Phil Steele predicts final Top 25 rankings for 2025 college football season

College football writer Phil Steele predicted his final Top 25 rankings ahead of the 2025 college football season. It’s an interesting look at where everyone stands ahead of the fall.

The 2025 season will feature the 12-team College Football Playoff again, before the inevitable expansion. There are plenty of teams that seem to have a shot to win it this year.

Without further ado, let’s dive into Steele’s top 25 rankings and take it a step further to 60 teams! We start at the top.

1. Penn State

Penn State tops Steele’s rankings going into 2025 with the amount of talent they’re bringing back. It starts with Drew Allar at quarterback, in addition to RBs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton.

Dani Dennis-Sutton is the star pass rusher this year and should lead the Nittany Lions defense. They are among the favorites to win the Big Ten and even the national championship.

2. Clemson

Steele likes Clemson a lot this season with Cade Klubnik returning under center. After returning to the top of the ACC last year and making the College Football Playoff, it’s time for the Tigers to run it back as well.

Peter Woods and TJ Parker both have first-round pick potential on the Clemson defensive line. The Tigers should be the big favorite in the conference.

3. Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman could have another great team in 2025. Steele likes them as a top three squad going into the fall, fresh off an appearance in the national championship.

Jeremiyah Love returns at running back and should be in the Heisman conversation. Expect another playoff appearance and run from the Irish.

4. Texas

Texas is a popular pick to be No. 1 overall this year. But for Steele, they’re No. 4 to start 2025. Arch Manning is the highlight of this team as he steps into his first year as the starter.

As long as he’s protected by the new offensive line up front, the Longhorns should be fine. They’ll rely on an elite defense this coming season.

5. Ohio State

The defending national champions come into 2025 with a loaded roster once again, but it’s not quite the one from last fall. Still, stars like Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs roam the field on offense and defense.

Ryan Day has the monkey off his back and should be able to coach freely now, so long as he figures out this year’s starting QB. And well, beat Michigan! Steele likes them to be a highly competitive team all year.

6. Georgia

The Bulldogs are still around folks! Steele has them in the top 10 going into the 2025 season fresh off an SEC title and the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff. But not winning it all means it’s a failure for Georgia right?

Gunner Stockton takes over at QB, which will be the biggest storyline on offense. He has a new weapon in WR Zachariah Branch, a USC transfer. In Steele’s mind, Georgia’s defense will go back to “dominant” this year under Kirby Smart.

7. Alabama

Year 2 of Kalen DeBoer should be better. Steele has them in the top 10, so they’ll be an SEC contender and certainly candidate to make the College Football Playoff.

Ty Simpson looks like the frontrunner for the QB job and the Crimson Tide defense brings back a lot of talent. Oh yeah, they have superstar sophomore WR Ryan Williams giving opposing defenses headaches.

8. Oregon

Dan Lanning is ready to take another step forward in 2025 as Steele has the Ducks in his preseason top 10. Oregon went 13-0 and won the Big Ten before being picked off by Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

Lanning replaced a lot of talent, including elevating Dante Moore to QB1. With the talent and playoff experience, Oregon could be favored in pretty much every game this season.

9. Oklahoma

The Sooners might be higher on Steele’s list than others, but Oklahoma could be due for a big year. At least, there’s pressure to do so for Brent Venables.

John Mateer came in as a transfer QB from Washington State and is a true dual threat. Steele called Oklahoma his No. 1 surprise team as they’ve upgraded the offensive line and wide receiver. The defense should be just as good if not better in 2025.

10. Michigan

The Wolverines went 8-5 in Sherrone Moore’s first season, but beat Ohio State. It’s nice to hang your hat on that.

Steele has them in his preseason top 10, which might be a little higher than others. The QB situation has to be figured out, namely if freshman Bryce Underwood gets the call. Still, the offense should be efficient and the defense brings back some talent despite losing more to the NFL Draft.

Phil Steele Top 25 Rankings for 2025 college football season

The next crop of teams see some playoff contenders like LSU and Baylor at the top. Miami should have another good season with QB Carson Beck taking over as well. Watch out for Florida to have a great or disappointing season while Indiana will look to replicate last year’s success.

11. LSU
12. SMU
13. Baylor
14. Miami
15. Boise State
16. Illinois
17. Florida
18. Utah
19. Texas A&M
20. Indiana
21. Iowa State
22. USC
23. Arizona State
24. Kansas State
25. Toledo

Phil Steele ranks No. 26-60 ahead of 2025 college football season

Phil Steele ranked all the way down to No. 60 as far as the 2025 rankings are concerned. Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin just missed out on the top 25 while Tennessee, a playoff team last year, might have an upward climb to the top of Steele’s rankings at this point.

26. Ole Miss
27. Memphis
28. Nebraska
29. Texas Tech
30. Georgia Tech
31. Florida State
32. James Madison
33. Iowa
34. Louisville
35. North Carolina
36. TCU
37. Pitt
38. UTSA
39. Liberty
40. San Jose State
41. NC State
42. Minnesota
43. Tulane
44. Tennessee
45. South Carolina
46. USF
47. Washington
48. Georgia Southern
49. UNLV
50. Air Force
51. Louisiana
52. Texas State
53. BYU
54. Navy
55. Army
56. Auburn
57. Cincinnati
58. Duke
59. Virginia Tech
60. Colorado State