For a second straight year, there are 12 teams vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff. I think that last year was a massive success, mixing old powers with new faces to make for an exciting playoff. Here are our 2025 CFP preseason predictions.
What’s Changed
The way the seeds are handed out will impact this year’s playoff. Last year, the highest ranked conference champions were seeded 1-4 and given a bye in the first round. They will now do the 1-4 seeds by overall rankings, not tied to the conference championships.
The First Four
1. Texas – We are putting a lot of pressure on Arch Manning here to seamlessly take over the program and live up to the expectations. Texas is the most talented team in the country with one of the best coaches, they will be 1-2 in the nation all year long.
2. Ohio State – Penn State and Oregon are two very good teams in the Big Ten but Ohio State is bringing in more talent and now, more championship pedigree after winning the title last season. The Buckeyes are hungry to repeat and while they could fall short, they will be a top seed.
3. Clemson – This is Dabo Swinney’s best team in a few years and Cade Klubnik now has all the experience in the world. The Tigers should run through the ACC.
4. Georgia – Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves placing Notre Dame or Penn State in this spot. This is college football after all, and the SEC is looked after quite well. Kirby Smart will deliver another successful season in Athens.
The Next 5
5. Penn State – Drew Allar is a Heisman candidate and one of the most talented quarterbacks in the nation. James Franklin’s roster is returning a ton of talent from a year ago and should have the Nittany Lions in the mix.
6. Notre Dame – Marcus Freeman has now emerged as a top coach in the nation and the Fighting Irish have one of the cushiest schedules in the country. They will bank on their run game to make the CFP.
7. LSU – You can’t keep Brian Kelly and this roster of standouts down too long. Garrett Nussmeier is a legit top 5 draft candidate and the Tigers went after the transfer portal hard in the offseason.
8. Oregon – I love the Ducks, and I love what Dan Lanning has done for their program. My one concern is their quarterback situation. They have a tough schedule, and they could pile up a couple of quick losses.
9. Arizona State – The top Big 12 school won’t get much love but Arizona State sneaks in without worrying about the bubble. Baylor will be their toughest team to beat out, but Sam Leavitt proved he can lead this team with Kenny Dillingham calling the shots.
The Fringe
10. Alabama – The Crimson Tide are going to take a jump from a year ago, but in the SEC, you pile up losses quicker than any other conference based on the level of competition.
11. Miami – They have Carson Beck, and they will be ready to put that very expensive roster to the test in an ACC that doesn’t scare me.
12 Boise State – Hello, Group of 5 and welcome to the conversation. There is a chance that Boise comes in undefeated or with one loss but that isn’t enough to bump them past 12.
First Round
- 5. Penn State defeats 12. Boise State
- 11. Miami defeats 6. Notre Dame
- 10. Alabama defeats 7. LSU
- 9. Arizona State defeats 8. Oregon
Second Round
- 1. Texas defeats 11. Miami
- 10. Alabama defeats 2. Ohio State
- 3. Clemson defeats 9. Arizona State
- 4. Georgia defeats 5. Penn State
Semi Finals
- 1. Texas defeats 10. Alabama
- 3. Clemson defeats 4. Georgia
Championship
Texas is back. Officially. It took a long, long time but Arch Manning and the Longhorns power themselves past Clemson to capture that elusive national title.