The Silver Bulletin’s Blake Biscardi predicts the College Football Playoff, Conference Championship Games, and Heisman Race.

There will be a lot of “new” in College Football this year unless you are Penn State, Clemson, or LSU. Keeping that in mind, I believe we are going to see more contenders lose games. For example, 10-2 or 9-3 from Georgia, Alabama, or Texas is a really good football team. I believe we will see at least one 3-loss team make the CFP. 

The Big Ten and SEC will each definitely get three teams into the field. However, there will be a group of teams from those two conferences that could backdoor into the CFP. On the bubble could include, LSU, Michigan, South Carolina, Illinois, etc. 

Since we are in an expansion era, I will group the teams into four categories for CFP contention, as the field is larger. 

Elite Teams: I am not tabbing any team(s) as “elite” to start the season, due to the amount of question marks. There are certainly rosters talented enough to transform into an elite team, but that may not happen until October.  

High Ceiling + High Floor: Texas, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Clemson, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon

High Ceiling + Low Floor: LSU, Miami, Florida, Texas A&M, Illinois, Michigan, Arizona State, Georgia Tech

Group of 5 Contenders: Boise State, Liberty, Toledo, Tulane 

Conference Championship Game Predictions

SEC
– Texas vs. Alabama
Big Ten
– Ohio State vs. Penn State
ACC
– Clemson vs. Miami (FL)
Big 12
– Arizona State vs. Kansas State  

I will begin my Conference Championship Game explanations in the order on the graphic, which means the ACC bats lead off. Clemson is clearly the top team in the conference, but could trip up against Georgia Tech or SMU. The Tigers also host LSU and travel to South Carolina to bookend the regular season. A date with Miami in Charlotte is the likely destination for those programs, which could also mean a berth in the CFP. 

The Big Ten is poised to be a fascinating race, with Ohio State and Penn State as the favorites, followed closely by Oregon, which boasts an ultra-talented roster. Lurking in the shadows are Illinois and Michigan – both can make noise and end up in Indianapolis. Even still, the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions have a rematch and both secure Top-4 seeds in the College Football Playoff. 

Will anyone challenge Arizona State in the Big 12? The answer is likely yes because it is the most competitively balanced conference in College Football from top to bottom. Sam Leavitt should take a step forward this year to propel the Sun Devils to Dallas. Behind them is a cluster of teams: Utah, Baylor, Kansas State, and Texas Tech. One of them will emerge as the challenger for ASU. 

Texas is the odds-on favorite to win the SEC, but this will be a highly contested race. Georgia, Alabama, and LSU boast strong cases to push for a berth in Atlanta. If Arch Manning is the truth and real deal, the Longhorns could hoist multiple trophies in 2025. Garrett Nussmeier and LSU will surge and go as far as their defense takes them. 

The winner of Georgia vs. Alabama gains a significant head-to-head advantage in the conference title game picture. Ultimately, Texas gets to Atlanta and faces Simpson and the Tide. I’m going to bet on the quarterbacks here and go slightly against the grain. 

Heisman Trophy Race

The Heisman Trophy has become a quarterback award over the last decade. But with many new starters under center, will this be the year another position earns the prestigious honor? Of all the skill position players, Jeremiah Smith boasts the most likely path to being named the most outstanding player in the country. The Ohio State WR is the best player in college football, and 2025 is his first of two remaining chances to showcase his talents and earn a trip to New York. 

Cade Klubnik, Arch Manning, and Garrett Nussmeier are the three signal callers I think have the best chances of winning the Heisman. Clemson has the most veteran team of the bunch, Texas has the most QB-friendly offensive system, and LSU is going to need Nussmeier to be elite if it wants to contend for a spot in the CFP. 

When it comes to Drew Allar and Penn State, I do not think he will have the statistics to match the quarterbacks mentioned above. The Nittany Lions are unproven at WR in the vertical passing game, so if they cannot stretch the field, Allar cannot win the award. 

However, the caveat argument for No. 15 is being the “best player on the best team.” Penn State is following the blueprint of Michigan and Ohio State from the last two seasons, returning veteran players across the field on both sides. If Penn State can beat Oregon and Ohio State (regular season or potential Big Ten Championship Game rematch), Allar will be positioned with a spot in New York. 

1. Cade Klubnik, QB Clemson
2. Garrett Nussmeier, QB LSU
3. Jeremiah Smith, WR Ohio State 
4. Arch Manning, QB Texas
5. Jeremiyah Love, RB Notre Dame  

Dark Horse Candidates: LaNorris Sellers, Sam Leavitt, DJ Lagway, Carson Beck, Julian Sayin, Drew Allar

College Football Playoff Predictions

 

Full College Football Playoff Slate 2025-26: 

First Round (12/19-20): Notre Dame vs. Boise State

First Round (12/19-20): Alabama vs. Arizona State

First Round (12/19-20): Oregon vs. Georgia

First Round (12/19-20): Miami vs. LSU

 

Quarterfinal (Cotton Bowl, Wednesday 12/31): Clemson vs. Notre Dame

Quarterfinal (Orange Bowl, Thursday 1/1): Penn State vs. Alabama

Quarterfinal (Rose Bowl, Thursday 1/1): Ohio State vs. LSU

Quarterfinal (Sugar Bowl, Thursday 1/1): Texas vs. Georgia

 

Semifinal (Fiesta Bowl, Thursday 1/8): Penn State vs. Texas

Semifinal (Peach Bowl, Friday 1/9): Ohio State vs. Clemson

 

National Championship (Monday, 1/19): Ohio State vs. Texas