College Football Preview 2025: Big Ten Part 1

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

Power Rankings

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

It was a Hollywood ending for Ohio State to conclude the 2024 season. There was the humbling defeat to rival Michigan that firmly put a microscope on the Buckeyes entering the 12-team College Football Playoff, but it was the response from Ryan Day's crew that ended up defining their season. They ripped off four straight victories, including getting their revenge against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, to win their first National Title in a decade. But now that they've climbed the mountaintop, what do they do for an encore?

There are plenty of new faces on both sides of the ball for the Buckeyes, including a new quarterback at the controls of the offense. Former Alabama transfer Julian Sayin is considered the frontrunner, especially after several other Buckeyes transferred out over the offseason. While untested, Sayin was a blue-chip recruit coming out of high school who will have the luxury of throwing to the best receiver corps in the country.

Jeremiah Smith is the headliner on the perimeter outside, especially after what he did during the National Title run, but Ohio State also boasts juniors Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss, the latter of which has waited his turn here in Columbus. Tight end is also now a strength, as the staff went out and snagged Max Klare from Purdue, who caught 51 passes for 685 yards in 2024.

The offensive line appears to be in good shape in front of Sayin, even with some turnover, but the running back position appears to be the question mark for this Buckeye offense. West Virginia transfer C.J. Donaldson is a veteran, but sophomore James Peoples seems to be the favorite to become the team's feature back. Either way, this backfield will have a difficult time matching the production of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, both of whom are playing on Sundays.

On defense, the Buckeyes saw coordinator Jim Knowles receive a handsome raise to take the same role at Penn State a year after he led the nation's best overall defense. Matt Patricia was brought on as a replacement, an interesting hire considering he hasn't coached college ball in two decades. Fortunately, Patricia has no shortage of talent to work with here.

The back seven should be a real strength for Ohio State, as safety Caleb Downs is perhaps the best player in America entering 2025 - regardless of position. He has a couple familiar faces surrounding him, including senior Davison Igbinosun and do-it-all linebacker Sonny Styles.

The defensive line was the position group the hardest hit by NFL defections, which should thrust some new defenders into the spotlight. Holdovers like Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. have waited for their moment, while transfers Beau Atkinson (North Carolina) and Logan George (Idaho State) bring new blood.

Bottom Line: It's never easy to defend a National Title, and Ohio State will have an especially difficult path in 2025. Not only do they have to deal with a loaded Big Ten but they open their season with the Texas Longhorns, who will be looking to avenge last year's Cotton Bowl defeat. Despite this, I find it hard to believe Ohio State is in store for any major step-back. There's far too much talent on this roster, including arguably the nation's two best players in Smith and Downs, and the program has proven it can withstand heavy losses. It wouldn't shock me if Ohio State is again playing in the National Championship Game when it's all said and done. 

2. Penn State Nittany Lions

College Football Preview 2025: ACC Part 2

Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech

Power Rankings

Teams 1-9 in Part 1 

10. Syracuse Orange

I don't think even the most optimistic of Syracuse fans expected what Fran Brown was able to do in Year One with the Orange. They were one of the best stories in college football last fall, winning ten games total, capped off with a bowl victory in the Holiday Bowl. Now, the challenge for Brown and staff evolves - can he maintain the momentum and turn this longtime basketball school into a legitimate football contender?

Syracuse will be without the quarterback who got them there last season, as Kyle McCord departs after a 2024 in which he racked up the accolades. He finished as the nation's leading passer, the program's first-ever 4,000-yard passer, and the highest Heisman finish for the Orange since Dwight Freeney in 2001. Needless to say, whoever steps into the starting role has big shoes to fill, whether it's Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli or LSU transfer Rickie Collins. Angeli, who came in during the spring, seems to have the edge right now.

The new quarterback won't have McCord's favorite target back to throw to, after Trebor Pena hit the portal during the spring. Instead, Syracuse will lean on a host of talented, but inexperienced options, while hoping former Texas wide out Johntay Cook II finally fulfills his vast potential. There are lots of new faces on the offensive line, too, although former UNC transfer Zach Rice lays a strong foundation at center.

The defense took their lumps in 2024 and has to replace several important pieces. The front seven in particular was hit hard by attrition over the offseason, with linebacker Derek McDonald one of the few proven commodities still around up front. 

Things are in better shape on the back-end, as senior safety Duce Chestnut will play a leading role, as will veteran corner Devin Grant. There's also palpable excitement buzzing around true freshman Demetres Samuel Jr., who could start at cornerback and also play both sides depending on how the Orange choose to deploy him in 2025.

Bottom Line: Replicating the magic of last season will be difficult with so many losses on both sides of the ball, especially with the schedule getting trickier. Yet, Brown seems like the right guy for the job, to be able to handle the adversity and move forward. If he can keep the Orange from backtracking too far and still get to a bowl game, it could set the stage for greater things on the horizon in 2026.

11. Boston College Eagles

College Football Preview 2025: ACC Part 1

Cade Klubnik, Clemson

 Power Rankings

1. Clemson Tigers

A 31-point loss at the hands of Georgia to kick off the 2024 college football season seemed to spell doom for Clemson's hopes, but the Tigers found a way to reverse their fortunes over the course of the fall. There were still some frustrating moments, including a loss to Louisville and a heartbreaking defeat to South Carolina, but Clemson still found a way to outlast SMU to win an ACC Title - and gain entry to the first 12-team Playoff.

As the Tigers gear up for 2025, their offense could be among the most exciting not just in the ACC, but anywhere in the country. Garrett Riley is now in his third season as Clemson play-caller, has a veteran quarterback at the controls in Cade Klubnik, and has one of the best receiver corps anywhere in the nation. Sophomores Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore seem on track to be the latest and greatest at wide out, and veteran Antonio Williams is a proven commodity, giving Klubnik an abundance of options through the air.

The offensive line returns four starters, including likely NFL Draftees Tristan Leigh and Blake Miller at the tackle spots. That should help the ground game figure things out early, as they replace Phil Mafah. Converted receiver Adam Randall is likely to get the first crack at tailback, but highly touted freshman Gideon Davidson could shine early with Jay Haynes recovering from a torn ACL.

On defense, Dabo Swinney went out and made a statement by bringing in Tom Allen from Penn State to run this unit. Allen will have the usual collection of future NFL talent to work with, especially across the front seven. T.J. Parker and Peter Woods are already established on the defensive line, and they're now joined by the rare transfer, Purdue's Will Heldt, who had 10 tackles for loss in West Lafayette in 2024.

The secondary remains a work-in progress for Allen and staff, but junior corner Avieon Terrell gives them a rising star with leadership pedigree. Along with Khalil Barnes, who is back for his third season as starter at free safety, the Tigers should be able to figure things out on the back-end.

Bottom Line: There's no question Clemson has slipped from their peak in the mid-to-late 2010s, but all the stars align for the Tigers to have a resurgent 2025 campaign. Klubnik should be a Heisman contender, they are strong along both lines of scrimmage, and they have the playmakers offensively that have been sorely lacking in recent years. Combine that with an ACC that still appears to be missing a consistent second threat, Clemson is the favorite in the league and a true National Title contender.

2. SMU Mustangs