Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks Atop the Nation After Wild Week 1

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Week 1 of the 2025 college football season is in the books, as every Division I team suited up over the past few days except the North Carolina Tar Heels and TCU Horned Frogs, who will play Monday night.

It was a wild week — sure to produce changes in the upcoming AP Poll.

In this piece, we’ve put together our own power rankings. This isn’t strictly a snapshot of where things stand now; it’s also a projection of how we view the rest of the season unfolding.

With that in mind, here are our Week 1 power rankings, complete with all 136 Division I teams and full analysis for the top 25.

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25) Auburn Tigers

Result: 38-24 W vs. Baylor

The Auburn Tigers were dominant on the ground with 308 rushing yards against the Baylor Bears. Transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold did his part, rushing for 137 yards and two touchdowns, including a fourth-down conversion that sealed the win.

24) Missouri Tigers

Result: 61-6 W vs. Central Arkansas

It was a complete effort for Missouri, which overwhelmed an inferior opponent. The Tigers finished with 560 total yards while holding Central Arkansas to 227 and forcing two turnovers. Quarterback Beau Pribula was efficient, completing 23 of 28 passes for 283 yards and two scores.

23) Oklahoma Sooners

Result: 35-3 W vs. Illinois State

The Oklahoma Sooners put on a defensive clinic in their season-opener, holding Illinois State to just 151 total yards and three points. Quarterback John Mateer was on fire, throwing for 392 yards and three touchdowns in his first Sooners start.

22) Illinois Fighting Illini

Result: 52-3 W vs. Western Illinois

It was another day at the office for the Illinois Fighting Illini, who dismantled an inferior opponent in Western Illinois. Head coach Bret Bielema’s squad, which has Big Ten title aspirations, looked sharp in all phases.

21) Texas A&M Aggies

Result: 42-24 W vs. UTSA

Quarterback Marcel Reed was the star of the show for the Texas A&M Aggies with 289 passing yards, four touchdowns and a team-high 39 rushing yards. The Aggies’ win was a little closer than they’d like, but it goes in the win column.

20) Louisville Cardinals

Result: 51-17 W vs. Eastern Kentucky

The Louisville Cardinals jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. piled up 545 total yards and 28 first downs to Eastern Kentucky’s 10.

19) Indiana Hoosiers

Result: 27-14 W vs. Old Dominion

Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza didn’t look fully comfortable in Curt Cignetti’s offense, something that will have to be ironed out quickly for the Indiana Hoosiers to live up to expectations of competing for a CFP berth for a second straight season.

18) BYU Cougars

Results: 69-0 W vs. Portland State

The BYU Cougars eased true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier into his first career start, limiting him to just 11 pass attempts in a blowout win, though three went for touchdowns. It was a classic Week 1 confidence-building stomping for BYU.

17) Alabama Crimson Tide

Result: 31-17 L vs. Florida State

Surprisingly, Alabama was beaten at the line of scrimmage in its Week 1 matchup. Florida State averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored four rushing touchdowns, while the Tide managed just 87 rushing yards. Head coach Kalen DeBoer will need to right the ship quickly — or risk landing on the hot seat..

16) Iowa State Cyclones

Result: 55-7 W vs. South Dakota

The Iowa State Cyclones followed up their emotional overseas victory over Kansas State with a dominant home opener to move to 2-0. Quarterback Rocco Becht was nearly flawless, completing 19 of 20 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns — potentially inching into the early-season Heisman conversation.

15) SMU Mustangs

Result: 42-13 W vs. East Texas A&M

It wasn’t a perfect Week 1 showing for SMU, but it was more than enough. The Mustangs led 21-3 at halftime and cruised to the finish. If they hope to return to the CFP, they’ll need to play with more intensity moving forward.

14) Miami Hurricanes

Result: TBD

13) Tennessee Volunteers

Result: 45-26 W vs. Syracuse

The Tennessee Volunteers proved that losing quarterback Nico Iamaleava wouldn’t derail their 2025 campaign. Tennessee came out firing, jumping to a 17-0 lead by the end of the first quarter and closing strong. Transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar was brilliant, tossing three touchdowns in an inspiring debut.

12) LSU Tigers

Result: 17-10 W vs. Clemson

Head coach Brian Kelly finally secured a Week 1 victory, as the LSU Tigers went into Death Valley and handed Clemson an opening-week loss. Though it wasn’t always pretty, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and company made plays when needed on offense, while the defense harassed a dynamic Clemson unit from start to finish.

11) Ole Miss Rebels

Result: 63-7 W vs. Georgia State

The Ole Miss Rebels poured it on early and often against Georgia State, finishing with 695 yards of total offense and 63 points in a season opener that sparked belief they can contend in a loaded SEC, even with several new faces at key positions.

10) Utah Utes

Result: 43-10 W vs. UCLA Bruins

The Devon Dampier experience couldn’t have started better for Utah. The former New Mexico transfer diced up the Bruins’ defense for 206 passing yards, 87 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns. He was excellent — as was the Utes’ defense, which locked down the elusive Nico Iamaleava.

9) South Carolina Gamecocks

Result: 24-11 W vs. Virginia Tech

It wasn’t pretty for most of the afternoon, but South Carolina staved off defeat in its Week 1 win over Virginia Tech. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers made several electrifying plays with both his arm and legs, showcasing himself as one of the top players in the country.

8) Georgia Bulldogs

Result: 45-7 W vs. Marshall

There were questions about how quarterback Gunner Stockton would handle starting duties, given concerns about his ceiling. He put those doubts to rest Saturday, accounting for four total touchdowns (two passing and two rushing) to lead Georgia to a dominant season-opening win.

7) Arizona State Sun Devils

Result: 38-19 vs. Northern Arizona

The Arizona State Sun Devils defense struggled at times against Northern Arizona, but the offense was sharp. The running game totaled 203 yards and three touchdowns on 9.7 yards per carry. That, paired with star quarterback Sam Leavitt, looks like a winning formula for the Sun Devils.

6) Penn State Nittany Lions

Result: 46-11 vs. Nevada

The Penn State Nittany Lions routinely dispatches inferior opponents early in the season, and 2025 was no exception. The offense was explosive, and the defense — led by North Carolina transfer linebacker Amare Campbell — was equally impressive. Campbell finished as the team’s leading tackler.

5) Texas Longhorns

Result: 14-7 L vs. Ohio State

Quarterback Arch Manning didn’t look like the Heisman favorite he’d been hyped to be, failing to eclipse 200 passing yards in his third start for Texas. Credit Ohio State’s defense, but the Longhorns will need to improve significantly if they hope to contend for a national title.

4) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Result: TBD

3) Clemson Tigers

Result: 17-10 L vs. LSU

The Tigers dropped a physical battle to LSU, a result that will likely knock them down in the AP poll. Still, the Tigers showed toughness and flashed dynamic playmaking ability. They remain high in the power rankings because, despite the 0-1 start, they’re still in the national title mix. This could be the wake-up call Clemson needed after an offseason full of hype.

2) Oregon Ducks

Result: 59-13 W vs. Montana State

The Oregon Ducks jumped on Montana State from the opening whistle, building a 38-3 halftime lead. Head coach Dan Lanning rotated players early and often, revealing a deep and talented roster that looks ready to defend its Big Ten title and chase a national championship.

1) Ohio State Buckeyes

Result: 14-7 W vs. Texas

In a game expected to carry major postseason implications, the Ohio State Buckeyes defended home turf and sent the Longhorns packing with a loss. The defense was stout, intercepting Arch Manning once and holding Texas to a single touchdown.

College Football Power Rankings | 26-136

26) Texas Tech Red Raiders

27) Kansas State Wildcats

28) Florida State Seminoles

29) Iowa Hawkeyes

30) Michigan Wolverines

31) Minnesota Golden Gophers

32) USC Trojans

33) Baylor Bears

34) Florida Gators

35) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

36) Boston College Eagles

37) Syracuse Orange

38) Kansas Jayhawks

39) Pittsburgh Panthers

40) Washington Huskies

41) Duke Blue Devils

42) TCU Horned Frogs

43) Colorado Buffaloes

44) Arizona Wildcats

45) Vanderbilt Commodores

46) California Golden Bears

47) North Carolina Tar Heels

48) Rutgers Scarlet Knights

49) North Carolina State Wolfpack

50) Nebraska Cornhuskers

51) West Virginia Mountaineers

52) Mississippi State Bulldogs

53) Wisconsin Badgers

54) Tulane Green Wave

55) Boise State Broncos

56) Arkansas Razorbacks

57) Cincinnati Bearcats

58) UCF Knights

59) Virginia Cavaliers

60) Virginia Tech Hokies

61) Michigan State Spartans

62) Maryland Terrapins

63) Houston Cougars

64) Kentucky Wildcats

65) Wake Forest Demon Deacons

66) Purdue Boilermakers

67) UCLA Bruins

68) James Madison Dukes

69) Navy Midshipmen

70) UNLV Rebels

71) Washington State Cougars

72) Oklahoma State Cowboys

73) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

74) Utah State Aggies

75) Oregon State Beavers

76) Memphis Tigers

77) South Alabama Jaguars

78) Northwestern Wildcats

79) Miami OH RedHawks

80) South Florida Bulls

81) Liberty Flames

82) Appalachian State Mountaineers

83) Stanford Cardinal

84) Ohio Bobcats

85) Bowling Green Falcons

86) Fresno State Bulldogs

87) Texas State Bobcats

88) East Carolina Pirates

89) North Texas Mean Green

90) UTSA Roadrunners

91) Central Michigan Chippewas

92) Buffalo Bulls

93) Army Black Knights

94) Connecticut Huskies

95) Toledo Rockets

96) Troy Trojans

97) Arkansas State Red Wolves

98) Old Dominion Monarchs

99) Western Michigan Broncos

100) Georgia Southern Eagles

101) Rice Owls

102) Jacksonville State Gamecocks

103) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

104) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

105) Northern Illinois Huskies

106) Colorado State Rams

107) Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

108) San Jose State Spartans

109) Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

110) Southern Missouri Golden Eagles

111) San Diego State Aztecs

112) UL Monroe Warhawks

113) Temple Owls

114) Eastern Michigan Eagles

115) Air Force Falcons

116) San Houston State Bearkats

117) Florida Atlantic Owls

118) Wyoming Cowboys

119) Charlotte 49ers

120) Florida International Panthers

121) New Mexico Lobos

122) Tulsa Golden Hurricane

123) Georgia State Panthers

124) Nevada Wolfpack

125) Alabama-Birmingham Blazers

126) New Mexico State Aggies

127) UTEP Miners

128) Kennesaw State Owls

129) Ball State Cardinals

130) Dayton Flyers

131) Akron Zips

132) Missouri State Bears

133) Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

134) Massachusetts Minutemen

135) Marshall Thundering Herd

136) Kent State Golden Flashes

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