The Ohio State Buckeyes bounced back from what seemed like a catastrophic loss to the Michigan Wolverines to go on a four-game push through the first 12-team College Football Playoff and win the national championship. Now that the confetti has been cleaned up, here is Sports Illustrated ’s way-too-early Top 25 rankings for the 2025 season.

If your favorite team doesn't win a national championship, fear not. There is still conference pride at stake. That, in truth, is a fascinating idea—one

The 11 College Football Playoff games averaged 15.6 million viewers according to Nielsen, as audiences increased during each round.

Sports Illustrated placed Alabama at No. 8 in its rankings, which is a higher spot than most outlets put Alabama in. For example, The Athletic and CBS Sports each have Alabama at No. 14 and ESPN placed the Crimson Tide at No. 12.

College Football Playoff, the first ever 12-team tournament in the history of the sport, is complete. The Ohio State Buckeyes have won the National Championship. Unfortunately that means we all have to wait nearly seven months before watching the next college football game.