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Jan. 22—CHAMPAIGN — One of the best seasons in the history of college football — name one that was better — just ended. So, naturally, I’m going to look ahead to the next.
Specifically, who has the best chance to replace Ohio State as the national champion?
Normally, I’d trot out my preseason Top 10. But this is the expanded College Playoff era, so that is two teams too short.
Here is my 2025 preseason Top 12, the teams at the moment I expect to get bids to the CFP. Most of them are logical. And a couple are surprises.
1. Ohio State
Could it be a three-peat for the Big Ten? It will be if the Buckeyes win another national title. A couple items in their favor: first, they bring back the best player in college football, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. For two more years. Second, it won’t be hard for Ryan Day to sell his team to recruits and transfers. Former Purdue tight end Max Klare already bought in. Others will follow.
Day needs to find a replacement for quarterback Will Howard, but Julian Sayin is ready to go. The defense needs rebuilding. Jim Knowles has the ability to get it done.
It won’t take long to figure out if the Buckeyes are up for another title run. They open the season at home Aug. 30 against Texas, which you will find two spots down the list. Fun.
2. Penn State
The second of four Big Ten teams on this list. The Nittany Lions missed a reasonable chance to play in the title game with a last-second semifinal loss to Notre Dame.
The pressure will be on the Penn State offense, which loses star tight end Tyler Warren, but welcomes back quarterback Drew Allar and the best running back tandem in the country, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
The defense should be solid in the back half, but will miss disruptive end Abdul Carter, who is about to star in the NFL for some lucky team. Penn State has to replace…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bob-asmussen-illini-start-2025-155000994.html
Author : The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
Publish date : 2025-01-22 15:50:00
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