Michigan was led by tight end Colston Loveland last season, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft selected by the Chicago Bears, who collected 56 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns.

“Saban retiring, in any era, was going to fundamentally impact the death grip the SEC had on college football,” Pate explained. “Because it wasn’t the SEC that had a death grip, it was Alabama, led by Nick Saban. Ten of the last 11 SEC Championships were either won by Bama or Georgia.”

Penn State football head coach James Franklin talked to Josh Pate about his expectations this year and what he talked to Nick Saban about.

Josh Pate shares his thoughts on the reports that the Big Ten is pitching an expanded College Football Playoff field that would guarantee a handful of automatic bids for the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12.

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts in the first half against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

College football analyst Josh Pate has one of the SEC's premier powers hoisting the crown, but another missing the game altogether.

That's certainly the case for Josh Pate, the host of " Josh Pate's College Football Show ". He named his top four college football quarterbacks heading into this season, and Mateer ranked second, behind only Florida's DJ Lagway. Mateer was ranked ahead of Clemson's Cade Klubnik and South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers.

With depth, experience and a starting quarterback with plenty of hype, the Florida Gators could make their debut in the College Football Playoff.