Way-Too-Early Top 25 College Football Rankings for 2022
A detailed look at the Top 25 college football team rankings for 2022 from the editors of the most accurate NCAAF preseason CFB ranking magazine.
athlonsports.com
Athlon Sports Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2021
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Oklahoma
4. Georgia
5. Ohio State
6. IOWA STATE
7. Cincinnati
8. Texas A&M
9. Notre Dame
10. North Carolina
11. Wisconsin
12. Oregon
13. Florida
14. Iowa
15. USC
16. Miami (FL)
17. Arizona State
18. Coastal Carolina
19. Indiana
20. TCU
21. Oklahoma State
22. Washington
23. LSU
24. Texas
25. Louisiana-Lafayette
6. Iowa State
The Cyclones continued to reach new heights under Matt Campbell in 2020. The program earned its first trip to the Big 12 title game, finished with nine wins (the program's highest victory total since 2000 and has recorded a winning mark in Big 12 play for four consecutive years). Campbell's program is positioned for another conference title game in 2021, as quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Breece Hall and receiver Xavier Hutchinson are back to headline the offense. Tight end Charlie Kolar (44 catches) will be one of the best in college football if he returns in 2021. Additionally, a line that allowed only 14 sacks is slated to return intact next fall. Iowa State's defense has finished in the top three in the Big 12 in scoring defense in each of the last four years and will be strong once again with linebacker Mike Rose, safety Isheem Young and edge rusher Will McDonald (10.5 sacks) back to anchor this unit under coordinator Jon Heacock. The schedule features a home showdown against Iowa and conference games in Ames against Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas. Iowa State plays at Oklahoma and West Virginia next fall.