The moment we've been waiting for all season came Sunday.
Georgia, Michigan, TCU and Ohio State all wrapped up College Football Playoff spots -- as we all expected heading into the season -- and now we can spend the holidays predicting what happens when these four teams meet on New Year's Eve.
But what about all those ranked teams that didn't make the CFP? Sure, there are bowl games, but how will the rest of the top 25 make sure their name is called a year from now on Selection Day?
Our staff goes over the key losses, best recruits and biggest questions facing the best of the rest of the college football rankings ahead of another hectic offseason.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
2022 record: 10-2
Key player losses: QB Bryce Young*, OLB Will Anderson Jr.*, RB Jahmyr Gibbs*, LT Tyler Steen, RG Emil Ekiyor, TE Cameron Latu, MLB Henry To'oTo'o, S Jordan Battle, S/CB Brian Branch*
Key 2023 recruits: S Caleb Downs, RB Richard Young, RB Justice Haynes, QB-PP Eli Holstein, S Tony Mitchell, QB-PP Dylan Lonergan, WR Jalen Hale
Projected players leaving with an asterisk (*)
Who's going to play quarterback if Bryce Young goes to the NFL as expected?
Replacing Will Anderson Jr. won't be easy, and you can expect a shake-up on the coaching staff after a disappointing season on both sides of the ball. But there's no doubt which question looms largest:
Young has been a superstar from the moment he became the starter as a sophomore, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2021. This past season, he's had to do more with less -- specifically less talented receivers. Still, he managed to throw for 3,000 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions.
But take a step back. Because passing the reins from Jalen Hurts to Tua Tagovailoa to Mac Jones to Young is an amazing streak of good luck (and good recruiting and good development). Can such a streak continue?
Coach Nick Saban has a number of options, depending on who comes and who goes via the transfer portal. Redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe, a former four-star prospect, is the heir apparent on paper as Young's primary backup. He's a true dual threat who ran for 265 yards this season. But his passing ability is a little shaky, having thrown for 297 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Ty Simpson, another former four-star prospect and another dual threat, appeared in four games as a freshman, completing 4 of 5 passes for 35 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Alabama is also poised to sign the No. 4- and 5-ranked pocket passers in the 2023 class in Eli Holstein and Dylan Lonergan, respectively. -- Alex Scarborough
6. Tennessee Volunteers
2022 record: 10-2
Key player losses: QB Hendon Hooker, TE Princeton Fant, RT Darnell Wright, WR Cedric Tillman, WR Jalin Hyatt*, DE Byron Young, S Trevon Flowers
Key 2023 recruits: QB-PP Nicholaus Iamaleava, DE Chandavian Bradley, WR Cameron Seldon, OLB Caleb Herring, CB Jordan Matthews, S Sylvester Smith, WR Nathan Leacock
Can Joe Milton III following in Hendon Hooker's footsteps?
There's a lot of belief in Joe Milton III's abilities. Remember, he was initially the starter last season, not Hendon Hooker. Milton is big, strong and fast. And he has a cannon for an arm. It's all very reminiscent of Cam Newton.
But forget Newton. Can Milton live up to the expectation set by Hooker? Hooker was almost flawless this season, throwing for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions, and rushing for 430 yards and five scores.
Is it reasonable to pencil in similar stats next season? Because there's a good chance he'll be without his top two targets at receiver, and his top tight end. And there will be some changes on the offensive line.
The thing that made Hooker special -- and the thing that we can't be sure of about Milton yet -- is processing speed. While he had all the physical gifts, it was Hooker's ability to read the defense quickly and find the open man. Operating in a lightning-quick offense like Tennessee's, that's the difference-maker. -- Scarborough
7. Clemson Tigers
2022 record: 11-2
Key player losses: LT Jordan McFadden, TE Davis Allen, DE K.J Henry, DE Myles Murphy,* DT Tyler Davis,* DT Bryan Bresee*
Key 2023 recruits: QB Christopher Vizzina, DT Peter Woods, WR Noble Johnson, DT Vic Burley
Does DJ Uiagalelei decide to transfer, making way for Cade Klubnik to take over as the starting quarterback?
Much like last offseason, the biggest question is at quarterback. Klubnik played well in relief of Uiagalelei in the ACC championship game and has shown his potential at various points across the season -- although he also showed his inexperience in a loss at Notre Dame this season. But seeing the way Uiagalelei never really emerged as the elite quarterback that we have grown accustomed to seeing at Clemson, it feels as if a fresh start is something that would be beneficial to both him and the Tigers. -- Andrea Adelson
8. Utah Utes
2022 record: 10-3
Key player losses: QB Cam Rising, RB Tavion Thomas, TE Dalton Kincaid, LT Braeden Daniels*, DE Gabe Reid, LB Mohamoud Diabate
Key 2023 recruits: RB Michael Mitchell, OL Caleb Lomu, LB Owen Chambliss, S Johnathan Hall, ATH Dijon Stanley, ATH Carlos Wilson
Can the next generation of stars clear a high bar?
Kyle Whittingham has done a knockout job of pairing developmental prospects with important transfers -- so good that the Utes have won two straight Pac-12 titles. But winning a third straight will require replacing a number of potential departing stars such as Rising, Thomas, Reid and Diabate (all transfers). The secondary and defensive front should remain stout (this is Utah, after all), and depth at running back and offensive line should be able to account for departures there. But does Whittingham trust that backup quarterback Bryson Barnes, for instance, can do as well as the No. 1 guy as he has as a backup? Can he go out and find a couple of great, new disruptors to replicate the impact that Reid and Diabate had in their lone seasons in Salt Lake? -- Bill Connelly
9. Kansas State Wildcats
2022 record: 10-3
Key player losses: QB Adrian Martinez, WR Malik Knowles*, DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah*, RB Deuce Vaughn*, NG Eli Huggins, CB Julius Brents
Key 2023 recruits: QB Avery Johnson, DE Jordan Allen, CB Donovan McIntosh
Who will step up on offense?
Chris Klieman has pushed all the right buttons for the Wildcats the past two years, promoting Joe Klanderman at defensive coordinator in 2020 and Collin Klein to offensive coordinator this January. The real test is how he would replace Deuce Vaughn -- who leads the FBS in yards from scrimmage over the past two years -- if he departs for the NFL draft after being the centerpiece of the Wildcats' offense for three years. K-State has been one of the best programs at finding hidden gems, but Vaughn would be a big loss, as would Malik Knowles at receiver. -- Dave Wilson
10. USC Trojans
2022 record: 11-2
Key player losses: RB Travis Dye, OL Andrew Vorhees and Brett Neilon, WR Jordan Addison, DL Tuli Tuipulotu*,
Key 2023 recruits: QB Malachi Nelson, WR Makai Lemon, WR Zachariah Branch
How will they get their defense to improve?
From the season opener through the Pac-12 championship game, one thing was clear for USC: The defense needs to make a substantial leap if it wants to compete for conference titles and more. A whopping 26 takeaways (most in the nation) buoyed the Trojans defense when it couldn't stop opposing offenses, but there's bound to be some regression in that area. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has his work cut out for him, and there's no doubt the Trojans will have to dip into the transfer portal to bolster their depth at nearly every defensive position. -- Paolo Uggetti
11. Penn State Nittany Lions
2022 record: 10-2
Key player losses: QB Sean Clifford, C Juice Scruggs, WR Mitchell Tinsley, DT P.J. Mustipher, CB Joey Porter Jr., S Ji'Ayir Brown, DE Nick Tarburton
Key 2023 recruits: G Alex Birchmeier, LB Tony Rojas, S Elliot Washington, G J'ven Williams, S King Mack, TE Andrew Rappleyea, OLB Ta'Mere Robinson
Is QB Drew Allar the piece to lead Penn State past Michigan and Ohio State?
Drew Allar is the quarterback Penn State has been waiting for after Clifford's tenure, which featured plenty of success but not enough wins against the Big Ten's best teams. Allar, ESPN's No. 2 pocket passer and No. 51 overall recruit in the 2021, has been pegged as the quarterback to get Penn State back in the Big Ten/CFP conversation. He inherits an offense that seemingly has figured out its two biggest problems -- the line and the running back spot. Penn State gets a huge boost with the return of offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, and the duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen will lead the run game after combining for 1,771 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns as freshmen.
The 6-foot-5, 238-pound Allar saw limited time during the regular season, throwing four touchdown passes and no interceptions. Other than wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley, Penn State is set to return all of its wide receivers and tight ends. Allar's development could be the key in getting the offense closer to the top of the Big Ten, where it can challenge Michigan, Ohio State and others in 2023. -- Adam Rittenberg
12. Washington Huskies
2022 record: 10-2
Key player losses: QB Michael Penix Jr.*, S Alex Cook, WR Jalen McMillan*
Key 2023 recruits: CB Curley Reed, WR Rashid Williams
How do the Huskies build on an incredible season?
The turnaround that Kalen DeBoer has engineered in Seattle has been a marvel to watch. Sure, getting a quarterback like Michael Penix Jr. in the transfer portal helped, but DeBoer has changed the culture around a program that went 4-8 last season in a flash and it's easy to see why Washington decided to extend him through 2028 after just one year. The Huskies will have to replace Penix, among others, but DeBoer seems to have already done enough in one season to have the program headed in the right direction. -- Uggetti
13. Florida State Seminoles
2022 record: 9-3
Key player losses: OG Dillan Gibbons, OG D'Mitri Emmanuel, WR Ontaria Wilson, DT Robert Cooper, DT Fabien Lovett,* S Jammie Robinson*
Key 2023 recruits: WR Hykeem Williams, OT Lucas Simmons, OLB Blake Nichelson, DE Keldric Faulk.
Will QB Jordan Travis return in 2023?
The biggest question surrounds quarterback and whether Jordan Travis will decide to return for his sixth season of eligibility and fifth overall with the Seminoles. Travis ended the season playing at an exceptionally high level, with 3,165 total yards and 30 touchdowns. If he does move on, Florida State is in good hands with A.J. Duffy, whom the staff is high on after signing him last year as one of the top quarterback prospects in the country. Though the Seminoles are poised to lose multiple players across their defensive front (defensive end Jared Verse is still weighing his options), they have used the portal with great success to bring them in and transform them into difference makers. Plus, injuries across the line this season allowed young players to step in -- including rising redshirt freshman Patrick Payton. -- Adelson
14. Oregon State Beavers
2022 record: 9-3
Key player losses: QB Chance Nolan, WR Tre'Shaun Harrison, WR Tyjon Lindsey, LB Kyrei Fisher-Morris, CB Jaydon Grant
Key 2023 recruits: DE Kelze Howard, QB Aidan Chiles, WR Montrel Hatten, TE Cooper Jensen
How does Oregon State build off a great 2022 season?
The program won at least nine games for the first time since 2012. Redshirt freshman quarterback Ben Gulbranson (1,290 passing yards, eight TDs) seemingly will have full control of the offense with Nolan moving on. The Beavers' passing offense (200.4 YPG) ranked 11th in the Pac-12, and Gulbranson will have three of his top five receivers back to try and improve on that. Oregon State's defense was one of the best in the conference (342.3 total YPG) and must replace linebacker Kyrei Fisher-Morris (66 tackles, 5.5 TFL) and cornerback Jaydon Grant (60 tackles, four TFL, three interceptions). Junior cornerbacks Alex Austin and Ryan Cooper Jr. could both return to help maintain the continuity in the secondary. -- Blake Baumgartner
15. Oregon Ducks
2022 record: 9-3
Key player losses: OL Alex Forsyth, QB Bo Nix, LB Noah Sewell*
Key 2023 recruits: QB Dante Moore, WR Jurrion Dickey, CB Caleb Presley
Who will lead the Ducks' offense next season?
With Nix leaving for the NFL, the void he (and offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham who is now Arizona State's head coach) left behind needs to be filled. At the quarterback position, Oregon could once again dip into the transfer portal for an experienced signal-caller. Their current options on the roster are headlined by Ty Thompson, the former four-star, dual-threat quarterback who has not gotten much playing time relative to his talent level. Dante Moore's arrival should add some intrigue, but if Oregon wants to compete for a playoff spot next season, they'll need to find a reliable option. -- Uggetti
16. Tulane Green Wave
2022 record: 11-2
Key player losses: WR Shae Wyatt, WR Duece Watts, LB Dorian Williams, LB Nick Anderson, S Larry Brooks, S Macon Clark, S Lummie Young IV
Key 2023 recruits: LB Jean Claude Joseph, S Jai Eugene Jr., RB Walter Samuel, DE Jahrie Garner
How does Tulane fill defensive holes on the roster?
Momentum is on Tulane's side, as it won at least 11 games for the first time since 1998 and took home the AAC title. Willie Fritz passing on Georgia Tech's overtures has added to it. Whether it keeps going could depend on how the program fills its defensive holes. The Green Wave must replenish there as its top five leaders in tackles all could depart. Linebacker (Williams, Anderson) and the defensive backfield (safeties Brooks, Clark, Young IV) will be hit particularly hard from graduation. Its top two recruits, linebacker Jean Claude Joseph and safety Jai Eugene, Jr., could address those needs. -- Baumgartner
17. LSU Tigers
2022 record: 9-3
Key player losses: OLB BJ Ojulari*, DE Ali Gaye, DB Jay Ward, WR Kayshon Boutte*, RB John Emery
Key 2023 recruits: WR Shelton Sampson Jr., DE Da'Shawn Womack, WR Jalen Brown, OT Zalance Heard, CB Daylen Austin, CB Ryan Yaites, QB-PP Rickie Collins
What's the ceiling in Year 2 for Brian Kelly?
There's no question LSU outperformed expectations in Year 1 under coach Brian Kelly. The Tigers were picked to finish fifth in the SEC West in the preseason -- not to represent the division in the conference title game. So we're left to wonder how much better they can be next year?
Remember, this was a young football team. Four freshmen were listed as starters against Georgia: offensive tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones, tight end Mason Taylor and linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. But look deeper and there were 21 freshmen or sophomores on the two-deep depth chart.
All that youth might explain the highs (beating Alabama) and lows (losing to Texas A&M) of the season. The only consistent was a strong running game.
To avoid a sophomore slump, LSU needs to develop its passing game. Because as good as Jayden Daniels was as a runner, 16 passing touchdowns in 13 games leaves a lot to be desired.
Malik Nabers put up solid numbers at receiver (854 yards), but Kayshon Boutte, a first-round talent whom many expect to leave early for the NFL, was a nonfactor most of the season with 538 yards and two touchdowns.
The good news is that reinforcements are on the way. Two of LSU's top three commitments are receivers -- No. 7-ranked Shelton Sampson Jr. and No. 11-ranked Jaxon Howard. -- Scarborough
18. UCLA Bruins
2022 record: 9-3
Key player losses: QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, RB Zach Charbonnet, WR Jake Bobo, LT Raiqwon O'Neal, LG Atonio Mafi, CB Azizi Hearn, S Mo Osling III
Key 2023 recruits: WR Jeremiah McClure, WR Grant Gray, LB Tre Edwards, S R.J. Jones, S Ty Lee, ATH Donavyn Pellot
Can the next Bruins generation take this thing further?
Dorian Thompson-Robinson has started for most of five seasons out West, and Zach Charbonnet rushed for nearly 2,500 over the last two. They were the faces of UCLA's breakthrough over the last two seasons -- the Bruins won 16 games from 2017 to '20 and 17 (to date) in 2021-22 -- and now someone else will need to build on that momentum. Are backups like QB Ethan Garbers (560 passing yards over parts of two seasons) and freshman running back TJ Harden (214 rushing yards) ready to take the baton? Will Chip Kelly look to the transfer portal once again to bolster the playmaking arsenal?
If nothing else, the defense could improve from continuity and experience. First-year coordinator Bill McGovern's first season in charge was up and (mostly) down, but most of the best playmakers have eligibility remaining. A couple of steps forward on D will offset some of the potential regression this high-efficiency offense might suffer. -- Bill Connelly
19. South Carolina Gamecocks
2022 record: 8-4
Key player losses: HB Jaheim Bell*, TE Austin Stogner, CB Cam Smith*, S Devonni Reed, DT Zacch Pickens, RT Dylan Wonnum
Key 2023 recruits: DE Desmond Umeozulu, DT Xzavier McLeod, ATH Kelton Henderson, OLB Grayson Howard, RB Dontavius Braswell
Which Spencer Rattler will South Carolina get?
Let's assume that Rattler returns for another season. Let's say that he doesn't get swept away by two incredible games to end the regular season and runs it back. OK, now what does next season look like for him?
Because if Rattler plays like he did against Tennessee and Clemson, South Carolina might be a contender in the SEC East. In those two wins, he reminded everyone why he was once a Heisman Trophy contender, accounting for nine total touchdowns (eight passing, one rushing).
But let's not forget the 10 games which preceded that. Let's not overlook seven sub-200 yard games, nine interceptions and only eight touchdowns passing. He didn't look like an SEC starter then, let alone a Heisman contender.
So which player is he? Only time will tell.
The defense should hold steady, and the rest of the offense appears to be in good shape with young talent at receiver and running backs MarShawn Lloyd and Juju McDowell expected back. -- Scarborough
20. Texas Longhorns
2022 record: 8-4
Key player losses: RB Bijan Robinson*, RB Roschon Johnson, DL Keondre Coburn, LB DeMarvion Overshown, DB D'Shawn Jamison, DB Anthony Cook
Key 2023 recruits: QB Arch Manning, WR Johntay Cook II, DE Derion Gullette, DE Colton Vasek
Will the passing game finally emerge?
Late in the season, it became clear the Longhorns couldn't trust the passing game or Quinn Ewers. With the game on the line against Baylor, Steve Sarkisian called 22 straight running plays. And why wouldn't you if you had Bijan Robinson, too? But with Robinson likely departing for the NFL, the Longhorns' passing game will have to pull its weight if Texas wants to continue to build under Sarkisian. Whether that's Ewers' improvement or Manning's arrival remains to be seen. But the Longhorns could hit the portal for more help at receiver and will also have to fend off others for Xavier Worthy. -- Wilson
21. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2022 record: 8-4
Key player losses: QB Drew Pyne, OL Jarrett Patterson, OL Josh Lugg, WR Braden Lenzy, TE Michael Mayer*, K Blake Grupe, P Jon Sot, DL Jayson Ademilola, DL Isaiah Foskey*, S Brandon Joseph*, S Houston Griffith, CB TaRiq Bracy
Key 2023 recruits: WR Braylon James, S Peyton Bowen, LB Drayk Bowen
Can Marcus Freeman take the next step?
After starting the season with back to back losses, including one of the most shocking upsets of the year to Marshall, Notre Dame rebounded to have a respectable season. There was an expected learning curve for the 36-year-old head coach, but expectations will be higher in Year 2. Freeman is luring in what could be Notre Dame's highest-ranked recruiting class in a decade, and the Irish have two consecutive top-10 classes. With quarterback Drew Pyne entering the transfer portal, the Irish will likely lean on Tyler Buchner heading into next season. Part of Notre Dame's reemergence at the national level will depend on its ability to develop an elite starting quarterback who can compete -- and beat -- the likes of Caleb Williams. -- Heather Dinich
22. Mississippi State Bulldogs
2022 record: 8-4
Key player losses: WR Austin Williams, LT Kwatrivous Johnson, C LaQuinston Sharp, WR Caleb Ducking, OLB Tyrus Wheat, MLB Nathaniel Watson, CB Emmanuel Forbes*
Key 2023 recruits: QB-DT Chris Parson, ATH Creed Whittemore, OT Joe Crocker, OT Zay Alexander, WR Justin Brown, DE Joseph Head, OLB Tabias Hinton
Can Will Rogers lead Mississippi State to SEC West prominence?
Will Rogers has been quietly -- too quietly, if you ask some folks in Starkville -- putting up some of the best numbers in college football. Last season, he threw for 4,739 yards and 36 touchdowns. This season, with one game left to play, he's thrown for 3,713 yards and 34 touchdowns.
He's already surpassed 10,000 career yards passing, and he has two years of eligibility remaining. But the question isn't how far he climbs in the SEC record books, it's whether he can take the next step in his development and start knocking off the upper echelon of the conference? (The last two years, State is 5-5 against teams ranked in the Associated Press poll with wins against Texas A&M [twice], Auburn, Kentucky and Ole Miss.)
The offense around Rogers improved this season with a more productive running game to rely on. Jo'quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson combined for 1,034 yards rushing and 559 yards receiving. Both are juniors with eligibility remaining.
The concern comes when you start to look at the offensive line, which is poised to lose three starters, and the receiver corps, which will lose two starters.-- Scarborough
23. NC State Wolfpack
2022 record: 8-4 Key player losses: C Grant Gibson, QB Devin Leary*, WR Thayer Thomas, DT Cory Durden, LB Isaiah Moore, S Tanner Ingle
Key 2023 recruits: S Daemon Fagan, TE Javonte Vereen, RB Kendrick Raphael, WR Kevin Concepcion
Who will play quarterback in 2023?
NC State awaits key NFL decisions from a number of veterans, including linebackers Payton Wilson and Drake Thomas. But none loom larger than QB Devin Leary, who could return, transfer or head to the NFL draft. Should Leary leave, NC State saw two freshmen -- MJ Morris and Ben Finley -- play well in 2022. So, who should be the QB moving forward? That likely will be the primary discussion throughout the offseason, while the Wolfpack also work to fill out the rest of the offensive skill positions with their top wideout graduating and a backfield that's lacked a clear starter all year in 2022. -- David M. Hale
24. Troy Trojans
2022 record: 11-2
Key player losses: QB Jarret Doege, RB DK Billingsley, WR RaJae' Johnson, LB Carlton Martial, S Craig Slocum, Jr, S T.J. Harris
Key 2023 recruits: CB Jack Tchienchou (three stars), OG Adrian Griffin (three stars), QB J.D. Sherrod (three stars), OG Tyler Bell (three stars)
Can Troy replace depth on the defensive line?
Troy, newly minted Sun Belt champions, will be coming off the fourth double-digit winning season in its history and first since 2018. Junior Gunnar Watson and Doege both saw time under center this season and Watson (2,705 passing yards, 13 TDs, 10 interceptions) should be back to take full control of the offense. Troy averaged 121.6 yards on the ground, placing it ninth in the Sun Belt. Sophomore Kimani Vidal (1,059 rushing yards, nine TDs) is their most experienced running back returning as they'll try to infuse a little more life into their rushing attack. The Trojans' defense was quite stingy (17.5 PPG). Two of their top three tackles were safeties and will be lost to graduation. Can Jon Sumrall find a way to stabilize the back end? Its fortunes of a repeat of 2022's success could depend on it. -- Blake Baumgartner
25. UTSA Roadrunners
2022 record: 11-2
Key player losses: QB Frank Harris*, WR Zakhari Franklin, WR De'Corian Clark, CB Corey Mayfield Jr.
Key 2023 recruits: ATH/WR Jakevian Rodgers, DL Jameian Buxton, RB Brandon High
Can UTSA keep it rolling after two successful seasons?
The senior class, under Jeff Traylor's stewardship, transformed the Roadrunners into one of the best programs in the Group of 5. In 2012-13, the first two years of the program, Larry Coker went 15-9. UTSA never reached seven wins again until 2020 when Traylor arrived, going 7-5. Now, in the past two years, the Roadrunners are 22-4 and 15-1 in Conference USA with two league championships. But with an impending move to the AAC and the possible NFL departure of Harris, their all-everything QB (career stats: 9,158 yards, 73 TDs), can Traylor keep the mojo going? -- Wilson