ARLINGTON, TEXAS – Quarterback Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns in for a play during the Ohio … More
Believe it or not, less than two months remain until the 2025 college football season gets underway. A handful of Week 0 matchups includes a Big 12 clash in Dublin on the second Saturday in August. Among Week 1 games, there is at least one that could be a playoff preview. Here a handful of games that are among those to be of interest out of the gate.
Saturday, August 23
Iowa State at Kansas State (Dublin)
Farmageddon arrives early this year as the 109th edition of a rivalry that has been played continuously since in 1917 takes place in Ireland. The Wildcats lost three of their last four regular season games a year ago to finish 5-4 in the Big 12 and 9-4 overall in Avery Johnson’s first season as the starting quarterback. One of the losses was the regular season finale against the Cyclones, who needed a victory to advance to the Big 12 championship game, which they lost to Arizona State. Quarterback Rocco Becht returns to Iowa State, which won a program record 11 games last season despite numerous injuries on defense. The Cyclones lead the series 54-50-4.
Saturday, August 30
Texas at Ohio State
These teams met in a CFP semifinal last season and very well could meet again in the postseason as both are expected to contend for a national title. In Austin, the offense belongs to Arch Manning. What a test it will be going up against the defending national champs and with four new starters on the offensive line. Led by linebacker Anthony Hill, UT is loaded on defense once again. The Buckeyes, who defeated the ‘Horns, 28-14, prior to their national title win over Notre Dame, will likely have Julian Sayin at quarterback following Will Howard’s lone season in Columbus. Sayin has a year in the system and Jeremiah Smith as a target, though only 12 career pass attempts. The teams split four previous meetings.
Alabama at Florida State
If the Seminoles are to put last season’s nightmare behind them, then this represents a wonderful opportunity to at least look like a far different team. Of course, Thomas Castellanos had nothing to do with a 2-10 mess, though he contributed to it by totaling three touchdowns in Boston College’s 28-13 win in Tallahassee on Labor Day. He is now running Mike Norvell’s offense. Ty Simpson takes over at quarterback for Jalen Milroe at Alabama, so he will be in the spotlight as well. Spotlight? Kalen DeBoer truly did outstanding work in keeping things together especially with the exodus of players following Nick Saban’s retirement. Following a 9-4 season, it is now about returning to the CFP and this is where it starts. The Tide leads the series 3-1-1.
LSU at Clemson
This will be the first regular season meeting between teams that have met four times in the postseason, including LSU’s win in the 2019 national championship game. Clemson should be the ACC’s heavyweight once again and make another playoff appearance. Cade Klubnik has developed into a legit Heisman contender and has plenty of established talent around him. Like Klubnik, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is expected to be in the running for college football’s top hardware. Unlike Klubnik, the second-year starter will have many new faces around him.
Georgia Tech at Colorado
With Heisman winner Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders in the NFL, Deion Sanders has a tremendous amount of production to replace on both sides of scrimmage. He reeled in quarterback Kaidon Salter, who totaled 77 touchdowns in four seasons (two as the starter) at Liberty. He will make his Buffaloes’ debut against a Georgia Tech team that has clearly improved in its two years under Brent Key as full-time coach. The Yellow Jackets settled for 7-6 a year ago with three of the losses to Louisville, Notre Dame and the unforgettable double-OT affair at Georgia. QB Haynes King returns behind a mostly veteran line. This will be the first meeting between the schools.
Sunday, August 31
Notre Dame at Miami
The first meeting since 2017 and only the fifth this century between the teams will mark the debut of former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck in a Miami uniform. It is the new faces on defense and a healthy Reuben Bain on the edge that could make the difference in the ‘Canes making their way to the playoff. Meanwhile, the Irish are literally starting fresh at quarterback with Steve Angeli having transferred to Syracuse. Irish coach Marcus Freeman will go with redshirt sophomore Kenny Minchey (three career pass attempts) or redshirt freshman CJ Carr (zero), grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. In other words, keep an eye on a defense led by what should be a top-shelf line that will likely have to make a difference early in the schedule. The Irish lead the series 17-8-1.
Monday, September 1
TCU at North Carolina
The Horned Frogs opened 2024 in Boulder against Deion Sanders and Colorado. This year they open primetime Labor Day against 73-year-old Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels. In other news, fans in Chapel Hill will need a program to identify a team with new faces on half the roster. UNC has won all three meetings.
