The 2022-23 College Football Playoff national championship game is Jan. 9, 2023, from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Anyone for a Georgia-Alabama rematch? To absolutely no surprise, the champion Dawgs and runner-up Crimson Tide have opened as +325 co-favorites to win it all again next season at Caesars Sportsbook. The 2022 campaign is scheduled to begin Aug. 27 with the marquee matchup that first Saturday featuring Nebraska vs. Northwestern in Big Ten action from Dublin, Ireland.
There still has yet to be a repeat national champion in the CFP era after Alabama was beaten 33-18 on Monday night in Indianapolis. Might things have been different if star receiver Jameson Williams, a Biletnikoff Award finalist, not suffered an injury in the second quarter? Maybe.
Williams will not be back next season and neither will be fellow 1,000-yard wideout John Metchie III (lost for season in SEC title game), offensive tackle Evan Neal (potential No. 1 overall pick) or top running back Brian Robinson. However, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young and defensive demon Will Anderson Jr. will return. As of now, 13 starters are expected back on the Tide, who will be No. 1 in the preseason polls this summer. Bama is scheduled to open the season Sept. 3 vs. Utah State and has a tough test Sept. 10 at Texas (and former Bama OC Steve Sarkisian) out of conference.
Georgia won its first national championship since 1980 and former walk-on quarterback Stetson Bennett is eligible to return for another season. He probably will be back as he's not considered an NFL prospect. Kirby Smart's historically good defense is going to lose a lot of talent, though, led by Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt, Nakobe Dean and Derion Kendrick.