2025 Bold Predictions: Heisman Sleepers, Coaching Chaos, and Playoff Shockers

As college football gears up for another wild season, 2025 is shaping up to be anything but boring. With conference realignments happening, the NIL era in full swing, and the College Football Playoff getting bigger, we’re in for some major shakeups. Here are some bold predictions for the season—from unexpected Heisman hopefuls to Group of Five teams aiming for glory and coaches feeling the heat.

Starting with the Heisman race, we’ll definitely hear a lot about the usual top quarterbacks from playoff teams early on. But keep your eyes on Coastal Carolina’s Malik Thomas. This dual-threat quarterback had crazy stats last season, throwing for over 3,500 yards and rushing for another 1,000. With a kind schedule and two exciting non-conference games on national TV, he has a solid shot to make a name for himself if the Chanticleers have a strong season. Another player to watch is Kayden Martin, a running back transfer from Notre Dame now at Oregon. If he stays healthy and keeps up his impressive spring performance, he could pile up stats quickly.

Now, could this be the year a Group of Five team finally makes a splash in the Playoff? With the field expanding to 12 teams, it’s definitely a possibility. Tulane and Memphis are both threats, but keep an eye on Toledo from the MAC. They’ve got veteran quarterback DeQuan Finn back, along with most of a defense that was ranked in the top 20 last year. If they can snag an early-season win on the road against Michigan State, they could really grab some attention. While it might be a long shot, the craziness of realignment might sway the committee to give a perfect G5 team a chance.

But not everyone will have an easy ride. Several big-name coaches are feeling the pressure as the season kicks off. James Franklin at Penn State is just one bad loss away from turning the fans against him. Even with solid recruiting classes and top talent, the Nittany Lions haven’t been able to break through in the Big Ten. Florida’s Billy Napier is also under fire after two losing seasons in a row. With Georgia dominating the East and Tennessee rising up, another mediocre year in Gainesville could spell trouble for Napier. And Brent Venables at Oklahoma is in a tough spot, too. Now that the Sooners are in the SEC, he’ll face quick scrutiny if they can’t compete with the new heavyweights.

So, get ready for a season that promises plenty of drama, surprises, and some jaw-dropping moments. Whether it’s an underdog chasing the Heisman, a Group of Five team making a run for the Playoff, or some coaching shake-ups, one thing’s for sure: 2025 won’t be following any script.