• Max Chadwick looks to go for a three-peat: After correctly selecting Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State last year, Chadwick is siding with Clemson for 2025.

• Dalton Wasserman picks Alabama: Even though the Crimson Tide missed the College Football Playoff last year, Wasserman believes Kalen DeBoer will lead Alabama to its 19th national championship.

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Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Week 1 of the college football season begins this weekend, so it’s time to make some predictions for this season.

Here is how Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman see the College Football Playoff shaking out in 2025.

Max Chadwick

College Football Playoff

1. Clemson
2. Penn State
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Alabama
6. Oregon
7. Ohio State
8. Georgia
9. Miami (FL)
10. Texas Tech
11. LSU
12. Boise State

First Round

• No. 5 Alabama over No. 12 Boise State
• No. 6 Oregon over No. 11 LSU
• No. 7 Ohio State over No. 10 Texas Tech
• No. 8 Georgia over No. 9 Miami (FL)

Quarterfinals

• No. 1 Clemson over No. 8 Georgia
• No. 2 Penn State over No. 7 Ohio State
• No. 3 Texas over No. 6 Oregon
• No. 5 Alabama over No. 4 Notre Dame

Semifinals

• No. 1 Clemson over No. 5 Alabama
• No. 3 Texas over No. 2 Penn State

National Championship Game

• No. 1 Clemson over No. 3 Texas

The Bottom Line

I am two-for-two in correctly picking the preseason national champion at PFF, selecting Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State last season.

My strategy in both years was simple: Who has the best roster from top to bottom? This season, I believe it's Clemson. The Tigers boast the best offense in college football along with the third-best defense. Not only does Clemson have incredible depth, but the team also has a few superstars. Three of the top 10 players on the PFF College 50 are Clemson Tigers, more than any other school.

Texas and Penn State were certainly tempting as two semifinalists from last season who brought back a ton of talent and made key additions in the transfer portal. But I’m banking on head coach Dabo Swinney to win his third national championship in 2025 with one of the most loaded rosters of his tenure.

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Dalton Wasserman

College Football Playoff

1. Clemson
2. Alabama
3. Penn State
4. Texas
5. Ohio State
6. Notre Dame
7. Utah
8. Georgia
9. Texas A&M
10. Oregon
11. Arizona State
12. Boise State

First Round

• No. 5 Ohio State over No. 12 Boise State
• No. 6 Notre Dame over No. 11 Arizona State
• No. 7 Utah over No. 10 Oregon
• No. 9 Texas A&M over No. 8 Georgia

Quarterfinals

• No. 1 Clemson over No. 9 Texas A&M
• No. 2 Alabama over No. 7 Utah
• No. 3 Penn State over No. 6 Notre Dame
• No. 4 Texas over No. 5 Ohio State

Semifinals

• No. 1 Clemson over No. 4 Texas
• No. 2 Alabama over No. 3 Penn State

National Championship Game

• No. 2 Alabama over No. 1 Clemson

The Bottom Line

I agree with Max that Clemson, Texas, Penn State and Alabama are likely the four most talented teams in college football. If the Crimson Tide can get consistent passing production from first-year starter Ty Simpson, then they are fully equipped to win a national championship.

This will be an interesting year with regard to talented teams and their quarterback situations. Some like Penn State, LSU and Clemson possess high-end starters who we’ve come to know for multiple years. Other powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame and Ohio State enter this season with new full-time starters. The performances of those young players will be a major factor in this year’s playoff race.