10 College Football Predictions For 2025

Last week, we finally had meaningful football back. On Saturday we were treated to a Top 25 matchup in Dublin between Iowa State and Kansas State. Normally, we have one Top 25 team squaring off against a lesser opponent, so this game was a true treat. Even if it was a sloppy game, it was incredible to have football back. That showdown combined with the a few other games to commence the true return of football was truly riveting. I understand the Ireland game was the big event of the weekend, but the true sickos (aka football addicts such as myself) watched all the other games as well.

I think the 2025 season has a ton of intrigue. Unlike recent years, I feel like there’s a lot of uncertainty among the best teams in the country. Teams like Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, and Notre Dame are all Top 10 in the preseason poll, but also have unproven quarterbacks stepping in. Last year the top teams were full of returning starters and experienced transfers. Additionally, there are storylines across the country that add more drama. Will a non-SEC team win the National Championship for the third straight year? Does another non-quarterback win the Heisman? How good is Arch Manning during his first year as a starter? All those answers will become clear in just a few months, now let’s get to some predictions.

1. South Carolina and Florida miss The College Football Playoff

I’m starting off with this prediction to get it out of the way. It hurts me to predict this because I’m so excited to watch both these teams. The Gamecocks had a legitimate argument to be in the playoff last season and will likely be a better team this season. LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart are poised to become household names for South Carolina. Their disruptive defense combined with an exciting offense will make them a tough team to beat. Florida is led by quarterback DJ Lagway and the Gators’ talented defense. Head Coach Billy Napier looks to cash in on the benefits of Florida’s young talent. We saw the Gators make drastic improvements during the last part of the 2024 season and they’ll look to carry that momentum into 2025. With exciting young quarterbacks and elite defenses, why would both these teams miss the CFP? Just take a look at their schedules. Both the Gamecocks and Gators could become victims to a stacked SEC. I hope they prove me wrong, but I see these teams in the 7-9 win range and missing the CFP essentially by a handful of plays that don’t go their way.

2. Michigan continues their win streak against Ohio State

Ohio State fans should be glad I’m predicting this one. Last year I was 100% sure the streak would end but was wrong. I am now convinced that Ryan Day has some sort of mental block when it comes to Michigan. The Wolverines have won the last four matchups with each being against supremely talented Buckeye squads. While it can be argued the teams were evenly matched for some of these games, last year was absolutely egregious. The Buckeyes boasted the most talented roster in the country with elite playmakers on offense and one of the nation’s top defenses. On the other side, Michigan was a middling team barely scratching bowl eligibilty. Yet history repeated itself and the Wolverines won. Heading into 2025, Ohio State has two of the best players in the country (Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs) but also major questions marks for QB and on defense. Michigan also has some roster holes and also will likely have a less successful season. I’m just not betting against them in The Big House against a team they’ve dominated in recent memory.

3. Jeremiyah Love is a Heisman Finalist

Last year, Jeremiyah Love burst onto the scene at Notre Dame. During his Sophomore season, Love became the featured back in the Fighting Irish offense. He rushed for 1,125 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 6.9 yards per carry while also being a threat out on the backfield. The Notre Dame tailback is one of the most exciting players in the country. He possesses a rare blend of speed, power, and athleticism that is rarely seen. The 2024 season had Love hurdling, outrunning, and bulldozing opposing defenders all while sharing backfield action with talented teammate Jadarian Price. Price being a talented ball carrier in his own right is why I don’t think Love will quite win the trophy for himself. However, word on the street is Jeremiyah will be more involved in the passing game while also possibly returning punts/kicks. The more the ball is the Love’s hands the better it is for Notre Dame. He may already have a 98 yard touchdown, jaw dropping hurdles, and the toughest 2 yard run I’ve ever seen, but the best is yet to come for Jeremiyah Love.

4. Jeremiah Smith is a Heisman Finalist

Did I mean to pick two Jeremiah/Jeremiyahs to be Heisman Finalists? No, but it might just be the year of Jeremiah/Jeremiyahs. Ohio State’s star wide receiver was a phenom before his first collegiate snap and surpassed the hype. Smith had 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns during his true Freshman season. Most impressively, he showed up when the lights were brightest. This included the game-sealing catch against Notre Dame in the National Championship. During his first season of college football, Smith proved himself to be unguardable. He is a masterful route runner with the speed to blow by defenders and athleticism to moss them when coverage is solid. If players could leave after their Freshman year, Smith would have been taken in the first round of this year’s draft. 2025 will provide more opportunity for the Buckeye’s star. Ohio State lost a lot of talent to the NFL and has a major question at quarterback. My guess is their new quarterback is being told to “find #4 and throw him the ball.” That is the best advice he can get and why I expect to see Jeremiah Smith as a finalist in New York this December.

5. Notre Dame makes the College Football Playoff

I am running this one back from my predictions last season. The Fighting Irish are looking for a season similar to their National Runner-Up campaign from last season. They return arguably the best running back in the previously mentioned Jeremiyah Love along with preseason All-American Leonard Moore and several other high level contributors. Marcus Freeman added some valuable players in the Transfer Portal like transfer receiver Malachi Fields and defensive back Devonta Smith. He has elevated the Fighting Irish to a stratosphere they haven’t reached in decades. A big question mark is redshirt Freshman quarterback CJ Carr. He was highly touted as a recruit and looks to have a promising career. Carr will be thrown into the fire as the Notre Dame’s first two games are against Miami and Texan A&M. He will need to learn quickly and play turnover free football to help the Irish achieve their season goals. I expect Notre Dame to rely heavily on the run game and elite defense and continue their return to the top of the College Football world.

6. Iowa State Wins the Big 12

Am I partially being a victim of recent bias after the Cyclones win against Kansas State in Ireland? Yes, and I will not try to deny it. With that being said, I am also playing the ongoing trend. No team has repeated as Big 12 Champion since 2020 and the past 5 winners have all been different schools (Oklahoma, Baylor, Kansas State, Texas, Arizona State). With the Cyclones missing from that list and getting off to a terrific start during Week 0, they seem like prime candidates to keep the streak going. Schools like Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas, and TCU also are options to be the 6th “new” school to win the conference. However, Rocco Becht provides a veteran leadership for Iowa State and showed the ability to alleviate one of the preseason worries for the Cyclones. Many were worried about who would step up as pass catchers after losing Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins to the NFL draft. Becht and the Cyclone offense were able to spread the ball around to several different playmakers. The Big 12 is the most open conference in the country, so I admittedly have very little confidence in this prediction. However, I think Iowa State has just as good a chance as anyone to claim the conference title.

7. 2 or more 3 loss teams make CFB playoff

This is another prediction that I am recycling from the 2024 season. This did not hit as Clemson was the only 3 loss team and Alabama and South Carolina were on the outside looking in. While I thought it was the right choice, there was quite a bit of debate and controversy around that decision. This year I am even more sure that multiple 3 loss teams will make it. Conferences like the SEC and Big 10 are deep and will have several teams each competing for playoff spots. Adding in the uncertainty around the quarterback position across the country will only increase the chances of quality teams dropping a few games they shouldn’t. Also the committee might weigh schedule quality heavier to avoid the backlash of last season.

8. Alabama Returns to the College Football Playoff

The Crimson Tide are in the same boat as many teams across the country. The team is talented but has an inexperienced quarterback in Ty Simpson leading their team. Thankfully for the fans in Tuscaloosa, this team is filled with talented players like the Alabama teams of late. Stars like Ryan Williams and Kadyn Proctor will help ease the load for the first time signal caller. Against elite teams, like those in the SEC, a reliable pass catcher and blindside tackle are a quarterback’s best friend. I expect Alabama to have a stifling defense and their offense will improve throughout the season. The start of their season isn’t the most difficult, so I think the team should really be able to hit their stride when the toughest part of their schedule hits. I also believe Kalen DeBoer realizes the fans will get restless if they don’t make the CFP this year. He will be coaching for his future with the Crimson Tide and he knows that.

9. Cade Klubnik wins the Heisman

Klubnik really turned the corner as the quarterback for the Clemson Tigers last season. He threw for 3,639 yards, had a 6:1 touchdown to interception ratio, and was a consistent threat as a dual-threat quarterback. I expect Klubnik to put up even better numbers in 2025 as the Tigers hopefully get off to a better start this season. He will benefit by playing in the ACC, which is not exactly known for its defense. Entering a season where a lot of programs have inexperienced quarterbacks, Klubnik gives Clemson a huge leg up. His accuracy is vastly improving while his turnovers decrease. Like many Heisman winners in recent memory, Klubnik can also get the job done as a runner. If he can improve his stats slightly and have some big moments in the regular season, he can run away with the 2025 Heisman.

10. Texas wins the National Championship

Over the past few seasons, Texas has made massive strides as a program. Steve Sarkisian has brought a winning culture to Austin leading to two straight CFP appearances. Not only do I think they make it three straight appearances, but I also think they will win their first National Championship since 2005. The Longhorns return key defensive players like Anthony Hill Jr. and Colin Simmons to make Texas an elite defense again. The Longhorns also boast a young, talented group of receivers and running backs that will make names for themselves this season. The biggest story for the Longhorns is Arch Manning. Arch’s limited playing time creates some uncertainty but I love what I’ve seen in those limited appearances. He is an accurate passer that can make every throw on the field. He is also an underrated athlete that can create when plays break down. Despite the inexperience, Coach Sark is an offensive genius that will get the most out of Arch’s skillset. The Longhorns will be balanced on both sides of the the ball and lean on great coaching to make their run towards the title.

As I mentioned, there is a ton of uncertainty among the top teams in College Football this season. Due to that, I am not expecting to hit on a large portion of these predictions. However, I do love to see where my preseason predictions end up after the season. The unknown is bringing a lot of excitement that I’m excited to see what the script writers treat us to. Thankfully we have months to enjoy this College Football season. Let’s enjoy every second of it and then we can all laugh at how these predictions ended up.