TL;DR

Texas grabs the preseason No. 1 spot. The CFP rolls out a straight-seeding model rewarding performance. QB battles, new coaches, and Deion’s Buffaloes are stirring the pot. Preseason energy = full-speed hype.

1) Preseason Rankings Dropped—Texas Tops the Charts

The Coaches Poll Top 25 is here—and Texas leads, followed by defending champs Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia, and Notre Dame. SEC dominates the ranks.
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Expect AP Poll confirmation soon—but this slide sets the tone.

2) Playoff Shake-up: Straight Seeding in 2025

The CFP adopts a straight-seeding model: the five highest-ranked conference champions automatically qualify, and the top four seeds (based purely on ranking) get first-round byes, even if they’re independents like Notre Dame.
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This approach makes regular-season performance even more crucial—win on merit, not just conference pedigree.

3) QB Watch & Injury Flags

• LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier was briefly sidelined with patellar tendinitis—no serious injury, coach Kelly confirmed. He’s target-ready for season opener vs. Clemson.
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• Ohio State QB Battle: Still tight. Multiple contenders headline a battle that may define early-season clarity—or chaos.

4) Coaching Turnover & What's New

• Sherrone Moore enters his second year as Michigan head coach after Harbaugh’s exit. Analysts think he’s a dark horse—nicknamed one of 10 coaches with National Title potential in 2025.
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• Kalen DeBoer, in his second season at Alabama, maintains that the Tide are still “elite.” QB competition is heating up in Tuscaloosa.
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• Jimbo Fisher, despite a massive buyout, says he’s open to a return if the right opportunity presents itself.
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5) Colorado Under Deion: A New Identity

Without Shedeur or Travis Hunter, Deion Sanders is leaning into a different identity: “win differently.” Analysts predict a modest step back—win total projected under 7—but all eyes are on how Deion builds now.
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6) Emerging Stars—Keep Your Eyes On…

• Malik Muhammad, Texas cornerback, is quietly staking his claim. Named preseason All-SEC second team. Could be the breakout defensive star.
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What This Means

• Every regular-season game matters more—new playoff structure underlines that.

• Talent plus coaching change = volatility—Moore, DeBoer, Deion all bring new energy.

• Watch depth: From JBs to cornerbacks, this preseason will launch unexpected contenders.

Watch 2025 College Football Preseason Rankings: