2025-12-27 09:00
As we turn the page from the hardwood to the gridiron, the anticipation for the upcoming NCAA football season is palpable. Having spent years analyzing collegiate athletics, both on the editorial side and as a fervent fan, I’ve always found the preseason ranking ritual to be a unique blend of cold analytics and warm, unshakeable gut feelings. It’s a forecast built on returning talent, coaching stability, and that elusive, intangible momentum. While my reference point today might seem unusual—drawing from the conclusion of the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball tournament in the Philippines, where PERPETUAL and Letran secured their semifinal spots with conviction—it underscores a universal truth in sports: momentum and proven performance under pressure are currencies that spend well in any arena. The way those teams dispatched their foes with authority is exactly the kind of statement win that builds a reputation, a factor we must weigh heavily when projecting the top 25 football teams for the fall.
Let’s dive right into the heart of the matter. My top spot, and I know this might draw some debate from the SEC purists, goes to the Georgia Bulldogs. The machine Kirby Smart has built seems almost perpetual itself, to borrow a term. They return a staggering 85% of their defensive production from a unit that was already dominant, and in quarterback Carson Beck, they have a seasoned operator who simply doesn’t make game-losing mistakes. My number two is Ohio State. The sheer accumulation of talent, especially with the addition of quarterback Will Howard from Kansas State and the return of tailback TreVeyon Henderson, feels like a “convincing victory” in the offseason recruiting wars. They have something to prove after falling short against Michigan, and that’s a dangerous motivator. Rounding out my top five, I’ve got Oregon, with their explosive offense now under Dillon Gabriel’s steady hand, Texas ready to prove last year was no fluke in the brutal SEC, and Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin’s Rebels, through the transfer portal, have assembled what looks like a fantasy football roster; if the chemistry clicks, they could be the most entertaining team in the country.
Now, here’s where personal bias and observation really come into play. I’m higher on Notre Dame (slotted at 6) than most. The combination of a rugged defense and the arrival of quarterback Riley Leonard, if he stays healthy, gives them a ceiling many aren’t acknowledging. Conversely, I’m a bit skeptical of Alabama at 7, which feels blasphemous to say. Nick Saban is the greatest, but replacing a legend at quarterback, a coordinator, and several key defensive stars is a taller task than usual, even for them. It’s reminiscent of a top basketball program reloading; sometimes the new pieces need a minute to gel, and the SEC won’t afford them many minutes. Teams like Utah at 11 and Oklahoma State at 16 are my classic “under-the-radar” picks. They’re well-coached, tough, and play with a chip on their shoulder—the kind of teams that can derail a championship hopeful’s season on any given Saturday.
Looking at the middle of the pack, from about 12 through 25, this is where the season’s true chaos agents reside. A team like Clemson at 14 has the defensive line to dominate anyone, but until their offense, which averaged a middling 29 points per game last season, proves it can consistently score against elite defenses, they’re stuck in this tier. I love what Mike Norvell is building at Florida State (8), but losing so much defensive talent to the NFL hurts. Meanwhile, a team like USC at 22 is the ultimate wildcard. Their offense, with Miller Moss at the helm, will put up points, but unless their defense improves from its woeful 34.4 points allowed per game average last year, they’ll be in too many shootouts to trust weekly. It’s the classic clash of styles, and defense, as the old adage goes, still wins championships.
In my final analysis, compiling this list is less about precise mathematical calculation and more about assessing narrative, trajectory, and the capacity to seize momentum. The basketball finalists, PERPETUAL and Letran, didn’t just win; they clinched their spots with convincing victories, sending a message. That’s what the early season in college football is about: which teams can translate offseason hype into on-field statements. My rankings reflect teams I believe have the roster, the coaching, and the mindset to do just that. Georgia and Ohio State look like the titans on a collision course. However, the beauty of this sport lies in its unpredictability. An injury, a breakout star, or a single upset can unravel the best-laid plans. So while I present this top 25 with conviction, forged from watching countless hours of tape and tracking recruiting classes, I do so with the humble acknowledgment that come September, the players on the field will write the only ranking that truly matters. It’s that tension between projection and reality that makes this time of year so utterly compelling for fans like us.
