Bold Predictions for the 2025 College Football Season

These are some of my boldest predictions for the season along with some of my friends' predictions as well.

It’s June, which means the college football season is getting closer. It is at the point of the offseason where bold predictions are beginning to take over and take reign.

Well, with that said here are some of my boldest predictions for the 2025 season.

Penn State runs the table in B1G and lands the No. 1 overall seed in CFP

Yes, Penn State wins more than 10 games in the regular season. Yes, this means that coach James Franklin and the Nittany Lions win most likely multiple ranked games.

Penn State has managed to return the majority of the same team that went to the College Football Playoff last season which includes superstar quarterback Drew Allar, standout running back duo Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen and senior defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant.

Based on betting odds, this is my least bold prediction as the Nittany Lions have the No. 4 best odds to win the National Championship with +800 and the No. 2 best odds to win the Big Ten with +300 odds according to FanDuel.

It is reasonable with the returning talent and a decent schedule. Penn State does have to face off against the Oregon Ducks at home and then head on the road to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. The face off against the Ducks will kick off the Big Ten conference schedule on Saturday, Sep. 27 and then Penn State takes on the Buckeyes on Saturday, Nov. 1.

As long as the Nittany Lions win these games and then handle business during the non-conference and the rest of the conference schedule, they should make it to the Big Ten championship. As long as Penn State wins the Big Ten Championship, it should be able to claim the No. 1 overall seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Utah makes the Big 12 Championship

Yeah, I know, this one is kinda crazy, especially when thinking about the past with all the hype that the Utah Utes had multiple seasons in a row. However, with Cam Rising (finally) gone, the Utes have a new man under center. In comes Devon Dampier, a junior transferred over from New Mexico.

Dampier has the expectation to stand out for Utah. With the Lobos last season, he threw for 2,768 yards on 58% completion percentage with 12 touchdowns. He also He did throw 12 interceptions in 2024 but with another year of development under offensive coordinator Jason Beck, who came over from New Mexico as well, the potential is there.

On top of that, the offensive line has the potential to be one of the best units in the country. The Utes bring back junior offensive tackler Spencer Fano and sophomore Caleb Lomu, who headline the Utes 2026 NFL Draft prospects.

The defense is and will be the biggest x-factor for Utah in 2025. It has been the saving grace of the Utes in the past few seasons despite the offensive woes and injuries at the quarterback position. If they continue to do this, Utah should be back in contention for a conference title.

UNLV wins the Mountain West and Makes the CFP

Its the Runnin’ Rebs time to make noise nationally and they have the ability to do so, especially with Ashton Jeanty leaving Boise State and off to the NFL. Former Mississippi State and Florida head coach Dan Mullen is now the head guy for UNLV and former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Alex Orji projected to be the starting quarterback.

The only thing holding back UNLV is that there is only two returners from last season’s team. Junior running back Jai’Den Thomas is the main returner, who rushed for 918 yards and seven touchdowns last season and should be the main contributor on offense. There will be a whole new offensive line but there’s a chance that it could work out tremendously.

Defensively, senior linebacker Marsel McDuffie is the lone returner, accumulating nearly 50 tackles a year ago. McDuffie did however got nearly 90 tackles, so, if he returns to that production, he could a major x-factor for the Rebels.

UNLV will have to get through the Boise State Broncos to take the Mountain West, but that is not out of the realm of possibility and Mullen could get the Rebels to be competitors for the future.

Other Bold Predictions

Justice Rhody

Nebraska finishes with top 20 offense

This is certainly an interesting bold prediction. After a 7-6 season, Matt Rhule and the Nebraska Cornhuskers are looking to make another jump. Defense has been the Huskers’ strong suit so far under Rhule but it could be time for the offense to make a jump.

Former five star quarterback Dylan Raiola will be going into his second season in Lincoln and he has a plethora of weapons at his disposal. Senior wide receiver Dane Key transfers in from Kentucky along with Cal sophomore wide receiver transfer Nyziah Hunter. Nebraska also returns sophomore wide reciever Jacory Barney Jr., who was a big part of the Huskers’ offensive success at times last season.

All of this along with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, who will have a full offseason to allow the team gets used to his offensive system, which is air raid oriented. Should be an interesting prediction to keep an eye on throughout the season.

About Justice

Justice Rhody is sports know-it-all and future sports broadcaster. You can find him on X along with his work on the “He Got Game” podcast, which is a basketball podcast where they talk all things basketball, whether it is high school, college or professional basketball.

Blake Mace

Only 5 teams in 2024-25 CFP make the 2025-25 CFP

Blake Mace’s prediction is that Oregon, Clemson, Texas, Notre Dame and Penn State are the only five teams in the last College Football Playoff to make it in next season’s College Football Playoff.

It was already a bold prediction but the specific teams making it makes it even more bold. However, it is possible.

Oregon, Clemson, Texas and Penn State are top three favorites to win respective conferences and all could easily win at least 10 games and get in the playoffs. Being an independent Notre Dame’s path is much more difficult because of not having the ability to get a conference champion auto bid, however, if it does what it is expected to do, it should get to at least 10 or 11 wins as well.

The teams that don’t make it would be Georgia, Ohio State, Boise State, SMU, Tennessee, Arizona State and Indiana in this prediction. A scenario that Ohio State and Georgia not making the college football playoff is certainly interesting and a lot would have to happen for this to happen.

However, we will see what teams begin to get to the forefront when the season begins in just a few months.

About Blake

Blake Mace is a die-hard Nebraska athletics fan, which is a big reason why he decided to go the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study sports media and broadcasting. He is a co-host of “The Last Take” podcast, alongside myself. You can follow him on X and his work on the podcast on X as well.

Logan Eby

USC wins the Big Ten conference

This is one of the more bold predictions I was given for this project of mine. The USC Trojans will be entering its second season in the Big Ten and have the fifth best odds to win the Big Ten at +2400 on FanDuel.

It’s not out of the realm of possibility with Lincoln Riley as the head coach and with him being the “quarterback whisperer”, Jayden Maiava could be in for a stand out season for the Trojans. USC is bringing in the 15th best high school recruiting class of 25 players along with 15 players in the transfer portal.

One of the top transfers coming into the program is former senior New Mexico running back Eli Sanders, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns, while averaging nearly eight yards a carry.

While, the Trojans should be much better in 2025, with a tough schedule which includes road trips to Illinois, Oregon and Nebraska, the Trojans will more than likely fall short of the Big Ten championship. But if things go their way, it could happen.

About Logan

Logan Eby is a broadcasting major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has his own substack, where he talks about future NBA draft prospects. As the draft draws near, follow Logan’s NBA Draft Substack. He is also a co-host of the “He Got Game” podcast alongside Justice Rhody. You can find him there as well on X.

Noah Douglas

DJ Lagway wins the Heisman Trophy

Yes, you read that right. Florida Gators sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway wins the coveted Heisman Trophy in 2025. It is bold, but Lagway does have the seventh best odds at FanDuel with +1700 odds.

Lagway was a Five-Star and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 class according to 247Sports. In 11 games, Lagway passed for over 1900 yards and 12 touchdowns, while having a 5-1 record as a starter. Despite Florida having the toughest strength of schedule, Lagway led the Gators to upset wins over No. 8 Ole Miss and No. 22 LSU in route a surprise 7-5 record.

While Florida has a tough schedule again, Lagway is expected to be the starting quarterback week one and will have a chance to shine and make a major difference for the Gators offense. If he preforms well, he could find himself in New York City in December lifting up the trophy.

About Noah

Noah Douglas is a current sports media major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a prep sports journalist at the Lincoln Journal Star covering high school sports in Lincoln and surrounding areas. You can find his work for the Journal Star here and follow him on X as well.

Caleb Gilchrist

Indiana falls off and wins 8 or less games in 2025

The Hoosiers shocked the college football world and went 11-1 in the first season under Curt Cignetti. Led by senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke, Indiana made the College Football Playoff despite just missing the Big Ten Championship. This all happened just a year after two straight 2-10 seasons.

Now looking at 2025, Cignetti and the Hoosiers are looking to build off this momentum and potentially make the College Football Playoff and advance a round or two. However, this feat will be difficult just looking at the schedule.

In 2024, Indiana faced seven of the bottom eight teams in the conference, with its toughest matchups being against Michigan and Ohio State. In 2025, the Hoosiers face off against Iowa, Oregon and Penn State on the road. All three of those games could be losses, while they could drop one at home against Illinois, UCLA or Wisconsin.

So, losing four or more games is not out of the realm of possibility, in fact, Indiana under 8.5 wins is -152 currently at FanDuel. Whatever happens, the Hoosiers are an intriguing team to watch this season.

About Caleb

Caleb Gilchrist is a sports media major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, finding his main strengths in digital media like photography and video. He has done a lot of great work either freelancing and with HuskerVision. You can find Gilchrist on his media accounts on both Instagram and X.

Cole Eastwood

Notre Dame misses the CFP

We go from one person having them in the College Football Playoff this season to another not having them in it. That is how much people differ on this Fighting Irish team. They could be very dangerous with running back Jeremiyah Love returning for another season but with a major youth movement going on in South Bend, Notre Dame could in for a bit of a let down.

The Irish’s win total is set at 10.5, which is tied for first, but with a very tough schedule coming up, it is unknown if they can reach that. They will have a new starting quarterback, most likely with freshman CJ Carr and have a somewhat new offensive line. Carr will have some great targets to throw to like Jaden Greathouse and Malachi Fields.

Notre Dame has a tendency to slip up a bit early in the season, looking back at losses to Marshall in 2022 and Northern Illinois in 2024. There won’t be any room to breath as the Irish have to take on the Miami Hurricanes on the road to start the season. After taking on the Hurricanes and a week two bye week, Notre Dame takes on Texas A&M, Arkansas and Boise State, which will be tests for the Irish.

If Notre Dame can get to 10 wins, it is probably in the College Football Playoff but in this case and with how young the roster is, the Irish will win just nine games and miss the playoff.

About Cole

Cole Eastwood is a sports media major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and works as a creative media content creator. He is a sports photographer for The Daily Nebraskan student newspaper. You can find his work there as well as his portfolio and on X.