The return of college football has sparked a significant arms race among programs to secure top facilities, amenities, and talent, with Nebraska notably aiming for its first bowl berth since 2016. ESPN College GameDay also kicked off its 38th season with a special broadcast from Dublin, featuring predictions from analysts like Nick Saban and Kirk Herbstreit on the College Football Playoff contenders. The analysts offered varied playoff forecasts, with some favoring Clemson and Florida State, while Desmond Howard uniquely backed Miami. Notably, Saban, a new addition to the GameDay crew, controversially excluded reigning champions Michigan from his playoff predictions, despite predicting strong performances from other Big Ten teams. Overall, the new season promises excitement and unpredictability, with fans and analysts eager to see how the changes unfold.