The McShay Show – Todd’s College Football Power Rankings (6-4): Expectations for Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State in 2025

Podcast: The McShay Show
Episode Date: August 25, 2025
Host: Daniel Jeremiah (DJ), with analyst Bucky Brooks (BB)
Focus: Preseason Power Rankings – Teams 6 through 4 (Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State), roster breakdowns, draft prospects, coaching transitions, and expectations for the 2025 college season.

Overview

This milestone 100th episode dives into Todd McShay’s preseason college football power rankings, focusing on teams ranked 6 through 4: Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks provide in-depth discussions on each team’s roster, coaching changes, NFL draft talent, and unique challenges heading into 2025. They emphasize that these are “preseason” rankings—reflecting current personnel and coaching, not where teams will necessarily finish.

#6 – Alabama Crimson Tide

Coaching Context & Program Reset

• Second Year for Kalen DeBoer: After a 9-4 "disappointing" debut (by Alabama standards) and following Nick Saban is “a tough gig.” However, DeBoer is a proven winner: “104 and 12 when he got that job” (DJ, 02:03).
• Year Two Effect: Many great coaches flourish in their second year—Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, DeBoer himself at previous stops. “Second year, that’s when it kind of becomes the standard for great coaches” (DJ, 02:03).
• Roster Turnover: 10 draft picks and 31 transfers out in 2024. This year, only 7 lost to the draft (2 first rounders), below their usual exodus.

NFL Talent & Depth

• Prospects: 6 players in McShay’s top 75 NFL draft prospects—more than Clemson, Penn State, Ohio State, LSU, or Florida.
  • Key names: OT Kaden Proctor, CB Damani Jackson, EDGE LT Overton, WR Jeremy Bernard, DL Tim Keenan, LB Deontae Lawson.
• Overall depth: 13 on the Senior Bowl’s Top 300 list, second nationally behind LSU.

Offensive Outlook

• QB Transition: Ty Simpson named starter, “hasn’t started a game at Alabama. Redshirt junior. It’s his time” (BB, 06:11). Goal: manage, distribute, avoid turnovers—“Be Mac Jones.”
• OC Overhaul: Ryan Grubb joins from Seattle, previously at Washington with DeBoer and Penix. Excitement about sharper QB development and offensive innovation.
• Skill Players:
  • WRs: “Ryan Williams is the best wide receiver not in Columbus, Ohio in the country.” (DJ, 07:58)
    Bernard and transfer Isaiah Horton give the group elite depth; “This receiving core... has a chance to be elite” (DJ, 07:42).
  • RBs: Jam Miller (projected lead back) OUT with collarbone injury, back expected by SEC opener vs. Georgia (09:23). 4 sophomores/freshmen, including Dre Washington (transfer) and high-upside Keontee Kelly, will get reps early.
  • OL: Proctor (needs more consistency), Brailsford (center), added Cam Dewberry (Texas A&M), freshman Michael Carroll. “Chance to be great” but still questions about consistency (BB, 07:46).

Defensive Preview

• 2024 Recap: Despite injuries, finished 10th in scoring defense (17.4 points/game).
• Starters Return: 8 starters back; Kane Wommack’s 2nd year brings needed continuity.
• Strengths/Concerns: Front seven is talented (Overton, Keenan, Lawson), but “not as deep as we’re used to seeing” (DJ, 15:11).
• Secondary: Stacked—“chance to be outstanding,” 4 DBs with 6+ starts. Damani Jackson “has the physical tools to make a big leap” (DJ, 16:18).
• Favorite Draft Prospect: “Overton might be my favorite draft prospect right now... he’s a complete player.” (BB, 16:34)

Schedule Challenges

• Strength of Schedule: 12th nationally, only 11th-toughest in the SEC due to conference realignment. LSU and Oklahoma at home, potential pitfalls (Iron Bowl at Auburn). “That’s one of the all-time great rivalries in college football” (BB, 17:48).

Ranking Justification

• Volatile market: “A lot of question marks here... I’m okay with [#6]... There’s enough here for me to be excited about what Alabama could do this year.” (BB, 18:43)
• QB uncertainty is a recurring theme across top teams.

#5 – Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Coaching & Roster Overview

• Marcus Freeman's Steady Rise: Entering Year 4, Freeman is 14–2 last season—a playoff contender building consistency. “Freeman’s actually done more with less” compared to peers like Dan Lanning (BB, 24:30).
• Transition Status: Only 6 players drafted in 2025 (none 1st round), less attrition than most rivals. Roster is young and filled with “unknowns”—only RB Jeremiah Love is in McShay’s top 75 prospects.

Offensive Identity

• Offensive Line: "454 starts returning... last year’s group turned out to be pretty awesome.” Key returnees: Ashton Craig (C), Anthony Knapp (LT), Emil Wagner (RT). Charles Jagusah (G) is sidelined until October after a UTV accident—his return could further boost the interior.
• Backfield: Specifically “might have the best backfield in the country” (BB, 28:24).
  • Jeremiah Love—“He’s the guy this year in the NFL Draft... poetry in motion for a big back.” (DJ, 29:54)
  • Deep supporting cast for multiple run looks.
• WR Group: Upgraded size and playmaking:
  • Jaden Greathouse (breakout last year), Malachi Fields (Virginia transfer, 6'4" 220), Jordan Faison, Will Pauling (Wisconsin; 18 contested catches).
  • “More talented than what Notre Dame had a year ago, but they’re bigger… play action opportunities.” (DJ, 31:21)
• QB Situation: C.J. Carr (Lloyd Carr’s grandson) wins starting role—big arm, but three INTs first camp day. “But don’t be surprised if [backup] Minchey gets some run early in the season…”—possibility of a two-QB look out of the gate (DJ, 35:41).
• Offensive Coordinator: Mike Denbrock (ex-LSU/Jayden Daniels; Cincy/Ridder; ND last year for Leonard). Ability to hybridize scheme: “I think he’s going to put CJ Carr in the best position to succeed.” (BB, 36:06)

Defense

• 2024 Elite Campaign: Al Golden’s wizardry led to “almost pitched the perfect game” (DJ, 37:10).
• Personnel Losses: Departed leaders—Benjamin Morrison, Xavier Watts, Jack Kaiser, Riley Mills.
• 2025 Outlook:
  • Secondary: “Might wind up being top two, top three, maybe the best secondary in the country” (DJ, 38:16). Key names: Christian Gray, Leonard Moore (corners), Aiden Shuler, Jalen Stroman (safeties).
  • DL/LB: Bryce Young (son of Bryant Young) poised for a breakout at EDGE; Drake Bowen (LB)—“I’m told he’s leaned down, playing faster” (DJ, 41:06).
  • Several freshmen flagged as early-impact players (Jon Blair, Dallas Golden, Madden Faraimo).
  • Al Golden departs; Chris Ash takes over at DC (“Notre Dame didn’t hire Ash because they’re taking a shot on a young gun. Al Golden was awesome last year” (DJ, 40:18).

Schedule & Expectations

• Front-loaded slate: Open with Miami (Sunday game), then Texas A&M; then Boise State is toughest remaining early matchup.
• Season Arc: “With young quarterbacks, this team will be better at the end of the year than at the beginning” (BB, 43:18).
• Two-loss playoff team possible: “I don’t see them losing more than two games, man. I really don’t. And I think two gets them in.” (DJ, 43:27)

#4 – Ohio State Buckeyes

Program Notes & Transition

• Ryan Day's Stability: “70 and 10... four of six years in the playoffs... broke through last year with the national championship” (DJ, 48:21).
• Coaching turnover:
  • OC Chip Kelly leaves for NFL (Raiders). Brian Hartline (renowned WR coach/recruiter) takes over play-calling for first time.
  • DC Jim Knowles gone; NFL veteran Matt Patricia steps in.
  • “If Hartline doesn’t do well in the role, you just pull the rip cord and Ryan Day starts calling plays.” (BB, 49:43)

Roster & Talent

• Draft Mass Exodus: 14 drafted in 2025 (6 in the top 2 rounds; 8 on defense).
• NFL Watch List:
  • 5 in McShay’s top 75: WR Carnell Tate, TE Max Clare, OL Ethan Awa, LB Sonny Styles, CB Davison Igbinosun, S Caleb Downs.
  • “Downs might be the best defensive player in the country and Jeremiah Smith [WR] might be the best player in the country” (DJ, 51:17).
• Depth caveats: Only 6 on Senior Bowl’s Top 300.

Offense

• QB Change: Julian Sayin (true freshman, former ESPN #9 overall) takes over. “All world talent, supremely talented… big arm, quick release.”
  • Notably, Sayin wasn’t a no-doubt choice; process took longer than hoped. Listeners are encouraged not to panic over early bumps, as young QBs need 4 games to settle in. “The biggest improvement... comes in a four-game stretch.” (DJ, 56:29)
• Offensive Line Concerns: “I’m worried about that offensive line… That’s the number one thing that jumps out to me.” (BB, 53:13)
  • Interior expected to be “dominant,” led by Carson Hinsman (C), Luke Montgomery, and Tegra Tshabola (G), but tackles need development.
  • Right tackle is most unsettled.
• Weapons Galore:
  • Max Clare (TE, transfer—“elite for them”), Carnell Tate, Jeremiah Smith (“notably better this year”), Mylan Graham (freshman burner).
  • RBs: Peoples and Donovan ("talented"), Bo Jackson (true freshman with “absolutely different” acceleration), “could see an increased role.”
• System continuity: Hartline as first-time play-caller remains unproven.

Defense

• Key Players:
  • “Caleb Downs is the best defensive player that I watched on tape this summer” (DJ, 61:13).
  • Sonny Styles (LB/S hybrid)—“phenomenal.”
  • Davison Igbinosun—“Penalties… talented player, but has to cut down on the penalties.” (BB, 61:35), big press corner.
• Outlook: Defense “gutted” with 8 NFL departures, new DC—much will depend on raw talent crystallizing quickly.
• Coach Attitude: “Trust me, you’re going to see early. Trust me, we’re Ohio State.” This is both promise and caveat.

Schedule & Big Picture

• Immediate Test: Open with Texas and QB Arch Manning—the most anticipated Week 1 clash.
• Development Arc: “This is probably going to be a team—like last year—that gets better and better as the season progresses.” (DJ, 62:16)
• Special Note: If Julian Sayin and Michigan’s Bryce Underwood hold their jobs, “we could get 3 Michigan–Ohio State games with those guys at quarterback.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Alabama’s WR Room:
  "Ryan Williams is the best wide receiver not in Columbus, Ohio in the country." —DJ, 07:58

• On Notre Dame’s Program Build vs. Rivals:
  "Freeman's actually done more with less.” —BB, 24:30

• On Ohio State’s Culture of Trust:
  “There’s a whole lot of educated yet blind trust I’m placing in Ohio State at 4.” —DJ, 47:49

• On Young QBs Needing Time:
  "The biggest improvement should come from game one to game two… I notice it's a four-game stretch." —DJ, 56:29

• On College Football's Unpredictability in 2025:
  “It feels like for every [top] team, when I go and I'm like, alright, so what’s the big question? For every one, I want to write quarterback.” —DJ, 20:35

Episode Structure / Timed Breakdown

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00-05:20 | Introduction, purpose of rankings, transition to Alabama | | 05:20-14:30 | Alabama in-depth: roster, QB/OC changes, offense/defense | | 14:30-19:45 | Alabama's strengths, schedule, power ranking reflection | | 22:47-26:32 | Notre Dame: coaching context, NFL draft attrition | | 26:32-35:59 | Notre Dame offense: OL, backfield, WRs, QB battle | | 37:10-43:27 | Notre Dame defense: secondary, DL/LB outlook, schedule | | 47:36-62:16 | Ohio State: coaching changes, personnel losses, offense/defense breakdown, trust in program | | 62:16-end | Anticipation for Week 1, betting results, closing |

Tone & Language

The conversation is candid, knowledgeable, and occasionally humorous, balancing fan excitement with sober, granular analysis. There’s an openness about the uncertainty facing top programs due to historic roster churn at quarterback and other key positions. The hosts communicate directly, often referencing their conversations with NFL and college insiders.

Final Takeaways

• Quarterback uncertainty is the dominant theme among elite programs in 2025.
• Alabama: Poised to bounce back in DeBoer’s 2nd year, with elite skill talent and defense, but QB and OL must rise to expectations.
• Notre Dame: Steady leadership under Freeman, top OL-backfield combo, and secondary should keep them in playoff contention despite national “unknowns.”
• Ohio State: Enormous talent gap filled by true freshmen and new coordinators places them in uncharted (but intriguing) territory—“blind faith” in institutional momentum is key.

Essential advice: Early season results, especially for new QBs, should be taken in stride. The best teams in 2025 may not look their best until October.

For those new to The McShay Show, this episode is a perfect encapsulation of what sets it apart: relentless tape study, inside information, and willingness to embrace the uncertainty that makes college football so compelling every season.