With 2025 Season Nearing, Let’s Examine Which College Football Teams Are Built to Contend and Which Are Pretending This Year
The 2025 college football season is fast approaching, with kickoff looming at the end of August. And as fall camps draw near, it’s the perfect moment to step back and evaluate the teams poised to make a run at the College Football Playoff, as well as those whose hype may not match their substance. The offseason has been full of bold predictions, dramatic roster movement, coaching carousel twists, and a rapidly evolving NIL landscape that has shifted power dynamics across the nation. But now, it’s time to cut through the noise and get a clear view of where things truly stand.
Let’s start at the top. Georgia, once again, enters the season as a heavy favorite. Despite narrowly missing out on the Playoff in 2024, the Bulldogs return one of the deepest, most experienced rosters in the country. Carson Beck is back at quarterback, and Kirby Smart’s defense remains the gold standard. Georgia’s recruiting pipeline hasn’t skipped a beat, and their roster is a blend of All-American talent, five-star underclassmen, and NFL-bound veterans. Simply put, this is a team built for championships. Anything short of a Playoff appearance will be seen as a disappointment in Athens.
But Georgia isn’t alone. Alabama, despite a coaching transition following Nick Saban’s retirement, remains firmly in the title conversation. New head coach Kalen DeBoer inherits a wealth of talent and a program culture rooted in discipline and winning. Quarterback Jalen Milroe has grown into a legitimate star, and the Crimson Tide’s defense looks faster and more physical than it has in recent years. The biggest question in Tuscaloosa isn’t about talent — it’s whether DeBoer can manage expectations and keep the team focused through what’s sure to be a pressure-packed debut season.
Out west, Oregon has become the face of the new-look Big Ten. Dan Lanning has built a powerhouse in Eugene, and the Ducks are no longer just the flashy team with cool uniforms — they’re tough, disciplined, and loaded on both sides of the ball. Dillon Gabriel brings stability at quarterback, and Oregon’s defense has quietly become one of the most physical units in the country. With USC still adjusting to life post-Caleb Williams and Washington dealing with roster turnover, the Ducks have a clear path to the Big Ten title game and a legitimate shot at a Playoff berth.
Speaking of the Big Ten, Michigan enters the 2025 season with plenty to prove. After three straight wins over Ohio State and a national title in 2023, the Wolverines suffered significant losses on both the roster and coaching staff. Sherrone Moore takes over as full-time head coach following Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the NFL, and while the culture remains intact, questions linger about quarterback play and offensive creativity. Michigan’s defense should still be top-tier, but whether they can score with the nation’s best remains to be seen.
Ohio State, meanwhile, finds itself in unfamiliar territory — trying to prove it belongs among the elite again. Ryan Day is entering what feels like a make-or-break season. The Buckeyes haven’t beaten Michigan since 2019 and have struggled in the biggest games. However, they may have the most talented quarterback room in the country, with Will Howard expected to start but five-star freshman Julian Sayin waiting in the wings. The defense, under Jim Knowles, must take the next step. There’s no question about Ohio State’s raw talent — it’s execution, leadership, and mental toughness that remain in doubt.
In the SEC, don’t sleep on Texas. Now officially a member of the conference, Steve Sarkisian’s team looks ready to compete with the big boys. Quinn Ewers returned for another season after spurning the NFL, and the Longhorns are loaded with skill-position talent. The trenches — once a weakness — are now a strength. Texas also returns a significant portion of its defensive front, and if the secondary holds up, this is a team with Playoff upside. After knocking off Alabama in 2023 and making the CFP in 2024, Texas is no longer a dark horse. They’re a contender.
Elsewhere, teams like Florida State, Penn State, LSU, and Ole Miss all hover in that “just outside the top tier” range. Each has enough talent to break through, but major questions persist.
Florida State has become a trendy pick, especially with the return of several key pieces on both offense and defense. The Seminoles had a heartbreaking 2024 campaign after being left out of the Playoff due to quarterback injuries, but they’ve reloaded with portal additions and have an elite offensive line and skill corps. Whether they can finally get over the hump in the ACC — and compete with Clemson and Miami — remains the key challenge.
Penn State, under James Franklin, is once again facing the same narrative: great talent, elite defense, but struggles against top-tier opponents. Drew Allar must take a massive leap at quarterback, or the Nittany Lions risk another 10-2 season with no real shot at the Playoff. The pieces are there — especially on defense — but unless they can knock off either Michigan or Ohio State (or both), Penn State may again be left on the outside looking in.
LSU and Ole Miss both represent high-ceiling SEC squads that could make noise if a few things break their way. LSU has the talent — especially on offense — but defensive depth and consistency have been persistent issues. Brian Kelly’s third year could define his tenure. Ole Miss, under Lane Kiffin, is as unpredictable as ever. Jaxson Dart returns, the offense will score, and if the defense holds up even marginally, they could be this year’s Playoff party crashers.
Don’t forget about Notre Dame, either. Marcus Freeman enters his fourth season with a roster that feels finally balanced and physical enough to contend. The Irish brought in former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard to bring leadership and poise to the offense, and the defense is expected to be one of the most disciplined in the nation. But Notre Dame’s margin for error is slim. With no conference title game, they must run through a gauntlet of USC, Texas A&M, and Florida State with few stumbles to stay in the mix.
Then there are the true wild cards — programs with high volatility and potentially explosive upside. Colorado, now under full control of Deion Sanders, remains must-watch TV. Shedeur Sanders is back at quarterback, Travis Hunter is a generational talent, and the Buffs made serious portal upgrades. But questions remain on both lines, and depth is still a concern. Can they really contend in the new Big 12? If the defense improves even slightly, don’t rule it out.
Tennessee, Miami, and Texas A&M are all in a similar boat — lots of talent, improved recruiting, but still fighting against years of inconsistency and underachievement. Tennessee needs a breakout quarterback performance, Miami must show physicality and finish games, and A&M is starting over yet again with a new coaching staff trying to restore order.
As for USC, the post-Caleb Williams era begins with uncertainty. Lincoln Riley’s offense will score, but the defense — still the Achilles heel of his teams — must be better. The Trojans have talent, but the move to the Big Ten raises real questions about their ability to handle the physical demands of the new conference. Without a major defensive turnaround, another 8-4 season could be in the cards.
As the 2025 season inches closer, one thing is clear: this year will be a defining moment for many programs. With the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff now in play, the stakes are higher than ever. There’s less room for error, more opportunities for underdogs, and a whole new layer of strategy when it comes to peaking at the right time. Depth will matter. Health will matter. But ultimately, culture and leadership may matter most.
Programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Michigan have built that foundation. Others like Texas, Oregon, and Florida State are trying to solidify theirs. And the rest? They’re either chasing greatness — or pretending they’re close.
We’ll find out who’s who soon enough. Because when that ball is kicked off at the end of August, all the talking stops. And only one thing matters: who’s built to win now — and who isn’t.
