The way too early college football rankings for next season, the 2025 season are provided here. These rankings are way too early because there will be some upsets next season. However, there are some things we know already. First, we know the likely roster for all teams, based on recruiting, the transfer portal, and who has exhausted their eligibility. We also know each team’s schedule for next season. So, in a sense, these rankings are way too early, and in a sense, they are not. Thinking about the next college football season is fun, do you think?
Way Too Early 1-5
Number 1 is Ohio State. They begin a home-and-home series with Texas and play at rival Michigan. They also will have a new quarterback. Get used to Julian Sayin, a five-star transfer quarterback from Alabama. The Buckeyes are graduating many stars, but have enough returning, plus they have added through the transfer portal.
Number 2 is Penn State. James Franklin should overcome his struggles in 2025. Quarterback Drew Allar will return. Penn State will lose tight end Tyler Warren to the NFL, but Running Backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen opted to return next fall. Help for the receiving corps is on the way with transfers Devonte Ross (Troy) and Kyron Hudson (USC).
Penn State has pieces coming back on what should be a strong defense. Linebacker Tony Rojas, Safety Zakee Wheatley, Defensive End Dani Dennis-Sutton, and Cornerback A.J. Harris are all back. Penn State has to play at Ohio State on Nov. 1. Oregon, Indiana, and Nebraska all play at Penn State next year. So, the schedule is favorable.
Georgia is third in our way too early rankings. Coach Kirby Smart can bring another title to Athens next season. You should not count this perennial contender out. Quarterback Gunner Stockton is now experienced. Several key performers depart, but there are plenty of former high-ranking recruits to take their place. The schedule in the SEC is always difficult.
Texas is number four. Arch Manning is the new quarterback, but he may be an upgrade over Quinn Ewers. The Longhorns remain talented at running back and receiver, so Manning will have weapons. The Offensive line is rebuilt, so that is a concern. Texas has defensive returnees at all three levels.
Notre Dame is number five in our way too early 2025 season rankings. Maybe the berth in the title game will inspire them. The Fighting Irish have a new quarterback (likely redshirt freshman CJ Carr) and talent returning at running back and wide receiver. The offensive line should be among the best in college football. Defensive Coordinator Al Golden needs to deal with the departures of several starters. Notre Dame’s 2025 schedule is difficult, as usual, with a road date at Miami to start the season, followed by a home matchup versus Texas A&M on Sept. 13.
Teams 6-10
Oregon is number six. It seems funny to put the best team in college football in 2024 down this low, but the Ducks lost a bunch. However, thanks to Head Coach Dan Lanning’s recruiting and work in the portal, Oregon will be back in the mix again next year. UCLA transfer Dante Moore is poised to replace Dillon Gabriel. As far as the schedule goes a September 27 road trip to Penn State will be difficult, but Oregon should be favored in its 11 other contests.
Miami is ranked number seven in our way too early college football rankings for 2025. Quarterback Cam Ward is off to the NFL. Several transfer additions may fill holes left by graduation on offense and defense.
Clemson is number eight in our way too early college football rankings for 2025. Quarterback Cade Klubnik will return. Running Back Phil Mafah graduated but Wide Receivers Bryant Wesco, T.J. Moore, and Antonio Williams are returning. Clemson has defensive question marks to address this offseason. The Tigers have several returnees off a poor defense in 2024. The schedule includes favorable home dates with LSU, SMU, Florida State, and Syracuse with difficult road games at Georgia Tech and Louisville.
Perennial powers LSU and Alabama are numbers nine and ten in our way too early 2025 college football rankings. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will be back and transfers at receiver and the offensive line should help. Transfers and returnees look to improve a bad defense. LSU plays a difficult schedule in 2025 traveling to Oklahoma and Alabama.
Alabama rounds out the top ten in our way too early 2025 rankings. It will be interesting to see if Alabama, clearly hurting from Nick Saban’s departure returns to the College Football Playoff. Quarterback Jalen Milroe leads a host of departures for the NFL, and that complicates things. Incoming freshman Keelon Russell should replace Milroe. Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard are back at wide receiver.
There are plenty of returnees and skilled replacements on the offensive line. The defense should be the strength of this team as several returnees buoy a strong unit. Alabama plays most of its difficult games at home in 2025 but must travel to both Georgia and Auburn.
Conclusion
It is fun to think about next season’s college football ranking on the eve of this season’s national championship game. Upsets can happen, but it is reasonable to expect the usual suspects atop the rankings next season. Expect the College Football Playoff to look different next season.
