An unprecedented 2020 college football season comes to its conclusion Monday when No. 1 Alabama plays No. 3 Ohio State in the College Football Playoff championship game.All that uncertainty makes it impo sible to project what lies ahead in 2021. That said, Sporting News enjoys talking about college football in the offseason, which will come with new storylines even if the same old teams are at the top.SN’s way-too-early top 25 for 2021 features several of those contenders among the top five. These rankings are bound to change throughout the offseason with early NFL Draft entries, the transfer portal and the continued Chase Daniel Jersey uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.That said, we’re still going to talk about it:MORE: College football rankings 20211. AlabamaHow could a team that is replacing six first-team All-Americans reload? By Continuing “The Proce s” under Nick Saban. It’s Bryce Young’s turn at quarterback, and Trey Sanders, Jase McClellan, John Metchie and Jahleel Billingsley are next in line as playmakers. The defense should improve too with Will Anderson Jr. and the potential return of Christopher Allen, who combined for 20 sacks in 2020. The season opens with Miami, and there are road dates at Florida, Texas A&M and Auburn. It’s never easy, but the Tide seem well-equipped to handle the challenge.2. ClemsonD.J. Uiagalelei has offered a glimpse of life after Trevor Lawrence, and its clear the Tigers offense is in good hands with the former five-star recruit. Lyn-J Dixon will finally step into a starting role at running back, and E.J. Williams and Frank Ladson should take the next step at receiver. Defensive end Myles Murphy and linebacker Trenton Simpson gained valuable experience as freshmen, and the return of James Skalski is huge for a defense that faces a big test out of the gate against Georgia.3. Ohio StateThe Buckeyes likely will lose quarterback Justin Fields to the NFL draft, and that should leave a wide-open competition with C.J. Stroud, Jack Miller III and incoming five-star freshman Buster Skrine Jersey Kyle McCord. Whoever takes over will have an absurd amount of talent to work with at the receiver position, led by Garrett Wilson. The defense loses a lot, but Tommy Togiai, Zach Harrison and Tyreke Smith can retool the defensive line. Ryan Day has enough to lead a fifth straight Big Ten championship run.4. OklahomaThe Sooners were one of the hottest teams at the end of the 2020 season, and Spencer Rattler should be even better in his second year as a starter under coach Lincoln Riley. The tandem of Marcus Major and Seth McGowan in the running game should be fantastic, and Marvin Mims and Theo Wease should be Rattlers top two targets. The defense improved too, though some key players have a decision to make with the 2021 NFL Draft. Oklahoma will be an “it” team after the strong finish and Cotton Bowl victory against Florida. Will that lead to a fifth CFP appearance?5. GeorgiaJT Daniels steadied the quarterback position late in the season, and the Bulldogs have enough depth built by Kirby Smarts recruiting to make yet another run toward an SEC championship and Playoff berth. Running back Zamir White and receiver George Pickens are back, too, as well as Georgia’s top two tacklers Nakobe Dean and Lewis Cine. The opener against Clemson is another chance to flex on the national stage.6. Notre DameThe Irish who return to independent status in 2021 face heavy lo ses on both sides, including quarterback Ian Book. Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan has experience, and there are playmakers returning in running backs Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree Akiem Hicks Jersey and tight end Michael Mayer. The offensive line and front seven will need rebuilt, but Brian Kelly succe sfully retooled both sides of the ball the last three seasons. The matchup against Wisconsin at Soldier Field is an interesting test to see how the interior will hold up on both sides.7. Texas A&MJimbo Fisher put the program in the College Football Playoff conversation for the first time in 2020. Now, the challenge is to keep it there. The Aggies lose a loaded senior cla s, with either Zach Calzada or Haynes King taking over for veteran quarterback Kellen Mond. The good news is leading rusher Isaiah Spiller, top receiver Ainias Smith and All-American guard Kenyon Green return. The defense allowed just 21.7 points per game in 2019. The cro s-over schedule is friendly, and Auburn and Alabama have to visit College Station.8. FloridaThe Gators flopped in the bowl game, and key components of that potent pa sing attack quarterback Kyle Trask, tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Kadarious Toney are headed to the next level. That said, Dan Mullen has led three consecutive runs to New Year’s Day 6 bowls, and the offense will change with Emory Jones under center. The other challenge is rebuilding the offensive line. Zachary Carter and Brenton Cox will lead a talented defense. This season will test whether Florida can reload and consistently compete for an SEC championship.9. Iowa StateBelieve it. Matt Campbell has built a special culture in Ames, and quarterback Brock Purdy opted to return for his senior season along with tight end Chase Allen, offensive lineman Sean Foster, tight end Charlie Kolar and linebacker Mike Rose. Add All-American running back Breece Hall and you have the makings of the “it” team of the offseason.10. CincinnatiThe Bearcats showed they could compete in a New Year’s Day bowl lo s to Georgia. The return of quarterback Desmond Ridder ensures the Bearcats will be right back in the mix for another American Athletic Conference championship. Jerome Ford will be the lead back in that run-heavy attack, and Luke Fickell continues to build with Ohio-centric recruiting cla ses. Cornerback Ahmad Gardner is a star of a defense that will have to rebuild the front seven and replace defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman. The Bearcats have road games at Indiana and Notre Dame, too. 11. TexasWhere else are we going to put Texas? The talent is there on offense, and it’s on new coach Steve Joel Iyiegbuniwe Jersey Sarkisian to make it work with either Casey Thompson or Hudson Card at quarterback. The good news is Bijan Robinson and a talented group of receivers lead that offense, and the key (as usual) will be an improved defense. The Longhorns lost three games by a combined total of 13 points this season. Can Sarkisian be the difference in those close games?12. LSUThis feels like the right spot for LSU, which bottomed out after a national championship season before building late-season momentum around quarterback Max Johnson and some young playmakers. The victory against Florida showed that talent, and Ed Orgeron’s biggest adjustment will come with the next defensive coordinator. Derek Stingley Jr. and Eli Ricks are back at cornerback. That’s a good place to start.13. USCThe Trojans took some of the heat off Clay Helton this season, and the recruiting has stabilized in the last two cycles. Kedon Slovis returns as the best quarter