2025 College Football Top 20 Power Rankings by Tier

NEW YORK – November 5, 2024 – Thomas Casale, the renowned college football betting expert for SportsLine, has unveiled his latest power rankings, offering a crucial look at the top 20 teams as the 2024 season heads into its pivotal Week 11. These proprietary ratings, prominently featured on CBS Sports, dissect the nation’s elite into five distinct tiers, reflecting their current strength and potential trajectories through the remainder of November and into the postseason.

Georgia continues to reign supreme at the pinnacle of Casale’s rankings, holding the No. 1 spot, a testament to their consistent performance and dominant offensive and defensive units. Following closely in the top tier, which Casale identifies as the “True Contenders,” are No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Oregon, and No. 4 Alabama. These four programs are seen as the most complete and formidable teams in the nation, each with a clear path to conference championships and the College Football Playoff.

“Georgia’s consistency this deep into the season is unmatched,” Casale remarked in his analysis on SportsLine. “They’ve navigated a tough SEC schedule with poise, and their metrics across the board scream elite. Ohio State, Oregon, and Alabama have also shown the kind of top-to-bottom talent and coaching that separates them from the pack.”

Tier 2, dubbed the “Playoff Hopefuls with Work to Do,” features a formidable group of programs eyeing a late-season surge. Notre Dame leads this tier at No. 5, showcasing a strong defensive identity. They are joined by No. 6 Michigan, No. 7 LSU, No. 8 Penn State, No. 9 USC, and No. 10 Clemson, all teams with the talent to compete for major bowl bids and potentially spoil the playoff hopes of those above them, provided they can string together consistent performances.

A significant shake-up defines Tier 3, where Texas Tech has made a noticeable leap, climbing to No. 14. The Red Raiders’ ascent is attributed to a recent string of impressive victories, including a dominant road win over a then-ranked opponent in the Big 12, signaling their emergence as a dark horse contender. They share this tier with No. 11 Oklahoma, No. 12 Utah, and No. 13 Washington, all programs demonstrating resilience and the capability to upset higher-ranked opponents.

“Texas Tech’s move is a direct reflection of their improved play and ability to execute in high-pressure situations,” Casale explained. “Their offense has found rhythm, and the defense has been surprisingly stout, making them a dangerous opponent for anyone in the Big 12 and a team to watch in the coming weeks.”

Tier 4, featuring teams Casale labels as “Solid Contenders,” includes No. 15 Florida State, No. 16 Ole Miss, and No. 17 Kansas State. These teams have shown flashes of brilliance but face tough conference slates that will truly test their mettle as the regular season concludes.

The most discussed shift, however, comes in Tier 5, where Miami has experienced a notable “tumble” down to No. 18. The Hurricanes’ drop reflects recent inconsistent performances and key losses that have derailed their early-season momentum. They are ranked alongside No. 19 Texas A&M and No. 20 Wisconsin, both programs grappling with their own challenges as they fight for bowl eligibility and a strong finish to the season. Miami’s struggles, particularly on the offensive side of the ball and in crucial fourth-quarter situations, have been a significant storyline.

Casale’s power rankings, which differ from traditional polls by focusing on predictive strength and team performance metrics rather than simply win-loss records or subjective voting, offer a forward-looking perspective for bettors and fans alike. As teams prepare for Week 11 matchups, these rankings provide a valuable barometer for where programs truly stand as the College Football Playoff picture begins to sharpen.

For the complete breakdown of Thomas Casale’s power rankings, including detailed analysis for each team and expert betting picks, visit SportsLine.com and CBS Sports.