Last year was another disappointing one for the Wildcats. A second season under the leadership of Coach Shane Richardson came and went without a single win. His record of 0-22 does mean that things can only get better in 2025 – we hope. The start of the Division II season is a long way off, of course but, at this moment, Wildcats football fans are desperate for some good news and for something to look forward to.
Recruitment will be key during the offseason and, hopefully, the players brought in will be able to turn around the slide we have all seen in the last few years. That question of new arrivals will be at the forefront of all football programs across the nation, of course. From the likes of Northern Michigan to the College Football Championship regulars featured on all the NCAAF betting sites.
Wildcats fans can hope for better days soon but, with college football still a way off, we thought we would take a look forward to next season. We all hope NMU improves on the field in 2025 but which Division I schools are likely to challenge for the biggest prize in college football? Here’s our rundown of some of the main contenders.
Ohio State
Where else to start, but with the current champion? After Georgia’s domination of the College Football Playoff system for a while, the last two years have seen Michigan and Ohio State triumph. The positive news for the Buckeyes is that Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate will return. But there is also a ton of bad news as well.
There will be a lot of Ohio State talent in the NFL Draft this year and that is something that Ryan Day will have to contend with. He will already be looking at potentials for his new recruitment class and after ending the 10-year championship drought in 2024, the Buckeyes will be keen to remain at the top of college football.
Oregon
The Ducks were another team who felt the full force of Ohio State last year and 2025 is now looking like it could be pivotal for Dan Lanning and Oregon. Although there has been progress year-on-year for the program, it also sent more players to the NFL Combine than ever before, suggesting a major rehaul for next season.
Losing a quarterback, running back, receiving targets, and just about every defensive player who saw major game time in 2024 is surely going to make a difference. But there is now a chance for the remaining players to step up – and the new recruits to keep Oregon’s trajectory in the right direction.
Georgia
For a while there it looked as if no one was going to beat the Bulldogs. We have now had two years without a championship, however, and Georgia is merely one of the contenders rather than an out-and-out favorite. It should be remembered that this program did win the SEC Championship – and made it to its second consecutive semifinal.
The Bulldogs will be another of the top teams with a new QB calling the shots after Carson Beck decided to try Miami instead. Gunner Stockton will need to step up immediately and will have to contend with some new receiving talent as well. Things could be very interesting in Georgia this year but don’t count them out of winning it all again.
Penn State
For many, 2024 was the best chance for the Nittany Lions to win a championship. Notre Dame ended those hopes but there should still be a lot of belief in this team. Just like the Wolverines and Buckeyes before them, Penn State will be returning a lot of talent in 2025 and that strong core could be enough to push it over the line this time.
Drew Allar, Kaytron Allen, and Nick Singleton will all be back in the blue and there is a feeling that this is a team that already knows the drill. Unlike many of the other top contenders, there is only a little work to be done on recruitment and transfers – and that should bode well when the action starts later in the year.
Texas
Get ready for a new era of Longhorns football, as Quinn Ewers departs the college game and enters this year’s NFL Draft. That leaves a lot of pressure on Archie Manning’s shoulders. But he is one student athlete that we think is ready to step up to the plate. Confidence in the new QB means Texas is many peoples favorite to win it all in 2025.
Two losses to Georgia last year didn’t seem to derail Texas’ hopes of a championship but in the end, it was the Buckeyes that beat them one step from the final game. Steve Sarkisian returning for a fifth year and signing a new contract is good news for the Longhorns and there will be a lot of confidence in Texas going into the new season.
Notre Dame
Beating Georgia in the Sugar Bowl at the start of January gave every Fighting Irish fan hope that a national championship might end up at Notre Dame. That wasn’t to be, of course, but there is no doubt that this team should be considered when it comes to predicting an eventual champion in 2025.
It would have been a big upset for Notre Dame to beat Ohio State in the title game, to be honest, but just getting that far should boost confidence of greater times ahead. Riley Leonard departing is a blow but if Marcus Freeman can find a suitable replacement, a spot in the final 12 – at least – has to be doable.
