After 15 weeks of a wild 2023 college football season, “Championship Weekend” delivered a fitting end with excitement, eye-opening plays, and results that shook up the entire postseason. How did the final weekend of the season impact the 2023 CFN College Football Top 25 Power Rankings? Let’s find out.
College Football Top 25: CFN’s Official Power Rankings
1) Michigan Wolverines
Previous Ranking: 2nd (+1)
Take away the question marks over the sign-stealing scandal, and Michigan has arguably been consistently the best team in the country. They boast a top-15 scoring offense boosted by Blake Corum and an incredible offensive line, while having the top scoring defense in the nation. The Wolverines finished off the season by despatching Iowa to secure the Big Ten Championship.
2) Washington Huskies
Previous Ranking: 3rd (+1)
The Washington Huskies have been consistently within the top three teams in our power rankings through the 2023 college football season, and they showcased why they’re one of the most dangerous teams in the nation with a win over Oregon against the odds. Michael Penix Jr., Dillon Johnson, a tremendous yet underrated offensive line, and a trio of highly talented WRs lead them into the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
3) Alabama Crimson Tide
Previous Ranking: 6th (+3)
It isn’t about how you start, it’s about how you finish and no team has finished the 2023 college football season more strongly than the Alabama Crimson Tide. Jalen Milroe has proven to be one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the nation, the offensive line shook off a difficult start to the year and developed, while the defense ended the year helping the Crimson Tide to arguably the marquee win of the season.
4) Georgia Bulldogs
Previous Ranking: 1st (-3)
The nation’s longest winning streak is over. The Georgia Bulldogs fell to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, facilitating a small drop down the CFN College Football Top 25 power rankings. While they’ve arguably been the best team over 12 games this season, there have been questions over the offense that never fully dissipated and the defense hasn’t been the same all-dominating unit that we’ve seen in the past two seasons.
5) Texas Longhorns
Previous Ranking: 7th (+2)
If the Texas Longhorns had demolished Kansas State and TCU in the same manner that they did to Texas Tech in the regular season finale and Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship Game, we might be talking about them as the most impressive team in the country. When they’re firing on all cylinders, there are few more scary teams to face. Steve Sarkisian’s Big 12 champions boast top-tier playmakers on both sides of the ball.
6) Florida State Seminoles
Previous Ranking: 5th (-1)
You have to give credit to the Florida State Seminoles for winning the ACC Championship Game behind a third-string true freshman quarterback. Mike Novell’s undefeated ‘Noles team is absolutely teeming with talent on both sides of the ball, with the defense coming up big in the win over Louisville. For all their talent and record, there haven’t been many convincing wins on their résumé.
7) Oregon Ducks
Previous Ranking: 4th (-3)
In their final game as a Pac-12 team, the Oregon Ducks came up short of a conference crown and place in the playoff. Despite boasting the second-ranked scoring offense and 12th-ranked scoring defense in the nation, Dan Lanning’s team didn’t have the goods to beat Washington for the second time this season, impacting their positioning in the CFN College Football Top 25.
8) Ohio State Buckeyes
Previous Ranking: 8th (–)
The Ohio State Buckeyes spent Week 14 sitting at home watching the championship games play out and hoping for a CFB Playoff miracle. It wasn’t to be for Ryan Day’s team, who have been ranked lower in the CFN College Football Top 25 than elsewhere all season long. The defense has been the best we’ve seen, but losing to Michigan while struggling offensively impacts how we view them.
MORE: Should Ryan Day Be On the Hot Seat?
9) Liberty Flames
Previous Ranking: 9th (–)
It’s easy to dismiss Liberty’s candidacy as a top 10 team in the nation, but in their first season under Jamey Chadwell, they were one of only five undefeated programs in the nation. The CUSA champions have the sixth-ranked scoring offense in the nation, and while the defense ranked a little lower, the Flames finished the year with more interceptions than any college program.
10) Missouri Tigers
Previous Ranking: 10th (–)
The Missouri Tigers end the 2023 season as a top 10 team in the CFN College Football Top 25 after far exceeding our expectations. Eli Drinkwitz’s team finished in the top 50 teams in the nation for both offensive and defensive scoring, powering a first double-digit win season since 2014 while securing a berth in the NY6. They’ve been a thorn in the side of the very best teams.
11) Penn State Nittany Lions
12) Ole Miss Rebels
13) Arizona Wildcats
14) James Madison Dukes
15) Oklahoma Sooners
16) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
17) LSU Tigers
18) SMU Mustangs
19) Tulane Green Wave
20) Louisville Cardinals
21) North Carolina State Wolfpack
22) Oregon State Beavers
23) Iowa Hawkeyes
24) Troy Trojans
25) Miami (OH) RedHawks