Did a roster comparison of the top 4 teams going into next year. Heavy odds the title comes from one of these 4. My goal was to understand the relative experience and quality of play from each one entering the year. I used PFF for all the numbers. Snap % is just the % of available snaps played in 2023; for transfers the % they played in 2023 for their old team was applied to the current team. Grades are just PFF grades weighted by snaps played. Obviously PFF grades need to be taken with a grain of salt but in aggregate they are a good way to measure relative performance.
Takeaways for each of them:
Georgia: Solid grade and experience on offense, lowest grade and experience on D. Portal additions focused on offense. They will rely on coaching + inexperienced high level recruits to have a great defense because what they return is not that awesome. Positions potentially starting inexperienced (<200 snaps in 2023) players: RT, C, SS, DE, STAR
Ohio State: Lowest offense grade, mostly because of inexperience at WR and poor O-line play. By far the best defense grade with solid experience. Added experience on offense and quality on defense in the portal. Should have the best defensive roster in the country but O-line must be better. Positions potentially starting inexperienced players: RT, WR, TE
Oregon: Tons of experience, much of it through the portal. Solid but unspectacular grades on both sides of the ball. Used the portal to add quality, experienced players on both sides of the ball. Big question will be how all of those parts work together, and how well portal additions maintain quality of play from previous teams. Not projecting any starters without significant experience.
Texas: Very similar to Oregon, but with slightly less experience added from the portal. Added very good players on both sides of the ball but might be looking for high end players as the only projected starter who graded over 80 last year was Ewers at QB. Only position starting an inexperienced player will be RT
Takeaways for each of them:
Georgia: Solid grade and experience on offense, lowest grade and experience on D. Portal additions focused on offense. They will rely on coaching + inexperienced high level recruits to have a great defense because what they return is not that awesome. Positions potentially starting inexperienced (<200 snaps in 2023) players: RT, C, SS, DE, STAR
Ohio State: Lowest offense grade, mostly because of inexperience at WR and poor O-line play. By far the best defense grade with solid experience. Added experience on offense and quality on defense in the portal. Should have the best defensive roster in the country but O-line must be better. Positions potentially starting inexperienced players: RT, WR, TE
Oregon: Tons of experience, much of it through the portal. Solid but unspectacular grades on both sides of the ball. Used the portal to add quality, experienced players on both sides of the ball. Big question will be how all of those parts work together, and how well portal additions maintain quality of play from previous teams. Not projecting any starters without significant experience.
Texas: Very similar to Oregon, but with slightly less experience added from the portal. Added very good players on both sides of the ball but might be looking for high end players as the only projected starter who graded over 80 last year was Ewers at QB. Only position starting an inexperienced player will be RT
