With the North Carolina Tar Heels and TCU Horned Frogs bringing Week 1 to a close on Monday night, all 136 FBS teams have played at least one game, and we have a better understanding now than we’ve ever had about the state of the sport. Our Week 1 college football power rankings rank every team from worst to first, with analysis for the top 25 programs entering Week 2.
25) Auburn Tigers
Result: Auburn 38, Baylor 24
The Auburn Tigers were dominant on the ground with 308 rushing yards against the Baylor Bears. Transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold did his part, rushing for 137 yards and two touchdowns, including a fourth-down conversion that sealed the win.
24) Missouri Tigers
Result: Missouri 61, Central Arkansas 6
It was a complete effort for Missouri, which overwhelmed an inferior opponent. The Tigers finished with 560 total yards while holding Central Arkansas to 227 and forcing two turnovers. Quarterback Beau Pribula was efficient, completing 23 of 28 passes for 283 yards and two scores.
23) Oklahoma Sooners
Result: Oklahoma 35, Illinois State 3
The Oklahoma Sooners put on a defensive clinic in their season-opener, holding Illinois State to just 151 total yards and three points. Quarterback John Mateer was on fire, throwing for 392 yards and three touchdowns in his first Sooners start.
John Mateer has broken Baker Mayfield’s record for passing yards in an OU debut with 392 📈 pic.twitter.com/N8mrDHQh58
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) August 31, 2025
22) Illinois Fighting Illini
Result: Illinois 52, Western Illinois 3
It was another day at the office for the Illinois Fighting Illini, who dismantled an inferior opponent in Western Illinois. Head coach Bret Bielema’s squad, which has Big Ten title aspirations, looked sharp in all phases.
21) Texas A&M Aggies
Result: Texas A&M 42, UTSA 24
Quarterback Marcel Reed was the star of the show for the Texas A&M Aggies with 289 passing yards, four touchdowns and a team-high 39 rushing yards. The Aggies’ win was a little closer than they’d like, but it goes in the win column.
20) Louisville Cardinals
Result: Louisville 51, Eastern Kentucky 17
The Louisville Cardinals jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Jeff Brohm’s team piled up 545 total yards and 28 first downs to Eastern Kentucky’s 10.
19) Indiana Hoosiers
Result: Indiana 27, Old Dominion 14
Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza didn’t look fully comfortable in Curt Cignetti’s offense, something that will have to be ironed out quickly for the Indiana Hoosiers to live up to expectations of competing for a CFP berth for a second straight season.
18) BYU Cougars
Results: BYU 69, Portland State 0
The BYU Cougars eased true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier into his first career start, limiting him to just 11 pass attempts in a blowout win, though three went for touchdowns. It was a classic Week 1 confidence-building stomping for BYU.
17) Alabama Crimson Tide
Result: Florida State 31, Alabama 17
Surprisingly, Alabama was beaten at the line of scrimmage in its Week 1 matchup. Florida State averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored four rushing touchdowns, while the Tide managed just 87 rushing yards. Head coach Kalen DeBoer will need to right the ship quickly — or risk landing on the hot seat..
Alabama just suffered its first week 1 loss in 24 years, thanks to Florida State 🐘 pic.twitter.com/WQVf1clAhX
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 30, 2025
16) Iowa State Cyclones
Result: Iowa State 55, South Dakota 7
The Iowa State Cyclones followed up their emotional overseas victory over Kansas State with a dominant home opener to move to 2-0. Quarterback Rocco Becht was nearly flawless, completing 19 of 20 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns — potentially inching into the early-season Heisman conversation.
15) SMU Mustangs
Result: SMU 42, East Texas A&M 13
It wasn’t a perfect Week 1 showing for SMU, but it was more than enough. The Mustangs led 21-3 at halftime and cruised to the finish. If they hope to return to the CFP, they’ll need to play with more intensity moving forward.
14) Miami Hurricanes
Result: Miami (FL) 27, Notre Dame 24
The Miami Hurricanes blew past the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in convincing style, with the three-point gap not indicative of the nature of the game. Mario Cristobal’s team never fell behind during the Sunday night encounter, with a dominant defensive performance led by Rueben Bain Jr. as the catalyst for their success. Carson Beck was rarely pressured, and how he performs in those situations could define the Hurricanes’ season.
13) Tennessee Volunteers
Result: Tennessee 45, Syracuse 26
The Tennessee Volunteers proved that losing quarterback Nico Iamaleava wouldn’t derail their 2025 campaign. Tennessee came out firing, jumping to a 17-0 lead by the end of the first quarter and closing strong. Transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar was brilliant, tossing three touchdowns in an inspiring debut.
12) LSU Tigers
Result: LSU 17, Clemson 10
Head coach Brian Kelly finally secured a Week 1 victory, as the LSU Tigers went into Death Valley and handed Clemson an opening-week loss. Though it wasn’t always pretty, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and company made plays when needed on offense, while the defense harassed a dynamic Clemson unit from start to finish.
11) Ole Miss Rebels
Result: Ole Miss 63, Georgia State 7
The Ole Miss Rebels poured it on early and often against Georgia State, finishing with 695 yards of total offense and 63 points in a season opener that sparked belief they can contend in a loaded SEC, even with several new faces at key positions.
10) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Result: Notre Dame 24, Miami (FL) 27
The 2024-2025 College Football Playoff bridesmaid stumbled while trying to catch this season’s bouquet, putting them a step back in our college football power rankings. CJ Carr showed flashes of brilliance in the defeat, but the difference between a veteran presence and a true freshman under center was telling. Puzzling usage of a stellar running back tandem clouds the true projection for Fighting Irish football this fall.
9) Utah Utes
Result: Utah 43, UCLA Bruins 10
The Devon Dampier experience couldn’t have started better for Utah. The former New Mexico transfer diced up the Bruins’ defense for 206 passing yards, 87 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns. He was excellent — as was the Utes’ defense, which locked down the elusive Nico Iamaleava.
Call him Dynamic Dampier⚡️
3 TDs
290+ Yards
21/25 Pass Completions
Devon Dampier Highlights vs. UCLA🎬#Big12FB | @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/mMTmQug9NJ— Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) August 31, 2025
8) South Carolina Gamecocks
Result: South Carolina 24, Virginia Tech 11
It wasn’t pretty for most of the afternoon, but South Carolina staved off defeat in its Week 1 win over Virginia Tech. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers made several electrifying plays with both his arm and legs, showcasing himself as one of the top players in the country.
7) Georgia Bulldogs
Result: Georgia 45, Marshall 7
There were questions about how quarterback Gunner Stockton would handle starting duties, given concerns about his ceiling. He put those doubts to rest Saturday, accounting for four total touchdowns (two passing and two rushing) to lead Georgia to a dominant season-opening win.
6) Arizona State Sun Devils
Result: Arizona State 38, Northern Arizona 19
The Arizona State Sun Devils defense struggled at times against Northern Arizona, but the offense was sharp. The running game totaled 203 yards and three touchdowns on 9.7 yards per carry. That, paired with star quarterback Sam Leavitt, looks like a winning formula for the Sun Devils.
5) Penn State Nittany Lions
Result: Penn State 46, Nevada 11
The Penn State Nittany Lions routinely dispatches inferior opponents early in the season, and 2025 was no exception. The offense was explosive, and the defense — led by North Carolina transfer linebacker Amare Campbell — was equally impressive. Campbell finished as the team’s leading tackler.
4) Texas Longhorns
Result: Texas 7, Ohio State 14
Quarterback Arch Manning didn’t look like the Heisman favorite he’d been hyped to be, failing to eclipse 200 passing yards in his third start for Texas. Credit Ohio State’s defense, but the Longhorns will need to improve significantly if they hope to contend for a national title.
3) Clemson Tigers
Result: LSU 17, Clemson 10
The Tigers dropped a physical battle to LSU, a result that knocked them down to eighth in the AP poll. Still, the Tigers showed toughness and flashed dynamic playmaking ability. They remain high in the power rankings because, despite the 0-1 start, they’re still in the national title mix. This could be the wake-up call Clemson needed after an offseason full of hype.
2) Oregon Ducks
Result: Oregon 59, Montana State 13
The Oregon Ducks jumped on Montana State from the opening whistle, building a 38-3 halftime lead. Head coach Dan Lanning rotated players early and often, revealing a deep and talented roster that looks ready to defend its Big Ten title and chase a national championship.
DUCKS WIN!
Oregon opens 2025 with a dominant victory to extend the nation’s longest nonconference home winning streak to 35 games. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/hVNEiEfd0H
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) August 30, 2025
1) Ohio State Buckeyes
Result: Ohio State 14, Texas 7
In a game expected to carry major postseason implications, the Ohio State Buckeyes defended home turf and sent the Longhorns packing with a loss. The defense was stout, intercepting Arch Manning once and holding Texas to a single touchdown.
College Football Power Rankings | 26-136
26) Texas Tech Red Raiders
27) Kansas State Wildcats
28) Florida State Seminoles
29) Iowa Hawkeyes
30) Michigan Wolverines
31) USC Trojans
32) Minnesota Golden Gophers
33) Baylor Bears
34) Florida Gators
35) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
36) TCU Horned Frogs
37) Boston College Eagles
38) Syracuse Orange
39) Kansas Jayhawks
40) Pittsburgh Panthers
41) Washington Huskies
42) Duke Blue Devils
43) Colorado Buffaloes
44) Arizona Wildcats
45) Vanderbilt Commodores
46) California Golden Bears
47) Rutgers Scarlet Knights
48) North Carolina State Wolfpack
49) Nebraska Cornhuskers
50) West Virginia Mountaineers
51) Wisconsin Badgers
52) Mississippi State Bulldogs
53) Tulane Green Wave
54) Boise State Broncos
55) Virginia Tech Hokies
56) North Carolina Tar Heels
57) Arkansas Razorbacks
58) Cincinnati Bearcats
59) UCF Knights
60) Virginia Cavaliers
61) Michigan State Spartans
62) Maryland Terrapins
63) Houston Cougars
64) Kentucky Wildcats
65) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
66) UCLA Bruins
67) Purdue Boilermakers
68) James Madison Dukes
69) Navy Midshipmen
70) UNLV Rebels
71) Washington State Cougars
72) Oklahoma State Cowboys
73) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
74) Utah State Aggies
75) Oregon State Beavers
76) Memphis Tigers
77) South Alabama Jaguars
78) Northwestern Wildcats
79) Miami OH RedHawks
80) South Florida Bulls
81) Liberty Flames
82) Appalachian State Mountaineers
83) Stanford Cardinal
84) Ohio Bobcats
85) Bowling Green Falcons
86) Fresno State Bulldogs
87) Texas State Bobcats
88) East Carolina Pirates
89) North Texas Mean Green
90) UTSA Roadrunners
91) Central Michigan Chippewas
92) Buffalo Bulls
93) Army Black Knights
94) Connecticut Huskies
95) Toledo Rockets
96) Troy Trojans
97) Arkansas State Red Wolves
98) Old Dominion Monarchs
99) Western Michigan Broncos
100) Georgia Southern Eagles
101) Rice Owls
102) Jacksonville State Gamecocks
103) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
104) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
105) Northern Illinois Huskies
106) Colorado State Rams
107) Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
108) San Jose State Spartans
109) Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
110) Southern Missouri Golden Eagles
111) San Diego State Aztecs
112) UL Monroe Warhawks
113) Temple Owls
114) Eastern Michigan Eagles
115) Air Force Falcons
116) San Houston State Bearkats
117) Florida Atlantic Owls
118) Wyoming Cowboys
119) Charlotte 49ers
120) Florida International Panthers
121) New Mexico Lobos
122) Tulsa Golden Hurricane
123) Georgia State Panthers
124) Nevada Wolfpack
125) Alabama-Birmingham Blazers
126) New Mexico State Aggies
127) UTEP Miners
128) Kennesaw State Owls
129) Ball State Cardinals
130) Delaware Blue Hens
131) Akron Zips
132) Missouri State Bears
133) Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
134) Massachusetts Minutemen
135) Marshall Thundering Herd
136) Kent State Golden Flashes
