2025 College Football Dark Horses

Jake Wimberly

Ross Gaskin Contributing:

Below are the teams that I think have a strong case to win their respective conference titles, but they may not be the obvious pick. The criteria for picking these teams is very simple. Each team will have a roster that I feel is complete and talented enough to compete for the title, and they have a schedule that is strong enough to give them a boost if they have a significant amount of wins.

SEC- Oklahoma

Last season, the Sooners did not have the best debut year in the SEC, but I feel all of that will change in 2025. Oklahoma fixed their QB issues as they got one of the most efficient QBs in 2024 in the transfer portal. John Mateer last year threw for 3,139 yards and 29 TDs while also rushing for 826 yards and 15 TDs. The Sooners also got a great RB from Cal, Jaydn Ott, also through the portal.

The schedule in 2025 can also be a huge factor towards the Sooners playing for the SEC title as they have the 3rd toughest schedule in the SEC with a number of 1221.69. Oklahoma also has 6 games that we feel will be close, one possession ballgames. If Oklahoma can win most of those, and possibly come away with a win in either the Texas or Alabama games, it will catapult the Sooners into the upper echelon of the SEC.

BIG 10- Nebraska

The Cornhuskers have one of the most promising young QBs with Dylan Raiola, and now they have gotten him some weapons through the portal with WRs Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter. Both of those WRs were huge contributors on their previous teams. The only concern with these Cornhuskers is their defense, but they do have some young guys who have a lot of potential.

Unlike Oklahoma, Nebraska actually has the easiest schedule in the BIG 10. They should already have a decently high win total, but it would take them beating USC, Michigan, or Penn State if they want to be a top tier team. If not, they will just be seen as a team who had an easy schedule, but couldn’t compete with the big dogs.

ACC- Florida State

After going 2-10 in 2024, absolutely no one thinks Florida State will recover for the foreseeable future, but I think that they could potentially have an insane 2025 season. The Seminole offense reloaded with shiny new weapons as they got a solid QB, Thomas Castellanos, from Boston College who will be throwing to the 6’6” stud WR, Deuce Robinson, out of USC. The only downside is that Florida State lost a lot of guys on defense, and they did not really get any replacements.

The Hourglass has the Seminoles going 9-3 with 4 games, including all 3 loses, being one possession games. I think that if Florida State can turn 1 of those loses into a win, they will have a great shot at competing for the ACC title. That one game they have to win is the week 6 Miami matchup as that would put them at 7-1 in conference play and 2nd place for the ACC. However, that is a HUGE if.

BIG 12- Baylor

Baylor is for some reason still a slept on team even though they have an incredible QB, solid offensive and defensive weapons, and a two headed monster in the backfield. The only downside is that they have to play two of the best teams in the entire BIG 12, Kansas State and TCU.

Baylor has the toughest schedule in the BIG 12 with a lot of their games being one possession games, including both the TCU and Kansas State games. I feel that if Baylor can pull off a victory in one of those two games, it would put them in great shape to compete for the title. However, if they can somehow win both, I don’t see how they wouldn’t win the BIG 12 Championship.