Top 25 power rankings released

ESPN unveils its initial Top 25 before kickoff, setting early expectations and plenty of debate for the 2025 season.

ESPN releases first Top 25 power rankings for 2025 college football season

ESPN released its first Top 25 power rankings for the 2025 college football season. The Texas Longhorns hold the No. 1 spot as Arch Manning returns at quarterback, while a strong defensive unit is spearheaded by Anthony Hill Jr., Colin Simmons, Trey Moore, and Michael Taffee. In State College, Penn State starts high with Drew Allar at QB and Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen in the backfield, backed by a defense now led by new coordinator Jim Knowles.

The Tigers sit near the top as Clemson enters the year with Cade Klubnik at quarterback and a feared defensive line featuring Peter Woods and TJ Parker. Georgia carries a mix of uncertainty at quarterback with Gunner Stockton and a new receiver corps led by Zachariah Branch, while Ohio State relies on Jeremiah Smith as a go‑to target and a defense guided by Caleb Downs. Notre Dame is solidly in the top 10 after advancing to the playoff national championship game, led by CJ Carr and Jeremiyah Love. Alabama and Miami are also cited in the upper tier, with Ty Simpson at quarterback for the Crimson Tide and Carson Beck guiding the Hurricanes, complemented by a deep defensive unit and Francis Mauigoa anchoring the line. The rest of the top 25 includes Arizona State, South Carolina, Michigan, Illinois, Texas A&M, Florida, Indiana, Iowa State, SMU, Ole Miss, Kansas State, Louisville, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Boise State.

ESPN’s rankings lean on quarterback talent and coaching stability to frame the season’s early narrative. They flag coaching moves like Jim Knowles taking over Penn State’s defense as potential swing factors that teams will lean on in tight games. The presence of transfers such as Carson Beck at Miami and Zach Branch arriving at Georgia adds volatility, turning the preseason into a living document that will shift quickly once games start.

The list also underscores how much the season will hinge on a few big questions: can new or changing quarterbacks stabilize offenses, and will defenses adapt fast enough to meet rising competition? Week Zero and Week 1 will reveal which teams truly match their hype and which rosters buckle under the weight of high expectations. Fans should expect rapid movement in the rankings as rosters settle and injuries surface, turning projections into performance benchmarks.

Highlights

The real test starts on the field, where these names must prove they belong.