July is a time for discussion and debate as we consider what's ahead in a 2025 college football season that will undoubtedly be filled with plenty of thrilling results and conclude with the second – and likely final – iteration of the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Is this the year Steve Sarkisian and Georgia did it in 2021 and 2022?
These are some of the top debates currently going on as kickoff is now less than 50 days away. But as media pundits across the nation begin to roll out their preseason polls and reveal their national championship picks, it's important to take a look at the path each team must take in order to make this year's CFP.
With that, we asked our college football writers the following question: Based on schedule, roster and playoff structure, which team is best positioned to make the CFP this year?
FOX Sports' Laken Litman, RJ Young and Michael Cohen debate the topic below:
Michael Cohen: Clemson
Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers throws the ball during the first quarter against Louisville. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
Given the strength and depth of both the Drew Allar of Penn State. The season-opening showdown between Klubnik and Nussmeier on Aug. 30 at Clemson could go a long way toward shaping early-season Heisman Trophy discussion and NFL mock draft debates.
But aside from the undoubtedly tricky opener, Clemson has an extremely manageable schedule the rest of the way. The Tigers avoid perennial offseason winner Miami,
Dante Moore #5 of the Oregon Ducks warms up during the Oregon spring game at Autzen Stadium. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
Combine a sweetheart schedule with a program that has won 10 or more games in the Pac-12 and Big Ten across the last five full seasons, and you’re likely to get more of the same.
The toughest team the Ducks have on their schedule is Penn State, a team it knows it can beat. The following week, the Ducks will host an Rutgers, but you’re not going to pick against the Ducks here. No one will.
The Ducks ought to be a pretty safe bet to finish 11-1 and squarely in the conversation to host a first-round playoff game.
Yes, Oregon has since the inception of the CFP. Add to this, the Ducks have won as many Big Ten titles in the past decade as Penn State, and it’s just their second year in the league.
Laken Litman: Penn State
Kaytron Allen #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball against Notre Dame in the Capital One Orange Bowl. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Nittany Lions are a popular preseason pick to win the national championship this year. James Franklin’s team is ranked No. 1 in several preseason polls and appears to have the roster and coaching staff to back it up.
After making a CFP semifinal run last year, this team wants to go further in 2025. Quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Villanova are the first three opponents, – but Franklin should have a strong enough team that realistically should win the conference for that not to matter in the long run.
Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman.
RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast "The Number One College Football Show." Follow him at @Michael_Cohen13.
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