Phil Steele releases preseason poll, ranking all college football teams, 1 to 136

With each passing day, the 2025 college football season is closer to coming to fruition. Excitement is through the roof, as there’s a bevy of storylines swirling ahead of all the action.

With that in mind, Phil Steele took one of the more comprehensive looks at the season to come in his 2025 college football preview magazine. He ranked each and every team from No. 1 through No. 136, providing a fascinating baseline for the year. 

Check it out below, as his top teams may surprise you a bit. He believes Penn State is the best in the country heading into the season, but as we’ve learned over the decades, it’s all about how you finish, not where you start. Still, Steele is a big-time believer in the Nittany Lions, among others.  

1. Penn State

Penn State made their first trip to the College Football Playoff last season, making it all the way to the semifinal. They’d fall there, but look to be in a position to be consistently competitive now. Steele thinks they’re particularly suited for next season, picking the Nittany Lions atop his rankings. 

Part of what’s so exciting about Penn State is the talent that they’re returning from last season. That includes quarterback Drew Allar and a star backfield of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. So, the offense should be in good hands. With a consistently good defense under James Franklin, the Nittany Lions are ready to take another step forward.

2. Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman could have another great team at Notre Dame in 2025. Steele likes them as his No. 2 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. This time, the college football world is expecting it from them.

3. Texas

Texas heads into the first year of the Arch Manning era fresh off a 13-3 (7-1) season and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. The Longhorns won two games in the Playoff before falling to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

Along with Manning, the Longhorns return big-time playmakers in running back Tre Wisner, wide receiver Ryan Wingo, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and defensive back Michael Taaffe. Coach Steve Sarkisian‘s team is searching for a third consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff and Texas‘ first National Championship since 2005.

4. Alabama

The first year of the Kalen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa was a tad disappointing (compared to Alabama‘s standards), as the Crimson Tide finished with a 9-4 (5-3) record and lost to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl. DeBoer’s second team however is projected to get back near the top of the SEC as it ventures into the Ty Simpson era at quarterback. 

Simpson will have talented running back Jam Miller back in the backfield, along with superstar wide receiver Ryan Williams and second-leading receiver Germie Bernard down the field. Along with a talented defense led by returning linebackers Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson, the Tide should be back in the CFP conversation this season.

5. Ohio State

Ohio State ended last regular season under a cloud of questions, having dropped another game to rival Michigan. Still, they made the CFP and that’s when they managed to go on a deep run, eventually winning the national championship. It’s safe to say that Ryan Day and the Buckeyes answered those questions with flying colors. 

As is often the case with national championship teams, Ohio State is dealing with plenty of turnover. Still, few teams bring in as much talent annually as Ohio State. The Buckeyes should be ready to once again compete at the top of the Big Ten.

6. Clemson

Evidently, Steele expects the Clemson to reign supreme in the ACC again this year. It’s not a bad bet. Clemson is returning quarterback Cade Klubnik, who exploded for career-highs of 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns last season.

He’s far from Clemson’s only talented returner. The Tigers are returning the most production in the country. Additionally, Clemson added three valuable pieces in the portal. Head coach Dabo Swinney will have plenty of weapons at his disposal this fall.

7. Georgia

Just like Texas and Alabama this season, Georgia will be entrusting a new arm in their offense. Carson Beck moved on to Miami this offseason, clearing the way for Gunner Stockton to fully run the team. Georgia finished with an 11-3 (6-2) season in 2024, but fell in the Sugar Bowl due to the Beck injury.

Stockton has now had an entire offseason to prepare, aided by last season’s leading rusher Nate Frazier. Georgia did lose its two leading receivers in Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett, but hauled in star receiver Zachariah Branch from USC. The Bulldogs, who also lost a chunk of production on their defense, may take a bit of a step back this season but are still expected to be right there in the mix back at the top of the SEC.

8. Oklahoma

Oklahoma‘s first season in the SEC was a bit of a rough one, as the Sooners finished with a 6-7 (2-6) record. They however recorded a major home victory over Alabama to close out its SEC slate, instilling some confidence in head coach Brent Venables and the staff.

Quarterback John Mateer, who passed for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, has transferred in from Washington State and has been tabbed as a Heisman candidate. Along with leading rusher Jovontae Banks, the Sooners will look to push for the Playoff for the first time in a few seasons in 2025.

9. Texas A&M

Texas A&M is venturing into the second year of the Mike Elko era, fresh off an 8-5 record with a loss in the Las Vegas bowl in 2024. The Aggies return a wealth of talent, headlined by quarterback Marcel Reed, leading rushers Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels and their top-six tacklers from last season. 

The defense will certainly be great, but they will need some solid production from the offense this season to get back to where the program wants to be. A&M hasn’t won 10 games in a season since 2012, when quarterback Johnny Manziel was crowned the Heisman Trophy winner.

10. Florida

The DJ Lagway era is in full effect in Gainesville, with Gator fans all around the state ready to crown him as the Heisman winner this season. As a freshman in 2024, Lagway passed for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns in relief of an injured Graham Mertz.

Florida‘s leading rusher Jadan Baugh is back, along with talented receiver J.Michael Sturdivant (UCLA) coming through the Transfer Portal. In what may be a make-or-break year for head coach Billy Napier, a push for the CFP would be massive for the program.

Phil Steele’s Preseason Poll — Nos. 11-25:

11. LSU
12. Michigan
13. Oregon
14. Miami
15. Arizona State
16. Indiana
17. Illinois
18. Baylor
19. Utah
20. Tennessee
21. USC
22. Ole Miss
23. SMU
24. Auburn
25. Texas Tech

Nos. 26-75:

26. TCU
27. South Carolina
28. Iowa State
29. Louisville
30. Kansas State
31. Iowa
32. Wisconsin
33. Arkansas
34. Pittsburgh
35. Nebraska
36. Florida State
37. Georgia Tech
38. Vanderbilt
39. Washington
40. BYU
41. Virginia Tech
42. Cincinnati
43. Missouri
44. Rutgers
45. Minnesota
46. Houston
47. Boise State
48. Duke
49. Kansas
50. Kentucky
51. NC State
52. UCLA
53. Colorado
54. Michigan State
55. Mississippi State
56. Arizona
57. North Carolina
58. Tulane
59. South Florida
60. UTSA
61. Virginia
62. Boston College
63. Northwestern
64. West Virginia
65. Memphis
66. California
67. James Madison
68. Toledo
69. Syracuse
70. UCF
71. North Texas
72. Maryland
73. Navy
74. Connecticut
75. Oklahoma State

Nos. 76-136:

76. Oregon State
77. San Jose State
78. Army
79. UNLV
80. Texas State
81. Liberty
82. Louisiana
83. Air Force
84. Georgia Southern
85. Old Dominion
86. Ohio
87. Buffalo
88. Stanford
89. Hawaii
90. South Alabama
91. Wake Forest
92. Troy
93. East Carolina
94. Colorado State
95. Miami (OH)
96. Coastal Carolina
97. Fresno State
98. San Diego State
99. Appalachian State
100. Louisiana Tech
101. Wyoming
102. Rice
103. Northern Illinois
104. ULM
105. Southern Miss
106. Purdue
107. Arkansas State
108. Washington State
109. Georgia State
110. Bowling Green
111. UAB
112. WKU
113. Marshall
114. Charlotte
115. Florida Atlantic
116. Temple
117. Western Michigan
118. New Mexico
119. Nevada
120. FIU
121. Eastern Michigan
122. Utah State
123. Sam Houston
124. Jacksonville State
125. Central Michigan
126. New Mexico State
127. Middle Tennessee
128. UTEP
129. Akron
130. Delaware
131. Kennesaw State
132. Tulsa
133. Massachusetts
134. Ball State
135. Missouri State
136. Kent State