Another season of PCFB football is here, and with it comes the return of debates, expectations, and the annual optimism that every contender brings into Week 1. Season 3’s preseason Top 25 is one of the deepest and most balanced fields the league has seen yet, but it’s also a poll loaded with blue-blood brands. Nebraska, Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, UCLA, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, and Tennessee all find themselves in the top ten before a snap is taken.
But beneath those headliners sits an even bigger storyline: Texas enters Season 3 as the defending national champions, boasting a reloaded roster and one of the strongest recruiting classes in league history. The Longhorns’ quest to repeat sits front and center as the most compelling narrative of the preseason.
And if any conference is in position to derail that dream, it’s the league that seems to own half the poll—the SEC, which places a massive seven teams in the Top 25 (Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and others). It’s a reminder that the gauntlet of the sport still runs through SEC country, even with Texas now stepping into the spotlight as the reigning champion.
With that, let’s run through the full landscape of the 2025 PCFB preseason rankings and break down how each contender fits into the national picture.
1. Nebraska – The Hungry Powerhouse
Nebraska claims the preseason No. 1 spot after coming painfully close to a championship breakthrough last season. They boast the league’s most complete roster on paper, especially on defense, where they return nearly every major contributor from a top-five unit.
The Huskers are physical, they’re deep, and they’re battle-tested. The only question: can they finally finish the job? Nebraska has been knocking on the door for two straight seasons, and with Texas stealing the spotlight last year, the Huskers enter 2025 with a massive chip on their shoulder.
If Nebraska gets consistent quarterback play, this is the team most likely to stand between Texas and a repeat title.
2. Texas – The Defending National Champions Reload
The Longhorns shocked absolutely no one by finishing last season with the national championship trophy held high. What did surprise people was just how quickly Steve Sarkisian’s program transformed itself into a juggernaut.
Texas wasn’t just good—they were dominant late in the season, hitting their stride at the exact right time behind a mix of veteran playmakers and emerging star freshmen.
Now, they return to the field with:
- A championship pedigree
- The league’s most heralded incoming recruiting class
- One of the most explosive offenses in PCFB
- A defense returning key contributors at all three levels
The schedule isn’t easy, especially being in a Top 25 loaded with SEC powers, but Texas is built for the grind. The Longhorns don’t just look like a contender—they look like the early-season favorite to win it all again.
The biggest question is whether the Longhorns can handle the enormous target on their back for a full season. Everyone will be circling the Texas matchup on their calendar. Everyone wants a piece of the champs.
3. Penn State – Dark Horse National Title Threat
Penn State sits right where they want to be: highly ranked, respected, but not carrying the burden of top billing. James Franklin’s squad returns a sharp, experienced quarterback and a defense that improved dramatically throughout last season.
The Nittany Lions play a physical brand of football, and their offensive line is widely considered one of the best in the country. If they can clean up the inconsistency that plagued them late last season, Penn State has a very real chance to reach the playoff.
4. Notre Dame – A Veteran Team Ready to Break Through
If there’s one team in the top five most likely to surprise people, it’s Notre Dame. The Irish return a veteran core, especially on defense, and they have a legitimate All-American candidate at quarterback.
Brian Kelly built his early success at Notre Dame around discipline and efficiency, and this roster resembles those teams more than recent ones. Top-10 talent, top-five coaching, and a favorable early schedule make the Irish a sneaky pick to appear in the national championship game.
5. UCLA – West Coast Contender With Real Bite
UCLA has steadily built itself into a real powerhouse, and Season 3 might finally be the year they turn the corner. With an offense built around speed and misdirection and a defense that loves to pressure, the Bruins are extremely difficult to prepare for.
The biggest obstacle is their schedule—UCLA faces multiple Top 10 teams and might need to win at least one statement game to avoid being overlooked by the committee.
6. Clemson – Talent Everywhere, Questions at QB
Clemson’s defense is once again loaded with five-star talent, future NFL draft picks, and absurd depth in the front seven. They will not lose many games because of defense.
What keeps them outside the top five is quarterback play. Clemson has the talent to finish No. 1, but also the inconsistency to finish outside the playoff. It’s all going to come down to how the offense performs in big moments.
7. Georgia – One of the SEC’s Seven Ranked Teams
Georgia opens the season at No. 7 and leads a massive contingent of SEC teams ranked in the preseason poll. The Bulldogs have the talent to win the whole thing—no surprise there—but returning production is the question.
Still, SEC defenses fear Georgia’s balance, and Kirby Smart always has his team ready to peak at the right time. Whether this is a playoff team or a 10-win New Year’s Six team will depend on quarterback development and the secondary.
8. Michigan – Strong, Disciplined, and Dangerous
Michigan lands inside the top ten thanks to a powerful offensive line and a defense that could be the Big Ten’s best behind Nebraska. They aren’t flashy, but they are fundamentally sound, and in the Big Ten, that goes a long way.
If Michigan can steal a game against either Penn State or Nebraska, they can play themselves straight into playoff contention.
9. Tennessee – SEC Title Threat No One Should Ignore
Tennessee cracked the top ten and for good reason: they’re fast, explosive, and return a quarterback who might be the best in the SEC this season. The Volunteers are extremely well-coached and finally have the defensive depth to compete with Georgia.
They are one of the seven SEC teams that make up nearly a third of the entire Top 25—proof that the league still sets the bar in PCFB.
10. Oregon – A Veteran Group With Playoff Potential
Oregon finishes the top ten as one of the most complete teams on the West Coast. Returning stars at quarterback, running back, and linebacker give the Ducks continuity and experience—two things crucial in a playoff race.
Their ceiling is a playoff bid. Their floor is a top-15 finish. That’s how steady this team is.
11. Washington – Powerful, Physical, and Underrated
Washington sits just outside the top 10 and could easily jump into it by Week 3 or 4. The Huskies are physical, smart, and extremely well-coached defensively. Washington’s ability to slow down high-tempo offenses will make them a tough matchup for anyone ranked ahead of them.
13. Florida – The Unpredictable SEC Wildcard
Florida sits at No. 13, and fittingly so—they might be the hardest team to predict in the entire Top 25. At their best, they have the talent to upset almost any team on their schedule. At their worst, they can struggle to close out games against mid-tier opponents.
But make no mistake: Florida is dangerous. Their recruiting has been outstanding, player development is trending upward, and the SEC slate gives them multiple opportunities to climb into the top 10 quickly.
14. Wake Forest – Rising Program With Real Momentum
Wake Forest continues its rise, landing inside the top 15 for the first time in PCFB’s short history. Their offense is complicated to defend and their quarterback is seasoned. Wake Forest will need to win tight games, but they have the poise to do it.
15. Miami – Searching for Consistency
Miami cracked the top 15 largely because of talent. The Hurricanes have elite speed on both sides of the ball, but they have to prove they can put it all together. If Miami gets hot, they can rise fast. If not, they may hover around the teens all season.
16. Texas A&M – SEC Team No. 4 With Upset Potential
Texas A&M enters the season as the fourth SEC team inside the top 16. The Aggies are tough, battle-tested, and have one of the conference’s best front sevens. Consistency on offense is the key to climbing the rankings.
17. Ohio State – Unusual Position, Real Motivation
Ohio State outside the top 15 is rare—but also dangerous. The Buckeyes have something to prove, and they return enough offensive firepower to immediately threaten for a top-10 spot. If the defense takes even a small step forward, OSU will rise quickly.
18. Texas Tech – Big 12 Sleeper Team
Texas Tech rounds out the top 20 with a fast-paced offense capable of upsetting just about anyone. Their defense needs work, but their scoring ability gives them a puncher’s chance in every game.
19. Northwestern – Built Around Defense
Northwestern is another team built on physicality and discipline. They won’t score 50 points, but they’ll grind out tough, low-scoring wins. Their style isn’t always pretty, but it’s effective.
20. SMU – Fast, Flashy, and Dangerous
SMU’s offense is pure speed. They’re capable of exploding for 40-plus points any week, and they play fearless football. If their defense improves even marginally, they could surge into the top 15.
21. Indiana – Solid All-Around Team
Indiana sits at 21 with a balanced roster and a veteran quarterback. They aren’t elite in any single area, but they’re solid in every area. If they avoid injuries and win the games they should, this is a 9- or 10-win team.
22. Oklahoma – Rebuilding but Still Lethal
Even in a rebuilding year, Oklahoma is too talented to fall out of the rankings. Their offense will carry them early, and if the defense comes together, the Sooners could climb quickly.
23. Ole Miss – SEC Team No. 6 in the Rankings
Ole Miss rounds out the large SEC presence in the Top 25. Their offense is versatile and dangerous, and their defense is improved. The Rebels could be one of the breakout SEC teams of the season.
24. Tulane – The Best G5 Program in PCFB
Tulane continues to be the standard for non-Power Five success. Their disciplined defense and efficient offensive scheme have made them one of the best-coached programs in the nation.
25. Arizona State – Sneaky Good and Well-Coached
Arizona State squeaks into the top 25, but don’t let the ranking fool you—they’re good. Very good. They have a roster full of upperclassmen and a defense with potential to finish top-20 nationally.
The SEC’s Massive Presence: Seven Teams in the Top 25
The SEC makes an overwhelming statement with seven teams in the preseason Top 25:
- Georgia (#7)
- Tennessee (#9)
- Florida (#13)
- Miami (#15)
- Texas A&M (#16)
- Ole Miss (#23)
- (and if including Texas as SEC, that becomes eight teams)
This is dominance. This is depth. And this is exactly why Texas’ title defense will be so challenging.
Even with Texas holding the crown, the SEC still towers over every other conference in terms of depth and top-tier talent.
Season Outlook: Texas vs. The Field
The biggest question entering Season 3 is simple:
Can Texas repeat?
The Longhorns have the roster. They have the recruiting. They have the momentum. But the field behind them—especially the SEC—might be the strongest pool of contenders in the short history of PCFB.
Nebraska and Penn State look like legitimate title contenders. Notre Dame and UCLA could easily sneak into the playoff. And Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida all have the firepower to catch fire at the right time.
One thing is certain:
Season 3 is shaping up to be the most competitive PCFB season we’ve seen yet.
And Texas, for all their strength, will need to be even better than last year to survive this Top 25.
