Five College Football Sleepers Challenge Power Four Dominance

The 2025 college football season features Ohio State and Texas as front-runners for the national championship, each introducing highly touted new quarterbacks and maintaining strong overall rosters. LSU and Clemson emerge as notable sleeper teams, with LSU benefiting from a strong transfer class and Clemson returning significant production, positioning both as potential contenders despite challenging schedules. Alabama, now three seasons into its post-Nick Saban era, ranks tenth overall and fifth in the SEC according to ESPN analyst Adam Rittenberg, who cites the lack of a returning starting quarterback and the need for coach Kalen DeBoer to prove postseason success as factors. A highly anticipated non-conference matchup between Wisconsin and Alabama highlights the season, showcasing traditional physical programs and offering key insights into team strengths and weaknesses. Meanwhile, the Pac-12 is undergoing a rebirth after major realignment, focusing on growth with new member schools and investments in facilities and coaching to reclaim its competitive stature. Finally, SEC rivalries such as the Iron Bowl and the Red River Rivalry remain central to the college football landscape, marked by deep-seated traditions and intense competition that continue to captivate fans and define the season's stakes.