COLLEGE FOOTBALL
2025 College Football Preview
No. 1 Ohio State finished as champions in the first ever playoff, defeating Notre Dame, and are the team to beat in 2025. Despite a question mark at QB, the Buckeyes have wide receiver Jeremiah Smith back and Caleb Downs on defense.
No. 2 Notre Dame made the long run to the championship game after stumbling out of the gate last season and has a solid unit this season. Jeremiyah Love, Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse are all back on offense. And Anthonie Knapp is one of the top tackles in the nation.
No. 3 Georgia lost a lot, but has plenty of talent to build on. Wide receiver London Humphreys, tight end Oscar Delp, linebacker CJ Allen and freshman safety KJ Bolden will be the leaders of the new-look Bulldogs.
No. 4 Oregon turns to Dante Moore to run the offense and Matayo Uiagalelei and Bear Alexander are back on defense. Some retooling needed, but the Ducks seem to gel quick and will make another deep run.
No. 5 Texas is loaded on both sides of the line and will be led by Arch Manning, wide receiver Ryan Wingo, and running back CJ Baxter on offense. The Longhorns on defense have linebacker Anthony Hill, defensive end Colin Simmons and Malik Muhammad on the outside.
No. 6 Penn State will be led by Drew Allar along with running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. The O-line is solid with only one position changed from last season. Over on defense, Dani Dennis-Sutton returns at edge, Zane Durant at defensive tackle, and AJ Harris is back in the secondary.
No. 7 Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava back, but there are a lot of new faces on offense after losing their star running back and top three receivers. Tennessee's defense will be headed up by cornerback Jermod McCoy and linebacker Arion Carter.
No. 8 Mississippi is in rebuild mode with Dart gone, but has a lot of talent ready to take over. The Rebels could surprise everyone this season, or fall flat.
No. 9 Alabama moves on without Jalen Milroe. Who will be the starter? Ty Simpson, Austin Mack or Keelon Russell? The Tide does return Ryan Williams and others on offense. A veteran defense with Domani Jackson, Keon Sabb and LT Overton should keep the Crimson Tide as contenders in 2025.
No. 10 LSU will be led by QB Garrett Nussmeier and has the weapons with wide receivers Nic Anderson, Destyn Hill and Barrion Brown and tight end Bauer Sharp. Harold Perkins Jr.'s return at linebacker along with linebacker Whit Weeks. Edge rusher Patrick Payton and cornerback Ja'Keem Jackson should be impact players.
It is year two of the expanded playoff at the FBS level. Will it be an Ohio State-Notre Dame rematch at the end of the season? With the playoff proving to be unpredictable a season ago, the answer is "Unlikely". The season begins August 23rd and concludes January 19, 2026 in Miami Florida.
July 1, 2025