The college football season is right around the corner, and this year feels like it’s going to be chaotic. There are maybe three or four teams with a legit shot at winning the title but outside of that there’s a bunch of teams with flaws, yet can win the whole thing based on getting on a heater. The defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes might be among the top three or four teams that can win the title, but they have many more questions than they did last year with a loaded roster. The SEC has two of the top teams in Texas and Georgia, but where they go after that is still yet to be known. Plus, the best team from the Group of Five still can crash the party and break into the national eye.
So, let’s get into the top 25, starting with the top team in the country.
The Longhorns have one of the most talented rosters in football, but what really stands out about this team is the continuity. Head coach Steve Sarkisian is still calling plays as the best offensive designer in the sport and DC Pete Kwiatkowski is still calling plays for the defense, giving the roster a higher floor than most that lose the amount of talent that they did. The defense should still remain good, with productive stars like LB Anthony Hill Jr. and CB Malik Muhammad being the stalwarts on the team. The biggest question is on the offensive side of the ball, specifically at QB. Arch Manning finally takes over, but can he lead this team back to the promised land? The offense has the talent to make it there, but if the QB can do it, they can win the title this year.
Arguably the most talented roster in football from top to bottom, the Tigers have finally built a team reminiscent of their title winning teams. The offense has the chance to be very good, as the youth in the receiver room grows with star QB Cade Klubnik under center. Wide receivers Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore are also back, helping boost the passing game to an extremely high level. Defensively, the stars are at every level. DT Peter Woods and EDGE TJ Parker lead the defensive front, and LBs Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz have the range to affect the run and passing game. CB Avieon Terrell is the star in the secondary, but I’m a fan of the group overall. This team is loaded, and could win the title this year.
After what’s considered a down year for the Bulldogs (even though they made the College Football Playoff), Georgia returns with a roster more than good enough to contend with the Longhorns in the SEC. Their defense should return to the top of the nation, as they’re pretty much dominant at almost every level. I’m curious how the cornerback rotation shakes out, but the front seven could be one of the best units in football. Offensively, there are many questions, but I’m not starting with QB Gunner Stockton. Instead, I’m zooming in on the receiver unit, which has to improve on a bad 2024. The Bulldogs transferred in WRs Zachariah Branch and Noah Thomas from USC and Texas A&M respectively to help elevate the offense. They’re two different receivers, but I’m fascinated by Thomas’ fit in this offense. He’s a bigger guy who can win at the catch point, but Branch has more potential to affect the in between game. If those two can be the X-factors for the Georgia offense, they can be champions once again.
4. Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions saw what the Buckeyes did last year and are attempting to do the exact same thing. They return a lot of star power on offense, including both RBs in Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton and QB Drew Allar. The defense gets the biggest upgrade in the hiring of DC Jim Knowles, and I’m intrigued by the potential of LB Amare Campbell. The biggest questions for this team start and end with Allar. If he can be a much more consistent passer in big moments they could finally win the title. The receiver room might cause some concern, with transfers Trebor Pena and Kyron Hudson stepping in, but for this thing to work it centers around Allar.
The defending champions come in at number 5, but this team could end up much higher throughout the season. They have arguably the best player in college football on both sides of the ball in WR Jeremiah Smith and S Caleb Downs and talented supporting casts on both sides of the ball. However, the big question is at the QB position. It looks like Julian Sayin is going to be the starter for the Buckeyes, and without Chip Kelly calling plays I have some big questions about the direction of the offense. Plus, Matt Patricia is calling the defense. Sure, man. It might not matter, though, because Ohio State is still very talented.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Fighting Irish’s identity in 2025 will be the exact same as it was in 2024: physicality on both sides of the ball, and running the piss out of the football. RB Jeremiyah Love is the best back in the nation and the Irish have an offensive line built to bully teams in the trenches. Defensively, they lose DC Al Golden to the NFL but the talent on this roster is undeniable. At all three levels there’s talent, from EDGE Bryce Young to LB Drayk Bowen and CB Leonard Moore in the secondary. The question will be at the QB spot, where CJ Carr might be taking over that role. If he can do enough as a passer without driving the whole thing into a ditch, the Fighting Irish should be fine.
Much like the other star-studded teams on this list, Oregon has a talented roster with a question at QB. However, Oregon’s signal caller might be one of the most talented on the entire list. Dante Moore was a five star who went to UCLA but transferred to Oregon. In his time with the Bruins he showed some flashes of high level talent, but it was far too inconsistent. With OC Will Stein calling the shots, his improvement should mesh well with a talented receiver group. I am curious about the secondary, though. Can they get enough quality play from the newer guys on the backend to help out a strong front seven? Can they get the bad Ohio State loss in last year’s playoff out of their heads? The Big Ten should be much tougher at the top this year, but the Ducks will play a factor in the title race once again.
There’s no question that the Tide are still incredibly talented; with a front seven led by stalwarts in Deontae Lawson and LT Overton they’re going to make it impossible to run the football on. Offensively, they get a new coordinator in Ryan Grubb and return WRs Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard. However, the biggest questions lie in the backfield. Can Ty Simpson take the starting job? Is this freshman Keelon Russell’s time to make the jump? On top of that, the RB room isn’t super inspiring. Those might be the two things that hold this team back, but at their best the Tide can go toe to toe with anybody.
9. Arizona State Sun Devils
The Sun Devils are in the top ten for a couple reasons: they return a whole bunch of starters from last year’s miracle season, and have the continuity at QB and playcaller to go far. Losing RB Cam Skattebo is going to hurt a lot, but head coach Kenny Dillingham and QB Sam Leavitt returning is a major, major plus. Leavitt has the chance to really grow into his own with another year under Dillingham and star wideout Jordyn Tyson returning. The defense also returns a lot of starters, but for a group that was more bend, don’t break than truly great, that could be an issue as they try to make another CFP run. The Big 12 is loaded with teams that can win the conference, and Arizona State is at the top. If there’s any team that can make lightning strike twice, it’s them.
The Tigers come in at 10 here, largely because their star power can go toe to toe with anyone in the country. QB Garrett Nussmeier has his warts, but at his best he could be the best QB in the country. LSU returns a bunch of skill position talent as well as bringing in former Oklahoma Sooner WR Nic Anderson, who could be a major player this season. Their defense last year was godawful, and head coach Brian Kelly acknowledged as much by bringing in a bunch of portal talent along the defensive line and secondary, including EDGE Patrick Payton and CB Mansoor Delane. The offensive line lost almost every starter from last year, leaving only C DJ Chester with a bunch of inexperienced linemen. If there are any questions about the Tigers, they start along the OL.
11. Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illini are in the top 12 based on their continuity. After a very good season last year, the Illini return all five starters on the offensive line, QB Luke Altmeyer and a bevy of talented starters on defense. Head coach Bret Bielema has finally built an offense capable of being physical on the ground and having a QB who is capable of winning through the air as well. The Illini are always going to be good on defense, especially with senior talent like EDGE Gabe Jacas still suiting up. The biggest concern is the receiving core. After losing two wideouts to the NFL, having to replenish the receiver room for Altmeyer is a huge question mark. However, you can go far with an identity of running the football and playing great defense.
Miami is a fascinating team heading into the 2025 season. A new transfer QB has entered Coral Gables, this time it’s former Georgia QB Carson Beck. While Beck’s numbers with the Bulldogs weren’t exactly dazzling, I’m willing to give benefit of the doubt due to the abysmal receiving core he had. However, coming off a UCL injury is scary for a passer, and he hasn’t thrown very much this offseason. Still, I’m willing to bet his experience and ability to throw off play action will work well in this offense. On the flip side, the defense has a new playcaller in Corey Heatherman. There’s a lot of optimism on that side of the ball, especially after a horrendous season last year. If the Hurricanes can balance out this year, they could make a major run for a title.
Look, am I a little bit higher on the Sooners than most? Sure, but I think on paper this team has everything you’re looking for to crash the CFP party. The offense is under new supervision, with Ben Arbuckle coming over from Washington State. With him, he brings QB John Mateer, one of the most exciting QBs in the country (even though sometimes he makes me want to put my head through a wall). RB Jadyn Ott comes in from Cal to give the Sooners a dynamic rushing attack, and I’m a big fan of their potential defensively. The biggest question will be if the receiving core, which has been inconsistent and oft-injured, can finally step up. WR Deion Burks has a lot of potential, and if he can stay healthy it would be amazing for OU.
Again, maybe I’m a little high on the Hoosiers after last season, but Curt Cignetti and Indiana deserves the benefit of the doubt. They lost some talent on both sides of the ball, but replenish by getting arguably the best QB in the country in Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza will have ample talent to throw the ball to, including returning WR Elijah Sarratt. They also portaled well along the offensive line, aiming to get experience at high levels of the sport. Defensively, EDGE Mikhail Kamara and CB DeAngelo Ponds return to anchor a defense that still can be very good. Count Indiana out at your own risk, because they could once again be very good.
15. South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina is another team that has some question marks, but at their best can beat anyone in the country. To start off, they have a legitimate QB who can win through the air and on the ground. LaNorris Sellers returns as one of the most dynamic QBs in the country who can take over any game. The Gamecocks also have a good defense, that loses a lot of talent but retains guys like EDGE Dylan Stewart, one of the best freshmen in the country last season. Where my questions lie for South Carolina are on the offensive side of the ball. A receiving target has to step up and be more consistent for Sellers this season, along with the offensive line. I have a lot of questions about their supporting cast, but at their best South Carolina can contend in the SEC.
Here’s the rest of the top-25:
18. Kansas State Wildcats
