Every week, the AP top 25 is released, ranking the best college football teams, and every week, there are arguments about whether teams were ranked correctly and their strength of schedule. Here is a list of the 25 best college football teams that are not arguable.
No. 1 – Ohio State: Although they have not looked as dominant as they did in their 2024 college football championship run, they still have the best receiver in all of college football. Also beat Texas in week one, beat Grambling State by 70 points, beat Ohio by nearly 30 points and recently beat the University of Washington.
No. 2 – Oregon: No surprise here, year in and year out, Dan Lanning and the Phil Knight checkbook have kept Oregon in rankings as a top 10 team. The next step for them is to keep beating highly ranked teams, like they did against Penn State in an overtime win. Dante Moore has put himself in Heisman conversations early into the season.
Oregon sophomore quarterback Tyler Shough embraces junior running back Travis Dye after a play during the football game Saturday in Martin Stadium.
No. 3 – Penn State: Although they lost to Oregon, they took them to overtime and lost on a poor pass throw from Drew Allar. Head Coach John Franklin is 4-21 against top 10-ranked teams. Franklin is not worried about it, and neither am I. Penn State would slide from three to 10 in the rankings, but that’s at worst; there are not 10 teams in the country that can beat them.
No. 4 – Miami: Carson Beck has been everything Miami could have hoped for and more. Miami beat Notre Dame, who made the College football championship game last season, and has blown out everyone they have played. This week, they play Florida State University, which beat Alabama and has blown out its competition. This week will be a big test for them and let everyone know if they are serious.
No. 5 – Ole Miss: Losing eight players to the NFL draft and their best QB in recent memory, has not stopped Lane Kiffin and his coaching staff. Sitting at 5-0, Ole Miss is coming off a win against LSU, which was ranked #4 in the AP top 25. Their next game is against Washington State. After that, it gets difficult for a few weeks, facing the Georgia Bulldogs, Oklahoma Sooners, and South Carolina Gamecocks. If Ole Miss can go 3-0 or 2-1 in that stretch, they should be considered a top-three team in the country.
No. 6 – Alabama: The most confusing team in the country, since losing Nick Saban, something has been off with Alabama. The Tide started out the year losing to Florida State, who no one thought was as good as they have become. In response to the loss, Alabama won its next two games with a point differential of 111 to 14, and in its most recent win against Georgia, 24-21. Nobody is hotter than them; consistency will be the key to their success this season.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron and Alabama offensive linesman Anthony Steen celebrate a 35-10 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies, as Alabama head coach Nick Saban (left) and Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley (right) look on, in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013.
No. 7 – Oklahoma: John Mateer was amazing for OU in their first four games of the season, unfortunately, Mateer had to get hand surgery and will be sidelined for the next few weeks. We have not seen OU without Mateer, coming out of their bye week OU plays Kent State, a mediocre team which will help them adjust with no Mateer before the Red Rivalry game versus Texas.
No. 8 – Georgia: Kirby Smart is the best coach in college football. Statistically, he has a 108-20 record in nine seasons with Georgia. Their best win of the season was against Tennessee in an overtime win, a game where Gunner Stockton put the team on his back and delivered pinpoint passes during the stretch. Georgia has some easy games coming up; the only notable teams left on its schedule are Ole Miss, Texas, and Georgia Tech.
No. 9 – Texas: Pre-season Heisman favorite Arch Manning has not played with any consistency this season. Manning’s stats thus far: 888 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions with a quarterback rating of 57.2 out of 100. Texas is 3-1, but their wins have not been impressive, with three wins coming against Sam Houston State, San Jose State, and the University of Texas-El Paso. Head Coach Steve Sarkisian has focused on the young quarterback’s mechanics and his ability to play more freely.
No. 10 – LSU: Garret Nussmeier has had issues and not taken that step many thought the five-year quarterback would have. Brian Kelly has faced tons of criticism for the offense and the overall job he has done at LSU since taking over. However, similar to Penn State, there are not a lot of teams that could beat them.
No. 11 – Texas A&M: In just his second year, Mike Elko has turned around A&M. Last season, they finished 8-5; this year, they’re already 4-0. QB Marcel Reed has improved upon his sophomore season, throwing for nine touchdowns and two interceptions in four games into the season. A&M has a few easy games coming up and finishes the season with a tough schedule, playing Texas, LSU, and Missouri.
No. 12 – Tennessee: The one loss for the Volunteers came at the hands of Georgia, a game where their kicker missed a semi-easy field goal for the win. Some were worried about them after losing QB Nico Iamaleava, but they have shown their depth, and playmakers could handle the mantle. Tennessee has three currently ranked games left against Alabama, Vanderbilt, and Oklahoma.
No. 13 – Indiana: This team shocked the college football world last year with an 11-2 season, and they’ve carried that momentum into 2025. The Hoosiers are averaging 34.1 points per game while holding opponents under 20, showing balance on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby has proven that last year wasn’t a fluke, and Indiana looks like it belongs in the national championship contenders conversation.
No. 14 – Florida State: Florida State has built one of the most explosive offenses in the country, putting up 37.8 points per game. Their Week 1 win over Alabama set the tone, and Mike Norvell’s squad has been rolling since. With a balanced attack and an aggressive defense, the Seminoles look every bit like a top-10 team waiting to climb. Going from 2-10 to 3-1 is remarkable. Many viewed Norvell as on the hot seat, but he could very well coach his way into an extension if they make the college football playoffs.
No. 15 – Iowa State: This team has leaned heavily on its defense, allowing just 16.5 points per game, one of the lowest in the nation. Their offense hasn’t been flashy, but they’re averaging just over 27 points per game, enough to win close battles. Matt Campbell’s team plays disciplined, mistake-free football, and that’s kept them relevant in a competitive Big 12.
No. 16 – Vanderbilt: One of the biggest surprises of the year, proving their turnaround is no accident. The Commodores are scoring 29.6 points per game, powered by a balanced rushing and passing attack. Clark Lea has turned Vandy into a tough out in the SEC, and their upset wins have them looking like the league’s ultimate spoiler. Vandy has slowly turned itself into one of the better SEC teams after going 2-10 in 2023 and 6-6 in 2024. Vandy is poised for its best season this decade.
No. 17 – Notre Dame: They have not looked as dominant as last season’s playoff run, but they’re still dangerous. The Irish are averaging 28.9 points per game, and their defense is carrying much of the load, keeping them in every contest. If their offense finds rhythm down the stretch, they’ll be a team no one wants to see in November. Marcus Freeman is a defensive coach, but his defense has been Notre Dame’s weakest unit. Freeman will not be taking over play-call duties and believes in his defensive coordinator.
No. 18 – Michigan: This program has been inconsistent and finds itself in unfamiliar territory after two early losses. They’re putting up 30.2 points per game, but turnovers and slow starts have cost them in big matchups. Still, with their defense allowing under 21 points a game, they remain a dangerous threat in the Big Ten. True freshman Bryce Underwood has played better than anyone could have expected. The last two games for Michigan have been without head coach Shemar Moore due to the 2023 sign-stealing punishment from the NCAA. Biff Poggi stepped in as head coach for the two games and let Underwood pass the ball heavily, and Underwood balled out, throwing for over 300 yards in a run-heavy scheme.
No. 19 – Texas Tech: This team is living up to their high-scoring reputation, averaging 35.7 points per game in the Big 12. Joey McGuire’s offense is fast and explosive, but their defense is giving up nearly 30 points per game, which has kept them from climbing higher in the rankings. If the Red Raiders can clean things up defensively, they have the firepower to make a serious run. No surprise Tech has been good this season, it felt like all off season they were giving money to any and everybody no matter the sport.
Running Back Djouvensky Schlenbaker celebrates a TD with his offensive line in a game against Texas Tech Universtiy.
No. 20 – Missouri: They picked up right where they left off in 2024, riding quarterback Brady Cook’s hot hand. The Tigers are scoring 32.5 points per game and winning shootouts, though their defense has shown cracks against top-tier competition. Still, Missouri’s offensive balance makes it a threat to pull an upset on any given Saturday.
No. 21 – Virginia: A team that is quietly becoming one of the ACC’s toughest outs. The Cavaliers are averaging 27.4 points per game, but their defense has been the story, keeping opponents frustrated and under control. While not flashy, their gritty play style has earned them close wins and national respect. Virginia just beat Florida State; the only reason they are not ranked higher is that they are less proven. It is possible Florida State was looking past the matchup; however, Virginia showed up and proved them wrong.
No. 22 – Arizona State: The Sun-Devils have exploded under Kenny Dillingham, averaging 36.2 points per game with one of the most exciting offenses in the Big-12. Their defense, however, has been inconsistent, allowing games to turn into shootouts. If the Sun Devils can get stops, they could be the dark horse team that shakes up the playoff picture. Sam Leavitt has looked like a Heisman candidate, making crazy throws week in and week out.
University of Arizona running back Stevie Rocker Jr. (23) recovers a fumble during a college football game against Washington State University at Martin Stadium, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Pullman, Wash.
No. 23 – Illinois: They have been thriving behind Bret Bielema’s old-school approach of running the football and playing tough defense. The Illini are putting up 29.9 points per game and wearing opponents down in the trenches. Their physical style might not be flashy, but it is effective enough to keep them in the Big Ten mix.
No. 24 – BYU: Continuing to rely on its defense as the backbone of its success. The Cougars are holding opponents to just 18.1 points per game, one of the nation’s best marks, while their offense averages 25.3. They may not blow teams out, but their discipline and toughness make them a tough draw for anyone.
No. 25 – USC: The ultimate “boom or bust” team, scoring 39.5 points per game while giving up 33.4 on the other end. Their offense is electric, led by one of the nation’s best quarterbacks, but their defense remains a liability. Every game feels like a shootout, and while it is entertaining, it leaves USC clinging to a spot in the top 25.
Abe’s top 25 changes weekly, since we are still early into the season, we never know if an injury is gonna occur or a team is a fraud until we get into conference play, which should be starting in the next month. However, the top 10 teams are a fair bet to still be a top 10 team by the end of the season.
