For all the things wrong about NCAA football nowadays -- Name and Image Licensing (which enables colleges to legally pay players), the transfer portal (creating player free agency) mega conferences, etc -- the governing body of American college ball finally got something right:
The NCAA honchos tweaked the postseason College Football Playoff format and made it better. The League champions will no longer automatically receive a first round bye in the 12 team set-up. Instead, they will be seeded by end-of-season rankings.
This as a result of all four champions granted opening round byes in the 2024-25 season being ousted in the quarterfinals. Several of them had been upset winners in conference title games and didn't deserve their byes.
So, at least things will be a little bit fairer for ball clubs shooting for a playoff spot this season, which kicks off shortly.
Here's a look at the strongest 2025-26 playoff candidates.
Ohio State
The always talented defending champs were a yearly candidate to win it all but before last season failed to do so. Repeating as titlists will be difficult though. The Buckeyes suffered massive losses. OSU are breaking in a new starting quarterback and they must also replace several talented running backs who are now in the NFL.
Penn State
The Nittany Lions return a plethora of skill position people including quarterback Drew Allard and electrifying running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. But PSU must first get over the Ohio State and Michigan hump -- losing almost yearly to those traditional Big 10 foes.
Texas
Much heralded quarterback Arch Manning (Archie's grandson) finally assumes the Longhorns starting quarterback reins. How well he meshes with a talent-laden team recruited by coach Steve Sarkisian will determine how far UT will go this season.
Georgia
The Bulldogs figure to give Texas a run for their money for the Southeastern Conference championship race. They are always a fast, tough bunch but they have a big question mark at QB with the transfer of last season's talented QB Carson Beck to Miami (for more moolah). Is Gunner Stockton up to the task?
Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish are trending upwards in the national title picture under fourth year coach Marcus Freeman. Have they arrived as perennial national title contenders? If running backs Jeremiyah Lowe and Jadarian Price can repeat last season's 1,871 yards rushing, 24 touchdown performance, ND finally have the physicality for another title game appearance.
Clemson
With veteran QB Cade Klubnik (36 TD passes in '24) running the show, the resurgent Tigers appear to be poised for another title run after a lull of a few seasons. But a much improved Atlantic Coast Conference (including Bill Belechick's North Carolina outfit) will make a return to title glory difficult.
Oregon
The newest annual national contenders are the Ducks under coach Dan Lanning. They must replace do-it-all QB Dillon Gabriel with a paid-for transfer QB -- Dante Moore. They will need team-wide contributions from many new starters, though, if they are to maintain their spot among college football's upper echelon.
Other ball clubs who figure to be in the thick of things in the run for postseason spots include Iowa State, Mississippi, Florida, Boise State, Alabama, LSU, Miami, Arizona State and several surprise teams who have yet to reveal themselves.
All will be vying for the right to "survive and advance" come the slightly new look postseason.
Contact Wiggins' World at [email protected]
The NCAA honchos tweaked the postseason College Football Playoff format and made it better. The League champions will no longer automatically receive a first round bye in the 12 team set-up. Instead, they will be seeded by end-of-season rankings.
This as a result of all four champions granted opening round byes in the 2024-25 season being ousted in the quarterfinals. Several of them had been upset winners in conference title games and didn't deserve their byes.
So, at least things will be a little bit fairer for ball clubs shooting for a playoff spot this season, which kicks off shortly.
Here's a look at the strongest 2025-26 playoff candidates.
Ohio State
The always talented defending champs were a yearly candidate to win it all but before last season failed to do so. Repeating as titlists will be difficult though. The Buckeyes suffered massive losses. OSU are breaking in a new starting quarterback and they must also replace several talented running backs who are now in the NFL.
Penn State
The Nittany Lions return a plethora of skill position people including quarterback Drew Allard and electrifying running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. But PSU must first get over the Ohio State and Michigan hump -- losing almost yearly to those traditional Big 10 foes.
Texas
Much heralded quarterback Arch Manning (Archie's grandson) finally assumes the Longhorns starting quarterback reins. How well he meshes with a talent-laden team recruited by coach Steve Sarkisian will determine how far UT will go this season.
Georgia
The Bulldogs figure to give Texas a run for their money for the Southeastern Conference championship race. They are always a fast, tough bunch but they have a big question mark at QB with the transfer of last season's talented QB Carson Beck to Miami (for more moolah). Is Gunner Stockton up to the task?
Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish are trending upwards in the national title picture under fourth year coach Marcus Freeman. Have they arrived as perennial national title contenders? If running backs Jeremiyah Lowe and Jadarian Price can repeat last season's 1,871 yards rushing, 24 touchdown performance, ND finally have the physicality for another title game appearance.
Clemson
With veteran QB Cade Klubnik (36 TD passes in '24) running the show, the resurgent Tigers appear to be poised for another title run after a lull of a few seasons. But a much improved Atlantic Coast Conference (including Bill Belechick's North Carolina outfit) will make a return to title glory difficult.
Oregon
The newest annual national contenders are the Ducks under coach Dan Lanning. They must replace do-it-all QB Dillon Gabriel with a paid-for transfer QB -- Dante Moore. They will need team-wide contributions from many new starters, though, if they are to maintain their spot among college football's upper echelon.
Other ball clubs who figure to be in the thick of things in the run for postseason spots include Iowa State, Mississippi, Florida, Boise State, Alabama, LSU, Miami, Arizona State and several surprise teams who have yet to reveal themselves.
All will be vying for the right to "survive and advance" come the slightly new look postseason.
Contact Wiggins' World at [email protected]
