Latest news with #BrandonMarcello
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Notre Dame could be a huge benefactor if the College Football Playoff changes its format
Notre Dame could be a huge benefactor if the College Football Playoff changes its format One of my biggest gripes with the College Football Playoff 12-team format is how teams are seeded, as we all know that Notre Dame can't get a bye due to not having a conference affiliation. There could be a change coming however, as CBS Sports Brandon Marcello is reporting that the committee could be going to a to a 'straight seeding' model. This comes after two teams this fall, Boise State and Arizona State, were ranked as the No. 9 and No. 12 teams, but got first-round byes due to the first-years format. It made zero sense to reward those two teams with bye weeks in the first-round, considering there were at least eight other teams that were ranked higher than them in the regular season final CFP rankings. For the Irish, this could mean potentially getting a first-round bye in the near future, but that all depends on how the conferences vote. Marcello said that the only way this could happen if they'd get 'unanimous approval from the 10 FBS conferences and Notre Dame to be enacted for the 2025-26 season.' It's hard to see the Irish turning this idea down, but stranger things have happened. While it was great for Notre Dame to get a home game in the first-round, the 4-game trek to the title game took its toll. Getting an opportunity to take one game off in the playoff would be big, but remember, every team this past season who got the bye lost.
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
CBS Sports projects a 'resurgence' for Auburn football in 2025
CBS Sports projects a 'resurgence' for Auburn football in 2025 In his SEC spring overreactions, Brandon Marcello of CBS Sports said that Auburn has the talent to contend for the SEC Championship. Spring practice is over, and now the minds of college football fans everywhere will be filled with predictions, projections, and other filler as they eagerly await the start of the 2025 season. Brandon Marcello of CBS Sports recently contributed to the offseason discussion by revealing his "overreactions" for every SEC team following the spring practice season. His assessment of Auburn can be written off as a positive overreaction, as he projects the Tigers to take a giant leap towards SEC Championship contention. I have long argued that Auburn is the most magical place in the SEC. The Tigers can go from a winless season in the SEC to playing for a national championship in a single calendar year (2012-13), but rarely does the rollercoaster break down into a slow trolley ride through a valley, outside the view of the national landscape. That's where Auburn sits today. The Tigers have not recorded a winning record since 2020, the program's worst stretch since the 1940s. Hugh Freeze enters Year 3 with the talent to contend in the SEC thanks to top-10 recruiting classes and impressive portal hauls. Is Jackson Arnold the quarterback to lead Auburn back to prominence? The vibes are high on the Plains, and a resurgence is on tap this fall. Don't count out a 10-win season. Auburn has posted a 28-33 record over the last five seasons and has had three different head coaches lead the program. Auburn also played in three bowl games in that span, losing each one. Auburn fans are hungry for a winning season and the possibility of an SEC Championship appearance. The good news for Auburn is that the coaching staff has worked tirelessly to boost its roster with talented high school recruits and experienced transfers. Auburn's schedule favors a strong comeback season, so Marcello's projection of a 10-win season is not out of reach. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Where Clemson landed in CBS Sports college football post-spring Top 25
Clemson continues to draw high praise ahead of the 2025 season, landing at No. 4 in CBS Sports' updated post-spring top 25 rankings. The Tigers trail only Ohio State, Texas, and Penn State, while Georgia rounds out the top five. CBS Sports analyst Brandon Marcello highlighted Clemson's player retention and development as key reasons for optimism. He noted that head coach Dabo Swinney, often scrutinized for avoiding the transfer portal, has instead built success through internal growth — a strategy that helped Clemson return to the College Football Playoff last season for the first time since 2020. Advertisement 'Fantastic retention has allowed the program to develop homegrown talent, much like the Tigers did in the heydays of the four-team CFP,' Marcello wrote. 'Clemson enters the season with the nation's most returning production, led by star QB Cade Klubnik.' Clemson finished 10-4 in 2024, including a 7-1 mark in the ACC and its eighth conference title in 10 years. The Tigers will open the 2025 season on Aug. 30 with a marquee home game against LSU, which came in at No. 8 in CBS' rankings. Other ranked ACC teams include Miami (No. 11), Louisville (No. 23), and SMU (No. 24). Clemson will face both SMU and Louisville this season, while Miami is not on the regular-season schedule. Advertisement Archrival South Carolina also appeared in the top 25 at No. 22. The Tigers and Gamecocks are set to meet in Columbia on Nov. 29. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions. This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson ranks high in CBS Sports college football post-spring Top 25
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Where Clemson landed in CBS Sports college football post-spring Top 25
Where Clemson landed in CBS Sports college football post-spring Top 25 Clemson continues to draw high praise ahead of the 2025 season, landing at No. 4 in CBS Sports' updated post-spring top 25 rankings. The Tigers trail only Ohio State, Texas, and Penn State, while Georgia rounds out the top five. CBS Sports analyst Brandon Marcello highlighted Clemson's player retention and development as key reasons for optimism. He noted that head coach Dabo Swinney, often scrutinized for avoiding the transfer portal, has instead built success through internal growth — a strategy that helped Clemson return to the College Football Playoff last season for the first time since 2020. 'Fantastic retention has allowed the program to develop homegrown talent, much like the Tigers did in the heydays of the four-team CFP,' Marcello wrote. 'Clemson enters the season with the nation's most returning production, led by star QB Cade Klubnik.' Clemson finished 10-4 in 2024, including a 7-1 mark in the ACC and its eighth conference title in 10 years. The Tigers will open the 2025 season on Aug. 30 with a marquee home game against LSU, which came in at No. 8 in CBS' rankings. Other ranked ACC teams include Miami (No. 11), Louisville (No. 23), and SMU (No. 24). Clemson will face both SMU and Louisville this season, while Miami is not on the regular-season schedule. Archrival South Carolina also appeared in the top 25 at No. 22. The Tigers and Gamecocks are set to meet in Columbia on Nov. 29. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Clemson predicted early CFP exit by national outlet
Clemson predicted early CFP exit by national outlet There are still five months until football season. And despite being in the middle of the recently named No. 5 Clemson Tigers' baseball season, it never hurts to take a break from the current sport to think about the next one up to bat, especially when it's about the College Football Playoff picture. Brandon Marcello of 247Sports had the same thought, projecting the 2025 Playoffs. Not surprisingly, Clemson was among the 12 teams to make the cut. However, the Tigers make their way to No. 3, earning a first-round bye with the other top four seeds: Ohio State, Texas, and Utah. In this way-too-early projection, Clemson would take on Notre Dame for the fifth time in six years. The Tigers hold the all-time winning record against the Irish, 5-3, but Marcello believes Notre Dame will close the gap, knocking Clemson out of the quarterfinal round. While Clemson might've lucked into the CFP last season, not much stands in its way in 2025. The Tigers' toughest challenge may come at the beginning and end of the season against LSU and South Carolina, respectively. So, facing a more battle-tested team in Notre Dame may indeed spell the end for Clemson's 2025 season. But with the most returning production in college football, I wouldn't count the Tigers out so quick. 2025 CFP projections per 247Sports First round No. 12 Navy at No. 5 Penn State No. 11 Georgia at No. 6 Notre Dame No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Alabama No. 9 LSU at No. 8 Oregon Quarterfinals No. 6 Notre Dame vs. No. 3 Clemson, Orange Bowl No. 5 Penn State vs. No. 4 Utah, Cotton Bowl No. 7 Alabama vs. No. 2 Texas, Sugar Bowl No. 8 Oregon vs. No. 1 Ohio State, Rose Bowl Semifinals No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Penn State, Fiesta Bowl No. 2 Texas vs. No. 6 Notre Dame, Peach Bowl National Championship
