Peter Burns, Chris Doering give SEC, 2025 college football season predictions

SEC Network’s Peter Burns and Chris Doering gave their 2025 SEC and college football predictions ahead of the season. It was during SEC Media Days on location in Atlanta.

The two hosts went through five categories featuring coaches, teams and individuals. It was pretty carpeted to the conference, except for one pick.

However, there are some surprises from the pair as well. Let’s dive in, starting with the SEC Coach of the Year.

SEC Coach of the Year

Peter Burns: Brian Kelly, LSU
Chris Doering: Brent Venables, Oklahoma

Burns opted for Kelly to finally put it all together for the Tigers this season. Going into Year 4, a lot of LSU fans are uneasy and want to see at least a College Football Playoff berth.

Venables is a bit under the gun, so he needs to succeed in the SEC this year. But this 2025 Oklahoma team might have the most firepower of previous Venables’ teams.

SEC Offensive Player of the Year

Peter Burns: Arch Manning, QB – Texas
Chris Doering: John Mateer, QB – Oklahoma

Burns went with Manning to break out in his first year as a starter. He’s got the weapons, the talent and the coaching, so Manning has a chance to be the SEC’s best quarterback.

For Doering, he likes Washington State transfer John Mateer. That won’t be the last time you read the dual threat QB’s name on this list.

SEC Champion

Peter Burns: Georgia
Chris Doering: LSU

Georgia will return to the mountaintop of the SEC for the second straight year, per Burns. After beating Texas last year, the Bulldogs will repeat as champs and be one of the top seeds in the CFP.

Doering is high on LSU this year, despite not picking individual awards for the Tigers in the previous categories. It appears this’ll be Kelly’s best year as head coach.

Heisman Trophy Winner

Peter Burns: Cade Klubnik, QB – Clemson
Chris Doering: John Mateer, QB – Oklahoma

Burns picked the only non-SEC player or team on this list by going with Klubnik out of the ACC. The Clemson QB is slated to have the best year of his career and could be the No. 1 overall pick in 2026.

Doering already picked Mateer to win the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, so naturally, he has a chance to win the Heisman. If he improves upon last year’s stat line, it’ll be hard to deny the new Sooners’ quarterback.

National Champion

Peter Burns: N/A
Chris Doering: LSU

Here’s where TV gets fun. Burns didn’t pick an SEC team. In fact, he didn’t even pick a team at all for preseason predictions! What are we doing?!

Doering opted for LSU and Brian Kelly gets his first national championship, a long awaited goal. He’s been to the game before, but has fallen short. It seems like LSU is all in for 2025.