Ducks hold strong in ESPN’s latest Future Power Rankings; Six Pac-12 teams ranked
At this point in the offseason, any energy in the world of college football that is not spent focused on recruiting is usually reserved for projections and rankings. We look at player rankings, coaching rankings, stadium rankings, uniform rankings, or any type of other ranking you can think of. We often marry those two subjects and look at recruiting rankings as well.
Related
New Pac-12 team jumps into No. 2 spot for 2024 conference recruiting rankings
While the rankings for the 2023 season are largely covered, one thing that ESPN does each summer is broaden the scope and release their future power rankings, taking the next three years into account and trying to project which teams are in the best position going forward.
“It assesses how current and future players will impact performance for their teams,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenburg wrote. “Recent recruiting or projected success in 2023 carries weight. But some programs consistently outperform their recruiting rankings and deserve to be recognized appropriately in the team list.”
The expected Pac-12 upturn in 2023 is seen in the future power rankings as well, with a total of six teams making their way into the top 25. Here’s how the Oregon Ducks fare compared to the rest of the nation in the 2023 rankings.
Georgia Bulldogs
Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 4
2023 Future defense ranking: 1
2023 Future offense ranking: 3
2022 Future team ranking: 2
Our Analysis: No surprise that Georgia is at the top of the list. With back-to-back championships and a roster that is still as talented as any team in the nation, it may be a while before we see another squad as good as the Bulldogs.
Alabama Crimson Tide
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
2023 Future QB ranking: 5
2023 Future defense ranking: 4
2023 Future offense ranking: 4
2022 Future team ranking: 1
Our Analysis: Based on their past success and the level of expectations we have for Alabama each year, it feels safe to say that they’ve underperformed as of late, with them not winning a championship since 2020. If I were to put money on it, that changes within the next few years, though.
Ohio State Buckeyes
2023 Future QB ranking: 2
2023 Future defense ranking: 21
2023 Future offense ranking: 2
2022 Future team ranking: 3
Our Analysis: Ohio State lost an elite, NFL-ready QB this past offseason, but they will replace him with another 5-star who should be able to succeed right away. With a solid defense and one of the best offenses in the nation year after year, the Buckeyes should stay in the CFP hunt going forward.
Michigan Wolverines
Michael Allio-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 6
2023 Future defense ranking: 3
2023 Future offense ranking: 5
2022 Future team ranking: 8
Our Analysis: Michigan was a game short of the national championship a year ago, and their dominant defense and really solid offense are the reason why. If they keep hanging around the hoop as much as they have in recent history, then Jim Harbaugh will eventually get his ring.
LSU Tigers
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 12
2023 Future defense ranking: 7
2023 Future offense ranking: 11
2022 Future team ranking: 10
Our Analysis: LSU looked great under Brian Kelly in his first year with the program, and with some of the best recruiting in the nation over the past couple of years, the roster should be stacked with enough talent that they can seriously contend for a CFP spot and potential championship soon.
USC Trojans
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 1
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: 1
2022 Future team ranking: 9
Our Analysis: With Heisman winner Caleb Williams and coach Lincoln Riley, the USC offense should be as good as anyone in 2023. Going forward, it will have to be the defense that steps up and carries its own weight. If that happens, then another title could easily be going to Los Angeles this decade.
Clemson Tigers
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 20
2023 Future defense ranking: 2
2023 Future offense ranking: Not ranked
2022 Future team ranking: 5
Our Analysis: There are some questions about how good Clemson will be offensively this year under Cade Klubnik, but the recruiting is strong enough and the coaching is good enough that the Tigers will remain among the nations best over the next few years.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 15
2023 Future defense ranking: 6
2023 Future offense ranking: 12
2022 Future team ranking: 15
Our Analysis: With Drew Allar leading the way over the next couple of seasons, Penn State should feel as if they are in good hands. They’ve got a great coach in James Franklin, and have been doing well in both the recruiting and transfer portal game. It will be tough for them to get to the top tier of Big Ten teams, however.
Tennessee Volunteers
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 8
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: 6
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked
Our Analysis: Losing Hendon Hooker and Jaylin Hyatt is tough, but Tennesse has Nico Iamaleava coming in, and Joe Milton to likely shoulder the load in 2023. The defense is where the Volunteers will need to improve the most going forward.
Florida State Seminoles
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 9
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: 10
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked
Our Analysis: Jordan Travis is all the rage this offseason, and he should be able to lead the Seminoles to a special season if all goes according to plan. The defense has some major question marks still, though.
Oregon Ducks
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 10
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: 13
2022 Future team ranking: 13
Our Analysis: The Ducks are expected to be pretty good this season with Bo Nix returning, an elite group of skill players, and a defense that projects to be better than it was a year ago. Looking to the future, recruiting has been strong and Ty Thompson is waiting in the wing to take over. Oregon fans should feel confident about the next five years.
Oklahoma Sooners
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 3
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: 7
2022 Future team ranking: 7
Our Analysis: The offense going forward is not a problem for Oklahoma, but the defense needs to improve under Brent Venables, who is widely regarded as an elite defensive coach. If that happens, then the Sooners can absolutely compete, even if that is in the SEC starting next year.
Utah Utes
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 19
2023 Future defense ranking: 12
2023 Future offense ranking: 14
2022 Future team ranking: 14
Our Analysis: The coaching at Utah is as good as anywhere in the country, and while they project to be very solid in 2023, I have some questions about what they will do once Cameron Rising leaves.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 13
2023 Future defense ranking: 12
2023 Future offense ranking: 17
2022 Future team ranking: 6
Our Analysis: Notre Dame could potentially surprise a lot of people with Sam Hartman taking over at the QB spot this season, and they’ve been recruiting as well as anyone in the nation to keep the talent stockpile plentiful going into the future.
Texas Longhorns
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 7
2023 Future defense ranking: 17
2023 Future offense ranking: 9
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked
Our Analysis: With Quinn Ewers this year, and likely Arch Manning taking over going into the future, the Longhorns should be as fun as anyone offensively over the next few years.
Washington Huskies
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 11
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: 8
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked
Our Analysis: 2023 should be a fun season for the Huskies with Michael Penix Jr. once again showing what he is capable of before heading off to the NFL. Once Penix, Rome Odunze, and Jalen McMillan all leave, though, it will be interesting to see how Washington can keep the firepower going offensively.
TCU Horned Frogs
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 23
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: 22
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked
Our Analysis: TCU shocked everyone last year with a trip to the national championship game, but it’s going to be an incredibly tough road to get back there, especially with QB Max Duggan now gone. We’ll see what Sonny Dykes is able to cook up this year.
Kansas State Wildcats
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 17
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: Not ranked
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked
Our Analysis: Coming off of a Big-12 title in 2022, Kansas State has a lot of momentum going forward despite losing some offensive pieces to the NFL Draft last year. With some really solid recruits now on the roster, Kansas State should be fun going forward.
Wisconsin Badgers
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future defense ranking: 9
2023 Future offense ranking: Not ranked
2022 Future team ranking: 19
Our Analysis: Wisconsin quietly made one of the biggest hires of the offseason, bringing in Luke Fickell from Cincinnati where he will now look to bring the Badgers back to national prominence.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future defense ranking: 5
2023 Future offense ranking: Not ranked
2022 Future team ranking: 21
Our Analysis: Defensively, Iowa should be as good as they always are this year. Offensively is where the most improvement needs to be seen. If they can get any better, then the Hawkeyes could be an interesting team in the Big Ten.
Oregon State Beavers
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future defense ranking: 22
2023 Future offense ranking: Not ranked
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked
Our Analysis: Jonathan Smith has things rolling in the right direction up in Corvallis, and if DJ Uiagalelei can be as good as some think he will be, the Beavers might be a serious Pac-12 contender this year. Looking into the future, freshman QB Aiden Chiles is primed to take over the program, and he looks to be special.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 18
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: Not ranked
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked
Our Analysis: South Carolina is recruiting at a great clip at the moment, but we will see how quickly that translates to the field under Shane Beamer.
UCLA Bruins
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: 16
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: 14
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked
Our Analysis: Dante Moore looks like he could be one of the best QBs in the nation in a couple of years, and that’s a dangerous thing with Chip Kelly. There’s a chance that UCLA really makes a splash once they get to the Big Ten.
Pittsburgh Panthers
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: Not ranked
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked
Our Analysis: Pittsburgh has been a solid team over the last few years, but not world-beaters by any means. With Pat Narduzzi running the show, we should continue to see a heavy running game and a solid defense.
Ole Miss Rebels
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Future QB ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future defense ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future offense ranking: 18
2022 Future team ranking: Not ranked
Our Analysis: Lane Kiffin found a great running game a year ago, and with some QB transfers — Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard — competing with Jaxson Dart, the passing game could open up as well, especially with WR Zakhari Franklin coming to town.
