College Football Previews 2025: College Football Playoff
- Om Brown
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
August is slowly turning into September, fall camp is ending, and school is about to start. This can only mean one thing; football is back. While my work at the House mainly focuses on the NFL, this season, I'm diving back into the chaotic realm of college football. As talks of an expanded College Football Playoff pushes the sport further into uncharted waters, allow me to navigate you through the 2025 season.
Keep reading for my predictions for the second edition of the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Cover Photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images
The Top-12 Seeds:
1. Ohio State (11-2, Big Ten Champion, previous ranking: #2)
2. Texas (11-2, SEC Champion, previous ranking: #1)
3. Oregon (12-1, Big Ten Runner-Up, previous ranking: #4)
4. Georgia (11-2, SEC Runner-Up, previous ranking: #3)
5. LSU (10-2, SEC At-Large, previous ranking: #7)
6. Clemson (11-2, ACC Champion, previous ranking #8)
7. Penn State (10-2, Big Ten At-Large, previous ranking: #6)
8. Iowa State (11-2, Big 12 Champion, previous ranking: #9)
9. Alabama (10-2, SEC At-Large, previous ranking: #12)
10. Miami (10-3, ACC Runner-Up, previous ranking: #21)
11. Notre Dame (9-3, Independent At-Large, previous ranking: #5)
12. UNLV (12-1, MWC Champion, G5 Representative, previous ranking: NR)
Seeding Analysis:Â
Unlike last season, where the 4 best conference champs earned first round byes, this season, the field of 12 will be seeded to ensure that the 4 best teams overall get rewarded with the week off. The best 5 conference champs will still earn an automatic bid to the Playoff.
Ohio State takes the top spot, as I have them taking down Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game. Following their loss to OSU in Week 1, Texas comes in right behind the Buckeyes as the projected SEC Champs. Oregon and Georgia take the #3 and #4 spots, respectively, as the projected runners-up for their respective conferences.
I have LSU at the #5 seed following their win over Clemson, as well as their tougher remaining schedule. Clemson takes the #6 seed over Penn State as my projected ACC Champion. Penn State slides into the #7 seed. Iowa State gets the edge over Alabama for the next spot, as the Cyclones should win the Big 12 title. The Crimson Tide get the #9 seed over Miami, but Miami gets the 10th spot over the Irish as my projected ACC runner-up. Finally, UNLV earns the 12-seed as my G5 representative, as I think they should tear through their Mountain West schedule.
First Round (Played at Home Field of Higher Seeded Team):
UNLV rolls through their season schedule, but when facing a Power-4 team, they struggle. QB Anthony Colandrea has a tough time adjusting to the LSU defense led by LB Harold Perkins Jr, and the Rebels fall behind early. LSU QB and Heisman finalist Garrett Nussmeier leads the Tigers to victory.
Score Prediction: LSU 28, UNLV 13 (LSU Advances to Quarterfinals)
Player of the Game: LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier (275+ total yards, 4 total TDs)
In his second season as head coach, Kalen Deboer makes the CFP. However, playing on the road against the Cyclones is no easy task. The Iowa State defense slows down QB Ty Simpson and WR Ryan Williams enough to give Cyclones signal-caller Rocco Becht room to dice up the Bama defense for the victory.
Score Prediction: Iowa State 23, Alabama 17 (Iowa State Advances to Quarterfinals)
Player of the Game: Iowa State QB Rocco Becht (225+ passing yards, 2 passing TDs)
This is the matchup of the two most overrated coaches in the nation, Miami’s Mario Cristobal and Penn State’s James Franklin. Each coach has a polarizing QB under center as well, but this game will come down to the defense. The Nittany Lions have a much better one, ending Miami’s surprise run to the Playoff.
Score Prediction: Penn State 24, Miami 10 (Penn State Advances to Quarterfinals)
Player of the Game: Penn State CB AJ Harris (1 INT)
After making the National Championship game last year, Notre Dame sneaks into the field this season. Despite a vaunted rushing attack led by RB Jeremiyah Love, the Irish fall on their faces due to the superior QB play of the Tigers’ Cade Klubnik. Klubnik shows off why he’ll be a first round pick next spring, giving the home fans one last great game.
Score Prediction: Clemson 31, Notre Dame 14 (Clemson Advances to Quarterfinals)
Player of the Game: Clemson QB Cade Klubnik (300+ total yards, 4 total TDs)
Quarterfinals (Cotton, Rose, Sugar, and Orange Bowls):
The Bulldogs get a bye week for the second straight season, and get the opportunity to face an SEC foe. LSU comes in riding high after a big win in the First Round. They carry that momentum over to the Quarterfinals, beating Georgia in a sloppy defensive battle that sees Nussmeier hit WR Nic Anderson late in the game to ice it.
Score Prediction: LSU 19, Georgia 13 (LSU Advances to Semifinals)
Player of the Game: LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr (2 sacks, 1 INT)
Iowa State takes their high powered offense into the Quarterfinals to face the Longhorns dynamic attack. Becht and the Cyclones offense keep it close, but the Buckeyes defense suffocates them in the second half, allowing QB Julian Sayin to dial up shots to put the game out of reach in the 3rd quarter.
Score Prediction: Ohio State 30, Iowa State 17 (Ohio State Advances to Semifinals)
Player of the Game: Ohio State QB Julian Sayin (275+ passing yards, 3 TDs)
In another matchup of high octane offenses, it's the more experienced one that comes away with the victory. Klubnik’s veteran presence and leadership lifts the Tigers to a surprise win over the Ducks. He connects with his receivers all game, including a pass to WR Bryant Wesco Jr that puts the Ducks on ice. Oregon and coach Dan Lanning come up short and go into another offseason disappointed.
Score Prediction: Clemson 31, Oregon 23 (Clemson Advances to Semifinals)
Player of the Game: Clemson QB Cade Klubnik (250+ passing yards, 3 total TDs)
Another big game, another epic collapse for coach James Franklin and his Nittany Lions. Texas comes out clicking while PSU arrives flat and slow. The Longhorns and EDGE Collin Simmons harass QB Drew Allar all day long, while QB Arch Manning shows why he is one of the best in the country.
Score Prediction: Texas 35, Penn State 20 (Texas Advances to Semifinals)
Player of the Game: Texas QB Arch Manning (250+ total yards, 4 total TDs)
Semifinals (Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl):
Clemson’s run to the title ends at the hands (horns?) of Texas for the second straight year. LB Anthony Hill and the Texas D stifle Klubnik and the Tigers offense. Manning pilots a balanced Longhorns offense that coach Dabo Swinney's team struggles to stop. After being so close the last two seasons, Steve Sarkisian finally makes a National Championship.
Score Prediction: Texas 24, Clemson 14 (Texas Advances to National Championship)
Player of the Game: Texas QB Arch Manning (250+ total yards, 2 passing TDs)
LSU faces a top opponent for the second straight contest, and while they play well, their dream season ends. All-American S Caleb Downs and the Buckeyes defense slow down Nussmeier and the Tigers offense. Sayin has a solid game, running an offense that controls the flow of this contest. Ohio State moves on to defend their title.
Score Prediction: Ohio State 27, LSU 16 (Ohio State Advances to National Championship)
Player of the Game: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith (100+ receiving yards, 1 receiving TD)
National Championship (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL):
What better way than to finish the season than with the matchup that kicked off the 2025 campaign? Texas looks to avenge their loss in last season’s Semifinals (and week one), but unfortunately cannot come out on top. Smith caps off his Heisman-winning season with his second ring in as many seasons, and Day adds another title to a legacy that is far different than a couple years ago. Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin makes just enough plays, while the OSU defense stops Manning and Sark just enough times.
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Score Prediction: Ohio State 22, Texas 17 (Ohio State Wins National Championship)
Player of the Game: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith (75+ receiving yards, 1 receiving TD)
Final Thoughts:
While many of the predictions across all 4 conference previews and this CFP preview could be totally wrong, I still had a great time researching and writing these blogs. I hope you have a blast in our adventure together through the rollercoaster of this year's college football landscape.