College Football Playoff tiers: Ranking the preseason Top 25 by their chances to win it all

Key Points:

• The AP preseason Top 25 college football teams are categorized into tiers based on their realistic chances to compete for a national title or reach the 12-team playoff bracket, ranging from S (title favorites) to F (unlikely playoff contenders).
• S Tier includes seven teams—Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame, Texas, Indiana, and Miami—all considered legitimate national title contenders with championship-worthy rosters and experienced starting quarterbacks.
• A Tier features Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and LSU, SEC teams with strong rosters and playoff experience, though each faces challenges like health concerns or tough schedules.
• B Tier teams such as Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Alabama, USC, Michigan, and Tennessee have potential to win a national title but face significant questions around roster stability, coaching changes, or schedule difficulty.
• Lower tiers (C, D, F) include teams like BYU, Washington, Penn State, Utah, Houston, Iowa, and Missouri, with varying chances to win playoff games but generally seen as less likely to reach or succeed in the playoff due to roster questions, tough schedules, or lack of depth.