The latest ESPN FPI top 25 rankings are here following the preseason edition in the middle of August. We got some Week Zero action, highlighted by Iowa State beating Kansas State in an AP Poll ranked matchup in Ireland. Led by Rocco Becht, the Cyclones gutted out a wild victory overseas to start No. 1. […]
The latest ESPN FPI top 25 rankings are here following the preseason edition in the middle of August. We got some Week Zero action, highlighted by Iowa State beating Kansas State in an AP Poll ranked matchup in Ireland.
Led by Rocco Becht, the Cyclones gutted out a wild victory overseas to start No. 1. Ironically, Iowa State isn’t in ESPN’s top 25 based on the FPI metrics. But Kansas State dropped some spots this week.
The full slate comes to us in Week 1 next weekend. But for now, let’s dive into ESPN’s latest FPI rankings!
1. Texas
Texas is the top team across all of the rankings, including the FPI, until further notice. Of course, that could change immediately if the Longhorns lose to Ohio State on the road to open the season.
Steve Sarkisian has a loaded squad once again, led by QB Arch Manning. Is the hype real? It just might be!
2. Georgia
Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs remained at No. 2 in the ESPN FPI top 25. Gunner Stockton takes over at QB and has a new weapon: WR Zachariah Branch.
The defense should be borderline elite, even if it’s not at the level of recent national championship teams. Being this well coached gives Georgia the benefit of the doubt compared to most.
3. Alabama
The Crimson Tide usher in Year 2 of the Kalen DeBoer era with a lot of expectations. QB Ty Simpson takes over under center and Ryan Williams comes off a banner freshman season at wide receiver.
Linebacker Deontae Lawson is one of the best defenders in the game and will be key for the Alabama defense. FPI’s metrics have Alabama as a top three team and that could be the case for most of the year.
4. Ohio State
The defending national champions look a little different this season. Still, ESPN’s FPI has Ohio State in the top four.
WR Jeremiah Smith and DB Caleb Downs are the stars of the team and NFL-caliber, even if Smith can’t go to the league until 2027. Ryan Day, as long as he gets the QB right, should have another team that can contend for the Big Ten and make a CFP run.
5. Penn State
A loaded squad is back for this top five FPI team. Penn State has the best collection of talent James Franklin has had, maybe ever, during his time with the Nittany Lions.
Drew Allar,Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, we could go on and on! This team is a Big Ten and national title contender.
6. Notre Dame
CJ Carr is the quarterback this season after winning a tight battle with Kenny Minchey. That’ll still be the position to watch on an otherwise very solid team.
Marcus Freeman has a Heisman caliber RB in Jeremiyah Love in the backfield as well. The Fighting Irish are certainly expected to be a top six team in the FPI and other polls throughout the season.
7. Oregon
Oregon is in the top 10 of the FPI but a lot of the Big Ten attention is on Ohio State and Penn State. Dan Lanning has improved this team each season though.
A lot is on the shoulders of QB Dante Moore after he backed up Dillon Gabriel last season. Freshman WR Dakorien Moore is someone to watch for, especially given his talent level.
8. Tennessee
If new QB Joey Aguilar is as good as promised, perhaps the offense won’t miss much of a beat. Tennessee, under Josh Heupel, should be a steady College Football Playoff contender.
ESPN’s FPI is higher on Tennessee than other polls. For example, the Vols are No. 24 in the AP Poll ahead of the season, so we’re unsure which version we’ll get.
9. Texas A&M
Mike Elko and crew stayed at the No. 9 spot in the FPI ahead of the season. Still, the Aggies might be a dark horse in the SEC and at the very least, compete for a CFP spot.
QB Marcel Reed is an intriguing talent. Texas A&M just has to avoid a second half lull like last year following the 7-1 start in 2024.
10. Ole Miss
The Rebels received a little more hype ahead of the start of the 2025 season. Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin are firmly in the top 10 of the FPI with less than a week til kickoff.
Austin Simmons is set to start at QB and he is an enticing talent. Still, Kiffin and crew have to replace a good amount of talent but attacked the transfer portal, replacing practically the entire secondary.
ESPN releases updated FPI Top 25 rankings after Week 0
11. South Carolina
12. LSU
13. Florida
14. USC
15. Michigan
16. Clemson
17. Miami
18. SMU (+1)
19. Oklahoma (+1)
20. Auburn (+1)
21. Kansas State (-3)
22. BYU
23. Missouri
24. Arizona State
25. Kansas (+1)
Category: General Sports
