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New York Post
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Post
2025 College Football predictions: Why Clemson is a national title contender
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. Every summer, there is a group of college football teams that become hype machines. Whether it be due to a new coaching hire, a strong finish to the previous season, or because of the transfer portal, there's always a handful of programs that become trendy, and that love seeps into the betting market. Last summer, Florida State and Utah had their bandwagons full by Week 1, only to go a combined 7-17, with the Seminoles footing the table in the ACC. Other trendy teams from last summer, like Texas, SMU, and Tennessee, fared much better, but the point is that just because a program becomes a popular pick in the offseason doesn't guarantee that it will make good on that promise when school is back in session. We've identified a few teams that have become trendy this summer and will discuss whether or not they will live up to the hype in the fall. Florida quarterback DJ Lagway during the annual Spring Game. Getty Images for ONIT 2025 College Football predictions Florida Gators It's been a while since Florida has been relevant. The Gators haven't won an SEC Championship since 2008, and they've gone 25-26 in the last four seasons. Pressure was starting to build up on head coach Billy Napier before the 2024 campaign, but he was able to save his bacon with a strong finish en route to an 8-5 campaign against a brutal schedule. Not only did Florida's four-game winning streak to close out 2024 likely save Napier's job, but it also turned some heads and put the Gators on the radar for 2025. A huge part of Florida's turnaround in 2024 was the play of quarterback DJ Lagway, who is getting considerable Heisman hype heading into his sophomore season. Lagway gives the Gators a high ceiling, but the problem is that, once again, Florida is going to go up against one of the toughest schedules in the nation. According to ESPN's Bill Connelly, only Oklahoma will face a more daunting path than the Gators in 2025. There are some positive signs in the Swamp, but Florida's schedule makes it really hard to get caught up in the hype surrounding the Gators for 2025. The Verdict: Pass Clemson Tigers Dabo Swinney and Clemson re-emerged with a trip to the College Football Playoff in 2024, and all signs point to another step forward in 2025. The Tigers are 11/1 to win the National Championship at FanDuel Sportsbook, and they are the clear favorites to win the ACC. Clemson's Cade Klubnik is one of the favorites to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy. Getty Images Those may seem like steep prices to pay on the Tigers, but there's reason to believe that Clemson is going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2025. The biggest positive for the Tigers is that they lead the country in returning production at 81 percent. For a program that's been hesitant to dip into the portal, it's a huge positive that Clemson is bringing back so many snaps from 2024. In addition to the stability, the Tigers will also go up against a manageable schedule in the ACC this season. The Tigers are already getting plenty of love in the betting market, but it's warranted. Watch out for Cade Klubnik and Clemson in 2025. Verdict: National Title Contender Betting on College Football? Illinois Fighting Illini Everybody is wondering who will be this year's Arizona State or Indiana, and Illinois is going to be a popular answer to that question. The Illini went 10-3 in 2024 and wrapped up the season by defeating South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl. That may be a sign of things to come for the Illini, who rank third in returning production, have a stud quarterback in Luke Altmyer, and will play as easy a schedule as you could hope for in the Big Ten in 2025. Illinois won't have the talent to go up against the heavyweights in the Playoff, but they have legitimate hopes of making it to the Big Ten Championship, making the 40/1 (BetMGM Sportsbook) on the Illini to win the conference quite tempting. Verdict: Big Ten Dark Horse Why Trust New York Post Betting Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ohio State football 2025 projected depth chart on offense, summer edition
We are less than a month away from Big Ten football media days, and less than two months away from the start of the 2025 college football season, meaning you'll get to watch YOUR Ohio State Buckeyes defend their College Football Playoff national title very soon. To do it, though, Ohio State will have to replace several key starters off of a team that saw 14 players selected in the 2025 NFL draft. There's never a talent shortage in Columbus, but breaking in a new starting quarterback, some key skill position players on offense, and a slew of defensive veterans will be no easy task. There isn't time either for a slow boil development this coming fall, because the Buckeyes host what will most likely be a top-three ranked Texas Longhorns team to break the seal on the season. At a place like Ohio State, simply reloading and having grace for the program to rebuild after an all-timer of a team won't cut it because of the expectations the fanbase, alumni, and administration heap on broad Scarlet and Gray shoulders. Here at Buckeyes Wire, we like to take a stab at projecting the starting two-deep depth chart, and now that we're getting closer and closer to the season with spring ball and the Spring Game past us, we have a decent idea of what the depth chart will look like. Yes, there are still key position battles to hammer out, but here's how we see things looking when Ohio State runs out of the tunnel on Aug. 30 to get things crankin' again this fall. We start on the offensive side of the ball with defense and special teams to follow in the coming days. Quarterback Starter | Julian Sayin Backup | Lincoln Kienholz Ryan Day is still holding to the notion that this is a close competition between the former 5-star Alabama transfer in Julian Sayin, and Kineholz, who is about as athletic as they come and can provide the Buckeyes with a little more when it comes to dual-threat ability. Ultimately, it'll come down to which quarterback gives Ohio State the best chance to move the ball. With guys like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate on the outside, we like Sayin to get the nod with his accuracy, command, and release. Running Back Starter | James Peoples Backup | CJ Donaldson You can bet that Day and staff will try to replicate a two-back backfield going forward with this new model. To try and accomplish that, Ohio State went out and got veteran running back CJ Donaldson from West Virginia to pair with Peoples. This could go either way, with Donaldson being a bigger back and Peoples being more of the shifty option, with both getting significant playing time barring any surprises. Wide Receiver (X) Starter | Jeremiah Smith Backup | Quincy Porter Smith has this position locked down on any football team -- including maybe NFL clubs until he moves on. The best player in college football will be a problem again for defenses. Behind him aren't options with a lot of experience, but Porter has the skill to spell Smith when he isn't in the game. He had a great spring and we should see him on the field, it just remains to be seen how much. Wide Receiver (Z) Starter | Carnell Tate Backup | Mylan Graham Much like Smith is locked in as the No. 1 option on the outside, Tate will be written in ink on the other outside position. He showed off his skill set and upside last year in several spots, and now that Emeka Egbuka is off to the NFL, he'll be the next man up. With all the attention Smith will command, Tate could have a very big year. Behind him, depending on where the coaching staff wants to slide him, Mylan Graham has to also see the field with what we saw from him in the spring. Wide Receiver (Slot) Starter | Brandon Inniss Backup | Bryson Rodgers While Smith and Tate have things nailed down on the outside, the slot position is a little more open. While Bryson Rodgers will push for playing time, Inniss has the best combination of skill and experience to round out the starting rotation. Don't be surprised if Rodgers starts to cut into some of the snaps as the season goes on. Tight End Starter | Max Klare Backup | Will Kacmarek Kacmarek and Jelani Thurman would have been a very good one/two combination at the position, but then Ohio State went out and got one of the best tight ends in the country when it lured Max Klare to Columbus from Purdue. He should immediately be a playmaker in an offense that already has a wealth of options in the passing game. He'll get many more opportunities as the starter, but the other two guys will also rotate in from time to time. Center Starter | Carson Hinzman Backup | Joshua Padilla Hinzman was the starter here before Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin showed up and took the spot over to start last season. Karma was kind to Hinzman after perhaps being in the doghouse, though, when McLaughlin was lost for the year because of injury. He stepped back in and was an anchor on a line that continued to improve through the memorable CFP title run. There's little doubt that he'll be the man in the middle again in 2025. Padilla is a talent waiting for his turn, and he will be ready to provide relief when needed. It gets pretty thin beyond that without shuffling the deck. Left Tackle Starter | Ethan Onianwa Backup | Ian Moore Ohio State went out and got Onianwa out of the transfer portal from Rice for a reason. His experience will be counted on to be penciled in as the starter to protect the quarterback's blind side. Behind him, Ian Moore showed very well in the spring and could even push for a starting spot somewhere else on the line, but right now, he's waiting in the wings should Onianwa go down. Right Tackle Starter | Austin Siereveld Backup | Philip Daniels The coaching staff has already come out and awarded Siereveld a starting spot, and right tackle looks and feels like the option he'll land at. His development and steady play is being rewarded and he should be solid option to help lock down the right side of the line. Daniels could really flash in the fall and push for time here or guard, but there's not much time for that to happen. He'll be a big part of things in future years. Left Guard Starter | Luke Montgomery Backup | Devontae Armstrong Coming off a strong late-season performance, including more and more excellent play as the postseason wore on, look for Luke Montgomery to be the answer here. Behind him is a little more unknown. For now, we'll pencil in Devontae Armstrong, but don't be surprised if there is shuffling up and down the line as needed, especially with the depth positions. Right Guard Starter | Tegra Tshabola Backup | Gabe VanSickle This is the position less locked in than the rest on the line. Tshabola got the bulk of the reps in spring, so unless someone else jumps out in the fall, he'll probably run out as the guy in Week 1. However, look out for Ian Moore to through a wrench in all of this if he flashes in preseason camp and pushes Tshabola out by moving here as the coaches try to get the best five in the lineup. VanSickle got a decent amount of time in the spring and could be the answer here if depth is needed. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
USA Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Previewing the 2025 season for Penn State RB Tikey Hayes with his player profile
Previewing the 2025 season for Penn State RB Tikey Hayes with his player profile Going into the 2025 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will examine each player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover the player's background, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for James Franklin this season. The newest addition to Penn State's running back room, freshman Tikey Hayes enrolled on campus early and has already hit the ground running. During a recent media availability, Franklin said "He's tough. This isn't too big for him. So a lot of things to like about him, a lot of things to like about him that have showed up already." Hayes saw limited playing time in the team's annual Spring Game but was able to get his first touches in Beaver Stadium ahead of his first college season. Preseason Player Profile Hometown: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania Height: 5-11 Weight: 205 lb Class in 2025: Freshman Recruiting Rankings Class of 2024: 4-star recruit by Rivals, 3-star recruit by 247Sports, On3 and ESPN, No. 32 running back (247Sports) Hayes was on the border between a 3- and 4-star per recruiting services. He put up big numbers at Aliquippa High School, leading to an offer from the Nittany Lions. After several visits to campus, he decided to commit, even after Ja'Juan Seider's departure. Depth Chart Overview Coming in as a true freshman, Hayes has his work cut out for him. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen will hold down the top two spots on the depth chart, while players like Corey Smith, Quinton Martin and Cam Wallace battle for the next spots. Still, Hayes is off to a good start and may become a larger contributor in the coming years.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ohio State Coach Ryan Day Fires Salvo at 'Cheap' and 'Easy' NIL Money Criticisms of National Title Team
The Ohio State Buckeyes won the 2024-2025 National Championship in football with four straight wins in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame. The run has Ohio State media calling it the most impressive four-game stretch of all-time and has helped the Buckeyes to become the odds-on favorite to win the 2025-2026 national title in some circles. Advertisement On Thursday, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day sat down for an interview with college football host Josh Pate during which he gave credit to his players and coaching staff for their hard work, touched on a wide variety of topics and ultimately fired back at critics who assert that the Buckeyes won on the strength of their offseason NIL spending spree. Ryan Day speaks at the Ohio State Spring Game on April 12. © Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images "There was this perception out there that, oh, any team that wins now, well they're just winning because they went out and paid guys a lot of money," Pate said to Day as he lauded the Buckeyes' for gelling together as a team during their historic run. "Yeah, I think that's just easy for people to say, well, you know, Ohio State had NIL for this amount of money or whatever that just so cheap and so easy for someone to say," Day says around the 34 minute mark of the video below. Advertisement "If you actually do the research, all it does is really tell you the value of an Ohio State football player. "When you look at a brand that has just south of 12 million fans in the city of Columbus with two million people and the power of Ohio State, yeah our guys are going to make a lot of money in NIL. "We did add six or seven guys, but not 15, not 20, where we went out there and just went and got the best players in college football that wasn't the case, and that's not what won us a championship, I think it's easy for people just to kind of say that because it's easy and it's cheap," Day added. Day mentioned Buckeyes holdovers Denzel Burke, Donovan Jackson, Emeka Egbuka, Jack Sawyer and others as players who formed the foundation of Ohio State's title team along with Will Howard and Quinshon Judkins as key contributors who were added in the portal. Advertisement "I'm pretty defensive of that because these guys who came through here and have scars, you don't always remember the wins until you win championships. "That really didn't affect us in the end because we knew that wasn't the case, it wasn't like we just had the best players money could buy, if anyone actually did their research." Related: Jeremiah Smith Teases Big Ohio State Announcement With Curt Message
USA Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
‘Just give 18 the ball;' Kenyon Sadiq shines at TE1 at Oregon football spring game
'Just give 18 the ball;' Kenyon Sadiq shines at TE1 at Oregon football spring game The Oregon Ducks have had a tradition of great tight ends over the years, but Kenyon Sadiq may be on a whole other level. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound junior out of Idaho Falls could be the most athletic tight end in Duck history and, with a good season, could very well be a first-round draft pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Sadiq showed off his unique talents in last season's Big Ten Championship Game when he scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, one in which he hurdled a defender on his way to the end zone. He had to play behind Terrance Ferguson for the previous two seasons, but here in 2025, it will be Sadiq's time to shine. According to quarterback Dante Moore, Sadiq is a special talent, and building a rapport with him on and off the field is going to be beneficial for everyone involved. In the end, he just needs the opportunities. 'Just give 18 the ball," Moore said. "I mean, that's what I tell Coach (Drew) Mehringer every day when I see him. I mean, give him the ball. He just makes plays, man. I mean, every opportunity in this offense, you got to find the best player. Of course, you have multiple of them, but I just got to give 18 the ball. He's gonna make a play." That chemistry between the two players showed itself during the Spring Game. Sadiq led all receivers with seven catches for 102 yards. He even hurdled a defender during the second half. "I was glad to have him on my team during the spring game. We have a really good connection," Moore said. "He used to live by me, you know, my neighbor. So we're pretty close, but overall, I'm just blessed to have him. He's a freak, with him running 23 miles per hour, it's insane. So glad to have him on a team.' Seeing Sadiq do special things on the field isn't anything new to head coach Dan Lanning. While Duck fans have been clamoring to see more of Sadiq over the past couple of years, this is something that Oregon players and coaches have known was coming for a while. 'I have seen it every day that he's been here. He's a guy that has constantly improved, worked really hard, and embraced whatever role he's wearing for the team," Lanning said of his TE1. "He has been able to help us since the day he got here. I think you saw some of Kenyon that we get to see every day in practice.' When practices become tougher than the actual games, opposing Big Ten teams will have a rough time stopping Sadiq, and the Ducks can't wait for the regular season to start. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
