FAMILIAR FOES ALL SET TO TOP CHARTS AGAIN

For all the things wrong about NCAA football nowadays — Name and Image Licensing (which enables colleges to legally pay players), the transfer portal (creating player free agency) mega conferences, etc — the governing body of American college ball finally got something right:

- Dave Wiggins

The NCAA honchos tweaked the postseason College Football Playoff format and made it better. The League champions will no longer automatically receive a first round bye in the 12 team setup. Instead, they will be seeded by end-of-season rankings.

This as a result of all four champions granted opening round byes in the 2024-25 season being ousted in the quarterfinals. Several of them had been upset winners in conference title games and didn’t deserve their byes.

So, at least things will be a little bit fairer for ball clubs shooting for a playoff spot this season, which kicks off shortly.

Here's a look at the strongest 2025-26 playoff candidates.

Ohio State