Five Bold 2025-26 College Football Season Predictions

On offense, Klubnik is joined by a cast of playmakers in Bryant Wesco Jr., Antonio Williams and T.J. Moore. The trio should help him spread the ball around and create explosive plays for the Tigers. On defense, Clemson features standouts TJ Parker, Peter Woods, Sammy Brown, Avieon Terrell and Khalil Barnes. 

With a roster this talented, it would be a surprise if the Tigers fell short of the College Football Playoff and a shot at the national title.  

2. Jordyn Tyson Can Win the Biletnikoff Award 

Though he will have to compete with the likes of Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith, Jordyn Tyson is a name to watch this season. Before transferring to Arizona State, Tyson played at Colorado. In 2022, he totaled 470 yards and four touchdowns. In 2023, he missed most of the season recovering from a knee injury sustained late in 2022. He returned for the final three games but did not record a catch.

After arriving at Arizona State, Tyson became a breakout star before suffering another setback. In the season finale against Arizona, he sustained a collarbone injury that sidelined him for the rest of the year and ended his chances of contributing in the College Football Playoff. Before the injury, Tyson was on pace for a 1,200-yard season. In his final three games, he posted three straight performances of 120-plus receiving yards and scored three total touchdowns. 

The streak began with a breakout performance against No. 16 Kansas State, where he recorded 176 yards and two touchdowns. That game proved he has the ability to deliver in big moments.

Entering 2025, he was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, showing the nation will have its eyes on him. With quarterback Sam Leavitt returning, Tyson will have his No. 1 passer back, and chemistry should not be an issue. 

3. Carson Beck and Miami Underperform

After the departure of No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, Miami picked up former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck in the transfer portal.

Last season, Beck regressed and didn’t measure up to his previous years. One game that stood out the most was the Sep. 28 matchup against Alabama, when he threw three interceptions — and could have thrown more due to poor decision-making. Following a torn UCL injury in his throwing arm last season, Beck’s ability to bounce back remains in question. Though there’s optimism for a stronger 2025 campaign, he will have to prove that he is worth Miami’s $4 million investment.

Overall, Miami and head coach Mario Cristobal face the challenge of replacing key offensive talent such as Ward, Jacolby George, Xavier Restrepo, Sam Brown Jr., Isaiah Horton, Elijah Arroyo and Damien Martinez. Ward (Titans), George (Panthers), Restrepo (Titans), Brown (Packers), Arroyo and Martinez (Seahawks) were all drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, while Horton transferred to Alabama.

Though anything is possible in the ACC, it’s hard to see Miami outplaying teams such as SMU, Syracuse, Duke and Florida State. With non-conference opponents like Florida and Notre Dame also on the schedule, the Hurricanes will face a difficult road. We will see if Cristobal and Beck can make it work.

4. Only 4 SEC Teams Make the College Football Playoff

After the AP Top 25 preseason poll was released, 10 SEC teams earned spots. The list included No. 1 Texas, No. 5 Georgia, No. 8 Alabama, No. 9 LSU, No. 13 South Carolina, No. 15 Florida, No. 18 Oklahoma, No. 19 Texas A&M, No. 21 Ole Miss and No. 24 Tennessee. Despite the strong showing, only four teams can make the College Football Playoff.

LSU

Head coach Brian Kelly is entering a crucial season, as his time with LSU has not been as successful as expected. With his former team, Notre Dame — now led by Marcus Freeman — reaching a national title game more recently than he has, the pressure is high for him to perform.

Led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, the Tigers have the offensive talent to make noise in the rankings all season. Nussmeier has a chance to compete for both the Heisman Trophy and a national title in the same season. With weapons such as running back Caden Durham; wide receivers Nic Anderson, Aaron Anderson, Barion Brown, Zavion Thomas and Destyn Hill; and tight ends Bauer Sharp and Trey’Dez Green, this offense will be difficult to stop.

On defense, linebackers Harold Perkins Jr. and Whit Weeks should lead this unit to a successful season. With Weeks’ brothers, West and Zach, joining him, Whit and West could form a strong duo when Perkins comes off the field. Edge rusher Patrick Payton also has the ability to wreck games and create nightmares for opposing offenses. With improved safety play from transfers Tamarcus Cooley and A.J. Haulcy, the back end should be more secure and help prevent big plays. Overall, the LSU defense should be stronger and more consistent, giving the Tigers a legitimate shot to be in the big game come January.

Alabama

Kalen DeBoer is entering his second year with the Crimson Tide, looking to bounce back from last season’s disappointment. Though they fell just short of the College Football Playoff, losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma ultimately ended their hopes of a national title run. This season offers plenty of promise to return to the championship standard.

With Jalen Milroe heading to the Seattle Seahawks, quarterback Ty Simpson will have to take on the task of replacing Milroe’s production. He will be surrounded by talented players such as receivers Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, Isaiah Horton and Jaylen Mbakwe. Mbakwe is making the switch from cornerback to receiver and had a smooth transition during the spring. With running back Jam Miller returning, Simpson will have a reliable starter with both rushing and receiving skills that fit well with the offense. Another key playmaker is offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor, the anchor of the line and a crucial piece to its success.

On defense, Alabama has talent at all three levels. At safety, the duo of Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard should continue to be one of the best in college football. At cornerback, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. — son of former Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick — and Domani Jackson offer two defenders who can match up well against opposing receivers. With the return of Deontae Lawson, the linebacker unit should be disciplined and put in positions to succeed.

On the defensive line, LT Overton and Tim Keenan should impact games with their pass-rushing skills and ability to stop the run. Alabama’s balanced units should keep the Crimson Tide in contention all season and help secure wins against some of the SEC’s top teams.

Texas

Quinn Ewers exits, and in comes Arch Manning, marking the start of a new era of Texas football. After spending most of his time on the bench and making only occasional appearances, it is now Manning’s time to shine. With Steve Sarkisian still running the show, Texas appears set for another potential run at the national title.

On offense, Texas surrounds Manning with a talented group. At running back, Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter form a dynamic duo that will be difficult to contain. Manning also has receivers Ryan Wingo and Deandre Moore Jr., who can move the chains and create big plays. With Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond and Gunnar Helm gone, it will be vital for Wingo and Moore to step into larger roles. At tight end, Jack Endries should be the reliable target Manning needs at the position.

On defense, Texas has plenty of talent to match up with the best teams in college football. Linebackers Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill Jr. should be the anchors of this unit and the leaders who keep it thriving. Both are game-wreckers who can cover sideline to sideline. Another key piece is defensive back Michael Taaffe, a player who knows how to make plays on the ball. In 2024, he recorded two interceptions and 10 pass breakups, demonstrating his ability to disrupt big plays. This defense should be a challenge for any opponent to game plan for.

South Carolina

LaNorris Sellers looks to build on last season and take college football by storm. In 2024, Sellers showcased his dual-threat ability by passing for 2,534 yards and rushing for 674 yards while combining for 25 touchdowns. Entering his sophomore season, there is optimism that he can improve on those numbers and emerge as one of the sport’s biggest stars.

With pure talent, Sellers has the ability to lead a team to the College Football Playoff, but he will have other playmakers alongside him. Colorado transfer running back Isaiah Augustave will take over as the leading rusher, filling the role Raheim Sanders held last season. At receiver, Nyck Harbor looks to break out and make his mark on the game.

Though the hype around this team is high, it is worth betting on them as the last SEC team to make the Playoff.

5. Iowa can upset Penn State or Oregon

Top teams that visit Kinnick Stadium, home of the Iowa Hawkeyes, often leave with a loss that damages an otherwise strong season. Whether it was Ohio State losing 55-24 in 2017, Michigan falling 14-13 in 2016, or Michigan State dropping a 37-6 decision in 2010, Iowa has shown it can knock off elite opponents at home.

Iowa’s roster improved this offseason despite the departures of Kaleb Johnson, Jay Higgins and Yahya Black. Through the transfer portal, the Hawkeyes added South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski. Running backs Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson form a strong duo in the backfield, while receivers Jacob Gill and Reece Vander Zee give the passing game reliable targets. Rounding out the offense is tight end Zach Ortwerth, who is on the John Mackey Award watch list.

Iowa’s defense should complement the offense. Defensive backs TJ Hall, Xavier Nwankpa and Deshaun Lee provide stability in the secondary, while defensive linemen Jonah Pace, Aaron Graves, Brian Allen and Bryce Hawthorne supply a consistent pass rush. The linebacker unit will need someone to step up and replace the production of Higgins and Nick Jackson, but defensive coordinator Phil Parker has a track record of building strong units.

Under head coach Kirk Ferentz, Iowa continues to deliver consistent performances, keeping alive the hope that the Hawkeyes could upset either Oregon or Penn State at Kinnick Stadium this season.

Whether these predictions happen or not, the unpredictability of college football keeps fans on their toes. The 2025-26 season has the potential to be one of the best in recent memory, thanks to transfer portal movement and how teams have prepared. Only time will tell if any of these predictions come to fruition.