The 2025 NCAAF season is just around the corner, and ESPN's college football reporters have already weighed in with their predictions for the College Football Playoff. With the new 12-team format, the competition is expected to be fiercer than ever. Here's a breakdown of the top teams and expert picks:

Key Changes in the 2025 Format

The playoff format has seen a slight adjustment this year. While the tournament will still include the top five conference champions and seven at-large schools, the top four seeds will now be awarded to the four highest-ranked schools in the committee's final top 12, regardless of their conference championship status. This change aims to ensure that the best teams receive a first-round bye.

Expert Predictions

Here’s a look at the teams ESPN reporters have picked to make the 2025 College Football Playoff:

• Andrea Adelson: Clemson, Penn State, Texas, LSU, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Miami, Alabama, Iowa State, Nebraska, Boise State
• Kyle Bonagura: Texas, Penn State, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, Alabama, Oregon, LSU, Arizona State, Miami, Boise State
• Bill Connelly: Penn State, Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Clemson, Oregon, Boise State, Miami, Kansas State
• Heather Dinich: Penn State, Clemson, Texas, LSU, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Alabama, Miami, Oregon, Kansas State, Boise State
• David Hale: Ohio State, Texas, Clemson, Penn State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Oregon, LSU, Texas A&M, Kansas State, Miami, Toledo
• Eli Lederman: Penn State, Texas, Clemson, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Alabama, Oregon, Georgia, Arizona State, LSU, Miami, Boise State
• Max Olson: Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Alabama, Oregon, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas Tech, LSU, Utah, Boise State
• Adam Rittenberg: Texas, Penn State, Clemson, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Miami, Iowa State, Boise State, Illinois
• Mark Schlabach: Texas, Clemson, Penn State, Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, Notre Dame, Oregon, Miami, LSU, Arizona State, Boise State
• Jake Trotter: Texas, Clemson, Penn State, LSU, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Oregon, Illinois, South Carolina, Texas Tech, Tulane
• Paolo Uggetti: Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Oregon, LSU, Arizona State, Miami, South Carolina, Boise State
• Dave Wilson: Texas, Penn State, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Alabama, Oregon, LSU, Arizona State, Miami, Boise State

What to Watch For

With the expanded playoff format, teams like Boise State and Miami are getting more attention than ever. The competition for the top four seeds will be intense, and every game will matter. Keep an eye on the Allstate Playoff Predictor for updated odds and insights as the season progresses.

Conclusion

The 2025 NCAAF season promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with a mix of traditional powerhouses and emerging contenders vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the season unfolds.