For all the angst over paid to college athletes, and debate about the in the playoff, the biggest on-the-field storyline this football season is whether the Big Ten can win a fourth consecutive national championship for the first time in the poll era.
The Big Ten has, at a minimum, encroached on the of being the The run started with Michigan’s 2023 title, only the Big Ten’s second since the turn of the century, and continued with Ohio State’s in 2024. Then from leader in all-time losses to national champion.
Now Oregon, with and an impressive list of returning starters and incoming transfers, is creating buzz as next in line.
鈥淣obody鈥檚 going to have higher expectations for our team than us,鈥� coach Dan Lanning said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e the guys in the building doing the work every single day. Certainly really proud of the team and the work they鈥檝e put in. We have high expectations. We鈥檝e got a lot that we want to accomplish. Having players like that only helps you.鈥�
A fourth straight Big Ten title would match the SEC’s streak from 2019-22 but still trail the SEC’s record of seven in a row from 2006-12.
brings back at quarterback and at wide receiver and will enter the season No. 1 in ahead of The defending champion after losing Heisman-winning quarterback and top NFL draft pick Fernando Mendoza.
The SEC, which since 2022 when Georgia won the second of two straight titles, holds down five of the top 10 spots in the preseason poll.
returns quarterback Gunner Stockton and will go for its fourth SEC title in five years. is well positioned to make a run with Arch Manning, who will throw to a in Auburn transfer Cam Coleman.
hasn’t won a national title since 1988 but played in the championship game two years ago. The Fighting Irish are a contender again after being following a season-ending 10-game win streak.
is the standard bearer for the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Hurricanes, who lost to Indiana in the national championship game, are coming off back-to-back 10-win seasons and have one of the sport’s best all-around players in Malachi Toney.
Heisman hype
and are the co-favorites to win the Heisman Trophy, according to sportsbooks.
Carr’s 24 touchdown passes tied for most by a Notre Dame quarterback through 12 career starts since 1966, and he has a chance to put up big numbers against a schedule that includes only four opponents that had winning records last season.
Manning was the betting favorite entering 2025 as well. That was until he struggled in a season-opening loss to Ohio State and fell out of contention altogether after a brutal loss to Florida. The Longhorns have helped Manning by bringing in Coleman and upgrading their running backs.
Mississippi’s is back after winning another year of eligibility through litigation. Oregon’s Moore is surrounded by talent, and Duke transfer is an upgrade at quarterback for Miami.
Ohio State’s Sayin, the most accurate passer in the country, can be a finalist again, or winner, if he keeps the Buckeyes on the rails. His teammate, Smith, is the only non-quarterback in the top tier of candidates.
34 new coaches in the FBS
There were 34 FBS coaching changes, and none will be more closely watched than
Time is not on Kiffin’s side, not with a player payroll reportedly exceeding $40 million and a rabid fan base frustrated by two underachieving seasons. is surrounded by talent, but the No. 11 Tigers’ schedule is extremely demanding.
In the Big Ten, Kyle Whittingham takes over at No. 16 and Matt Campbell at No. 18 The 66-year-old Whittingham’s surprise move came after 23 seasons at Utah and his charge, along with winning, is to polish the program’s The question for Campbell is whether a team can hold their own against the heavies of the Big Ten.
Among coaches who moved into power-conference jobs are (Tulane to Florida), (James Madison to UCLA) and (South Florida to Auburn).
Welcome back, Pac-12
This isn鈥檛 your father鈥檚 or, for that matter, even yours.
The conference has gone through a rebirth two years after realignment left only Oregon State and Washington State. Commissioner Teresa Gould did some poaching of her own to get the Pac-12 to the eight football teams required for Group of Six, and playoff-eligible, status.
Oregon State and Washington State are joined by former Mountain West members Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State along with former Sun Belt Conference member Texas State.
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