As the 2025 recruiting cycle ends and the 12-team CFP era rolls on, here is a look at four teams that have improved their chances of securing a playoff spot, and, maybe winning it all, as long as their transfers contribute as expected and they get production from some youth in their current class of recruits.

It's never too early to look ahead to next season's College Football Playoff despite the Ohio State Buckeyes capturing the National Championship just weeks ago.

Alabama came up short in head coach Kalen DeBoer's inaugural season by missing the first season of the 12-team college football playoff. With selection Sunday for year two of the 12-team playoff over 11 months away, ESPN announced its projections with the Crimson Tide slotting as the No. 5 seed.