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Notre Dame football: Early 2021 college football top-25 rankings

By Daniel Morrison

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 12: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players face off at the line of scrimmage against the USC Trojans during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated USC 30-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 12: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players face off at the line of scrimmage against the USC Trojans during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated USC 30-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma star Spencer Rattler. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Oklahoma star Spencer Rattler. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: Early 2021 college football top-25 rankings

5. Cincinnati

Like Iowa State, Cincinnati is returning tons of production and their coach. That’s huge for an American Athletic Conference program who could have and probably should have beaten Georgia in the Peach Bowl.

Desmond Ridder will be in his fourth season as a starter, and he runs their RPO game to near perfection. Just as long as losing defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to Notre Dame doesn’t hurt too much, which it easily could, the Bearcats will be fine.

4. Clemson

No Trevor Lawrence or Travis Etienne. Meanwhile, the wide receiver room will be on the lookout for a new standout. So, maybe just maybe there’s a glimmer of weakness here, but we all know that Clemson is more likely to reload and be ready to go next season at an elite level. DJ Uiagalelei was proof enough you can expect Clemson to be fine, reloaded, and ready to go for 2021.

3. Georgia

Georgia didn’t know who their quarterback was to start 2020, but by the time they figured it was JT Daniels, their offense got to be scary good. Next season, Georgia will return Daniels and what should be one of, if not the best wide receiver group in college football. Meanwhile, their talent and depth are as remarkable as ever. The Bulldogs could be scary good next season.

2. Oklahoma

Buy stock in Spencer Rattler now, because Oklahoma is going to be one of the best teams in college football in 2021. Not only do they have an elite group of skills players, but they have the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy in 2021.

The question at Oklahoma has always been defense, but they seemed to turn a corner at the end of 2020. If they can carry that over they’ll have a great chance to remake the Playoff.

Next. No in-person Combine will hurt these Notre Dame football players. dark

1. Alabama

It’s time to stop predicting anything less than being the best team in the country for Alabama under Nick Saban. Yes, they have a lot of talent moving on at every skill position and throughout the defense.

Yes, multiple coaches are heading out to multiple head coaching jobs and promotions on those staffs, from Texas to Marshall. No, you won’t notice a difference on the field. The Alabama machine is going to keep rolling under Nick Saban.

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