Preview the 2025 College Football season with Blake Biscardi’s Top 10 rankings, playoff predictions, and early Heisman favorites.
The 2025 College Football season is almost here, and that means it’s time for Blake Biscardi’s Preseason Top 10. On episode 121, Blake breaks down the ten teams best positioned to make a run at the College Football Playoff and potentially bring win the national title.
This year features a mix of familiar bluebloods, rising contenders, and intriguing quarterback storylines that will define the road to the new 12-team playoff. From Columbus to Clemson and Austin to South Bend, the race is wide open.
Top Storylines from Blake Biscardi’s Preseason Top 10
Texas at No. 1: Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns have been knocking on the door the past two seasons. With Arch Manning under center and road tests at Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia, this group has everything to gain. If Texas secures a playoff berth, they’ll be as dangerous as anyone in the country.
Ohio State at No. 2: The defending National Champions boast the best player in college football in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and Julian Sayin takes over at quarterback. The Buckeyes face an immediate test in Week 1 against Texas, but the title defense is real in Columbus.
Veteran-Led Penn State at No. 3: James Franklin has his most experienced roster yet, and Drew Allar leads a physically imposing team. If the Nittany Lions can finally beat Ohio State and survive Oregon early, they’re headed to the playoff , and perhaps more.
Clemson Reborn at No. 4: Cade Klubnik headlines a team rich in returning production. New DC Tom Allen brings a physical edge to a defense returning eight starters. Clemson’s road to the playoff is clear if they can start strong against LSU.
Notre Dame’s Year?: The Irish sit at No. 5 and are quietly becoming one of the nation’s most complete teams under Marcus Freeman. If freshman QB CJ Carr delivers, Notre Dame can make a legitimate title run behind an elite defense and two dynamic backs.
Quarterbacks, Questions, and X-Factors
Alabama and Georgia are both breaking in new coaches, new quarterbacks, and new systems, yet they remain firmly in contention at Nos. 6 and 7. Oregon comes in at No. 8 with a talented but reloaded roster, and LSU is right behind at No. 9 with one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the country in Garrett Nussmeier.
Miami rounds out our Top 10. The Hurricanes bring in Georgia transfer Carson Beck at quarterback and have the defensive talent to finally make a Playoff push but it all hinges on how fast Beck settles in and how that defense performs.
Heisman Watch: Non-QBs in the Spotlight
This could be the year a non-quarterback breaks through and wins the Heisman. Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State has the clearest path. He’s the most dominant player in the sport and should post video-game numbers.
Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, and Texas’ Arch Manning headline the QB contenders. Each has a clear playoff path and national spotlight to boost their campaigns.
Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Penn State’s Drew Allar are dark horses. While Allar may not post the same stats as the others, if the Nittany Lions win the Big Ten, the “best player on the best team” argument will be alive and well.
🎧 Listen to Episode 121 of Saturday Cadence on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
📲 Stay locked in with The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) and follow @SaturdayCadence on social media for coverage, clips, and weekly picks throughout the season.
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Blake Biscardi is the Lead Sports Reporter and Senior Editor at The Silver Bulletin, focusing on Ohio State athletics, primarily football, the Big Ten, and the College Football Playoff. He’s the Creator & Host of the Saturday Cadence podcast, and also a member of the FWAA. Biscardi has degrees in Business Administration and Strategic Communication & Leadership.