2025 Next Benched College Football QB Odds

By Bill Speros Sep 15th, 2025 1:37 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 UCLA Bruins. And took a nearly $1 million financial hit in the process. The Bruins fired coach DeShaun Foster Sunday after an 0-3 start.

2025 CFB Next QB Benched Odds

None are immune to being the Next 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 two full weeks 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.

Next College Football QB Benched Odds

Power 4 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 fired head coach Brent Pry after absorbing an embarrassing 45-26 loss to Old Dominion in Blacksburg. Kyron Drones threw an interception and lost a fumble in that game. After 3 terrible starts, Drones sits alone as the favorite to be the Next Benched College Football QB.

Preston Stone, Northwestern (+500)

Buzz: QB Preston Stone and Northwestern covered a 27-point line against Oregon but looked inept in a 34-14 loss. The Ducks scored the first 34 points. Stone's uneven play may lead to a change in the QB1 spot in Evanston.

Ben Gulbranson, Stanford (+750)

Buzz: The Cardinal visiting handled Boston College late Saturday night. Stanford's defense dominate in the second half, keeping BC out of the end zone. QB Ben Gulbranson and the offense failed to capitalize in multiple situations, thus landing him on our Next Benched College Football QB list.

Robby Ashford, Wake Forest (+800)

Buzz: Robby Ashford and the Demon Deacons stalled in their ACC opener against North Carolina State Thursday. The offense failed to get a first down in the second half until after the 55 minute mark in a 34-24 loss. A food truck caught fire during the game, but that fire did not spread to Wake Forest's offense. The Deacons scored unimpressive wins over Kennesaw State Owls and Western Carolina.

Cade Klubnik, Clemson (+850)

Buzz: Clemson began the season 0-2 with losses to LSU and Georgia Tech. An inconsistent offense and poor play by QB Cade Klubnik remains a concern.

Mark Gronowski, Iowa (+900)

Buzz: Unfortunately, Mark Gronowski doesn’t play tight end for the Hawkeyes. He needs to generate a few more touchdown spikes if the Hawkeyes wish to remain relevant in the Big Ten this season. Losing the Cyhawk Trophy to Iowa State stings.

Gio Lopez, North Carolina (+1000)

Buzz: Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels rolled past Charlotte and Richmond after taking a beating at the hands of TCU in the season-opener. The Hoodie comes to Orlando this week to face UCF. Poor play against the Golden Knights could push QB Gio Lopez up the chart in our Next Benched College Football QB market.

Zane Flores, Oklahoma State (+1200)

Buzz: Zane Flores has yet to complete a TD pass in 2 games but has 2 picks. That needs to change this week against Tulsa.