Here is the first Gridiron Football College Football Top 25 poll. This is not the AP or Coaches poll even though those are taken in consideration. This is how we would rank it after every week as every week will change.
- Ohio State (1-0)
AP Ranking: #1
Week 1 Result: 14-7 win over Texas
There was a lot of hype around Arch Manning as Texas’ full-time starting quarterback but let us not forget that Ohio State is the defending national champions. Head Coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes made a big statement that they should be the number one team in the country and not Texas. Making his first start, Julian Sayin handled himself well in a big environment by completing 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a 40 yard touchdown to Carnell Tate giving the Buckeyes a 14-point cushion early in the fourth quarter. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia made life miserable for Manning, who completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards a touchdown and an interception. The difference in the game was that Ohio State converted on their fourth and goal attempt with a one-yard touchdown from CJ Donaldson while Texas was stuffed on their quarterback sneak attempt on their fourth and goal attempt. Ohio State makes the jump back into the number one spot in the AP Poll and will host Grambling State on Saturday.
2. LSU (1-0)
AP Ranking: #3
Week 1 Result: 17-10 win over Clemson
There was perhaps no team that made a better statement than the LSU Tigers did this past Saturday in their Top 10 17-10 win over Clemson. The win finally put an end to a Week 1 skid dating back to the 2019 National Championship season. LSU certainly looked like a team on Saturday that is not only capable of making the College Football Playoff but winning a national championship. Under defensive coordinator Blake Baker, the LSU defense looked like the LSU defenses of old as they were dominant in all three levels of the defense in harassing Cade Klubnik all game long, limiting the rushing game to only 31 yards, and shutting out the home team in the second half. The LSU offense is only going to get better led by Heisman front runner quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who had an efficient game and did enough to get the win completing 28 of 38 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown. After what may be arguably the biggest win of the Brian Kelly era, the LSU Tigers will get back to a happy homecoming when hosting Louisiana Tech for the home opener.
3. Penn State (1-0)
AP Ranking: #2
Week 1 Result: 46-11 win over Nevada
After making the College Football Playoff Semifinal and returning a lot of their starters from last year, the Penn State Nittany Lions are one of the favorites to compete for a national championship this year. James Franklin’s squad started off the season with a 46-11 win over Nevada. The dynamic 1-2 punch of Nicholas Singleton and Kayton Allen combined for three touchdowns on the ground while the Penn State defense forced three turnovers and only held Nevada to 203 total yards of offense. Dani Dennis Sutton was especially dominant forcing two Nevada fumbles along with a sack and a PBU. QB Drew Allar was efficient completing 22 of 26 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown. Penn State will host Florida International at Happy Valley on Saturday.
4. Georgia (1-0)
AP Ranking: #4
Week 1 Result: 45-7 win over Marshall
The defending SEC champion Georgia Bulldogs started off the season with a businesslike 45-7 win over Marshall. In his first start as the Bulldogs quarterback, Gunner Stockton showed off the wheels with two rushing touchdowns while also throwing for two more touchdowns including a 47 yard strike to USC transfer Zachariah Branch. The Georgia defense was too much for the defending Sun Belt champion Marshall Thundering Herd to handle only accounting for 207 total yards of offense and seven first downs. The Bulldogs will once again host another non-conference opponent this Saturday by playing against Austin Peay.
5. Texas (0-1)
AP Ranking: #7
Week 1 Result: 14-7 loss to Ohio State
It was a day to forget for Arch Manning, who struggled mightily against the Ohio State defense completing 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards one touchdown and one interception. The 7 points scored by Texas is tied for the fewest points scored in the Steve Sarkisian era. Texas just could not extend drives when it mattered most only converting 1 of 5 attempts on the money down including most notably a quarterback sneak that got stuffed near the goal line. The Longhorns defense did a great job in keeping Texas in the game, but the offense just could not deliver on the road against the defending national champions. The good news is that Texas has a couple of winnable games to get back on track before starting the month of October against Florida.
6. Miami (1-0)
AP Ranking: #5
Week 1 Result: 27-24 win over Notre Dame
The latest installment of the Catholics vs. Convicts rivalry was another classic in a Top 10 matchup between Miami and Notre Dame. Georgia transfer QB Carson Beck started the game hot throwing for 205 yards and two touchdowns in his first start with the Hurricanes highlighted by arguably the play of the week which was an unbelievable one-handed touchdown grab from former Liberty and LSU wide receiver CJ Daniels. Notre Dame rallied from a 14-point deficit and tied the game up with a touchdown run from CJ Carr, but a late go-ahead field goal from Carter Davis and back-to-back sacks from Miami’s defense was enough to close the deal giving Mario Cristobal one of his biggest wins snapping an eight-game losing streak against Top 10 opponents. Miami will look to build on the momentum this Saturday against Bethune-Cookman.
7. Oregon (1-0)
AP Ranking: #6
Week 1 Result: 59-13 win over Montana State
The defending Big 10 champion Oregon Ducks got off to a blazing start this season with a 59-13 throttling of FCS power Montana State. In his first start with the Ducks, former five-star quarterback Dante Moore was sharp throwing for 213 yards and three touchdowns while spreading the football to ten different receivers. True freshman running back Jordon Davison ran for three touchdowns to lead the ground attack becoming the first true freshman to rush for three scores in a season opener in Oregon history. Oregon will have a bigger challenge in Week 2 as the Ducks will take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
8. Clemson (0-1)
AP Ranking: #8
Week 1 Result: 17-10 loss to LSU
In a Top 10 matchup, it was the LSU Tigers that bettered the Clemson Tigers 17-10. All night long, LSU’s defense frustrated preseason All-American QB Cade Klubnik, who only completed 19 of 38 passes for 230 yards and an interception. Clemson was shut out in the second half after taking a 10-3 lead at halftime. To make matters worse, the running game only had 31 yards rushing and they were without one of their top wide receivers in Antonio Williams, who exited out of the game in the first quarter. Despite all that, Clemson had an opportunity to tie the game late with the football until turning the football over on downs in the final minute of the game. Although the Tigers did lose, Clemson still is one of the favorites to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff and will look to bounce back this week hosting Troy.
9. South Carolina (1-0)
AP Ranking: #10
Week 1 Result: 24-11 win over Virginia Tech
Coaching against a team in which his father coached to being a College Football powerhouse, it was only fitting that Shane Beamer and South Carolina clinched a victory over Virginia Tech with a game changing 80 yard punt return touchdown from Vicari Swain to make it a 17-8 game considering that Frank Beamer made a living with standout special teams play called “Beamerball”. Bookended with a powerful touchdown run and a 64-yard touchdown pass from star quarterback LaNorris Sellers, the Gamecocks were able to get a 24-11 victory over Virginia Tech. While the game was only a two-point game in the fourth quarter, the South Carolina defense was able to prevent the Hokies from reaching the end zone. South Carolina would like to clean up some of the negative plays with Virginia Tech having four sacks and five tackles for loss this week against South Carolina State.
10. Notre Dame (0-1)
AP Ranking: #9
Week 1 Result: 27-24 loss to Miami
Fresh off an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish opened the season with a Top 10 showdown against the Miami Hurricanes. Despite falling short in an entertaining 27-24 game against the Hurricanes, there was a lot to like including the debut of staring quarterback CJ Carr, who looked poise in his first start finishing 19 of 30 for 221 yards and two touchdowns to one interception plus a rushing touchdown to tie the game at 24 with three and a half minutes remaining. After a Miami field goal to go back up by three, it was the Hurricanes defense that closed the deal out with back to back sacks. The Fighting Irish could not get their best player Jeremiyah Love going, who only finished with 59 total yards of offense on 14 touches. It does not get any easier for the Irish as they will take on Texas A&M in a highly anticipated matchup after a bye this week. That is an important game for the Irish to bounce back in order to get back in the College Football Playoff talk.
11. Arizona State (1-0)
AP Ranking: #12
Week 1 Result: 38-19 win over Northern Arizona
The Arizona State Sun Devils were everybody’s Cinderella story last year after projecting to finish last in the conference to start the season and then winning the Big 12 conference while pushing Texas to the limit in the College Football Playoff. With high expectations this year under Kenny Dillingham, the Sun Devils kicked off their season with a 38-19 win over Northern Arizona. Sam Leavitt finished the game completing 25 of 39 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 73 more yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. Leavitt’s favorite target Jordyn Tyson had a big outing with 12 grabs for 141 yards and two touchdowns. The duo of Leavitt and Tyson will be one of the best QB/WR tandems to watch this year.
12. Michigan (1-0)
AP Ranking: #15
Week 1 Result: 34-17 win over New Mexico
It was the start of the Bryce Underwood era at Michigan. The number one quarterback in the 2025 class surely looked like it in his first start against New Mexico. The number one overall player from this year’s recruiting cycle completed 21 of 31 passes for 251 yards and a touchdown. Alabama transfer running back Justice Hayes was also impressive in his debut with a career high 159 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, the Michigan defense was opportunistic with three turnovers. Underwood became the fourth true freshman to start at quarterback for the Wolverines and his second test will be much tougher going on the road to play Oklahoma in the only ranked on ranked matchup of the week in Week 2.
13. Florida (1-0)
AP Ranking: #13
Week 1 Result: 55-0 win over Long Island
The Florida Gators opened up their season with a lobsided 55-0 shutout victory over Long Island on Saturday. Star quarterback DJ Lagway was finally healthy towards the end of fall camp and put his health to the test by completing 15 of 18 passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns. The Gators had no problem moving the ball down the field by either scoring a touchdown or a field goal on their first eight drives. Freshman Vernell Brown III arguably had the play of the week doing his Odell Beckham impression with an incredible one-handed catch. Billy Napier’s squad will be tested next week against a South Florida team that is on the verge of making this list after a win over Top 25 ranked Boise State.
14. Florida State (1-0)
AP Ranking: #14
Week 1 Result: 31-17 win over Alabama
Perhaps the most shocking win of the weekend was Florida State’s 31-17 upset of Alabama. Not only was it an upset, but the game was more lopsided than the score may indicate. After talking the talk all offseason long, Boston College transfer quarterback Tommy Castellanos also walked the walk by leading a punishing Seminoles rushing attack that had 230 yards on the ground. Castellanos, who defeated Florida State last year in their home opener, did the same to Alabama by completing 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards while rushing for another 78 yards and a touchdown. With former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn calling the plays, Florida State looked like the great Auburn teams that were competing for championships in the 2010’s. Defensively, Florida State only allowed 89 rushing yards and made preseason All-American candidate Ryan Williams a non-factor. This put an end to a 23 game season opener winning streak by Alabama. Entering the season, people were wondering what version of Mike Norvell’s team we are going to get. Would it be the 2023 version that finished with an undefeated ACC championship or the 2024 version that ended the season with a 2-10 record? For one game, it sure looked like the former and we will see if that momentum will continue for the Seminoles moving forward.
15. Illinois (1-0)
AP Ranking: #11
Week 1 Result: 52-3 win over Western Illinois
The Illinois Fighting Illini were on full display on Saturday in a 52-3 rout of Western Illinois. Hank Beatty was the major headline when he broke Red Grange’s 102-year-old Illinois record for yards on punt returns when he had four punt returns for 133 yards highlighted by a 69-yard punt return touchdown breaking Red Grange’s mark of 125 against Nebraska in 1923. Luke Altmyer proved why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 10 completing 17 of 21 passes for three touchdowns including two to Ball State transfer Justin Bowick. Aidan Laughery added 109 yards and two touchdowns on the ground as well. The defense only allowed 163 yards and 11 total first downs in the blowout. In all three phases, there was a lot to like for head coach Bret Bielema.
16. Tennessee (1-0)
AP Ranking: #22
Week 1 Result: 45-26 win over Syracuse
The Tennessee Volunteers started off the season with a win over Syracuse led by their new quarterback Joey Aguilar, who looked comfortable running Josh Heupel’s offense in a 45-26 win over the Orange. The former Appalachian State and UCLA quarterback had a lot of big plays completing 16 of 28 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns. He led a Volunteer offense that accounted for 493 total yards of offense. Meanwhile, the Volunteers’ defense sacked Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli five times including a scoop and score on a fumble return by Colton Hood. Additionally, DeSean Bishop and Peyton Lewis each had touchdown runs. Tennessee’s offensive balance was impressive with 247 yards passing and 246 yards rushing. Overall, it was as good of a season opener for a Tennessee team that entered the fall with a lot of questions.
17. Iowa State (2-0)
AP Ranking: #16
Week 1 Result: 55-7 win over South Dakota
After stealing the Week 0 spotlight with a ranked win over Kansas State in Farmageddon, Iowa State made sure that they were going to avoid the trap game against South Dakota. Rocco Becht was nearly perfect completing his first 14 passes and finishing with a school record 95% completion percentage completing 19 of 20 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns with two of those touchdowns going to tight end Benjamin Brahmer. Kicker Kyle Konrardy also set a school record himself for the longest field goal of 63 yards in a game. Next up, Iowa State will host in-state rival Iowa for one of the biggest games in Week 2.
18. Texas A&M (1-0)
AP Ranking: #19
Week 1 Result: 42-24 win over UTSA
To start of the season, Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed threw a career high four touchdown passes to help the Aggies pull away from UTSA by a final score of 42-24. NC State transfer KC Concepcion had a standout day as well with a touchdown catch and opened up the scoring with an 80 yard punt return for a touchdown. Mississippi State transfer wide receiver Mario Craver got Aggies fans excited with a career best 122 yards receiving and two touchdowns. One fascinating note is that EJ Smith, who is the son of the NFL’s all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith, scored his first touchdown as an Aggie after transferring in from Stanford.
19. Oklahoma (1-0)
AP Ranking: #18
Week 1 Result: 35-3 win over Illinois State
John Mateer made his Oklahoma debut after coming in as a highly talented transfer from Washington State and did so in eye popping fashion in a 35-3 win over Illinois State. In the win, Mateer set a school record for most yards passing in an Oklahoma debut surpassing Baker Mayfield’s 388 yards against Akron in 2015. Overall, Mateer finished completing 30 of 37 passes for 390 yards and three touchdowns while also adding a score on the ground. Southern Illinois transfer Keontez Lewis had nine catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns in his debut. While the offense accounted for nearly 500 yards, the defense was just as impressive, allowing 151 total yards. Next week, Oklahoma has a chance to make a major jump as they will host Michigan in what will be the game of the week in college football.
20. Utah (1-0)
AP Ranking: #25
Week 1 Result: 43-10 win over UCLA
In what was a reunion between two former Pac-12 rivals, it proved to be a one side affair dominated by the Utah Utes in their 43-10 win over UCLA. New Mexico transfer Devon Dampier gave the Utes offense an extra dimension as a dual threat completing 21 of 25 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 87 yards on the ground. The vaunted Utah defense shut down former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava to completing only 11 of 22 passes for 136 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Limiting the Bruins offense to 222 yards was just vintage Kyle Whittingham. Pair that with an exciting quarterback in Dampier, Utah is a dangerous team to watch in the Big 12.
21. SMU (1-0)
AP Ranking: #17
Week 1 Result: 42-13 win over East Texas A&M
Fresh off an appearance in the College Football Playoff last year, the SMU Mustangs are looking to once again be a dark horse in the ACC. Rhett Lashlee’s squad started off the season with a 42-13 win over East Texas A&M. Kevin Jennings immediately got the scoring started with a touchdown pass to Romello Brown a minute into the game. Jennings finished the game completing 22 of 30 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns while also adding a rushing touchdown. The Mustangs also got two interceptions returned for touchdowns with Ahmaad Moses getting a 95 yard interception return and Alexander Gilgore caught one off a deflection and returned one also for a score.
22. Texas Tech (1-0)
AP Ranking: #24
Week 1 Result: 67-7 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff
There is a lot of hype with this Texas Tech Red Raiders team after having one of the best transfer portal classes in the country and being ranked in the preseason for the first time since 2008. It was a great opening season debut with a 67-7 throttling of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Red Raiders scored on all 11 of their drives started by Behren Morton, who completed 16 of 18 passes for 201 yards and four touchdowns before exiting the game following a sack in the second quarter. Coach McGuire described it as a hyperextended knee for Morton and should be fine moving forward. Will Hammond and Mitch Griffin both led touchdown drives as well. Also, an interesting note that the only touchdown scored by Arkansas-Pine Bluff was a touchdown catch from last year’s Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game MVP Ellis Stewart.
23. Alabama (0-1)
AP Ranking: #21
Week 1 Result: 31-17 loss to Florida State
Saturday proved to be a disaster for the Alabama Crimson Tide ending their 23 season opener winning streak against the Florida State Seminoles. After a game opening touchdown drive, the game turned south for Alabama as the defense could not contain Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos, who led a rushing attack that ran for 230 yards on the ground punching the Crimson Tide’s defense in the mouth. On the other side, Alabama could not run the football averaging only three yards per carry. It was a gut punch for Kalen DeBoer, who has already just as much unranked losses entering his second year as Nick Saban had his whole tenure at Alabama. Going 5-5 in his last 10 games, fans are starting to lose their patience with DeBoer.
24. Ole Miss (1-0)
AP Ranking: #20
Week 1 Result: 63-7 win over Georgia State
In his first start as the starting quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels, Austin Simmons had a nice debut replacing program legend Jaxson Dart, who was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. The left handed quarterback completed 20 of 31 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns to route Georgia State 63-7. Kewan Lacy had 108 yards and three touchdowns on the ground to pace a running attack that had close to 300 yards. Ole Miss will begin conference play next week against Kentucky.
25. Tulane (1-0)
AP Ranking: Unranked
Week 1 Result: 23-3 win over Northwestern
The Tulane Green Wave put on a dominant performance at home in their 20th year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Head Coach Jon Sumrall wanted to make a statement when Northwestern declined their request to wear white jerseys. The Green Wave showed the Wildcats why they should have never disrespect the Green Wave with a 23-3 win. The Green Wave’s opportunistic defense forced five turnovers including a whopping four interceptions. BYU transfer QB Jake Retslaff ran all over the place with 113 yards on the ground and a touchdown. He also threw for 152 yards and another touchdown in his first start with the Green Wave. This team is definitely a team to watch out for when it comes to getting the coveted Group of Five playoff spot.
Just Missed The Cut: Auburn, Louisville, South Florida, Indiana, Kansas State, TCU, Missouri, Nebraska, Georgia Tech, BYU, UNLV
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