The 2025-26 college football season kicks off in two days, which means it's time to put the finishing touches on our futures portfolios.
Betting on futures is a beautiful thing. When we're in the middle of the waiting game, we can turn to our futures to get our fix.
But with games kicking off on Saturday, that won't be necessary for long. In fact, our season-long betting opportunities are winding down, so it's time to make the most of them.
Our staff of college football experts came through with four futures for the upcoming season. Let's dive into our top college football futures and NCAAF picks for the 2025 season.
College Football Futures for 2025
| Bettor | Future |
|---|---|
| Greg Liodice | |
| Mike McNamara | |
| Mike Ianniello | |
| RoadToCFB | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | |
Alabama to Win SEC (+380)
By Greg Liodice
There’s so much discussion about quarterbacks in the SEC that no one has dared to mention Ty Simpson.
I think Simpson is going to surprise a lot of people. The former five-star quarterback was heavily recruited both from high school and to enter the transfer portal, but he stayed in Tuscaloosa and waited his turn. That's almost unheard of in today’s college game.
The thought is that Simpson has had a command in the Alabama locker room and that he has set an example by being the first one in the room and the last one out.
Also, we can't forget about Ryan Williams.
Alabama’s offense last season was centered primarily around quarterback Jalen Milroe’s ability to run the ball, so it diminished the role of the receivers. But Williams was the one player who consistently shined through the air.
They also have veteran Germie Bernard, who is as efficient as it gets, and incoming Miami transfer Isaiah Horton, who took off last season.
On the ground, Jam Miller was ruled out for the first few weeks with a dislocated shoulder, but I wouldn’t count out the rest of the running back room. Richard Young showed that he’s a baller with the ability to run for distance, and Daniel Hill is an insane goal-line threat with his gigantic 245-pound frame.
Lastly, Alabama’s success will rely on how well the defense fares.
Defensive linemen LT Overton and Tim Keenan returning is huge for the room, and they bring a veteran presence to preserve the standard. Additionally, there are also linebackers Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson and Qua Russaw who are returning.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention safety Bray Hubbard, the heat-seeking missile who will hit anything that walks with violence.
If you think the Tide are done just because Nick Saban’s gone, you’re gravely mistaken. This has the makings of a conference-winning program.
Pick: Alabama to Win SEC (+380)
 |  |  |  |
Texas Tech to Make CFP (+450)
By Mike McNamara
Give me the Red Raiders to make the playoff at this number. I like the value here more than the +600 number to win the Big 12 because there are multiple paths for Tech to cash.
Yes, it could win the league and guarantee direct entry to the playoff. But if Joey McGuire's team goes 11-1 or 12-0 in the regular season, it's a lock for the playoff regardless of what happens in Arlington.
Even a 10-2 finish could have Tech firmly in the conversation for one of the final spots.
McGuire and staff went to work in the transfer portal, spending over $12 million to secure 21 high-caliber transfers, including elite defensive linemen like Stanford’s David Bailey. The transfer class ranked second nationally and was by far the best haul of any team in the Big 12.
In addition to all the newcomers, Tech brings back veteran quarterback Behren Morton, who has been through the battles of the Big 12, and should be poised for a big year if he can stay healthy.
Coy Eakin and Micah Hudson are also back as two of his most reliable pass-catchers.
The schedule is relatively manageable. The nonconference slate features Arkansas Pine Bluff, Kent State and Oregon State all in Lubbock, which should result in a 3-0 start.
In Big 12 play, Tech avoids Iowa State, Baylor and TCU, and the only ranked opponents on the schedule from the preseason polls are Arizona State and Kansas State. Just a split in those two should put the Red Raiders in a strong position.
Beyond personnel and schedule, this just feels like the year for McGuire and company to take the next step. They’ve been consistently recruiting well, and the culture has taken shape.
There’s no time like the present in Lubbock, and this year’s Red Raider group is poised to step up to the opportunity.
Pick: Texas Tech to Make CFP (+450 · Play to +400)
San Jose State to Win Mountain West (+900)
By Mike Ianniello
The Spartans went 7-6 in the first year under Ken Niumatalolo. They lost to the top four finishers in the Mountain West, at Washington State in double overtime, and then South Florida in five overtimes in the Hawaii Bowl.
They juggled the quarterback situation throughout the year, starting the season with Emmett Brown before switching to Walker Eget in Week 8.
Across the final seven games, Eget tossed 13 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, but he only had a 2.1% Turnover Worthy Play (TWP) rate. He threw 10 picks on eight TWPs. Only one starter in the Mountain West had a lower TWP rate.
He’s also relatively mobile and was sacked only four times all season.
Superstar receiver Nick Nash departed in the offseason, but the team grabbed wide receivers from Purdue, Arizona, Cal and Sacramento State to help fill the void and spread the ball around in the run-and-shoot offense.
The top three running backs from last season all return, led by Floyd Chalk IV, who racked up 721 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He’ll be running behind a big offensive line that returns three starters.
San Jose State’s defense was middling last season. But seven starters return for this year, including the entire front seven led by Jordan Pollard and Taniela Latu in the middle alongside Gafa Faga up front. The rush defense was strong last year and should be again this season.
Isiah Revis is a terrific safety, but the rest of the secondary will need to be rebuilt, as both of last season’s starting cornerbacks transferred to the Power 4.
In Niumatalolo’s first season at Navy, the Midshipmen went 8-5 before jumping to 10-4 in the second year. We could see a similar jump for San Jose.
The schedule is set up great. It avoids Boise State and UNLV while getting Fresno State and Air Force at home. It plays the projected bottom six teams in the conference.
Pick: San Jose State to Win Mountain West (+900 · Play to +800)
| | | |
Buffalo to Win MAC (+450)
By RoadToCFB
Deepest front seven in the MAC? Check. Second-highest returning production mark in the conference? Check. Sound coaching? Also check.
Aside from Toledo, Buffalo returns the most talent in the conference, most of it stemming from All-MAC defensive selections like linebacker Red Murdock and edge rusher Kobe Stewart.
Based on my preseason numbers, Buffalo lines the third-most regular-season wins in the MAC (6.9) behind Ohio.
The conference favorite, Toledo, has a track record of slipping up as a large favorite under Jason Candle. Look no further than Toledo’s 21-14 loss to Akron as an 8.5-point favorite in Week 14 last year, a game that cost it a spot in the MAC Championship.
The road to Detroit is as favorable for Buffalo as any, thanks to a healthy opposing cast of CFB bottom-feeders in St. Francis, Kent State and UMass. The slate projects as the easiest in the MAC and one of the five easiest in the country.
This bet does hinge on quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson’s fit in Buffalo. While his career-long numbers don’t jump off the page, Kansas State saw enough value to take him on as a transfer from UConn last year.
Roberson benefits from returning 1,000-yard rusher Al-Jay Henderson and an All-MAC wide receiver in Victor Snow. Plus, he's playing behind one of the best lines in the conference. If it’s going to happen for Roberson, it’ll be this season.
Year 1 under Pete Lembo was a raving success, turning the Bulls around from 3-9 to 9-4. He likely achieved that “Year 2 bump” in his debut, but another season in Buffalo doesn’t hurt.
I’m taking one of the conference’s best teams with one of the easiest routes to the championship game.
Pick: Buffalo to Win MAC (+450 · Play to +300)
