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Recently our college football reporters examined the biggest strength for every team in our 2022 Way-Too-Early top 25, breaking down what makes the best teams so good
Now we'll turn the tables and look at each team's biggest question mark. What could keep them from reaching their preseason aspirations? What will be the focus of spring practice?
We're still a long way from September, but these are the items our experts think should be at the top of each coach's to-do list.
1. Alabama: Depth at wide receiver
Granted, no one could have foreseen both John Metchie III and Jameson Williams being sidelined by major injuries, but their absence against Georgia in the national championship game revealed a lack of established playmakers at receiver for 2022. Ja'Corey Brooks, JoJo Earle, Agiye Hall and Traeshon Holden are all talented options at the position, but their inexperience showed against the Bulldogs. With Metchie, Williams and Slade Bolden off to the NFL, along with the departure of Javon Baker via the transfer portal, Alabama needs someone to step up. The addition of Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton should help in that regard, but depth is necessary to have the kind of well-rounded passing game the Crimson Tide have become accustomed to. -- Alex Scarborough
2. Ohio State: Defense
The Buckeyes' defense was inconsistent last season and showed weaknesses we aren't used to seeing from an Ohio State team. It led to changes in the staff, with defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs being let go in the offseason and head coach Ryan Day bringing in Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. The offense is losing some stars at receiver, but we saw how deep that group is in the Rose Bowl and got a glimpse of what could be. The defense made strides, but it still has question marks after finishing the season ranked 61st in total yards allowed per game, 45th in yards allowed per play and 97th in passing yards allowed per game. Knowles must fix that, and the team has the talent to do it. It's just a matter of making the adjustments to ensure the Buckeyes don't see a repeat of 2021. -- Tom VanHaaren
3. Georgia: Championship letdown
So you've won your first national championship in 41 years. Now what? You've lost the heart and soul of your defense, lineman Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean. How do you bounce back? To beat Alabama over the long haul, Georgia has to reload rather than rebuild and avoid down seasons. Complacency can't creep into the locker room, no matter how talented the roster might be. Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart seemed to acknowledge the tough road ahead after winning the national championship when he told fans, "I just hope they remember this feeling and understand they don't need to get spoiled; they need to stay hungry like these players." -- Scarborough
4. Texas A&M: Passing attack
Despite Isaiah Spiller's departure for the NFL draft after two straight 1,000-yard seasons, the Aggies are set at running back with Devon Achane and a loaded running back room. But if the Aggies are going to keep pace and keep defenses from loading up on those backs, they're going to have to address the vertical passing game. The Aggies ranked 88th in passing yards per game last season, 108th in completion percentage and 73rd in yards per completion. Ainias Smith, who had 47 catches for 509 yards, was the Aggies' leading receiver and returns. But with the departure of Jalen Wydermyer to the NFL draft, the other top returners are Jalen Preston (17 catches, 255 yards, 2 TDs) and Demond Demas (15-235-1). The Aggies don't lack for talent, and with the return of QB Haynes King, who was injured early last season, along with new arrivals Max Johnson, the LSU transfer, and prized recruit Conner Weigman, there is plenty of room for improvement in the passing game. -- Dave Wilson
5. Michigan: Replacing Aidan Hutchinson & Co.
The Wolverines' defense is losing a ton of production and its coordinator from this past season, and there isn't a clear picture of who will step in to fill the void. Jim Harbaugh has yet to announce a new defensive coordinator, and the team is also losing defensive ends Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo, safety Daxton Hill, linebacker Josh Ross, safety Brad Hawkins and corner Vincent Gray. That is a lot to lose in one offseason, and there is no definitive answer up front for how Michigan will replace Hutchinson and Ojabo's 25 sacks from this past season. -- VanHaaren
6. Notre Dame: Quarterback
Who's the QB? With Jack Coan gone after one year as the starter, Tommy Rees' first year as playcaller without Brian Kelly will be defined by which of two seemingly stylistic opposites is taking snaps. Tyler Buchner ran designed runs on more than half his snaps and ripped off quite a few huge runs while completing 60% of his passes. He also threw three picks in just 35 passes. Drew Pyne, meanwhile, scrambled quite a bit but didn't attempt many actual rushes; he completed just 15 of 30 passes but at nearly 15 yards per completion with no picks. He was excellent while filling in for an injured Coan late against Wisconsin. The winner of the job will have veterans like tight end Michael Mayer and running back Chris Tyree around him, but will carry some pretty big expectations as well. -- Bill Connelly
7. Utah: Developing playoff-caliber talent
If someone wanted to make the case that Utah doesn't have any major questions about the 2022 roster, there wouldn't be a lot of pushback here. Utah deserves to be the favorite in the Pac-12 after its young team went 8-1 in the league last season en route to the Rose Bowl and has depth in the areas where star players are departing (LB Devin Lloyd, WR Britain Covey, TJ Pledger) for the NFL. The biggest question might be if that remaining talent can develop into a team that can reach the playoff. The Pac-12's track record gives plenty of reason to be skeptical, but Utah should remain on the rise, and after last season, a playoff berth is the logical next step. -- Kyle Bonagura
8. NC State: Running game
The Wolfpack return veterans across the board, but the biggest question surrounds their offense. First, they lose stalwart left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, a likely first-round pick. Second, the Wolfpack need to find a way to be more consistent running the ball with an entirely new backfield. NC State ranked No. 13 in the ACC in rushing offense, averaging only 126.2 yards per game. With their top two rushers from a year ago, Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person Jr., off to the NFL draft, that leaves quarterback Devin Leary as the top returning rusher. Watch for veteran Jordan Houston, Demie Sumo-Karngbaye and Delbert Mimms III and true freshman early enrollee Michael Allen during spring practice competition. -- Andrea Adelson
