Indiana are at the top of the Rankings and the National Champions (Photo by Indiana Athletics)
The Indiana Hoosiers are the national champions of college football, at the top of the Power Rankings, and have the most historic turn around sports history!
1. Indiana (16-0) (Last Week #1) (#1 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #1 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I’m not ready to call them the best team in college football history, but they are easily the biggest turnaround in sports history. A mere two seasons ago, they were the doormat and punchline of the Big Ten. Make no mistake, they deserved that reputation. Just like they now deserve the reputation as not just national champions but as one of the best current programs in college football. No other team is above them, and very few are on their level right now; maybe the only two teams they’ve lost two in the past two seasons.
If Curt Cignetti walked away and never coached a football game ever again, the job he did in two years at Indiana would be one of the greatest of all time. I’d love for the Cleveland Browns to hire him. Turning them around, too, would make him the GOAT. The level he and Indiana were on this year was one that it was only thought could even be reached by teams like Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia. And they did it without the decades-long history of success that those teams have had. This epic story of Indiana Hoosier football is just getting started.
2. Miami (13-2) (Last Week #11) (#10 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #2 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
It’s been said a lot mockingly about programs like Miami and Texas being back. I think winning three playoff games and making the national championship game when barely making the College Football Playoff counts. Miami will not be satisfied until they once again are champions; that’s the standard that they have and embraced, and in doing so, propelled them on this run. They’ve earned the respect, even with being a team that embraces being disrespectful.
3. Ohio State (12-2) (Last Week #4) (#2 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #5 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Ohio State had a ridiculously good defense this year. Every other team the 16-0 Hoosiers played, they put at least seven more points on the board than they did against the Buckeyes. Indiana scored over 50 seven times and over 38 points nine times in their 16 games. Ohio State held them to a season low, and two-year low, of 13 points. Ohio State will have to wonder forever just how much the offensive instability that plagued them in December truly cost them.
4. Oregon (13-2) (Last Week #6) (#5 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #4 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I’ve heard fans asking if Dan Lanning has a reputation for not being able to win the big games. I don’t think so. He hasn’t won the big one yet, but he’s been knocking on the door every year at Oregon. In four seasons, he’s 48-8, Big Ten Champion, and is 4-2 in bowl games, including 2-2 in the College Football Playoff. Georgia, Ohio State, and Indiana are the only teams that can say they’ve done better in that same time span. Lanning and Oregon keep hauling in great recruiting classes, including in the transfer portal. Their tall task this fall will be replacing their offensive and defensive coordinators, who are now both head coaches.
5. Ole Miss (13-2) (Last Week #7) (#6 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Ole Miss went 2-1 in the College Football Playoff, including beating back-to-back SEC champions Georgia in two out of three times in the past two seasons. Even with Lane Kiffin running out on them, Ole Miss did better than ever before and are poised to keep it going. Pete Golding got thrown into the deep end to start his head coaching career, and he swam pretty well. With Kewan Lacy leading the way in their College Football Playoff run, Ole Miss came very close to playing for a national title. Golding and Lacy will lead the way for them to continue their success in 2026.
6. Texas Tech (12-2) (Last Week #3) (#4 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #7 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Red Raiders being shut out was the next most surprising thing in the 2025 CFP after Miami’s success. I really thought they had what it took to make a run like the Hurricanes. The worst part about their early exit was ESPN, and their SEC First agenda will use it to keep the Big 12 down. Just like they did with keeping BYU and Notre Dame out of the CFP this season, and put in bad teams like Oklahoma and Alabama.
7. BYU (12-2) (Last Week #5) (#12 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #11 and #12 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
BYU’s fifth 12-win season in program history can’t be downplayed or tarnished by networks and committees with axes to grind and agendas to push. The Cougars set a program record with 10 wins over Power Four opponents, going 8-2 against the Big 12 and 2-0 against the ACC. BYU was the only Power Four team to win 12 games and not be ranked in the top ten of the final AP and Coaches Polls, while Alabama, who lost twice as many games and lost the Rose Bowl 38-3 was ahead of them. BYU will return almost all of their core players from the team that has gone 23-4 in their last two seasons to make another uphill run this fall.
8. James Madison (12-2) (Last Week #9) (#24 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #19 and #20 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Sun Belt champion above the SEC champion with the same record? Dang straight! James Madison did like Brigham Young; they overachieved. JMU’s best coach in program history just went 27-2 with Indiana in his first two years there. What did the Dukes do without him? 21-6, including 12-2 with Sun Belt Championship and College Football Playoff berth as the underdog. That’s as good as Georgia going 23-5, with a pair of SEC titles, but getting bounced in the first round in back-to-back seasons when they’re supposed to be the top dog.
9. Texas A&M (11-2) (Last Week #8) (#7 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #8 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Two SEC teams have nothing to hang their heads about; the first is Ole Miss, and the next is Texas A&M. Texas A&M had its best season since winning the Big 12 title in 1998. Yes, they stumbled against Texas and Miami, but that just reminds me of Indiana in 2024. The Hoosiers lost to Ohio State and Notre Dame, and it was thought they were lucky and had an easy schedule. That’s what has been said about the Aggies this year, but I think they’re here to stay with Mike Elko and Marcel Reed returning this fall. Maybe not to the degree of Indiana, but Texas A&M is building to stay in the playoff race every year.
10. Georgia (12-2) (Last Week #2) (#3 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #6 and #5 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
No conference looked less impressive this postseason than the kings of paying players before it was legal. Now that everyone can do it, the SEC is spiraling. They were the losers of 2025 and especially of the 2025 College Football Playoff. Indiana winning it all makes it hurt even worse. UM cheated in 2023, and Ohio State winning 2024 wasn’t a huge deal, because the Buckeyes do that every now and then and against the South. But Indiana?
The worst program in Big Ten history in two short seasons has become as big as Bama has been for nearly two decades. Nothing screams that the South’s dominance is over louder than IU. It’s also just as clear that Notre Dame and BYU deserved to be in the College Football Playoff more than at least two of the five SEC teams, gifted spots because of how their overrated conference used to be the best and has the biggest contract with the network that happily puts their thumb on the scale for the SEC’s benefit.
11. Tulane (11-3) (Last Week #10) (#20 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #18 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
An American Conference championship and a College Football Playoff berth are something for Tulane to be very proud of. The Green Wave have proven over the past few seasons why the Big 12 or ACC would be smart to add them to their Power Four conferences. Being in the talent-rich state of Louisiana and the great football city of New Orleans would allow Tulane to make either of those two conferences stronger. The only Group of Six program in college football on Tulane’s level is Boise State. Tulane should have another strong season this fall.
12. Utah (11-2) (Last Week #13) (#15 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #14 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Few teams could have a more bitter finish to an 11-2 season than Utah. Their coaching craziness has overshadowed just how good they were this season with new quarterback Devon Dampier. Kyle Whittingham’s jump to UM made it seem like he was nudged out the door in favor of Morgan Scalley at Utah, leaving fans flustered. Whittingham taking players and coaches from Salt Lake City with him to Ann Arbor, including offensive coordinator Jason Beck, who led the resurgence of the Utes offense this season, has stung. The good news is Devon Dampier is staying in Salt Lake City, and Utah will be in the top three of the conference again this fall with BYU and Texas Tech.
13. Notre Dame (10-2) (Last Week #12) (#11 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #10 and #11 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I still don’t blame Notre Dame for refusing to play a bowl game. The committee really did screw them, having them ranked against Miami despite the head-to-head result in all of their rankings until the last one. They did it because were wanting Notre Dame to stay highly ranked to help prop up Texas A&M and the SEC, and thought Miami would stumble down the stretch. But the Hurricanes didn’t stumble, and the committee had to wear the mess they made. It’s beyond obvious that BYU and Notre Dame deserved to be in more than Alabama and Oklahoma. The good news for the Fighting Irish is that Marcus Freeman and CJ Carr will be back this fall.
14. North Texas (12-2) (Last Week #19) (#25 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #24 and Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
It’s absurd that three 9-4 teams in the AP Poll and five in the Coaches Poll are ranked ahead of 12-2 North Texas. The Mean Green were one of the best offenses in college football this season, and that will be made more obvious this fall. Unfortunately, the stars that will make it obvious are all at Oklahoma State, including their head coach, quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. Still, Neal Brown and North Texas have a great 2025 season to build off of heading in the future.
15. Navy (11-2) (Last Week #18) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #23 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
A historic run and season for Navy, finished off with a win in the Liberty Bowl! 11-2 is always a solid record for just about any team, but it is an extra good one for Navy. Led by stellar quarterback Blake Horvath, the Midshipmen had one of their best offenses ever. If Navy beats either North Texas or Notre Dame, they likely would have been in the playoff themselves. I’ll go out on a limb and say Army, Navy, or Air Force one will make the College Football Playoff in the next five years.
16. Virginia (11-3) (Last Week #21) (#19 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #16 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
From 5-7 to 11-3 is another great turnaround, this one led by Tony Elliott. Elliott got his first winning season at Virginia, played for an ACC Championship, beat an SEC team in a bowl game, and almost won the conference and made the College Football Playoff. In a wide-open conference like the ACC, the Cavaliers should have a great opportunity to continue their success going into the 2026 season.
17. Houston (10-3) (Last Week #25) (#21 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #22 and #19 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Another great improvement story for the 2025 season. Houston Willie Fritz improved from 4-8 in year one to 10-3 in year two. It will be interesting to see how the Cougars do in the ever-improving Big 12 in 2026. Returning Connor Wiegman, who had over 2,700 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, and 700 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, will be big for the UH this fall.
18. Texas (10-3) (Last Week #) (#13 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #12 and #13 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Texas finished their season strong, winning seven of their last eight games, including wins over Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and UM. Most importantly, Arch Manning looked like the star everyone expected him to be in their final games of the year and should carry that momentum over into 2026. He’s at his best when Texas utilizes him as a threat to pass and run the ball. There’s no reason he shouldn’t have Texas be a great team in 2026.
19. Alabama (11-4) (Last Week #16) (#9 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #9 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Just think, if Nick Saban coaches one more year, Curt Cignetti might be continuing his Alabama dynasty instead of leading Indiana to 16-0. Instead, the Tide has Kalen DeBoer, who struggles with the Big Ten in the postseason. To be fair to DeBoer, though, he doesn’t have the advantage of being in the only conference to pay their players like Saban did. It’s also never easy to follow legends. The instances of that successfully happening are the exception and not the rule. DeBoer may not be Nick Saban, but he has kept Bama battling in the SEC.
20. Oklahoma (10-3) (Last Week #14) (#8 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #13 and #10 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Oklahoma more than proved they were overrated and shouldn’t have been in the playoff field. The Sooners’ best win was over 9-4 UM in September. While they stumbled at the end of their season, they got a lot of good experience that will help them a lot in the fall. Returning John Mateer for a second year at quarterback will be huge for them and will give them a better chance to prove themselves in 2026.
21. Western Michigan (10-4) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
After an 0-3 start to 2025, the Broncos finished winning 10 of their final 11 games. They even avenged their lone loss in that time by beating Miami (Ohio) in a rematch for the MAC Championship. They then proceeded to paste another 10-win conference champion in their 41-6 Myrtle Beach Bowl victory to close out a fantastic finish to the year.
22. Kennesaw State (10-4) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Double-digit wins and a conference championship in only your second year in the FBS is a strong block to the foundation of your program. Jerry Mack took them from 2-10 last season to 10-4 this season. The Owls are on stronger ground moving forward as a program in Conference USA.
23. Vanderbilt (10-3) (Last Week #14) (#14 in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Ranked #15 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Diego Pavia’s college career is finally over. Vanderbilt’s historic season and turn around is overshadowed due to the downward trajectory of the SEC and the all-time turnaround at the top of college football. Still, the Commodores’ improvements of the last two seasons have been impressive, and would be rightfully lauded if they hadn’t been overshadowed by those of the Hoosiers. 10-3 is great for Vandy, even if they did end with a loss that gave up 34 points to Iowa.
24. UNLV (10-4) (Last Week #20) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
One of 24 teams with double-digit wins means something in college football. Despite having two different head coaches, UNLV has gone 30-12 in the past three seasons. Dan Mullen and Corey Dennis’ offense was one of the better ones in college football this season, and their 10-4 season is a solid one for them to build off of. UNLV will be the top dog in the Mountain West this fall and should reach its three-season average of ten wins again.
25. Washington (9-4) (Unranked Last Week) (Unranked in the College Football Playoff Rankings) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Demond Williams saga kind of overshadowed the fact that Washington finished their season 9-4 and are poised for a big 2026. The Huskies’ offense scored 38 or more points in eight of their nine wins, and Jedd Fisch’s team improved from 6-7 to 9-4. Expect even further improvement and more from them this fall.
The 2025 College Football Playoff
First Round
8. Oklahoma (10-3) 24, 9. Alabama (11-3) 34
Friday, December 18th, 2025 – Norman, Oklahoma
7. Texas A&M (11-2) 3, 10. Miami (11-2) 10
Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – College Station, Texas
6. Ole Miss (12-1) 41, 11. Tulane 10 (11-3)
Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – Oxford, Mississippi
5. Oregon (12-1) 51, 12. James Madison 34 (12-2)
Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – Eugene, Oregon
Quarterfinals
1. Indiana (13-0) 38, 9. Alabama (11-3) 3
Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – Pasadena, California
4. Texas Tech (12-1) 0, 5. Oregon (12-1) 23
Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – Miami, Florida
3. Georgia (12-1) 34, 6. Ole Miss (12-1) 37
Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – New Orleans, Louisiana
2. Ohio State (12-1) 14, 10. Miami (11-2) 24
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 – Arlington, Texas
Semifinals
3. Ole Miss (13-1) 27, 10. Miami (12-2) 31
Thursday, January 8th, 2026 – Glendale, Arizona
1. Indiana (14-0) 56, 5. Oregon (13-1) 22
Friday, January 9th, 2026 – Atlanta, Georgia
National Championship
1. Indiana (15-0) 27, 10. Miami (13-2) 21
Monday, January 19th, 2026 – Miami, Florida
