Indiana Crushed Illinois 63-10 (Photo by Indiana Athletics)
Even with highly ranked teams like Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia, Iowa State and Texas A&M off, Week 4 had some fantastic football! Here’s where the best of college football are in the Power Rankings of a very young 2025 season.
1. Ohio State (3-0) (Last Week #1) (Ranked #1 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The #1 Buckeyes had the week off before they head to Seattle next week to take on the Washington Huskies and their 22-game home winning streak.
2. Penn State (3-0) (Last Week #2) (Ranked #3 and #2 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
PSU also had the week off before they too face a tough test from the West Coast of the Big Ten. Penn State will welcome Oregon to a Happy Valley White Out, something that can’t be understood until it is experienced. PSU will look to win this rematch of 2024’s Big Ten Championship Game.
3. Georgia (3-0) (Last Week #3) (Ranked #5 and #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Dawgs also were off before a big showdown next week. They welcome Alabama to Athens to renew the rivalry that has defined the SEC for the past decade.
4. Oregon (4-0) (Last Week #4) (Ranked #6 and #5 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Ducks rocked the Beavers in the Battle for the Platypus Trophy, 41-7. Oregon will now hit the road for a huge night game next week. The #4 Oregon Ducks will take on the #2 Penn State Nittany Lions in Penn State’s infamous White Out game. It’s arguably the most difficult road environment in college football, and it will host a rematch of the 2024 Big Ten Championship Game.
5. LSU (4-0) (Last Week #5) (Ranked #4 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Tigers’ win over Clemson is not aging well, but LSU will have plenty of chances to prove how good they are as the season continues. They pummeled SE Louisiana 56-10, which is how they needed that game to go in preparation for Ole Miss next week. Another road test, this one should show LSU’s quality even better than their win over a now reeling Clemson.
6. BYU (3-0) (Last Week #7) (Ranked #25 and #24 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I may have them ranked too high, but I believe in BYU (and part of my process is I don’t have teams drop if they keep winning and don’t have teams jump those ahead of a team without the leading team losing). They are playing very well on defense, they have a fantastic running game, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier is showing growth every series he leads! The Cougars stay on the road this week, taking on Coach Prime and Colorado in Boulder. BYU is a true contender for the Big 12 Championship.
7. Miami (4-0) (Last Week #8) (Ranked #2 and #6 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
It wasn’t the ‘Canes best game, but any time you beat your rival, it’s a beautiful win. Miami’s victory over Florida is another positive step for the surprise team of 2025. Miami will have next week off before they play their bitterest rival when they visit Florida State. At the rate these two teams are going, they may meet again in December.
8. Iowa State (4-0) (Last Week #9) (Ranked #14 and #13 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The leaders of the Big 12 had this week off before they welcome a resurgent Arizona to Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on September 27th. It’s early, but it seems like the Big 12 is the Cyclones’ to lose this season.
9. Indiana (4-0) (Last Week #10) (Ranked #11 and #12 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I knew Indiana was capable of beating Illinois, and I’m not surprised that they did. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised by how the Hoosiers beat the Illini. Beating a top ten team 63-10 is ridiculous! I was a believer in Curt Cignetti last year, and his Indiana program is showing why again this year. Fernando Mendoza had five passing touchdowns, and suddenly, I’m glad my Buckeyes don’t have the Hoosiers on their schedule this year (so far).
10. Navy (3-0) (Last Week #11) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Navy was the fourth of my top 12 teams to have a bye week on September 20th. They’ll play Rice next week as they continue to stay the course toward being the Group of Five Playoff team.
11. Texas A&M (3-0) (Last Week #12) (Ranked #9 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Aggies also had a bye this week after their big win over Notre Dame. Marcl Reed, Le’Veon Moss, and Mario Craver will welcome Auburn and Jackson Arnold to Kyle Field on September 27th.
12. Louisville (3-0) (Last Week #13) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Cards routed Bowling Green, 40-17. Miller Moss had over 300 yards passing, and the Louisville special teams were strong with Caullin Lacy returning a punt for a touchdown. Next week, the Cardinals will travel up the Ohio River to play the Pittsburgh Panthers.
13. TCU (3-0) (Last Week #14) (Ranked #24 and #25 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
In the Battle for the Iron Skillet, the Battle between Fort Worth and Dallas, and between TCU and SMU, the Horned Frogs defeated the Mustangs. TCU won 35-24 over SMU and did so on the back (or hands) of wide receiver Eric McAlister. McAlister had eight catches for 254 yards and three touchdowns for TCU. TCU travels to Arizona State to begin Big 12 play on Friday.
14. Florida State (3-0) (Last Week #15) (Ranked #8 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Florida State flattened the Golden Flashes of Kent State. The Seminoles secured a 56-point victory, 66-10. FSU had 498 yards rushing and 775 yards of total offense. Florida State will hit the road for the first time this season when they play at Virginia on Friday.
15. Georgia Tech (4-0) (Last Week #17) (Ranked #16 and #17 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Haynes King and the Ramblin’ Wreck of Georgia Tech keep on winning. They knocked out Temple today, 45-24, with Haynes King contributing three touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets. They hit the road to play at Wake Forest next week.
16. Texas Tech (4-0) (Last Week #19) (Ranked #12 and #14 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Red Raiders got a big win on the road in Salt Lake City over Utah. That’s the good news. The bad news is quarterback Behren Morton got hurt in the victory over the Utes. Will Hammond filled in well for Morton in the win, and Texas Tech has next week off for Morton to heal before they play Houston on October 4th.
17. Oklahoma (4-0) (Last Week #20) (Ranked #7 and #10 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
John Mateer has been a fantastic get for Oklahoma. Mateer was 24 of 36 for 271 yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown. Mateer also didn’t turn the ball over for the first time this season, and that was huge in a nailbiter like this 24-17 win over Auburn. The Sooners will have a week off before hosting Kent State on October 4th.
18. Houston (3-0) (Last Week #25) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Cougars were the sixth team in the top 25 with a bye this week. They’ll play Oregon State on Friday, September 26th.
19. Maryland (4-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
True freshman quarterback Malik Washington has been the real deal for Maryland this year. Washington has 10 total touchdowns (eight passing, two rushing) and is a big reason Maryland is 4-0. The Terps will have the week off next week and host Washington the following week.
20. Vanderbilt (4-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Ranked #18 and #20 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Vandy is off to a historical start. They’re 4-0 and ranked in the top-20 and are fresh off of a 70-21 beat down of Georgia State, who had beaten them last season. The Commodores have wins over two Power 4 teams in Virginia Tech and South Carolina. They have their final non-conference game against a solid Utah State out of the Mountain West this Saturday.
21. Ole Miss (4-0) (Last Week Unranked (Ranked # in the AP and Coaches Polls)
I’ve been a doubter about Ole Miss this year and am still skeptical, but their results speak for themselves. Beating Arkansas and Tulane back-to-back is great. Next week, they get LSU and a chance to keep making skeptics believers.
22. USC (4-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Ranked #21 and #22 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Trojans had a great fight against the MSU Spartans, which they won 45-31. No rest for the weary as USC has to travel to Champaign, Illinois, to take on the Illini. Illinois is a bit of a mystery, as they had cracked the top-10 before getting absolutely dismantled by Indiana.
23. Missouri (4-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Ranked #20 and #19 in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Mizzou secured a big win over South Carolina and will now face UMass before a bye week, and then Alabama will come to the Show-Me State. Missouri has played four straight games at home to open the season, and will play the next two in Columbia before they hit the road for the first time this year. That has to be some kind of a record! Beau Pribula has the Tigers playing very well.
24. Washington (3-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
The Huskies are looking like they are ready for the challenge of the #1 team coming to town to play them. They won the Apple Cup with a resounding 59-24 victory. That’s just the kind of game you want to have before Ohio State comes to town. Washington will look to preserve their 22-game home winning streak against the Buckeyes.
25. Memphis (4-0) (Last Week Unranked) (Unranked in the AP and Coaches Polls)
Another good team in the American Conference, Memphis, will battle Navy, USF, North Texas, and more for the conference crown. There will likely be a playoff berth on the line with that conference championship as well. They’ll head to Boca Raton to take on Florida Atlantic this week.
Game of the Week
Playoff Projection
First Round
7. Oregon vs. 10. Tennessee
Friday, December 18th, 2025 – Eugene, Oregon
8. Indiana vs. 9. Florida State
Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – Bloomington, Indiana
6. Texas vs. 11. Texas Tech
Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – Austin, Texas
5. BYU vs. 12. Navy
Saturday, December 19th, 2025 – Provo, Utah
Quarterfinals
1. Ohio State vs. 8. Florida State
Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – Pasadena, California
3. Miami vs 11. Texas Tech
Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – Miami, Florida
2. Georgia vs. 7. Oregon
Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – New Orleans, Louisiana
4. Penn State vs. 5. BYU
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 – Arlington, Texas
Semifinals
2. Georgia vs. 3. Miami
Thursday, January 8th, 2026 – Glendale, Arizona
1. Ohio State vs. 4. Penn State
Friday, January 9th, 2026 – Atlanta, Georgia
National Championship
1. Ohio State vs. 2. Georgia
Monday, January 19th, 2026 – Miami, Florida
