Analyst Danny Kanell is the latest person to jump into the USC discussion. He released his 12 team prediction for the 2025 College Football Playoff. The Trojans cracked that top 12. Kanell has the Trojans facing the Oregon Ducks in the first round with the winner facing the No. 3 seed Alabama Crimson Tide.

Gus Martin (sports digital producer): Texas — The obvious and most likely team to win it all. With top-end talent at every level of its defense, a dynamic running back and Arch Manning, who's been waiting for his chance to take over the sport, the Longhorns seem poised to reclaim the CFP trophy for the SEC.

With talk about future SEC schedules, future Big Ten Playoff guarantees, and future headaches in the ACC, it might be a little easy to lose sight of the tree at the forefront of the forest. College football is back.