Is it possible for Texas to secure its position at the pinnacle of college football again? Ari Wasserman’s latest 2025 College Football Playoff projection shakes up expectations, placing Texas at No. 1 while leaving Georgia fighting to stay in the mix.
His pick for Texas is understandable, as they have one of the most highly anticipated quarterbacks and a top 2026 NFL prospect, Arch Manning, leading the team. However, his assumption about Georgia, coached by Kirby Smart, was not something fans expected to hear from him.
Ari Wasserman Predicts Texas Wins It All
Wasserman has made a bold prediction for the 2025 College Football Playoff. He ranks Texas as No. 1 and thinks Georgia might struggle even to make the postseason. In a recent talk with Andy Staples, Wasserman explained why he believes Texas has the talent to win it all. At the same time, he warned that Georgia’s chances look uncertain.
“I think Texas, and continue to think that Texas, is going to win the national title,” Wasserman said confidently. “ I’ve thought that since January, based on the players that they have on their team. So I put Texas number one as the SEC champion.”
It’s easy to see where his confidence comes from. Texas landed the No. 1 recruiting class for 2025. They’ve added five five-star players, including standout edge rusher Lance Jackson, who is ranked fifth-best player in the nation. That kind of firepower gives the Longhorns a real shot at glory.
But while Texas is rising, Georgia’s path looks bumpier. Wasserman isn’t sure they’ll make it without picking up a few losses. He said Georgia could be the first three-loss team to sneak into the playoffs. That’s a significant shift for a team used to dominating.
“Number 8 Georgia because I think that they are going to make the playoff, and they could potentially even be the first three-loss team to make the playoff because I don’t think that they’ve gotten the Georgia benefit of the doubt stuff washed out of their system,” he explained. “Kirby Smart is the coach, and they’ve got a lot of really good players, but I do. Have some questions about the team’s explosive offensive ability.”
Georgia has been a powerhouse, winning back-to-back national titles in 2022 and 2023. However, after losing the SEC Championship to Alabama, their 2024 season ended with disappointment. Wasserman feels Georgia’s hold on the playoff race might be slipping again, making their 2025 season uncertain.
Wasserman’s list includes some surprises besides Texas and Georgia. He ranks Oregon ninth, calling them the third-best team in the Big Ten. Illinois is tenth, a team he believes could shock many. Alabama lands at number 11—talented but maybe not dominant enough.
“They’re really, really talented. They’re probably going to find a way to win 10 games type of a deal. Put them at number 11,” Wasserman said about Alabama.
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His most surprising pick was Boise State at No. 12. The analyst picked them over other Group of Five teams like Memphis, thinking Boise State is the safer bet for a playoff spot.
So, what’s our take on all this? Honestly, many fans agree with the surprises Wasserman mentioned. Texas has the talent. Georgia looks shakier. And programs like Boise and Illinois could shake things up in a big way. Whether you’re rooting for a powerhouse or an underdog, 2025 is already shaping to be a season full of twists.
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