The Athletic's Stewart Mandel is a preseason Penn State believer, placing the Nittany Lions atop his too-early top 25 for 2025. "I'm skeptical they can actually pull it off," Mandel writes, "but on paper, James Franklin's team deserves that status given how many players are returning."

Boise State and Arizona State should have had to play in the first round. Not granting first-round byes to conference champions is one area where the CFP has to improve. But the Broncos and Sun Devils held their own, especially Arizona State. Storming back and taking Texas to OT took some serious guts from Kenny Dillingham’s team.

Ohio State comes in ahead of the best the SEC has to offer and Big Ten rival Penn State to lead the way in the USA TODAY Sports way-too-early Top 25 for the 2025 season. The No. 1 Buckeyes have to replace quarterback Will Howard but will be able to surround the new starter with an elite collection of skill talent headlined by star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.