Josh Pate's Boldest College Football Predictions for 2025

LSU's Challenging Early Season

• 🎯 LSU faces a difficult start to their season, with a prediction that they will lose three games within the first six weeks.
• 🗓️ Their early schedule includes tough matchups against Clemson (away), Florida (home), Ole Miss (away), and South Carolina (home), all rated as difficult games.
• 🔑 The team's heavy reliance on transfer portal talent means they need to gel quickly, as there's little time to integrate new players before facing these challenging opponents.

Heisman Trophy Non-Quarterback Finalists

• 🏆 A bold prediction suggests that the Heisman Trophy ceremony will feature two non-quarterback finalists.
• 🏈 Currently, the odds heavily favor quarterbacks, with 39 of the top 42 contenders being signal-callers, making this prediction highly unlikely.
• 💡 This would require unexpected players, like wide receivers or others, to emerge as serious contenders against the established quarterback dominance.

Texas Teams Dominating Conference Play

• 🚀 The prediction is that three Texas-based teams will win their respective conferences: Houston (Big 12), SMU (ACC), and Texas A&M (SEC).
• 📈 While some teams like Texas are favored in their conferences, the odds for Houston and SMU to win are long, making this a highly ambitious prediction.
• 💰 A hypothetical parlay of these three outcomes could yield a significant payout, highlighting the long odds involved.

Nebraska's Potential Playoff Run

• 📈 A bold prediction forecasts Nebraska achieving an 11-1 record and making the College Football Playoff.
• 🎓 This prediction is partly based on the perceived success of coach Matt Rhule's third year at previous programs, where he has historically achieved double-digit wins.
• 🤔 The success hinges on the performance of new quarterback Dylan Raiola, the offensive coordinator marriage, and the team's ability to maintain defensive strength after losing a key coordinator.