College Football: PFF’s preseason top 25

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• Clemson starts at the top: The Tigers have arguably the most loaded roster in college football. Head coach Dabo Swinney is in a great position to win his third national title with the program.

• Texas is a close No. 2: The Longhorns enter the Arch Manning era as favorites in the SEC.

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Estimated Reading Time: 18 minutes

With college football kicking off in less than a week, here are PFF’s top 25 teams entering the 2025 campaign.

1. Clemson (2024 Record: 10-4, Lost CFP First Round)

The 2023 season was the first time since 2010 that Clemson didn’t win 10 games. That resulted in the Tigers’ lowest preseason ranking in a decade entering 2024 (No. 14). They got back on track last year, though, by winning their eighth ACC title in the past 10 years and thereby clinching their seventh playoff spot.

Since Clemson brings back almost everyone from last year’s squad, the program is the clear favorite to win the ACC and a top national championship contender. Clemson has PFF’s best offense and the third-best defense in college football heading into 2025.

2. Texas (2024 Record: 13-3, Lost CFP Semifinals)

Texas has turned into a perennial national championship contender under head coach Steve Sarkisian, now losing back-to-back College Football Playoff Semifinals. It’s the first time since 2008-09 that the Longhorns have finished in the top 15 of the AP poll in consecutive years, and they placed in the top four both times.

With quarterback Quinn Ewers off to the NFL, it’ll finally be time for Arch Manning to take the reins of the offense. The next-in-line to his family’s quarterback dynasty impressed in a couple of starts last season, earning an 88.0 PFF overall grade that placed him 12th among FBS signal-callers with at least 100 dropbacks. He’ll essentially have a brand-new offensive line in front of him but still has a top-10 running back unit and a top-10 receiving corps to rely on.

As exciting as Manning is, Texas’ strength will once again be its defense. The Longhorns have superstars at all three levels, with four defenders who made the top 10 of PFF’s position rankings.

3. Penn State (2024 Record: 13-3, Lost CFP Semifinals)

Year 11 was James Franklin’s best work as Penn State’s head coach. The Nittany Lions went 13-3 and made it to the College Football Playoff semifinals before falling to Notre Dame. It was the program’s first top-five finish under Franklin and its first in 19 years overall.

The Nittany Lions did lose a pair of top-15 draft picks in edge defender Abdul Carter and tight end Tyler Warren, but the nucleus of the team is still intact. It’s hard to find any glaring holes on this roster, and there’s enough star power for the team to compete at the top of the sport.

4. Alabama (2024 Record: 9-4, Lost ReliaQuest Bowl)

It was a forgettable debut for Kalen DeBoer in Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s first season without Nick Saban ended with four losses, its most in a campaign since Saban’s first year at the helm in 2007. Even after a disappointing season, expectations are still sky high for the Crimson Tide in 2025. That’s because they should have one of the best defenses in college football, with superstars at every position.

The offense features one of the sport’s brightest stars in wide receiver Ryan Williams, the nation’s best offensive line and a good stable of running backs. The biggest question is who will take over for the departed Jalen Milroe at quarterback, though Alabama has a few enticing options under center.

5. Ohio State (2024 Record: 14-2, Won CFP National Championship)

After a fourth consecutive loss to archrival Michigan, Ohio State and Ryan Day were reeling entering the College Football Playoff. If the Buckeyes didn’t perform up to their talent level, he might’ve been sent packing. The team responded by rattling off victories over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame in convincing fashion on its way to the program’s first national championship in a decade.

While 14 Buckeyes were picked in the 2025 NFL Draft (tied for the second most ever), they still have the two best players in the sport: wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs. Thanks in large part to Smith, their receiving corps remains the best in college football, which should help new quarterback Julian Sayin. He may have to overcome another average offensive line, though.

It’s also worth noting that Ohio State has two new coordinators in Brian Hartline (offense) and Matt Patricia (defense) after Chip Kelly and Jim Knowles departed the program.

6. Notre Dame (2024 Record: 14-2, Lost CFP National Championship)

Notre Dame’s back was against the wall following a Week 2 home loss to Northern Illinois. To make the College Football Playoff, the Fighting Irish likely needed to rattle off 10 straight victories. They not only did just that, but they also beat Indiana, Georgia and Penn State to make the national championship Game, which they lost to Ohio State. It was Notre Dame’s first national title game appearance since 2012.

Even with a brand-new starter at quarterback, the Fighting Irish have similar strengths to last year’s squad and should make the College Football Playoff.

7. Oregon (2024 Record: 13-1, Lost CFP Quarterfinals)

While the program’s season ended with an ugly quarterfinal loss to eventual national champion Ohio State, the 2024 campaign was still a success for Oregon. The Ducks went a perfect 13-0 before the College Football Playoff and secured a Big Ten championship in their maiden year as a member of the conference. They were also one of two teams to take down the Buckeyes, doing so earlier in the regular season.

Expectations remain high for Dan Lanning heading into Year 4, as his program is at the point where it’s reloading, not rebuilding. The defense appears to be strong at every position, and the offense should be able to rely on an excellent ground game, thanks to transfer running back Makhi Hughes and a top-five offensive line. There are questions about the passing game, but Oregon should be one of the top Big Ten teams again in 2025.

8. Georgia (2024 Record: 11-3, Lost CFP Quarterfinals)

Georgia’s chances of winning a third national championship in four years effectively ended when quarterback Carson Beck suffered a season-ending elbow injury in the SEC Championship game against Texas. While the Bulldogs went on to win that game, backup quarterback Gunner Stockton earned just a 56.5 PFF overall grade in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Notre Dame.

Georgia is hoping the redshirt junior will be more comfortable now with a full offseason as the starter since Beck transferred to Miami (FL). While the Bulldogs improved their underperforming receiving corps through the transfer portal, there are still questions along the offensive line with all three interior starters gone. The defense also endured some departures, including Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker and Malaki Starks, but Kirby Smart tends to produce stellar results on that side of the ball no matter what.

9. LSU (2024 Record: 9-4, Won Texas Bowl)

Brian Kelly’s third season in Baton Rouge was his most disappointing, as LSU finished with fewer than 10 wins and outside of the top 25 for the first time in his tenure. The Tigers’ defense plagued the team once again, ranking 82nd in the FBS in EPA per play. LSU will look for several transfers to help fix that problem, but even if they can’t, the offense should be able to keep the team in shootouts.

The Tigers have a potential top-10 pick at quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier, along with many playmakers. The biggest question mark on that side of the ball is if LSU’s rebuilt offensive line will be up to the task.

10. Florida (2024 Record: 8-5, Won Gasparilla Bowl)

Florida was a pleasant surprise in the SEC last year. Despite entering the season on the hot seat and facing one of the most brutal schedules in the country, Billy Napier enjoyed his best year with the Gators by going 8-5 and earning the school’s first bowl game victory since 2019.

Expectations remain the same heading into 2025, thanks to a potential superstar at quarterback in sophomore DJ Lagway and an outstanding supporting cast around him. If Lagway can polish his footwork, the Gators should be able to score on anybody. The secondary will need to be better this season, though.

11. Miami (FL) (2024 Record: 10-3, Lost Pop-Tarts Bowl)

While Miami enjoyed its best season in seven years, 2024 will still feel like the one that got away from the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes boasted the nation’s best offense by EPA per play and a future No. 1 overall pick at quarterback in Cam Ward, but they still lost three games and missed out on both the ACC Championship game and the College Football Playoff. The team’s secondary woes fueled that disappointing result, as the Hurricanes placed just 67th in team PFF coverage grade last season.

Ward is now with the Tennessee Titans, but Miami found as good a replacement as it could’ve hoped for in Georgia transfer Carson Beck. PFF’s No. 3 quarterback in the country owns a 90.9 PFF overall grade since 2023, the second-best mark of any returning FBS quarterback. If the Hurricanes can find some viable weapons to throw to and improvements in the secondary, they can be a top contender in the ACC.

12. Indiana (2024 Record: 11-2, Lost CFP First Round)

Indiana was college football’s Cinderella story in 2024. In Curt Cignetti’s first season as head coach, the Hoosiers won 11 games and made the College Football Playoff. That was two wins more than Indiana’s previous program record. The Hoosiers went just 9-27 in the three years before Cignetti took over.

Indiana is well-positioned for another run at the College Football Playoff, thanks to the return of multiple key players from last year’s squad. Star quarterback Kurtis Rourke is now in the NFL, but California transfer Fernando Mendoza is already generating serious buzz for the 2026 NFL Draft.

13. Texas A&M (2024 Record: 8-5, Lost Las Vegas Bowl)

Mike Elko enjoyed a solid first season as Texas A&M’s head coach, leading the Aggies to an 8-5 record — their best mark in three years. Even more impressive was that redshirt freshman Marcel Reed started for most of the year at quarterback despite entering the season as the backup. He’s a dynamic runner who will need to take a leap as a passer for the Texas A&M offense to take advantage of the incredible supporting talent around him.

The Aggies lost some key defensive linemen to the NFL but still have one of the nation’s best linebackers in Taurean York and a solid defensive line in front of him. Texas A&M will need more from its secondary, which placed just 98th in team PFF coverage grade this past season (67.3).

14. Illinois (2024 Record: 10-3, Won Citrus Bowl)

Illinois was one of the bigger surprises in college football last year, finishing 10-3 and No. 16 in the final AP poll. The team doubled its win total from the previous season and secured its best final ranking in 23 years. Not only that, but Illinois matched the program record for the most victories in a season.

The Fighting Illini could have similar results in 2025, as they return almost all of the production from last year’s team. There are some question marks surrounding the supporting cast for quarterback Luke Altmyer, but West Virginia transfer wide receiver Hudson Clement should help a lot in that area.

15. South Carolina (2024 Record: 9-4, Lost Citrus Bowl)

Following a very disappointing 5-7 campaign in 2023, South Carolina fiercely bounced back with a 9-4 record in 2024. The Gamecocks just missed out on making the College Football Playoff and ultimately ended up No. 19 in the final AP poll, their highest finish since Jadeveon Clowney’s last season in 2013. South Carolina’s defense drove the team, tying for eighth in college football in PFF defensive grade (91.8).

While the Gamecocks lost plenty of talent on that side of the ball, they return one of the nation’s best players in sophomore edge defender Dylan Stewart. His development, along with quarterback LaNorris Sellers and wide receiver Nyck Harbor, will determine whether the Gamecocks can crash the 12-team playoff field in 2025.

16. Arizona State (2024 Record: 11-3, Lost in CFP Quarterfinals)

Following back-to-back 3-9 campaigns, expectations were minimal for Arizona State in 2024. The preseason media poll even tapped the Sun Devils as the worst Big 12 team. Arizona State then went on to win the Big 12 in its maiden year as a member of the conference, taking Texas to double overtime in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Arizona State’s best season of the 21st century can largely be attributed to three offensive superstars: quarterback Sam Leavitt, running back Cam Skattebo and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. While Skattebo is now with the New York Giants, Leavitt and Tyson return and are among the best in the nation at their respective positions. The Sun Devils need to get better up front on defense, but they should still be one of the top contenders to win the Big 12 once again.

17. Texas Tech (2024 Record: 8-5, Lost Liberty Bowl)

While Texas Tech enjoyed a very solid 8-5 campaign in 2024, this ranking has much more to do with the program’s offseason success. Billionaire alumnus Cody Campbell helped Texas Tech sign the best transfer portal class in the nation.

Stars like defensive tackle Lee Hunter, tight end Terrance Carter Jr. and edge defender David Bailey are now Red Raiders, in addition to eight other high-level projected starters. Texas Tech now features easily the best defensive line in the Big 12 — and one of the best in the sport. The only real question mark is if Behren Morton can be consistent enough under center to take the Red Raiders to the College Football Playoff.

18. Louisville (2024 Record: 9-4, Won Sun Bowl)

Jeff Brohm has been very successful in his two years as Louisville’s head coach. After leading the Cardinals to their first ACC Championship game in 2023, he followed it up with a 9-4 record and a thrilling Sun Bowl victory over Washington. The Cardinals’ 19-8 record since 2023 is their best two-year stretch in a decade, back when Teddy Bridgewater was playing quarterback.

Louisville has similar expectations in 2025 with what should be an elite rushing attack, headlined by sophomores Isaac Brown and Duke Watson. A solid passing game with USC transfer quarterback Miller Moss will complement that group. The Cardinals have another strong front-seven on defense but need new faces in the secondary to step up.

19. SMU (2024 Record: 11-3, Lost CFP First Round)

SMU’s first year in the ACC couldn’t have gone much better. The Mustangs went 11-3 and made the College Football Playoff, representing their best season in 40 years. SMU made a controversial switch at quarterback early in the season, and it worked out beautifully, as Kevin Jennings placed 10th among FBS signal-callers with in PFF passing grade (85.0). His return alongside some other key pieces has the Mustangs hopeful for another run at a playoff spot. There are still things to figure out at the skill positions, though.

20. Utah (2024 Record: 5-7)

Utah entered 2024 as one of the favorites in the Big 12 and the No. 12 team in the preseason AP poll, its second-best opening ranking in program history. However, the Utes went on to have their first losing campaign since 2013. That had nothing to do with the defense, which remained a top-15 unit in college football by EPA per play. Utah’s passing attack ultimately dragged down the team, finishing with the worst PFF passing grade in the Power Four (48.4).

Four quarterbacks started games for the Utes, who should have some stability under center in 2025 with the dynamic Devon Dampier transferring in from New Mexico. His development as a passer, along with a questionable group of weapons, will determine whether Utah can once again compete for conference titles.

21. Kansas State (2024 Record: 9-4, Won Rate Bowl)

Kansas State has been a well-oiled machine in six years with head coach Chris Klieman. The Wildcats have won at least eight games in five of those seasons, and the only outlier was the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Kansas State is now coming off back-to-back 9-4 seasons, and it’s fair to expect much of the same in 2025.

The program is built on toughness, both in its run game and its defense. That will remain true in 2025, as the latter features the best linebacker unit in the Big 12 and quarterback Avery Johnson and running back Dylan Edwards will lead the rushing attack. Johnson’s development as a passer will determine the Wildcats’ true ceiling.

22. Tennessee (2024 Record: 10-3, Lost CFP First Round)

It was yet another strong season for Tennessee under Josh Heupel. The Volunteers made the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff before losing to eventual national champion Ohio State. It was Tennessee’s third straight top-20 finish under Heupel, capping the program’s best three-year stretch of the 21st century.

Tennessee’s defense was a major reason for the program’s success in 2024, placing third in the nation in EPA per play. That side of the ball should remain a strength in 2025 with many key players returning. There are far more concerns on offense, with superstar running back Dylan Sampson now with the Cleveland Browns and star quarterback Nico Iamaleava departing via a highly publicized transfer to UCLA.

23. Ole Miss (2024 Record: 10-3, Won Gator Bowl)

It was a relatively disappointing 2024 for Ole Miss, which failed to make the College Football Playoff despite entering the season as the No. 6 team in the country. Still, it’s been a historic few years for the Rebels. They’ve won 21 games across the past two seasons, their most in a two-year stretch in program history.

Ole Miss must replace many superstars from last year’s squad, including a pair of first-rounders in defensive tackle Walter Nolen and quarterback Jaxson Dart. New quarterback Austin Simmons showed encouraging flashes as a redshirt freshman, posting an 82.5 PFF overall grade on 80 snaps, and has an outstanding receiving corps alongside him. The big question is how much of a step back the Rebels’ defense will take after losing so many elite players.

24. Michigan (2024 Record: 8-5, Won ReliaQuest Bowl)

Michigan experienced a national championship hangover in its first year without Jim Harbaugh as head coach. The Wolverines lost five games under Sherrone Moore after dropping three in the previous three seasons combined.

Michigan still had some memorable moments, though, including upsets over archrival Ohio State and Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. While the defense remained elite (fifth in PFF grade as a unit), Michigan was a disaster offensively. Three quarterbacks started for the Wolverines, who finished as the Power Four’s fourth-worst team in EPA per pass.

There are still significant concerns offensively for the program heading into 2025, but Michigan did add the nation’s top recruit in Bryce Underwood, one of the highest-rated quarterback prospects in the modern recruiting era. He’s already featured on the cover of EA College Football 26.

25. Auburn (2024 Record: 5-7)

Following a 5-7 record in 2024, Hugh Freeze is now 11-14 across two seasons as Auburn’s head coach. The Tigers have endured four consecutive losing seasons, the first time that’s happened since 1947-1950. While that may seem bleak, the program has high expectations heading into 2025.

The Tigers did an outstanding job in the transfer portal and have signed a top-10 recruiting class in each of the past two years. Not only should Auburn have a winning season for the first time since 2020, but the team is also a dark horse to crash the College Football Playoff if it hits its ceiling. 

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