Josh Pate released his Early Top 25 rankings and placed the Canes just outside the Top 5. His list, and explanation for each ranking, is below.
#25 Washington
I’ll start at the bottom. Washington at 25. I honestly don’t know what the dynamic is up there right now. I haven’t talked to Demond Williams ever, let alone since he tried to leave, found out the door was locked, and then said, “Never mind, I’m staying.” I have no idea what that does to a locker room. I just don’t. So I’m cautious. That’s why they’re here.
#24 Louisville
Louisville at 24 feels like one of the safest bets in the country. Jeff Brohm has those guys floating in this range almost every year. They’re solid, they’re organized, and the floor doesn’t feel much lower than this.
#23 Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt at 23. A lot of newness. Is Jared Curtis starting as a true freshman? Maybe. But they’ve earned the right to be talked about here—although let’s be honest, it’s February. What has anyone truly earned yet?
#22 Iowa
Iowa at 22. Solid bowl game, which technically matters none in this exercise, but still. These are proven commodities. Teams where the floor feels pretty firm.
#21 Missouri
Missouri at 21. Another program that’s just kind of there every year. Reliable, competitive, not flashy, but not falling apart either.
#20 SMU
SMU at 20. I’m buying a little more SMU stock than the public right now. That could change, but in February, I like what I see.
#19 Utah
Utah at 19. Same story as always—tough, physical, disciplined. They usually find a way to matter.
#18 Houston
Houston at 18. I hinted at this the other night—I’m kind of feeling Houston right now. I’ve got eight months to change my mind, but today? I like them.
#17 Michigan
Michigan at 17. Transition period, but still Michigan. There’s enough institutional stability to keep them in this range.
#16 Ole Miss
Ole Miss at 16, with a massive asterisk. Nobody knows what’s happening with Trinidad Chambliss. He could be quarterbacking Ole Miss. He could be working for this show next year. If he’s there, they’re probably higher than 16. If not, this feels about right.
#15 Penn State
This one’s going to make people mad. Penn State at 15. I’m banking on stability. I like the coaching staff they brought in. They imported dependable parts of the Iowa State roster and recruiting classes. I’m projecting a higher floor here. If you’re yelling overrated, that’s fine—I didn’t put them top five. I put them 15th. Name me 15 teams that clearly deserve to start higher in February.
#14 BYU
BYU at 14. Over the last five seasons, they’ve got the eighth-best winning percentage in the country. Sitake is back. Bachmeier is back. They’re proven, and they’re still hungry because in some people’s minds, if you haven’t won a national title, you haven’t won anything.
#13 Alabama
Alabama at 13. This feels weird to say, but it can’t get worse. They made the playoff last year while being terrible at running the ball. They’re changing offensive line staff, reshaping the run game, and I like their quarterback situation whether it’s Keelan Russell or Austin Mack. There’s upside here, but I don’t trust it fully out of the gate.
#12 Texas Tech
Texas Tech at 12. Top-five portal team. Brendan Sorsby in. This doesn’t feel like a one-year flash. This feels like program stability. I will never doubt their portal execution again after last year.
#11 USC
Yes, USC at 11. This is a faith ranking. Lincoln Riley had his “we’re changing everything” moment, and it started to work. The defense improved. Gary Patterson is now the defensive coordinator. They’ve got a third-year quarterback and the number-one recruiting class. I’m not saying we look smart yet—but I think we stop looking stupid.
#10 LSU
LSU at 10, even though the ceiling is way higher. Blake Baker stayed. The coordinator situation is strong. Number-two portal class. I think they peak late, not early, so this is where they start for me.
#9 Oklahoma
Oklahoma at 9. They feel like a playoff-caliber program most years. More experience, but they’ve got to fix the run game. Still, this feels right.
#8 Texas A&M
Texas A&M at 8. Marcel Reed just has to be better in big games—but even his “best” last year was good enough to make the playoff. Top-five talent acquisition program. The baseline roster is there.
#7 Georgia
Georgia at 7. Even when they’re “off,” they win the SEC. Gunnar Stockton is back. Kirby Smart is still Kirby Smart. Seven might actually be low.
#6 Miami
Miami at 6. Darian Mensah may be an upgrade at quarterback. Mark Fletcher’s back. Malachi Toney is another year older. The offensive line is replacing a lot, but with Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal, that’s a high-floor position group. I like the defensive line and Cory Hetherman entering year two as DC.
#5 Oregon
Oregon at 5. They felt like a year away last season—and now they’re here. Dante Moore is back. Better injury luck, more continuity. This is a playoff-level team.
#4 Ohio State
Ohio State at 4. Extremely high floor. Quarterback experience, Jeremiah Smith back, NFL-level coordinators. Four might even be low.
#3 Indiana
Indiana at 3. I’m not blindly trusting them—but I kind of am. Josh Hoover fits seamlessly. Portal backfills worked. The coordinators are still together. After the last two years, I trust the DNA.
#2 Texas
Texas at 2. Arch Manning’s finish mattered. They upgraded the running back room aggressively—Raleek Brown, Hollywood Smothers. Cam Coleman and Wingo at receiver. Will Muschamp coaching defense. This is a loaded team.
#1 Notre Dame
Notre Dame at 1. They have everything I want in February: CJ Carr at quarterback, a complete roster, elite staffing, and hunger. They’re machine-like right now. They’re stacking coaches, calling guys co-DCs just to make it work. They’ve been close. They’re still chasing the belt. So yes—Notre Dame is number one. And yes, it’s February. They could be out of the top 10 by August. That’s the fun of it.
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