What to expect:

Conference Breakdowns
Game by Game Predictions
Season Win Totals
12 Team Playoff Contenders
Group of 5 Dark Horses
National Champion

It’s late June. “Lord Almighty, I feel my temperature risin’,”- “Burning Love”

It’s hot everywhere across the land on this day. One of those weeks where I’m dreaming of the first September cool morning and first frost in October. Leaves will change, snow will fall, and football will be played, but today and the immediate days following–it’s hot. That is about all I may get correct in this 2025/26 College Football prediction piece.

It was fun to think through each matchup as if it were played next Saturday and imagine the calamity and chaos this narrative would elicit were it proven to be 100% correct by seasons end. As a power 4 conference neutral fan, I’ll gobble it up like Frosted Flakes. In the meantime, all we can do is imagine and dream. Any and every scenario is a possibility. Predicting the unpredictable–just remember, that’s the name.

A forewarning as you begin–This is not a typical ‘toilet read.’ In fact, it may require 3-4 such visits to finish. Knees and elbows will go straight to sleep if you attempt it in one go. What I recommend: put on your favorite soundtrack, spark your trusty Churchwarden, settle into your leather armchair and dream with me into the future. A future where…

Sports–still exist.

Sports–still important.

Sports–still entertaining.

Sports–still religious.

Sports–still…unpredictable.

And that unpredictability is why they still exist and why they are important. The unpredictable nature of sports adds to the entertainment and attracts a religious following that rivals any true religion in the world. Perhaps, not in number, but in passion, loyalty, and community it rivals even the largest religions.

Every weekend Churches, Mosques, Cathedrals, Temples, Synagogues, Abbey’s, and Sanctuaries of all types are filled with people who are there for various reasons but drawn by at least one common thread. These individuals may not have anything in common with another except for this one common thread, but on those days, differences are set aside to pursue holiness as one membership body and petty personal preferences are provisionally postponed. Passion, loyalty, and community can be the product of regular attendance to such weekly meetings. Are sports any different?

Each weekend Stadiums, Arenas, Fields, Courts, Parks, and sporting venues of all types are filled with individuals from all different backgrounds; all drawn to one specific place because of at least one common thread. Differences and personal preferences, again, are set aside on these days, and the home crowd cheers in one voice for one common goal–their team to win. If not win, then at least the opportunity to see something unpredictable happen.

This is certainly true to the highest form for the sport of College Football. The stories, the moments, the passion, and the loyal communities built within each fan base are what make college football venues revered as ancient sanctuaries. Sanctuaries where sometimes miracles happen. Miracles–the ultimate unpredictability.

The “kick six” against the Crimson Tide, little Appalachian St taking down Michigan in “The Big House,” the “Bluegrass Miracle” shocking the state of Kentucky in 2006, a 74-72 7 OT final score that sent Aggie fans home exhausted and sad just 7 years ago–

–Just like that one pure 7 iron shot from the last round that rolled within 3 feet for birdie does–it keeps us coming back. Who cares if you missed the putt or that you shot a 97? Who cares if your team was on the losing side?

Like that one pure golf shot per round, these unpredictable storybook moments, keep us coming back.

Like this one.

The “Egg Bowl” in 2007, Coach Ed O’s last game as a Rebel is one of these moments. There was a fresh-faced teenaged fan in the nose bleeds that was certain the beloved Starkville Bulldogs were doomed to be embarrassed at home by the Nothern rivals who were having an embarrassing season themselves.

The Rebels were in control 14-0 with 8 minutes left, when Coach O graciously went for it on 4th and 1 from the 49 and did not convert. The momentum shift was physically felt and the pockets of Oxford faithful inside Davis Wade Stadium that had been relatively loud the entire game went silent. I’m guessing they felt it as well. I know the one next to me let out a groan and an expletive towards the coach’s decision. The Ole Miss defense had played inspired up to that point, and the Bulldogs offense had shown zero life.

“If your opponent is losing, you should avoid the battle all together.” – Sun Tzu. Coach Orgeron chose to unnecessarily battle over a 4th and 1 and lost.

Starkville State scored a TD on the ensuing possession, forced a punt on the possession following, decided to run it back for a TD, and then won the game with a field goal late 17-14 dropping “Hotty Toddy” to 0-8 in conference play, putting an end to the Ole Miss Coach O era.

These moments keep us coming back. Although, there may have been some in Cardinal red and Navy blue that may have vowed to never spend another cent on the team. Included amongst the candidates would have to be the heavy breathing, husky, middle aged man to my left who kept getting quietly shushed by his embarrassed wife to his left as he shouted his ideas and philosophies to the Rebel Head Coach who, if you’ll forgive my long windedness, had a better chance of hearing Scott Field’s grass grow than his shouts from nearly the stratosphere of the upper deck…

To prove my point, I’ll bet you that even that fan came back. Maybe he took a season away from the sport, but he came back.

The wild and unpredictable have come to be expected now in this sport. Fans and investors alike await the next 41-point underdog to upset a National Title contender. Everyone except USC that is. Don’t worry Trojans, Richard Sherman can’t hurt you anymore.

Every neutral fan wants these moments every week. Every fan base wants these moments every season. Every Sports Investor prays for them to help them at some point in every game. And–every story writer craves them every day. As a self-identified story writer, I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to go ahead and predict the upcoming and seemingly unpredictable 2025 College Football Season? Just for fun.

The fuzzy fur beast snores and wags her tail during a dream, the early morning sunshine drips through the crack window blinds, the fresh coffee to my right, and an excitement in my belly as I begin this relatively long road down the 2025 College Football Season 58 days before Iowa St plays Kansas St in Dublin.

Dublin you say? “Howaya?”

You know since a Big 12 conference game begins the season and being that it’s the conference that’s geographically most relevant to me, I suppose I will begin there.

BIG12 CONFERENCE

Week 1 predicted Big 12 headlines from SingleHighSports:

Iowa St Upsets K St before the Wildcats begin Big 12 Title Run 8/23
Nebraska Scolds Cincinatti by Four Scores 8/28
Colorado Wins a Tight Game with GT 8/29
UCLA Undercuts Utah by 12. 8/30
TCU Wins in a Thriller over UNC 9/1

Week 2 Big 12 predicted headline:

Methodists over Baptists, SMU beats Baylor 9/6
Hawkeyes Fly High Over the Cyclones
Bearcats Win Shootout Against Bowling Green
Kansas Takes Down Familiar Foe MIZZOU
Sun Devils Grind Out a Low Scoring Road Win in Starkville

Week 3 Big 12:

Houston Beats Buffs by 13 9/12
K St Beats Arizona in Highly Contested Game 9/12
Baylor Gets Win Over Samford: A Long Season in Store for the Bears 9/13
The Backyard Brawl Beatdown of West Virginia: Pitt’s Kyle Louis Leads Charge
Oregon St Surprises Texas Tech: a fluke or for real?

Week 4 Big 12:

West Virginia Bounces Back, Beats Kansas 9/20
UCF Gets Home Boost, Beats UNC
Sun Devil’s Cruise to 4-0 over Struggling Baylor
Texas Tech Takes Down Utah on the Road
Southern Methodist Wins Another Religious Crusade: Texas Christian Falls

Week 5 Big 12:

Arizona St improves to 5-0 over TCU 9/26
Houston Loses to Oregon St 9/26
The Battle of the Bruises: Cowboys beat the Bears 9/27
West Virginia Pummels Utah
Arizona Wins in Aimes, Cyclone Offense Silent
Brigham Young Foils Buffs on Folsom Field

Week 6 Big 12:

WVU Takes Down BYU LATE Into the Night 10/3 8:30 MST
Iowa St Beats Bearcats 10/4
Buffs Fall Again, TCU the Victor

Week 7 Big 12:

Buffs Bounce Back, Beat Cyclones 10/11
Arizona Drops BYU
Arizona St Continues to Win, Utah Falls to 2-4
K State over TCU

Week 8 Big 12:

Holy War Goes the Way of the Cougar, BYU over Utah 10/18

Week 9 Big 12:

Arizona St Unstoppable, Houston Falls 10/25
TCU Shocks Mountaineers
Baylor Finds Life, Silences Cincy
Kansas St Continues to Win, Jayhawks Lose Sunflower Showdown
BYU Finds Footing on the Road Over Iowa St
Utah Continues to Struggle, Colorado Wins Regional Rivalry

Week 10 Big 12:

Utes Beat Bearcats 11/1
Baylor Over UCF
West Virginia Wins Thriller Over Houston
Arizona St Stunned, Cyclones Deliver Sun Devils First Loss

Week 11 Big 12:

Cyclones Lose, TCU Victorious 11/8
BYU Wins at Texas Tech

Week 12 Big 12:

Sun Devils Fall Again, Mountaineers Take Big 12 Title Driver Seat 11/15
Utes Find a Win at Baylor
TCU takes Down BYU in Provo

Week 13 Big 12:

Bearcats Surge Late, BYU Falls on the Road 11/22
K State Cruises over Utah

Week 14 Big 12:

Sun Devils Win the Dual in the Desert 11/28
Utah Finishes Well, Wins at Kansas
Colorado Shocks Kansas St in Manhattan 11/29

Final Big 12 Standings:

West Virginia 10-2 (1 Con Loss) Over 5.5 Season Wins*
Kansas St 10-2 (2 Con Losses) Over 8.5 Season Wins*
Arizona St 10-2 (2 Con Losses) Over 8.5 Season Wins
Houston 9-3 Over 8.5 Season Wins
Kansas 8-4 Over 7.5 Season Wins
Arizona 8-4 Over 7.5 Season Wins
TCU 7-5 Over 6.5 Season Wins
Iowa St 7-5 Under 7.5 Season Wins
Texas Tech 6-6 Under 8.5 Season Wins
BYU 6-6 Under 7.5 Season Wins
Colorado 6-6 Under 6.5 Season Wins
Utah 5-7 Under 7.5 Season Wins
Cincinatti 5-7 Under 6.5 Season Wins
UCF 4-8 Under 5.5 Season Wins
Oklahoma St 4-8 Under 4.5 Season Wins
Baylor 3-9 Under 7.5 Season Wins

*Big 12 Championship Game: Kansas St vs West Virginia

Predicting the unpredictable weeks and months ahead is a truly folly pursuit, but this is fun for me. Let’s grab a sip of this coffee and continue…We have more than a while to go.

—

The Furbeast continues to snore but now is folded into a ball one foot in front of a floor fan. College towns are calm, student bodies are travelling the globe on vacation, ordering Chinese food from parent’s pool chairs, and dreaming of shaping their future. On this day, I would imagine very few other than perhaps the members of teams and those attached to the teams are stressing about their team’s tricky road game in late October. Athletes are being athletes. Coaches are being coaches. Each one focused on the next game, leaving me the opportunity to plan it for them. I’m sure the football fans in the State of Utah will take slight issue with these predictions, but from a 30,000 foot view, there is not much positive momentum around either program currently. Those in Provo are due to experience negative attrition inside of Lavell Edwards after last season’s home magic, and those in Salt Lake should see a noticeable talent gap this season but perhaps will develop into some late season wins. Either way, the Big 12 should be a fun conference to watch unfold.

West Virginia is getting zero pre-season love with a 5.5 game season total over/ under, but Morgantown knows what winning is like and for that–they are my Big 12 Dark Horse. Also, Rich Rod. Who didn’t love Rich Rod West Virginia teams in the past? I’m here for it. However, Pitt will be going into Monongalia County 81 miles Northwest of Washington D. C. on Week 3 in an ACC/ Big 12 Backyard Brawl Showdown and winning.

For this reason, let’s head to the Atlantic Coast for the next conference. Well, Atlantic and Pacific coast. We’ll call it the APCC to properly include Berkely and Palo Alto.

ACC CONFERENCE

Week 1 predicted ACC headlines:

Stanford Hands Hawaii a Season Opening Loss 8/23 CBS 1:30 PM HST
East Carolina Steals Win from NC State 8/28
GT Heroic Road Performance Falls Short to CU 8/29
All Orange in ATL, Big Orange over Syracuse 8/30
Seminoles Surprise Early, Rolled by Tide Late
Coastal Carolina Stuns Virginia
Clemson Defense Makes Statement, LSU Offense Silenced
Cal Loses by 1 at Oregon St
Notre Dame Takes Early Control, Hurricanes Late Surge Not Enough 8/31
VA Tech Drops Opener to South Carolina
Tarheels Play Loser in Instant Classic with TCU 9/1

Week 2 Predicted ACC Headlines:

Syracuse vs UConn, The Football Version: Orange Win 9/6
Cavaliers Struggle, NC State Bounces Back
A Strong Illini takes Down Duke in Durham
SMU Rolls, Mustangs too Strong for Bears
VA Tech Gets Home Win Over Vandy 19-12
Boston College Falls Late to host Michigan State

Week 3 ACC:

NC State Downs Wake in Thursday Night Thriller 9/11
Pitt Wins the Backyard Brawl in Beatdown Style 9/13
Clemson Stumbles, Georgia Tech Earns Win
Boston College Falls to Stanford
Golden Gophers too Clever for the Golden Bears, Cal Falls at Home

Week 4 ACC:

Duke over Nc State 9/20
Virginia over Stanford
Miami Gets Big Win Over Florida
North Carolina Shocked by Late UCF Comeback, Tarheels 1-2
Clemson gets to 2-1 with Win Over Syracuse
Louisville Coasts to 3-0 in Non-Con Play
Cal Wins Late at San Diego St

Week 5 ACC:

NC St Gets Home Win Over VA Tech
Duke Wins at Syracuse
GT Gets Road Win at Wake
Rested Pitt Panthers Look Strong: 4-0 after home win over Louisville
Cal gets Road Win at Boston College

Week 6 ACC:

Miami Falls to 3-2 in Loss at Florida State 10/4
Clemson Cruises, Tarheels drop to 2-3
SMU Stays Strong (4-0), defeats Syracuse at Home
Duke Falls to Cal in Berkely
Boston College Finds a way on the Road at Pitt, Panthers Shocked
Wake Gets Road Win at VA Tech

Week 7 ACC:

Georgia Tech loses to Virginia Tech 10/11
Clemson Eases Past Pesky BC, Tigers Improve to 5-1
SMU Gets to 5-0, Defeats Syracuse Late
Pitt Gets Road Win at Florida State
Wake Forest Wins Shootout in Corvalis, Oregon St falls to 5-2
Notre Dame gets to 5-1 Over NC State

Week 8 ACC:

Miami gets win over Louisville 10/17
North Carolina Play Inspired (3-3), Golden Bears Lose at Home
Georgia Tech Gets Win at Duke 10/18
Pitt Wins at Syracuse, Panthers 6-1
Clemson gets to 6-1, SMU 5-1 after Road Loss
Virginia Defeats Visiting Washington State
Florida St Loses at Stanford, Seminoles 4-3

Week 9 ACC:

Cal loses to VA Tech on the Road 10/24
Pitt Cruises to 7-1 over NC St 10/25
Syracuse drops to 2-6 with Loss to Georgia Tech
Tarheels Defeat the limping Cavaliers, improve to 4-3
Louisville Bounces Back, Beats Boston College
SMU gets to 6-1 with Win over Wake
Stanford Enjoys South Beach, Miami Enjoys the Win (5-2)

Week 10 ACC:

UNC Falls to Syracuse 10/31
Pitt Gets to 8-1 with Win in Palo Alto 11/1
GT Falls to NC St
Clemson gets by Duke
Notre Dame comes off the Bye with and Easy Win, Boston College falls to 3-6
Louisville Survives Road Scare at VA Tech, Improves to 5-2

Week 11 ACC:

Louisville Wins over Cal 11/8
Syracuse Shock Miami, Hurricanes Fall to 6-3
SMU defeats BC
Tarheels defeat Stanford, 5-4 on the Season
Clemson gets to 8-1 with a Win over FSU
UConn Stuns the Blue Devils

Week 12 ACC:

Louisville Wins Thriller over Visiting Clemson: Cardinals 8-2, Tigers 8-2 11/14
Tarheels fall on the road at Wake 11/15
Notre Dame handles Pitt, improves to 8-2
GT Defeats Boston College
Duke takes down Virginia
Florida St gets home win over VA Tech

Week 13 ACC:

Florida St beats Nc St on the road 11/21
Pitt loses to Georgia Tech, Panthers fall to 8-3 11/22
Duke gets win over rival UNC
Louisville Gets by SMU
Miami Defeats VA Tech
Notre Dame bests Syracuse

Week 14 ACC:

GT loses to UGA 11/28
Clemson Falls to South Carolina 11/29
SMU beats Cal, Finishes 9-3
Florida St loses to Florida
Notre Dame finishes 10-2 with a win over Stanford
Duke beats Wake
Louisville Falls to Kentucky
VA Tech defeats UVA
UNC Caps the Season with a win over NC St
Boston College gets road win at Syracuse
Miami Wins at Pitt, Hurricanes 9-3, Panthers 8-4

Final ACC Standings:

Louisville 9-3 Over 8.5
Clemson 9-3* Under 9.5
Miami 9-3* Under 9.5
SMU 9-3 Over 8.5
Georgia Tech 8-4 Over 7.5
Pitt 8-4 Over 6.5
Florida St 7-5 Under 7.5
Duke 6-6 Under 6.5
Cal 6-6 Over 5.5
UNC 6-6 Under 7.5
NC State 5-7 Under 8.5
Wake Forest 5-7 Over 4.5
Boston College 4-8 Under 5.5
Virginia 4-8 Under 6.5
Syracuse 4-8 Under 5.5

*ACC Championship Game: Miami vs Clemson

Yikes. To be a Pitt Panther fan in November. At least in this scenario where they lose three straight games to finish the season to miss out on the ACC Championship game and a potential playoff spot. Louisville might get to the championship over Clemson since they have the head-to-head win.

Of course, sitting on the side porch in the 95-degree weather in June– who knows anything? Who knows what will happen in November? Who knows what will happen next week, tomorrow, the next minute? Who can predict such things? Especially such unpredictable things like a three-win Syracuse team upsetting Miami November 8th or Georgia Tech losing to Colorado Week 1 only to turn around and beat Clemson Week 3.

With the Fuzzy still snoozing the day away, this time under the shade of the large elm in the center of the yard, it’s time to continue down the road of the 2025 College Football Season.

—

Still to come: The SEC, Big 10, and AAC Season Breakdowns along with Group of 5 Nuggets, a look at the Independents, the projected 12 Team Playoff, and a Dark Horse from the Mountain West just for fun.

But first, a quick reminder to ‘find the humor and keep on movin’ and to keep it kind and friendly with your neighbors. Make a friend. One small step can reshape the future. Invite someone over for a fresh grilled burger and a cold beverage from the cooler. Find out what they enjoy and talk about it. Be a friend. —This message has been brought to you by the Be Kind to Your Neighbor Foundation.

—

A lone bell tolls rhythmically. Enter a methodical guitar solo, a drumbeat, a “Hells Bells,” a chill down the spine. Entering the Thunderdome that is the SEC where the religion of College Football is strongest, and loyal fans hide irrationality underneath passion; a strong intro song is needed. Where their own TV station plays a commercial every 3 minutes and 45 seconds advertising their greatness. Something to the tune of “The SEC–It’s Just that We’re Better.”

Entering the world of predicting the SEC football season is one full of traps and landmines, and like the previous two conferences, it is quite unpredictable, but without further fuss or delay, let’s see where this SEC season leads.

SEC

Week 1 Predicted SEC Headlines:

Auburn opens with a win over Baylor 8/29
Mississippi State falls to in-state Rival Southern Miss 8/30
Texas loses to Ohio State
Alabama Rolls over Florida St
LSU Loses to Clemson
Ole Miss Survives Late Against Georgia St.
South Carolina Too Much for Hokies 8/31

Week 2 SEC:

Kentucky Grinds out Ugly Win against Ole Miss 9/6
Mizzou falls to Kansas
Vandy is Defeated by VA Tech
Oklahoma drops home game to Michigan
Mississippi State struggles offensively, Sun Devils Win in a low scoring affair. (33 Total points)

Week 3 SEC:

Bama over Badgers, 3-0 to Start the Season 9/13
Ole Miss drops to 1-2, Visiting Arkansas Victorious
South Carolina Gets Win over Visiting Vandy
Vols get to 3-0 with Monster Win over UGA
Mississippi St gets into the Win Column with 4 Score Win over Alcorn St.
Texas A & M Gets Statement Win Over ND
LSU Gets Home Win Over Florida
Oklahoma Bounces Back at Temple

Week 4 SEC:

South Carolina to 4-0, Road Win over Mizzou 9/20
Arkansas Wins High Scoring Shootout in Memphis
Oklahoma Holds on Against Visiting Auburn, Both 3-1
Florida Falls to Miami
Late INT Seals Win for Ole Miss over Tulane
Vandy defeats Georgia St

Week 5 SEC:

Arkansas Struggle at Home, Irish Cruise 9/27
Auburn Steals Win at Texas A & M
LSU Wins Close Game in Oxford, Rebels 2-3
Tennessee to 5-0, State’s Bulldogs 2-3
Kentucky 4-0 after Road Victory, Gamecocks 3-1
Tide Roll Between the Hedges, UGA 2-2

Week 6 SEC:

Georgia Plays Strong, Beats Kentucky by 19 10/4
Texas Wins at Florida, Longhorns 4-1
Tide Roll to 5-0 over Visiting Vandy
Texas A & M defeats MSU

Week 7 SEC:

Sooners over Longhorns, Oklahoma Defense Unshakeable 10/11
Mizzou Upsets Alabama, Tide 5-1
Ole Miss gets Win over Washington St
LSU to 5-1 with Win over South Carolina
Florida Wins at Texas A & M
Georgia Beats Auburn by Double Digits on the Road
Vols 6-0, Win Crazy Game, Razorbacks Blame Officials

Week 8 SEC:

Arkansas Wins High Scoring Affair with A & M 10/18
Texas Wins by 11 at Kentucky
Tennessee Wins in T Town, Vols to 7-0, Tide drop 2nd Straight
Georgia Shuts out Ole Miss in Second Half, Third Win in a Row
Oklahoma to 6-1, South Carolina drops to 4-3
LSU Wins at Vandy
Auburn Wins at Home over Mizzou
Miss State 24 @ Florida 19, Gators 3-4

Week 9 SEC:

Texas Wins in Starkville 10/25
Vols Streak Ends in Lexington, Kentucky Holds on at Home
Alabama Wins at South Carolina
Oklahoma Victorious over Visiting Ole Miss
Baton Rouge too Much for A & M, LSU 7-1
Auburn Falls in Fayetteville, Hogs Bowl Bound 6-2

Week 10 SEC:

Longhorns over Commodores, Texas 7-2 11/1
Kentucky gets Road Win at Auburn
Ole Miss Wins High Scoring Game, South Carolina Fall in Fifth Straight
Hogs over Dogs in Fayetteville
Sooners Lose Tight Game with Tennessee in Knoxville, Vols 8-1
Georgia over Florida

Week 11 SEC:

UGA over MSU in the Bulldog Battle 11/8
A & M Wins at Mizzou
Crimson Tide Win against Visiting LSU
Auburn Wins at Vandy
Florida Wins at Kentucky

Week 12 SEC:

South Carolina Loses to A & M, Gamecocks 4-6 11/15
Georgia Holds on to Beat Texas, Bulldogs 8-2
Mississippi St Wins in Columbia, Mizzou 5-5
Florida loses in Oxford, Ole Miss 6-5
Oklahoma Loses Heartbreaker, Crimson Tide Streak Continues
LSU Suffocates in Second Half, Hogs Fall on the Road

Week 13 SEC:

Oklahoma over Mizzou 11/22
Vols Win in Gainesville, Tennessee to #1
Arkansas Loses in Austin, 8-3 Longhorns Impress
Vandy closes the Door on UK with Three Straight Scores in the 4th, Dores 5-6
South Carolina beats Coastal

Week 14 SEC:

Egg Bowl Consolation Prize for 5-7 Bulldogs, Rebels Fumble Late 11/28
Georgia Wins 10th at Georgia Tech
Playoff Hopes Over in Austin, A & M upsets Texas 11/29
South Carolina Ends Skid, Bowl Bound after Win over Clemson
#1 Vols over Vandy
LSU Suffers Loss in Norman, Tigers and Sooners 9-3
Florida Ends Season with Win over Florida St
Kentucky Defeats Louisville
Arkansas Beats Mizzou, Tigers Miss Bowl
Iron Bowl Won Convincingly, Crimson Tide Rolling into SEC Title Game

Final SEC Standings:

Tennessee 11-1* Over 8.5
Alabama 10-2* Over 9.5
Georgia 10-2 Over 9.5
LSU 9-3 Over 8.5
Oklahoma 9-3 Over 6.5
Arkansas 8-4 Over 5.5
Texas A & M 8-4 Under 8.5
Texas 8-4 Under 9.5
Kentucky 8-4 Over 5.5
Auburn 7-5 Under 7.5
Mississippi 6-6 Under 8.5
South Carolina 6-6 Under 7.5
Florida 5-7 Under 6.5
Vanderbilt 5-7 Under 5.5
Mississippi St 5-7 Over 3.5
Missouri 5-7 Under 7.5

SEC Championship Game: Tennessee vs Alabama

Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and of course Tennessee all projected to exceed expectations this year. Alabama, Georgia, and LSU are right where they need to be, but nearly every other fan base in the SEC will be disappointed.

What feels like the most unpredictable of this season scenario?

How about the Gators missing a bowl game and losing 6 Conference games including a home loss to 2-4 Mississippi St?

I mean that would be right up there for me if it weren’t for their gauntlet of a schedule that includes Miami, LSU, Texas, Georgia, and A & M on the road. By the time the 2-4 Starkville Dogs roll into Gainesville, the Gators will have played LSU, Miami, Texas, and Texas A & M the previous four weeks. Their much-needed bye week falls after the limping Bulldogs come to town. The idea that the Gators will be banged up and limping themselves after such a rough stretch is quite plausible for me, and a letdown game would be in order after a road win in College Station. It unfolds this way–Miss State plays with nothing to lose and jumps on Florida early. It’s a fight down the stretch, but the Gators simply run out of legs, and the Dogs kneel out a win. Or…the Dogs lose by 28. Either way, it may be a gritty year for the Gators.

Sincerely, 6-7 wins should feel successful for Florida.

Perhaps, I just wanted to share my angle on Florida because a 5-7 Florida seems quite predictable and doesn’t seem to answer the question.

So, what is the most unpredictable scenario?

I mean “good ole Rocky Top” is going to be elated with an 11-1 season and a shoo-in playoff spot, but nearly zero percent would say that’s possible on this day in June. A day that is fading. The western sky turns orange and pink, the Fuzzy prowls the yard, I’m on the side porch with a cold beverage playing out this scenario in my head. Now that I think about it, I’m probably wrong…. Who says the Vols have to lose to Kentucky? Tennessee Vols 12-0. Just having fun. That’s the game here. Predicting the unpredictable is what we set out to do.

Anything can happen inside anyone of these college football sanctuaries, so let the pen write what it writes. In this case the pen was harsh to Missouri, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt. Preemptively, please allow an apology for any offense taken by those fan bases. Especially South Carolina. From 4-0 to 4-6 would be a difficult stretch for any fan base, coach or player. I certainly am not wishing that on any of the South Carolina faithful, simply saying–the pen writes what it writes.

Oh, and Texas. The pen was harsh to the state of Texas. The Longhorns and the Aggies both would expect better than 8-4, but I’d say, 8-4 in this new version of the SEC is not a bad result. It’s not what a fan base would prefer, but it’s not bad. You know, I bet 8-4 in the SEC will get you a playoff spot come the 2026/27 season. Well, as long as it’s the right SEC 8-4. An 8-4 Kentucky and an 8-4 Texas sure do look the same, but they are viewed quite differently…getting sidetracked. Point is–keep your Stetson brims level for a season Texas, the future looks bright.

—

Good Gracious. This season is going to be nuts. Speaking of nuts, how about one? I’ll offer you a Buckeye and take you on a journey through the unpredictable Big 10 season.

“Oo-De-Lally, Oo-de-lally, golly what a day.”-Sir Robin of Foxley

“Keep on the Sunny Side” when navigating the hedged maze blazed before us. Pitfalls and trapdoors wait in the shadows. “Keep on the Sunny Side of life.”

Speaking of the “sunny side of life,” the Big 10 season opens with the Ohio Bobcats travelling to Piscataway, New Jersey August 28. Money magazines 68th best places to live in 2019. Maybe it lacks physical sunshine but historically, the 359-year-old Piscataway community keeps on the metaphorical sunny side of life. And to get more ironic with the sunny side of life, the next Big 10 game kicks one hour later and features Buffalo travelling to Minnesota.

The Gopher state, the Land of 10,000 Lakes yes, but the land of sunshine? Anyway, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win by 20, the Gophers will best the Bulls and the Big 10 season will be under way…

BIG 10 CONFERENCE

Week 1 Big 10 Headlines:

Nebraska Makes Statement with 4 score Win against Cincinatti in Arrowhead 8/28
Buckeyes Best Longhorns by 8 in Opener 8/30
Northwestern Overcome by Host Green Wave, Wildcats Offense Woeful
Bruins Beat Utes by Double Digits
Washington dodges early Colorado St scare, Wins Late

Week 2 Big 10:

Hawkeyes over Cyclones in Aimes 9/6
Illini Strong in Win at Duke
USC Survives at Home to GA Southern, Late Score Wins Game
Michigan St Impresses with Win over Boston College
Wolverines Surprise Sooners in Norman
Oregon Cruises over Cowboys
UCLA Wins in Shootout with UNLV

Week 3 Big 10:

Badgers Come up Short against Crimson Tide 9/13
Oregon Shuts out Northwestern, 31-0
Purdue Plays Inspired, USC Falls on the Road
Golden Gophers too Much for Golden Bears in Berkely

Week 4 Big 10:

Iowa Loses Late at Rutgers 9/19
Wisconsin Bounces Back with Home Win over Terps 9/20
Spartans Fall to Trojans in the Coliseum
Illinois gets to 4-0 with Road Win over Hoosiers
Oregon Beats Oregon St
Michigan Wins on the Road in Lincoln, Nebraska 3-1
Purdue Bowled Over by Notre Dame
The Apple Cup goes to the Huskies, Washinton 3-0

Week 5 Big 10:

Ohio St goes Down at Washington, Turnovers Cost Buckeyes Late 9/27
Indiana Wins at Iowa
USC Wins at Illinois, Trojans 4-1
Rutgers Wins at Minnesota
UCLA Wins at Northwestern
Penn St Makes Statement with Win over Visiting Ducks, 4-0 in Happy Valley

Week 6 Big 10:

Michigan St Wins at Nebraska 10/4
Buckeyes Wins Soundly, Minnesota drop 2nd in a Row
Wisconsin Wins in the Big House
Penn St Wins Big at UCLA, 5-0
Purdue Outlast Illini, Illinois 4-2
Washington Wins at Maryland

Week 7 Big 10:

Washington Makes Short Work of Short-Handed Scarlett Knights 10/10
UCLA Wins Early Game in East Lansing
Badgers Beat Hawkeyes, Wisconsin 4-2
Maryland Defeats Nebraska at Home
Oregon Cruises, 17 point Win over Hoosiers
Golden Gophers defeat Purdue at Home
Ohio St Wins at Illinois, Penn St Easy Over Northwestern
Michigan Loses to USC in LA, Wolverines Drop 2nd in a Row

Week 8 Big 10:

Minnesota Wins at Home vs Nebraska 10/17
Penn St 7-0 after win Over Hawkeyes 10/18
Ducks Win at Rutgers
Purdue Wins at Northwestern
Huskies Fall to Michigan, Wolverines Strong at Home
Indiana Wins at Home, Michigan St Reeling
Trojans Beat Irish in Rivalry Game

Week 9 Big 10:

Minnesota loses to Iowa 10/25
UCLA Wins in Indiana
Purdue Gets Win Over Rutgers at Home
Illini Fall on Road at Washington, Huskies 7-1
Michigan Wins at Rival Spartans
Badgers Fall in Eugene, Ducks 7-1

Week 10 Big 10:

Hoosier Win on Road at Maryland 11/1
USC Loses by 1 in Lincoln, Nebraska Stops Two Point Conversion to Win
Penn St Suffers First Loss in Columbus, Buckeyes Offense Overwhelming
Michigan St Beats Minnesota in the Snow

Week 11 Big 10:

Nebraska Keeps LA Win Streak Alive, Bruins Fall at Home to Huskers
Huskies Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Win at Wisconsin
Penn St Wins at Home against Indiana

Week 12 Big 10:

Ducks Survive visiting Minnesota 11/14
Purdue Stuns Huskies, Washington Turns ball over Late 11/15
Buckeyes Best Bruins in Columbus
Penn St Falls in East Lansing in Low Scoring Game (27 total points)
Wisconsin Wins at Indiana

Week 13 Big 10:

Ducks Look Strong Versus Visiting USC, Oregon 10-1 11/22
Michigan St Wins at Iowa
Washington Wins by Double Digits at UCLA

Week 14 Big 10:

Iowa Wins at Nebraska 11/28
Indiana gets by Pesky Purdue
Michigan Wins Over Buckeyes, Both end season 10-2 11/29
USC beats UCLA
Minnesota Wins at Home vs Badgers
Ducks Fall at Washington, both 10-2
Penn St Wins at Rutgers, Nittany Lions 10-2

Final Big 10 Standings:

Washington 10-2 Over 7.5 Season Wins
Oregon 10-2 Under 10.5
Ohio St 10-2 Under 10.5
Michigan 10-2 Over 8.5
Penn St 10-2 Under 10.5
USC 9-3 Over 7.5
Wisconsin 8-4 Over 5.5
Michigan St 8-4 Over 5.5
UCLA 7-5 Over 5.5
Illinois 7-5 Under 7.5
Purdue 6-6 Over 3.5
Indiana 6-6 Under 8.5
Minnesota 6-6 Under 6.5
Maryland 5-7 Under 5.5
Iowa 5-7 Under 6.5
Rutgers 5-7 Under 5.5
Nebraska 5-7 Under 7.5
Northwestern 2-10 Under 3.5

Big 10 Championship Game: Penn St vs Michigan

Five. Five Big 10 teams reach 10 wins. In all honesty, I am not completely certain what the tiebreaker would be to determine the Championship game participants in this scenario, but I think PSU vs UM is a fair guess.

Northwestern is in store for a poor season. The Wildcats are built like a college team while other teams look more like semi-pro squads, and the talent gap will be seen on the field.

13/18 teams will make a bowl game and 5/13 will make the playoff. If this holds, The Big 10 would certainly view this season as a success. Predicting the unpredictable from my quiet kitchen bar top on this late June evening allows this scenario to play out perfectly in my head. Perfect except for Purdue.

Similar to the Gators, Purdue has a brutal schedule this season. They play USC, Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio St, and Washington and somehow, someway, Barry Odom’s Boilermakers get to 6 wins. Folks in West Lafayette will be thrilled. I’m here for it.

I’m here for all of these unpredictable moments. Moments that I’m imagining right now. Again, the narrative makes clear sense in my head, but how it plays out on the field will be the unpredictable part. There will be big plays, controversial referee decisions, injuries, and downright magical luck that will create the chaos that will form this narrative. The Golden Gophers will want to replay that Week 5 Rutgers game. USC will regret blowing the lead to Purdue and failing on the 2-point conversion against Nebraska late. Parity will eat the middle of this conference alive, but that will make the cream that rises to the top that much more noticeable. This is an incredibly deep conference. Any given Saturday almost anyone but Northwestern could win.

Fanbase congregations will pack their sanctuary every week proving that the religion of college football runs as deep in this conference as it is anywhere else in the country. The passion, traditions, and rivalries in this conference unite millions across the country. Like the ACC, the Big 10’s reach is coast to coast. Popularity is swelling for this once regional conference, and fans are hopeful that this is their year. Well, maybe not at this moment. At this moment, I doubt there are more than 100 people worldwide thinking about how woeful Northwestern will play Week 1 against Tulane. At 1:33 AM EST on June 26th, I doubt anyone is thinking of Northwestern football.

—

College football will always have a religious following and perhaps I am the proof. Each season, a bug hits my stomach for this sport and whether I like it or not, it draws me into the chaotic narrative. Because, whether I write it or not, chaos will happen. It might not be this specific narrative, but something will get goofy somehow, someway. It happens every season. Personally, I don’t see how the Big 10 plays out any different than how it’s written here. Call it crazy, call it gospel truth, call it late night sleep deprived manic hysteria, but I think the Big 10 season has unpredictably been predicted.

The AAC breakdown and playoff teams will have to wait until tomorrow–rather, later today.

“Theory will only take you so far.”-Dr. Lawrence “Oppenheimer”

—

The AAC. The conference involving the hometown Tigers. Basically, the most important conference in the country.

Memphis Tiger Blue runs deep in my core. An obligatory storge-like family bond of sorts. A fandom handed down by passed-on loved ones–the ones that taught me to love sports. The words of my late maternal grandmother still ring in my ears. I’ve written them before and will write them again; “always root for the hometown Tigers.” Her soft eyes, her gentle unassuming tone, her Tiger blue crew neck sweatshirt, and kind smile…Yessir, those are the things that run deep. Those are the memories that make sports entertainment that much more important to me. It’s not just a ball crossing a goal line or winning a Championship. It’s carrying on traditions, it’s feeling a connection with loved one’s past, and it’s about living up to your word. At least in my case.

I would’ve been 13 or so and wearing a white cap that featured State in maroon, a grey long sleeve Mississippi State Bulldogs tee with a miniature “Bully” imprinted on the sternum, tucked into my jeans with a brown belt. Sitting in her cozy Colonial Acres den, I begrudgingly responded, “yes ma’am.”

Begrudged because rooting for the Memphis Tigers in football at the time was a difficult thing to request since winning games consistently was not something the team did well. Not that Mississippi State did either, but the Bulldogs would lose to LSU and Alabama while Memphis would lose to UAB, Tulane, and even Miss State once in a while, so it was easier to justify the losing based on the loss coming from a more quality opponent …either way, she would say those words periodically to me throughout my life. Usually in the context when I would be rattling off information about every other college team except Memphis.

Now, decades later, it’s the only team where there is a true connection. A connection forged by love. Composer Igor Stravinsky once posed the question: “What force is more potent than love?” I am of the opinion that no such ‘more potent’ force exists across the space and time of the entire universe than to love another. It is this love that connects us to the past, brings peace and purpose in the present, and propels us into the future. Many may be blessed to have a delicate story like this one. Share it, live it, believe it.

The religion of college football would not be completely explained without addressing the reason fanbases can be so passionate and borderline irrational at times. It’s this kind of love.

—

So, with ‘Hans Zimmer: Live from Prague’ gently playing in the background, the Fuzzy snoring on her bed, and a gusting desert south wind blowing outside, and to return to the 2025 College Football preview, a casual forewarning that my AAC predictions may be slightly subjective because of a blind love towards my Hometown Tigers.

*Big long satisfying sip of coffee and away we go

AAC

Week 1 AAC Predictions:

South Florida over Boise St 8/28
Appalachian St over Charlotte 8/29
East Carolina over NC St
Tulane Blasts Big 10 opponent Northwestern 8/30
UTSA Downed by Double Digits by Texas A & M
Memphis Wins by 30+ at home to UT Chattanooga

Week 2 AAC:

Memphis Scrambles Late, Escapes Georgia St with a Win
Army falls to K St, UNC Hammers Charlotte
Tulane Wins at South Alabama

Week 3 AAC:

Memphis Wins at Troy 9/13
Temple falls to 1-2 after Sooners Win by 30+ in Philly
East Carolina Falls to Coastal Carolina
Tulane defeats Duke at Home
Navy Loses at Tulsa
Washington St Wins at North Texas
UAB Loses to Visiting Akron

Week 4 AAC:

Rice Wins at Charlotte 9/18
Tulsa Bested by in-State Rival Cowboys 9/19
North Texas wins at Army 9/20
UTSA drops non-con game at Colorado State
Memphis drops high scoring non-con home game to Arkansas
Tulane Stifled in Oxford, Green Wave lose by a Score
East Carolina Wins by Double Digits over visiting BYU

Week 5 AAC:

ECU defeats Army at home, Pirates 4-1 9/25
Memphis Wins at FL Atlantic, Tigers 4-1 9/27
North Texas over South Alabama, Denton Green 4-1
Tulane Wins at Tulsa, Green Wave 4-1
Rice loses at Navy

Week 6 AAC:

USF wins at home over Charlotte 10/3
Air Force Wins at Navy 10/4
Memphis Cruises to 5-1, Happy bye week on deck after home Tulsa Win
UTSA defeats Temple in Philly, Roadrunners 3-2
Army falls to UAB on the road

Week 7 AAC:

East Carolina loses at Tulane 10/9
North Texas Beats South Florida at Home 10/10
Army defeats Charlotte 10/11
UTSA Impresses with shutout win over Rice
Florida Atlantic Falls at Home to UAB

Week 8 AAC:

ECU over Tulsa 10/16
UTSA Wins pivotal game at North Texas 10/18
Tulane defeats visiting Army
Memphis Wins Tight Game at UAB
Fl Atl Falls at South Florida

Week 9 AAC:

North Texas blasts Charlotte on the road 10/24
South Florida Falls at Memphis, Tigers 7-1
Tulsa over Temple 10/25
FL Atl loses at Navy

Week 10 AAC:

UTSA Keeps Winning, Tulane fall on road 10/30
Memphis Wins Nailbiter at Rice 10/31
Army Loses at Air Force
East Carolina upset at Temple 11/1
North Texas over Navy

Week 11 AAC:

UTSA wins at South Florida 11/6
Memphis Gets by Tulane at Home 11/7
Army defeats visiting Temple 11/8
FL Atl defeats Tulsa
UAB wins at Rice

Week 12 AAC:

South Florida Wins at Navy 11/15
Memphis and UTSA notch Road Wins
Tulane defeats FAU at home

Week 13 AAC:

Tulsa loses at Army 11/22
Rice Upsets North Texas
South Florida wins at UAB
Tulane Wins in Philly over Temple
UTSA overcomes ECU at Home for 7th straight Win

Week 14 AAC:

Memphis Wins on Thanksgiving Night over Navy, Tigers 11-1
UTSA defeats Army 11/28
Tulsa defeats UAB at Home 11/29
ECU wins at FAU

Week 16 AAC:

Army defeats Navy

AAC Final Standings:

Memphis 11-1 Over 8.5
UTSA 10-2 Over 7.5
Tulane 9-3 Over 8.5
North Texas 8-4 Over 6.5
South Florida 7-5 Over 6.5
East Carolina 7-5 Over 6.5
Florida Atlantic 5-7 Over 4.5
Army 5-7 Under 7.5
Navy 5-7 Under 8.5
Tulsa 5-7 Over 3.5
UAB 4-8 Under 4.5
Rice 4-8 Over 3.5
Charlotte 2-10 Under 2.5
Temple 2-10 Under 3.5

AAC Championship Game: Memphis (11-1) vs UTSA (10-2)

Come to think of it, I don’t see any subjective opinions to be found within this narrative. Do you? Maybe these Tigers are just that good. Maybe 1 loss is too many. Maybe…Memphis is playoff bound, but that will be revealed shortly. Tigers need to be alert in Atlanta Week 2. Georgia St will be hungry for that one.

On this unpredictable narrative for the AAC– Ending the season with a pair of two-win teams and 8/14 teams finishing under .500 is not want any conference would like, but it seems quite realistic. Can two of the 5-7 teams win one extra game and help fill out the bowl eligible teams? Yes. Odds are that at least one of the four 5-7 teams will get to a 6th win somewhere along the way, but that’s just another opinion. No one knows. Least of all, the one sitting at the kitchen bar top typing on this machine right now.

The unpredictable nature of a 12-game college football season demands that anything is possible. Akron could win at UAB, Rice could upset North Texas, UTSA could start 2-2 and reel off 8 straight, Memphis could notch 11 wins, and Charlotte and Temple could be historically bad this season. Or…Temple could play UAB for the AAC Title and Memphis and UTSA miss a bowl. I doubt it, but the beauty of sports, college football, and life in general is that it’s unpredictable and everchanging nature creates a curiosity and desire to see what could happen next.

We will wait 8 weeks and 1 day for the first kick in Dublin…

—

Now, before getting to the playoff scenario, there are a few more teams to mention. In fact, I’ll rattle them off quickly in no particular order:

KEY TEAMS:

-Washinton St Wins: Idaho, North Texas, Toldeo, LA Tech, James Madison (5-7)

-Oregon St Wins: Cal, Fresno St, Texas Tech, Houston, App St, Lafayette, Wash St x2, Sam Houston St, Tulsa (10-2) Over 7.5 Season Wins.

-UNLV Wins: Sam Houston St, Idaho St, Miami (OH), Wyoming, AF, New Mex, Utah St, Hawaii -Losses: UCLA, Boise St, Nevada, CO St (8-4) Under 8.5 Season Wins.

-Liberty Wins: Maine, Jacksonville St, James Madison, UTEP, NM St, Delaware, Missouri St, FIU, Kennesaw St -Losses: LA Tech, Bowling Green, Old Dominion (9-3) Under 9.5 Season Wins.

-Colorado St Wins: N. Col, UTSA, Wash St, SDSU, Fresno St, Hawaii, UNLV, NM, Boise St -Losses: Washington, Wyoming, AF (9-3) Over 6.5 Season Wins.

-Air Force Wins: 11 -Loss: @UNLV (11-1) Over 5.5 season wins.

-Boise St Wins: East Wash, App St, NM, UNLV, NV, Fresno St, SDSU -Losses: USF, Notre Dame, CO St, Utah St, AF (7-5) Under 9.5

-UConn Wins: CCSTU, UAB, Duke, Delaware, Ball St (5-7) Under 7.5 Season wins.

Air Force…I guess it’s all about the Falcons this season. Anything is possible. To think that AF would be (10-1) going into Fort Collins to face a 9-win Colorado St team on Black Friday and somehow come out with a win does get my spine tingling. The likelihood of it? I’d say about the same odds as only winning 1 and losing 11. The stories along the way would be great either way. No pressure Air Force, but 7-5 isn’t cutting it this season. It’s all or nothing… Air Force is the Dark Horse from the Mountain West. Predicting the unpredictable. That’s the theme.

Oregon St winning 10 with Texas Tech and Houston included in those?

Beavers are crafty creatures and natures wetland engineers, perhaps this group in Corvallis are just crafty enough to engineer some wins. Second year Head Coach Trent Bray will demand a disciplined, hard-working team if nothing else. The Beaver defense will need to find a foothold and identity immediately as Cal, Fresno St, Texas Tech, Oregon, and Houston (their first five games) will certainly know how to score. This relatively undersized group will need to find creative ways to pressure QB’s, and I think they are there to be found.

Offensively, QB Maalik Murphy absolutely knows how to score and how to win. After setting the school record for TD’s thrown in a season at Duke, Murphy transferred to Corvallis, and he might be the piece needed. Some Maalik Murphy Magic and some crafty, shifty mid-play improvisations late in games, may just be the ingredients needed to engineer some early wins. The true Beaver way. I’m here for it.

I’m also here for the CFP….so with season results set, who will be the final 12? It’s time to answer that question, and now–the real fun begins.

CFP and CONFERENCE CHAMPS

Let’s get our Conference champions decided and work down from there.

So, Penn St, Alabama, Miami, Kansas St and Memphis will win their conference championship games and be the automatic bids for the CFP. Based on resume and playing my own CFP committee, I’ll rank them this way:

Alabama (11-2)
Penn St (11-2)
Kansas St (11-2)
Tennessee (11-2)
Georgia (10-2)
Notre Dame (10-2)
Miami (10-3)
Michigan (10-3)
Washington (10-2)
Ohio St (10-2)
Oregon (10-2)
Memphis (12-1) AAC Champ

I’m of the opinion that a double-digit win team in the SEC or Big 10 will automatically make the playoff, and a 10-win Notre Dame will get the nod over some other qualified teams.

There is a high probability that this will prospectively be a contentious talking point, so let’s look at the options and attempt to get into the mind of the CFP showrunners.

POTENTIAL Twelfth Playoff Team:

Air Force 12-1 MWAC Champion
West Virginia 10-3 Big 12 Runner-up
Arizona St 10-2
Oregon St 10-2
Oklahoma 9-3
LSU 9-3
Louisville 9-3
Clemson 9-4 ACC Runner-up
SMU 9-3
USC 9-3

Ten teams could compete for one potential final spot.

-Air Force may have 12 wins, but their only chance of the playoff would be if they were ranked higher than 12-1 Memphis due to the lack of strength on the schedule and a lack of a quality win.

-Oregon St (10-2) is honorable mention for such a heroic season and for notching wins over Texas Tech and 9-3 Houston. Losing to (5-7) Wake Forest in Corvallis may be what keeps them from the 12th. This would be a beyond fantastic season for the Beavers.

-West Virginia has a quality win over 10-2 ASU. The Mountaineers and Sun Devils’ quality wins are the same as Oregon St: Texas Tech and Houston. High preforming seasons, but neither make the playoff.

-Three loss Louisville doesn’t do much for me. Wins over SMU and Clemson are quality, but three losses? Even quality losses to Miami, Pitt, and Kentucky seem too much to overcome to be selected.

-Clemson, even with wins over LSU and SMU will be haunted by their Week 14 loss to South Carolina. Not to mention dropping to Louisville and Georgia Tech and losing the ACC Championship game. In theory, neither Clemson nor 9-3 SMU will be the 12th team.

-This hurts the 9-3 Bayou Bengals chances. Having lost to Clemson Week 1 and @ 9-3 Oklahoma on the last day of the season, it’s hard to see them being the 12th. Solid season.

-Oklahoma’s three losses are to #1, 4, and 5. Wins against Texas, Auburn and LSU top their 9 wins–the Sooners may be a candidate.

-9-3 Southern Cal has wins over Notre Dame and Michigan. The loss to #10 doesn’t hurt, but losing to Purdue and Nebraska may hold them back. However, 9 wins and two top 5 wins within a Big 10 schedule is worth keeping the Trojans in contention.

Realistically, 9-3 USC and 9-3 Oklahoma look the most appealing to be the 12th team over the likes of 10-2 Notre Dame. USC has better Wins and respect should be shown to the Sooners three losses. Both teams played Michigan. The Sooners lost in Norman and Trojans won in LA. Oklahoma would represent the 4th SEC team and USC would be the Big 10’s 6th. This does not factor in with my own decision, but the CFP panel may consider such things. Overall team health will matter as well…. After mentally deliberating over this far longer than I should have considering that it’s June and the this is just one of the unpredictable scenarios that could happen, I’m letting Boomer Sooner in over the Trojans.

Maybe I’ll explain the reasoning a bit more in another post, but for the sake of ending the predicting of the unpredictable, Oklahoma will take the 12th position… That is–if one of the 10-win teams do not make it, which in this case, they are. I’m simply presenting all of the teams that could make their case to be invited. The 10-win Irish are in for my money.

CFP Ranking:

Alabama
Penn St
Kansas St
Tennessee
Georgia
Notre Dame
Miami
Michigan
Washington
Ohio St
Oregon
Memphis

The Playoff matchups would be as follows:

8 Michigan hosts 9 Washington

5 Georgia hosts 12 Memphis

7 Miami hosts 10 Ohio St

6 Notre Dame hosts 11 Oregon

Second Round:

1 Alabama vs 8 Michigan

4 Tennessee vs 5 Georgia

2 Penn St vs 7 Ohio St

3 Kansas St vs 11 Oregon

Final Four:

1 Alabama vs 5 Georgia

7 Ohio St vs 11 Oregon

National Title: Georgia vs Ohio St

2025/26 National Champion: Georgia Bulldogs

Who Knows?

—

Wow! It’s crazy the season is over so soon. 2 1/2 days of staring into the College Football future, and it’s over that fast. Like a vapor, a mist gone in a blink. Tides rise and fall, life moves fast for us all. Before I realize it will be next June, and I’ll be sweating underneath this laptop dreaming of cooler temps and predicting the unpredictable once again.

What may seem like the unlikely or unpredictable on this sweltering June day may look like exactly how it was supposed to be once the teams are announced in chilly December. Time passes; perceptions change. The religion of College Football remains the same. Bound by love and irrational passion, college football fans will congregate every Saturday. For better or worse; through joy and pain; sun and rain; as love often brings both; we do not get a say. Sports remain important, but they rarely go our way.

Find the humor and keep on Movin’

Whit W.

Predicting the Unpredictable: 2025 College Football Preview