CFN Spring College Football Rankings: 26-50
50 Mississippi State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 38
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 24
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 56
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 35
One Thing To Know: The offense has to be better with almost all the top receivers back. The team never had time and a real offseason to get the timing down, but now there’s no excuse – this ranking could change very, very quickly over the next few months.
2021 SEC Spring Rankings
49 Nebraska
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 55
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 47
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 93
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 88
One Thing To Know: The defense should be the best in the Scott Frost era, but where are the sure-thing offensive stars around QB Adrian Martinez? There’s enough in place to be better, but the rest of the Big Ten West is solid, too.
2021 Big Ten Spring Rankings
48 Colorado
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 30
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 59
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 81
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 99
One Thing To Know: The surprise team of 2020 will still be good, but the rest of the Pac-12 will be stronger. RB Jarek Broussard working behind an experienced and tough O line will be worth the watch.
2021 Pac-12 Spring Rankings
47 Virginia Tech
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 42
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 16
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 44
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 65
One Thing To Know: The lines should be fine, but there are too many key losses and there’s a major question mark about how consistent the team can be.
2021 ACC Spring Rankings
46 Liberty
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 11
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 112
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 65
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 95
One Thing To Know: Just about everyone is back. All of the stars, all of the top linemen, and head coach Hugh Freeze return.
2021 Ind Spring Rankings
45 Arkansas
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 34
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 68
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 121
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 119
One Thing To Know: This is going to be the best Hog team in several years, but don’t get too excited quite yet – it’s still a rebuilding job under Sam Pittman. Being competitive in the SEC West is more than enough.
2021 SEC Spring Rankings
44 Tennessee
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 75
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 28
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 36
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 86
One Thing To Know: This isn’t going to be a quick fix under Josh Heupel. The Vols lose a ton to the transfer portal, but getting Virginia Tech QB Hendon Hooker should help behind what should be a good line.
2021 SEC Spring Rankings
43 Cal
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 72
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 38
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 61
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 81
One Thing To Know: QB Chase Garbers returns to a good-looking team that will be a thorn in everyone’s side despite the lack of star power and experience compared to others in the Pac-12.
2021 Pac-12 Spring Rankings
42 Boston College
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 48
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 67
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 84
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 50
One Thing To Know: Year Two under Jeff Hafley should be even stronger with QB Phil Jurkovec leading an improve O with all five linemen expected to be back.
2021 ACC Spring Rankings
41 Kansas State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 58
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 41
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 41
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 94
One Thing To Know: Some of the stars on the defensive side are gone, but the offense is beyond loaded with veterans starting with a strong O line, QB Skyler Thompson, and with ten of the 11 starters likely to be back.
2021 Big 12 Spring Rankings
40 UCF
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 70
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 30
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 19
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 9
One Thing To Know: Is it possible that UCF just upgraded at head coach? Gus Malzahn inheriting a fantastic offensive line and QB Dillon Gabriel to direct the attack. Yeah, yeah, yeah, Cincinnati is great – don’t be shocked if UCF wins the AAC.
2021 AAC Spring Rankings
39 Boise State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 49
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 43
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 10
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 8
One Thing To Know: Andy Avalos inherits a good team with the stars on offense to roll through the Mountain West. The defense will do more than just hold serve.
2021 MW Spring Rankings
38 Purdue
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 61
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 58
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 103
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 55
One Thing To Know: Experience – there’s a ton. A veteran O line should give all the excellent skill parts time to work, and the defensive side will be stronger with new coordinator Brad Lambert getting a ton of pass rushing talent to work with.
2021 Big Ten Spring Rankings
37 Stanford
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 31
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 35
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 98
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 32
One Thing To Know: The defensive back seven will be outstanding for a sneaky-good team that could challenge for the North if the offense can show a little pop.
2021 Pac-12 Spring Rankings
36 Pitt
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 41
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 18
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 49
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 47
One Thing To Know: QB Kenny Pickett is back along with most of the rest of the skill parts, but the D line has to reload and find more NFL-caliber parts.
2021 ACC Spring Rankings
35 Memphis
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 50
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 60
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 9
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 66
One Thing To Know: The Tigers might not get enough attention compared to Cincinnati, but after rebuilding a bit last year, now they’ll be a major player again in the AAC. Arizona transfer QB Grant Gunnell helps ease the loss of Brady White.
2021 AAC Spring Rankings
34 Kentucky
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 36
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 25
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 45
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 12
One Thing To Know: QB Terry Wilson transferred out, but the offense will still do what the UK offense does. Replenishing the lines is the biggest spring key.
2021 SEC Spring Rankings
33 UCLA
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 32
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 57
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 97
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 100
One Thing To Know: The experience is there, the talent level is good enough, and the QB is in place in Dorian Thompson-Robinson to start winning on a consistent basis.
2021 Pac-12 Spring Rankings
32 Oklahoma State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 19
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 22
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 50
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 45
One Thing To Know: The Cowboys take a hit on defense, but the offense should be explosive even after losing the star receivers. The lines will be solid enough to overcome other issues.
2021 Big 12 Spring Rankings
31 Missouri
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 33
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 45
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 87
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 41
One Thing To Know: Just about everyone returns on offense and other than LB Nick Bolton, almost everyone who matters is back on the defensive side. Watch out for Rice transfer Blaze Allredge to be a tackling star.
2021 SEC Spring Rankings
30 Arizona State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 90
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 37
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 33
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 63
One Thing To Know: Herm Edwards has had a few okay ASU teams, but this one should be great with QB Jayden Daniels a burgeoning star on one side, and a fantastic line and secondary to anchor the other.
2021 Pac-12 Spring Rankings
29 NC State
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 37
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 44
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 112
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 36
One Thing To Know: The defense is about to be a thing. Star DT Asim McNeill is gone, but the line is going to be great and the secondary will be terrific.
2021 ACC Spring Rankings
28 TCU
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 44
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 34
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 82
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 52
One Thing To Know: The Horned Frogs finished strong, and now they have a ton to work with around QB Max Duggan. A few excellent transfers are for more than just depth. Expect this to be the underappreciated Big 12 contender.
2021 Big 12 Spring Rankings
27 Auburn
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 21
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 12
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 16
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 40
One Thing To Know: Bryan Harsin isn’t winning national titles right away, and the receiving corps needs new stars, but the O line will be great and the D will be fine in the transitional season.
2021 SEC Spring Rankings
26 Indiana
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 23
2020 CFN Preseason Ranking: 49
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 64
2018 CFN Final Ranking: 84
One Thing To Know: The defense is almost all back and the offense will be terrific if QB Michael Penix is healthy. With WR Ty Fryfogle back leading the way, the passing game will be outstanding.
2021 Big Ten Spring Rankings
College Football News Rankings 2021 spring
130-101 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 11-25 | Top 10