2025 cbhsports 10/18 College Football Preview

Image Courtesy: FBSchedules.com

AP Top 5
1.Ohio State 6-0 (3-0) Big Ten This week: @ Wisconsin (2-4) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
2.Miami 5-0 (1-0) ACC This week: Louisville (4-1) (Friday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
3.Indiana 6-0 (3-0) Big Ten This week: Michigan State (3-3) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, Peacock)
4.Texas A&M 6-0 (3-0) SEC This week: @ Arkansas (2-4) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN)
5.Ole Miss 6-0 (3-0) SEC This week: @ 9.Georgia (5-1) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)

Biggest risers and fallers in the AP Top 25 this week:

Risers
3.Indiana 6-0 (3-0) Big Ten Week 7: #7 (Defeated 3.Oregon 30-20)
17.Vanderbilt 5-1 (1-1) SEC Week 7: #20 (Off)
19.South Florida 5-1 (2-0) American Week 7: #24 (Defeated North Texas 63-36)

Fallers
8.Oregon 5-1 (2-1) Big Ten Week 7: #3 (Lost to 7.Indiana 30-20)
14.Oklahoma 5-1 (1-1) SEC Week 7: #6 (Lost to Texas 23-6)

Dropped Out
Michigan 4-2 (2-1) Big Ten Week 7: #15 (Lost to USC 31-13)
Illinois 5-2 (2-2) Big Ten Week 7: #17 (Lost to 1.Ohio State 34-16)
Arizona State 4-2 (2-1) Big 12 Week 7: #21 (Lost to Utah 42-10)
Iowa State 5-2 (2-2) Big 12 Week 7: #22 (Lost to Colorado 24-17)
Florida State 3-3 (0-3) ACC Week 7: #25 (Lost to Pittsburgh 34-31)

New
20.USC 5-1 (3-1) Big Ten Week 7: NR (Defeated 15.Michigan 31-13)
21.Texas 4-2 (1-1) SEC Week 7: NR (Defeated 6.Oklahoma 23-6)
23.Utah 5-1 (2-1) Big 12 Week 7: NR (Defeated 21.Arizona State 42-10)
24.Cincinnati 5-1 (3-0) Big 12 Week 7: NR (Defeated UCF 20-11)
25.Nebraska 5-1 (2-1) Big Ten Week 7: NR (Defeated Maryland 34-31)

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)

Friday, October 17
Louisville (4-1) @ 2.Miami (5-0)
7 PM ET, ESPN
Louisville heads to South Beach to face Miami as both teams come off of open weeks. The Cardinals attempt to avoid back to back losses when they face the Hurricanes after losing to then No. 24 Virginia at home. The Hurricanes defeated instate rival Florida State two weeks ago. A critical ACC showdown looms on Friday night.

The Cardinals’ offense must be efficient if they want to beat the Hurricanes. Louisville quarterback Miller Moss has not been cautious with the football this season, as he has only thrown seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Running back Isaac Brown must help Moss out by building on his 334 yard and three touchdown season thus far. Defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (26 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended) and linebacker Mohamed Toure (24 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended) will lead the Miami front against Moss and Brown.

Receiver Chris Bell (35 catches for 502 yards and 4 touchdowns) will also be crucial in helping Moss turn his season around and potentially upsetting Miami. The secondary, headed by Jakobi Scott (20 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Keionte Scott (20 tackles and 3 passes defended) will be important in defending Bell and the other weapons catching passes from Moss.

Linebacker TJ Quinn (31 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 pass defended) and lineman Clev Lubin (24 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 passes defended) ability to stop the Miami run game, led by the dynamic duo of Mark Fletcher Jr. and CharMar Brown, who have combined for nine touchdowns through five games.

Defensive backs D’Angelo Hutchinson (32 tackles and 1 interception) and JoJo Evans Jr. (22 tackles) ability to defend against the passing game of Miami quarterback Carson Beck will be pivotal to their upset bid. Beck’s top threats down the field are receivers Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels have combined for 644 yards and eight touchdowns.

Miami should not overlook this game with lowly Stanford coming up on Oct. 25 but Louisville’s Jeff Brohm always has his team ready to go, especially at home in the Bluegrass state. The Cardinals will keep this game close but Beck will lead two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, helping Miami to their second ACC win.

Projected Score: Miami 38, Louisville 24

Saturday, October 18
10.LSU (5-1) @ 17.Vanderbilt (5-1)
12 PM ET, ABC
A decade ago, I don’t know if anyone would believe that Vanderbilt would be favored against LSU. But here we are. The Commodores are rested off of a bye week while the Tigers struggled against South Carolina before finishing the job.

The Commodores are led by their quarterback Diego Pavia leads Vanderbilt in passing yards (1,409) and rushing yards (352) with 16 overall touchdowns. That does not mean his running back is not good as Sedrick Alexander has carried the ball 50 times for 319 yards and five touchdowns. LSU’s linebacking trio of West Weeks, Harold Perkins, and Whit Weeks will be important to stop Pavia and Alexander moving the ball down the field via the ground game.

Pavia’s favorite targets are tight end Eli Stowers, who has 323 yards and two touchdowns and receiver Junior Sherrill, who has 274 yards and five scores. If safeties AJ Haulcy (39 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended) and Tamarcus Cooley (31 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 passes defended) lock up Stowers, Sherrill, and the Commodore receiving core, the Tigers will have a much easier time winning on Saturday afternoon.

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s ability to get the ball to receivers Aaron Anderson (305 yards) and Barion Brown (261 yards and 1 touchdown) in the end zone will be important with LSU’s lack of high scoring outputs in recent weeks as they play a tough Vanderbilt defense. Their passing attack will have to be dealt with by Vanderbilt safety CJ Heard and cornerback Martel Height, who have combined for two interceptions.

Tiger tailbacks Caden Durham (283 yards and 2 touchdowns) and Ju’Juan Johnson (136 yards and 2 touchdowns) must come through with a big day and create holes through their offensive line. Linebackers Bryan Longwell (26 tackles) and Nick Rinaldi (20 tackles) will attempt to stop the LSU ground game. If Nussmeier is not able to rely on a quality showing from his running game, it will be more difficult for LSU to protect their home field against Vanderbilt.

In what should be a back and forth game, Vanderbilt will come out on top because of Pavia’s leadership and the toughness of the Vanderbilt defense against a struggling LSU offense. The Commodores will become bowl eligible and grab their second SEC win in through just eight weeks of the 2025 season.

Projected Score: Vanderbilt 21, LSU 17

5.Ole Miss (6-0) @ 9.Georgia (5-1)
3:30 PM ET, ABC
ESPN’s College GameDay chose to go to Athens for Georgia’s third matchup against Ole Miss in as many seasons. In 2023, the Bulldogs dominated the Rebels 52-17. A year later, Ole Miss avenged their loss and beat Georgia 28-10. Saturday’s game means even more for the SEC title race and College Football Playoff appearances. The Rebels barely escaped against Washington State last Saturday so they should be much more focused when they walk on to the field at Sanford Stadium against Georgia.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense struggled to score against the Cougars defense last week. Even he does not step up against Georgia with a better performance, Austin Simmons may come in to replace him when they face another tough defense next week, the Oklahoma Sooners. Chambliss’ ability to go to Harrison Wallace III (361 yards), Dae’Quan Wright (359 yards), and Deuce Alexander (349 yards), who have combined for six touchdowns, will be the reason why they can get past the Georgia defense. Defensive backs KJ Bolden (30 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Daylen Everette (20 tackles and 3 passes defended) will look to stop the Rebels’ talented receiving core in Saturday’s game.

Tailback Kewan Lacy will look to build on his 587 yard and eight touchdown season against the Bulldogs too. Linebackers CJ Allen (46 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles) and Raylen Wilson (38 tackles and 1 sack) will be a big part of stopping Lacy and the Rebel rushing attack.

Ole Miss inebackers TJ Dottery (37 tackles and 2 passes defended), Jaden Yates (36 tackles), and defensive end Kam Franklin (31 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1 pass defended) must help the Rebel defense keep Chauncey Bowens, Nate Frazier, and the Georgia ground game in front of them. Bowens and Frazier have combined for six touchdowns through six games this season.

Safeties Wydett Williams (25 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Kapena Gushiken (19 tackles and 2 passes defended) will make sure Mike Bobo’s screen-centered offense does not turn into a down the field centric offense. Even if many of Georgia’s offensive plays go to east to west, quarterback Gunner Stockton has had a successful season with 10 overall touchdowns.

In what should be a battle between Lane Kiffin’s and Kirby Smart’s teams, Georgia will end Ole Miss’ perfect season. The Rebels offense has begun to show flaws and the Bulldogs need to win this game to prove they are still contending for another shot at winning the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Projected Score: Georgia 24, Ole Miss 20

7.Texas Tech (6-0) @ Arizona State (4-2)
4 PM ET, FOX
Texas Tech heads to Tempe to face Arizona State in the first of two games important to the Big 12 title race on Saturday. The Red Raiders have outscored their opponents easily in each of their six wins this season while the Sun Devils have already suffered two defeats, including one last week due to starting quarterback Sam Leavitt being out due to injury.

The Red Raiders offense has flourished in 2025 behind two key pieces in the backfield quarterback Behren Morton (1,501 yards and 13 TDs) and running back Cameron Dickey (591 yards and 8 TDs). Receivers Caleb Douglas (395 yards and 1 TD) and Coy Eakin (341 yards and 3 TDs) will be important to help Morton down the field and score touchdowns on the Sun Devil defense. It will be up to defensive lineman Clayton Smith’s and linebacker Keyshaun Elliott’s combined eight sacks to help lead the Arizona State’s defense against one of the nation’s top offenses in the nation.

If Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (1,039 yards and 8 TDs) returns from injury like most in Tempe, his favorite target Jordyn Tyson (523 yards and 7 TDs) must continue to be a reliable weapon down the field if they want to outscore Texas Tech. The Red Raider secondary, led by Cole Wisniewski (28 tackles, 1 pass defended, and 1 sack) and Brice Pollock (21 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 2 passes defended). Sun Devil tailback Raleek Brown will hope to help Leavitt, Tyson, and his offense by building on his 573 yard and 2 TD season.

That being said, a slow start from Leavitt’s return from injury will result in an easy win for Texas Tech over Arizona State. But if the Sun Devil defense helps Leavitt out, and they stop the Red Raiders on a few drives in the first half. Texas Tech will defeat Arizona State by two touchdowns and continue their undefeated season.

Projected Score: Texas Tech 31, Arizona State 17

11.Tennessee (5-1) @ 6.Alabama (5-1)
7:30 PM ET, ABC
‘The Third Saturday in October’ rivalry returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium at Saban Field in what should be an intriguing game. The traveling Volunteers struggled to beat the Bobby Petrino-led Arkansas Razorbacks 34-31 at home while the Crimson Tide dispatched then No. 14 Missouri 27-24 in Columbia. A second loss and potentially missing the College Football Playoff berth is on the line on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa.

Tennessee needs to be more consistent on offense if they want to beat Alabama on Saturday. They can do that if quarterback Joey Aguilar, who has already thrown for 1,680 yards and 14 touchdowns, passes the ball Chris Brazzell II (536 yards and 7 TDs), Braylon Staley (431 yards and 2 TDs), and Mike Matthews (416 yards and 2 TDs). That will not be the easiest task with the pass rush of Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton, who already has 20 tackles and 3 sacks on the season.

The running back room of DeSean Bishop’s and Star Thomas’ combined 809 yards and 9 touchdowns should help balance Aguilar’s passing attack against a strong Alabama defense. Bishop and Thomas must avoid linebackers

Volunteer linebackers Arion Carter (57 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended) and Edwin Spillman (33 tackles and 1 interception) must stop Jam Miller’s running game that sets up Ty Simpson’s impressive passing attack. Miller has rushed for 267 yards and one score through six games.

Defensive backs Andre Turrentine (37 tackles and 1 interception) and Endrees Farooq (33 tackles and 2 passes defended) have the pleasure of defending against Simpson’s passing attack. Simpson’s impressive season has helped both receivers Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams become weapons down the field. Bernard and Williams have played off of each other well, combining for over 500 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.

If the Tennessee offense can play up to the level it did against Georgia on Sept. 13, then they can beat Alabama. If not, the Volunteers will not beat the Crimson Tide for the third time in four seasons. Alabama will grab their fifth consecutive win since their week 1 loss to Florida State ahead of their trip to Columbia to face South Carolina next Saturday.

Projected Score: Alabama 31, Tennessee 23

20.USC (5-1) @ 13.Notre Dame (4-2)
7:30 PM ET, NBC
In what could be the last game in a long-standing rivalry between USC and Notre Dame due to scheduling disagreements, the Trojans look to keep their momentum going and the Fighting Irish look to avoid a third loss. USC defeated then No. 15 Michigan 31-13 while Notre Dame dominated NC State last Saturday. The Fighting Irish have the two best losses in the country (No. 2 Miami and No. 4 Texas A&M) but a third loss would mean likely missing the College Football Playoff. So, protecting their home field will be important against USC.

Trojan quarterback Jayden Maiava has paced the Big Ten in passing this season, throwing for over 1,800 yards and 13 touchdowns through the air. A trio of wide receivers has helped him out — Makai Lemon (682 yards and 6 TDs), Ja’Kobe Lane (313 yards and 2 TDs), and Lake McRee (289 yards and 1 TD). Notre Dame safeties Adon Schuler (29 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Tae Johnson (28 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) will look to keep Maiva from getting the ball down to Lemon, Lane, McRee, and other Trojan receivers.

Tailbacks Waymond Jordan, King Miller, and Eli Sanders have rushed for a combined 1,150 yards and 10 scores. They will look to help Maiva develop Lincoln Riley’s offense even more against the Fighting Irish. Linebackers Drayk Bowen’s and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asu’s combined 59 tackles will attempt to stop USC’s strong ground game.

Notre Dame’s CJ Carr (1,622 yards and 13 TDs) will look to dice up the Trojan secondary with passes to some of his favorite targets. Receivers Jordan Faison, Malachi Fields, and tight end Eli Raridon have combined for over 1,000 yards and four touchdowns on the season. Safeties Bishop Fitzgerald (30 tackles, 1 pass defended, and 1 sack) and Christian Pierce (23 tackles, 1 pass defended, and 1 sack) will look to shut down Carr’s passing attack.

Linebackers Eric Gentry (41 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 pass defended) and Desman Stephens (30 tackles) will look to close gaps for Notre Dame running backs Jeremiyah Love (530 yards and 8 TDs) and Jadarian Price (422 yards and 7 TDs). If Gentry, Stephens, and the USC defensive front let Love and Price have successful performances on Saturday night, it will likely lead to a loss.

The battle between USC and Notre Dame should be back and forth. Though they took two early season losses to the Hurricanes and Aggies, the Fighting Irish will defeat the Trojans before an off week on Oct. 25.

Projected Score: Notre Dame 38, USC 35

23.Utah (5-1) @ 15.BYU (6-0)
8 PM ET, FOX
The battle for Utah, more commonly known as the ‘Holy War’, is an important matchup to help determine the two teams headed to this season’s Big 12 Championship game in Dallas. Utah will hope that they do not get blown out against BYU like they did against Texas Tech. BYU mounted a comeback against Arizona to save their unbeaten season. The ‘Holy War’ always delivers so Saturday night should be a fun game to watch.

For Utah to avoid another blowout against an AP Top 25 opponent, they will need a better performance from their offense. Quarterback Devon Dampier must have an all-around performance that suggests he is the leader of the team his team knows him to be. Dampier leads the team in both passing and rushing, throwing for 1,131 yards, rushing for 378, and 16 overall touchdowns. Even though Dampier leads the team in rushing, the Utes have two quality running backs such as Wayshawn Parker (335 yards and 3 TDs) and NaQuari Rogers (298 yards and 6 TDs). BYU linebacker Isaiah Glaskers’ 26 tackles and 2 sacks will hope to contain Dampier, Parker, and Rogers from big days on the ground.

Dampier has two quality pass catchers on the outside in Ryan Davis, who has caught 39 passes for 416 yards and two touchdowns and tight end Dallen Bentley, who has caught 24 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns. Safety Faletau Satuala (31 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defended, and 1 sack) will lead the Cougar secondary against the Ute passing game.

Utah defensive end John Henry Daley (30 tackles and 8 sacks) and linebacker Johnathan Hall (30 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) will look to shut down the BYU running game led by tailback LJ Martin, who has rushed for 652 yards and four scores on the season.

Safeties Jackson Benee and Nate Ritchie will look to stop one of the top freshmen quarterback Bear Bachmeier’s tremendous passing attack to receivers Chase Roberts (420 yards and 3 TDs), Parker Kingston (333 yards and 2 TDs), and tight end Carsen Ryan (211 yards and 2 TDs). Another quality game from Bear will make it harder for Utah to go on the road and beat the Cougars.

The ‘Holy War’ should be as entertaining ever as Utah and BYU match up in prime time. But the Cougars have been the stronger team overall this season meaning they should get the win at home over the Utes. BYU would move to 7-0 and 4-0 in the Big 12 with a win over Utah before another huge match up next Saturday in Ames at Iowa State.

Projected Score: BYU 27, Utah 17