After traveling to 23 games through 19 states, a wanderer reflects on a season that featured a lot of new and yet much of the same, old charm.

ATHENS, Ga. — Three years ago, Georgia won a national championship and then set a modern NFL Draft record when 15 players from that team were selected. Five Georgia players went in the first round, all off a defense that was regarded then and still might be as generationally great. All in all, it was an immense, irreplaceable loss of talent.

Year 2 of the 12-team College Football Playoff era in the 2025 season. In the way-too-early top 25, you shouldn't need formal introductions. We are referring to the stars of tomorrow, today. Arch Manning (finally) takes over at quarterback for Texas as the Longhorns sit as out preseason No.