Keep an eye out for teams with compelling narratives in 2025, such as Alabama, Georgia, USC, Michigan, and Ohio State.

As we move into the 2025 college football season, the landscape of the sport is constantly evolving. The combination of changing coaching staffs, shifting conference dynamics, and the increasing influence of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals has created a truly dynamic environment in which certain teams stand out. These teams are not only contenders for championships but also feature compelling storylines that make them particularly intriguing to follow.

The teams discussed here—Alabama, Georgia, USC, Michigan, and Ohio State—each present a unique narrative in 2025, with rich histories, high expectations, and potential for major developments both on and off the field. Whether it’s due to roster changes, coaching adjustments, or championship aspirations, these programs are poised to be among the most interesting to watch in the upcoming season.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide: The End of an Era?

Alabama has been the standard-bearer of college football for the past two decades under the leadership of Nick Saban. Saban’s success has been unparalleled, winning six national championships and developing countless NFL talents. But as 2025 looms, there are signs that this dynasty might be on the verge of a major transition. While Saban has not officially announced his retirement, it’s widely speculated that the legendary coach is in the twilight of his career.

This looming uncertainty over Saban’s future makes Alabama particularly fascinating to follow in 2025. Alabama fans are anxious about what will happen once Saban steps away, but there are also a lot of questions surrounding how his eventual departure will affect the program in the short term. Will Alabama be able to maintain its elite status without him, or will the program experience a dip in performance during the transitional phase?

Despite the looming transition, Alabama is still a recruiting juggernaut, consistently securing top-tier talent. In 2025, they will have an intriguing combination of seasoned stars and young talent. The quarterback battle will likely be one of the biggest storylines, as the Tide are in search of a new leader to replace Bryce Young (who was a top pick in the NFL Draft). Jalen Milroe and incoming freshmen will compete for the starting spot, and the development of this position will be crucial in determining Alabama’s trajectory.

Moreover, NIL deals continue to shape the landscape of college football, and Alabama has the resources and infrastructure to fully capitalize on this. How the program adapts to these new realities will play a major role in maintaining its dominance moving forward. With Alabama, it’s not just about the wins and losses, but about how they adapt to the changing nature of college football.

2. Georgia Bulldogs: Can They Continue Their Dominance?

Georgia is now the new king of college football, having won back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023. Kirby Smart, a former assistant to Nick Saban, has firmly established himself as the top coach in college football, and the Bulldogs have the talent to back up their success. Georgia’s dominance is not just limited to offense or defense—it’s the overall depth and balance that have set them apart.

However, 2025 presents a unique challenge for Georgia. They have lost some key figures from the championship teams, most notably on defense, where players like Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith were crucial to their success. In 2025, Georgia will need to reload, as they always do, but there is an interesting question surrounding how long they can sustain their dominance without those generational talents.

One key area of focus will be the quarterback position, as Georgia transitions from Stetson Bennett, their veteran leader, to a new signal-caller. Whether it’s Carson Beck or another emerging talent, how Georgia handles the quarterback situation will be pivotal in maintaining their level of excellence.

The SEC remains as competitive as ever, with teams like Alabama, LSU, and Tennessee all vying for the crown. Yet, Georgia’s consistency, recruiting prowess, and culture of success under Smart position them to potentially continue their dominance, but 2025 may be the year where the rest of the college football world takes a closer look to see if Georgia can maintain that level of play amidst the inevitable turnover of talent.

3. USC Trojans: A Resurgent Power Under Lincoln Riley

USC is one of the most storied programs in college football history, but it has fallen from its elite status in recent years. After several years of mediocrity and coaching changes, Lincoln Riley was hired to turn things around in 2022. Riley, a former offensive mastermind at Oklahoma, has already made a significant impact on the program, bringing Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, along with a host of other talented recruits.

In 2025, USC will be fascinating to watch as they look to take the next step from being a Pac-12 contender to a national powerhouse. Riley’s ability to recruit at the highest level has already paid off, and the Trojans have an explosive offense led by Williams. The question, however, is whether USC can improve on defense to become a legitimate playoff contender. While they’ve been able to light up the scoreboard, the defense has been inconsistent, and that’s where Riley will need to show significant progress in 2025.

USC’s move to the Big Ten in 2024 also adds another layer of intrigue. The Big Ten is traditionally more physical and defensive-minded than the Pac-12, and this shift will challenge USC in new ways. The transition will require USC to be more balanced and adaptable, particularly as they face off against powerhouses like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State in the regular season. How well USC adjusts to the Big Ten’s physicality and schedules will be a storyline worth watching.

With a top-tier quarterback like Williams and an offense built to score points, USC has the tools to become a dominant force in college football once again. The question is whether they can put all the pieces together and make a serious run at the College Football Playoff in 2025.

4. Michigan Wolverines: A Power on the Rise in the Big Ten

Michigan football has been one of the most fascinating teams to follow in recent years, especially under the guidance of head coach Jim Harbaugh. After years of frustration and near-misses, Harbaugh’s Wolverines finally broke through in 2021, winning their first Big Ten title since 2004 and making their first College Football Playoff appearance. In 2023, Michigan followed that success by making it to the playoff again and cementing itself as a major player on the national stage.

The Wolverines have become synonymous with tough, hard-nosed football, particularly on defense, but their offense has made significant strides under offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore. J.J. McCarthy, a highly touted quarterback prospect, has taken the reins, and his development will be critical to Michigan’s success in 2025. With a dynamic offensive attack and a defense that still ranks among the best in the country, Michigan is positioned for another run at the playoff.

Michigan’s rivalry with Ohio State continues to be one of the most compelling in all of college football, and the 2025 matchup will undoubtedly carry massive implications. Michigan will be seeking to maintain its dominance in the Big Ten, but teams like Ohio State, Penn State, and even Michigan State are nipping at their heels.

With the changing landscape of college football, Michigan’s ability to continue developing both sides of the ball and navigate a challenging Big Ten schedule will be a major storyline to track in 2025. Can the Wolverines maintain their upward trajectory and finally win that elusive national championship?

5. Ohio State Buckeyes: The Road Back to National Glory

Ohio State is always one of the premier programs in college football, and 2025 will be no exception. Under head coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have maintained their spot as one of the most consistent teams in the nation, competing for Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff spots year after year. Despite their regular appearances in the playoff, Ohio State has come up short in their pursuit of a national championship in recent seasons.

The Buckeyes will be looking to bounce back from a tough 2024 season that saw them fall short of expectations. With C.J. Stroud heading to the NFL, Ohio State will enter 2025 with a new quarterback under center, and that will be one of the biggest storylines of the season. Can Kyle McCord or an incoming freshman live up to the legacy of Stroud and others before him?

The talent surrounding the new quarterback will also play a significant role. Ohio State’s wide receiver room is still one of the best in the nation, and their defense, which has been criticized in the past, is looking to make strides under Jim Knowles. The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan will be as fierce as ever, and the outcome of that game could decide who represents the Big Ten in the College Football Playoff.

In 2025, Ohio State will once again be a national championship contender, but the question remains whether they can finally break through and claim their first national title since 2014. With a new quarterback and a motivated roster, Ohio State will be one of the most intriguing teams to watch in 2025.