Phil Steele Stuns College Football World by Ranking All 134 FBS Teams in Deepest, Most Detailed Preseason Breakdown of the Year

Phil Steele Stuns College Football World by Ranking All 134 FBS Teams in Deepest, Most Detailed Preseason Breakdown of the Year

Phil Steele has long been regarded as the encyclopedia of college football. His annual college football preview magazine is not just another preseason publication — it’s a bible for diehard fans, analysts, gamblers, and coaches alike. But in 2025, Steele outdid even his own legendary standards. In a jaw-dropping display of research, analysis, and dedication to the sport, Steele ranked every single one of the 134 FBS teams from top to bottom — and the college football world is absolutely buzzing.

While many preseason magazines and media outlets focus on the top 25 or maybe the Power Five, Steele dove into all corners of the country — from SEC giants like Georgia and Alabama to Group of Five contenders like Troy and Toledo, and even rebuilding programs like UMass and New Mexico State. Every single team is accounted for, evaluated with his proprietary data models, returning production metrics, schedule strength, coaching changes, and countless other criteria.

Steele’s rankings aren’t just guesses either. He’s built a reputation over the past two decades for taking a strictly data-driven approach, often using over 350 pages of team-by-team breakdowns to shape his predictions. His publication is famous for pages jam-packed with statistics, depth charts, power ratings, and color-coded historical trends. This year’s decision to rank every team — not just the elite programs — is being praised as both ambitious and uniquely valuable.

The No. 1 spot in Steele’s rankings shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to fans. Georgia, under head coach Kirby Smart, earned the top position heading into the 2025 season. With a loaded roster featuring elite talent on both sides of the ball and a manageable SEC schedule, the Bulldogs are expected to make another run at a national title. Right behind them are the usual suspects — Ohio State, Texas, Michigan, and Alabama — rounding out Steele’s top five. But where his work really starts to draw attention is in the middle and bottom tiers of the list.

Unlike typical media polls that often show significant drop-offs in effort or attention outside the top 25, Steele goes just as deep for team No. 87 as he does for team No. 7. For instance, he gives detailed analysis of why a team like Arkansas State, ranked in the lower third, may still outperform expectations thanks to a favorable schedule and an experienced quarterback. He also explains why some Power Five teams are trending downward — including notes on coaching instability, player departures, and tough conference draws.

One major highlight of the rankings is Steele’s inclusion of multiple predictive models, including his famous “PS Power Ratings,” which weigh dozens of factors like returning starters, offensive and defensive line experience, quarterback production, yards per play differential, and more. These models help identify not only the top-tier teams, but also sleepers, potential busts, and mid-major teams with breakout potential.

For fans of Group of Five programs — who often feel overlooked in preseason coverage — Steele’s list is a refreshing change. Teams like Tulane, Memphis, Appalachian State, and Boise State are thoroughly covered and given proper context within the national picture. Steele doesn’t just rank them; he explains why they deserve their place, what challenges they face, and which players could emerge as stars. For fanbases tired of seeing the same blue bloods dominate headlines, this kind of respect and attention to detail is incredibly validating.

Even more impressive is how Steele treats the so-called “bottom dwellers” of the FBS. Rather than simply lumping them together at the end, he breaks down the incremental differences between teams like UConn, Kent State, and Louisiana-Monroe. Some might scoff at why it matters who’s ranked No. 121 vs. No. 126, but for bettors, alumni, or hardcore followers of those programs, it can be incredibly useful and insightful. Steele gives these teams the same attention he gives playoff contenders — something few other analysts even attempt.

Coaches across the country have long respected Steele’s work because he doesn’t rely on hype or headlines — he does the research. Many programs reportedly send him direct access to spring practice notes, injury updates, and unofficial depth charts because they know he’ll use the information responsibly and with accuracy. That trust from within the college football community gives Steele’s rankings an added layer of legitimacy that others often lack.

His comprehensive approach has even influenced oddsmakers in Las Vegas. Sportsbooks routinely consult Steele’s power ratings and preseason projections when setting win totals, point spreads, and future lines. In fact, many professional bettors admit they don’t place a preseason wager without first cross-referencing Steele’s analysis. That influence speaks volumes about how respected his work has become, not just among fans, but within the industry.

Steele’s complete rankings also have major implications for college football’s expanding playoff era. With the new 12-team College Football Playoff format, knowing the pecking order beyond just the top 10 is more important than ever. Bubble teams, at-large contenders, and even high-achieving Group of Five champions will all have a shot at postseason glory. Steele’s full rankings help paint a much clearer picture of the national landscape and which teams might sneak into contention with a few breaks.

The response to Steele’s all-134 rankings has been overwhelmingly positive on social media and across message boards. Fans of programs that are rarely discussed nationally — such as South Alabama, Northern Illinois, and Nevada — have shared excerpts from the magazine and praised Steele for “finally giving us some love.” Meanwhile, fans of the top-tier teams are combing through the rankings to spot dark horses and potential trap games on their schedules.

Some detractors argue that it’s simply too early to rank all 134 teams with any true accuracy. With fall camps still to come and quarterback battles unsettled at many schools, critics believe that preseason rankings are more speculative than definitive. But Steele has always acknowledged that his magazine is a starting point — not a prediction of final standings. His rankings are based on the best information available in July, not a crystal ball for December.

Still, for many fans, that’s exactly the point. Steele’s magazine isn’t just about telling you who’s No. 1 — it’s about preparing you for the season. It’s a study guide, a conversation starter, and a resource that offers insight on players, coaches, and teams you won’t hear about anywhere else. In an era where hot takes and clickbait dominate sports media, Phil Steele’s detailed, data-rich, and painstakingly researched rankings are a breath of fresh air.

This year, Steele’s ranking of all 134 teams sends a powerful message: every team matters. Every fanbase deserves respect. Every program, no matter how big or small, has a story worth telling. That mindset is why he’s endured in a fast-changing sports media landscape. While others focus on headlines, Steele focuses on homework — and that’s why he’s the most trusted name in college football previews.

As the 2025 season approaches, fans, players, and coaches alike will once again turn to Phil Steele’s guide not just for information, but for understanding. In a sport with 134 different paths, one analyst took the time to walk them all — and the result is the most comprehensive college football preview of the year.