As we gear up for another thrilling season of college football, the annual ritual of preseason rankings is in full swing. It’s a time of boundless optimism, heated debates, and, let’s be honest, more than a few educated guesses. Having followed this sport for decades, both as a fan and an analyst, I’ve come to view these early lists not as gospel, but as a fascinating starting point for the narrative that will unfold on the field. Today, I want to walk you through my take on the top 25 NCAA football teams for the upcoming season, a list forged from returning talent, coaching changes, schedule analysis, and yes, a bit of that gut feeling that comes from watching thousands of games. The process reminds me of the building anticipation in other collegiate sports, much like the recent NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball tournament in the Philippines, where Perpetual and Letran, last year’s finalists, secured their semifinal spots with decisive wins. That kind of consistent, high-level performance under pressure is exactly what we look for when separating the contenders from the pretenders in football.
Let’s start at the very top, where the usual suspects are lurking. My number one spot, perhaps unsurprisingly, goes to the Georgia Bulldogs. With a staggering 85% of their defensive production returning, including what I believe are three future first-round NFL picks in their front seven, this team is built to suffocate opponents. Offensively, the quarterback situation is more settled than people think, and their offensive line averages a mammoth 328 pounds per starter. They’re not just talented; they’re deep and mean. Right behind them, I’ve slotted the Ohio State Buckeyes. Their offseason moves, particularly in the transfer portal, weren’t just additions; they were statements. Landing a top-tier running back and shoring up the secondary tells me Ryan Day is leaving nothing to chance, especially with that final, brutal game against Michigan looming. Speaking of Michigan, the reigning champs come in at number three for me. Yes, they lost a ton, including their brilliant coach and quarterback, but the culture in Ann Arbor is real. I’ve seen their development program firsthand, and while a slight step back is likely, writing them off would be a massive mistake. Their Week 3 clash with Texas will tell us everything.
The middle of this list, roughly teams 10 through 20, is always the most chaotic and fun to dissect. This is where you find your potential Cinderella stories and your perennial powers in a “prove-it” year. I’m particularly high on Penn State at number eight. Their new offensive coordinator brings a scheme that should, finally, unlock their five-star talent at quarterback. If it clicks, they could challenge for the Big Ten title. On the other hand, I’m a bit more skeptical of the hype around USC at number twelve. Their defense improved last year, sure, but from historically bad to merely below average. In the rugged Big Ten, that’s a recipe for two or three frustrating losses, no matter how magical Caleb Williams’ replacement might be. A team I’m probably higher on than most is Kansas State at fifteen. Their quarterback, Avery Johnson, is a dynamic playmaker, and in the wide-open Big 12, their physical brand of football can take them a long way. I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see them in the conference championship game.
Diving into the final spots, from 21 to 25, these are programs knocking on the door, often defined by a favorable schedule or a single, transformative player. I’ve got Iowa sneaking in at 24, and I can already hear the groans about their offense. Believe me, I get it. Watching them can feel like a chore sometimes. But with what might be the nation’s best defense and a punter who is a genuine weapon, they’ll grind out eight wins in their sleep. My favorite “sleeper” pick here, though, is Memphis at 25. Their non-conference schedule is manageable, and in the AAC, their explosive offense, which put up over 470 yards per game last season, will win them a lot of shootouts. They’re the kind of team that could crash the New Year’s Six party if chaos reigns elsewhere.
In the end, crafting this list is equal parts science and art. The data points us in a direction—returning starters, recruiting rankings, strength of schedule metrics—but it’s the intangible elements that complete the picture. The leadership of a veteran quarterback, the cohesion of an offensive line that’s played together for years, the momentum from a strong bowl win. Like Perpetual and Letran asserting their dominance early in their tournament, the teams that start strong and handle pressure will rise to the top. My rankings are a snapshot, a prediction based on everything we know in this moment. Come September, the real evaluation begins on the grass, in the trenches, and under the Saturday night lights. I fully expect to look back at this list in December and see a handful of glaring misses; that’s the beauty of the sport. But for now, this is my best assessment of the landscape. So, let the debates begin, and let’s get ready for what promises to be another unforgettable season of college football.
