The college football season is slowly inching its way closer and closer, and fans are so eager to see what their team has done to better themselves for this season. With coaching changes, players going into the transfer portal, and now a new agreement where colleges can directly pay their student athletes, a lot will be different in the 2025 season.
The 2024 college football season was truly one for the ages as conference realignment truly took its effect on the sport, and there was the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff that sent shock waves. The playoff did exactly as it was designed to do and showed that just because a team is the top dog heading into the playoffs does not mean they are going to win it all.
Now with the 2025 season just ahead of us, it is time to start thinking about who could make the playoffs this season, especially those that did not make it last season. The team that made it last year might have gotten weaker, and teams that missed might have gotten stronger, making for what could be an interesting season this year.
3 Big Ten teams that have a real shot at the CFP in 2025 after missing in 2024
For these four Big Ten teams, they may have missed last season, but they have done the work in the offseason to get stronger and hopefully make a push to be in the big dance in 2025 and truly have the best chance of anyone else in the conference.
1. Illinois Fighting Illini
Head coach Bret Bielema, although hated among Nebraska fans, has put together two straight seasons at Illinois that have not ended in total disaster. The Fighting Illini did not make the College Football Playoff in 2024, but they did have a nine-win regular season and topped it off with a 10th win in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against South Carolina, a team many thought deserved a CFP spot.
Illinois is returning many players from last season, most notably their quarterback Luke Altmyer, who is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten heading into this season. Altmyer is ranked the No. 2 QB in the Big Ten according to 247Sports, and with Bielema snagging some great receivers out of the transfer portal, he has a chance to be even better this season.
Illinois has the schedule to put together a solid resume for the selection committee with a power conference non-conference game against Duke. Looking at their Big Ten slate, the Fighting Illini will take on two playoff teams from last season, with Indiana and Ohio State on the docket, and also face what looks to be a better USC team this year. A Playoff appearance is not out of the question for Illinois and is something fans can truly be excited about.
2. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan had quite the down year after winning a National Championship in 2023, but to be fair, they did lose their head coach, the majority of their roster to the Big Ten, and had almost a whole new coaching staff. However, this team will always be one to bounce back, especially after what would be considered a tough season.
The Wolverines lost some strength on defense, but don't let that fool you; that defense is still one of the best in the Big Ten. If Michigan can figure out its offense this season, Michigan has the opportunity to reclaim its title from just a year ago. Michigan was able to flip the commitment of 5-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, who many think will be the savior of the Michigan offense.
If Michigan can figure out its offense and simply have a better one than it did last year, this team can go places and certainly have a spot in the College Football Playoff this next season.
3. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Of course, Nebraska is going to end up on this list with the Cornhuskers entering their third season under Matt Rhule. Looking at Rhule's history, the third season he has with a team is always the one where he seems to take off, so a playoff appearance truly seems in the cards for Nebraska this season.
In all seriousness, though, Rhule has put together a great team through recruitment and the transfer portal this offseason, but all eyes again will be on quarterback Dylan Raiola, who is entering his second season as the starter. As a true freshman, Raiola definitely struggled and showed his youth, but now with a full season and offseason under his belt, he can show everything he has learned.
Nebraska truly has what it takes to go to the College Football Playoff this season, but they have to play consistently, which they lacked last season. Rhule needs to follow his history and take this team to new heights in year three in Lincoln.
4. Iowa Hawkeyes
This one may come as a surprise, especially to Nebraska fans, but Iowa has been a team that can contend in years past. The Achilles heel of Iowa is their offense, and it always has been, but they have yet another new quarterback, and there is hope he could be the great white knight to save this Iowa offense.
If there is one thing Iowa will always be good at, it is defense. With Phil Parker as the defensive coordinator, the Hawkeyes have always been known for their stout defense that just does not give an inch to opposing offenses. Even though Iowa lost a few players on the defensive side of the ball, this defense is and always will be scary.
Iowa has a real chance at the College Football Playoff this next season, but a lot of it rides on South Dakota State transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski, who has to find a way to lead this offense.