Source: CBS Sports
Summary
Brandon Klatt, a college football analyst, shared his predictions for the 2025 season, including conference champions, the 12-team playoff bracket, and a national champion. He highlighted the Big Ten as highly competitive, with Ohio State facing a difficult schedule. Klatt predicted Oregon to win the Big Ten, Indiana to return to the top, and Notre Dame to win the national title. He also outlined the playoff bracket, with Oregon as the No. 1 seed, Notre Dame as the No. 2, and Miami as the No. 3. Texas was predicted as the No. 4 seed, with Ohio State and Indiana as No. 5 and No. 6, respectively. Georgia was projected as the No. 7 seed, and Texas Tech as the No. 8. Klatt also predicted USC and LSU to be 10-2 teams, with Penn State and Alabama as at-large contenders.
Our Reading
This one felt recognizable early.
Ohio State’s schedule is a nightmare. They play at Iowa, USC and Indiana. They’re not going to make it to Indianapolis.
Oregon’s got the talent and the schedule. Dan Lanning’s Ducks are the ones to beat.
Notre Dame is the national champion. Again. They always find a way.
The playoff bracket is set, but the real question is who gets left out.
Author: Evan Null
Conference Predictions
Klatt sees the Big Ten as the most loaded conference. Ohio State is the favorite, but their schedule is too tough. Oregon and Indiana are also in the mix. Klatt believes Oregon will handle their schedule better than Ohio State.
In the SEC, Georgia and Texas are the top teams. Klatt thinks Texas can break through, but Georgia remains a strong contender. LSU is expected to improve under Lane Kiffin, with a 10-2 record.
The Big 12 is dominated by Texas Tech, who has the most talent and a soft schedule. Klatt also predicts BYU to beat Utah in the Holy War and take the second spot in the conference.
In the ACC, Miami is the clear favorite. They’re expected to win the conference and lose only to Notre Dame. SMU is the second best team, but they’re not in Miami’s hemisphere.
Klatt predicts Notre Dame to win the national title. He believes they’ll beat Georgia and Miami in the playoff. The playoff bracket is set with Oregon as the No. 1 seed and Notre Dame as the No. 2.
Playoff Bracket
Klatt’s 12-team playoff bracket includes Oregon as the No. 1 seed, Notre Dame as the No. 2, and Miami as the No. 3. Texas is the No. 4 seed, with Ohio State and Indiana as No. 5 and No. 6, respectively. Georgia is the No. 7 seed, and Texas Tech is the No. 8.
USC and LSU are both expected to be 10-2 teams. Klatt thinks USC will beat Ohio State, but Oregon is still the top seed. LSU is expected to have a strong offense under Lane Kiffin.
Penn State and Alabama are considered at-large candidates. Klatt thinks Penn State won’t have a strong enough resume, but Alabama could make it with a strong defense. Boise State is the Group of 5 team in the bracket.
Klatt also predicts the playoff games. Notre Dame is expected to beat Georgia and Miami. Ohio State is favored over Texas, and Oregon is the top seed.
The national champion is Notre Dame. Klatt says they’ll beat Georgia and Miami in the playoff. It’s the same story every year.
Key Teams and Players
Oregon’s defense is expected to be strong, with Dan Lanning leading the team. Ohio State’s schedule is too tough, with games at Iowa, USC and Indiana. Their defense is strong, but their schedule might be too much.
Notre Dame’s defense is expected to be elite, and they’ll face Georgia and Miami in the playoff. Their quarterback is expected to be solid, and they’ll have a strong running game.
Texas is expected to have a strong offense under Steve Sarkisian. They’ll face Georgia and Kirby Smart, but Klatt thinks they can break through. LSU is expected to have a strong offense under Lane Kiffin, with 500 yards of offense each week.
SMU is expected to be the second best team in the ACC, but they’re not in Miami’s hemisphere. Miami is the clear favorite in the conference, with a strong defense and a good offense.
USC is expected to be a 10-2 team, with losses to Oregon and Indiana. They’ll beat Ohio State in the playoff, but Oregon is still the top seed.
Schedule Challenges
Ohio State’s schedule is the toughest in the Big Ten. They play at Iowa, USC and Indiana. Their schedule is too difficult, and Klatt doesn’t think they’ll make it to Indianapolis.
Oregon’s schedule is also tough, but they’re prepared to handle it. Klatt thinks they’ll be the Big Ten champions. Indiana is expected to return to the top, with a strong running game and a good defense.
Texas’ schedule is tough, but they’re expected to break through. They’ll face Georgia and Kirby Smart, but Klatt thinks they can do it. LSU’s schedule is manageable, but they’re expected to improve under Lane Kiffin.
Texas Tech has the most talent in the Big 12 and a soft schedule. They’re expected to be the conference champion. BYU is expected to beat Utah in the Holy War and take the second spot in the conference.
Miami is the clear favorite in the ACC. They’re expected to win the conference and lose only to Notre Dame. SMU is the second best team, but they’re not in Miami’s hemisphere.
Playoff Predictions
Klatt predicts the playoff bracket with Oregon as the No. 1 seed, Notre Dame as the No. 2, and Miami as the No. 3. Texas is the No. 4 seed, with Ohio State and Indiana as No. 5 and No. 6, respectively. Georgia is the No. 7 seed, and Texas Tech is the No. 8.
USC and LSU are both expected to be 10-2 teams. Klatt thinks USC will beat Ohio State, but Oregon is still the top seed. LSU is expected to have a strong offense under Lane Kiffin.
Penn State and Alabama are considered at-large candidates. Klatt thinks Penn State won’t have a strong enough resume, but Alabama could make it with a strong defense. Boise State is the Group of 5 team in the bracket.
Klatt also predicts the playoff games. Notre Dame is expected to beat Georgia and Miami. Ohio State is favored over Texas, and Oregon is the top seed.
The national champion is Notre Dame. Klatt says they’ll beat Georgia and Miami in the playoff. It’s the same story every year.
