If you look at preseason rankings, odds are the Texas Longhorns will show up within the first two or three teams. Following a season in which Steve Sarkisian guided his team to the College Football Playoff semifinals, many expect him to one-up himself and go even farther in 2025.
The reason for so much optimism is Arch Manning, the talented quarterback who many fans wanted to start ahead of Quinn Ewers for much of last season. Fans will finally get their wish this year, and Manning must deliver. If he does, Texas might make it back to a National Championship for the first time since 2010. The experts certainly think it’s possible, if not probable.
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Could Texas vs. Penn State be the National Championship game for the 2025 season?
Athlon Sports recently dropped a full prediction for the College Football Playoff. To round it out, they have Texas beating Penn State in the National Championship.
Aside from Texas and Penn State, these are the 10 other teams Athlon Sports had making the playoff.
- Texas Longhorns
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Clemson Tigers
- Kansas State Wildcats
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- LSU Tigers
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Oregon Ducks
- Miami Hurricanes
- Boise State Broncos
Penn State is considered a Top 5 team on most preseason lists, but the Nittany Lions actually making it to the national title game would still be a surprise given their recent history. They haven’t made it to a National Championship since 1986, and last season’s appearance in the College Football Playoff was their first-ever.
Expectations are somewhat sky-high for James Franklin‘s team, most of it thanks to quarterback Drew Allar, who is considered a potential Heisman candidate heading into the 2025 season.