"First, Ohio State (No. 1 on [Mark] Schlabach's list) is obviously in despite a challenging 2025 schedule (No. 2 Texas and No. 3 Penn State at home, No. 13 Illinois and No. 21 Michigan on the road) and the requisite loss to the Wolverines," Connelly noted. "The Buckeyes will go 2-1 against the other headliners and advance at 10-2."

We’re already thinking ahead to all the possibilities of the 2025 college football season. After Stewart Mandel published his initial Top 25 last Tuesday, led by Penn State at No. 1, we’re back with a survey of 31 college football writers and editors at The Athletic for their early national championship,