With Just 100 Days Until College Football Returns, All Eyes Turn to Heisman Contenders, Top Teams, and Major Opening Clashes
The countdown has begun, and for college football fans across the nation, the most beautiful time of year is inching closer. With 100 days to go until the kickoff of the 2025 college football season, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. Rosters are nearly set, coaches are finalizing game plans, and fanbases are buzzing with hope and expectation. From dark horse Heisman contenders to blockbuster opening-weekend matchups and championship aspirations, every angle of the sport is starting to take shape. Let’s break down the biggest storylines that are defining this countdown stretch and setting the table for what could be one of the most dramatic seasons in recent memory.
College football, unlike any other sport, thrives on tradition, chaos, and passion. Each new season brings fresh narratives, superstar talent ready to explode on the national stage, and new teams prepared to challenge old empires. With the introduction of a 12-team College Football Playoff this year, the stakes are higher than ever. Suddenly, fringe teams with elite quarterbacks or dominant defenses are in real contention, while powerhouses must adjust to new formats and challenges. All of this will unfold in a season where every Saturday feels like a playoff game.
Perhaps the biggest storyline entering the season is the new College Football Playoff format. After years of four-team exclusivity, this expanded structure opens the door to more programs across all Power Five conferences — and even select Group of Five teams — to dream bigger. It makes regular-season games matter even more, because seeding and first-round byes are now part of the equation. A late-October slip-up won’t necessarily kill a team’s playoff hopes anymore, but building a strong resume early on will be critical.
Among the early favorites, the defending national champions will enter with a target on their backs. Whether that’s Michigan aiming for a repeat or Georgia seeking redemption after a semifinal loss, the elite programs are ready to reload. Alabama, under new leadership after Nick Saban’s retirement, enters a new era, while Ohio State and USC seek to regain their status as title frontrunners. Oregon and Washington, now in the Big Ten, add a whole new layer of intrigue to conference dynamics, especially with high-flying offenses and dynamic quarterbacks at the helm.
Quarterback play is always at the center of the college football universe, and this season is no different. Several names have already begun circulating as Heisman Trophy front-runners, and the field is as deep as ever. Quinn Ewers at Texas looks poised to put up video game numbers in an offense stacked with weapons. Carson Beck returns for Georgia with unfinished business and national championship experience. Dillon Gabriel, now at Oregon, is surrounded by elite talent and a system that fits his style perfectly. And don’t forget about Jalen Milroe at Alabama, who could flourish in a new offensive scheme.
But every year, the Heisman race surprises. A breakout season from a lesser-known quarterback or even a dominant defensive player could disrupt the usual expectations. Someone like Will Howard at Ohio State or Connor Weigman at Texas A&M could surge into the conversation with early marquee wins and big stat lines. In a wide-open season with more playoff spots, the narrative weight behind a Heisman campaign will be more diverse than ever.
Speaking of early marquee wins, the non-conference schedule in the first few weeks is loaded with heavyweight matchups that could shape the entire playoff race. Texas vs. Michigan in Ann Arbor is a certified blockbuster. Alabama vs. Wisconsin provides a first glimpse at two retooling programs under new coaches and systems. Florida State will clash with Notre Dame, and LSU takes on USC in a high-scoring opener that could eliminate one team from serious playoff contention before the season even hits full stride.
These early matchups will not only impact rankings but set the tone for Heisman discussions and media narratives. Voters remember big performances on big stages, and for players like Ewers, Beck, and Gabriel, it’s an opportunity to separate from the pack. For teams, these games serve as high-stakes measuring sticks — revealing who’s truly playoff-ready and who has more work to do before conference play begins.
Beyond the Heisman and playoff races, there are storylines that add emotional depth and intrigue to the season. How will Alabama fare in its post-Saban era? Can Deion Sanders elevate Colorado into legitimate contention, or will his team struggle under the weight of hype? Will the Pac-12’s final season as we know it deliver the chaos it’s known for, especially as USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington prepare for Big Ten life?
Then there’s the transfer portal — now a central pillar of roster construction. Teams like Ole Miss, Florida State, and Oklahoma have rebuilt or reloaded through key additions, especially at quarterback and receiver. The portal has compressed the rebuilding timeline; now, a team that won six games a year ago can realistically aim for ten with the right pieces in place.
Freshman impact is another storyline to watch. In the age of NIL and early enrollees, first-year players are no longer just depth options — they’re playmakers. Georgia, Texas, and Clemson have top recruiting classes, and several of those newcomers are already earning buzz in summer camp. In the past, freshmen were brought along slowly. Today, they’re thrown into the fire and expected to contribute immediately. How those freshmen handle the spotlight could sway key games.
Injuries, as always, will play a role, and depth will matter more than ever with a longer potential playoff path. Programs that can rotate effectively — especially along the offensive and defensive lines — will have a distinct advantage by November and December. Conditioning, depth, and smart coaching will determine who rises and who collapses late in the season.
Coaching changes also factor heavily. New faces in major programs often mean philosophical overhauls, and not all transitions are smooth. Alabama, Texas A&M, Michigan State, and UCLA are all navigating coaching shifts. Some, like Alabama’s new regime, will be expected to win immediately. Others, like Michigan State, are in long-term rebuild mode but can still play spoiler.
As for the fans, this 100-day mark brings the rituals back to life — tailgates, fight songs, school colors, and the electric feeling of watching your team take the field for the first time. The countdown isn’t just about football. It’s about a culture, a lifestyle, and a passion that defines entire communities. Whether it’s SEC Saturdays or Big Ten battles in the snow, college football is more than a game — it’s a shared experience that weaves generations together.
This season will also mark the final transition period before college football fully embraces a new era. The expanded playoff, player compensation, realignment, and growing NFL-style roster management all hint at the future of the sport. Purists may lament the changes, but the game continues to evolve — and this season will be a bridge between tradition and modernity.
Expect rivalries to burn brighter than ever. Michigan vs. Ohio State, Alabama vs. LSU, Texas vs. Oklahoma, and Oregon vs. Washington all carry playoff implications now. There’s no more room for moral victories or excuses. With 12 teams vying for the postseason, rivalry games are no longer about pride alone — they can determine seeding, home-field advantage, and even automatic qualification.
We’re also seeing a growing impact of analytics and advanced strategy in game planning. Fourth-down decision-making, two-point conversions, clock management — all have become focal points, and the best teams now marry data with instinct. Programs with coaching staffs who embrace these tools — like LSU, Ohio State, and Oregon — could gain crucial edges.
And don’t underestimate the Group of Five. With an automatic playoff bid on the line, teams like Tulane, Memphis, Boise State, and Liberty could crash the party. Their paths are narrow, but one or two early upsets and dominant conference runs could force them into the national spotlight. The expanded playoff breathes new life into their seasons and gives them legitimate reasons to dream.
The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be historic. From superstar quarterbacks and wide-open Heisman races to expanded playoff implications and early-season blockbusters, there’s no shortage of reasons to be excited. The 100-day countdown isn’t just a number — it’s a signal that something unforgettable is on the horizon. College football is coming, and with it comes chaos, passion, heartbreak, triumph, and glory.
Whether your team is a blue-blood contender or an emerging dark horse, now is the time to dream. Because once the first whistle blows, anything can happen. Every Saturday is sacred, every play has meaning, and every game could be the one that changes everything. The journey begins in 100 days — and it’s going to be a season for the ages.
