The great Phil Steele joined JC and Morgan for his annual visit with the guys to preview the 2025 college football season.
During the interview, Steele threw out several intriguing storylines and teams to watch. One of the most interesting developments is the potential emergence of the Oklahoma Sooners as a dark horse candidate for the College Football Playoff.
With the addition of John Mateer at quarterback along with his offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and a receiving corps that will not be decimated by injuries (hopefully this season), plus a defense that was one of the best during the Sooners 6-7 campaign (their first in the Southeastern Conference) in 2025, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, though a brutal SEC schedule plus a non-conference home game with 2023 National Champion Michigan looms for Brent Venables and company.
It’s not the Big 12 anymore for sure.
Speaking of the Big 12 conference, it’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive leagues in the country. Steele says there are eight legit contenders in that league this year, including defending champion Arizona State and others. The two Beehive State programs, Utah and BYU, will be two to keep an eye on this season as the Utes are expected to rebound with an elite offensive line and more.
Shifting our focus to the ACC, the Clemson Tigers are once again poised for a big season. Not only are they gunning for another conference championship and playoff berth, but they also have their sights set on individual accolades. Quarterback Cade Klubnik is Steele’s preseason Heisman pick after throwing for 4,100 yards or so last season in a breakout year.
Steele gravitated towards teams that return players this season and explains why.
