College Football Sleepers for the 2025 Season

2025 College Football Sleeper Teams To Bet

Each year, we see the College Football world be dominated by the likes of Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State and Notre Dame. It’s gotten to the point where we can almost guarantee a playoff final between two of these teams each year. However, that won’t stop most people from rooting for the underdogs, or literally any team that isn’t one of these. We want to see something different, something new and exciting. There are plenty of different programs in CFB that look to be on the verge of taking that next step towards contention, whether that be because of a new coach, a new quarterback, or maybe just a really good recruiting class. These teams will be some that maybe you wouldn’t expect to see make the college football playoff, but have a realistic shot to make a run at it and challenge these historically dominant teams. Let’s take a look at some and evaluate their odds to win the championship and their conference.

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Illinois Fighting Illini
Championship Odds: +17000
To Win Big 10 Odds: +4200

After going 10-3 (6-3 Big Ten) last season, the Fighting Illini will enter the 2025 season with much of the same team they ended with last year. Senior QB Luke Altmyer led his team to a 5th place finish in the Big 10 with over 2,700 yeards through the air. His arm wasn't the problem for Illinois last year, it was their offensive line allowing nearly 2.5 sacks per game. They were able to average 364.8 yards per game on the ground and through the air last season, but their offensive production and defensive stopping power couldn't stack up against other Big 10 powerhouses. Coach Bret Bielema will be looking for his returning starters on offence to produce more than the 28.3 points they averaged last year, especially with conference rivals Oregon and Ohio State averaging 36.9 and 37.2 points per game respectively. Losses to Oregon and Penn State showed that Bielema's offence couldn't compete against top ranked defences, as the Illini failed to score more than 9 points in either game.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive coordinator Aaron Henry will see most of his secondary return for the 2025 season along with Senior Linebacker Gabe Jacas who had a stand out season in 2024. Jacas led the Illini in sacks and forced fumbles last season while ranking third on the team in solo tackles and second in solo tackles. Henry's defence was able to hold opponents to 21.7 points per game last season, but games against Purdue (49) and Oregon (38) showed why Illinois defence was ranked 31st in the country.

The Fighting Illini will be able to avoid Oregon this season, but will have to travel to last year's sleeper Indiana in week 4 and take on Ohio State in October. Their first 3 games of the season should be a nice warmup, as they take on Western Illinois followed by Duke (away) and Western Michigan. The pieces are all there for Illinois to at least make a run at winning their first Big 10 title in nearly 25 years.

Florida Gators
Championship Odds: +3500
To Win SEC Odds: +1600

Losing two out of their first three games had the Gators on the back foot for the majority of the 2024 season. Quarterback DJ Lagway was brilliant when actually given the chance to throw the ball. But Florida just couldn't get any momentum going until the last 3 weeks of the season. Starts and stops and inconsistency at Quarterback will hopefully be resolved when they kick off the 2025 season against Long Island University. Lagway is considered to be the best quarterback in the country, and his health will be critical to Florida's success this season.

Florida will have their work cut out for them this season as they have the most difficult schedule in the FBS. Pre-season rankings have the Gators as the #14 team, but will need to show improvement on both sides of the ball if they want to compete in the SEC. Much like Illinois, the Gators didn't score enough points per game to hang with the top-tier teams. Blowout losses to Miami and Texas last season skew Florida's defensive numbers quite a bit, but they still aren't at the elite level they need to be to win it all.

Three games are make or break for the Gators this season. They'll travel to Miami on Sept. 20th to take on the Hurricanes, who are favored to win the ACC this season. Two weeks later the Texas Longhorns come calling in a must win home game for Florida. The Nov. 1st game against Georgia rounds out my list. If the Gators are able to take 2 of 3 either they would be in a good place going into the final four games of their regular season. If they are able to win all 3, they'd almost certainly be a top-10 if not top-5 ranked team. Ole Miss will still be waiting for the Gators on Nov. 15th, and they'll be looking for revenge after Florida ruined their playoff chances last season.

There are so many powerhouse teams in the SEC that any one of them could get on a run all the way to the national championship. Don't be surprised if Florida is the team that surprises everyone this year with a big comeback.

SMU Mustangs
Championship Odds: +10000
To Win ACC Odds: +900

The Mustangs made the CFP last season after going 11-1 (8-0) in the ACC last year. Critics however, are quick to point out that they didn't play Miami or Clemson during the regular season. That being said, they're currently expected to finish 3rd in their division, and will have to play the Hurricanes and Tigers this year. A split in those two games could get the Mustangs back to the ACC championship game, which they will almost certainly need to win this year to make the playoffs.

The Mustangs had a dynamic offence last season putting up 37.8 points per game, good enough for the 6th best in college football. Quarterback Kevin Jennings will return for the Mustangs, he had over 3,500 yards last season through the air and on the ground. SMU will have to find a replacement for RB Brashard Smith as he was drafted by the Chiefs, and LJ Johnson Jr. transferred to Cal. Leading WR Roderick Daniels Jr. will also be returning for his senior season. Thankfully SMU's early September games against East Texas A&M, Baylor and Missouri State should give them time to get their roster in order.

Arizona State Sun Devils
Championship Odds: +15000
To Win Big 12 Odds: +650

That the Sun Devils are a sleeper pick after winning the Big 12 and making the CFP, might seem like a stretch, but that's what the experts are saying. The Big 12 is only guaranteed 1 CFP spot, so they'll have to repeat if they want to have a realistic shot at making the national championship. With almost 80% of their offensive starters returning this year as well as 10 starters on the defence it could be possible. ASU doesn't have the most difficult schedule, especially when compared against teams in the Big 10 and SEC, so they need to hope that teams in their later games sneak their way into the top-25 to get the attention of the CFP committee if they don't win their division.

Speaking of important games, Sept. 7th at Mississippi St. would be an important win for the Sun Devils as it would be against an SEC team, even if they did go 0-8 in conference play last season. Games at Baylor and at Iowa State and at Colorado have to potential to throw a wrench in the works for ASU, but only time will tell. Interestingly, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Utah and Baylor all currently have better odds to win the Big 12 than the Sun Devils. To me this feels like a team being underrated.