The 2025 college football season is set to begin with several storylines drawing national attention. Among the major developments are a new Southeastern Conference (SEC) rivalry between Texas and Georgia, questions about the future of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, and expectations for another unpredictable year in the Big 12 Conference.
Conference realignment has shifted traditional rivalries within the SEC, introducing a prominent matchup between Texas and Georgia. In previous seasons, the principal rivalry was between Georgia and Alabama. Last season, Georgia defeated Texas twice, but this year’s meeting on November 15 in Athens offers Texas an opportunity to respond. Both teams feature new quarterbacks—Gunnar Stockton for Georgia and Arch Manning for Texas—with each squad bringing fresh talent into critical roles.
Turning to Colorado, head coach Deion Sanders faces challenges after losing two key players—Travis Hunter and his son Shedeur Sanders—to the National Football League. Despite these departures, Colorado’s roster has been rebuilt through transfers such as quarterback Kaidon Salter from Liberty. The team aims to remain competitive in the Big 12 title race with additional reinforcements across its offense and defense.
However, concerns about football talent were overshadowed by news of Sanders’ health during the offseason. On July 28, Sanders announced at a news conference that he had undergone surgery to remove his bladder after doctors found a cancerous tumor. Dr. Janet Kukreja of the University of Colorado Cancer Center described the tumor as “very high grade,” noting that it had moved through the bladder wall but had not reached the muscle layer.
The Big 12 Conference enters its second year with a sixteen-team format that proved chaotic in 2024 when nine teams entered the final week vying for a championship game spot. With several teams expected to remain strong—including Texas Tech following significant additions—the expectation is for continued unpredictability in league standings throughout 2025.
In summary, notable storylines ahead of kickoff include renewed conference rivalries, uncertainty surrounding Deion Sanders’ health and coaching tenure at Colorado, and ongoing volatility within Big 12 competition.
