CFN Spring College Football Rankings: 51-75
75 Arizona
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 35
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 64
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 105
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 92
One Thing To Know: There’s going to be an actual defense at Arizona under new head coach Jedd Fisch. The turnaround might not happen right away, but it’ll come.
2021 Pac-12 Spring Rankings
74 Georgia Tech
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 82
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 65
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 122
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 64
One Thing To Know: The transformation process continues, but the team should be the best of the three under Geoff Collins if the defensive front can use the offseason to develop a good rotation.
2021 ACC Spring Rankings
73 Louisville
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 69
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 32
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 37
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 121
One Thing To Know: In a year with a whole lot of teams getting a whole lot of parts back, Louisville loses enough to be annoying. However, landing Nebraska QB Luke McCaffrey is interesting.
2021 ACC Spring Rankings
72 Washington State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 76
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 46
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 76
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 16
One Thing To Know: Year Two under Nick Rolovich starts with landing Tennessee transfer QB Jarrett Guarantano to run the attack. The offensive tackles are as good as any in the conference, and the O has to start using RB Max Borghi even more.
2021 Pac-12 Spring Rankings
71 Marshall
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 67
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 90
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 35
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 46
One Thing To Know: New head coach Charles Huff inherits a talented team that should be the best in Conference USA if the offense can pull up out of the late season nosedive.
2021 C-USA Spring Rankings
70 Maryland
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 52
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 73
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 113
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 82
One Thing To Know: Here’s the issue. Mike Locksley is bringing in talent, but he’s also in constant rebuilding mode with a ton of players transferring or done. In a year full of veteran Big Ten teams, the Terps need a great offseason.
2021 Big Ten Spring Rankings
69 Baylor
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 87
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 42
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 21
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 80
One Thing To Know: Once again, the defense under Dave Aranda will be a problem for the rest of the Big 12, but once again, the offense will have problems. There’s experience, but the O needs more pop.
2021 Big 12 Spring Rankings
68 Houston
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 86
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 69
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 101
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 56
One Thing To Know: It’s time to start working. Can the Cougars get the job done with a defense that’s full of experience, but needs star power? The transfer portal is helping out both sides of the ball.
2021 AAC Spring Rankings
67 Rutgers
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 60
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 85
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 123
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 125
One Thing To Know: There’s experience to go along with more talent in key spots than the program has had in a long time. The linebacking corps and receivers should be dangerous.
2021 Big Ten Spring Rankings
66 Wake Forest
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 40
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 39
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 53
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 49
One Thing To Know: The Demon Deacons will once again have one of the ACC’s most interesting and fun offenses with a loaded group returning for the passing game.
2021 ACC Spring Rankings
65 Oregon State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 51
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 54
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 77
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 116
One Thing To Know: A few key stars are done, but the offense should be okay and the passing attack stronger as long as the quarterback play is more consistent.
2021 Pac-12 Spring Rankings
64 Virginia
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 45
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 31
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 31
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 39
One Thing To Know: The offense should have just about everyone back and the defense has a few ACC talents, but the production has to match the experience.
2021 ACC Spring Rankings
63 West Virginia
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 43
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 55
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 94
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 37
One Thing To Know: It’ll be the sneaky X factor in the Big 12 with head coach Neal Brown welcoming back enough defensive stars to be better. It’s about the playmakers on offense, not the experience.
2021 Big 12 Spring Rankings
62 San Diego State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 73
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 61
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 30
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 62
One Thing To Know: Don’t be shocked if the Aztecs return to their Mountain West star form. Brady Hoke is bringing in Mississippi State transfers QB Jalen Mayden and WR Tyrell Shavers to boost up the passing game.
2021 MW Spring Rankings
61 Florida State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 83
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 33
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 78
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 83
One Thing To Know: There’s a ton of experience returning, but can anyone play? There’s a good chance that all 11 offensive starters will be back.
2021 ACC Spring Rankings
60 Texas Tech
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 79
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 56
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 102
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 68
One Thing To Know: All five offensive linemen are back and the linebackers will be big-time statistical machines, but the secondary that needs to be better has to do some retooling.
2021 Big 12 Spring Rankings
59 South Carolina
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 81
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 29
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 70
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 69
One Thing To Know: Starting with RB Kevin Harris, this should be a better, more competitive, and more dangerous team than it’ll get early credit for, but new head man Shane Beamer will need time.
2021 SEC Spring Rankings
58 Michigan State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 59
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 40
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 57
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 57
One Thing To Know: Mel Tucker is hitting the transfer portal for some instant help, and the lines should be stronger around C Matt Allen, but the Big Ten’s worst scoring offense needs more pop.
2021 Big Ten Spring Rankings
57 San Jose State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 47
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 100
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 95
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 126
One Thing To Know: Why stop there? QB Nick Starkel is in college football for what seems like his 14th season, but the receiving corps has to come up with a few new playmakers.
2021 MW Spring Rankings
56 SMU
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 64
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 88
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 28
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 85
One Thing To Know: Oklahoma transfer Tanner Mordecai should keep the passing game going for an offense that returns all five starters up front and a slew of great skill parts. The O will be able to hang with anyone in the AAC.
2021 AAC Spring Rankings
55 Louisiana
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 15
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 81
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 14
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 79
One Thing To Know: How is Billy Napier still the Louisiana head coach and not at a major program? He’s still around along with QB Levi Lewis and almost all the starters on the lines.
2021 Sun Belt Spring Rankings
54 Appalachian State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 68
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 62
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 6
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 21
One Thing To Know: A few key transfers help reload the offensive side – if Duke/Clemson QB Chase Brice can cut down on the interceptions – and the defensive line is going to be a brick wall.
2021 Sun Belt Spring Rankings
53 Nevada
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 57
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 95
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 74
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 48
One Thing To Know: QB Carson Strong is one of the best bombers you probably haven’t seen. His receivers are returning – and better with Elijah Cooks healthy – the defense is almost all back full, and if there’s a ground game, look out.
2021 MW Spring Rankings
52 BYU
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 13
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 66
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 34
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 53
One Thing To Know: There are way too many massive losses – starting with QB Zach Wilson – for a team that will still be tough and strong, but won’t be as nasty as 2020. Don’t underestimate the Cougars, but don’t expect a repeat, either.
2021 Ind Spring Rankings
51 Coastal Carolina
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 12
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 120
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 96
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 98
One Thing To Know: The Chanticleers are going to still be amazing with just about everyone back – including, shockingly, head coach Jamey Chadwell – but two stars DT Tarron Jackson and RB CJ Marable are gone.
2021 Sun Belt Spring Rankings
College Football News Rankings 2021 spring
130-101 | 76-100 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10