At this time of year, hope remains forever blooming as college football squads take to the practice fields aiming to gain an early advantage toward securing one of the 12 spots in the playoffs.
In an era dominated by machine learning and immediate responses, we were eager from the start to identify which teams stood the best chances of securing a spot in the national championship tournament this year.
College Football HQ approached Grok with a straightforward ask: Forecast which 12 teams will secure their spots in the College Football Playoff for 2025.
This is what was written. And this is what we responded with...
Texas (SEC Champion)
Grok says: Texas brings back quarterback Quinn Ewers along with Arch Manning, fields one of the best rosters enhanced by transfer players, and enjoys an advantageous initial schedule. Their journey to the 2024 CFP semifinals indicates they're well-prepared for both the SEC championship and securing a high seeding.
College Football HQ says: Sure, we understand that Texas isn't getting Quinn Ewers back, which was a misstep by Grok. The transition of Manning as the new starting quarterback will hinge on how effectively the Longhorns can redesign his blocking scheme following the loss of several crucial offensive line members during the off-season.
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Ohio State (Champions of the Big Ten)
Grok says: Following their victory in the 2024 national championship, Ohio State keeps crucial players such as Jeremiah Smith and maintains a strong defensive lineup. Even with questions surrounding the quarterback position, their impressive recruitment efforts and success in the transfer portal ensure they remain top contenders for the Big Ten title.
College Football HQ says: We'll see what happens with Ohio State’s quarterback position as Julian Sayin is poised to take over for Will Howard. However, our main concern lies with their "tough defense," which will lose much of its key pass-rushing ability.
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Clemson (ACC Champion)
Grok says: Clemson's steady performance under Coach Dabo Swinney, combined with the growth of quarterback Cade Klubnik, puts them in a strong position to regain control of the ACC. With a feasible schedule for 2025 and an opportunity presented by a less competitive conference, they seem ready to take advantage.
College Football HQ says: Coming off her best performance last season, Klubnik played a crucial role in helping the Tigers return to the playoffs as ACC champions. They remain strong favorites to achieve this feat once more; however, Swinney needs to address some gaps within his team’s defensive lineup before they can solidify their chances.
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Arizona State (Champions of the Big 12)
Grok says: The reigning champions of the 2024 Big 12 will have quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordan Tyson back on their roster. The fact that they won’t be facing Kansas State and BYU within their conference schedule provides them with a significant advantage in the highly competitive Big 12.
College Football HQ says: The comeback of Jordan Tyson at wide receiver is essential since Leavitt assumes control of the Sun Devils' offensive strategy following Cam Skattebo's departure from the program. With more than 1,000 yards receiving under his belt, Tyson will play an indispensable role if this squad hopes to make another appearance in the Big 12 championship game.
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Boise State (Champion of the Group of Five)
Grok says: Almost fifty percent of initial predictions suggest that Boise State will defend their title as champions of the Group of Five even with the departure of Ashton Jeanty. The team’s structure and guidance from coach Spencer Danielson continue to place them at the top of the Mountain West.
College Football HQ says: Jeanty’s departure will reduce the Broncos' offensive output, but they still have significant returning talent alongside quarterback Maddux Madsen. The early season matchups against USF and Notre Dame will serve as crucial benchmarks.
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Read More: Grok forecasts the top 10 college football teams for 2025.
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Georgia (At-Large)
Grok says: Despite losing quarterback Carson Beck, Kirby Smart’s team strengthens through top-tier recruitment. Although their challenging SEC schedule could hinder their championship run, securing an 10-2 or 11-1 record will likely guarantee them an at-large berth.
College Football HQ says: Grok is opting for a repeat of last year’s SEC Championship Game, though with a varied outcome, raising questions about whether Gunner Stockton can effectively take over from Beck and maintain his level of performance. What will present a challenging lineup? However, many of those more challenging games are played at home.
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Oregon (At-Large)
Grok says: In their sophomore season in the Big Ten, Oregon's prowess under coach Dan Lanning—with leadership from Dillon Gabriel's heir apparent—is expected to keep them on track for a playoff berth. While they might not clinch the conference title, they should secure a high enough ranking for a wild card position.
College Football HQ says: The Ducks have dropped in several Big Ten preseason rankings due to personnel losses, particularly at the quarterback position. However, with some capable transfers joining the team and a promising young QB named Dante Moore leading the offense, they still have a chance to claim victory in their conference.
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Penn State (At-Large)
Grok says: Thanks to Drew Allar returning and having a solid defensive lineup, Penn State is building upon their 2024 College Football Playoff campaign. They're almost certain to achieve over ten victories, ensuring they get an at-large berth even if Ohio State claims the Big Ten title.
College Football HQ says: Abdul Carter has left the defensive side, which removes a key element from Penn State’s pass rush. However, with the return of their strong offensive lineup featuring Drew Allar as quarterback and Nick Singleton along with Kaytron Allen in the running backs position, this squad might still have what it takes to challenge for the Big Ten championship effortlessly.
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Notre Dame (At-Large)
Grok says: As an independent program, Notre Dame’s impressive showing in the 2024 championship game along with Marcus Freeman’s positive trajectory continue into this season. Despite a challenging lineup including teams like Miami and Alabama, these obstacles will not prevent them from achieving a 10-2 record and securing a place in the playoffs.
College Football HQ says: Alabama doesn’t actually appear on Notre Dame’s schedule this year, making this yet another mistake by Grok. However, the Irish will face another SEC team when they welcome Texas A&M to South Bend. This game will serve as a significant benchmark for the selection committee to evaluate.
LSU (At-Large)
Grok says: Brian Kelly’s Tigers welcome back quarterback Garrett Nussmeier along with a strong group of transfers. With a more manageable 2025 SEC schedule (featuring home games against Tennessee, LSU, and Oklahoma), achieving 10 victories and securing an at-large berth seems within reach.
College Football HQ says: Nussmeier along with select skilled players should help maintain LSU at the top of the country’s passing statistics rankings. However, it remains unclear whether Blake Baker will be able to improve a defense that didn’t show significant improvement over the previous year.
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Alabama (At-Large)
Grok says: Kalen DeBoer’s second year introduces stability along with a top-four ranked recruitment class and a resolved quarterback position (either Ty Simpson or Keelon Russell). Despite not claiming victory in the SEC, their challenging schedule guarantees them a high ranking.
College Football HQ says: The "quarterback issue" remains unresolved, making it one of the most captivating storylines heading into this season as Alabama seeks to fill the shoes of the talented Jalen Milroe. Simpson, once considered a top-five star recruit, will get an opportunity to showcase his abilities now that Ryan Williams has returned as a wide receiver.
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Kansas State (At-Large)
Grok says: “Thanks to quarterback Avery Johnson and a well-rounded offense, Kansas State might not claim the Big 12 championship but could still reach double-digit victories. Their steady performance in a unpredictable league secures them an automatic bid.”
College Football HQ says: We decided to bet on the Wildcats being number one. Our Big 12 strength ratings Thanks to the comeback of Johnson as quarterback, but particularly due to the resurgence of running back Dylan Edwards, who put up an impressive performance in the bowl game to conclude last season.
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The article was initially posted on www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq as We requested Grok to forecast the top 12 college football playoff teams for the year 2025. .
