With spring practices in full swing, focus is shifting toward the 2025 college football season. Recruiting classes and transfer portal acquisitions are being finalized, and early favorites for the National Championship are starting to emerge.
As depth charts begin to take shape, our top 25 college football power rankings assess which teams are best positioned to be ranked ahead of opening week in August.
2025 College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
25) Utah Utes
The Utah Utes are not being talked about enough as potential Big 12 contenders in 2025. Devon Dampier joins from the New Mexico Lobos to replace Cam Rising and will be protected by two elite bookend tackles in Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano.
The defense is good enough to keep the offense in games, and Kyle Whittingham will have the Utes motivated to put a disappointing 2024 season behind them.
24) Ole Miss Rebels
The Ole Miss Rebels have lost a boatload of starters to the NFL Draft, including Jaxson Dart. Austin Simmons is his replacement, moving away from baseball to solely focus on football, and there is a lot of excitement in Oxford surrounding his potential in Lane Kiffin’s offense.
Meanwhile, the Rebels have been active in the transfer portal, adding DB Sage Ryan, WR Harrison Wallace III, WR Deuce Alexander, and a potential breakout star in TE Luke Hatz.
23) Oklahoma Sooners
The appointment of Ben Arbuckle as the offensive coordinator in Norman is anticipated to revitalise a struggling Oklahoma Sooners offense. QB John Mateer transfers over – following his OC from the Washington State Cougars – and RB Jaydn Ott has also recently transferred to the Sooners in the spring transfer portal.
Brent Venables should be happy with their offseason dealings and will hope to put on a better showing in the SEC in 2025 depite a difficult schedule.
22) Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illinois Fighting Illini are on an upward trajectory under Bret Bielema and head into 2024 returning 16 starters, including star pass rusher Gabe Jacas, who has the potential to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Illinois does have to face the Ohio State Buckeyes at home in October and face difficult road tests against the Indiana Hoosiers and the Washington Huskies, but after dropping just one game at home in 2024, the Fighting Illini are expected to be a difficult foe to face in the Big Ten again in 2025.
21) Indiana Hoosiers
The emergence of Indiana under Curt Cignetti was one of the stories of last season, but the challenge for IU will be backing it up. Fernando Mendoza transfers in at QB fresh off a 3,000 passing yards season with the Cal Golden Bears and will have WR Elijah Surratt to target on the outside after he has provided eight touchdowns in back-to-back seasons.
Furthermore, Cignetti returns three leaders on the defense with Mikail Kamara, Aiden Fisher, and D’Angelo Ponds all having NFL scouts excited about their continued development.
20) BYU Cougars
The BYU Cougars head into 2025 looking to build on an 11-win season and return QB Jake Retzlaff and Chase Roberts, who will provide continuity on offense. The defense should also continue its dominance with LB Isaiah Glasker leading the pack.
There are tough road trips to the Iowa State Cyclones and Texas Tech Red Raiders, but the Cougars are primed to make more noise in the revamped Big 12.
19) Tennessee Volunteers
The departure of Nico Iamaleava and questions at the quarterback position have derailed the narrative surrounding the Tennessee Volunteers’ season outlook.
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However, the roster is stacked with talent who will be looking to prove why they remain one of the top SEC teams. LB Arion Carter and CB Jermond McCoy are both among the best at their respective position. Meanwhile, Josh Heupel will be looking for more from his returning receivers in Chris Brazzell III and Mike Matthews.
18) Michigan Wolverines
Five-star recruit Bryce Underwood appears to be the real deal, and starting quarterback in Ann Arbor, as Sherrone Moore attempts to improve on an 8-5 season in his first year at the helm.
The Michigan Wolverines have poached one of the top running backs in the nation from the transfer portal in Justice Haynes, who will be expected to make a big jump alongside Jordan Marshall in Michigan’s productive ground game.
17) Texas A&M Aggies
The Texas A&M Aggies have experienced significant turnover in personnel at wide receiver, with Micah Hudson and KC Concepcion being key additions through the transfer portal, but they now appear more established heading into Mike Elko’s second season and the first with Marcel Reed as the designated starter.
The Aggies will be relieved they don’t have the Alabama Crimson Tide, Ole Miss, or the Georgia Bulldogs on their schedule. However, they still face five of our current top 25 teams in a difficult SEC schedule.
16) Florida Gators
DJ Lagway is a bona fide star, and he will be operating behind an offensive line that allowed just 20 sacks in 2024 and has four returning starters.
The Florida Gators quarterback will also have the returning Eugene Wilson III and UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant to throw to, both of whom can challenge to be a top 10 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Billy Napier is fighting for his job, and there will be no excuses with the offensive firepower at his disposal.
15) Iowa State Cyclones
QB Rocco Becht led the Iowa State Cyclones with poise and precision in 2025, throwing for 3,500+ yards and 25 touchdowns. However, his top two targets declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, and replacing that production will be difficult for Matt Campbell, who continues to be linked with NFL jobs.
He led the Cyclones to their first 11-win season in program history in 2024 on the way to the Big 12 Championship Game, and the roster is talented enough for those antics to be replicated in Ames.
14) Kansas State Wildcats
Avery Johnson showed promise during his first year as a starter in 2024, passing for over 2,700 yards and throwing 25 touchdowns, and he possesses the intangible skillset to be one of the top passers in the country. However, he still has a long way to go to meet the expectations placed on him.
Meanwhile, the Kansas State Wildcats face a challenging schedule as they begin their season in Dublin, Ireland, against the Cyclones. Additionally, they will have to contend with five of the seven teams that finished with a better record than them in 2024.
13) SMU Mustangs
The SMU Mustangs were one of the stories of the 2024 season, narrowly losing the ACC championship game in their inaugural conference season, as well as suffering a first-round exit in the College Football Playoff at the hands of the Penn State Nittany Lions.
QB Kevin Jennings emerged as one of the most dynamic players in the sport, and he will be central to Rhett Lashley’s side repeating their success again in 2025 as he has a full offseason as the established QB1.
Getting a threat in a healthy RJ Maryland back will also be key as the Mustangs look to navigate a tricky slate of conference games against the Clemson Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, Louisville Cardinal, and Baylor Bears.
12) Miami Hurricanes
Mario Cristobal has turned to the transfer portal again to find his quarterback, with former Georgia Bulldogs passer Carson Beck heading to the U following a UCL injury. The Hurricanes return star right tackle Francis Mauigoa, but the Miami offense will look very different in 2025 with a turnover at the receiver position.
Furthermore, new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, who heads to South Florida from the Minnesota Golden Gophers, will have his work cut out for him as he looks to reinforce a leaky secondary and get explosive pass rusher Rueben Bain up to full speed.
11) Arizona State Sun Devils
The Arizona State Sun Devils have the talent to repeat their Big 12 Championship in 2025 as QB Sam Leavitt looks to elevate his game again in 2025 after an outstanding sophomore campaign, throwing for 2,885 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for an additional 443 yards and five scores.
Jordyn Tyson also returns after receiving 1,100+ yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, while RB Kanye Udoh transfers to Tempe to play under Kenny Dillingham.
10) South Carolina Gamecocks
The South Carolina Gamecocks have playmakers on both sides of the ball and look set to repeat their success from 2024, despite losing several high-profile names to the 2025 NFL Draft. Most notably, the return of QB LaNorris Sellers provides a dependable floor for the offense, as the 6’3”, 240-pound creative force looks to solidify himself as one of the top passers in the nation.
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On the other hand, Dylan Strewart was a game wrecker in his freshman season, registering 11 TFLs and 6.5 sacks as the Gamecocks’ pass rusher looks to further establish himself as one of the most dynamic defenders in the country.
9) LSU Tigers
Brian Kelly enters his fourth season in charge in 2025 and is supported by one of the top quarterbacks in the nation under center. Garrett Nussmeier ascended to be one of the top passers in the SEC in 2024, and his return in 2025 means he will be surrounded by an exciting group of receivers in Nic Anderson, Barion Browns, and Aaron Anderson.
The LSU Tigers have also added impact starters on defense through the transfer portal as they look to build on their 9-4 season a year ago, with Patrick Payton aiming to rekindle his early career form, while Mansoor Delane seeks to form a no-fly zone opposite Ashton Stamps.
8) Alabama Crimson Tide
Yet again, Alabama is stacked with talent on both sides of the ball. Ty Simpson has the full-time job under center and has one of the top duos in the country to throw to in Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams.
Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide has an explosive rotation on the defensive line as LT Overton, Tim Keenan III, James Smith, and Florida transfer Kelby Collins are all primed to make the next step. Tie in one of the top recruiting classes in the country, and Kalen DeBoer is set for a jump in year two.
7) Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are perennial contenders under Kirby Smart and are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season by their standards, even though they won the SEC Championship Game.
With Beck heading to Miami, Gunnar Stockton looks to have solidified himself as the QB1 in Athens, although the QB depth chart isn’t the most inspiring. He will have USC Trojans transfer Zachariah Branch to throw to and Nate Frazier in the backfield.
The SEC Champions also return CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson, who will form an outstanding linebacker room, while CB Daylen Everett and pass rusher Gabe Harris look to take the next steps in their career under DC Glenn Schumann.
6) Penn State Nittany Lions
The Penn State Nittany Lions lost their best offensive and defensive weapons to the 2025 NFL draft in Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren, but the return of QB Drew Allar and running back duo Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen should be enough for Penn State to challenge in the Big Ten again in 2025.
The Nittany Lions also return Dani Dennis-Sutton and Dominic DeLuca, who both equally impressed. If James Franklin’s squad is to make it further than the CFP semifinal, then they will need DC Jim Knowles to work his magic.
5) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have young emerging talent embedded in their roster and are looking to go one step further and lift the National Championship Trophy in 2025 after a 14-2 season.
However, concerns over the quarterback room are warranted. CJ Carr appears to be the leader in the clubhouse with Steve Angeli entering the transfer portal, and the Irish should feel comfortable that he can hit the ground running. Speaking of running, Jeremiyah Love returns to South Bend and has a rock-solid offensive line to pave the way for his churning running style.
Notre Dame finished fourth in the nation in points per game allowed in 2024, which saw DC Al Golden leave for an NFL position, and new coordinator Chris Ash will look to continue the development of LB Drayk Brown and CB Leonard Moore in 2025.
4) Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks have an impressive roster for 2025, bolstered by a wealth of returning talent and transfers from the portal. Under head coach Dan Lanning, the team has actively pursued key players, resulting in a transfer class ranked fourth by 247 Sports. Notably, running back Makhi Hughes joins the team from Tulane, where he recorded over 1,400 rushing yards and scored 15 touchdowns during the previous season.
On the defensive side, elite safety Dillon Theineman and standout defensive lineman Bear Alexander have transferred to Eugene, looking to strengthen an already formidable unit. This defensive squad features one of the top pass rushers in the nation, Matayo Uigalelei, who had a breakout year in 2024, alongside the highly productive Tetum Tuioti.
There is significant pressure on quarterback Moore to follow in the footsteps of Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel. However, if the former UCLA Bruins transfer can settle in at Autzen Stadium under offensive coordinator Will Stein, Oregon is poised to be a strong contender once again in 2025.
3) Clemson Tigers
You could make the claim that the Clemson Tigers have one of the most talented rosters in the nation. They are loaded with potential on both sides of the ball, and on paper, the current ACC Champions should be title contenders.
On offense, Cade Klubnik came alive down the stretch in 2024, throwing for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns. WR Antonio Williams will be a key target in 2025 and looks to be one of the top returning receivers in the country. However, the running back room needs to have a talent emerge to replace Phil Mafah to take the offense to the next level.
Meanwhile, on defense, the unit looks much healthier entering the new season, and DE T.J. Parkjer, DT Peter Woods, and CB Avieon Terrell are all the top returning players at their respective positions and look to lead a lockdown unit in 2025.
2) Ohio State Buckeyes
Can the current titleholders repeat their success? They certainly have the talent and resources to do so. The Buckeyes are +500 favorites to win the National Championship again in 2025 on DraftKings, despite some roster turnover.
Julian Sayin appears to be the starting quarterback, but he isn’t the established talent that Will Howard was last year. However, with wide receivers Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith by his side, he has plenty of weapons at his disposal.
In 2024, the Ohio State defense led college football, allowing an average of just 4.19 yards per play. Elite safety Caleb Downs, along with an experienced secondary that includes Davison Igbinosun, will aim to shut down opposing offenses once again.
The Buckeyes will open the season in Columbus against the Texas Longhorns on August 30. Fortunately, the schedule looks more favorable after that, with Penn State and Michigan being the most challenging games on their roster. Therefore, Ryan Day has every reason to be confident that his team can win it all for a second consecutive year.
1) Texas Longhorns
The Arch Manning experience is underway in Austin. The Longhorns’ public has been crying out to see their sophomore quarterback take over the offense, and he projects to have a huge influence in 2025. The offense maintains a quality running back room in Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter, while Ryan Wingo returns to be the go-to receiving weapon.
On defense, LB Anthony Hill Jr. returns as one of the most exciting defenders in the country, and Malik Muhammad has the talent to be a lockdown option in the secondary.
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Steve Sarkisian’s side opened as the second-favorite for the National Championship at +550, short odds behind the Buckeyes. The Longhorns have a brutal schedule with games against Ohio State, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, and Texas A&M, but after a 13-3 season in 2024, which included a CFP Semifinal loss to the Buckeyes, Texas will be looking to inch further towards their first National Championship since 2005.
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