Way-Too-Early NCAAF Predictions & Future Bets to Make

by William Burns

Monday, Jul 14, 2025
It's never too early to start thinking about football and I'm just as excited as anyone for it to be back, especially NCAAF. After a winning season in 2024-25, I'm expecting to dominate more than ever this season. Here are my "Way-Too-Early NCAAF Predictions & Future Bets to Make:" on this upcoming campaign. 

What I Expect From Certain Teams This Season: 


Oklahoma Sooners (6-7 in 2024-25) - While they do have one of the toughest schedules imaginable, the Sooners are a team that I expect to be much better and competitive in the big games this season. They've got so much talent across the board including a new QB in John Mateer (from WSU) who might just turn out to be one of the best in the country this season.
Projected Record in 2025-26 // 8-4. 

Clemson Tigers (10-4 in 2024-25) - I expect Clemson to win the ACC without much trouble this season. Last year, the Tigers still weren't at their best as they were getting used to their rebuild roster. This season, they should be fully motivated to accomplish big things and I believe that they will be in the early-mid stages of the season at the very least. They've got Cade Klubnik back at QB and won't have to worry about teams like Miami (no more Cam Ward) and SMU hasn't improved much if any. 
Projected Record in 2025-26 // 13-2. 

Florida State Seminoles (2-10 in 2024-25) - Coming off an absolutely disastrous season (after an undefeated year without a playoff berth) I expect much better from the Noles this season. Yes, it was kind of expected that this team would be a lot worse with all the guys that left to join new schools after they didn't make those playoffs. As a matter of fact, FSU was one of my expected "teams to fall off" in last year's article. But, nobody knew it was going to be that bad. With Tommy Castellanos at QB this season, the Seminoles should be back in a bowl game and maybe even more. 
Projected Record in 2025-26 // 7-5. 

Alabama Crimson Tide (9-4 in 2024-25) - I don't think that the Crimson Tide are the same without Nick Saban. However, they are still named Alabama at the end of the day and he couldn't coach forever. A 9-4 season in Kalen DeBoer's first year wasn't the worst in the world. However, some of the losses that Bama had could have definitely been avoided. The Tide should roll a lot more this season and I expect them to be in the playoff contention this season. They will be great again.
Projected Record in 2025-26 // 12-3. 

Boise State Broncos (12-2 in 2024-25) - Losing Ashton Jeanty to a "slightly above average" Group Of Five school isn't going to help the Broncos at all. I think that Boise State will regress quite a bit. Not saying that the Broncos can't have similar production from the rest of the crew this season and win the Mountain West again. But, it's definitely going to be harder for this team to win 12 games and make it to the playoffs, not having Jeanty to rely on. 
Projected Record in 2025-26 // 9-4.

Burns' Top 10 Heisman Trophy Candidates


Arch Manning (+650)
LaNorris Sellers (+1600)
Cade Klubnik (+950)
Jeremiah Smith (+1100)
Garrett Nussmeier (+850)
John Mateer (+2500)
Jeremiyah Love (+4000)
Julian Sayin (+1600)
Gunnar Stockton (+3500)
Drew Allar (+1600)

While I do believe that Arch Manning is the favorite and for good reason to win the Heisman Trophy this season, there's definitely room for some of the other players to make some noise as well. I'm very high on South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers this season. He finished the year with a bang and could very well lead this Gamecocks side to the CFB Playoffs this season. Don't sleep on Jeremiyah Love either, sitting at +4000. I believe that he's the best running back in the country and we all saw how close Ashton Jeanty was last season. Love could be on the verge of similar things with the schedule that ND has this season. 

Heisman Prediction: Arch Manning (+650)

Five Futures Bets to Make: 


1. ) Texas Longhorns - To Win the National Championship - YES (+550)
2. ) Texas - Regular Season Wins Over 9.5 (-170)

Last season, I successfully predicted the winner of the 2024-25 Championship Game (Ohio State) in the same kind of article that I wrote a year ago. This time around, I believe that Texas is the best team in the country and will reach the promised land come the end of the season. A lot of top teams are in the midst of having a new QB start this season and that's let Arch Manning cook with this offense. Getting into some of those games a year ago will really help him settle in. He's already got the name of fame. Expect great things from Texas this season. 

3. ) Oklahoma - Regular Season Wins Over 6.5 (-170)

Like I mentioned earlier, I'm quite high on the Sooners this season. I'm predicting them to win eight of 12 games this season and they could easily win a couple more if they play their cards right and upset a team or two. However, even if they lose an extra game that I don't see them losing, it would still be enough to get "over" this mark on the season. 6.5 is way too low even with the hard schedule. 

4.) Notre Dame - To Make Playoff (-190)

Not being in a conference really helps Notre Dame get the easiest schedule in my opinion. It's rough for some of the other teams that need to play four or five top 15 teams in the country every season. But, Notre Dame gets another "cupcake" schedule and I expect them to be great once again. If you remember, the Fighting Irish lost a game to Northern Illinois in the early weeks of last season. They still went on to finish 12-1 with the #7 in the playoffs. I expect them to have a similar record, if not go undefeated in the regular season this year. That should guarantee them a playoff spot. This steep line is worth the risk. 

5.) Jeremiah Smith - To Lead Big 10 in Receiving Yards - YES (+500)

While the big names don't always lead the league/country in stats, I fully expect Jeremiah Smith to dominate this season. Probably my favorite player to watch in College, he's going to be in line for an even bigger role in this offense this season with the departure of Emeka Egbuka. Yes, he's got a new QB. But, that shouldn't stop the absolute stud of a wideout here in 2025-26. 

Burns' Very Early National Title Game Prediction: 

Texas vs. Ohio State.
28-17 Texas. 

(will update closer to season start)

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