ESPN Ranks Top 25 Teams Ahead Of 2025 College Football Season originally appeared on The Spun.
Believe it or not, we’re roughly a month away from the start of the 2025 college football season.
Fans will get to watch five matchups during Week 0, which includes a showdown between Iowa State and Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland. One week later, fans will be treated to a loaded slate that’s headlined by a potential playoff preview between Texas and Ohio State.
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With the 2025 season almost here, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach has unveiled his top 25 rankings for the fall. Interestingly enough, he has Penn State ranked No. 1 in the country.
“After finally turning the corner under coach James Franklin in 2024, the Nittany Lions look loaded for bear this coming season. With Allar, Allen and Singleton returning, Penn State should have one of the most balanced offenses in the FBS, especially if Allar takes the next step as a downfield passer. Adding Pena, Ross and Hudson was critical; Penn State’s receivers didn’t have a reception in a 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in a CFP semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl. Pena, a slot receiver, had 84 catches for 941 yards with nine scores in 2024,” Schlabach wrote.
“Ross was one of the top receivers in the portal after hauling in 76 passes for 1,043 yards with 11 scores last season. Penn State’s most important offseason addition might be new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who helped guide Ohio State to a CFP national title last season. He’s the highest-paid coordinator in the FBS at $3.1 million per season.”
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 06: Kirk Herbstreit points to the crowd before the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Ole Miss Rebels on September 6, 2021 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Getty Images.
Clemson, Texas, George and Ohio State rounded out the top five for Schlabach, which isn’t exactly a huge surprise.
Here’s the top 25:
It’s only a matter of time before ESPN shakes up its rankings for the 2025 season.
Until then, Penn State is apparently the team to beat this year.
Related: Kirk Herbstreit Called Out For ‘Hypocritical’ Behavior
ESPN Ranks Top 25 Teams Ahead Of 2025 College Football Season first appeared on The Spun on Jul 19, 2025
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This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
