College Football Power’s Disrespectful Ranking Ahead of 2025 Captures Attention
As the 2025 college football season draws closer, one topic has emerged as a major source of controversy among fans, analysts, and players alike: the “disrespectful” rankings of some of college football’s powerhouse programs. The preseason rankings, which have become an annual tradition, are meant to serve as a prediction of a team’s potential for the upcoming season. However, many of the nation’s top programs have found themselves ranked lower than expected, leading to heated debates across college football communities.
While rankings are subjective and often based on a range of factors—past performance, returning players, recruiting classes, and coaching stability—the controversy surrounding these rankings speaks to deeper issues within the sport. Powerhouse programs with storied histories and consistent success have found themselves on the outside looking in for 2025, which begs the question: Are these rankings a fair assessment of the teams’ abilities, or are they a result of bias and unwarranted skepticism?
This article delves into the controversy surrounding the 2025 preseason rankings, highlighting some of the major programs that have been subjected to what many consider to be a disrespectful ranking. It will explore the reasons behind these rankings, the impact they have on recruiting, fan bases, and the broader college football landscape, and why the rankings matter so much in shaping the narrative of a season.
The Power of Preseason Rankings in College Football
Preseason rankings hold tremendous weight in college football. They shape public perception, influence betting lines, and often provide the foundation for media discussions throughout the year. For coaches, they serve as both a goal and a motivational tool. For fans, these rankings are a source of pride or frustration, depending on where their team stands in comparison to others. Preseason rankings can also have a significant impact on recruitment, as high rankings often correlate with national attention and an increased likelihood of landing top-tier recruits.
Despite their significance, these rankings are often flawed and reflect more about the narratives surrounding certain teams than an objective analysis of their potential. Rankings are shaped by a combination of factors, including past performance, strength of schedule, returning talent, and public perception. These elements can sometimes obscure the true capabilities of a team, especially when there are variables such as new coaching staffs, player injuries, or unproven talent at key positions.
Thus, preseason rankings are often an imperfect reflection of reality, and when a team like Alabama, Ohio State, or Georgia—programs that have sustained excellence over the years—finds itself ranked lower than expected, it can lead to widespread debate and claims of disrespect. This year, several powerhouse programs are experiencing just that: rankings that seem to undermine their historical success, on-field talent, and national stature.
The Controversy Over 2025’s Disrespectful Rankings
While many college football fans are accustomed to preseason rankings that place traditional powers at the top, this year’s rankings have stirred up more controversy than usual. Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia, three of the most successful programs in recent years, have all found themselves ranked lower than anticipated in some early 2025 preseason polls. Let’s take a closer look at these teams, the reasons behind their ranking, and why these rankings have captured so much attention.
Alabama: The Tide’s Struggle to Retain Their Crown
Alabama has been one of the most dominant forces in college football for more than a decade under head coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide have won multiple national championships, played in countless SEC Championship Games, and have been a fixture in the College Football Playoff since its inception. However, as we approach the 2025 season, Alabama has found itself ranked outside the top three in several preseason polls, with some placing them as low as sixth or seventh.
The reason behind this lower-than-expected ranking centers on a combination of factors. First, Alabama is coming off a somewhat disappointing 2024 season, where they fell short of expectations in both the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. Despite boasting a roster filled with elite talent, particularly on defense, Alabama struggled at key moments, especially with the quarterback position. With Jalen Milroe’s inconsistent play under center and the team’s inability to close out big games, Alabama’s dominance seemed to slip for the first time in years.
Furthermore, Nick Saban, though still regarded as one of the best coaches in the history of the game, has faced growing questions about the future of his program. At 73 years old, the inevitable question of Saban’s coaching longevity looms over Alabama’s future, and there is concern that the program may no longer be as invincible as it once was. With Alabama’s recruiting success continuing but no longer translating into immediate national titles, some analysts believe the program is in a slight decline, which has contributed to their lower ranking in 2025.
However, many critics argue that such a sharp drop in ranking is unfair. Alabama’s recruiting class remains one of the best in the country, and with a new quarterback entering the fold, the program’s potential for a bounce-back season in 2025 is still extremely high. The Crimson Tide are not far removed from their last national championship win in 2021, and their overall depth, particularly in the trenches and on defense, positions them well to make a run for another title. The ranking of Alabama outside of the top three, given their historical dominance, feels disrespectful to many fans and analysts who believe the team still deserves more respect.
Ohio State: The Fall From the Elite Tier
Ohio State is another program that has been subjected to a relatively low ranking heading into the 2025 season. The Buckeyes have long been one of the premier programs in college football, consistently competing for Big Ten titles and national championships under head coach Ryan Day. Despite having one of the most talented rosters in the country, Ohio State has found itself ranked outside the top five in several early preseason polls, with some placing them even further down.
A big reason for Ohio State’s lower ranking is their 2024 season, which ended on a sour note. The Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan in the regular-season finale led to a missed opportunity at both a Big Ten Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Despite boasting one of the best offenses in college football, led by quarterback Kyle McCord, Ohio State’s defense was a major concern. The defensive unit struggled to stop elite offenses, and their inability to make key stops in critical moments led to several disappointing losses.
In addition to defensive concerns, Ohio State’s continued struggles to break through against Michigan in recent years have also contributed to the skepticism surrounding the program. The Buckeyes’ failure to beat their biggest rival in back-to-back seasons has led some to question their ability to compete with other elite programs, particularly in high-pressure games.
Despite this, Ohio State is still one of the most talented teams in the country, and their recruiting classes remain among the best in the nation. With a new defensive coordinator coming on board in 2025 and several key pieces returning, many believe the Buckeyes are primed for a resurgence. Yet, the narrative that Ohio State is no longer a top-tier program has led to their lower-than-expected ranking, leaving fans feeling that they’ve been unjustly downgraded.
Georgia: The Reigning Champions No Longer on Top
Georgia enters the 2025 season as the defending national champions, having won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. The Bulldogs have established themselves as one of the most dominant programs in college football, especially on the defensive side of the ball. However, despite their recent success, Georgia has found itself ranked lower than expected in some 2025 polls, with many placing them outside of the top spot.
The primary reason for Georgia’s lower ranking revolves around the departure of several key players, particularly quarterback Stetson Bennett, who played a pivotal role in the team’s championship runs. Bennett’s leadership, poise in big games, and ability to manage the offense were crucial to Georgia’s success, and his departure has raised questions about the team’s ability to maintain their dominance. While Georgia’s recruiting classes remain exceptional and their defense is still one of the best in the country, the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position has led to doubts about their ability to repeat as national champions.
Additionally, some analysts argue that Georgia’s rise to dominance over the past few seasons has been partially fueled by the relative decline of other programs in the SEC. With Alabama and LSU experiencing some level of rebuilding, Georgia has been able to rise to the top, but some wonder if they will be able to sustain that level of success when other programs are at full strength.
Despite these concerns, Georgia remains a program that can reload rather than rebuild, and their ranking outside of the top spot is seen by many as a slight to their recent success. The Bulldogs’ roster is still stacked with talent, and their ability to develop players, especially on defense, should not be underestimated. However, their lower ranking heading into 2025 feels disrespectful to their sustained excellence over the past few seasons.
The Impact of Disrespectful Rankings
The controversy surrounding the disrespectful rankings of Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia is not just a matter of pride for these programs and their fan bases—it has far-reaching implications for recruiting, team motivation, and the overall narrative of college football heading into 2025.
Recruiting Fallout
Preseason rankings play a significant role in college football recruiting. Top-ranked programs typically attract elite recruits, who see a high ranking as a sign of stability and success. When powerhouse programs like Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia are ranked lower than expected, it can create uncertainty among recruits, who may start to question whether these programs are still among the best destinations for their talents. While Alabama and Ohio State remain among the top programs in terms of recruiting class rankings, the perception of being disrespected could serve as a motivational tool to attract even more high-profile recruits looking to prove the doub
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