ATLANTA — The red and white confetti lined both sidelines at Mercedes-Benz Stadium long after the principals had exited the playing field. Ohio State and Notre Dame capped the longest college football season in history with a 34-23 Buckeyes victory. The national title is headed to Columbus for the first time since 2014, and by definition, the shortest offseason in college football history is on the way.
What will 2025 look like? Here are 10 stories to watch as we start counting the days.
MORE: SN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2025
Arch Manning is QB1 for Texas
The most famous backup quarterback college football has ever seen will finally be a starting quarterback. Arch Manning will be QB1 at Texas, and it should be worth the wait. After two seasons behind Quinn Ewers, another five-star prospect, Manning is ready to take the reins.
Manning was actually the Texas third-string QB as a freshman, but he made significant strides last season, playing 2 ½ games when Ewers was injured. He completed 50 of 72 passes for 806 yards, with eight touchdowns and two interceptions, plus 82 yards rushing and two more touchdowns. His ability to connect on deep passes and be a dual-threat in the run game has fans buzzing about his potential.
While Texas needs to rebuild its offensive line, the skill positions are loaded. Ryan Wingo and DeAndre Moore return at wide receiver, and running backs Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter are set to make an impact. It will be fascinating to see how Manning performs when he has the keys to Steve Sarkisian’s offense full-time.
Michigan’s brief descent is over
After a disappointing loss to Indiana in November, Michigan found itself at 5-5, a far cry from the previous year’s perfect 15-0 season. The transition to a new coaching staff felt rocky, and Jim Harbaugh seemed like a distant memory. But then, everything changed with the commitment of five-star QB Bryce Underwood, who flipped from LSU to Michigan on Nov. 21.
This sparked a remarkable turnaround for the Wolverines. Nine days later, they shocked Ohio State 13-10 and followed it up with a stunning 19-13 upset of Alabama in the Reliaquest Bowl, despite a depleted lineup. Adding Alabama running back Justice Haynes and Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene to the mix has significantly upgraded their roster. With two 10-win teams falling off the schedule, Michigan is primed to return to the top 10 and contend for a Big Ten title.
Bill Belichick goes to college
One of the biggest wild cards of 2025 is the arrival of Bill Belichick at the college level. After a legendary 49-year career in the NFL, including 29 as a head coach, the 72-year-old Belichick will take the helm at North Carolina. This move has raised eyebrows, as there’s no real precedent for an NFL coach stepping directly into a college role.
Belichick’s hiring followed a reportedly tense coaching search, highlighting internal disagreements among the athletic director and Board of Trustees. Can the Hoodie relate to college players? Will his six Super Bowl rings attract recruits? The ACC is wide open, and this experiment will be one to watch closely.
Colorado’s next chapter
Deion Sanders is stepping into a new era at Colorado without his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, and Heisman winner Travis Hunter. Barring an unlikely NFL jump, Sanders will now focus on building a competitive team with new talent. Dual-threat Kaidon Salter will be the new QB, having previously accounted for 44 touchdowns at Liberty.
With a non-conference schedule featuring Georgia Tech, Delaware, and Wyoming, the Buffs will have a different look this season. This will test how much spotlight Coach Prime still commands, especially after the high-profile matchups of the last two years.
Will the SEC get its mojo back?
After a national championship game without an SEC team, and now two in a row, the panic is palpable. What’s happening to the conference that once dominated college football? The landscape is shifting, and talent is spreading out. Teams like Tennessee and Ole Miss are suddenly competing with Alabama and Georgia.
Despite these challenges, the SEC still boasts some of the best coaches and blue-chip talent. Georgia, LSU, Alabama, and Texas are poised to bounce back, while Florida and Oklahoma won’t stay down for long. SEC fatigue may have set in for fans outside the South, but the conference is not going to fade away quietly.
Jeremiah Smith’s Heisman hopes
If Jeremiah Smith isn’t the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy next season, he’ll certainly be in the top three. After a phenomenal freshman year, Smith’s performances in the College Football Playoff had fans speculating about his future. However, winning the Heisman as a wide receiver is no easy feat.
Only Alabama’s DeVonta Smith has truly pulled it off in recent years. The question remains: who will be throwing him the ball next season? With former five-star Julian Sayin in the mix, the Buckeyes will have a solid QB situation to support Smith’s Heisman ambitions.
The influence of transfer quarterbacks
The impact of transfer quarterbacks is undeniable. Last season, Riley Leonard (Notre Dame) and Will Howard (Ohio State) led their teams to the national championship as first-year transfers. This trend continues, as many quarterbacks are moving to new Power 4 programs.
However, this year sees fewer high-profile transfers, with Carson Beck moving from Georgia to Miami being the most notable. While several quarterbacks are looking to start fresh after losing their jobs, many schools managed to retain their starting QBs. Keep an eye on notable Group of 5 QBs making the leap, as they could shake things up in the coming season.
Will there be changes to the 2025 College Football Playoff?
As for the College Football Playoff, any changes to the format require a unanimous vote from the 10 conference commissioners and Notre Dame. Given the current landscape, it seems unlikely that significant changes will occur for 2025. Discussions around seeding and automatic byes are ongoing, but the Big 12 and ACC may not be inclined to alter rules that could benefit them.
However, if the Big Ten and SEC push for changes, we might see some movement. Both conferences are eager to shape the future of the playoff, especially after feeling slighted by the current system.
Looking ahead to 2026 College Football Playoff changes
Looking beyond 2025, changes to the College Football Playoff format are almost guaranteed. Could we see a 14-team field with automatic bids for the top teams from the SEC and Big Ten? Or perhaps a revamped seeding system based on final rankings rather than just conference champions? The possibilities are endless, and the future of the playoff is sure to spark debate.
Exciting matchups for Week 1, 2025!
As we gear up for the new season, several thrilling matchups are on the horizon. Texas at Ohio State could see a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown, with Arch Manning leading the Longhorns. Notre Dame at Miami promises to be a clash of top ten teams, while Alabama at Florida State features two coaches under pressure. Finally, LSU at Clemson will be a must-watch as both teams vie for a significant non-conference victory.
