Man, what a fun series this has been! Revealing most of the FBS teams and doing record predictions of every FBS team from multiple points of view have been so fascinating! But all things must come to an end eventually, and now we get into who are truly the best teams in the country going into this season.
If you've been following along with our comprehensive breakdown, you've already seen our analysis of teams ranked 136-101, 100-76, 75-51, and 50-26. Now it's time to crown the elite tier – the programs that will shape the national championship conversation all season long.
This final installment caps off our comprehensive journey through all 136 FBS programs, culminating with the elite tier that will likely dominate the College Football Playoff conversation throughout 2025.
TIER 1: Projected Top 25
25) BYU Cougars
- SP+ Record Proj: 10-2
- FPI Record Proj: 11-1
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 10-2
24) Indiana Hoosiers
- SP+ Record Proj: 9-3
- FPI Record Proj: 9-3
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 9-3
23) USC Trojans
- SP+ Record Proj: 8-4
- FPI Record Proj: 9-3
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 8-4
22) Arizona State Sun Devils
- SP+ Record Proj: 11-1
- FPI Record Proj: 11-1
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 12-0
21) Missouri Tigers
- SP+ Record Proj: 9-3
- FPI Record Proj: 7-5
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 7-5
20) Kansas State Wildcats
- SP+ Record Proj: 12-0
- FPI Record Proj: 11-1
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 12-0
19) SMU Mustangs
- SP+ Record Proj: 10-2
- FPI Record Proj: 10-2
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 11-1
18) Auburn Tigers
- SP+ Record Proj: 8-4
- FPI Record Proj: 7-5
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 8-4
17) South Carolina Gamecocks
- SP+ Record Proj: 7-5
- FPI Record Proj: 7-5
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 7-5
16) Oklahoma Sooners
- SP+ Record Proj: 8-4
- FPI Record Proj: 8-4
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 8-4
15) Florida Gators
- SP+ Record Proj: 7-5
- FPI Record Proj: 6-6
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 6-6
14) Michigan Wolverines
- SP+ Record Proj: 11-1
- FPI Record Proj: 8-4
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 9-3
13) Tennessee Volunteers
- SP+ Record Proj: 10-2
- FPI Record Proj: 10-2
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 9-3
12) Miami Hurricanes (FL)
- SP+ Record Proj: 11-1
- FPI Record Proj: 12-0
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 11-1
11) Texas A&M Aggies
- SP+ Record Proj: 8-4
- FPI Record Proj: 9-3
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 9-3
10) Ole Miss Rebels
- SP+ Record Proj: 10-2
- FPI Record Proj: 10-2
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 10-2
9) LSU Tigers
- SP+ Record Proj: 8-4
- FPI Record Proj: 8-4
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 8-4
8) Clemson Tigers
- SP+ Record Proj: 11-1
- FPI Record Proj: 11-1
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 11-1
7) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- SP+ Record Proj: 11-1
- FPI Record Proj: 11-1
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 11-1
6) Oregon Ducks
- SP+ Record Proj: 11-1
- FPI Record Proj: 11-1
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 11-1
5) Penn State Nittany Lions
- SP+ Record Proj: 11-1
- FPI Record Proj: 11-1
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 11-1
4) Alabama Crimson Tide
- SP+ Record Proj: 11-1
- FPI Record Proj: 11-1
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 11-1
3) Ohio State Buckeyes
- SP+ Record Proj: 11-1
- FPI Record Proj: 12-0
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 12-0
2) Georgia Bulldogs
- SP+ Record Proj: 11-1
- FPI Record Proj: 11-1
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 12-0
1) Texas Longhorns
- SP+ Record Proj: 9-3
- FPI Record Proj: 10-2
- Ken Ford Record Proj: 10-2
With so many questions still needing to be answered, it's important to note that these rankings are written in pencil and not in pen since there still can be changes happening in the offseason that could change the course of multiple programs.
However, if I were to put my name on a ballot box today? This is what my rankings would look like coming into the season.
Keep a close eye for around late July to early August timeframe when I will put out my final full FBS preseason rankings, but thank you so much for enjoying this series!