Dalton Wasserman

If Dante Moore and Dakorien Moore live up to their five-star billing, Oregon has the surrounding talent to once again position itself as a top national championship contender.

Repeating as national champions won’t be easy after a mass exodus of talent, but Ohio State still has enough firepower to contend for a Big Ten title and a return to the College Football Playoff.

Few programs improved their quarterback situation more than Northwestern this offseason. If Preston Stone can replicate his 2023 form, the Wildcats have a legitimate chance to exceed expectations in the Big Ten and return to bowl season.

Nebraska’s ceiling in 2025 will largely hinge on Dylan Raiola’s development as a sophomore. At a minimum, the Cornhuskers should be in position for a return to bowl season — but a leap from Raiola could push them even further.

Minnesota will once again lean on its trademark smashmouth style, built around a strong run game and disciplined defense. That formula alone should be enough to secure a bowl appearance, but redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey will ultimately determine how high the Golden Gophers can climb.

If Aidan Chiles takes the next step in his development, Michigan State could reach its first bowl game in four years. If he doesn’t, the Spartans may be in for another long season.

If freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood lives up to the hype right away, Michigan has a path back to the College Football Playoff. But if he struggles to elevate a shaky supporting cast, the Wolverines could be in for another underwhelming season.

Malik Washington brings Maryland hope for the future, but he likely won’t be able to drag what appears to be a lackluster roster around him to a bowl game as just a true freshman.

If Mark Gronowski plays at the level he showed in the FCS, Iowa could emerge as a dark-horse College Football Playoff contender. If not, the Hawkeyes are likely looking at another eight-win season.

While 2024 may have been the best season in program history, Indiana returns enough talent to show it was no fluke.

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As long as last season wasn’t an outlier, Illinois has the experienced roster necessary to contend for a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff in 2025.

The duo of Diego Pavia and LJ Stowers might be enough to get Vanderbilt back to a bowl game, but any real progress will require more support from a defense that has struggled to hold up its end.

Texas A&M has the talent to push for a College Football Playoff berth — if Marcel Reed takes the next step as a passer and the defense finds a few new difference-makers.

If Arch Manning can live up to the legacy of his surname, Texas has the surrounding talent to capture its first national championship in 20 years.

Tennessee’s defense will be good enough to keep the team in top-25 contention, but there are far too many questions hovering around the offense to expect the Volunteers to make it back to the College Football Playoff.

If LaNorris Sellers can become more consistent as a passer and turn into the first-round quarterback many think he can be, South Carolina has the talent to get over the hump and break into the College Football Playoff.

The 2024 season felt like a missed opportunity for Ole Miss, as it represented the program’s best chance to compete at college football’s highest level since the 1960s. While the 2025 Rebels aren’t nearly as stacked, there’s still enough talent on the roster for head coach Lane Kiffin to secure another top-25 finish.

Oklahoma is poised to play a smashmouth brand of football in 2025, leaning on its defense and what is projected to be a dynamic ground game. However, the Sooners will need to establish a consistent passing attack and see significant improvement from their offensive line to make any noise in the SEC.

While Missouri is unlikely to contend for a College Football Playoff spot, the Tigers have enough talent on both sides of the ball to secure a bowl berth and remain a tough out in the SEC.