Star power vs. inexperience? Breaking down strengths and weakness of ever WTE Top 25 team

With spring ball underway, it's becoming more and more apparent how our Way-Too-Early Top 25 teams will perform come fall. But whether it's inexperience showing or a complete makeover of a wide receiver room, there are plenty of things these teams are leaning on, such as an elite defense or a veteran quarterback.

Our college football experts break down every team's strength and weakness.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Strength: Star power. The Buckeyes have arguably the top offensive and defensive players returning in college football in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. Both standouts figure to be on every preseason All-America team after playing massive roles during Ohio State's national championship run through the playoff.

Weakness: Inexperience. With the bulk of last season's title team now preparing for the NFL draft, the Buckeyes will introduce eight new starters on defense and a bevy of new faces on offense. That includes quarterback, where freshman Julian Sayin will enter the spring as the favorite to succeed Will Howard. -- Jake Trotter

2. Texas Longhorns

Strength: Impact defenders. The Longhorns lose star power on the back end with Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba gone, but between edge rushers Colin Simmons and Trey Moore, linebackers Anthony Hill Jr. and Liona Lefau and safety Michael Taaffe, defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski will disrupt offenses while new players fit into place.

Weakness: Growing pains. Steve Sarkisian centered his Texas rebuild around the need for "big humans," and the Longhorns' offensive and defensive lines were strengths during their past two playoff runs. Both will see wholesale makeovers this year, with one full-time starter returning on the OL and just two scholarship interior defensive lineman coming back. There is a lot of talent, of course, but not much time for the newcomers to grow up, with a road trip to Ohio State kicking off the season and the SEC schedule awaiting. -- Dave Wilson

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

Strength: An elite defense. The Nittany Lions had good defenses earlier in coach James Franklin's tenure, but they reached a higher rung in the past two seasons under coordinators Manny Diaz and Tom Allen. Now they've plucked playcaller Jim Knowles from national champion Ohio State to oversee a unit that, despite losing Abdul Carter and others, returns impressive contributors in end Dani Dennis-Sutton, linebacker Dominic DeLuca, safety Zakee Wheatley and others.

Weakness: Wide receiver. Penn State's drop-off at wide receiver has been glaring at a time when the team's overall talent has improved. After losing Mackey Award-winning tight end Tyler Warren to the NFL, the Nittany Lions need reliable options to emerge for quarterback Drew Allar in his final year. Penn State returns Liam Clifford and went to the portal for transfers Kyron Hudson (USC) and Devonte Ross (Troy). -- Adam Rittenberg

4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Strength: The secondary. Losing Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morrison might be a huge red flag at a lot of schools. Not at Notre Dame, where the defensive backfield remains elite. Start with sophomore corner Leonard Moore, who established himself as one of the top young prospects in the country last season, allowing less than 40% completions and racking up 11 pass breakups and two picks. Christian Gray was a solid performer on the other side, while Adon Shuler blossomed at safety. Notre Dame added a solid option at safety in Virginia Tech transfer Jalen Stroman. The back end of the defense should be the strength of this unit, just as it was a year ago.

Weakness: Quarterback. Perhaps "weakness" is the wrong word here. Marcus Freeman likes what he has to work with at the position. But after two straight years with veteran QBs, Notre Dame will turn to someone without much playing time under his belt in 2025. Who? Well, that's the big question. Steve Angeli has a leg up based on experience -- even though he doesn't have much of it -- but redshirt freshman CJ Carr has a chance to be special. The battle to see who leads the offense will be among the most watched in all of college football, and finding the right answer might be the biggest obstacle between now and another playoff bid for Notre Dame. -- David Hale

5. Georgia Bulldogs

Strength: Linebackers. Even after losing star linebacker Jalon Walker, a potential first-round pick in the NFL draft, and three-year starter Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia's linebackers figure to be the heart of the defense in 2025. CJ Allen is the leader of the unit after ranking second on the team with 76 tackles to go with three tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries last season. Gabe Harris Jr. and Raylen Wilson got plenty of action last season, and Chris Cole was named to the All-SEC freshman team by the league's coaches. Allen, Cole and Wilson were ranked either the No. 1 or No. 2 linebacker prospects in the classes of 2023 and 2024 by ESPN's recruiting analysts. Georgia coach Kirby Smart also added freshman Zayden Walker, the No. 1 outside linebacker prospect in the class of 2025.

Weakness: Running backs. As hard as it is to believe, the program that produced NFL running backs Nick Chubb, D'Andre Swift and James Cook in recent years might have a question mark at the position going into the season. Nate Frazier returns after leading the team with 671 yards as a freshman in 2024. Trevor Etienne, who had 631 yards with nine touchdowns last season, left for the NFL. Injuries have hampered top backups Branson Robinson and Roderick Robinson II, who combined for only 29 carries last season. They're missing spring practice, because of knee and ankle injuries, respectively. The Bulldogs also bring back third-down back Cash Jones, Chauncey Bowens, Dwight Phillips Jr. and add freshman Bo Walker. Georgia averaged only 124.4 rushing yards in 2024, which ranked next to last in the SEC and was the worst mark in the Smart era. -- Mark Schlabach

6. Oregon Ducks

Strength: Front seven. Despite the departures of Jordan Burch and Derrick Harmon to the NFL, this is where Dan Lanning's recruiting -- and Oregon's development -- has shined. With both Matayo Uiagalelei (16 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, an interception and 2 forced fumbles) and Teitum Tuioti (12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups) set to enter their junior seasons, the once-youthful freshmen who made an impact right away are ready to lead a group of edge rushers who could make up one of the strongest units in the nation.

Weakness: Quarterback. It might be too early to say that this position is a true weakness until we see Dante Moore play inside this offense, but he will have big shoes to fill after the Ducks' past two quarterbacks (Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel) turned Autzen Stadium into their playground. Moore is in good hands; he's working with offensive coordinator Will Stein, who should help him improve and excel. Moore is also coming off two unusual seasons in the sport: starting as a true freshman at UCLA and being thrown right into the fire, then sitting a year behind Gabriel. Now that Oregon is handing the reins to Moore, we'll quickly be able to see how much he has learned and how much the Ducks allow him to do within the offense. -- Paolo Uggetti

7. Clemson Tigers

Strength: Quarterback. Cade Klubnik enters his third full season as the starter, so this has to be a strength for the Tigers. We have watched Klubnik mature over the past two seasons from an often-unsure first-time starter to a player in far more command of the offseason last year, and he had an under-the-radar great performance in 2024 (3,639 yards, 36 TDs, 6 INTs). Clemson returns its top three receivers, and it gets Tyler Brown back from injury, so the potential is there for this to be the Tigers' best offense since Trevor Lawrence's last season in 2020.

Weakness: Running back. We have pointed out previously that this is the biggest question mark on the team following the departure of starter Phil Mafah (NFL draft), injury to Jay Haynes (knee rehab) and general lack of experienced depth. That is why, at least for now, this position is considered a "weakness." There is plenty of talent, starting with freshman Gideon Davidson, but we simply don't know how the rotation will shape up and who is going to get the bulk of the reps. -- Andrea Adelson

8. LSU Tigers

Strength: Quarterback. What a luxury it is to enter a season with a proven, experienced quarterback who is the leading returning passer in the SEC. Garrett Nussmeier will be in his fifth year on campus and his second season as a starter. He threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. Nussmeier is 10-4 as a starter, and he is now fully in charge of the LSU offense and should be poised for his most productive season. He has a group of talented pass catchers to throw to, including transfers Nic Anderson and Barion Brown, as well as speedy slot receiver Aaron Anderson, who had a breakout season a year ago with 61 catches for 884 yards.

Weakness: Retooling the offensive line. The Tigers lose four starting offensive linemen from a year ago, including projected first-round NFL draft pick Will Campbell at left tackle. Josh Thompson, a transfer from Northwestern, could play tackle or guard, and LSU likes its young talent up front. But there will be a lot of new faces in new places. Sophomore Weston Davis has a big opportunity to win the right tackle job after playing sparingly as a highly touted true freshman last season. The only returning starter, DJ Chester, is likely to move from center to guard. -- Chris Low

9. BYU Cougars

Strength: Overall defense. It would definitely be fair to point to the return of quarterback Jake Retzlaff as an obvious strength; anytime you return the starting quarterback from an 11-win team, you're in good shape. But this BYU team won with defense, and it has enough key players returning to expect it to be one of the best units in the country again.

Weakness: Defensive line. As good as the defense will be, there are some holes to fill on the line. This is nitpicking, though. Tyler Batty's departure is the one that looms largest, both in terms of production and leadership. But Blake Mangelson, Isaiah Bagnah and John Nelson were also key contributors, and the depth without them is questionable. -- Kyle Bonagura

10. South Carolina Gamecocks

Strength: Front seven. The Gamecocks powered one of the nation's stingiest defenses with a dominant front in 2024, and that unit should carry South Carolina again this fall despite significant offseason turnover. All-SEC freshman Dylan Stewart looks poised for a Year 2 jump and will start opposite senior Bryan Thomas Jr., who logged 4.5 sacks a year ago. Down five starters from last season's front seven, the Gamecocks hit the portal for key reinforcements including transfer tackles Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (Texas A&M) and Zavion Hardy (East Mississippi CC) and linebacker transfers Justin Okoronkwo (Alabama) and Shawn Murphy (Florida State).

Weakness: Interior offensive line. South Carolina enters 2025 without the center (Vershon Lee) and both starting guards (Kamaar Bell and Torricelli Simpkins III) who paved the way for the SEC's fourth-ranked rushing attack last fall. Troy transfer Boaz Stanley projects to take over at center, and newcomers Nick Sharpe (Wake Forest) and Rodney Newsome Jr. (Western Kentucky) arrive as the likeliest options to fill in the guard spots. Can that trio -- playing between starting tackles Josiah Thompson and Cason Henry -- jell well enough to protect LaNorris Sellers and move bodies for transfer running back Rahsul Faison? -- Eli Lederman

11. Iowa State Cyclones

Strength: Quarterback. Rocco Becht, who threw for 3,505 yards with 25 touchdowns in 2024, will return for his third year as ISU's starter. There were some inconsistencies throughout last season, but Becht will be among the best quarterbacks in the Big 12. He was particularly good in the bowl game against Miami, throwing for three touchdowns in a 42-41 win.

Weakness: Receiver. Let's just call it a question mark. The Cyclones relied on two of the best receivers in the country last season -- Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins -- and they accounted for 167 of the 277 catches on the team (60.3%). No other true receiver had more than 11 catches. With that type of production to replace, the team is starting over. -- Bonagura

12. Alabama Crimson Tide

Strength: Defensive front. It starts in the interior with 325-pound Tim Keenan III, who's back for his redshirt senior season, and James Smith, a prime candidate to be Alabama's top breakout player on defense and a dynamic playmaker in the middle of that defensive line. LT Overton is also back for his senior season after leading the team with nine quarterback hurries in 2024. He was Alabama's most impactful pass rusher. Florida transfer Kelby Collins is a key addition, an edge rusher who has shown he can get to the quarterback going up against SEC tackles.

Weakness: Receiver depth. Ryan Williams had an exceptional freshman campaign, especially the way he torched defenses the first part of the season. The challenge now is to find more dependable playmakers around him at the receiver position. Germie Bernard is back after leading Alabama with 50 catches last season. The Alabama coaches are excited about the talent at receiver, but which players are going to emerge as options 3, 4 and 5? Miami transfer Isaiah Horton is one to watch. -- Low

13. Illinois Fighting Illini

Strength: Overall experience. Illinois didn't suffer the normal experience drain that comes with winning 10 games for the first time since 2001. A few key players had their eligibility expire, but Illinois retained several potential NFL draft departures, and it avoided critical portal losses. Quarterback Luke Altmyer is back for a third season as the starter, and he will play behind a seasoned line. All-Big Ten selections Xavier Scott and Gabe Jacas lead a defense that returns mostly intact.

Weakness: Lack of explosiveness on offense. Illinois finished last season ranked 92nd nationally in yards per game and 71st in yards per play. The team also loses most of its receiving production with Pat Bryant (54 catches, 984 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Zakhari Franklin (55 catches, 652 yards, 4 touchdowns) departing. Illinois likely will need an uptick in rushing production from a group of ball-carriers to help offset the wideout losses. -- Rittenberg

14. Arizona State Sun Devils

Strength: Coaching. We're mostly focusing on players here, but let's make an exception at ASU. The job Kenny Dillingham has done at his alma mater is one of the most impressive turnarounds we've seen in college football in recent years. To go from the bottom of the Pac-12 to the playoff in consecutive seasons is almost inconceivable. It should give ASU fans the confidence that they'll be competitively relevant as long as he's around.

Weakness: Running back. The question here is how the Sun Devils will fill the void left by Cam Skattebo. He ran for 1,711 yards, had another 605 in receiving yards and was one of the best players in college football. Maybe it's unfair to say their running backs are a weakness; the opportunity to prove otherwise just wasn't there last season. Kanye Udoh's arrival from Army, where he ran for 1,117 yards last season, is promising, though, and Kyson Brown did have a 100-yard rushing performance against Arizona. -- Bonagura

15. SMU Mustangs

Strength: Tight end RJ Maryland looked like one of the best tight ends in the ACC and a genuine NFL prospect through the first half of last season before going down with an injury. Matthew Hibner picked up the slack the rest of the way and didn't miss a beat. Maryland should be back to 100 percent for the season, and Hibner returns, giving SMU a terrific one-two punch that should equate to some dynamic options in the passing game. Given the turnover at wideout, this could be a big area for SMU to rely on as the Mustangs look to make it back to the College Football Playoff.

Weakness: Established skill players. The three leading receivers from last season are gone, including do-it-all tailback Brashard Smith, meaning there's a big void as SMU searches for reliable playmakers. There are options, including Romello Brinson, Jordan Hudson and a pair of talented freshman at receiver and LJ Johnson Jr., Miami transfer Chris Johnson and Derrick McFall at tailback -- but none of those players is a sure thing. Last year, Smith was as dynamic as anyone in the country -- an explosive runner, an effective pass catcher, a better-than-expected blocker. Is there anyone who can become that guy this year? Or will SMU need to dip back into the portal to fill out its ranks? -- Hale

16. Kansas State Wildcats

Strength: Big plays. In his second season as the starting quarterback, Avery Johnson (responsible for 32 TDs last year, one of three Power 4 QBs with 2,700 yards passing and 600 rushing) can get the ball to running back Dylan Edwards, (7.4 yards per carry), Jayce Brown (17.5 yards per catch) and New Mexico transfer WR Caleb Medford, who has averaged 18.5 yards per catch on 29 career receptions.

Weakness: A DB makeover. The Wildcats lost the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, Brendan Mott, who was a pass-rush disruptor, along with their three top corners (including draft prospect Jacob Parrish), from a defense that ranked 77th versus the pass last season. But they have added transfer corners Jayden Rowe (Oklahoma) and Amarion Fortenberry (South Alabama) along with safeties Gunner Maldonado (Arizona) and Mar'Quavious Moss (West Georgia), so we'll see if they can fill the gaps left behind. -- Wilson

17. Indiana Hoosiers

Strength: Defensive star power is back. The faces of Indiana's defense won't look much different from those who helped propel the team to a 10-0 start and a CFP appearance. Three first-team All-Big Ten defenders return in end Mikail Kamara, linebacker Aiden Fisher and cornerback D'Angelo Ponds. Indiana also retained coordinator Bryant Haines, a Broyles Award finalist. Haines will need to build depth at all three levels, but he can lean on productive players to lead the way.

Weakness: Interior line play. For all the great things Indiana did in 2024, its line play, especially on offense, was exposed in losses to Ohio State and Notre Dame. The offensive line will look dramatically different, and Indiana will need immediate contributions from transfers like Pat Coogan (Notre Dame), Kahlil Benson (Colorado) and Zen Michalski (Ohio State). The defensive line also suffered significant losses with the departures of James Carpenter and CJ West. If IU can't hold up in the middle of its lines, a drop-off is likely. -- Rittenberg

18. Florida Gators

Strength: Offensive line. The Gators bring back four starters -- including All-America center Jake Slaughter -- to a unit that gave up 20 sacks last fall, tied for 40th-best nationally and down from 39 sacks allowed in 2023. That continuity bodes well as Florida continues to build around quarterback DJ Lagway and Freshman All-SEC rusher Jadan Baugh. The Gators have a hole to fill at right tackle following the graduation of 11-game starter Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson; redshirt sophomore Bryce Lovett and veterans Devon Manuel and Kamryn Waites should all factor into competition for the open tackle spot opposite Austin Barber.

Weakness: Wide receiver. Florida has its quarterback in Lagway, but the state of the Gators' receiving corps is less certain following the departures of leading pass catchers Chimere Dike and Elijah Badger. Eugene Wilson III, a freshman All-American in 2023, returns after suffering a season-ending hip injury last fall, and UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant stands as another proven downfield target after four seasons with the Bruins. Freshmen Vernell Brown III, Dallas Wilson and Naeshaun Montgomery represent a trio of less experienced options, but each could be called upon to play a role in the passing for the Gators in 2025. -- Lederman

19. Tennessee Volunteers

Strength: Big-play defenders. Defensive line depth was the backbone of Tennessee's playoff team last season. Some key pieces from that defensive line are gone, but several of the Vols' impact defenders are back, starting with leading tackler Arion Carter at linebacker and Joshua Josephs at defensive end. They combined for 15.5 tackles for loss last season. In the middle of the defensive line, Bryson Eason and Jaxson Moi are both back, while cornerback Jermod McCoy -- albeit coming off a torn ACL in January -- and safety Boo Carter are stalwarts in a deep secondary.

Weakness: Proven playmakers at receiver. As quarterback Nico Iamaleava steps into his second season as Tennessee's starting quarterback, he'll do so without four of his top five pass catchers from a year ago. The Vols were lacking when it came to explosive plays in the passing game last season, which means it's time for former five-star prospect Mike Matthews to step up and be a bona fide downfield threat after catching just seven passes last season. The same goes for holdovers Chris Brazzell II and Braylon Staley, Alabama transfer Amari Jefferson and maybe even Carter, who's planning to pull double duty at safety and receiver. -- Low

20. Louisville Cardinals

Strength: The ground game. No Power 4 running back (minimum 100 carries) had a better rushing average last year than Louisville's Isaac Brown (7.11). Lower the qualifying amount to 60 carries, however, and Brown is fourth. Instead, it's his teammate, Duke Watson, who leads the way at 8.91 yards per rush. The pair of rising sophomores were as explosive a combination as there was in the country last season, racking up nearly 1,800 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns combined. They're a year older now, and they'll be running behind one of the best offensive lines in the ACC. The Cards will want to be balanced offensively, but put the ball in the hands of either Brown or Watson enough times and a home run is just waiting to happen.

Weakness: Interior D-line. Jordan Guerad and Rene Konga both return from a 2024 squad that wasn't exactly great, and the depth behind them comes entirely from the portal (Denzel Lowry, Jerry Lawson). There's upside here -- especially after a fairly strong finish to 2024 by Guerad -- but this is a group that still has a lot to prove. Wesley Bailey and Clev Lubin should be solid edge performers, but shoring up the middle of the defense will be an offseason priority, and it starts at the line of scrimmage. -- Hale

21. Michigan Wolverines

Strength: Running game. The Wolverines always find a way to produce on the ground, and 2025 should be no different. Bowl game MVP Jordan Marshall and Alabama transfer Justice Haynes provide Michigan with a viable rushing duo. Key pieces up front, headlined by Giovanni El-Hadi, are back as well. The running game stands to benefit from what should be an improved passing attack.

Weakness: Pass catching. The Wolverines had just one player total more than 250 receiving yards last season, tight end Colston Loveland, who's now preparing for the NFL draft. Inconsistent quarterbacking played a part. But Michigan's wideouts didn't produce nearly enough plays to strike fear in the opposition. The Wolverines are banking that a pair of portal additions in Donaven McCulley (Indiana) and Anthony Simpson (UMass) can bolster the playmaking on the perimeter. -- Trotter

22. Texas A&M Aggies

Strength: Stability. Mike Elko's first task upon his hiring last year was just to build a team from a collection of individuals following a frantic re-recruiting process of his own roster, while patching holes in the portal. This year, the offensive line is much improved, and Marcel Reed is the entrenched starter at quarterback now with Conner Weigman's transfer to Houston. That's something to build on.

Weakness: Familiar faces at receiver. The Aggies threw just 18 TD passes last year, and eight of them went to Noah Thomas, who transferred to Georgia. With Thomas gone, the Aggies lost their top five receivers. A&M landed Micah Hudson, a former five-star recruit from Texas Tech, in the portal, but he's no longer with the team. KC Concepcion (NC State) and Mario Craver (Mississippi State) join sophomore Terry Bussey, a former five-star and a dynamic athlete, in the WR room's extreme makeover. -- Wilson

23. Miami Hurricanes

Strength: Running game. The Hurricanes believe they have the potential to field their best offensive line under Mario Cristobal, anchored by rising junior Francis Mauigoa and Anez Cooper on the right side. With Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle returning as the top two running backs, the Hurricanes should be able to run the ball more consistently this season.

Weakness: Secondary. This was a huge weakness last season when Miami struggled down the stretch with inconsistent play and a lack of depth. Miami added three highly rated players from the transfer portal to help shore up the unit and perhaps force turnovers. Miami had 14 total interceptions last season, ranking in the bottom fourth of the country and in particular had a drop-off in its safety play. Miami needs a far better performance from this group in 2025. -- Adelson

24. Boise State Broncos

Strength: Quarterback. After being the guy who simply handed the ball off to Ashton Jeanty for most of the season and then turning into the guy who nearly helped the Broncos upset Penn State with his marvelous play under center, 2025 could be Maddux Madsen's breakout year. Madsen was impressive throughout last season managing the offense (3,080 yards, 23 touchdowns and only six turnovers), avoiding mistakes and playing winning football. Another year in the offense will only do wonders for Madsen and sure, he won't have the safety blanket that was Jeanty behind him, but if anyone can figure out how to evolve as a player in these circumstances, Madsen has shown he has more talent and ability than first meets the eye.

Weakness: Running back. Let's not go too far away from Madsen under center. This is an obvious pick, but it's obvious for a reason. Replacing Jeanty, his leadership, energy, production and overall gravity, are an impossible task, but if Boise State wants to return to the College Football Playoff this coming season, they'll need to at least partially or collectively try to get as close as they can to replicate Jeanty's 374 carry, 2,601, 29-touchdown season. Good luck with that. -- Uggetti

25. Ole Miss Rebels