What do Tinder and the 2025 Coach’s Poll have in common? The answer in a moment. On Monday, the 2025 Coach’s Poll was released. Jake Crain of the Crain & Company podcast may have won the day with his thoughts on preseason polls. “Preseason polls are like getting matched on Tinder. It doesn’t mean anything unless you can close the deal.” While we won’t be providing any dating advice in this column, try Dr. Ruth instead. We will be looking at how the coaches viewed the Top 25 teams and conferences heading into the season. To give you a little preview, it still just means more (even if we’re not counting conference games).
Nine Reasons the SEC Loves the 2025 Coach’s Poll
Let’s take a quick overview of how the conferences fared. We’ll provide you with the rankings and key insights or storylines that may help shape the narrative
The Coach’s Poll is Hooked on the SEC
Nine SEC teams lock out the 2025 Coach’s Poll, led by #1 Texas. As Crain said, it’s not where you start, it’s how you finish. The SEC is a proud conference, but has failed to win or even put a team in the national championship the last two seasons. Texas and Georgia make a lot of sense in the Top 5. The coaches seem to be expecting a bounce back from Kalen DeBoer in Tuscaloosa, but you have to wonder if they are underestimating the work Brian Kelly has done in the Portal and in adding coaches this offseason.
South Carolina and Ole Miss are hoping they only missed their chance at the Playoff in 2025 and that their window of opportunity hasn’t closed. Billy Napier will be hoping his quarterback can stay healthy to overcome one of the toughest schedules in the country for a second year in a row. Tennessee and Texas A&M round out the Top 25, but these could be replaced by Auburn or Missouri. The middle tier of the SEC will be highly entertaining (and stressful) for coaches and fans in 2025.
- #1 Texas Longhorns
- #4 Georgia Bulldogs
- #8 Alabama Crimson Tide
- #9 LSU Tigers
- #13 South Carolina Gamecocks
- #15 Ole Miss Rebels
- #17 Florida Gators
- #18 Tennessee Volunteers
- #21 Texas A&M
Can Mid Game James Handle B1G Expectations?
What gap is bigger? The one between eight and nine conference games, or the gap between six and nine teams being ranked in the Coach’s Poll? Depending on your conference affiliation, your answer will surely differ. What can’t be argued is that the Big Ten has hoisted the CFB Playoff trophy for the last two years. Can Penn State or Oregon make it three straight?
- #2 Ohio State Buckeyes
- #3 Penn State Nittany Lions
- #7 Oregon Ducks
- #12 Illinois Illini
- #14 Michigan Wolverines
- #19 Indiana Hoosiers
Big 12 Money and Depth
Texas Tech received plenty of big headlines for its offseason spending. The coaches still appear skeptical that all that money won’t buy happiness or championships in Lubbock, sorry, Andrew McCleary. What can’t be argued is the depth of talent in this confernce. While they didn’t have a team crack the Top 10 in the 2025 Coach’s Poll, the margin between #11 and #24 is razor-thin. We cannot wait for the season. Make sure to follow Andrew, btw, he has all you need to keep up on this conference.
- #11 Arizona State Sun Devils
- #20 Kansas State Wildcats
- #22 Iowa State Cyclones
- #23 BYU Cougars
- #24 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Don’t Forget About the ACC
Wait a second. Notre Dame isn’t in the ACC? This writer is an idiot. Ok, we got that out of the way, now hear us out. Notre Dame is not “technically” in the ACC, save for the 2020 season. What cannot be argued is that Notre Dame and the ACC do have a special scheduling agreement where they are guaranteed to play at least five ACC teams every year, with special preference given to Clemson, Florida State, and Miami. So, while the Irish may not play for or win an ACC Championship, we are lumping them in.
Let’s face it, it might be in Jim Phillips’ best interest. The league is devoid of top-end talent. Clemson and SMU barely got into the playoffs last year and did not perform well. Miami has spent a lot of money, and it seems like they are on the cusp of doing something. But let’s be honest, we’ve been writing and saying that since the Hurricanes joined the conference in 2004. Clemson is the team that will carry the banner for the ACC in 2025. They have a loaded roster and a marquee matchup against LSU at home to start the season. The ACC is in danger of falling out of relevance in college football. Teams used to claim championships all the time when it was convenient, see Alabama. Maybe it might be good for the ACC to do the same.
- #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- #6 Clemson Tigers
- #10 Miami Hurricanes
- #16 SMU Mustangs
Like a G6
Tired: Group of 5. Wired: G6. Who doesn’t want to be like a G6? If you get that reference, it might be time to schedule your colonoscopy. The Pac-2 will expand next year, moving our Group of Five to a Group of Six. These six conferences will claw and fight their way for a single playoff spot. Boise State earns “favorite” status to start 2025. UNLV and Tulane are in the hunt, as the Broncos learn to live life without Ashton Jeanty.
- #25 Boise State Broncos
Main Photo: Credit: Aaron Meullion-USA TODAY Sports
