National champion Ohio State, Notre Dame and other teams to watch next season

The longest college football season in history is over. Only seven months until the next one starts.

The usual suspects will line up to compete for spots in the second round of the 12-team College Football Playoff, which culminates Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. There will certainly be a few surprise teams.

National champion Ohio State will have many of its stars move on to the NFL, but the next wave of talent is always ready in Columbus, drawn by the program’s pedigree and an embarrassment of riches in name, image and likeness. Revenue sharing is also expected to begin later this year.

Marcus Freeman has Notre Dame positioned to continue to be a playoff contender, and there’s no reason to believe that the other teams that made the playoff in 2024 can’t make it again.

Ten teams to watch, with the caveat that squads could change after the April transfer window on the portal:

Ohio State

The Buckeyes will have their fourth starting quarterback in four seasons. No problem. Julian Sayin, the nation’s No. 1 quarterback recruit in 2024, is the favorite to take over for Will Howard. Freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate will be the most dangerous receiving tandem in the country, and All-America safety Caleb Downs returns.

Lady

Marcus Freeman has his program positioned for the annual playoffs. The Irish need to find a replacement for quarterback Riley Leonard, but the offense returns running back Jeremy Love and receiver Jaden Greathouse. The defense loses ball-hawk in two-time All-America safety Xavier Watts, and there are holes to fill up front and at linebacker.

Texas

Arch Manning is finally the guy at quarterback now that Quinn Ewers has declared for the NFL draft, and he will have Ryan Wing as his top target. The offensive line loses four starters. The decline should be minimal for one of the best defenses in the country. Travis Shaw (North Carolina) is among four incoming transfers and a power forward.

Penn State

The Nittany Lions could be formidable with the return of quarterback Drew Allar, 1,000-yard rushers Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton. The schedule is tolerable. The Lions play at Ohio State, but have Oregon and Indiana at home.

Clemson

Cade Klubnik will give the Tigers a three-year starter at quarterback, and there is plenty of experience in the receiving corps. The Tigers’ defense hasn’t been able to stop the run this year, but that should improve with the arrival of new coordinator Tom Allen from Penn State.

Georgia

The Bulldogs will have a quarterback competition led by Gunner Stockton, who took over after Carson Beck was injured in the SEC title game. Ryan Puglisi didn’t record as a freshman, but will challenge. The offensive line has holes to fill and the receivers will be young. The defense caught a break when lineman Christen Miller announced the return.

Oregon

UCLA transfer Dante Moore is next in line at quarterback. Moore spent time with Ethan Garbers at UCLA as a freshman, and has been waiting behind Dillon Gabriel this season. Big Ten sack leader Matayo Uiagalelei is the defense’s top returner. A stellar group of transfers come from both sides of the ball.

Tennessee

Volunteer fans are a little nervous because Josh Heupel hasn’t attacked the transfer portal anymore. The return core is solid. More will be expected of Nico Iamaleave in his second full season as the starting quarterback. Promising young wide receiver Mike Matthews is ready to emerge. Star cornerback Jermod McCoy is back.

LSU

A three-game losing streak knocked the Tigers out of the playoffs, but they exited 2024 with momentum after three straight wins and the No. 1 signing in the transfer pool. The return of quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is a big one, as is the decision of linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. to return.

Arizona State

The surprising Sun Devils won the Big 12 in their first year in the conference and nearly beat Texas in the playoffs after winning three games in 2023. Heart and soul guy Cam Skattebo is gone, but Kenny Dillingham has something special in Tempe. Quarterback Sam Leavitt returns, as does leading receiver Jordyn Tyson.