Josh Pate's question has CFB fans debating over the program with most to prove in 2025
The 2024 college football season has just come to an end and Josh Pate is already creating buzz around the upcoming season. Ohio State ended as the national champion in the first edition of the 12-team College Football Playoff, defeating Notre Dame in the title game.
While a host of teams touted for the national title during the offseason eventually came short of the goal, a host of others expected for a spot in the playoffs also did not make the cut. This has created the picture of what the 2025 college football season needs to look like for some teams.
In a social media post on Thursday, Josh Pate raised a question that generated a lot of reactions from college football fans. The analyst inquired about what college football team fans believe has the most to prove in 2025 following the way the 2024 season has turned out.
Here's a look at some of the answers he got from fans online:
Other reactions from fans:
"Texas - The expectations in Austin are high with Arch time to prove the last 2 years weren’t a fluke and we truly have consistency in the program again," a fan wrote.
"Miami with the signing of Carson Beck can that defense be as bad two years in a row," another fan wrote.
"Utah. Fallen from championship years to unranked and missing a bowl eligibility. Have to turn it around and prove the program is up to par with championship aspirations," a fan commented.
"Michigan, still looking to prove they can be a playoff team without the Stallion," another fan commented.
Josh Pate 2025 college football preseason poll
Josh Pate released his preseason poll for the 2025 college football season on Wednesday. The analyst released the poll earlier this time, with the buzz around the 2024 season still very well around.
Pate had national champion Ohio State at the top of the ranking and was followed by Oregon at No. 2. Texas, which reached the CFP semifinals, holds the No. 3 spot while national championship game runner-up Notre Dame is No. 4. Georgia wraps up the top 5.
Here's a look at the full ranking.
- Ohio State
- Oregon
- Texas
- Notre Dame
- Georgia
- Penn State
- Ole Miss
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- South Carolina
- Clemson
- Miami
- SMU
- Indiana
- Florida
- Michigan
- Arizona State
- Louisville
- Iowa State
- Baylor
- TCU
- LSU
- USC
- Iowa
- Minnesota
Some of the notable omissions by Josh Pate include Missouri, Boise State, Syracuse, Illinois, Colorado, BYU, UNLV and Army. These teams made the final AP Poll for the 2024 college football season. However, Pate doesn't see them making much impact in the 2025 season.