2025 Season Recap

The dust has settled on the 2025 college football season, and what a season it was. It has now been nearly ten days since Indiana lifted the trophy in Miami, capping it all off with a win over the Miami Hurricanes.

CFP Semi Finals Recap

This past week marked the end of the FCS season and featured the two semifinal games at the FBS level. With only one college football game left this season, Miami and Indiana both have a shot at glory, while the other 134 FBS teams sit at home hoping next year will be theirs.

CFP Quarterfinals Recap

The Quarterfinals were not kind to me. After just one incorrect pick in the first round of the playoffs, I was reward with just one correct pick in the second round. Oregon saved me from getting skunked, but I did lose both my national runner up and champion. Maybe I am becoming more of an "expert" each and every day. Before we get into the games that matter, we'll have our last installment of Will's Corner for the 2025 season. 

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Will's Corner 

BYU 25, Georgia Tech 21
BYU looked good early, driving the ball 74 yards on their opening possession—only to get stopped on fourth down. But they responded by scoring on their very next drive and looked as if they would be firing on all cylinders all day. That would not be the case. After Georgia Tech scored to take a 14–10 lead, BYU’s Cody Hagen muffed the ensuing kickoff and gave the Yellow Jackets the ball inside the 10-yard line. Georgia Tech capitalized and took a 21–10 lead into halftime, leaving BYU in need of yet another second-half comeback to avoid a disappointing end to the season.

The third quarter didn’t bring much hope, as the only promising drive ended with an abysmal fade attempt by Bear Bachmeier that resulted in an interception in the end zone. A stout BYU defense gave the Cougars a glimmer of hope, and the offense stepped up when it mattered. BYU scored early in the fourth quarter and converted the two-point attempt to make it a three-point game. After forcing back-to-back three-and-outs, BYU’s offense once again delivered, driving 70 yards to take the lead with under two minutes to play. Thanks to the earlier two-point conversion, the game became a four-point margin instead of three, meaning Georgia Tech needed a touchdown. After forcing the Yellow Jackets into a fourth-and-15 from their own 16-yard line, quarterback Haynes King connected on a 66-yard completion to set Georgia Tech up with a chance to tie the game. BYU defensive back Evan Johnson, who was beaten on the long play, redeemed himself four plays later by intercepting a fourth-down pass in the end zone to seal the win.

BYU finishes the year 12–2, with both losses coming to Texas Tech. They went 2–2 against ranked opponents and deserve credit for a road win at Arizona, who was unranked at the time but now sits inside the top 20.

Illinois 30, Tennessee 28
One of the more peculiar games of the bowl season saw Tennessee play poorly for long stretches yet still have a chance to win at the end. Trailing 10–7 at halftime after a missed field goal, the Vols had only three true possessions in the first half, one of which was a three-and-out. An early fumble by Joey Aguilar on a sack led to a scoop-and-score, extending Illinois’ lead to 17–7. The two teams traded touchdowns before Tennessee returned a kickoff for a score to take a 28–27 lead late in the fourth quarter. The defense, however, couldn’t get the stop it needed, as Illinois marched down the field and kicked a 29-yard field goal as time expired to win the game.

Tennessee ends the season with a disappointing 8–5 record. Missed opportunities against Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma will leave a sour taste heading into the offseason. Roster turnover will be the big storyline for the Vols, and all eyes will be on the team Josh Heupel assembles for next year.

Washington State 34, Utah State 21
In the first game of the post–Jimmy Rogers era, Washington State aired it out and let it fly. What started as a slow opening turned into an offensive onslaught in the second half. The Cougs racked up 628 total yards of offense and built a 34–14 lead before Utah State added a late garbage-time touchdown. The outcome was never in doubt, and you could argue Wazzu left a few points on the field.

Washington State finishes the season 7–6, with close losses to Ole Miss, James Madison, and Virginia. Early-season defensive breakdowns and an inexplicable loss to Oregon State stand out as the biggest blemishes. Once again, roster construction looms large with the departure of Jimmy Rogers. New head coach Kirby Moore appears to be a strong fit in Pullman, but the focus now turns to what he can build, especially with the Pac-12 returning next year and a clear path to the playoff ahead.