Josh Pate's top 20 college football teams for 2025
College football has reached the post-spring rankings part of the offseason schedule, with spring ball completed in April. The Oklahoma Sooners have received some offseason buzz from ESPN and college football analysts like Joel Klatt.
On the surface, that might be surprising to some, with the Sooners coming off of a 6-7 season. However, with what they've done in the transfer portal and how they've recruited, Oklahoma looks primed for a significant bounce-back season in 2025.
Count Josh Pate among those who are encouraged by what the Sooners have done this offseason. On his show, the Josh Pate College Football Show, Pate put the Oklahoma Sooners at No. 10 in his early rankings for the 2025 season. He believes that the Sooners will have a top 15-20 defense and that the offense will return to respectability.
But Pate's belief in the Sooners comes primarily from his belief in Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer.
...probably I think is the most overlooked of the major conference teams heading into the summer is Oklahoma. Apparently, I'm higher on Oklahoma than anybody is. I think it could be a top 10 team coming into the season, not one of those wait and see sort of things because I believe in the OC (Ben Arbuckle)- QB (John Mateer) addition that much. I believe in Mateer and Arbuckle and their addition to that team. That I look around last year, guys. If they were on that team last year I would think they would have competed and contended. - Pate, Josh Pate College Football Show
But along with the offensive coordinator and quarterback additions, Pate recognizes that the Sooners need their offensive line to be much better than last year. If that's the case, Oklahoma will be a playoff contender in 2025.
Here's a look at Pate's top 20.
This makes a lot of sense. Clemson brings back one of the top quarterbacks in college football, and they're coming off of a playoff berth. If Cade Klubnik can build off of his fantastic 2024 season and the Tigers figure out their defense, they'll be a playoff
2. Texas Longhorns
I mean, I guess someone has to be in the top five. Arch Manning hysteria will rival The Beatles when it's all said and done.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
Another one that makes sense here. Drew Allar is back after a strong 2024 season. The question on everyone's mind is, can James Franklin win the big one?
Alabama has to figure out its quarterback situation. Kalen DeBoer is a good coach, and he's got his protege Ryan Grubb as the offensive coordinator, and they've got a really good roster. If they've got a QB, they're a threat.
LSU would likely be ranked higher if Brian Kelly had more postseason success. Garrett Nussmeier is one of a few legit preseason Heisman contenders. LSU is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Can the Notre Dame Fighting Irish overcome the loss of Riley Leonard, who was instrumental in leading Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff national championship?
7. Oregon Ducks
Oregon had a great season and then ran into a buzzsaw that was the Ohio State Buckeyes in the postseason. Replacing Dillon Gabriel with Dante Moore may create a step back offensively, but Dan Lanning has the defense trending in the right direction.
8. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ryan Day fought off the hot seat talk after the Michigan loss with an epic run to the national title. Now, they're turning over a huge part of their championship roster. A step back feels like a closer reality than a contending season.
9. Florida Gators
The Florida Gators rallied over the second half of the season to finish 8-4, save Billy Napier's job, and usher in the D.J. Lagway era. If they can manage a brutal schedule and get to 10 wins, nobody will want to play the Gators in the playoffs.
10. Oklahoma Sooners
I'm optimistic about the Oklahoma Sooners in 2025, but I also want to see them prove it on the field before I'd be comfortable with them as a top-10 team. Beat Michigan, Auburn, and Texas in the first half of the season, and then we can talk.
If there's a team outside the top 10 that deserves to be inside it, it's the Georgia Bulldogs. Kirby Smart has earned that respect. They're also the defending SEC champions.
12. Miami Hurricanes
Carson Beck's move to Miami gave the Hurricanes one of the top quarterbacks in college football to follow the would-be No. 1 overall draft pick, Cam Ward. Can Beck be the difference at The U?
13. Arizona State Sun Devils
Sam Leavitt returns, but no Cam Skattebo to lean on. But with Jordyn Tyson healthy, the offense should be able to air it out once again.
14. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M will put a good defense on the field, but can Marcell Reed elevate his game to the next level and evolve as a passer?
15. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois' only losses in 2024 were to No. 9 Penn State, No. 1 Oregon, and an eight-point loss to a scrappy Minnesota team. They beat South Carolina in the bowl game and brought back an experienced group led by quarterback Luke Altmeyer. It's another tough schedule for the Illini in 2025, with road games to Nebraska, Oregon, and Penn State and a home affair with Michigan.
16. Ole Miss Rebels
The Ole Miss Rebels lost eight players to the NFL draft, including five in the top 77 picks. They're turning over their quarterback and key leaders on defense. If Austin Simmons can hit the ground running and find a go-to wide receiver to replace Tre Harris, they'll be good offensively. But they lost a lot.
Haynes King provided Georgia Tech with a passing element to their triple-option offense and combined for 25 total touchdowns last season. Georgia Tech has an uphill climb in the ACC, but with an experienced QB, could be a dark horse in the conference title race.
18. South Carolina Gamecocks
Pate is notably lower on South Carolina than most. It probably has a lot to do with the talent the Gamecocks lost on defense. Gone are Nick Emmanwori, Kyle Kennard, Demetrius Knight, T.J. Sanders, and Tonka Hemingway, players who were stars for the South Carolina defense and went in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft.
19. Michigan Wolverines
Week two at Oklahoma will be quite the baptism by fire for true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. Facing a Brent Venables defense in just your second collegiate start and on the road in Norman won't make for a comfortable start to his collegiate career.
20. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Big fan of Behren Morton's game and Texas Tech has made some noise in the name, image, and likeness game in just about every sport. Will that be enough for the Red Raiders to win the Big 12 and make the playoff?
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
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