MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — As the 2025 college football season approaches, insider Josh Pate has unveiled his bold predictions for the major conference championship games, drawing on recent campus visits and his deep analysis of rosters and trends. Pate, whose YouTube channel and podcast have surged in popularity for their relatable, fan-focused breakdowns, forecasts an exciting season on hand.
With Alabama topping Texas in the Southeastern Conference, Clemson defeating Georgia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Penn State edging Oregon in the Big Ten, and Arizona State prevailing over Texas Tech in the Big 12, Pate is dialed in on 2025 and ready to roll.
Pate’s picks notably favor the third-best SEC team by preseason polls, the top-ranked Big Ten squad, the ACC’s leading contender and the Big 12’s highest-polled program. His selections come amid a landscape where the SEC’s depth and talent continue to dominate discussions, with Pate emphasizing how loaded the top of the league is. “The SEC’s got unmatched depth — talent across the board, from elite quarterbacks to defensive lines that can change games,” Pate said in a recent episode. He highlighted the conference’s ability to produce multiple playoff contenders annually, noting that even mid-tier teams boast NFL-caliber players.
Fresh off weekend visits to practices in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Eugene, Oregon, Pate expressed particular enthusiasm for Alabama’s roster under second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer.
“What I saw in Tuscaloosa was a team reloaded and ready — speed everywhere, physicality up front,” he shared. This contrasts with last year’s national championship prediction, where Pate backed Ohio State to defeat Alabama, a pick that turned out somewhat correct, as the Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame to lift the trophy.
In the SEC, Pate’s choice of Alabama over Texas bucks conventional wisdom. Texas enters the season as the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 preseason poll, bolstered by quarterback Arch Manning and a defense that ranked among the nation’s best last year. The Longhorns, in their second SEC season, are favored to win the conference at +280 odds, reflecting their explosive offense and recruiting hauls that added top transfers. Alabama, ranked No. 8 nationally, sits as the third-highest SEC team behind Texas and No. 5 Georgia. The Crimson Tide, at +470 odds for the SEC title, feature a stacked secondary and quarterback Ty Simpson, who was once a five-star out of high school, yes really.
Pate’s affinity for Alabama’s practice intensity could tip the scales in a potential rematch of a 2023 clash in Tuscaloosa.
Shifting to the ACC, Pate predicts Clemson over Georgia Tech, aligning with the Tigers as the conference’s top dog. Clemson holds the No. 4 spot in the AP poll with 1,398 points and four first-place votes, powered by quarterback Cade Klubnik and a veteran led defense. Vegas lists them as heavy favorites at +110 to win the ACC, underscoring their consistent playoff appearances under Dabo Swinney. Georgia Tech, unranked in the preseason Top 25, faces longer odds at +1300, but the Yellow Jackets boast a dynamic offense led by quarterback Haynes King. August projections give Clemson an edge in recruiting rankings, with their class ranked top-five nationally, while Georgia Tech focuses on transfer portal additions for depth and wizardry from offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner.
For the Big Ten, Pate tabs Penn State to beat Oregon, selecting the poll’s top conference team. Penn State ranks No. 2 overall in the AP poll with 1,547 points and 23 first-place votes, thanks to a stout defense and dual-threat quarterback Drew Allar. At +210 odds, the Nittany Lions trail only Ohio State (+195) in Big Ten futures, but their preseason ranking edges the Buckeyes at No. 3. Oregon, No. 7 with 1,236 points, enters as a West Coast powerhouse with quarterback Dante Moore and a high-powered offense, but at +360 odds, they lag behind in conference betting. Pate’s Eugene visit left him impressed but ultimately siding with Penn State’s balance.
In the Big 12, Pate’s Arizona State over Texas Tech pick highlights the Sun Devils as the conference’s preseason darling. Arizona State ranks No. 11 in the AP poll with 791 points, the highest among Big 12 teams, despite the departure of running back Cam Skattebo and a revamped line under coach Kenny Dillingham. They share co-favorite status at +600 odds, tied with several others in a wide-open race. Texas Tech, at No. 23 with 274 points, counters with a potent air attack, but their +550 to +600 odds reflect similar contention. August recruiting updates show Arizona State’s momentum, with key transfers boosting their secondary.
Pate’s rise stems from his engaging style, blending data with storytelling that resonates with fans. His “Late Kick” podcast averages over 500,000 downloads per episode, and YouTube views have doubled in the past year, making him a go-to voice amid expanding playoffs and realignments. As kickoff nears, his predictions add intrigue to a season poised for upsets.
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