College Football Top 25: We're Back, Baby!

After an exciting opening to the 2022 college football season, I have no choice but to ruffle some feathers with another round of independent rankings. Just remember, I value teams' opponents above all else. In other words, you're not getting to number one from the jump beating an FCS team, no matter how badly.

I am going ahead and considering next year's new Big 12 teams (BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Houston) as top-level (aka Power Five) programs, which ultimately will make them eligible for potentially higher rankings than if I continue to consider them on the same level as their AAC competition.

How do you begin a National Championship defense? Dominate a Power Five opponent in the season opener like Christopher Smith and Georgia did (Joshua L. Jones // Online Athens)

1. Georgia (1-0)
2. Syracuse (1-0)
3. Northwestern (1-0)
4. Texas Christian (1-0)
5. Rutgers (1-0)

6. Clemson (1-0)
7. Florida (1-0)
8. Florida State (2-0)
9. Arkansas (1-0)
10. Penn State (1-0)
11. Indiana (1-0)

12. Pittsburgh (1-0)
13. Ohio State (1-0)
14. Vanderbilt (2-0)
15. Arizona (1-0)

16. Duke (1-0)

17. Southern California (1-0)
18. Brigham Young (1-0)
19. Oregon State (1-0)

20. Alabama (1-0)

21. Michigan (1-0)

22. Tennessee (1-0)
23. Mississippi State (1-0)
24. Kentucky (1-0)
25. South Carolina (1-0)

This is absolutely going to change massively next week, so don't get too torn up about it.