Clemson was the final team to make the CFP last year after winning the ACC to earn an auto bid. Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin hopes this process changes soon.

Ole Miss had playoff hopes last year but missed the field at 9-3 (5-3 SEC) after inopportune losses to Kentucky and Florida and played in the Gator Bowl. For comparison’s sake, Ole Miss had a better strength of record (No. 13 vs. No. 25) but Clemson had a better strength of schedule (No. 28 vs. No. 39) in 2024, per ESPN.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq as Ranking college football's surprise teams in 2025, per Phil Steele. With the historic expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, the race for the national championship has opened up in a way it never has been before.

The rankings made plenty of sense, but I couldn't help but notice that the top eight coaches on the list all work for some of the richest, most well-supported programs in the country. There are some epic pressures associated with leading these programs -- just ask Day -- but there are also major advantages.

Two of the highest-ranked freshmen in College Football 26 are members of Dabo Swinney's 2025 Clemson Tigers team.