Penn State Claims No. 1 Spot in USA TODAY Sports Collage Football Re-Rank
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The debut USA TODAY Sports College Football Re-Rank 1-136 for the 2025 season sees penn State ascend to the top, signaling a potential shift in the college football landscape.
The preseason is officially underway, and with it comes the first glimpse into the national rankings for the 2025 season. While the US LBM Coaches Poll initially placed Texas at No. 1, the USA TODAY Sports Re-Rank offers a different outlook, elevating Penn State to the top position, followed by Georgia at No. 2 and Clemson at no. 3. The Longhorns come in at No.4, with Notre Dame and Ohio State rounding out the top six.
A New Era for the Nittany Lions
Currently, analysts believe Penn State represents a more reliable contender than Ohio State. The Buckeyes face significant roster turnover,including a new quarterback,revamped backfield,and a largely reconstructed defensive front seven,alongside new offensive and defensive coordinators. This period of transition introduces uncertainty, while Penn State appears poised for continued success.
Georgia’s Grip on the SEC Questioned
The shift in the rankings also reflects a growing debate within the Southeastern Conference. After securing two victories against Texas last season, questions linger regarding weather the bulldogs are truly prepared to relinquish control of the conference to the Longhorns. According to one analyst, this question is “one of the biggest in the Bowl subdivision entering the regular season.”
Early season Showdown Could Reshape Rankings
The early weeks of the season will be crucial, especially the highly anticipated matchup between Ohio State and Texas. This contest, described as “one of the marquee season openers in recent FBS history,” could dramatically alter the rankings. A win for either team could be enough to propel them to the No. 1 spot.
Top 12 Breakdown
Beyond the top three, the Re-Rank reveals a competitive field:
- No. 7 Alabama
- No. 8 Oregon
- No. 9 Miami
- No. 10 LSU
- No. 11 Oklahoma
- No. 12 Illinois
LSU, in particular, is positioned for a potential surge in the rankings should they secure a week 1 victory against Clemson.
Conference Dominance
The top 30 teams are heavily represented by the Power Four conferences:
- SEC: 10 teams
- Big Ten: 8 teams
- Big 12: 5 teams
- ACC: 4 teams
- Mountain West: 2 teams
- Independant: 1 team (Notre Dame)
The conference favorites are identified as Penn State, Georgia, Clemson, and Kansas state. Within the Big 12, Kansas State leads a crowded field including Arizona State, Texas Tech, TCU, and Utah.
group of Five contenders
The group of Five conferences also have their preseason favorites:
- Boise State (Mountain West)
- Tulane (American)
- james Madison (Sun Belt)
- Toledo (MAC)
- Western Kentucky (Conference USA)
Familiar Face at the Bottom
At the opposite end of the spectrum, kent State occupies the No. 136 spot, mirroring their finish from the 2024 season.
The 2025 college football season promises to be a dynamic and competitive one,with Penn State leading the charge as the initial No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports Re-Rank.
