2025 Faculty Soccer Playoff predictions, knowledgeable picks, most overrated and underrated groups

The lengthy offseason is lastly over as school soccer begins in earnest this week. After an offseason of change throughout the faculty athletics panorama, we lastly get to commerce in court docket rooms for packed stadiums. We’re marking the event as we at all times do — with the discharge of nationwide picks from our full complement of specialists. 

We’re heading into one of the vast open seasons in latest reminiscence. No crew fields higher than +600 odds to win the nationwide title, and 9 groups have 15-to-1 odds or higher. The preseason No. 1 and a pair of groups haven’t gained a nationwide championship in additional than 20 years. Extra acutely, six completely different groups have gained the nationwide title previously seven years because the switch portal and NIL open up the sphere. 

That vast open nature will translate to the Heisman race, the place our specialists picked 4 completely different gamers. It additionally features a aggressive Group of 5 race for an all-important Faculty Soccer Playoff spot. Our school soccer specialists at CBS Sports activities made their picks for many overrated and underrated groups within the nation, plus a decide for his or her coach of the 12 months and Heisman winner. 

Skilled picks for all of those classes will be discovered under as we head into Week 1 of the season. All betting odds under offered through FanDuel Sportsbook. 

Most overrated crew

Texas: Let me present some context right here! Texas goes to be good. It is going to be one of many 10 finest groups within the nation. However is it one of the best crew? Why are we so assured {that a} crew with a brand new QB and little or no returning manufacturing on offense, in addition to new starters on each side of the traces of scrimmage, deserves to start out the 12 months at No. 1? Whereas the schedule might not characteristic the weekly hammering different groups will take care of, there are nonetheless street video games in opposition to Ohio State, Florida and Georgia, in addition to dwelling dates with Texas A&M and the annual conflict with Oklahoma. No person ought to be stunned if the ‘Horns end the common season 9-3 and spend the ultimate week of November on the marketing campaign path for an at-large bid. — Tom Fornelli

Iowa State: I’ve obtained the Cyclones rated as a plus-value Large 12 and energy convention crew, however the prime 25 rating they’re carrying into the season appears to be an prolonged celebration from this system’s first-ever 11-win season. The crew has to exchange two 1,000-yard receivers and will see a regression after going 5-1 in one-score video games final season. Iowa State has a strong basis with its run recreation and protection however makes extra sense as a top-40 crew to start out. — Chip Patterson

Oregon: It is OK to conform to disagree. Oregon at No. 7 regardless of dropping a lot expertise on the talent positions, together with quarterback, is simply an excessive amount of for me to swallow. I consider we’re giving Oregon credit score due to the unbelievable teaching employees, led by Dan Lanning, and the way the Geese have grow to be the Kings of the West in recruiting. I can’t debate both level; I agree. However is it attainable that this new Oregon crew, with the youngest quarterback within the Lanning period, may simply be a 12 months away from competition? Oregon is exiting an unbelievable run of essentially the most skilled quarterbacks within the sport’s historical past — Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel — and the lack of that veteran presence at each quarterback and throughout the offense is troublesome to exchange, even with nice depth and a few notable additions from the portal (Tulane working again Makhi Hughes is the actual deal). Oregon just isn’t going to fall off the map, however the Geese might wrestle early within the 12 months and on the street in massive environments. That protection might be stellar, particularly if Matayo Uiagalelei takes one other step ahead, and that can preserve them as a borderline contender. Nonetheless, I really feel this roster is a 12 months away from contending for the Large Ten title once more. — Brandon Marcello (additionally John Talty)

South Carolina: My fear in regards to the Gamecocks is it is simply an excessive amount of gone from final 12 months’s roster, and never simply the a number of defenders drafted but additionally the others who’re not less than ok to get on a coaching camp roster as a UDFA. I am simply unsure this crew has any selection however to take a step again. Sure, LeNorris Sellers is likely one of the can’t-miss gamers within the sport this 12 months, however there are critical questions on who he has round him to throw to, and with a quarterback who remains to be growing into kind as a passer, that issues. — Richard Johnson (additionally Chris Hummer)

Michigan: It is nice to see the Wolverines solidify the quarterback place with the addition of Bryce Underwood and Mikey Keene, however this offense nonetheless has loads of structural holes. The receiver group has been lackluster and the offensive line just isn’t the form of skilled group that spurred their biggest successes. Moreover, whereas there’s loads of expertise remaining, standout defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are gone too. Improved? Sure. Prime 15? No. — Shehan Jeyarajah

Arizona State: The Large 12 is simply too vast open to fairly count on that Arizona State will replicate the success it loved in 2024. Video games at Baylor, at Utah and at Iowa State might be treacherous, and residential dates in opposition to TCU and Texas Tech are not any cakewalk, both. The Solar Devils have a excessive ground with star quarterback Sam Leavitt returning. However changing the do-it-all stardom of working again Cam Skattebo might be robust in a muddy league race. ASU is transitioning from the hunter to the hunted whereas nonetheless comparatively early in its promising transformation below Kenny Dillingham, and that paradigm shift will convey a little bit of regression. — David Cobb

Illinois: Debuting at No. 12, that is the Preventing Illini’s highest preseason rating since 1990. That is immense stress on the shoulders of Bret Bielema, who’s loved one nationally ranked end his final 10 seasons as a coach spanning his remaining marketing campaign at Wisconsin, 5 years at Arkansas and now 4 with Illinois. Returning 16 starters off a 10-win crew is definitely optimistic, however it may take 9 regular-season victories to make this lofty preseason rating warranted, and that is a stretch with matchups in opposition to Duke, Indiana, Ohio State, Washington and USC, amongst others. — Brad Crawford

Most underrated crew

USC: Yr 1 of Large Ten life didn’t ship a document becoming for the USC customary, however the Trojans didn’t look out-classed of their debut run by means of a brand new panorama. All however one of many 5 losses had been one-score defeats, and offseason staffing upgrades have pointed to extra constructing in the proper path on the subject of modernization of a tradition-rich program. The truth that Lincoln Riley didn’t hunt down a substitute for Jayden Maiava means that the participant who went 3-1 as a starter may very well be set for a breakout season this fall. That is most likely not a nationwide title contender, however on the subject of exceeding the win whole expectations and flirting with Faculty Soccer Playoff competition, the Trojans are an incredible worth wager. — Patterson

Utah: Firstly, shoutout to the CBS Sports activities crew for rating Utah at No. 25, simply throughout the prime 25, in contrast to our colleagues within the AP and Coaches polls. However that is nonetheless not sufficient. Utah is at all times one of many hardest groups within the trenches within the West, and the offensive line may simply be one of the best within the nation this season. You add New Mexico switch Devon Dampier — a runner and gunner — at quarterback and a brand new offense that can implement an up-tempo RPO system, and it has me excited for what’s attainable for the Utes. In truth, Kyle Whittingham, who desires to retire on prime, is my decide to win the Large 12 title this season. That 5-7 season a 12 months in the past was a hiccup marred by accidents. A giant bounce again is on the menu this fall. — Marcello

Louisville: It is a wager on Jeff Brohm greater than something because the Louisville coach one way or the other gained 9 video games at Purdue one season and has a popularity as top-of-the-line QB gurus within the nation. Search for Brohm to get extra out of USC switch QB Miller Moss, who will settle in properly away from Los Angeles and have the Cardinals within the ACC title hunt. The again half of the schedule is brutal with street video games at Miami and SMU plus a house tilt in opposition to Clemson, however Louisville has the expertise and training to complete within the prime 25 and be a attainable CFP participant. — Talty

Indiana: Nicely, for starters they took arguably one of the best quarterback of anybody within the final cycle, Fernando Mendoza, and add it to an offensive line that took some good transfers (Pat Coogan and Zen Michalski), and I do not assume there’s going to be an excessive amount of of a drop off for the Hoosiers. This is not the playoff crew of final 12 months, however they are not going again to your concept of Indiana soccer. This crew is constructed to be a darkish horse within the Large Ten, and with dates in opposition to Oregon and Penn State, it has a critical probability to be a significant component in who performs within the convention title recreation. — Johnson

Duke: The Blue Devils had been maybe the quietest nine-win crew within the nation final season and now have an opportunity to take one other step with the addition of quarterback Darian Mensah. The Tulane switch offers a degree of playmaking to the offense that Maalik Murphy couldn’t match. Moreover, Duke retained key items, like cornerback Chandler Rivers, security Terry Moore and defensive finish Wesley Williams. Control the Week 2 matchup in opposition to No. 12 Illinois. It may very well be a popping out social gathering in Durham. — Jeyarajah

Alabama: Alabama’s offense may be on rocket gasoline in 2025 with former five-star quarterback Ty Simpson slinging the rock to a stud group of receivers whereas protected by an offensive line that features potential top-five decide Kadyn Proctor at left sort out. The addition of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, a trusted confidant of coach Kalen DeBoer, will even assist push this group ahead in a serious means. Even when the protection stagnates, the offensive enchancment might be sufficient to raise the Crimson Tide into the playoff. If DC Kane Wommack’s unit improves in any respect, this crew might be at or close to the highest of the nationwide title odds sheet by the top of October. — Cobb

Nebraska: Exterior of the preseason prime 25, there’s an opportunity the Huskers can get to 8-0 this season with USC coming to Lincoln in the event that they’re in a position to conquer Michigan early. That is essentially the most favorable schedule Nebraska’s had in years by Large Ten requirements, and Matt Rhule did an admirable job filling personnel gaps this season the place he felt his crew wanted it most. Dylan Raiola will ascend with OC Dana Holgorsen calling the photographs, and Nebraska’s a crew value taking a flyer on as a playoff darkish horse throughout the Large Ten. — Crawford

LSU: Underrated can imply many issues, however I believe within the context of successful a nationwide championship, the Tigers are severely undervalued because the preseason No. 9 crew. The roster in Baton Rouge is loaded following back-to-back-to-back prime 9 lessons and with the addition of the nation’s No. 1 general portal group. LSU has the QB (Garrett Nussmeier), top-end talent expertise and sufficient all-conference-caliber defensive items to make a legit run on the nationwide title. The Tigers are my preseason SEC decide and shouldn’t be picked fourth or worse within the league like we have seen this preseason. — Hummer (additionally Fornelli)

Faculty Soccer Playoff predictions

Prime 4 seeds (first-round byes)

Remainder of area (Nos. 5-12) 

2025 nationwide champion

Texas (+600): Arch Manning is even higher than anticipated and the Longhorns lastly finish the 20-year title drought. There’s NFL-caliber expertise throughout this roster, together with two CBS Sports activities first-team preseason All-Individuals in defensive finish Colin Simmons and linebacker Anthony Hill. The schedule is difficult — three street video games Ohio State, Florida and Georgia are tough — and there may very well be some bumps alongside the best way, however like Ohio State a 12 months in the past, so long as the Longhorns could make the playoff, they will have the expertise to make a run. Texas has been knocking on the door for years now below Steve Sarkisian, falling simply brief within the final two CFP semifinals, however that is the 12 months they crash by means of just like the Kool-Support Man. — Talty (additionally Johnson, Crawford)

Penn State (+700): Penn State has a confirmed quarterback in Drew Allar, returns a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen and can area one of many nation’s prime offensive traces. The Nittany Lions additionally employed Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who may have loads of high-end expertise at his disposal. The Buckeyes and Oregon every have considerably extra to exchange, which flings the door open for this program to win its first Large Ten title since 2016. After taking Notre Dame all the way down to the wire in a CFP semifinal recreation final season, Penn State has the expertise, expertise and training wanted to win playoff video games. That is an all-in season for the Nittany Lions, they usually have all of the elements wanted to be the final crew standing. — Cobb (additionally Patterson, Marcello)

LSU (+1300): We’re really blessed as school soccer followers as a result of we enter the season with so many groups that may realistically win a nationwide title. One of many main causes for that is the quantity of query marks surrounding so most of the groups normally battling on the prime. That is why I am leaning extra towards one of many groups who has a prime quarterback returning, studs on the talent positions and a  (protection that ought to enhance. Sure, there are questions, however all people has them. Additionally, whereas Penn State’s a well-liked decide for having a lot returning expertise, that returning expertise did not beat a top-10 crew final season. I must see Penn State do it earlier than I decide Penn State to do it. However LSU? I’ve seen LSU do it a number of instances with completely different quarterbacks and completely different head coaches. — Fornelli (additionally Jeyarajah)

Clemson (+1200): Clemson by no means left the nationwide stage, however it felt just like the top-end of school soccer left the Tigers behind the final half decade. NIL and the switch portal took over the game, and Dabo Swinney refused to associate with the modifications. However issues look completely different coming into 2025. Income sharing has evened the cash enjoying area for Clemson, and the Tigers preserve depth higher than anybody because of their roster philosophy. Throw in some key switch additions for the Tigers, they usually have every thing they should win a nationwide championship once more. That features a Heisman-caliber QB (Cade Klubnik), blossoming talent expertise and good to nice line play. Throw in a straightforward path to the playoff, and the Tigers are set to make a run. There is no gap on the roster. They’ve the QB and d-line everybody else desires. Clemson will get it achieved for the primary time since 2018. — Hummer

Coach of the Yr

James Franklin: In an method mirroring Ohio State’s run to a nationwide title in 2024, Franklin jumps off the schneid by successful a nationwide championship and garnering coach of the 12 months honors. Penn State is the epitome of a program on the cusp, coming into final season as one of many winningest faculties to have by no means reached the playoff or a BCS championship. The Nittany Lions broke by means of final season, however the head coach’s legacy remains to be at stake. He is 1-18 in his profession in opposition to top-five groups (prepare to listen to that on repeat), the second-worst document in FBS historical past. Franklin constructed this forged of veterans, one of the skilled rosters within the nation and employed one of the best teaching employees within the Large Ten. The Nittany Lions will dwell as much as the expectations with a title, and Franklin will cement his identify in Penn State’s pantheon. — Marcello (additionally Patterson, Cobb)

Brian Kelly: The pattern with coach of the 12 months awards is that they not often go to the coach who’s persistently nice, and even anticipated to be. So far, Brian Kelly’s tenure at LSU has been underwhelming. He left Notre Dame to compete for nationwide titles and is but to achieve the playoff in Baton Rouge, whereas Notre Dame performed for a title simply final season. But when LSU reaches its ceiling in 2025, wins the SEC and competes for a nationwide title (as I’ve them doing), Kelly might be a runaway winner for coach of the 12 months awards. — Fornelli

Steve Sarkisian: Faculty soccer’s solely coach to make consecutive semifinal appearances, Sarkisian will earn nationwide accolades this season after bringing Texas its first nationwide crown in 20 years. His roster is pretty much as good as — if not higher than — different elite groups nationally, and his play-calling acumen on recreation days might be showcased throughout a number of wins this fall over top-10 competitors within the common season and all through the playoff. He has taken Arch Manning below his wing in Austin and satisfied him to be a two-year bench sitter on the Forty Acres for this very second. The Longhorns coach will get his due. — Crawford

Kyle Whittingham: All of us love comeback story, and if Utah does what I believe its able to doing in successful the Large 12 title, Whittingham might be a well-liked Coach of the Yr decide. Coming off a disappointing 5-7 season that Whittingham referred to as essentially the most troublesome of his teaching profession, the Utes ought to be far more potent behind a brand new offensive scheme and what may very well be the nation’s finest offensive line. With retirement rumors persevering with to linger over Whittingham — DC Morgan Scalley has already been tabbed head-coach-in-waiting — I believe the voters will reward him in a giant means if Utah is a playoff crew in 2025. — Talty (additionally Johnson)

Dabo Swinney: Reviews of Dabo’s demise have been enormously exaggerated. After a number of years of rebuilding, Clemson is again at full energy. The Tigers boast one of the best line of defense in school soccer and the kind of stacked receiver group that characterised its championship groups. Even when it stumbles in opposition to LSU, Clemson will burn by means of the ACC and provides themselves a critical probability to enter the postseason because the No. 1 general seed. It is taken some endurance and adjustment, however Swinney has achieved sufficient to reestablish himself as a clear-cut top-three coach in school soccer — and perhaps higher. — Jeyarajah (additionally Hummer)

Heisman Trophy winner

Arch Manning (+700): He was the No. 1-ranked prospect from the Class of 2023 for a cause. Manning has the arm of his uncles, the legs of his grandfather and the thoughts of a third-generation soccer scion who was virtually inbuilt a lab. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is a schematic guru who will maximize Manning’s immense skills and construct the statistical profile of a Heisman contender. Video games at Ohio State, at Florida and at Georgia current alternatives for “Heisman moments.” Rivalry showdowns in opposition to Oklahoma and Texas A&M may do the identical. The identify, the power, the scheme and the highlight all align to make Manning a promising Heisman decide. — Cobb (additionally Marcello, Talty, Johnson)

The Unavoidable Fame of Arch Manning: Life in Austin’s fishbowl as Texas’ beginning quarterback

Chris Hummer

Jeremiah Smith (+1200): We had only one participant end as a unanimous first crew All-America choice in our preseason balloting at CBS Sports activities, and it was Smith. As one of many final remaining stars from Ohio State’s all-time title run in 2024-25, Smith begins the 12 months as one of the recognizable people within the sport, and he is poised for one more wildly productive season that ought to see him as one of the excellent talent gamers within the nation. The difficulty, admittedly, is the concept that Heisman voters would select Smith forward of a quarterback one 12 months after breaking pattern with Travis Hunter because the winner and Ashton Jeanty because the runner-up. To that I would argue that our Heisman citizens has seen a shift in tastes the place having the ability to “stand out” in 2025 would not require the obscene stats a quarterback can accumulate however fairly a group of moments for our highlight-wired brains. Smith can definitely ship these in bunches, and if he does, I believe he turns into the primary Buckeye to win the award since Troy Smith in 2006. — Patterson (additionally Jeyarajah)

Cade Klubnik (+900): The Heisman is basically a quarterback award. It is also a trophy that just about at all times goes to somebody on a nationwide title contender. Examine and verify for Klubnik. Clemson’s schedule positions the Tigers to go 11-1 or higher within the common season, and far of that credit score will go to a QB who guarantees to rank among the many.prime passing leaders within the nation. Klubnik is clutch, too. should you return to his play from final 12 months. The recipe is there: Nice crew + elite QB = Heisman. — Hummer (additionally Crawford)

Jeremiyah Love (+3000): If we rely Travis Hunter (and we should always), two vast receivers have gained the Heisman within the final 5 years. A working again hasn’t gained the award since Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015. I believe that modifications this 12 months. Love would be the featured participant on what ought to be an impressive Notre Dame offense. Not solely will Love doubtless see a bigger share of carries this season, however he will not need to take care of Riley Leonard stealing touchdowns from him (each Love and Leonard rushed for 17 final 12 months). Ultimately, Love conquers all and takes the trophy. — Fornelli