The 2025 college football season is getting closer. Fall camps will start before we know it, and soon enough, the offseason debate will end.
The defending national champions, along with seven of the top 10 preseason favorites, according to FanDuel, will have new starting quarterbacks.
That could lead to a lot of unpredictability. Still, it’s not that hard to predict the national title contenders for college football this season, and one of these five teams will wind up hoisting the trophy in 2025-26.
(Odds are according to FanDuel)
Texas (+600)
The odds might be a little higher for the Texas Longhorns than in the four-team playoff era, because road games against Ohio State and Georgia make an undefeated season unlikely.
However, 10 wins will get Texas into the College Football Playoff for the third straight season. Arch Manning will also take over, and if he were the quarterback last season, we might be talking about Texas as the defending national champs.
Ohio State (+600)
The Buckeyes lost over a dozen players to the National Football League, including their top two running backs and their starting quarterback.
However, Julian Sayin was maybe the most underrated transfer portal addition of the 2024 class. He sat for a season and should be ready.
It’s risky starting a redshirt freshman quarterback. Yet, having someone like Jeremiah Smith should make the transition easier. Carnell Tate, too. Caleb Downs is also probably the best defender in college football.
The schedule isn’t easy, but Texas and Penn State come to Columbus. Michigan looms, however, a playoff berth should be wrapped up by then anyway.
Georgia (+650)
If Carson Beck didn’t get hurt last season, the College Football Playoff could have had another ending.
Gunner Stockton completed 70.9 percent of his passes last season to go along with one touchdown and one interception. He had 234 yards and a touchdown pass against Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl loss.
Stockton will need to be better this season, and he should be with more seasoning. Kirby Smart should have an elite defense once again, bolstered by some shrewd transfer portal additions.
The schedule sets up well for another SEC championship. Alabama and Texas have to come to Athens, and nobody should be surprised if the Bulldogs are hoisting the trophy when it’s all said and done.
Penn State (+800)
The Nittany Lions might offer the best value among the betting favorites. They have the same head coach, the same quarterback, and also a fancy new defensive coordinator (Jim Knowles) they stole away from Ohio State who is supposed to help them get over the hump.
Quarterback Drew Allar’s return for his senior season was one of the most significant offseason moves in college football. Yet, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kayton Allen are future NFL players, too, along with DE Dani Dennis-Sutton.
Penn State needed an impact wideout, so James Franklin added Trebor Pena, an All-ACC pass-catcher from Syracuse.
The problem is beating elite teams. Penn State made the semifinals last season but didn’t beat a team like Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, or Michigan.
Time to figure that out.
Oregon (+850)
Former five-star quarterback Dante Moore’s development in his first season as a starter will be critical.
But if the Ducks can get him to produce, they have enough talent and a schedule that’s favorable enough to go undefeated. There is a road trip to Penn State, but not much else.
Dan Lanning has to prove he can win the “big one,” but there’s no doubt that the Ducks have the talent to win the College Football Playoff.
