The first year of the expanded College Football Playoff produced a national champion (Ohio State) that wouldn’t have qualified under the old format, the top four seeds all falling in the quarterfinals and the two semifinals contests giving us ample drama.

A year later, there is no clear-cut favorite.

Preseason No. 1 Texas has a new starting quarterback you may have heard of: <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/08/22/sports/alabama-tried-using-steve-sarkisians-alcoholic-past-to-lure-arch-manning-away-from-texas/">Arch Manning</a>, nephew of Eli and Peyton.

Defending champion Ohio State remains loaded.

The Post’s Zach Braziller breaks it all down in his Top 25 preseason rankings.{ai:summary}<p>Expanded CFP's first year crowned Ohio State, a champion who wouldn’t have qualified under the old format; all top-four seeds fell in the quarterfinals, and the semifinals delivered drama.</p><p>A year later, no clear favorite: preseason No. 1 Texas has Arch Manning at quarterback, while defending champ Ohio State remains loaded. #sports</p>

The Post’s 2025 college football preseason Top 25, playoff picks

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