College Football Power Shifts Ahead of 2025 Season

As the 2025 college football season approaches, conference previews and preseason polls indicate shifting power dynamics across major conferences. The ACC is expected to see Clemson as a strong favorite in the AP Top 25 Poll, with Miami and SMU likely to be ranked and other teams in contention. In the Big Ten, six teams, including Ohio State and Penn State, are ranked in the Coaches Poll, underscoring the conference's athletic strength and ongoing financial initiatives, such as exploring private equity partnerships in response to athlete revenue-sharing models. The Big 12 is considered highly competitive, with Arizona State emerging as a preseason favorite after a surprise championship last year, but multiple teams are viewed as contenders. Key transfers and returning talent are fueling optimism throughout college football. The expanded College Football Playoff adds to the anticipation for the upcoming season.