2025 Athlon Sports College Football Preview Magazine Arrives, Delivering Bold Predictions, Rankings, and Storylines for the Upcoming Season
The wait is over for college football fans as the highly anticipated 2025 Athlon Sports College Football Preview magazine has officially hit the shelves. A staple for passionate followers of the sport, this annual publication is one of the most respected and comprehensive preseason guides in the game. Each year, it sets the tone for offseason debates, team expectations, and individual player recognition—and this edition is no different.
Athlon’s 2025 release comes at a critical juncture in college football history. The sport is undergoing major transformations, from conference realignment and expanded playoffs to the ever-growing impact of NIL and the transfer portal. With so many variables in play, the preview offers clarity, insight, and expert analysis on what fans can expect in the months ahead.
At the heart of the magazine are its team rankings and predictions. Athlon goes in-depth on all 134 FBS programs, breaking down projected win totals, position group strength, coaching evaluations, and key player departures and additions. Notably, the top 25 rankings feature some familiar powerhouses, but there are a few surprises that are already sparking heated discussions across fanbases.
Georgia, Michigan, and Alabama continue to command respect, but it’s the emergence of programs like Texas, Oregon, and Florida State in the upper tier that reflects the new dynamics at play. Athlon’s editorial team clearly values roster depth, quarterback experience, and coaching stability—three pillars that are shaping its outlook on who will thrive in this ever-evolving competitive landscape.
The College Football Playoff expansion to 12 teams plays a central role in how teams are analyzed. Athlon’s projections aren’t just about who finishes top four anymore. They dive deep into which programs are positioned to grab a coveted playoff berth—whether as a conference champion or an at-large selection. That shift in format has elevated the stakes for programs that may not be annual contenders but are building momentum through the portal, improved recruiting, and more favorable schedules.
This year’s issue also devotes significant space to the new-look conferences. With Texas and Oklahoma now officially part of the SEC, and USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington joining the Big Ten, Athlon dissects the implications of these moves in detail. How will travel impact performance? What new rivalries are likely to emerge? Who benefits most from the new alignments? It’s all there, with the kind of depth and foresight that serious fans expect.
Individual players receive ample spotlight as well, especially those poised to break out or dominate in 2025. Athlon’s All-America teams, position rankings, and “top NFL prospects” lists are the gold standard for preseason recognition. Quarterbacks once again dominate the spotlight, with names like Carson Beck (Georgia), Quinn Ewers (Texas), and Jalen Milroe (Alabama) generating high expectations. But the magazine also highlights elite talent at running back, wide receiver, linebacker, and corner—offering insight into who could be the breakout stars of the season.
Of particular interest are the unit rankings—quarterback rooms, offensive lines, defensive fronts, and secondaries. These breakdowns go beyond surface-level takes, offering detailed evaluations of depth, experience, and schematic fit. For example, Ohio State’s defensive line and Georgia’s offensive front receive glowing reviews, while Athlon questions whether some high-profile programs have done enough to reload in key areas.
Coaching assessments are another highlight of the 2025 preview. Athlon provides rankings of head coaches, coordinators, and rising assistants. This year’s edition includes discussions around pressure facing coaches at blue-blood programs—most notably Ryan Day at Ohio State, Steve Sarkisian at Texas, and James Franklin at Penn State. With the playoff expansion offering more access, the bar for what constitutes a successful season has been raised. The magazine doesn’t shy away from discussing hot seats, make-or-break years, and programs trending upward or downward based on leadership.
Another key section dives into the impact of the transfer portal. The 2025 edition dedicates several pages to portal rankings, most impactful transfers, and which programs were the biggest winners and losers during the latest cycle. Athlon notes that teams like Florida State, Colorado, and Ole Miss have fundamentally reshaped their rosters through aggressive portal usage, while others have opted for continuity and development. The magazine provides context to these choices, helping readers understand which approach might yield better results come fall.
In addition to the national outlook, Athlon Sports offers full conference previews that are among the most thorough in print media. Each conference gets a multi-page spread with predicted order of finish, best-case/worst-case scenarios, player of the year candidates, and in-depth team capsules. From the SEC to the Sun Belt, every team—no matter how big or small—is given attention. These previews are essential for fans of group-of-five schools and Power Five programs alike.
The magazine also incorporates betting insights for the growing number of fans interested in the wagering side of the sport. From win totals to Heisman odds and national championship futures, Athlon brings expert analysis and trends to help readers make informed decisions. With college football betting becoming more mainstream, these additions are both timely and valuable.
Speaking of the Heisman, the 2025 preview includes detailed watch lists and player profiles on the top contenders. Quarterbacks dominate the early conversation, but running backs, wide receivers, and even defensive players are beginning to draw more attention thanks to highlight-reel performances and expanded media coverage. Athlon’s breakdown includes each player’s statistical potential, schedule considerations, and historical trends that could impact the race.
Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of Athlon’s magazine is its accessibility. It’s designed not just for the die-hard X’s and O’s analyst, but also for the everyday fan who wants to get a better sense of their favorite team’s outlook. The writing is sharp, the stats are digestible, and the visuals—from depth charts to full-page spreads—enhance the overall experience. Whether you’re a fantasy football enthusiast, a Saturday tailgater, or a high school recruit following the landscape, the 2025 edition has something for everyone.
In today’s digital age, it’s rare for print publications to hold their ground. But Athlon Sports continues to deliver a product that feels essential. It’s the kind of magazine you keep on your coffee table or in your backpack for the entire summer, flipping through pages again and again as fall approaches. It’s a tradition for many, signaling that football is near, and the speculation, hope, and drama that define the college game are back in full force.
Athlon’s editors close the magazine with a final word on the state of the sport—acknowledging that while change is constant, college football’s passion remains the same. Whether it’s realignment, playoff formats, NIL chaos, or coaching carousel drama, the heartbeat of the sport is its fans, and this publication is tailored directly to them.
In short, the 2025 Athlon Sports College Football Preview is everything fans have come to expect: in-depth, opinionated, data-driven, and deeply invested in the game’s ongoing storylines. As anticipation builds for kickoff, this magazine is the ultimate guide to the season ahead.
For those who live and breathe college football, Athlon’s arrival on shelves is more than just a publishing milestone—it’s the unofficial start of the season.
