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."

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.

The Buckeyes are No. 1 after their national championship win, but which team is between them and runner-up Notre Dame?

And that's exactly what Travis May of A to Z Sports College Football did in his way too early 2025 College Football Playoff bracket predictions, only he left out the Tide.... Alab

The College Football Playoff wrapped up and teams are preparing for the 2025 season. With plenty of changes inbound as we adjust to the new playoff system and an expanding NIL influence, let's look at how this could impact future seeding.