College Football 2025 Predictions for Week 1 Rankings and NCAA Standings

The college football polls will have at least three alterations after Week 1.

A trio of top 10 clashes headline the weekend schedule. The marquee clash pits the top-ranked Texas Longhorns against the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Clemson Tigers could be poised to take over the spot of the Texas-Ohio State loser in the top three if they beat the LSU Tigers.

The other top-10 clash features the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Miami Hurricanes.

A handful of programs beneath the top 10 could enter ahead of Week 2 since LSU is No. 9 and Miami is No. 10.

Wins by all three favorites in Week 1's top games would open up the chance for at least two teams to jump into the top 10.

Week 1 Rankings Predictions

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1. Ohio State
2. Penn State
3. Texas
4. Clemson
5. Notre Dame
6. Georgia
7. Oregon
8. Alabama
9. Arizona State
10. Illinois
11. South Carolina
12. LSU
13. Miami
14. Michigan
15. Florida
16. SMU
17. Oklahoma
18. Texas A&M
19. Iowa State
20. Indiana
21. Ole Miss
22. Kansas State
23. Texas Tech
24. Tennessee
25. Boise State

Favorites Could Have Their Way In Week 1 Showdowns

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Ohio State, Clemson and Notre Dame are the favored teams in the three marquee Week 1 matchups.

Ohio State and Clemson are both at home against Texas and LSU, while Notre Dame is on the road at Miami.

The Buckeyes have a disadvantage at quarterback against Arch Manning, but they returned a handful of their top skill-position players on both sides of the ball.

Clemson is facing an LSU team that hasn't won in Week 1 in the Brian Kelly era.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame takes on a Miami squad that took a huge risk in bringing in Carson Beck from Georgia.

Ohio State is the most vulnerable of the three favorites, and the Buckeyes would not fall far in the rankings if they lose to the top-ranked team, but they will not be overmatched by the Longhorns.

If all three favorites win, they should all be in the top five of the Week 2 poll alongside Penn State and Georgia.

Iowa State Expected to Move Up a Few Spots

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Iowa State bagged the first top-25 win of the 2025 campaign in Ireland over Kansas State.

The Cyclones entered the Big 12 showdown five spots below the Wildcats in the rankings, so it's natural to assume they will jump a few spots when the new polls come out ahead of Week 2.

None of the teams around Iowa State in the rankings play top-25 foes in Week 1. That should allow the Cyclones to jump a few places, including over Kansas State.

Iowa State doesn't play a ranked opponent again until November 1. Of course, that can change with how wild the Big 12 can get, but right now, it looks like the Cyclones are on a path to be close to the top 10 by October if they keep winning.