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2025 College Football Rankings Top 10: Early Offseason Preview

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Mar 11, 2025 4:17 AM ET

There isn't anyone obvious this time around.

It wasn't all that hard last season. Ohio State had the best team in February, that didn't change even after losses to Oregon and Michigan, and it went on to win the national championship.

The Buckeyes were loaded with veterans, added a few special pieces from the portal, and they had the feel of a team about to do something special. Again, that was easy.

Who was our No. 2 team? Georgia. On talent, it was expected to be a killer. No. 3? Texas. No. 4? Oregon. See, super easy ...

We had Florida State at 10. Oops.

It's easy to look ridiculous doing this, so I'll just flat-out admit it. We don't have it.

Again, Ohio State seemed easy last year. This spring? Nope. There's no one there that screams NUMBER ONE TEAM.

The Buckeyes and Georgia both lose a ton, Alabama has question marks, and other darlings like Texas and Penn State have flaws.

We'll get there with a far more definitive top ten after we do all the offseason team-by-team previews. But for now. the ten best teams in college football appear to be ...

College Football Rankings Top 10: 2025 Offseason

10 Miami

2024 Record 10-3
2024 Spring Rank 24
2024 CFN Preseason Rank 13
2024 CFN Final Rank 23

Enough playing close, tight battles. This is a better team with a better quarterback - you heard me - and more talent. Go win more football games.

9 LSU

2024 Record 9-4
2024 Spring Rank 9
2024 CFN Preseason Rank 14
2024 CFN Final Rank 22

Just imagine if LSU could be simply very good on defense. The talent level on this team is national title good. No pressure.

8 Texas

2024 Record 13-3
2024 Spring Rank 3
2024 CFN Preseason Rank 3
2024 CFN Final Rank 6

We’re all supposed to get swept away by Arch Mania, but the Longhorns lose a LOT of stars. It’s Texas. It’ll be fantastic, and then find a creative way to blow it.

7 Penn State

2024 Record 13-3
2024 Spring Rank 8
2024 CFN Preseason Rank 7
2024 CFN Final Rank 4

Michigan, then Ohio State and now … is it Penn State’s turn? The talent isn’t at 2023 Wolverines level, and nowhere close to 2024 OSU, but it’s really strong.

6 Michigan

2024 Record 8-5
2024 Spring Rank 7
2024 CFN Preseason Rank 5
2024 CFN Final Rank 14

Michigan might not have that IT factor anymore - make your own snarky jokes - but it’s a rock-solid team that’s one good QB away - no pressure, Bryce Underwood.

5 Clemson

2024 Record 10-4
2024 Spring Rank 15
2024 CFN Preseason Rank 12
2024 CFN Final Rank 24

Yeah, really. Clemson brought in a few transfers to go along with the most experienced returning team in college football. Get back to the CFP and do some damage, Tigers.

4 Notre Dame

2024 Record 14-2
2024 Spring Rank 11
2024 CFN Preseason Rank 11
2024 CFN Final Rank 3

It was all real, the Irish had the bad luck of playing THAT Ohio State team - instead of Texas - and now, after coming close to winning the national title, nothing stops. If the Irish can get just a little injury luck, they’re right back in the thick of the CFP fun.

3 Alabama

2024 Record 9-4
2024 Spring Rank 5
2024 CFN Preseason Rank 4
2024 CFN Final Rank 16

Relax, everyone, it’s going to be okay. Kalen DeBoer is a fantastic head coach, the offense is about to go ballistic - assuming a quarterback can rise up and rock this offseason - and all of a sudden, things will go back to normal.

2 Ohio State

2024 Record 14-2
2024 Spring Rank 1
2024 CFN Preseason Rank 1
2024 CFN Final Rank 1

The talent level is jaw-dropping, but the experience on defense - especially the line - is what made last year’s team so special. There is no rebuilding in Columbus.

1 Georgia

2024 Record 11-3
2024 Spring Rank 2
2024 CFN Preseason Rank 2
2024 CFN Final Rank 5

Let’s put it this way. Georgia was sleepy all through 2024 and it still won the SEC. Get ready for more explosion, more pop, and - compared to last year - a team that plays like it had four bowls of Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs.

CFN College Football Rankings: First Look
101-136 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25