NCAAF 2025: Strengths and Weaknesses of Every Way-Too-Early Top 25 Team Unveiled

The 2025 NCAAF season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, with spring practices underway and early rankings already generating buzz. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses for each team in the Way-Too-Early Top 25:

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

• Strength: Star Power – Led by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs, both expected to dominate on All-America rosters.
• Weakness: Inexperience – With eight new defensive starters and a freshman quarterback, the Buckeyes face a steep learning curve.

2. Texas Longhorns

• Strength: Impact Defenders – Texas boasts a formidable front seven, including Colin Simmons and Trey Moore.
• Weakness: Growing Pains – Offensive and defensive line makeovers could lead to early struggles.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

• Strength: Elite Defense – New playcaller Jim Knowles inherits a unit with standout contributors.
• Weakness: Wide Receiver Depth – The loss of Mackey Award-winning tight end Tyler Warren leaves a gap in the passing game.

4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

• Strength: Secondary – Leonard Moore and Christian Gray anchor a loaded defensive backfield.
• Weakness: Quarterback Uncertainty – A battle between Steve Angeli and CJ Carr adds intrigue but also risk.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

• Strength: Linebackers – CJ Allen and Gabe Harris Jr. lead a dynamic group.
• Weakness: Running Backs – Injuries and departures have left the backfield with more questions than answers.

6. Oregon Ducks

• Strength: Front Seven – Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti headline a dominant defensive unit.
• Weakness: Quarterback Transition – Dante Moore steps into big shoes following Bo Nix’s departure.

7. Clemson Tigers

• Strength: Quarterback – Cade Klubnik’s experience gives the Tigers a reliable leader.
• Weakness: Running Back Depth – The absence of Phil Mafah and Jay Haynes leaves a void.

8. LSU Tigers

• Strength: Quarterback – Garrett Nussmeier’s experience and talent make LSU a threat.
• Weakness: Offensive Line Retooling – Four new starters will need to gel quickly.

9. BYU Cougars

• Strength: Overall Defense – The Cougars’ defensive unit remains a cornerstone.
• Weakness: Defensive Line Depth – Key departures leave room for concern.

10. South Carolina Gamecocks

• Strength: Front Seven – Dylan Stewart and Bryan Thomas Jr. lead a strong defensive line.
• Weakness: Interior Offensive Line – Replacing three starters will be a challenge.

11. Iowa State Cyclones

• Strength: Quarterback – Rocco Becht’s experience and talent make him a Big 12 standout.
• Weakness: Receiver Depth – The Cyclones lose two of their top pass-catchers.

12. Alabama Crimson Tide

• Strength: Defensive Front – Tim Keenan III and James Smith anchor a formidable line.
• Weakness: Receiver Depth – Ryan Williams needs more support.

13. Illinois Fighting Illini

• Strength: Experience – Luke Altmyer and a seasoned defensive core return.
• Weakness: Offensive Explosiveness – Illinois must find more playmakers.

14. Arizona State Sun Devils

• Strength: Coaching – Kenny Dillingham’s leadership continues to inspire.
• Weakness: Running Back Depth – Replacing Cam Skattebo won’t be easy.

15. SMU Mustangs

• Strength: Tight Ends – RJ Maryland and Matthew Hibner provide a reliable duo.
• Weakness: Skill Player Turnover – SMU must replace key playmakers.

16. Kansas State Wildcats

• Strength: Big Plays – Avery Johnson and Dylan Edwards are game-changers.
• Weakness: Defensive Back Makeover – New faces must step up.

17. Indiana Hoosiers

• Strength: Defensive Star Power – Mikail Kamara and Aiden Fisher lead the charge.
• Weakness: Interior Line Play – Indiana’s line must improve.

18. Florida Gators

• Strength: Offensive Line – Jake Slaughter anchors a solid unit.
• Weakness: Receiver Depth – The Gators need more playmakers.

19. Tennessee Volunteers

• Strength: Big-Play Defenders – Arion Carter and Joshua Josephs return.
• Weakness: Proven Receivers – Nico Iamaleava needs more targets.

20. Louisville Cardinals

• Strength: Ground Game – Isaac Brown and Duke Watson are dynamic backs.
• Weakness: Interior Defensive Line – Louisville must shore up the middle.

21. Michigan Wolverines

• Strength: Running Game – Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes lead the charge.
• Weakness: Pass Catching – Michigan needs more consistent receivers.

22. Texas A&M Aggies

• Strength: Stability – Marcel Reed provides a steady hand at QB.
• Weakness: Receiver Turnover – The Aggies lost their top pass-catchers.

23. Miami Hurricanes

• Strength: Running Game – Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle return.
• Weakness: Secondary – Miami needs more consistency in the backfield.

24. Boise State Broncos

• Strength: Quarterback – Maddux Madsen is poised for a breakout year.
• Weakness: Running Back – Replacing Ashton Jeanty is a tall order.

25. Ole Miss Rebels

• Strength: Defensive Line – Suntarine Perkins leads a strong unit.
• Weakness: Secondary – The Rebels need a rebuilt backfield to step up.