USC’s defense is the real concern.
- Clemson (11-3) (PREV: 9)
Clemson could not contain Tennessee’s offense despite Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt sitting the game out. The secondary looked weak, and the offense could only score one touchdown in a disappointing performance by Cade Klubnik.
- Kansas State (10-4) (PREV: 8)
The Big 12 Champions could not stop Alabama, as they lost by 25 in the Sugar Bowl. What’s even worse is that Kansas State will lose star running back Deuce Vaughn as he declared for the NFL Draft.
- Oregon (10-3) (PREV: 16)
Oregon won the Holiday Bowl in a thriller against North Carolina where Bucky Irving ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns. The Ducks nearly lost the game, as Camden Lewis hit the extra point off the goalpost. Bo Nix had the best season of his collegiate career, and he looks to improve his NFL Draft stock as he decided to return to Eugene for another season.
- Notre Dame (9-4) (PREV: 19)
Notre Dame won the Gator Bowl thanks to a five-touchdown performance by Tyler Buchner. The quarterback competition this spring will be entertaining between him and Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman.
- LSU (10-4) (PREV: 17)
LSU had a blowout just like last night’s National Championship game, defeating Purdue 63-7. Their offense thrived despite Kayshon Boutte being out.
- Troy (12-2) (PREV: 25)
Troy won the Cure Bowl over UTSA, which is their first bowl win since 2018. Despite a slow start that included a safety, a touchdown, and a field goal by UTSA to trail 12-0, the Trojans scored 18 unanswered points to defeat the Roadrunners, 18-12.
- Oregon State (10-3) (PREV: 15)
It was quite an impressive season for Oregon State, as they won their first bowl game since 2013. The Las Vegas Bowl wasn’t even close, as the Beavers routed Florida, 30-3.
- Mississippi State (9-4) (PREV: 22)
The Bulldogs did it for Mike Leach. Mississippi State lost their head coach before the ReliaQuest Bowl. With a scoop-and-score with no time remaining, the Bulldogs defeated Illinois, 19-10.
- Pittsburgh (9-4) (PREV: N/A)
The finish to the Sun Bowl was unbelievable, as Ben Sauls made a field goal from 47 yards out to give the Panthers a 37-35 thrilling victory over UCLA. Rodney Hammond Jr. ran for 93 yards and two touchdowns in the win, giving Pittsburgh its first bowl win since 2019.
- Fresno State (10-4) (PREV: N/A)
Fresno State has now won its last four bowl games after a 29-6 rout over Washington State in Inglewood. Running back Jordan Mims won the offensive MVP, rushing for 209 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
- South Carolina (8-5) (PREV: 20)
South Carolina may have lost the Gator Bowl to Notre Dame, but Shane Beamer’s team had an excellent ending to the regular season. The Gamecocks upset Tennessee and Clemson in back-to-back weeks, giving both teams no hope for the College Football Playoff. I loved Spencer Rattler’s performance down the stretch of the season, but South Carolina ended the season with their fifth loss.
- Texas (8-5) (PREV: 21)
Folks, it’s safe to say that Texas is not back. Quinn Ewers was only responsible for one touchdown, with Jonathon Brooks responsible for both in the loss to Washington. Ewers is still young, just a few months older than me. The Longhorns showed signs of them being a top-tier team, but could not pull away against Alabama, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and TCU.
- UCLA (9-4) (PREV: 18)
That ending to the Sun Bowl, as I mentioned above, was insane. UCLA’s defense is not very good, as they allowed Pitt to get within field goal range after TJ Harden ran in the go-ahead touchdown for the Bruins. UCLA will need to find a new starting quarterback, as Dorian Thompson-Robinson heads for the NFL Draft.
Calhoun's Corner 