As 2024 comes to a close, we welcome a new year in 2025. For several, the start of the new year comes with New Year's resolutions. As teams across the country close their 2024's, we can now look back at the college football season, as well.

If New Year's resolutions were a real thing for the Top 25 teams in college football, what would they be?

Using the 2024 final College Football Playoff rankings, let's take a look at what the goal for the new year should be for each of the programs. For this one, we'll include the CFP top 12 teams in their order of their seedings, since they differ from the actual final rankings.

Nos. 25-21: Memphis, UNLV, Colorado, Army, Syracuse

No. 25 Memphis: Compete for an AAC title

The Tigers finished 11-2, as head coach Ryan Silverfield led Memphis to back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time in school history. But Memphis hasn't played for an AAC title since 2019, so that'll be big for this Tigers' program moving forward.

No. 24 UNLV: Allow a seasoned new head coach to take UNLV to a Mountain West title

The Rebels hired Dan Mullen last month, the former Florida Gators and Mississippi State head coach. The Rebels have played and lost to Boise State in the MWC title game back-to-back seasons. Having an experienced head coach like Mullen lead them to a conference title game will be better.

No. 23 Colorado: Continue to build beyond Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter

It appears as though Deion Sanders isn't going anywhere, finishing 2024 with a disappointing loss to BYU in the Alamo Bowl. Next up fro Deion is making the Buffs into a legitimate threat for the Big 12 each and every year, without his two Jackson State starts in Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter

No. 22 Army: Get the Black Knights into the CFP conversation

There's no question that head coach Jeff Monken's turnaround from 6-6 in 2023 to 12-2 and an AAC title is undoubtedly impressive. But if Army wants to take a big leap forward in 2024, beating the likes of playoff teams like Notre Dame would help.

No. 21 Syracuse: Become a legitimate threat in the ACC

Head coach Fran Brown had an incredible first season at Syracuse, leading the Orange to a 10-3 mark, capped off with a Holiday Bowl victory over Washington State. Syracuse also beat Miami at the end of the season, knocking the Canes out fo the playoff hunt. The next step for Brown in 2025 is turning Syracuse into a threat to make it to the ACC title game.

Nos. 20-16 Illinois, Missouri, Iowa State, BYU

*excluding No. 16 Clemson, which was a No. 12 CFP seed

No. 20 Illinois: Make a CFP run in 2025

The Fighting Illini reached 10 wins for just the fifth time in school history by beating South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. After the game, head coach Bret Bielema said on ESPN in the postgame interview that his program wants to be in the mix for the CFP in 2025. That would be a solid New Year's Resolution for Illini fans.

No. 19 Missouri: Reload in losing stars Brady Cook, Luther Burden III

Missouri had double-digit win for consecutive seasons, a huge success for head coach Eli Drinkwitz. But heading into 2025, the Tigers will be without two of their best players in school history in quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Luther Burden III. Replacing both and continuing to be a threat in the SEC will be key for the Tigers next season.

No. 18 Iowa State: Win the Big 12

The Cyclones reached double-digit wins for the very first time in school history, a great season for sixth-year head coach Matt Campbell. Despite falling flat in the Big 12 title game against Arizona State, Iowa State capped off the season with a win over Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl. The Cyclones have never won a Big 12 title though, so that will be key for 2025.

No. 17 BYU: Avoid the late-season collapse

The Cougars looked to be the favorites to make it to the Big 12 for the majority of the season, jumping out to a 9-0 start entering November. But two losses to Kansas and Arizona State knocked the Cougars out of the conference title race. Capping off the season with a win over Colorado in the Alamo Bowl was positive, but head coach Kelani Sitake wants his team to compete for a Big 12 title in 2025.

Nos. 15-11: South Carolina, Ole Miss, Miami, Alabama

*excluding Arizona State, which was seeded fourth in the CFP. but ranked 12th. We'll include the seeds in their correct order in the next couple of slides.

No. 15 South Carolina: Win a bowl and compete in the SEC

The Gamecocks had a great finish to the year, upsetting Clemson on Rivalry Week and finishing 9-4 on the season. But with early-season losses to LSU, Ole Miss and Alabama, the Gamecocks were never really a threat inside the conference. Head coach Shane Beamer is also 1-3 in bowl games. With quarterback LaNorris Sellers returning in 2025, South Carolina will look to be a legitimate threat inside the SEC.

No. 14 Ole Miss: Make it to the CFP

Although the Rebels entered 2024 with an incredibly talented roster and playoff hopes, all Ole Miss left with was a 9-3 record and a trip to the Gator Bowl. Although the Rebels did beat Georgia, Ole Miss had bad SEC losses to Kentucky, LSU and Florida. If Kiffin doesn't start turning the Rebels into a contender in his sixth season, we'll get even more questions about just how great a hire he was for Ole Miss.

No. 13 Miami: Earn a CFP berth

The expectations for the Miami Hurricanes and Mario Cristobal were an ACC title and playoff run. Instead, two losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse knocked the Canes out of contention for both. Miami then fell to Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl to finish with three losses. Cristobal needs to turn things around in Coral Gables in a hurry, it seems like. Anything less than a playoff appearance likely won’t be good enough.

No. 11 Alabama: Make it to either the SECCG or CFP

Sure, finishing 9-4 would be a solid season for any team that had to replace college football's greatest coach of all time in Nick Saban. But things are different in Tuscaloosa. After Alabama missed out on the playoff with a 9-3 record, Kalen DeBoer is feeling even more pressure after falling 16-13 to Michigan in the Reliaquest Bowl. The Tide are expected to be an SEC contender once again in 2025. If Bama doesn't make it to the playoff or SEC title game, DeBoer might be officially on the hot seat.

CFP seeds 12-9: Clemson, SMU, Indiana, Tennessee

No. 12 seed Clemson: Embracing the transfer portal and NIL, make a deeper playoff run

Dabo Swinney has done a 180 on his approaches to both the transfer portal and NIL, promising to utilize both in the coming seasons. The Tigers have already landed two guys from the portal this cycle. Clemson adapting and using both should help the Tigers make a deeper playoff run in 2025.

No. 11 seed SMU: Appreciate the accomplishment of making the CFP, but respond better on the big stage next time

Despite falling flat in the playoff against Penn State, it was still a great season for SMU. The Mustangs made it to the ACC title game during their very-first season in the conference. If SMU makes it to the playoff in 2025 or beyond, winning its first-round matchup will be a great next step for Rhett Lashlee and company.

No. 10 seed Indiana: Build on a remarkable 11-win season

The Hoosiers had a great 11-win season in 2024, the first in school history for first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. Against Notre Dame in the first round, it was clear that Indiana couldn't matchup much talent-wise. If Cignetti can get a few solid recruiting classes under his belt, the Hoosiers will play much better on the big stage.

No. 9 seed Tennessee Don't flop on the big stage

The Vols made it to the playoff for the first time in school history, after finishing 10-2 on the season. But Tennessee didn't play up to Ohio State in the first round, losing 42-17. For head coach Josh Heupel, winning a CFP game is a great goal for 2025 and beyond. With Nico Iamaleava returning, it could be a possibility.

CFP seeds 8-5: Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas

No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes: Prepare for Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

The Buckeyes absolutely dominated the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl, going up 31-0 in the first half, and cruising to a 41-21 victory.

OSU quarterback Will Howard had another sensational game, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Ohio State's defense, meanwhile, held Oregon to just 276 total yards of offense.

Next up for Ohio State is the No. 5 Texas Longhorns, which overcame a late rally from Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. The Buckeyes are early six-point favorites.

No. 7 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl

The 2025 quarterfinal semifinal between Notre Dame and Georgia was postponed to Thursday afternoon, following the deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans that killed 15 people.

So instead of focusing on New Year's resolutions, the Irish are still dialed in to beating the Bulldogs on Thursday, just a day later than the game was supposed to take place.

No. 6 seed Penn State Nittany Lions: Get ready for Texas or Arizona State in the Orange Bowl, hope Abdul Carter gets healthy

Penn State took care of business in the first and second rounds of the playoff, defeating SMU at home and then Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Next up for the Nittany Lions will either be Notre Dame or Georgia in the Orange Bowl. Penn State will also be hoping that EDGE rusher Abdul Carter gets healthy quickly. He left the Fiesta Bowl with a left arm injury, and didn't return.

No. 5 Texas Longhorns Get ready for Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl

The Longhorns survived an incredible fourth-quarter comeback from Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, ultimately prevailing 39-31. Longhorn quarterback Quinn Ewers had a gutsy performance, converting on 4th-and-13 on a touchdown to force a second overtime. He then hit Gunnar Helm on Texas' last touchdown of the night.

Next up for the Longhorns is the Ohio State Buckeyes, which looks like one of the most dangerous teams in the country. The Buckeyes beat Oregon handily 41-31 in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal.

CFP seeds 1-4: Arizona State, Boise State, Georgia, Oregon

No. 4 Arizona State: Pat itself on the back for putting up a huge fight vs. Texas, and reload for 2025

You have to tip your cap to the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl. Although ASU trailed 17-3 a halftime, and 24-8 with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Sun Devils refused to go away quietly. Arizona State rattled off back-to-back touchdowns to force overtime.

The Sun Devils even brought this game to a second overtime, although a Sam Leavitt interception sealed Texas' victory. Sure, losing a game like that is disappointing, but this is a season for ASU to be immensely proud of. After going 3-9 a year ago, give huge props to Kenny Dillingham and his Sun Devils' 2024 season. The future is very bright in Tempe.

No. 3 Boise State: Hang its head high after an incredible season

Boise State made it into the playoff as the first-ever non-power conference team in the expanded field. Although the Broncos fell 31-14 to Penn State, Boise State played well against the Nittany Lions overall. Although the Broncos will lose running back Ashton Jeanty to the NFL, the Broncos can have a lot of pride in their 2024 season and build upon it.

No. 2 Georgia: Beat Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl

As we mentioned earlier, Georgia and Notre Dame will be played on Thursday afternoon instead.

So instead of focusing on New Year's resolutions, the Bulldogs' only goal for 2025 so far is beating Notre Dame to move on to the Orange Bowl against Penn State.

No. 1 Oregon: Win in the CFP—making a game isn't enough

Despite finishing the season 13-0 as Big Ten champions, the Ducks fell completely flat against Ohio State. Although Oregon won 32-31 earlier this season, Ohio State had no problems in the rematch, winning 41-21. A playoff berth will still be the goal for the Ducks in 2025, but Dan Lanning will likely have to rebuild a bit next season to make it there.