AP Top 25 College Football Takeaways: LSU, Alabama, Utah and More

Drew Thirion|published: Wed 3rd September, 09:15 2025

Nov 23, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) signals a first down against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

After an exciting opening week of college football, we get our first look at the AP Top 25 with every team finally in action.

Plenty of changes shook up the rankings, with the defending national champions reclaiming the No. 1 spot after a big win over Texas. On the other hand, only two teams fell out of the poll entirely. Based on how Boise State and Kansas State have performed so far, this may be their last trip inside the rankings in 2024.

So, after a weekend packed with storylines, what are the biggest takeaways from the rankings heading into Week 2?

Is LSU the best in the SEC, or was Clemson overrated?

AP voters are awfully high on LSU after a Week 1 road win at Clemson. The Bayou Tigers’ defense carried them — a far cry from what they showed a year ago.

I’m just not sold that this victory was as monumental as it’s being made out to be. Clemson looked overrated from the start. This was a 9-3 team last year that got exposed by Texas in the playoff quarterfinals, and there weren’t many meaningful changes in the offseason. Yet we were supposed to believe a few solid transfers would spark a full turnaround?

Winning on the road this early is always impressive, but if LSU ends up with two or three losses by December, I won’t be surprised. Still, the AP had to find a way to keep an SEC program inside the top three.

Voters are out on Alabama

Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; University of Alabama head coach Kalen Deboer talks to the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

It doesn’t take a genius to see that Alabama struggled in its Week 1 road matchup. But I’m not giving up on the Tide just yet.

This roster has too much talent, particularly on offense, to throw in the towel. Honestly, they’re giving me 2014 Ohio State vibes. Remember when the Buckeyes got smoked by a bad Virginia Tech team and everyone wrote them off? We know how that story ended.

I’m not saying Alabama is going to win the national championship, but I expect the receivers to step up, the run game to settle in, and Ty Simpson didn’t look nearly as bad as the critics suggest.

Utah will climb quickly

Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) runs the ball against the Utah Utes during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

One of the most impressive Week 1 performances came from Utah, who blew out UCLA on the road. The Utes look like the Big 12 favorite and are severely under-ranked right now.

Transfer quarterback Devon Dampier (via New Mexico) looked phenomenal and could even be a sneaky long-shot Heisman candidate.

Last year, we saw multiple unranked teams fight their way into the playoff conversation. Utah feels like one of those candidates in 2024. (I still need to see it again from Florida State before I buy all the way in.)

Don’t jump ship on the Hoosiers

Aug 30, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti walks along the sideline during the first half against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Indiana didn’t look great in its opener, scraping past Old Dominion. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza missed several open throws, struggling to find rhythm after a summer full of hype.

He has to improve for the Hoosiers to make noise. But I’m still buying stock in him and Curt Cignetti’s offense. Indiana’s soft non-conference slate has drawn criticism, but it does provide two more games to work out the kinks before a brutal stretch against Illinois, Iowa and Oregon.

If Mendoza struggles again, I might start cooling on Indiana. But for now, I’m holding firm.