5) BYU Cougars
BYU was the leader in the clubhouse in the Big 12 for most of the 2024 season. However, two November losses doused water on their fire. The Cougars return most of their core, and the future seems bright in Provo. We’ll see if last season’s disappointment can motivate them in 2025.
Dinich: “The Cougars were a fringe playoff contender last year, and will have to win on the road to take the next step. They have tough trips to Colorado, Iowa State and Texas Tech, but they return top talent in quarterback Jake Retzlaff, running back LJ Martin, and receivers Chase Roberts and Keelan Marion.”
6) Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State started the 2024 season off with a bang, and it was 7-1 before the stretch run. The wheels fell off a bit, as the Wildcats lost three of their final four regular season games. They recovered nicely with a win in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl over Rutgers, and if they can keep their mettle a bit longer in 2025, the Wildcats have the potential to disrupt the College Football Playoff.
Dinich: “If the Wildcats beat Iowa State in their season opener in Dublin, Ireland, they’ll take the early lead as the Big 12’s best playoff hope. The return of quarterback Avery Johnson is significant, as the dual-threat player racked up 3,317 yards of offense and 32 touchdowns.”
7) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech has a bit of a new look for 2025. The Red Raiders have a pair of new coordinators, but Joey McGuire is proving to be one of the Big 12’s top leaders. Their out-of-conference schedule doesn’t strike fear into many, so if they can take care of their rivals, the Red Raiders could make a compelling case to be included in the 12-team dance.
Dinich: “his might come as a surprise to those unfamiliar with the program, but coach Joey McGuire has landed one of the top transfer portal classes in the country, and the overall financial backing of the program has been significant in recent years. The Red Raiders reportedly spent more than $10 million to sign 17 players, with a focus on both lines.
8) Florida Gators
Florida’s disastrous start to the 2024 season was well-documented. Billy Napier seemed to be on the chopping block, as almost all of Gainesville was ready to run him out of town. Then, DJ Lagway arrived, and they fought like hell over the final weeks of the season. Winning the SEC seems like a tall task, but an at-large bid for the College Football Playoff? Perhaps the Gators are primed for it in 2025.
Dinich: “The Gators again have one of the most difficult schedules in the country, but they also have one of the best quarterbacks in DJ Lagway — as long as they can keep him healthy. Lagway went 6-1 as the starter last year, but the Gators are lower on this list because of a gauntlet that includes road games at LSU, Miami, Texas A&M and Ole Miss.”
9) Louisville Cardinals
Jeff Brohm seems to be building a winner at Louisville. He’s entering his fourth season at the helm of the Cardinals, and they’re coming off another successful season, one in which they were victorious in the Sun Bowl over Washington. With Miller Moss joining the fray at quarterback, they seem ready to take the next step in 2025.
Dinich: “USC transfer quarterback Miller Moss might be the most talented quarterback that coach Jeff Brohm has had to work with at Louisville, and he’ll be surrounded by plenty of talent. Louisville has also added 20 players from the portal.”
10) Texas A&M Aggies
Mike Elko’s first season at Texas A&M had the Aggies look competitive, but they were never truly taken seriously as a threat in the SEC. They seem to be a bit underrated heading into 2025, and they’re properly motivated to shock the world. If Texas A&M can get the best of Notre Dame in South Bend, returning the favor to the Irish from last season, it will force the college football world to take them seriously for a Playoff bid in 2025.
Dinich: “The Aggies are last on the list because of last year’s inconsistency, losing four of their last five games after looking like a potential playoff team for a skinny minute. With all five starters returning on the offensive line and a strong running game, there should be some relief for quarterback Marcel Reed.”
