Crank up the FOX Football theme song, because this season is ready for all the exciting twists and turns.
With title contender predictions, surprising underdogs, rich rivalries, fan traditions, the 2025-2026 College Football + NFL season is fueling the hype and fire that fans from across the world love. Teams have already been making remarkable impacts through wild upset wins, and there are numerous factors that make this season the way it is.
Top Teams So Far + Underdogs To Watch
With the season continuing to get deeper, top teams are starting to distinguish themselves from others, while the underdogs drastically shake things up and prove their high marks with wild upsets that no one could’ve predicted.
Starting with the NFL, the Buffalo Bills remain at the top of the recent AFC East rankings. They’ve been key factors to clutch performances in close games with a defense showing improved consistency. The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t far behind at 4-0, riding lots of momentum from last season’s Super Bowl winning performance and an offense with very few mistakes early on. The Detroit Lions have secretly been building one of the more impressive starts, ranking 3rd in several major power rankings and built by solid quarterback play, a strong offensive line, and defensive stops in very critical moments.
While the elites are expected to perform, a few underdog stories are emerging. As an example, the Pittsburgh Steelers have shown impressive efficiency in their offensive, passing game and short-to-intermediate yard gains have increased, and on-play success rates have improved. In addition, the Green Bay Packers, though not exactly perfect, have put up strong performances, mainly in matchups where their offensive weapons and experience can switch close games into their favor.
According to the Associated Press’ most recent Top 25 poll from September 28, Ohio State remains at the top with a current 4-0 record, continuing to look like the favorite to win it all at every aspect of the game. Oregon climbed right behind them at #2 after a hard fought win at Penn State in double-overtime 30-24, while Miami (FL) has held on tight at #3 behind its efficient, undefeated ACC start. Ole Miss surged into the No. 4 spot with a statement victory that shook up the rankings, and Oklahoma rounded out the top five after benefiting from chaos elsewhere despite a bye week. These teams are earning their positions, with Ohio State’s consistency, Oregon’s resilience, and Ole Miss’s rising momentum shaping the potential picture of the playoffs.
Week 5 showed why college football thrives on chaos, as the highlight of the entire week was when Virginia shocked No. 8 Florida State, 46–38, cracking into the Top 25 for the first time in years and reminding everyone that nothing is ever guaranteed, no matter how good teams are. On the flip side, LSU plummeted 13 spots in ESPN’s power rankings after a sloppy set that raised questions about the depth and reliability with them in the SEC. Even top-ranked programs like Miami face potential upset trouble, with a tough trip to Florida State on the horizon despite the Hurricanes’ impressive start. Underdogs have quietly shown out, showing how momentum, matchups, and coaching changes can immediately flip the entire script.
Iconic Rivalries + Must See Matchups
Rivalries and must see games are some of the fuels that elevate the game to new heights, and this season has loads of previous and upcoming matchups across the college and pro level that’ll impact the entire year.
On the college side, one of the earliest showdowns came from Week 1, when Texas visited Ohio State, a rematch of last season’s playoff semifinal and clash of titans making their mark to start the season on a strong note. With new conference realignments and expectations at an all time high, this game set the tone for the entire playoffs. The Buckeyes walked away with the win 14-7, setting a strong tone and sending big messages to other opponents. Their defense forced three turnovers and sacked Texas quarterback Arch Manning multiple times, while the Longhorns’ offense struggled to assist with drives and convert in short-yardage situations.
Another heavyweight was recent during Week 5 on September 27 when Alabama faced off at Georgia, a rivalry that always carries way more history than just wins, losses, and overall stats. Both programs have been undergoing quarterback transitions and are hungry to prove they still belong at the top of the SEC. This game absolutely didn’t disappoint, with the Crimson Tide barely making it past the Bulldogs 24-21. With the entire game on the line late in the action, it looked like UGA was going to get the ball back with one last chance to even things up at 24-24, or potentially take the lead. But, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb called a high-IQ misdirection play and Crimson quarterback Ty Simpson showcased his tough defensive side with a hit against Bulldog running back Jam Miller that closed the night out. With everyone intensely watching in person and on TV, Simpson completed 24-of-38 pass attempts for 276 yards and two touchdowns.
Soon, on November 1, Penn State will travel to Ohio State to face off in what’s expected to be a very crucial game. This is a historic Big Ten rivalry with playoff seeding at stake, but every year when these two meet, the outcomes tend to ripple through rankings.
Moving over to the pro side, the NFL similarly offers loads of rematches, rivalry, and quarterback showdowns, and Bills vs. Chiefs is already being known as one of the best rivalries in pro football currently. With Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes continuing to push each other both in regular season and past playoff clashes, this game is likely to carry big numbers with lots of action from both sides.
Another NFC heavyweight matchup that fans are circling involves the Eagles vs. Bills on December 28 at Highmark Stadium. The Eagles have been consistently strong, the Bills are chasing respect in the AFC, and this game always ends up being tight, unforgettable, and exciting.
Finally, Chiefs at Bills on November 2 again shows up in several watchlists, with both teams viewed as favorites in their respective conferences, Buffalo in the NFC and Kansas City in the AFC.
No matter what phase of the season it is, every single week is destined to be intense and exciting for lots of teams, including fans. For those that are big into fantasy football and gambling, they’ll be racking up some highly anticipated predictions.
Potential Championship Contenders
When it comes to teams that’ll go far and potential championship contenders, lots of candidates are on the table, each with their own unique factors that separate them from others.
From ESPN’s Football Power Index model, Texas currently holds the highest projected championship probability at 22.2%, with Georgia (17.5%) and Ohio State (11.6%) right behind.
On the betting side, the markets reflect very similar opinions. ESPN BET listed the Buckeyes among the favorites to “go back-to-back” with odds around +450. In the preseason areas, Texas held a strong position, though that’s been slightly loosened as the season progresses. Based on these various models and odds, Texas and Georgia stand out as serious title contenders, with Ohio State still standing at a good position in the mix.
The NFL title race looks really tight as well, just like the college side. According to ESPN’s NFL FPI model, the Eagles, defending champions, currently have a 12% chance to win the Super Bowl, barely ahead of the Chiefs (11%), which was their opponent in the game last season, and the Bills (10%). When it comes to futures betting, ESPN odds list the Eagles at +650, followed by the Bills (+700) and Ravens (+700), with the Chiefs at +750. Meanwhile, preseason projections expected teams like Buffalo and Philadelphia to dominate scoring and playoff projections, with the Bills accumulating 481 points in ESPN’s predictive model. This entire process can be a dogfight from start to end, with teams fighting for one common goal, which is all the glory that the Vince Lombardi trophy brings.
Fan Culture + Gameday Traditions
The actual games aren’t the only factors that make the season great, it’s the dedication of fans who go all out with their all day plans.
The iconic “White Out” at Penn State is one of college football’s most renowned traditions. Originally beginning in 2004 to assist the overall atmosphere during a difficult season, there’ve been 16 White Outs to date, and the team holds an 8-8 record throughout these games. Huge spectator numbers are brought in, such as the time when 110,830 fans packed out Beaver Stadium to witness the Nittany Lions’ 31-0 win against Iowa from the 2023 season. The energy is electrifying with all the fans’ decorative outfits, intense pregame rituals, and noise levels.
In the NFL world, Kansas City has been known as a crowd legend for noise. Arrowhead Stadium carries the loudest outdoor crowd record, with an impressive 137.5 decibels in 2013 season and 142.2 decibels in 2014. Across the league, this is very well considered a huge advantage because it gets opposing teams riled up, causing false starts and miscommunication in crowded huddles.
Then there’s the infamous tailgate culture that purely defines every weekend morning. In Buffalo, the Bills Mafia’s tailgates are almost a sport of their own, with wide open parking lots transformed into full blown social arenas with loud music, shared food, grilling, and bold costumes. They’ve become iconic for over-the-top rituals, including “table-slamming” celebrations and other high-energy behavior that’s celebrated by fans and spread widely on social media. These build a strong camaraderie, allowing fans to eat, building relationships through their thoughts, and embracing the confidence that surrounds the area.
Tuscaloosa game days at the University of Alabama hold infinite traditions, with tailgating, pageantry and fan fashion uniting to form a full-day ritual. The Quad brings in big crowds who gather well before kickoff, sometimes even the night before, to set up tents, grills, and sound systems, creating a widely festive village of crimson and white. Tailgates here are much more than food and drinks; they’re prime social hubs where families, alumni, and students share food, treats, and crafts while blasting fight songs. As the game gets closer, more traditions like the “Walk of Champions,” where players pass through fans on University Boulevard about two hours before kickoff, and the “Elephant Stomp,” a pep rally featuring the Million Dollar Band outside Gorgas Library, build loads of momentum and excitement. Game-day fashion is also its own kind of show, filled with houndstooth patterns (nod to legendary coach Bear Bryant), crisp polos, sundresses, custom buttons, white boots, and coordinated color schemes.
It’s extremely evident that this football season is in all different directions and set to elevate into new heights, just like with every other season. Fans across the world are in for a definite treat that comes with being intensely tuned into every team.
