The confetti is still falling on Ohio State as the champion of the college football playoff. Before we give way to the NFL playoffs and recruiting, we here at 247Sports thought to compile a way-too-early Top 25 poll for the 2015 football season. Results were compiled from the votes of nine writers, analysts and editors. Some things, like whether Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota will go pro, were not known at time of voting and publication.

Without further ado ...

1. Ohio State

We made them No. 1 a week ago and after watching the Buckeyes roll Oregon, 42-20, we're sure glad they did. They return a host of emerging playmakers on both sides of the ball, like 2015 Heisman candidates Ezekiel Elliott and, well, whoever's the starting QB. We think once the dust settles, that'll be J.T. Barrett. Survive the opener at Virginia Tech and it’s smooth sailing until Nov. 21 against Michigan State in the Horseshoe.

2. TCU

Who knows what would’ve happened if the Frogs got into the playoff this year? TCU pounded Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl to give it and QB Trevone Boykin plenty of momentum headed into next fall. A tough opener at Minnesota will give the Froggies some street cred. If they have to guide through the Big 12 undefeated to make the final four, they should be up to the task. TCU hosts No. 8 Baylor to end the year.

3. Alabama

Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide have to replace three early departures in Amari Cooper, T.J. Yeldon and Landon Collins, but they’ve recruited so well (the No. 1 247Sports Composite team recruiting class since 2011) that it should soften the blow. Jacob Coker figures to win the QB job this time around. Sophomore-to-be left tackle Cameron Robinson, a future top-5 draft pick, makes his life easier. A word of advice for offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin: Don’t stop feeding 5.8-yards-per-carry rusher Derrick Henry.

4. Michigan State

The nation’s No. 8 total defense loses coordinator Pat Narduzzi and three starters in the secondary. Any preseason confidence you see in the Spartans is because quarterback Connor Cook spurned the NFL for another year in East Lansing. He loses Jeremy Langford at running back and Tony Lippett at wideout, though.

5. USC

Proceed with caution here — we remember what happened the last time USC was a preseason darling. But there’s tons of talent returning in Los Angeles, even if Leonard Williams, Nelson Agholor and Buck Allen are going pro early. Quarterback Cody Kessler is the best-kept secret in football but should be an early Heisman candidate. The offensive line is stacked and growing in experience. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson is an elite playmaker on defense and in special teams. Depth is slowly improving after scholarship sanctions and the current recruiting class is No. 5 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings.

6. Florida State

Jameis Winston was one of four underclassmen to declare for the draft, but the Seminoles will be extremely strong at running back and receiver while the the defense, led by safety Jalen Ramsey and budding defensive end Lorenzo Featherston, should be salty. To make another push for an ACC title in an improving conference, the Seminoles will would likely need to acquire an immediately-eligible quarterback.

List of Underclassmen Going Pro

7. Notre Dame

Quarterback is a big question for the Fighting Irish and if the offseason transfer of Everett Golson goes down as expected, it’s up to Malik Zaire to lead a roster that’s otherwise talented and experienced; according to elkharttruth.com, 20 of the 22 players who started the Music City bowl return in 2015. The schedule is mostly manageable with a mix of quality opponents sprinkled in — home versus Georgia Tech, Southern Cal and Texas — and on the road at Clemson and Stanford. A one-loss Notre Dame team should be able to sneak into the playoff.

8. Baylor

It’s always been about the quarterback since Art Briles took over in Waco. And the rule of thumb: The quarterback’s always pretty, pretty good. Bryce Petty will be tough to replace, but the Bears figure to get good play from either veteran Seth Russell or true freshman and 247Sports five-star Jarrett Stidham. Now it’s about avoiding the road loss that’s kept the Bears out of the national championship picture each of the last two seasons.

9. Clemson

Can Deshaun Watson stay healthy? If so, few will be as set at quarterback as the Tigers. The defense loses a lot but we trust defensive coordinator Brent Venables won’t allow much of a drop-off from a unit that was No. 1 nationally. The schedule is competitive but Clemson should be favored in every game, with home contests against Notre Dame, Florida State and Georgia Tech. Time to do away with #Clemsoning.

10. Oregon

Presuming we’re close to a Marcus Mariota-is-going-pro announcement, the runners-up nearly tumble out of the top 10. There are likely a few reasons for that. They, uh, have to replace a Heisman Trophy-winner. The lack of a true No. 1 receiver to help the new QB, either Jeff Lockie or a transfer, hurts. Many defensive standouts are out the door. The Pac-12 is only getting tougher. Among the reasons for optimism are the monster rushing attack of Royce Freeman and Thomas Tyner, the versatility of scat wideout Byron Marshall, the return of receiver Bralon Addison and the fact that it’s just really difficult to stop the Ducks.

15 Heisman Favorites for 2015

11. Auburn - Former 247Sports four-star QB Jeremy Johnson, a rising junior, should match much of Nick Marshall’s production.

12. LSU - Leonard Fournette lived up to the hype. LSU needs an answer at QB to make its offense hum.

13. Arizona - For all the acclaim Scooby Wright got, Arizona’s defense was No. 75 in yards per play. The Wildcats need to shore that up.

14 Georgia - Injuries are a valid excuse year after year, but it’s high time Mark Richt won the SEC East again.

15. Ole Miss - Ranking hinges on the future of troubled QB enrollee Chad Kelly, who’s arrived in Oxford but hasn’t been cleared just yet.

16. Arizona State - Running back D.J. Foster pieced together a 1,000-yard season and also added a jaw-dropping 668 yards receiving.

17. UCLA - Does true freshman Josh Rosen, the top pro-style QB in the 247Sports Composite, emerge as the starter in Westwood?

18. Mississippi State - The Bulldogs get Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss in Starkville. QB Dak Prescott must return to his mid-2014 form.

19. Georgia Tech - The triple-option offense is still nearly unstoppable and the ACC might be up for grabs.

20. Arkansas - A killer running game and steady QB play are helping Bret Bielema turn the Hogs around. And here come the big recruiting classes.

21. Tennessee - Slowly but surely, the Vols are piecing together a complete team. They might be a year away, but then again, it’s the SEC East.

22. Boise State - There’s some reloading to be done, sure, but the Broncos are a top-25 regular. Former coach Chris Petersen brings Washington to the blue turf in the season opener.

23. Texas A&M - Kevin Sumlin killed it with the hire of defensive coordinator John Chavis. Recruiting’s been great. The window’s wide open for an SEC West climb, but Texas A&M fans will get restless with another sub-.500 conference record.

24. Oklahoma - Bob Stoops fails to win 10 games or more for the first time since 2009 and here comes the hot-seat talk. Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield has a great shot of beating out Trevor Knight in the offseason QB battle.

25. Stanford - For the first time since 2009, the Cardinal finished the season unranked. The defense loses a lot, but four of five starters on the offensive line return. QB Kevin Hogan is reportedly mulling a transfer.

Just Missed the Cut

Wisconsin

Missouri

Utah

