Here is an early top 12 as we run full speed ahead into preseason camp. The playoff format will be adjusted some, as the top four teams will get the top four seeds. Last year, in year one of the 12-team playoff, the four highest-ranked conference champs got the byes. So here we go with our first stab at the 2025 BI Top 12.

1. Texas – The Longhorns aim for a third straight playoff berth and then some. They open the season against the Buckeyes in Columbus. Arch Manning takes over at quarterback and he has a lot of talent to work with. The conference schedule is very manageable.
2. Clemson – The Tigers won the ACC Championship Game, but that was bookended by losses to South Carolina and Texas in the playoff. Cade Klubnik has big expectations at quarterback. Clemson should be good up front defensively. The schedule isn’t taxing.
3. Ohio State – The defending national champs lost a lot to the NFL. It was suicide hotline after the loss to Michigan, but then the Buckeyes got hot at the perfect time, in the playoff. That’s a dandy of an opener with Texas heading to The Horseshoe.
4. Notre Dame – The Fighting Irish had their finest season in decades, as Marcus Freeman led Notre Dame to the national title  game. The early part of the schedule is the toughest, including the first two games, which are at Miami and home versus Texas A&M.
5. Georgia – Kirby Smart has done an amazing job at his alma mater. In the two years since the consecutive national titles, Georgia went 13-1 in 2023 and won the SEC title in 2024. The schedule is a huge challenge, but the Bulldogs are once again a team to beat.
6. LSU – Can LSU make the jump this season? The Tigers are always good, but they are hungry for “great” under Brian Kelly’s watch. A win at Clemson would be a great start. The Tigers have lost their last five season openers, all of them high profile games.
7. Oregon – It was a dream regular season with a nightmare ending for the Ducks. They went  undefeated and won the Big Ten title game. Then they got annihilated by Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. The schedule is manageable, highlighted by a trip to Penn State.
8. Penn State – The Nittany Lions have great expectations this season. Two years ago, Michigan won it all. Last season it was Ohio State. Is it Penn State’s time now? A home date with Oregon and trip to play the Buckeyes will be a good indicator.
9. Alabama – A 9-4 record in Kalen Deboer’s first year had the Alabama faithful in an unusual and uneasy spot. They were very spoiled by Emperor Saban. The conference slate is tough. Alabama opens the season against Florida State in Tallahassee.
10. Michigan – The Wolverines hope to ride the wave from last year’s win over Ohio State and get back to the top ten. How about this schedule, how it would’ve been in the ‘70s: Oklahoma, Nebraska, Southern Cal, Washington, and of course, the Buckeyes.
11. Florida – Once again, the Gators have a very tough schedule. A four game September/October stretch will tell the story. At LSU, at Miami, open date, Texas at home and then a trip to Texas A&M. DJ Lagway is a talented quarterback.
12. Texas Tech – The Red Raiders may be the best team in the Big XII. They spent big, meaning TxT could make a big jump, or things could go due south after the first couple of losses. A trip to Utah on September 20 will establish the early league front-runner.