The Biggest 'What Ifs?' of the 2025 College Football Season

The 2025 college football season concludes with Miami and Indiana set to compete in the national championship game. Miami's path to the championship involved several pivotal moments, including a controversial decision in the College Football Playoff selection and facing an Ole Miss team without former head coach Lane Kiffin, who departed for LSU.

Key incidents shaped the season's outcome, such as Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons suffering an ankle injury, leading to the rise of Trinidad Chambliss. Chambliss, previously a Division II champion at Ferris State, led Ole Miss to an 11-1 record, impacting the SEC and playoff landscape.

Iowa's near-upsets against Indiana and Oregon early in the season could have altered the Big Ten standings and College Football Playoff bracket, affecting Indiana's and Oregon's paths significantly.

South Carolina's collapse against Texas A&M in November kept A&M in playoff contention, though they later lost to Texas, affecting the playoff debate. Meanwhile, Alabama's narrow escape against Auburn in