College football in the South isn’t just a pastime—it’s a rhythm, a tradition, and a bit of religion. When the summer humidity starts to loosen its grip and the Friday night lights flicker on in small towns from Texas to the Carolinas, you can feel it in the air: football season is here. Tailgates dust off their grills, bourbon bottles are set out like ceremonial offerings, and the family schedule starts revolving around kickoff times. The sport has always been a blend of pageantry, pride, and a dash of chaos, but 2025 promises to turn up the volume.
It’s strange, but this is the first year in quite a few that I’ve been this excited about the college football season. It seems like there are so many teams that could make a run, and parity has raised the level of competition. Thinking about the SEC, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Vandy, etc. aren’t cupcakes anymore. They can play. This makes every weekend fun.
The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff is the headliner this year. For decades, the playoff debate has been the South’s favorite off-season barstool argument, right up there with “Is mayonnaise a condiment?” and “Who’s the best SEC quarterback of all time?” Now, with more seats at the postseason table, programs that used to hang their hopes on a New Year’s Six bid suddenly have a legitimate shot at playing for it all. The dream doesn’t die with one loss anymore—just ask a hungry fan base like Tennessee’s or South Carolina’s, who see this as their chance to crash the dance.
SEC Storylines
Georgia is the obvious frontrunner, and for good reason. Kirby Smart has built the kind of roster that looks more like an NFL farm team than a college program. The Bulldogs return a ferocious defensive line, a poised quarterback, and a stable of running backs that would make Herschel Walker grin. Their biggest hurdle might not be talent, but motivation—when you’ve won as much as Georgia has in recent years, keeping the edge sharp can be tricky. That’s on the coaches.
Alabama, under Kalen DeBoer, still feels different without Saban’s gravelly voice on the sidelines, but DeBoer’s offensive mind has already started to gel with the Tide’s playmakers. Expect an air raid that still respects the run game—think precision routes paired with old-school power between the tackles. Ole Miss lost a gunslinger at quarterback but should have one of the most balanced offenses in the country, while Texas folded into the SEC looking like they belong. Arch Manning, the starting QB, and Heisman frontrunner, should make some noise, and the Longhorns’ roster is loaded enough to make some serious noise in year one.
Beyond the SEC
In the expanded Big Ten, Oregon is the belle of the ball. Speed, talent, and a nasty defense make them a legitimate national title contender. Michigan, even after roster turnover, still brings the kind of physicality that wears teams down over four quarters. Don’t count out Ohio State, or Penn State, as they’ve been on the cusp for years, and the new playoff format is exactly the opening James Franklin’s squad needs.
Washington, LSU, Notre Dame, and Clemson all hover in that “could make a run” tier, while Missouri, yes, Missouri, has enough offensive juice to pull an upset or two and sneak into the mix.
Headlines & High-Profile Storylines
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Arch Manning makes his much-anticipated debut as Texas’s starting QB, opening against defending champion Ohio State—a marquee opener that could set the tone for the entire season.
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Alabama sits squarely in the national title mix, with expectations ranging from a strong playoff push to an 8-4 stumble. Analysts emphasize QB development and defensive consistency as pivotal factors.
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Miami Hurricanes are projected to make their first-ever College Football Playoff. No way. Beck sucks.
RCS’s Predicted 2025 Final 12-Team Playoff Bracket
The 12-Team Playoff Bracket
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Georgia
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Texas
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Clemson
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Penn State
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Ohio State
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Alabama
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Oregon
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Florida State
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Michigan
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LSU
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Notre Dame
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Miami
First Round (On-Campus Games)
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(12) Miami at (5) Ohio State → Ohio State
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(11) Notre Dame at (6) Alabama → Alabama
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(10) LSU at (7) Oregon → LSU
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(9) Michigan at (8) Florida State → Florida State
Quarterfinals (Neutral Sites)
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(1) Georgia vs (8) Florida State → Georgia
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(4) Penn State vs (5) Ohio State → Ohio State
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(3) Clemson vs (6) Alabama → Clemson
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(2) Texas vs (10) LSU → Texas
Semifinals
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(1) Georgia vs (4) Ohio State → Georgia
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(2) Texas vs (3) Clemson → Texas
National Championship (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami)
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Georgia vs Texas
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Score: Georgia 34 – Texas 24
Kirby Smart wins his third national title, cementing Georgia as the modern dynasty. Arch Manning plays well, but the Dawgs’ depth and defensive speed overwhelm Texas late.
Why Georgia Wins It All
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Quarterback Experience: Unlike last year, Georgia has a seasoned QB leading the offense—efficient, mistake-free, and mobile when needed.
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Defense: Still the most talented unit in the country. Fast, physical linebackers and a secondary that plays like NFL starters.
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Trenches: Georgia controls the line of scrimmage like no one else. Texas and Clemson can’t match that late in games.
Bring it.
With all due respect, I am not sure what you see in FSU but nothing about their roster or coach says “playoffs” to me. I will respectfully disagree with the quality of Georgia’s QB; he may turn out to be great, but I don’t think he’s a known quantity yet. Same goes for Arch Manning.
Agreed! Gunner holding on to the ball while getting his bell rung was impressive. Saying he’s a quality QB with little experience is a stretch.
Nothing on FSU’s roster says winning season either.
Growing up along Tobacco Road, ACC basketball was (and still is) king of college sports. I lament the current state of affairs of the ACC, but that’s a different post.
I think the ACC will show up big this year in T25 football, not sure FSU goes above .600 though.
Nobody does football like the SEC. I’ve been able to catch a few games over the years at Auburn, USC, and UGA, and bar none it’s the best football environment, college or pro.
Oregon and Michigan aren’t the belle of the ball in the Big Ten. Penn State and Ohio State will steamroll through the conference.
As an FSU alum I can’t see what you’re thinking (unless you’re just trolling). Another year of despair is likely upon us. Maybe 8 win ceiling? If the Noles can spare us the completely embarrassing losses I’ll be content
Kirby wins his FOURTH title?! Sounds great to me if this is your 2026 preview. Go Dawgs! Can’t wait to read your piece when the PMGN drops tomorrow.
The Hoosiers make another trip to the playoffs, and Curt Cignetti makes Paul Finebaum lose the rest of his hair!
Hook’em!
West Georgia Wolves shock the FCS world!
GO WEST! GO WOLVES!! 🐺
I know you like your Bulldogs – but I do not see them being a contender this year. New QB – he is not seasoned. New OLine and no established run game. Yall finally have a schedule that isnt catered to you with hard road games. I think the winner of LSU/Clemson game will tell who will be a top contender. I also am not sure about Ohio State with zero proven QBs. Texas has talent in coaching lets see if Arch can hold his own.
No offense to the author but you know less about how good Georgia will be this season than about WSP.. I love the clothing recommendations but when you saw things like “Can’’t Get High” and “Travelin Light” are two of WSP best songs it odd. Those aren’t their songs. Also Georgia has a better chance of losing three games this year than making the CFB much less the National Championship
A fulsome preview and yet no mention of Rambling Wreck!