2025 First Benched College Football QB Odds

By Bill Speros Sep 3rd, 2025 2:23 PM EDT

Virginia Tech Hokies QB Kyron Drones Is among those on the QB Hot Seat. (USA TODAY)

In this age of NIL and the transfer portal, the job as the big-time college starting quarterback has lost the security it once held. QBs are swapped out like cleats between seasons. And someone will be the First Benched College Football QB.

This off-season saw multiple big-name schools with new top passers.

Miami replaced Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, with former Georgia Bulldog Carson Beck.

Tommy Castellanos jumped teams in the ACC, moving from Boston College to Florida State. John Mateer departed Washington State for Oklahoma.

 And once highly touted Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava exchanged his Knoxville digs for a spot in So Cal with the Trojans. And took a nearly $1 million financial hit in the process.

2025 CFB 1^st QB Benched Odds

None are immune to being the First Benched College Football QB.

But not even the money and expectations that come with a notable QB from the portal guarantee success. Never mind the top spot on the depth chart.

Even with just one full week of college play, rumblings spread from coast to coast. And like everyone else, some notable QBs in the Power 5 ranks find themselves in battles (real and imagined) to remain the No. 1 passer on the roster.

Let’s look at our weekly odds.

Here are our First Benched College Football QB odds among the Power 5 (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC) teams.

First College Football QB Benched Odds

Power 5 teams only. Odds above have been created by Bookies.com Senior Handicapper Adam Thompson and do not reflect odds that may be available on legal betting apps.

Names To Watch On The QB Hot Seat In 2025

Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech (+400)

Buzz: The Hokies stumbled in their opener against Georgia Tech. The offense sputtered behind Kryon Drones. He threw for a paltry 221 yards and added 2 interceptions with 0 TDs. He is tied among the favorites to be the First Benched College Football QB

Zach Calzada, Kentucky (+400)

Buzz: Kentucky delivered a pedestrian performance in beating MAC entry Toledo in their season opener. The ‘Cats face a monster test Saturday when the Lane Train pulls into Lexington. QB Zach Calzada may be on short leash against this tough SEC foe. He is tied among the favorites to be the First Benched College Football QB.

Gio Lopez, North Carolina (+450)

Buzz: Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels received an historic beating at the hands of TCU. Gio Lopez led UNC on a flawless and scripted opening drive and TD to begin the game. Then he went nearly 2 hours without completing a pass. Belichick mercifully removed Lopez from the game after Lopez got sacked and fumbled the ball in the 3^rd quarter. TCU’s scoop & score made it 41-7. A rough outing against UCF in 3 weeks and/or Clemson on October 4 could be it.  

Ben Gulbranson, Stanford (+800)

Buzz: The Cardinal faded in their ACC debut last season. Stanford lost 23-20 to Hawaii in its season opener. Ben Gulbranson mustered a mere 109 yards passing on 30 attempts, with 1 interception. That won’t be enough to keep the QB1 spot, leaving him vulnerable to be the First Benched College Football QB.

Mark Gronowski, Iowa (+800)

Buzz: Unfortunately, Mark Gronowski doesn’t play tight end for the Hawkeyes. His family tree does not directly intertwine with that of former Patriots and Tampa Bay TE Rob Gronkowski. This Gronk needs to generate a few more touchdown spikes if the Hawkeyes wish to remain relevant in the Big Ten this season.

Robby Ashford, Wake Forest (+1200)

Buzz: Robby Ashford and the Demon Deacons nearly suffered an epic upset at the hands of the Kennesaw State Owls in the season opener. Wake Forest clawed its way to a 10-9 win. Ashford needs to find his groove in what should be another tune-up against Western Carolina this week.

Preston Stone, Northwestern (+1500)

Buzz: Tulane spanked Northwester 23-3 in its season opener. It’s all fun and games for Preston Stone and NU this week against Western Illinois. Northwestern’s visit to Oregon in 2 weeks may be rated NC-17. And Stone may be the First Benched College Football QB

Nico Iamaleava, UCLA (+1500)

Buzz: UCLA brought in Nico Iamaleava to revive the Bruins’ offensive fortunes. UCLA suffered a Belichickian-like beat down of its own in Week 1, absorbing a 43-10 loss at home to Utah. Iamaleava managed just 136 yards passing with a TD and INT, and just 47 yards rushing on 13 carries.