100 Days to Kickoff: Top 2025 College Football Storylines, Games, Predictions

100 Days Until Week 0: 2025 College Football's Top Storylines, Games, and Predictions

With exactly 100 days to go before Week 0 kicks off on August 23, the 2025 college football season promises to be one of the most unpredictable and transformative in the sport's history. From Bill Belichick’s coaching debut at North Carolina to Arch Manning’s first full year as Texas’ starter, to the evolving implications of NIL and the NCAA’s antitrust settlement, the landscape is shifting dramatically.

Below is your comprehensive guide to the key storylines, must-watch games, standout players and transfers, and bold predictions that will define the upcoming campaign.

🔟 Must-Know Storylines for 2025

1. Bill Belichick at North Carolina – Arguably the greatest NFL coach of all time steps onto a college sideline for the first time. Can he adapt? Can he win?

2. Arch Manning Mania – With Quinn Ewers gone, the Heisman hype begins as Manning leads Texas into Ohio State in Week 1.

3. NIL’s Final Frenzy? – With new NCAA oversight and revenue sharing imminent, this may be the last season of freewheeling collectives.

4. Walk-On Crisis – The House settlement could severely reduce roster spots for walk-ons, threatening a key element of college football culture.

5. Carson Beck at Miami – Georgia’s former QB lands in Coral Gables as Miami eyes its first CFP berth.

6. Deion Sanders Post-Travis Era – Colorado faces life without Shedeur and Travis Hunter. Can Coach Prime sustain success in Year 3?

7. Red River Reboots – Arch Manning and OU’s John Mateer usher in offensive overhauls and new SEC storylines.

8. Coaching Comebacks – Mike Norvell, Ryan Day, Scott Frost, and Rich Rodriguez all chase redemption.

9. Eligibility Rule Upended – Diego Pavia's court win reshapes JUCO recruiting and could challenge the NCAA’s four-year cap.

10. Lincoln Riley’s Turning Point – USC’s 2024 flop put Riley on notice. A bounce-back is vital.

🏟️ 10 Best Games to Watch

1. Texas at Ohio State (Aug. 30) – Arch Manning vs. Julian Sayin headlines the biggest Week 1 game in years.

2. Alabama at Georgia (Sept. 27) – SEC supremacy on the line.

3. Penn State at Ohio State (Nov. 1) – Can James Franklin finally conquer the Buckeyes?

4. Texas at Georgia (Nov. 15) – Heisman, playoff, and SEC title stakes all collide.

5. Oregon at Penn State (Sept. 27) – A Big Ten title preview?

6. Boise State at Notre Dame (Oct. 4) – Statement opportunity for the Group of 5.

7. Montana State at Montana (Nov. 22) – FCS bragging rights in the Brawl of the Wild.

8. South Dakota at North Dakota State (Sept. 27) – A chance for a rare upset in Fargo.

9. Texas A&M at Notre Dame (Sept. 13) – Massive early-season measuring stick.

10. Ohio State at Michigan (Nov. 29) – Can OSU snap a four-game losing streak?

👀 10 Coaches to Watch

1. Bill Belichick (UNC) – Historic hire. Historic expectations.

2. James Franklin (Penn State) – His best team yet must finally deliver.

3. Brent Venables (Oklahoma) – A rebuild that must show results in SEC Year 2.

4. Kalen DeBoer (Alabama) – Year 2 without Saban’s shadow is judgment day.

5. Deion Sanders (Colorado) – New era, new players, same attention.

6. Brian Kelly (LSU) – The pressure to win big now is mounting.

7. Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame) – Title game appearance raises the bar.

8. Mike Norvell (FSU) – From 2-10 to 10 wins? A huge swing season.

9. Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State) – A career on the brink after a 3-9 collapse.

10. Dabo Swinney (Clemson) – Can he modernize his approach while still doing it his way?

🏆 10 Early Heisman Contenders

1. Cade Klubnik (Clemson, QB) – Stellar stats and experience make him the early favorite.

2. Arch Manning (Texas, QB) – The spotlight has never been brighter.

3. Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State, WR) – Could be the best WR in America already.

4. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU, QB) – Veteran with a high ceiling and elite weapons.

5. DJ Lagway (Florida, QB) – If healthy, a true game-changer.

6. Drew Allar (Penn State, QB) – The final piece in PSU’s title puzzle?

7. LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina, QB) – Cam Newton 2.0?

8. Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame, RB) – NFL-caliber back with a heavy workload.

9. John Mateer (Oklahoma, QB) – Dual-threat dynamo in a revamped offense.

10. Ryan Williams (Alabama, WR) – Lightning-fast freshman already making noise.

🧭 10 First-Time CFP Contenders

1. Illinois – Easiest schedule in the Big Ten. 18 returning starters.

2. South Carolina – LaNorris Sellers leads an SEC dark horse.

3. Miami – If Beck’s elbow holds, the ‘Canes are a threat.

4. Iowa State – Rocco Becht and a Big 12 wide open.

5. BYU – Depth and experience in key spots.

6. Kansas State – Avery Johnson can take over the Big 12.

7. Texas Tech – One of the portal’s biggest winners.

8. Florida – DJ Lagway makes them dangerous.

9. Louisville – Jeff Brohm’s best QB yet in Miller Moss.

10. Texas A&M – High ceiling, but consistency is key.

🧨 10 Wild Predictions

1. Brian Kelly melts down after another Week 1 loss.

2. Arch Manning finishes second in Heisman voting.

3. Bill Belichick leaves UNC after one season.

4. Georgia misses the College Football Playoff.

5. Ohio State loses to Michigan (again), but wins the national title.

6. Lincoln Riley wins 10 games and keeps his job.

7. Florida State bounces back with a 10-win season.

8. Texas Tech wins the Big 12.

9. Kent State loses every game — again.

10. Juice Kiffin (Lane’s dog) scores a touchdown.

💼 10 Transfers to Watch

1. John Mateer (Oklahoma, QB) – Most dynamic portal QB in the nation.

2. Darian Mensah (Duke, QB) – Tulane breakout gets huge ACC opportunity.

3. Fernando Mendoza (Indiana, QB) – Keeps Cignetti’s Hoosiers in the hunt.

4. Carson Beck (Miami, QB) – If healthy, elite.

5. Eric Singleton Jr. (Auburn, WR) – Track star adds vertical speed.

6. Isaiah World (Oregon, OT) – NFL buzz already surrounding him.

7. Zachariah Branch (Georgia, WR) – Big-play threat in the SEC.

8. David Bailey (Texas Tech, OLB) – Portal gem anchoring TTU’s defense.

9. Nic Anderson (LSU, WR) – Reunites with Nussmeier for explosive results.

10. Max Klare (Ohio State, TE) – Safety valve for a green QB room.

🌱 10 Freshmen to Watch

1. Bryce Underwood (Michigan, QB) – No. 1 overall recruit could start early.

2. Keelon Russell (Alabama, QB) – Gatorade POY with massive upside.

3. Dakorien Moore (Oregon, WR) – Instant impact potential.

4. Justus Terry (Texas, DT) – Key to a rebuilt Longhorns interior.

5. Julian Lewis (Colorado, QB) – Deion’s future star under center.

6. Devin Sanchez (Ohio State, CB) – High-ceiling cover man.

7. D.J. Pickett (LSU, CB) – Size/speed combo rare for a freshman.

8. Jahkeem Stewart (USC, DE) – High-upside reclassed pass rusher.

9. Gideon Davidson (Clemson, RB) – Explosive back with big opportunity.

10. Michael Fasusi (Oklahoma, OT) – Day-one impact potential.

🎯 10 Potential First-Round Bye Teams

1. Texas (SEC champ)

2. Penn State (Big Ten champ)

3. Clemson (ACC champ)

4. Iowa State (Big 12 champ)

5. Georgia

6. Ohio State

7. Miami

8. BYU

9. LSU

10. Boise State (Top G5 team)

🌟 10 Group of 5 Playoff Contenders

1. Boise State – Returning stars and a playoff path.

2. UNLV – Blue-chip talent and a savvy new coach.

3. Tulane – Sumrall’s portal work pays off.

4. Navy – Dangerous offense but brutal road schedule.

5. James Madison – Stable QB play leads the way.

6. Memphis – High-upside QB room fuels chances.

7. Liberty – Experienced defense keeps them in the race.

8. Louisiana – Star power returns on offense.

9. Army – Defensive consistency and offensive speed.

10. UTSA – Depth and late-season momentum carry over.

Stay locked in with The Horizons Times for full coverage of the 2025 college football season — from Week 0 in Dublin to the national title game.