When Josh Pate dropped his post-spring Top 20 college football rankings, fans lit up. People are used to seeing the usual heavyweights holding down the top spots, so when Clemson showed up at No. 1, jaws hit the floor. Meanwhile, Ohio State and Georgia landed in 8th and 11th position, which nobody saw coming. The shake-up set social media on fire.
Pate, who’s a trusted name in the college football world, shared his list in a post on X. But instead of going by tradition or overall talent, he ranked teams based on how they looked after spring ball. That meant teams like Texas at No. 2, Alabama at No. 4, and Oklahoma at 10th place cut, not exactly the order fans expected.
College Football Fans React To Josh Pate’s Post-Spring Top 20 Rankings With Strong Opinions On Social Media
The reactions on X were swift and passionate, reflecting the deep loyalty of college football fans. One user replied to Pate’s post with a dramatic, “I almost wrecked my car seeing Clemson #1,” highlighting the sheer shock of seeing the Tigers atop the list. Pate’s decision to prioritize current form over reputation caught many off guard.
I almost wrecked my car seeing Clemson #1
— BkRunge (@bk_runge) May 12, 2025
Another fan didn’t hold back, directly questioning Pate’s top ranking, stating, “Clemson over Texas? Not sure I’m on board with that.” This sentiment echoed a broader skepticism among fans who felt Pate’s decision to place Clemson above a strong Texas team, ranked #2, was a stretch given the Longhorns’ recent performances.
Ohio State and Georgia fans were especially vocal, and you can’t blame them. Ohio State just won the national title in January, beating Notre Dame, yet they only came in at No. 8. Georgia, which has been a dominant force in the SEC for years, landed at No. 11. Fans felt like their teams deserved better based on their track records and talent.
At the heart of it, this all shows just how passionate college football fans are. Rankings aren’t just numbers, they’re tied to pride, history, and expectations. Pate went against the usual script, basing his list on how teams looked this spring, and that ruffled some feathers.
Why Pate’s Stunning Rankings Left Fans Divided and Hungry for More
So why did Pate put Clemson at No. 1? They’ve been active in the portal and added playmakers like wideout Tristan Smith. If things click, they could be dangerous. Still, a lot of folks thought that wasn’t enough to leapfrog a loaded Texas team, especially not this early.
Some fans were also confused by who didn’t make the list. USC, for example, wasn’t there, even though they finished 7-6 last year and had solid flashes, especially against a strong Penn State squad. Meanwhile, teams like Texas Tech snuck in. That didn’t sit right with everybody.
Pate did explain that these rankings weren’t traditional power rankings. They were more like a spring progress report: who’s looking sharp right now? But for fans of teams like Georgia or Ohio State, that didn’t matter. They’re used to seeing their teams near the top, and anything less feels like disrespect.
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Pate did exactly what he set out to do: stir the pot and get everyone talking. Whether you’re fired up, confused, or curious to see how it plays out, one thing’s clear: this season’s gonna be a wild one, and all eyes will be on Clemson to see if they can back up that No. 1 ranking.
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