College Football Season Preview: A Glimpse into the Future

With the echoes of recent bowl games still ringing, it's never too early to cast an eye toward the upcoming college football season. Here's a way-too-early look at some of the top teams and storylines to watch for, pieced together from various perspectives.

The Elite Tier: Contenders and Pretenders

Several teams enter the season with legitimate championship aspirations, each boasting unique strengths and facing distinct challenges.

1. Texas: The Arch Manning Era Begins

Texas possesses a rare commodity in college football: a quarterback with starting experience. It'll be the Arch Manning era under center at Texas with long-time starter Quinn Ewers off to the NFL. Manning showed flashes of greatness when he filled in in 2024, winning two starts against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State. Manning won't be alone, as Texas will have plenty of talent. Wide receiver Ryan Wingo was one of the top freshmen at his position and the running back room is deep with players like CJ Baxter scheduled to return. Defensively, linebacker Anthony Hill is a top-five defender in the country and defensive end Colin Simmons looked like the future 2027 No. 1 overall pick in his freshman season. The Longhorns also grabbed explosive running backs Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown from NC State to join a skill group that already included Ryan Wingo. The defense will have a new look under Will Muschamp as coordinator. Muschamp gets to use the best front-seven player in the country, Colin Simmons, as he enters his third year as a dominant pass rusher. Transfer linebacker Rasheem Biles comes in from Pitt and should be on some preseason All-American lists as he replaces Anthony Hill Jr. While the secondary loses three starters to the NFL, there’s young talent like Kobe Black, Jonah Williams and others that got some experience in the Citrus Bowl. Texas added the top transfer portal receiver available in Cam Coleman from Auburn. Manning bounced back from a rocky start to the season with a strong finish in November, beyond struggling against Georgia. He should be able to avoid a slow start this year, even while undergoing a surprise minor foot surgery in January.

2. Ohio State: Reloading and Ready

The biggest question for the Ohio State offense will be who will be the quarterback. Could it be Class of 2024 five-star quarterback Julian Sayin as a redshirt freshman? Could it be Class of 2025 five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair - an Ohio native - as a true freshman? Someone else? There might not be a better player in college football in 2025 than wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. He was that good as a true freshman. He won't be alone in the Ohio State offense as Carnell Tate will take over the WR2 role and Brandon Inniss is primed for a breakout year with a larger role. Adding running back CJ Donaldson will help fill the void left by TreVeyon Henderson, and maybe Quinshon Judkins, who hasn't declared yet. On the other side of the ball, the trenches will need a completely new look, but defensive line coach Larry Johnson is one of the best in the nation at developing players. On the back half of the defense Caleb Downs is back, and he might argue against the line I wrote previously because he might be the best player in the nation; he's definitely the best defensive player entering 2025. Ohio State has the nation’s top QB-RB-WR trio. Quarterback Julian Sayin, running back Bo Jackson and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith should all be among the best in the country this year. Sayin was a Heisman finalist, Jackson should be preseason First-Team All-Big Ten and Smith might be the first wide receiver to go No. Four of five offensive line starters return, as does wideout Brandon Innis in the slot. Add one of the top high school wide receiver recruits in recent memory, Chris Henry Jr. It’s the defense that creates any hesitation about the Buckeyes grabbing the top spot. After playing at an all-time level for most of 2025, Ohio State will lose potentially four first-rounders from its defense. Safety Caleb Down, linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald will all be gone. The cupboard isn’t bare, as defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will have his secondary replacements in transfers Earl Little Jr. (Florida State) and Terry Moore (Duke) coming in. Little will slot in nicely at nickel, while Moore will take Downs’ safety role after missing last season with an ACL injury. In the front-seven he Buckeyes kept edge Kenyatta Jackson while adding Alabama transfer Qua Russaw to a group that includes Zion Grady and Beau Atkinson. The biggest question is in the middle of the defense. Replacing McDonald, Reese and Styles won’t be easy after how great they were last season.

3. Notre Dame: Poised for a Playoff Run

Notre Dame should have a playoff-or-bust mindset entering 2025 after making the national title game in 2025. Running back Jeremiyah Love will enter the year as the top running back in the country and Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse emerged as weapons on the outside during Notre Dame's playoff run. The Fighting Irish missed the College Football Playoff last year, but should be projected by all to make the field in 2026. Head coach Marcus Freeman won’t just have those guys after some great additions in the transfer portal. Cornerback DJ McKinney enters from Colorado, just two years removed from playing across from a Heisman trophy-winning corner in Travis Hunter. Moore might’ve been better in coverage than Hunter was in 2024 - and that was during his true freshman season. McKinney had his best collegiate season playing across from Hunter, and now he’ll be arguably the nation’s top No. McKinney’s addition also bumps starting cornerback Christian Gray likely to the slot; McKinney has primarily played outside during his career thanks to his long, six-foot-two frame. On offense, quarterback CJ Carr should improve in his second year as a starter. He’ll have the additions of transfer wide receivers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham from Ohio State to help him. They’ll join last year’s leading receiver Jordan Faison, who could blossom into further stardom after stepping away from lacrosse to solely focus on football. However, Carr won’t have running backs Jeremiyah Love or Jadarian Price to lean on. I think Carr will do just fine without his backs, as the emphasis on adding wideouts from the portal project has Carr being the focal point of the new offense.

4. Penn State: Allar's Ascent

With Texas grabbing the No. 1 spot because of its quarterback, the same logic should apply to Penn State with Drew Allar returning, right? No. That said, Penn State returns plenty of key pieces from its College Football Playoff semifinal team. Allar is back and will be gunning for the top quarterback spot in the 2026 NFL draft. The Lawn Boyz are back too as star running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are returning. Defensively, the major loss is likely to be the top-five pick, Abdul Carter, off the edge since safety Kevin Winson Jr. missed most of the season anyway. Carter's loss won't be as glaring with Dani Dennis-Sutton returning off the edge and Zane Durant returning at defensive tackle. Penn State is Iowa State east, it seems, after Matt Campbell took over as head coach. Former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht followed Campbell to Happy Valley along with 23 of his teammates.

5. Georgia: Reloading in the SEC

Georgia lost a lot from last year's SEC Championship team. Linebackers Jalon Walker and Smael Mondon, edge Mykel Williams, defensive linemen Nazir Stackhouse, Chaz Chambliss, Warren Brinson, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, and safeties Malaki Starks and Dan Jackson are gone. On the other side of the ball four starting offensive linemen - Tate Ratledge, Dylan Fairchild, Jared Wilson and Xavier Truss - are gone. The most noble loss is quarterback Carson Beck. The leader in the offseason clubhouse to replace him is Gunnar Stockton who started in the playoff and led an overtime SEC title win. But this is Georgia after all. A program known for reloading under Kirby Smart and the cupboard isn't bare. Wide receiver London Humphreys, tight end Oscar Delp, linebacker CJ Allen and freshman phenom safety KJ Bolden will have to be leaders of the new-look Bulldogs. Kirby Smart returns his starting quarterback in 2026. The last two years (2022 and 2024) that that’s happened, Georgia made the College Football Playoff. Stockton had some hot-and-cold moments in his first year as a starter, but as the season progressed, he looked more comfortable in the offense and used his legs as a runner. It’ll help that running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens return to ease some pressure off of Stockton. Yet, the biggest question on the offense will surround the development of the young players. The receiving core is notably young after losing five of its top six receivers. Only London Humphreys remains. The left side of the offensive line is gone to the NFL. The defense will have to improve up front, especially when it comes to making plays in the backfield and getting pressure. However, the back end of the defense is still strong with the best safety in the country, KJ Bolden. Cornerback Ellis Robinson IV is back after a standout redshirt freshman campaign, while Smart added players like Gentry Williams (Oklahoma), Khalil Barnes (Clemson), Ja’Marley Riddle (East Carolina) and Braylon Conley (USC) to bolster the secondary.

6. Oregon: Moore's the Merrier

No team has shown the ability to retool like the Oregon Ducks in recent years. It starts with the quarterback position. Two straight Heisman finalists and now former UCLA starting quarterback Dante Moore is expected to step into the quarterback-friendly offense. The defense still has Matayo Uiagalelei in the front seven, and the addition of the highly regarded Bear Alexander should keep the line of scrimmage sturdy. Oregon lost both its offensive and defensive coordinators this offseason. That keeps the Ducks out of the top spot, even with potential top-two NFL draft pick Dante Moore returning to school. Moore proved his worth last year, but he’ll have to learn his third offense in as many years as a starter this fall. He’s capable of doing so, but remember, last year’s success came after Moore sat out a year after transferring. Coordinators aside, Moore’s return should still have fans in Eugene high on the outlook of Oregon this fall. The offensive line loses some pieces, but the offensive skill group returns two freshman running backs that combined for 20 touchdowns, tight end Jamari Johnson, who pushed a projected first-round talent for reps, and Freshman All-American Dakorien Moore at wide receiver. Defensively, the entire defensive line returns, including Matayo Uiagalelei. A strong front four will ease the pains of the loss of Bryce Boettcher. The secondary lost Dillon Thieneman at safety, but incoming transfer Koi Perich from Minnesota is more talented than him.

7. LSU: Kiffin Era Begins

But Lane Kiffin has had winning seasons at every stop. LSU brought in the top transfer portal class and the No. 1 high school recruit in the country, Lamar Brown. Lane Kiffin enters LSU with instant impact starters from the portal in quarterback Sam Leavitt, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen, wide receiver Eugene Wilson, linebacker TJ Dottery and safety Ty Benefield, to name a few. Kiffin didn’t just grab transfers; he grabbed proven commodities. We know Kiffin will have his offense putting up elite numbers. The LSU defense kept coordinator Blake Baker after leading LSU to a top-five scoring defense in the SEC and the conference’s leading defense in interceptions. Kiffin left a CFP team to coach at LSU. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is back and has the talent to be the top quarterback in the country. He'll also have the weapons with wide receivers Nic Anderson (Oklahoma), Destyn Hill (Florida State) and Barrion Brown (Kentucky) and tight end Bauer Sharp (Oklahoma) transferring in to play with an already loaded receiving corps. Harold Perkins Jr.'s return at linebacker will bolster the defense along with linebacker Whit Weeks. However, the key to the defense could be the nation's top transfer portal class members.

8. Clemson: Dabo Dips into the Portal

This might be the highest you see Clemson in any preseason rankings. Could it be a stretch? The Tigers return quarterback Cade Klubnik, who threw for 3600-plus yards last year, and a talented wide receiver trio of Antonio Williams, T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. The defense should be great, starting with the front four. Peter Woods and T.J. Parker are All-ACC level players. The addition of transfer - Dabo finally went into the portal - edge rushers Jeremiah Alexander and Will Heldt bolster an already sturdy front. When looking ahead at Clemson's schedule, the Tigers are in the ACC where they get SMU, Florida State and Syracuse at home. Then in nonconference play, LSU has to come to Death Valley (the other Death Valley to them) as Clemson hosts the Bayou Bengals.

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

9. Texas A&M: Elko's Aggies

If you’re looking for a dark-horse Heisman contender, look no further than Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed. Reed will have Mario Craver back on the outside, Le’Veon Moss in the backfield and wide receiver Isaiah Horton comes in from Alabama as KC Concepcion departs. Mike Elko’s defense was fourth in the country in sacks last year, but couldn’t stop the run when it mattered in the last two games. In comes Anto Saka (Northwestern), Angelo McCullom (Illinois) and CJ Mims (North Carolina) to sure up the defensive front. Texas A&M will fully embrace Marcel Reed at quarterback in year two under coach Mike Elko. Expect NC State transfer wide receiver Kevin Concepcion to help the Aggies stay in SEC contention.

10. Oklahoma: Mateer's Health is Key

Oklahoma’s success in 2026 depends on the health of quarterback John Mateer. Mateer looked like a Heisman frontrunner before his hand injury in September. The Sooners got Mateer some nice weapons like Parker Livingstone from rival Texas, Trell Harris from Virginia and Hayden Hansen from Florida. With Mateer healthy, the offense should pull its weight. We know the defense under head coach Brent Venables will be good - if not elite - yet again.

The Next Tier: Dark Horses and Potential Surprises

Beyond the top contenders, several teams could surprise and make a run at a playoff spot.

11. BYU: Cougars Aim to Contend

BYU returns quarterback Jake Retzlaff and running back LJ Martin after nearly gaining 1,300 yards on the ground. While BYU lost its defensive coordinator to Michigan, Kalani Sitake has defensive roots, so I’m not too worried there. It was more important that the Cougars retained players like cornerbacks Evan Johnson and Therrian Alexander III.

12. Illinois: This Year's Indiana?

The surprise here is Illinois. I think the Fighting Illini can be this year's Indiana. The toughest games Illinois has will be at Indiana and at home against USC and Ohio State. Illinois can be this year's Indiana, which was the eighth seed in 2024. The toughest games Illinois has will be at Indiana and home against Southern California and Ohio State. With Luke Altmeyer back at quarterback, I see the Illini beating the Hoosiers and the Trojans.

13. Southern California

Southern California and Lincoln Riley’s biggest pickup of the offseason was getting quarterback Jayden Maiava to return. He’ll have all five of his offensive linemen and his top-two running backs return with him. While Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane are off to the NFL, Terrell Anderson transfers in from NC State, and the nation’s top freshman recruiting class is loaded with talent coming to USC’s receiving room.

14. Michigan: A New Era Begins

Michigan replaced Sherrone Moore with Kyle Whittingham. Whittingham only had one losing season since 2014 at Utah before taking the Michigan job. Michigan usually is a more talented team than Utah, so the sky’s the limit once Whittingham gets things rolling. Whittingham also brought with him offensive coordinator Kyle Beck. I think Kyle Beck’s system will help the highly-touted Bryce Underwood take the next step in his development after a disappointing freshman season.

15. Mississippi

Mississippi’s ranking is based on Trinidad Chambliss NOT getting his sixth year of eligibility. If he were returning, the Rebels would be ranked No. 10 (No. 11 depending on Miami’s QB situation). However, Chambliss has not been approved, leaving Deuce Knight as the heir-apparent. Knight accounted for six total touchdowns in his lone start last season, giving a preview of his talent - albeit against an FCS team. With Pete Golding taking over as head coach, we know the defense will be good. But without Kiffin or Charlie Weis Jr. on the offensive side, how good will the offense be in Oxford? Ole Miss has won 10-plus games in each of the last two seasons. It'll be harder to do so without Jaxson Dart and more in 2025.

16. Houston

Houston rounds out the top 15 after a 10-win season. Willie Fritz turned around the Cougars in no time after landing Connor Weigman out of the portal last year. Weigman returns after a great season, and he’ll be joined by a familiar face for Fritz, running back Makhi Hughes. Hughes was recruited to Tulane by Fritz and ran for over 1,400 yards two years ago.

17. Arizona State

The Big 12 also joins the party in the top 15. Arizona State should enter as the top team with quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson returning, even without Cam Skattebo. The Sun Devils also have a lot of defenders back from their playoff run like Xavion Alford. The Sun Devils return quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordan Tyson, who should help offset the loss of star running back Cam Skattebo.

18. Kansas State

Kansas State follows suit as Avery Johnson enters year two as the starting quarterback. The Wildcats return a dynamic backfield with quarterback Avery Johnson and running back Dylan Edwards. Plus, the Big 12 schedule features the four worst teams in the conference from 2024 and five of the bottom seven teams in the conference.

19. Texas Tech

Texas Tech made the College Football Playoff last year after a big transfer portal class. The Red Raiders are poised to do the same in 2026. Texas Tech landed quarterback Brendan Sorsby from Cincinnati while restocking its wide receiver group after seniors moved on. However, the Red Raiders lost Romello Height, David Bailey, Lee Hunter, Jacob Rodriguez and Bryce Ramirez from its front seven. That’s talent that will be hard to replace, even with another solid portal class.

20. Indiana

Indiana caught many by surprise last year, and while the Hoosiers lost quarterback Kurtis Rourke, Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza is coming in to keep the Curt Cignetti train rolling in year two. Is Josh Hoover more like Kurtis Rourke or Fernando Mendoza? Both are quarterbacks who led Indiana to the College Football Playoff, but one led the Hoosiers to a national championship. I think Hoover ends up being somewhere in between Rourke and Mendoza as head coach Curt Cignetti has shown his ability to develop one-year transfer quarterbacks since taking the job at IU. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds gets replaced by A.J. Harris (Penn State) and Carson Williams (Montana State). Wide receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. get replaced by Nick Marsh (Michigan State) and Shazz Preston (Tulane). Running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black get replaced by Turbo Richard (Boston College). Edge Mikail Kamara gets replaced by Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State). That’s a good way to restock after national championship success. The only place where Cignetti hasn’t grabbed a plug-and-play guy is at offensive tackle.

Other Teams to Watch

Several other teams warrant attention as potential risers or teams with intriguing storylines.

Florida

Elsewhere in the conference, the Florida Gators at No. 16. With one of the most difficult schedules in America, Florida won its final four games to close 2024, and quarterback DJ Lagway looks like a star at the position.

Ole Miss

Ole Miss has won 10-plus games in each of the last two seasons.

BYU

BYU comes in at No. 18 with quarterback Jake Retzlaff and running back LJ Martin returning.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt gets a spot in the top 25 with quarterback Diego Pavia returning

Navy

the final top 25 spot goes to Navy.

Louisville

Louisville might have the best running back in the country in Issac Brown.

Alabama

Alabama has yet to truly contend for a CFP title after a blowout loss to Indiana in the CFP quarterfinals. Kalen DeBoer hasn’t brought Alabama to the championship heights it found under Nick Saban, and now will have to find a new quarterback after Ty Simpson is gone. DeBoer will also have to figure out how to get the run game going. Will the Tide rely on highly-touted freshman Ezavier Crowell after getting spurned in the portal by Hollywood Smothers? Regardless, the Crimson Tide lost a lot in the trenches this year.

SMU

SMU returns Kevin Jennings at quarterback, two years removed from leading the Mustangs to a CFP appearance. Last season, he threw for over 3,600 yards and will benefit from wide receiver Jalen Hale heading over from Alabama in the portal.

Washington

Washington dealt with the transfer portal saga surrounding quarterback Demond Williams Jr. this offseason.

Miami

Miami misses the top 10 in these way-too-early rankings. The Hurricanes added Carson Beck from the transfer portal to replace Cam Ward, but the elbow injury he suffered in the SEC Championship game still looms. Even if Beck leads the offense to similar heights, the defense remains the biggest question mark. Miami needs more than just star defensive end Rueben Bain Jr.

Virginia

Virginia made the ACC Championship Game last year and added a pair of quality quarterbacks in the offseason.

Boise State

Boise State returns quarterback Maddux Madsen as the Broncos go for their first-ever Pac-12 title after winning the last two Mountain West titles.

Arizona

Arizona returns four-year starter Noah Fifita at quarterback.

Utah

Utah has a new head coach in Morgan Scalley. While he’ll return quarterback Devon Dampier, it’ll be a new offense for the signal-caller after Whittingham took his coaching staff with him to Michigan.

Tennessee

Tennessee would be ranked No. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers could be a Heisman trophy contender in 2025 as one of the top dual-threat QBs in the country. Sellers and coach Shane Beamer have the Gamecocks ready for a breakthrough season after closing with six straight wins in the regular season and a near CFP berth. While Kyle Kennard's departure will be felt on defense, defensive end Dylan Stewart looks to build off of a freshman campaign where he showed the skill of a senior off the edge. Running back Dylan Sampson is gone, but quarterback Nico Iamaleava is back. The heralded signal caller will have to take the next step in his development after losing his star running back and his top three receivers. Replacing James Pearce Jr. on defense won't be easy, but the back seven of Tennessee's defense should improve with another year.

Key Storylines to Follow

Quarterback Battles: Several high-profile teams face uncertainty at the quarterback position, with intriguing competitions set to unfold during the offseason and fall camp.
Transfer Portal Impact: The transfer portal continues to reshape rosters, with teams relying on transfers to fill key positions and address weaknesses.
Coaching Changes: New coaches at programs like Michigan and LSU will look to put their stamp on their respective teams and compete for championships.
Conference Realignment: The ever-changing landscape of college football will continue to be a factor, as teams adjust to new conferences and rivalries.

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