College Football Picks

The Iowa State Cyclones were the runners-up in the Big 12 last year, but they'll be trying to get back to the conference championship game without receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, who combined for nearly 2,400 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. The Cyclones' rush defense was abysmal last year, and while that issue was addressed in the offseason, it will take some time for this unit to gel. Kansas State Wildcats RBs Dylan Edwards and Gabe Ervin Jr. (Nebraska transfer) could have themselves a day in Dublin. 

Yes, Stanford is the Power Four team. Yes, Stanford expected to return more of its 2024 production. And yes, Hawai'i went only 3-7 last year against FBS competition. But when Andrew Luck fired Troy Taylor in late March, a Cardinal exodus began. That becomes a one-way migration, nearly all possible incoming transfers already off the market. There is a reason teams with late coaching changes went 24-40-1 ATS to start last season. This roster attrition costs programs in ways math cannot quickly catch up with. Doubt Stanford early in 2025. And trust Timmy Chang to actively know what the spread is. He has been vocal about that in recent years.

Boise State was the Ashton Jeanty show last year, but quarterback Maddux Madsen deserves some praise as well for getting the Broncos into the CFP. He completed 247 of 396 passes (62.4%) for 3,018 yards and 23 touchdowns with only six interceptions. South Florida's pass defense is ripe for the picking, with this unit ranking 133rd in yards allowed per game through the air last season (291.8). The Bulls went 0-5 when allowing the opposition to complete at least 60% of its throws.

Ohio State built its 2024 championship roster by retaining talent. Players who could have been third- or fourth-round NFL draft picks instead stayed in Columbus. However, that bill comes due quickly, as those players are now indeed in the NFL. The Buckeyes need to replace their entire backfield, an All-American left tackle and their top four defensive linemen, along with four more defensive starters. Ohio State has the talent to fill those spots, but in Week 1 against a fellow national title contender with more established pieces, the Buckeyes may be in a tough spot to start the season. The hype will be centred around Archie Manning, but Texas could dictate the outcome of this game with its backfield, a page out of Ohio State's 2024 playbook.

Clemson returns four starting offensive linemen, as well as two reserves with starting experience, to block for senior quarterback Cade Klubnik. The veteran uncorked a deep ball last season, throwing 16 TDs on passes traveling 20+ yards in the air, and that could expose what has been an inconsistent LSU secondary. Mostly, Clemson's offense has a high floor with that offensive line in front of Klubnik, and its defense returns four of its top-five disruptors. That is the core of a national title contender, opening the season against a program that has loudly scuffled along for three years under Brian Kelly.