The AP and CFP Top 25 align with each other for the most part and that is an issue. The top 25 teams are not just about who lost and won last week, it should be about the body of work and how dominant the teams are.
1 – Ohio State: They have been the best team in all of CFB week in and week out. Julian Sayin has thrown 25 touchdowns to four interceptions. The Buckeyes have the best defense in CFB and a top offense in CFB, it will be hard for anyone to be able to beat them this year. The only way they do not make the CFP championship game is if phenom Jermiah Smith is unable to play.
2 – Indiana University: Curt Cignetti is what colleges around the country should be looking for in their head coach. He was with JMU for four years before coming to Indiana and leading them to their first 11-0 ever in program history. Fernando Mendoza has set himself up to be a Heisman finalist with over 2,600 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and a 88.7 QBR ranking fourth in the country.
3 – Georgia: Kirby Smart is the best coach in CFB. Every year Georgia looks like a top team and even in seasons without top players, they find a way. When NIL was introduced people were wondering how the SEC would look but it has not affected Georgia. Oscar Delp has looked like one of the best TE’s in CFB averaging 14 yards a reception. Georgia does not have a top offense or defense but they are well coached and find ways to win, aside from when they play Alabama.
4 – Texas A&M: Although undefeated, they should have lost to South Carolina, being down 27-3 to a bad team is not indicative of a top team. However, finding a way to come back and win. Marcel Reed has looked amazing all season in the win he threw for 440 yards a season high. With only two games left against Samford and ranked Texas, they have a clear path to the SEC championship game and CFP.
5 – Alabama: Yes, they lost to Oklahoma this past weekend but there are not five teams in CFB that can beat the Tide. It took an absolute masterclass from the Sooners to beat the Tide. Even in the loss, the defense played well limiting John Mateer to six yards per completion. Ty Simpson has played well all season but has not been able to connect with his star receiver Ryan Williams. The star wide-out has had consistency issues all season, he has 300 less receiving yards and half the touchdowns he did in 2024.
6 – Oregon: Dante Moore bounced back after two bad weeks against Wisconsin and Iowa. The Ducks have flourished in the NIL era with Phil Knight handing Dan Lanning a blank check. It does not feel like Oregon has a chance of winning the championship this season due to their trenches not being up to par.
7 – Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin has built one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and they’ve leaned on big-play ability all year. The defense is inconsistent, but this team can beat anyone when the passing game is rolling. Kiffin has been subject to head coaching rumors at other universities, while he most likely will not leave he refuses to shut the door when asked about it.
8 – Texas Tech: Joey McGuire has quietly put together one of the toughest teams in the Big 12, showing real progress on both sides of the ball. Their physicality keeps them in every matchup, and they’ve earned their top-10 spot. NIL has changed Tech sports for the foreseeable future. Big things are coming to Lubbock for the first time in a long time.
9 – Notre Dame: The Irish play disciplined football and rarely beat themselves, relying on a balanced offense and strong secondary. Even without elite explosiveness, their consistency keeps them in playoff conversations. Marcus Freeman took what Brian Kelly built and expanded upon it similar to Steve Kerr to Mark Jackson with the Warriors.
10 – Oklahoma: The Sooners’ win over Alabama showed their ceiling, with a defense that finally looks capable of competing at a national level. Their biggest challenge is finding week-to-week offensive consistency. John Mateer has brought some of WSU traits to the Sooners in regards to how he is not the same player week in and week out.
11 – Vanderbilt: This is the best Vanderbilt team in modern program history, buying fully into the new staff’s culture shift. They don’t have superstar talent, but their execution and toughness have shocked the SEC. Deigo Pavia likes to believe he is the superstar for them but he is not, he has front running traits that makes you wonder what happens against Ohio State if they are down 14 in the fourth.
12 – BYU: BYU has relied on a powerful run game and defensive discipline to stay inside the top 15. They aren’t flashy, but they control tempo and force opponents to play their style. True freshman Bear Bachmeier has almost 2,200 passing yards on the season but against the top Big10 teams and SEC, whether or not they will be able to hold up is still a question.
13 – Texas: Texas has elite talent but hasn’t always put together complete games, especially offensively. When the defense holds up, they look like a team that can beat anyone. There is SEC bias in this no question, it is hard for me to believe there are 13 teams that can beat Texas when Arch Manning and the offense is clicking they are a tough out.
14 – Miami: Mario Cristobal finally has Miami trending upward, with a defense that flies around and forces turnovers. The offense is still developing, but the athleticism is undeniable. Every season Miami starts off hot and then cools down after a weird loss, this season is no different.
15 – USC: Lincoln Riley’s offense remains dangerous, but the defense continues to hold this team back against top competition. They’re good enough to stay ranked, but not good enough to contend. USC will always have a top offense with Riley but their defense has shown signs of becoming a top 20 unit.
16 – Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech is one of the most improved teams in the ACC, showing creativity offensively and resilience in close games. Their defense bends often but rarely breaks. While they are no true threat for any top 10 team if you allow them to hang around they can upset a team in the ACC championship.
17 – Virginia: They have surprised the ACC with a tough, physical identity and a defense that keeps them in every matchup. The offense struggles at times, but they capitalize when it matters. The Cavaliers have a path to the CFP if they win the ACC if not it could get tricky. Since they will have three losses and two coming at the hands of Wake Forest and NC State.
18 – Tennessee: Tennessee’s offense can overwhelm weaker opponents, but they’ve struggled to maintain momentum against ranked teams. Their defense plays hard, but consistency remains the issue. There may be a little SEC bias in the high ranking of the Volunteers, there are not 20 teams in the country who can line-up against them and win.
19 – Michigan: Michigan lost a lot from last year’s roster and hasn’t looked dominant, but the defense still keeps games close. The offense is a work in progress and limits their ceiling. Bryce Underwood has looked like a true freshman for a large chunk of the season for the Wolverines. With no star RB to help him it has been tough for Michigan however there is one game for the true freshman to build his legacy, beating Ohio State will do just that.
20 – Missouri: Missouri brings one of the most efficient passing attacks in the SEC, capable of scoring on anyone. Their defense is solid but depth concerns show up late in games. Ahmad Hardy has 1,300 rushing yards this season with 15 touchdowns, Hardy has been everything for the Tiger offense.
21 – JMU: JMU continues proving last season wasn’t a fluke, with a disciplined defense and steady quarterback play. They rarely beat themselves and stay competitive every week. JMU has a big game this week versus WSU, a game that feels like a trap. WSU has been inconsistent and JMU is 9-1 and rolling.
22 – UNT: UNT’s offense is their identity, putting pressure on defenses with tempo and spread concepts. The challenge remains their defense, which gives up too many explosive plays. Sitting at 9-1, the Meangreen have been exceptional all season none more than Drew Mestemaker who has 3,000 passing yards on the season.
23 – Utah Utes: Kyle Whittingham once again has Utah exceeding expectations with toughness and elite defensive coaching. The offense is limited, but no team enjoys playing them. RB transfer from WSU Wayshawn Parker has been exceptional for the Utes with 736 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
24 – San Diego State Univ.: SDSU leans on a gritty defense and strong special teams to win low-scoring games. Their offense lacks consistency, but their style keeps them competitive. Since losing to WSU in week two the Aztecs have been on fire, SDSU has been blowing teams out every week and not being ranked top 25 from the AP is power four bias.
25 – Tulane: Tulane plays smart, physical football and rarely makes costly mistakes, which keeps them inside the top 25. Their defense is the backbone of the team and keeps every game close. While Tulane is no powerhouse, being ranked means the most to schools like Tulane.
