Coaches Poll Top 25 Prediction: Final 2025 Rankings Projection

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There are still three big games to go before we know what the final AFCA Coaches Poll will be at the end of the 2025 season – even if it's in 2026 – but we can make a decent guess to figure out most of what the final top 25 will be.

Now that all of the regular bowl games are over, the pieces should fit into place. But about that top four …

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti walks up the sidelines Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, during the 112th annual Rose Bowl game in Pasadena. Indiana Hoosiers defeated Alabama Crimson Tide, 38-3.© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Start with this. Unlike last year, when there were several question marks depending on how the CFP shook out, this time around it's easier – to a point.

Here's the call. Five and six will be Ohio State and Georgia, in some order, but it'll depend on the Miami vs Ole Miss semifinal.

Georgia was second in the final regular season rankings, Ohio State was third. If Miami rolls Ole Miss, the Buckeyes should move ahead.

And as for the top four? We'll make a call here, but everything depends on how this all shakes out over the final three games.

Projecting the Final Coaches Poll Rankings Before the CFP Semifinals

Top 5 Predicted Others Receiving Votes: SMU, Arizona, Tennessee, Missouri, North Texas

25 Illinois Fighting Illini

Record: 9-4
Final Regular Season Rank: NR
Music City Bowl: Illinois 30, Tennessee 28

24 James Madison Dukes

Record: 12-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 19
CFP First Round: Oregon 51, James Madison 34

23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Record: 9-4
Final Regular Season Rank: 22
Pop-Tarts Bowl: BYU 25, Georgia Tech 21

22 Navy Midshipmen

Record: 11-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 25
Liberty Bowl: Navy 35, Cincinnati 13

21 Tulane Green Wave

Record: 11-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 18
CFP First Round: Ole Miss 41, Tulane 10

Dec 31, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) reacts after a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

20 Iowa Hawkeyes

Record: 8-4
Final Regular Season Rank: NR
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa 34, Vanderbilt 27

19 USC Trojans

Record: 9-4
Final Regular Season Rank: 16
Alamo Bowl: TCU 30, USC 27 OT

18 Michigan Wolverines

Record: 9-4
Final Regular Season Rank: 17
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Texas 41, Michigan 27

17 Houston Cougars

Record: 10-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 24
Texas Bowl: Houston 38, LSU 35

16 Virginia Cavaliers

Record: 11-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 21
Gator Bowl: Virginia 13, Missouri 7

15 Vanderbilt Commodores

Record: 10-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 12
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa 34, Vanderbilt 27

14 Utah Utes

Record: 11-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 15
Las Vegas Bowl: Utah 44, Nebraska 22

13 Alabama Crimson Tide

Record: 11-4
Final Regular Season Rank: 11
CFP Quarters Rose Bowl: Indiana 34, Alabama 3

12 Oklahoma Sooners

Record: 10-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 8
CFP First Round: Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24

11 Texas Longhorns

Record: 10-3
Final Regular Season Rank: 14
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Texas 41, Michigan 27

Dec 27, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) throws the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first quarter at Camping World Stadium. © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

10 BYU Cougars

Record: 12-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 13
Pop-Tarts Bowl: BYU 25, Georgia Tech 21

9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Record: 10-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 9
Regular Season Final: Notre Dame 49, Stanford 20

8 Texas A&M Aggies

Record: 11-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 7
CFP First Round: Miami 10, Texas A&M 3

7 Texas Tech Red Raiders

Record: 12-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 4
CFP Quarters Orange Bowl: Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0

6 Ohio State Buckeyes

Record: 12-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 3
Cotton Bowl: Miami 24, Ohio State 14

5 Georgia Bulldogs

Record: 12-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 2
Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss 39, Georgia 34

1, 2, 3 or 4 Ole Miss Rebels

Record: 13-1
Final Regular Season Rank: 6
CFP Semifinal: Fiesta Bowl vs Miami

1, 2, or 4 Miami Hurricanes

Record: 12-2
Final Regular Season Rank: 10
CFP Semifinal: Fiesta Bowl vs Ole Miss

1, 2, or 3 Oregon Ducks

Record: 13-1
Final Regular Season Rank: 5
CFP Semifinal: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs Indiana

1, 2, or 3 Indiana Hoosiers

Record: 14-0
Final Regular Season Rank: 1
CFP Semifinal: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs Oregon

This story was originally published by College Football News on Jan 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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