Fansided

College football rankings 2018: FanSided preseason Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The 2018 college football season is nearly upon us but which teams are shaping up to be the best in the nation? Check out our preseason Top 25.

College football is back. As we approach the kickoff of the 2018 season, it’s time to debate which teams are the best in the land.

Obviously, there are perennial contenders like Alabama and Clemson who will be dominating everyone’s Top 25, but don’t sleep on the little guys. Teams like Washington, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Stanford and West Virginia could rise the ranks and surprise some folks.

Other blue-bloods such as Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Texas will be right there to challenge the quick risers, but will the name outweigh the production?

Then we come to the conference debate. Which conference actually runs college football these days? Sure, the SEC has won a plethora of national titles, but is one team carrying the load? The Big Ten looks to be the up-and-comer with four or five teams that could realistically win the conference and make the College Football Playoff.

When you look at the Pac-12, you see top-heaviness and little depth, but there could be some surprises — looking at you, Oregon, Arizona and Utah.

The Big 12 is usually Oklahoma and then everyone else, but losing Baker Mayfield could hurt the Sooners’ chances of winning the conference and getting back to the playoff.

Last, but not least, the ACC is home to powerhouse Clemson and usual-contender Florida State. Miami, Virginia Tech, Louisville and NC State can also contend for the conference crown.

Who will start the season in the Top 25, though?