The college season gets under way on August 23, although many of the Division 1 programs will begin the following week. As in any sport, there’s much anticipation and excitement as the start of the season draws closer. Fans know that some of the players in college football will be playing their last NCAA season, and that at the opposite end of the trajectory, fresh new talent will be entering college football. They also know it could be the breakout season for some players.
Of course, there were some magical moments and notable success stories in 2024. Below is a look at these and why they were so important to teams and fans.
Bell Belichick joins University of North Carolina
In one of the most astonishing developments in college football history, legendary coach Bill Belichick, who led the New England Patriots for more than two decades, signed as head coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels in December 2025.
Having the accomplished NFL coach on your team is a win in anyone’s book! There, the veteran coach, renowned for his strategic brilliance and focus on defense, will be concentrating on strategy, leadership and discipline to transform the Tarheels into a footballing powerhouse.
Despite Belichick’s brilliance, the sportsbooks still haven’t shown any major confidence when setting the college football lines. They’ve given the Tarheels odds of +3000 to win the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship, +1400 to reach the national championship playoffs and +12000 to win the national championship.
Ohio State Buckeyes winning their first national championship since 2014
The 2024 season was a joyful one for the Ohio State Buckeyes, who waited 10 years to win the national championship. In the College Football Playoff Championship, the Buckeyes held on 34-23 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and collected their sixth national title.
It was a win no one had thought possible seven weeks earlier. A 13-10 loss to Michigan caused controversy and speculation around the safety of coach Ryan Day’s position. But the Buckeyes kept fighting on. On the day of the championship, Notre Dame mounted a comeback from 31-7 with two touchdowns and two conversions, but the Buckeyes snuffed it out with a 56-yard gain.
Louisiana State University turns their season around
LSU got off to a lousy start when they lost against the University of Southern California Trojans at the beginning of the season. However, they managed to turn their season around from there. At Week 8, they’d won every game since their disastrous opener, despite not completely ironing out the kinks in their game.
The image of their boss, head coach Brian Kelly, slamming his fist on the table after the USC debacle must have stuck in their minds. The team started handling weaker opponents with relative ease. The shaky defense forced more turnovers, and star man, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, led one of the nation’s 10 best passing attacks. Their clash against bitter rivals, the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide, could provide decisive insight into how the Tigers will fare the rest of the 2025 season.
Arizona State Sun Devils’ sustained run
The Arizona State Sun Devils were a thorn in most teams’ side last season, having chalked up 11 wins. Matching 2024’s Big 12 champions in one-score wins was also a challenge for teams (the Sun Devils notched up 6). As the season progressed, the Devils became dominant for entire games or large parts of games. Some consider them the most talented, best-coached team in their conference.
Running back Cam Skattebo was instrumental in grinding out yards against the toughest teams. His departure, however, means running backs like Kyle Brown are relishing the opportunity to step into his shoes if the boss asks them to.
Given the fact that the majority of the 2024 roster, including star quarterback Sam Leavitt, are all set to return for 2025, many expect the Sun Devils to defend their title successfully this season. Undernoted is the versatility the three running backs Kyson Brown, Raleek Brown and Kanye Udoh lend to the team.
Arch Manning
Going into 2025, Arch Manning is the guy they’re all gunning at to get into the number one spot. The Texas Longhorns quarterback has waited patiently for two years to step into the spotlight. Last season, their backup QB made a real difference to the Texans’ offense, as he was able to put safety players and edge rushing players into conflict, thanks to his athleticism and his ability to threaten the entire field with his arms and legs. Third-generation quarterback Manning has a lot to live up to. Last season, he continued the family’s tradition of gifting football with top-quality quarterbacks. All eyes will be on him this season.
The 2024 college football season witnessed some fine moments. Other success stories include Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik silencing his doubters by pushing the ball downfield more and completing the third most passes with an air yardage of 20 yards or more.
