Joel Klatt ranks the ten teams most likely to make their first College Football Playoff in 2025

When the College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams ahead of the 2024 season, it opened the opportunity for teams that otherwise wouldn’t have been considered a chance to compete for a national championship. Last season, half of the field were programs experiencing their first CFP.

That trend could continue in 2025. Before the regular season kicks off, Fox Sports commentator Joel Klatt revealed 10 teams that could find themselves in the playoffs at the end of the season for the first time.

1. Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois was handed a rather favorable Big Ten schedule compared to their conference counterparts. They don’t have to play Penn State, Oregon or Michigan, and they host Ohio State. If they take care of business, the Fighting Illini could log consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time in program history. In turn, a College Football Playoff berth could be in their future.

Klatt: “Bret Bielema has built this team into what he wants. Physical, though. They win against South Carolina in the bowl game. They show the level that they can get to, and that team that won that day is essentially all back. 16 starters are back, nine on offense, seven on defense. Luke Altmeyer is back for his third season. … I think they’ve hit the lottery in the Big Ten.”

2. Ole Miss Rebels

Lane Kiffin went to work in the NCAA transfer portal once again this offseason, piecing together a top three class after finishing just shy of the College Football Playoff in 2024. Among the most notable changes — Jaxson Dart is no longer under center. If anyone can adapt to change, however, it’s the Rebels head coach.

Klatt: “Now, they’ve got to replace a ton of talent, but I trust Lane Kiffin. I think that people love to hate on Lane, but everywhere he’s been, he’s done an excellent job. He’s grown, he’s matured. … I loved taking a jab at him at the end of last year, which he took in stride. We’ve texted and talked. Great dude, love Lane.”

3. South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina’s schedule isn’t the easiest, featuring consecutive matchups against LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama at Ole Miss. Not to mention playing Texas A&M and Clemson down the stretch following the initial gauntlet. However, they have LaNorris Sellers under center who has jumped to the top of 2026 NFL Draft boards this offseason. He’ll have more than a couple opportunities in the spotlight this fall.

Klatt: “I love LaNorris Sellers. Breakout star in the second half of last season as South Carolina won their last six in the regular season. He does need to cut down on turnovers, but I think that’s going to come with experience. … They’ve got some real stars — and then the issue becomes the schedule. They’ve got a real good shot at starting 5-0. Their toughest game is at Missouri, but then it gets real when the calendar turns to October.”

4. Miami Hurricanes

Carson Beck is replacing No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward under center for the Hurricanes this season. Beck was two seasons of starting experience as a former Georgia Bulldog. However, it remains to be seen how he performs under center following his UCL surgery. Elsewhere in the lineup, Miami is expected to see improvements on defense — the side of the football which many see as a contributing factor when the ‘Canes missed out on the College Football Playoff in 2024.

Klatt: “They hired a new defensive coordinator this offseason, Corey Hetherman from Minnesota, a guy that I’ve covered and I really respect. I think he’s a really good defensive coordinator. I think he fits what Cristobal ball wants to do. The biggest question for Miami, at least in my estimation, is Carson Beck.”

5. Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa finished 8-5 last season, but went 1-3 in games decided by three points or less. They are expected to build on their improved offensive stats this fall. If they do that, a shot at the College Football Playoff could be a reality for the Hawkeyes.

Klatt: “They have proven under Kirk Ferentz that they can win close games. They can have great seasons, they can play above their head. They bring in the best quarterback from FCS, Mark Granowski, from South Dakota State. … He is one hell of a player. He won two national championships, was the Walter Payton winner two years ago. He has been a four-year starter who started 55 games in his career.”

6. Missouri Tigers

Missouri is surrounded by question marks due to losing top talent at key positions after last season. However, Eli Drinkwitz led the Tigers to consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time in a decade. Who’s to say he can’t do it again?

Klatt: “They’ve got to replace Brady Cook. They’ve got to replace Luther Burden, but they did add a top 10 portal class. So I like what they did there. … Eli Drinkwitz has done an excellent job with that program. They’ve recruited well, they play well, and they’ve taken advantage of a schedule that doesn’t look like, let’s say, Florida‘s or Oklahoma‘s.”

7. USC Trojans

USC finished its first season in the Big Ten with a 7-6 overall record, as well as a 4-5 mark against opponents within the conference. In a conference that has produced the last two national champions, the Trojans have several opportunities to prove themselves against high-profile competition this season. They’ll take on the likes of Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa and Oregon — all teams who have been in the CFP, or are included in Klatt’s list.

Klatt: “They started last season with a win over LSU, and I thought that that was going to propel them to a potential playoff season last year. In Lincoln Riley’s first year, they were a game away from going to the playoffs. I personally believe that that Riley has maybe come under some criticism that might not be fair, but I could be wrong. He’s going to have to win this year. You can’t go 7-5 again.”

8. Kansas State Wildcats

QB Avery Johnson is returning for his second season as the Wildcats starter. He’ll be paired with RB Dylan Edwards in the backfield — potentially one of the more high-powered offenses in the conference this season.

Klatt: “The Big 12 should be crazy, which is why I don’t have them higher than this. … It’s a narrow path, but if someone could do it again — I’m a Chris Kleiman fan. They’ve got Avery Johnson. He had his ups and downs last year, but I love his talent.”

9. Florida Gators

DJ Lagway is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC next season. However, the Gators schedule might hold them back down the stretch. They will face both Miami and Florida State in non-conference play, and will match up against the likes of LSU, Texas, Georgia and Tennessee among other tough opponents in the SEC this fall.

Klatt: “I think Billy Napier has done an excellent job. You look at how hot his seat was at the beginning of the season, and then what they were able to do, and now they have some momentum moving forward. So why aren’t they higher on the list? Well, their schedule is brutal.”

10. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska finished 2024 with a 7-6 record under second-year head coach Matt Rhule. Former five-star recruit Dylan Raiola is back under center. In 2024 as a true freshman, Raiola completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Cornhuskers were 5-1 to begin last season, but finished 2-5 after that, including a four-game losing streak during Big Ten play.

Klatt: “I think that they can probably take a little bit of a jump. If you look at their year last year, it was progress. Year two with Matt Rhule was almost really good. Except for those one score games, which I know you could be saying forever for Nebraska, but they snapped that seven-year streak without a bowl. That’s progress.”