College Football Teams: Better or Worse in 2025? Josh Pate Analysis

Tennessee Volunteers: A Step Back?

• 📉 Tennessee finished 10-2 last year, but their over/under for this season is set at 8.5 wins.
• ⚠️ The team is ranked 110th in offensive returning production, and the departure of Nico Iamaleava, along with defensive losses, raises concerns.
• ❓ While quarterback Josh Heupel is a wildcard, his turnover-prone history and questions about the offensive line and wide receiver caliber suggest a potential drop-off.

USC Trojans: Poised for Improvement

• 🚀 USC, with a 6-6 record last year and an over/under of 7.5 wins, is expected to be significantly better.
• 🤯 A surprising statistic highlights USC losing five Big Ten games in the fourth quarter last season, indicating a need for improvement.
• 💪 The team appears stronger on the line of scrimmage, with expectations for improved sacks and tackles for loss, and Jacobe Lane is predicted to be a standout receiver.

Florida State Seminoles: Guaranteed Improvement

• 📈 Florida State is projected to be much better than their previous 2-10 record, with easy early-season games against Kent State and East Texas A&M.
• 🎯 The team's schedule includes matchups against teams with low preseason rankings, making a record better than 2-10 almost a certainty.

Kansas State Wildcats: Staying the Course

• 🤔 Kansas State, with an 8-4 record last year and an over/under of 8.5 wins, is predicted to remain largely the same.
• 🏈 While Avery Johnson is back at quarterback, his performance is considered consistent, and questions remain about the offensive line and secondary.
• 🗓️ A challenging back half of the schedule, including games against Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Utah, and Texas Tech, suggests many close contests.