The Arch Manning experience is underway in Austin. The Longhorns’ public has been crying out to see their sophomore quarterback take over the offense, and he projects to have a huge influence in 2025. The offense maintains a quality running back room in Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter, while Ryan Wingo returns to be the go-to receiving weapon.
Can the current titleholders repeat their success? They certainly have the talent and resources to do so. The Buckeyes are +500 favorites to win the National Championship again in 2025 on DraftKings, despite some roster turnover.
You could make the claim that the Clemson Tigers have one of the most talented rosters in the nation. They are loaded with potential on both sides of the ball, and on paper, the current ACC Champions should be title contenders.
The Oregon Ducks have an impressive roster for 2025, bolstered by a wealth of returning talent and transfers from the portal. Under head coach Dan Lanning, the team has actively pursued key players, resulting in a transfer class ranked fourth by 247 Sports. Notably, running back Makhi Hughes joins the team from Tulane, where he recorded over 1,400 rushing yards and scored 15 touchdowns during the previous season.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have young emerging talent embedded in their roster and are looking to go one step further and lift the National Championship Trophy in 2025 after a 14-2 season.
The Penn State Nittany Lions lost their best offensive and defensive weapons to the 2025 NFL draft in Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren, but the return of QB Drew Allar and running back duo Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen should be enough for Penn State to challenge in the Big Ten again in 2025.
The Georgia Bulldogs are perennial contenders under Kirby Smart and are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season by their standards, even though they won the SEC Championship Game.
Yet again, Alabama is stacked with talent on both sides of the ball. Ty Simpson has the full-time job under center and has one of the top duos in the country to throw to in Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams.
Brian Kelly enters his fourth season in charge in 2025 and is supported by one of the top quarterbacks in the nation under center. Garrett Nussmeier ascended to be one of the top passers in the SEC in 2024, and his return in 2025 means he will be surrounded by an exciting group of receivers in Nic Anderson, Barion Browns, and Aaron Anderson.
The South Carolina Gamecocks have playmakers on both sides of the ball and look set to repeat their success from 2024, despite losing several high-profile names to the 2025 NFL Draft. Most notably, the return of QB LaNorris Sellers provides a dependable floor for the offense, as the 6’3”, 240-pound creative force looks to solidify himself as one of the top passers in the nation.
