Alright, let’s break down what’s cooking in the college football world as we head into the off-season. The 2024 season might be done and dusted, but the gridiron never truly sleeps. We’ve got spring ball on the horizon, the transfer portal about to open up again, and a whole new revenue-sharing model that’s set to send ripples through the sport. It’s a wild time for college football, and some teams are definitely positioned to grab the headlines next year. Here are seven squads that we’ll be keeping a close eye on:
First up, we’ve got North Carolina. All eyes are on Chapel Hill with the arrival of Bill Belichick. Yeah, that Bill Belichick, the guy with six Super Bowl rings. He’s taking over a team that struggled last year, finishing in the lower half of the ACC with a 6-7 record. Now, they didn’t exactly face a murderer’s row of opponents, which makes their record all the more puzzling. But here’s the good news: their 2025 schedule looks pretty favorable, and that might give Belichick the runway he needs to get this program off the ground.
Their toughest test will likely be their ACC opener against Clemson. They’ve also got some challenging games against TCU, Syracuse, and Duke. However, most of these games will be played at home, which is a huge advantage. Belichick has been busy in the transfer portal, bringing in a group of players that should bolster both the defense and the offensive line. He also managed to convince some key players like linebacker Amare Campbell and center Austin Blaske to stay put after they had entered the portal, which is a big win. Their incoming recruiting class isn’t ranked that highly in the ACC, but they’ve got a potential gem in quarterback Bryce Baker. He’s going to be battling it out for the starting job with Max Johnson, who unfortunately had his 2024 season cut short with a leg injury. The big question everyone is asking: can Belichick bring his NFL magic to the college game? You can bet the entire football world will be tuning in to find out.
