With Arch Manning under center and returning defensive stars like Anthony Hill Jr., Colin Simmons and Michael Taaffe, the sportsbooks made Texas football the early favorite to win the national championship next season.

While teams posting GPAs usually goes horribly wrong for college football programs, Texas' new season-high GPA, which equates to a B+ average, certainly deserves some props. Especially when you factor in just how much one of the top football teams in the country is focused on during the season.

NFL Draft is set to host double-digit numbers of Texas Longhorns prospects following another historic season, with seniors finally spreading their wing

Texas football reached the Cotton Bowl because the Longhorns won 2 playoff games. After making the CFP semifinals, who were the biggest stars in 2024?

On the back end, Texas has allowed only eight passing scores this year and ranks No. 3 in pass defense success rate. All-American cornerback Jahdae Barron had a standout season with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups and is a key cog in the hopes of slowing down Ohio State receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka.

Remember the fearmongering about how a 12-team playoff would ruin the regular season? Not so much, it turns out. Best season in 40 years. Maybe ever.

The Kentucky Wildcats had one of the worst seasons of the Mark Stoops era in 2024, finishing with a record of 4-8 overall, as well as 1-7 in SEC play, both of which were the lowest win totals since Stoops’ first season in 2013. Kentucky will likely have some pressure to win in 2025, which will be season No. 13 for Stoops in Lexington.

After winning its first 13 games and vaulting to No. 12 in the AP poll, Oklahoma has done a 180, losing each of its first four games as a new member of the Southeastern Conference.

Ohio State has to jump out early, spread the ball around, use pace, and control the line of scrimmage to thwart Notre Dame’s running game. Ohio State has played at a faster pace in the postseason and look for that to continue. The defense will want to make Leonard throw the ball by making the Notre Dame offense one-dimensional.

College Football Playoff National Championship will feature the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2) squaring off against the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-1) on Monday, January 20,