We’re one month through the 2025 college football season. September was filled with surprises and parity, with plenty to look forward to over the next few months. Circle these some predictions as the action picks up in October.
A fresh face wins the SEC
Aside from LSU’s magical 2019 campaign, Alabama or Georgia has won the SEC every year since 2014. Then you throw Texas in the mix with them as the top three, and it’s incredibly difficult for other teams to win the most imposing conference in college football. But this profiles as an odd fall to this point, with the Tide dropping their opener to Florida State before going on a run that included another win against Georgia; and though they’re finding their groove, the Longhorns might not be the No. 1 team in the nation powerhouse most expected.
Tennessee football odds are big to win the SEC, but they put Georgia on the ropes in a 44-41 overtime loss early last month—and the conference looks like it’s going to be topsy-turvy all season. Ole Miss just beat LSU (and the Tigers themselves shouldn’t be counted out). Texas A&M remains unbeaten and is dangerous with a talented roster and quarterback Marcel Reed.
And Oklahoma looked like a major threat this season, but the wrist injury to star quarterback and early Heisman hopeful John Mateer—knocking him out for weeks—is among the top NCAAF latest news. However, don’t count the Sooners out.
The Heisman comes from the No. 1 team
There’s a ton of football left to be played, but the Heisman race through September has been crazy—with the odds shuffling seemingly every Saturday. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is now the favorite after he led the Ducks to a massive win at Penn State. Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, Marcel Reed, and Fernando Mendoza are among the many other candidates—but don’t sleep on players with long odds right now.
Preseason Heisman favorite Arch Manning is now down outside the top 15 according to the oddsmakers, but Texas hasn’t even begun SEC play yet! Manning had a bad first game at Ohio State and took some time to get in a rhythm, but he’s coming off five total touchdowns in a 55-0 shutout of Sam Houston. If the Longhorns run the table in the conference and finish at No. 1 despite a tough opening loss at Ohio State, Manning will be a Heisman contender.
Same goes for other players for top teams. Maybe it’s Moore if the Ducks enter the College Football Playoff as a top squad. Or Marcel Reed leads A&M to a conference championship. Or Ohio State goes unbeaten, and Jeremiah Smith or Julian Sayan win the Heisman. The bottom line is there’s a long way to go.
The Big Ten wins the national title
For a third straight year, the Big Ten takes down all contenders—including SEC powers—and takes the national championship. Ryan Day’s Buckeyes have shown they can win big games, both last season and this season—in and out conference. Oregon has done the same, with the road win at Penn State recently showcasing that. And what about the Nittany Lions—can they get over the hump in the College Football Playoff and win when it matters most under James Franklin?
This isn’t too bold, and the Big Ten is certainly more top-heavy compared to the SEC, but the conference taking a third consecutive national title would be quite the story in today’s college football landscape.