College Football Rankings: ESPN reveals updated FPI Top 25 ahead of 2025 season

The latest college football rankings from ESPN are here by way of the network’s FPI. The Football Power Index was officially updated ahead of the 2025 season.

It should be noted this is the first major update since June. The number  in parentheses will reflect a team’s movement in the rankings or an “NR” in the case of being outside of the top 25 two months ago.

Without further ado, let’s dive into ESPN’s top 25 FPI rankings ahead of the season. We start at the top!

1. Texas

The Longhorns are tops in the FPI rankings going into the season. Texas is a national title contender with Arch Manning at quarterback, so long as he is at least close to his billing.

Steve Sarkisian knew he had to replace a lot of NFL talent in 2025. But, with the way the Texas program has been structured, they shouldn’t miss many beats.

2. Georgia

Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs remained at No. 2 in the ESPN FPI top 25. Gunner Stockton takes over at QB and has a new weapon: WR Zachariah Branch.

The defense should be borderline elite, even if it’s not at the level of recent national championship teams. Being this well coached gives Georgia the benefit of the doubt compared to most.

3. Alabama

There’s a lot of hype surrounding Alabama this season as Kalen DeBoer molded his roster. Now that the Crimson Tide are a year in, some players are used to the new culture and DeBoer wisely used the portal as well.

QB Ty Simpson is the guy and WR Ryan Williams should have another phenomenal year. Per ESPN’s FPI, this team is in the national title race. 

4. Ohio State

The defending national champions look a little different this season. Still, ESPN’s FPI has Ohio State in the top four.

WR Jeremiah Smith and DB Caleb Downs are the stars of the team and NFL-caliber, even if Smith can’t go to the league until 2027. Ryan Day, as long as he gets the QB right, should have another team that can contend for the Big Ten and make a CFP run.

5. Penn State

The Nittany Lions are trying to run it back with most of last year’s CFP semifinal team. ESPN’s FPI is a fan of this collection of talent, keeping them in the top five.

Drew Allar is back at QB, with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen at RB. Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant star on defense as game wreckers.

6. Notre Dame (+1)

The Fighting Irish moved up one spot on ESPN’s FPI rankings going into the season. Still, Marcus Freeman has a QB decision to make.

Kenny Minchey appears to have the lead over CJ Carr, but it’ll be a monumental decision for the program. Jeremiyah Love will be a great asset though as the RB should be in the Heisman discussion.

7. Oregon (-1)

The Ducks dropped one spot in ESPN’s FPI, switching spots with Notre Dame. Dante Moore is slotted in at QB, but might be without star WR Evan Stewart for the entire season.

Still, Dan Lanning has found ways to improve this team year to year. An improvement off of a Big Ten title? Going further in the College Football Playoff.

8. Tennessee (+2)

The Vols moved up two spots in ESPN’s latest FPI. It might come as a surprise to some, considering the offseason saga of losing QB Nico Iamaleava. 

But if new QB Joey Aguilar is as good as promised, perhaps the offense won’t miss much of a beat. Tennessee, under Josh Heupel, should be a steady College Football Playoff contender.

9. Texas A&M (-1)

Mike Elko and crew dropped one spot in the FPI ahead of the season. Still, the Aggies might be a dark horse in the SEC and at the very least, compete for a CFP spot.

QB Marcel Reed is an intriguing talent. Texas A&M just has to avoid a second half lull like last year following the 7-1 start in 2024.

10. Ole Miss (+3)

The Rebels received a little more hype ahead of the start of the 2025 season. Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin moved up three spots in ESPN’s latest FPI.

Austin Simmons is set to start at QB and he is an enticing talent. Still, Kiffin and crew have to replace a good amount of talent but attacked the transfer portal, replacing practically the entire secondary.

ESPN reveals updated FPI Top 25

11. South Carolina (+4)
12. LSU
13. Florida (+5)
14. USC (+4)
15. Michigan (+2)
16. Clemson (-5)
17. Miami (-8)
18. Kansas State (+3)
19. SMU (+1)
20. Oklahoma (-4)
21. Auburn (-7)
22. BYU (NR)
23. Missouri 
24. Arizona State
25. Indiana (NR)