NJDuck Moderator No. 1 Share Posted Saturday at 05:53 PM Newly engaged and legendary storm chaser Josh Pate hosts "The Josh Pate College Football Show" nightly on CBS Sports, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Friday night the peripatetic college football sage took on a viewer question, "Who can realistically and actually win it all in 2025?" While only winning the big games on the schedule and in the playoffs can make that happen, it was nice to hear him say it. After three years of building his team around veteran transfer quarterbacks, Dan Lanning and his staff must show this year they can coach up a young team and develop their high-profile recruits. FanDuel includes them among the favorites to do so. National Championship Odds, FanDuel: Ohio State +600 Texas +650 Oregon +650 Georgia +700 Penn State +800 Notre Dame +1200 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 2 Share Posted Saturday at 09:49 PM Hey Finebaum, have you seen this? 3 B1G's and only 2 SEC's! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Fischer Administrator No. 3 Share Posted Sunday at 12:45 AM On 4/5/2025 at 2:49 PM, 30Duck said: Hey Finebaum, have you seen this? 3 B1G's and only 2 SEC's! Mr. FishDuck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatOrlando No. 4 Share Posted Sunday at 03:06 AM On 4/5/2025 at 2:49 PM, 30Duck said: Hey Finebaum, have you seen this? 3 B1G's and only 2 SEC's! Paul has had a rough couple years. His claim that the B1G is being propped up by two heavyweights and a bunch of mid teams works to his core audience. The big problem is the SEC has been propped up by two programs and a bunch of fluff as well. LSU is not consistently great, they'll pop up every odd year like 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2019 when the title game is played in the Superdome. But outside of that they aren't better than Penn State. Tennessee was down for a decade, they got ran off the field vs Ohio State in the playoffs. I can't say they're elite yet. Texas is in the same league as Oregon, only less consistent. Texas A&M is like USC in the way they get hyped up and then lose when it matters. Oklahoma has gotten thrashed every single time they have made the playoff. Under Venables they've been a seven win squad per average. Florida? Don't get me started on our issues, hopefully Billy and DJ can put those issues to bed. But until they go it's nothing but hope. So the SEC has had Alabama and Georgia carrying the shield. I'm sorry but that doesn't make me proud or happy. Just like I'm sure Oregon wasn't happy when USC had their run in the 2000's or now with Ohio State and Michigan. Little brothers and never have beens take credit for other's success. Programs like Ole Miss or Oregon State. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 5 Share Posted Sunday at 03:19 AM On 4/5/2025 at 8:06 PM, GatOrlando said: Paul has had a rough couple years. His claim that the B1G is being propped up by two heavyweights and a bunch of mid teams works to his core audience. The big problem is the SEC has been propped up by two programs and a bunch of fluff The part of that that is really irritating is the SEC's defense of their 8 game schedule, "Our conference is so deep & competitive that the Mercer game in Week 11 is justified". Also why when B1G teams lose to each other it's viewed as weak, and the loss will send the team tumbling. But if an SEC team beats another SEC team, they don't drop at all, and it's seen as a good win. Paul had a lot of trouble with it last season. But if Vandy and /or Okie, beat Alabama again, it won't be that Alabama is slipping, Vandy & Okie are just "emerging superpowers". 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatOrlando No. 6 Share Posted Sunday at 03:56 AM On 4/5/2025 at 8:19 PM, 30Duck said: The part of that that is really irritating is the SEC's defense of their 8 game schedule, "Our conference is so deep & competitive that the Mercer game in Week 11 is justified". Also why when B1G teams lose to each other it's viewed as weak, and the loss will send the team tumbling. But if an SEC team beats another SEC team, they don't drop at all, and it's seen as a good win. Paul had a lot of trouble with it last season. But if Vandy and /or Okie, beat Alabama again, it won't be that Alabama is slipping, Vandy & Okie are just "emerging superpowers". Paul may have a national show but he has and always will cater to the State of Alabama generally. The SEC as a whole is his secondary base. People need to remember that. He's like a beat writer that got a platform on ESPN. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 7 Share Posted Sunday at 05:05 PM On 4/5/2025 at 8:56 PM, GatOrlando said: Paul may have a national show but he has and always will cater to the State of Alabama generally. The SEC as a whole is his secondary base That came through loud and clear after the Vandy win over Alabama. A SEC "fan" should have celebrated the win, blabbered on about the depth & quality of the conference. But all Finebaum could do was throw DeBoer under the bus. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatOrlando No. 8 Share Posted yesterday at 03:10 AM On 4/6/2025 at 10:05 AM, 30Duck said: That came through loud and clear after the Vandy win over Alabama. A SEC "fan" should have celebrated the win, blabbered on about the depth & quality of the conference. But all Finebaum could do was throw DeBoer under the bus. Finebaum did say he believed Vanderbilt could beat most B1G teams in a CFP, but I think that was only to try and cover for Alabama losing. He was pretty silent after Oklahoma beat the Tide in October. I think he said Alabama wasn't a CFP team, a statement he later went back on when Indiana and SMU got in over Ole Miss and Alabama. I just accept Paul for what he is. He has called out Florida fans many times for our calls to see Napier get fired. But then he said DeBoer should be on the hot seat after one year where he (Paul) himself said they were playoff worthy in early December. So which is it Paul, is it insane for Gator fans to grow restless after three years of mediocrity but not insane for Alabama fans to be frustrated after one year? I think he forgets the stretch of time that Alabama wasn't the dynasty they became under Saban. A furious Alabama fan delivered an all-time rant about the Vandy loss on Paul Finebaum Show FTW.USATODAY.COM As if it wasn't already obvious, Alabama fans aren't taking kindly to the team's shocking loss at Vanderbilt on... 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nevada Dawg No. 9 Share Posted yesterday at 05:31 AM I think the teams on Fan Duel's list are the most likely title winners but I quibble with the rankings. First, I'd switch the places of Penn State and Ohio State . Penn State has a QB returning and Ohio State lost a lot of firepower on defense and their OL. I'd switch places with Georgia and Texas. I am always leery of breaking in new QBs, and that applies to both squads (and Oregon as well). But the receiver room in Austin will be nowhere as good as it was last year while Georgia's is going to be dramatically better than last year. Plus Texas has more to rebuild on the OL than Georgia does. Once again, Texas has the easier schedule however. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike West No. 10 Share Posted yesterday at 05:44 PM On 4/5/2025 at 8:06 PM, GatOrlando said: Florida? Don't get me started on our issues, hopefully Billy and DJ can put those issues to bed. But until they go it's nothing but hope. Oh I think your Gators are going to make some noise this year. They are a much better team with Lagway healthy. In fact, they’re pretty dangerous and I feel the title goes through Gainesville this year. Texas and Georgia must be on point all game to defeat your Gators this year. I doubt Tennessee can beat them. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike West No. 11 Share Posted yesterday at 06:05 PM On 4/6/2025 at 10:31 PM, Nevada Dawg said: I think the teams on Fan Duel's list are the most likely title winners but I quibble with the rankings. First, I'd switch the places of Penn State and Ohio State . Penn State has a QB returning and Ohio State lost a lot of firepower on defense and their OL. I'd switch places with Georgia and Texas. I am always leery of breaking in new QBs, and that applies to both squads (and Oregon as well). But the receiver room in Austin will be nowhere as good as it was last year while Georgia's is going to be dramatically better than last year. Plus Texas has more to rebuild on the OL than Georgia does. Once again, Texas has the easier schedule however. I agree Penn State is underrated given the team they return. Texas though…I believe that WR group will be almost as good. Not to mention Manning is simply the best QB ‘returning’. Now Georgia certainly is better at the line of scrimmage. Manning is far more elusive than Ewers, is more accurate, and will make more plays than Ewers (and Sark knows how to get the best out of his QBs-and Manning may be the best QB Sark has ever coached). I believe Texas has the best shot at winning the title. Georgia has lost so much on defense, that I believe they’ll have to outscore teams this year, and I don’t believe they have the WR or RB group to pull that off. DL has to prove to me he can shut down (not stop, but actually bus stop) lethal offenses. As in taking an F1 car, putting it in the pit stop, until his offense puts the game out of reach. I also believe Stein has to show no defense can stop him (at any time, not just crucial situations). Penn State is a WR group away from a title. QB Allard holds the ball too long because that group doesn’t get open consistently enough. Ohio State is a better version of last year’s Michigan team, without the defensive firepower. They should lose to Penn State, and if Michigan’s fresh phenom is any good, a fifth straight loss to the Wolverines is in the cards (who in my opinion has the best schedule and can surprise everyone). Notre Dame needs a dominant QB. They have everything else. The field is wide open again. There are no Saban dominant type teams, or Georgia 21’ or 22’. We are in a new era. Every year is going to look like the NFL. The eventual champs will be the ones that make the fewest mistakes, has the healthiest team, and has enough playmakers to make a difference. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Joseph Moderator No. 12 Share Posted yesterday at 06:22 PM On 4/7/2025 at 1:44 PM, Mike West said: Oh I think your Gators are going to make some noise this year. They are a much better team with Lagway healthy. In fact, they’re pretty dangerous and I feel the title goes through Gainesville this year. Texas and Georgia must be on point all game to defeat your Gators this year. I doubt Tennessee can beat them. Mike, I like your thoughts on the Gators but I think UF is one of the hardest teams to project going into 2025. Lagway is terrific when healthy but there are concerns about his recovery from a dinged shoulder. His reps have been limited in Spring practice. Then, there is the schedule. Using The Sporting News preseason composite top 25 rankings, Florida is ranked No. 15. But first or second in 2025 strength-of-schedule. No. 4 UGA in JAX. Home vs No. 1 Texas, No. 10 Tennessee, and a trying to recover NR FSU. (Good luck Seminoles. Opening vs Bama and closing in Gainesville.) On the road in Game 3 vs. No. 8 LSU, and at No. 11 Miami the following Saturday. Also on the road vs No. 23 A+M, No. 20 Ole Miss, and NR Kentucky. But the Gators miss Bama. If Lagway is healthy I think that UF will win at Miami. But to play in the SEC Champ Game will require Billy Napier to come up with a Coach of the Year performance. Napier did do a great job last season leading a rebounding UF to a bowl game win over Tulane. Florida was wiped out in Austin last season but with Lagway, does have a shot to get revenge against Texas in Gainesville. The SEC will again be very competitive with a chance for many 2024 3-loss SEC teams to do the same in 2025. Texas? For the 2nd season in a row, the SEC has handed Texas the easiest in-conference schedule for an SEC title contender. The talent is there but the Horns lose a lot of talent to the NFL. One starter is back on the O line. Will WRs Wingo and Moore seamlessly replace Bond and Golden? And Texas also loses its 2024 starting TE to the draft. And lots of stud players on D are also off to the League. Texas stars Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden declare for 2025 NFL Draft as Longhorns lose key offensive pieces - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Texas will have to replace its top two wide receivers entering the 2025 season The Question for 2025 - Which team is most successful in replacing starters lost from these 2024-25 Playoff teams? OBD, Texas, Ohio State, or Georgia? The 'raw materials' are there for all four teams, which will be assembled the best? Is it August yet? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike West No. 13 Share Posted 22 hours ago Jon, As usual you add depth to any analysis. I forgot Florida plays LSU and A&M, but I don’t consider them as dangerous as the Gators. They’re still tough outings for sure though. The SEC can truly boast the ‘any given Saturday “ theme from now on. Texas and Michigan (again, if the Wolverines have a legit QB) have the easiest paths to a title game (boy I wish they would change the dynamic of the CFP-for OBD might have given Ohio State a game for the ages again). I have a love/hate relationship for Kirby Smart. It’s more the blue blood thing than him because I think he is the best coach in the business right now. Being a West Coast fan that literally watched the SEC allow Scam Newton to play but viciously attack USC for basically the same damn violation, I just loathe giving the conference the credit it is due. The balance in the SEC is unparalleled. It would be nice to see Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, USC and the Fuskies return to glory as they would nullify the SEC mantra ‘they’re the best’. But I’m rare. Most alums would NEVER advocate competitive balance-especially with their hated rivals. I happen to believe it is absolutely best for the game of college football. ‘My team is better than yours’ is what makes college football better than the NFL. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 14 Share Posted 20 hours ago On 4/7/2025 at 12:47 PM, Mike West said: Being a West Coast fan that literally watched the SEC allow Scam Newton to play but viciously attack USC for basically the same damn violation, I just loathe giving the conference the credit it is due. There really is no comparison between the NCAA treatment of "$Cam Newton-Auburn & Reggie Bush -USC. USC was hit with sanctions, Bush had his Heisman taken away, what did the NCAA do to Auburn-Newton? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatOrlando No. 15 Share Posted 14 hours ago On 4/7/2025 at 10:44 AM, Mike West said: Oh I think your Gators are going to make some noise this year. They are a much better team with Lagway healthy. In fact, they’re pretty dangerous and I feel the title goes through Gainesville this year. Texas and Georgia must be on point all game to defeat your Gators this year. I doubt Tennessee can beat them. There has been some concern about DJ's shoulder, but I think he'll be fine. Billy needs to contend this year, it's going to be tough with the schedule though. The best beat whoever is there, that's what Oregon did outside of one game against the eventual champion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
