Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt released his post-spring Top 25 rankings for the upcoming college football season. It’s still very early, but it’s a nice look at the best teams going into 2025.
There are plenty of Big Ten and SEC teams near the top of course, as is just the natural order of things right now. But others, even some old, but familiar faces, are ready to crash the party.
We’re still a few months away from the season, but it’s fun to look at where we stand. Let’s dive into Klatt’s rankings.
Klatt put the Nittany Lions No. 1 overall and this might be the make or break year for James Franklin. Winning a couple of CFP games last year and nearly making the title game was a nice little breakthrough.
But with QB Drew Allar and transfer wideouts Kyron Hudson, Devonte Ross and Trebor Pena, this offense has to be potent. Oh yeah, running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton are back. It stinks to lose a guy like Abdul Carter to the draft, but they still have Dani Dennis-Sutton!
Texas might only go as far as Arch Manning takes them this season, and maybe even in 2026. Klatt has the Longhorns No. 2 in the country, so there are national title expectations this year.
The defense has enough to be a championship defense for sure. But the offensive line has some holes so it’s on potential transfers or development to make sure Manning stays upright.
The defending champions were as loaded as any team last year. The Buckeyes will still be a contender according to Klatt. But, you have to solve the QB conundrum.
We feel like we say that a lot since the days of Justin Fields and CJ Stroud starting multiple years haven’t happened recently under Ryan Day. But the development of Lincoln Kineholz or transfer Julian Sayin is paramount. Allow some time for Tavien St. Clair to adjust to the college game, for now. But let’s not forget WR Jeremiah Smith might be the best in the game and is only a sophomore and Caleb Downs will play one more college season as the best DB.
Oregon had to hit the portal to beef up the offensive line this season but they’ll have to transition to a new quarterback. Dante Moore got to sit for a year and take a back seat and develop behind Dillon Gabriel.
Klatt still loves Dan Lanning and company as a top four team and CFP contender. But it is amazing the Ducks are the third best team in the Big Ten in Klatt’s rankings. Watch out for Dillon Thieneman, the safety transfer from Purdue.
Clemson might be getting more and more hype as we roll on into the summer. The Tigers won the ACC and made the CFP last season and brought a lot back.
Count Klatt among those who are buying in right now, ranking the Tigers in the top five. New defensive coordinator Tom Allen should bring a lot of concepts to that side of the ball and Cade Klubnik is set up for potentially his best season as a college quarterback.
After making it to the national championship, Notre Dame is ready to run it back. There’s a quarterback competition to replace the outgoing Riley Leonard, but the Fighting Irish have a loaded team.
Klatt loves the way this team is built and how could you not? This is arguably the best offensive line in college football! Whoever wins the QB job will have a solid running back in Jeremiyah Love to lean on as well.
The Tigers had to hit the portal to rebuild a defense to get it back up to standard. Klatt is a bit higher on LSU than others, such as On3’s own Andy Staples, who has them at No. 15.
Still, Garrett Nussmeier might be the top quarterback selected in next year’s draft and this is a team that should contend for a College Football Playoff spot. In a loaded SEC, LSU might be one of the better squads in 2025.
Speaking of the SEC, Georgia is back in the thick of things of course. Gunner Stockton takes over at quarterback and we know the Bulldogs just reload every year on defense.
Kirby Smart knows he has that side covered but there are more explosive playmakers on offense, such as Zachariah Branch and Noah Thomas. So, Klatt kept UGA in the top eight.
Is Alabama going back to the College Football Playoff? There’s certainly pressure to do so for Kalen DeBoer. Despite changing QBs this year, DeBoer might have a better grasp of this offense with Ryan Grubb back as OC.
Klatt loves the talent around whoever throws the football and the defense is up to snuff. After Year 1 mistakes, the Crimson Tide should be back near the top of college football in 2025.
While it might be a surprise to see Klatt put the Illini up this high, if you’re paying attention, it’s not too shocking. While there were rumblings QB Luke Altmyer would leave in the spring portal, he didn’t go anywhere and he’s one of the better signal callers in the Big Ten.
The core of the team from 2024 is back and it’s reasonable to think College Football Playoffs. This team won 10 games last year and could do so again under Bret Bielema.
Joel Klatt’s Post-Spring Top 25 rankings
11. South Carolina
12. Michigan
13. Florida
14. BYU
15. Arizona State
16. Kansas State
17. Iowa State
18. Miami
19. Texas A&M
20. Ole Miss
21. Indiana
22. Auburn
23. Iowa
24. Baylor
25. Oklahoma
For Klatt’s full breakdown on the Joel Klatt Show, click HERE.
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