ESPN identifies a critical X factor for each preseason Top 25 team. Ohio State relies on freshman WR Chris Henry Jr. to complement All-American Jeremiah Smith. Oregon adds transfer S Koi Perich from Minnesota to replace first-round pick Dillon Thieneman. Georgia needs a breakout from WR Talyn Taylor to fill the void left by Zachariah Branch.

Notre Dame's receiving corps gets a major upgrade with transfers Mylan Graham, Quincy Porter and QB CJ Carr. Texas hires DC Will Muschamp to reshape a defense that has lost three times to Georgia. Indiana turns to RB Turbo Richard to replace graduated 1,000-yard rushers.

Miami's QB Darian Mensah brings a dynamic passing game from Duke. Ole Miss adds LB Luke Ferrelli amid tampering drama to fix a run defense ranked 69th nationally. Texas A&M reloads its defensive line with transfer DE Anto Saka. LSU QB Sam Leavitt returns from injury to run Lane Kiffin's offense.