Category: College Football

Image Courtesy: Cincinnati Athletics

AP Top 5
1.Ohio State 7-0 (4-0) Big Ten This week: Penn State (3-4) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
2.Indiana 8-0 (5-0) Big Ten This week: @ Maryland (4-3) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
3.Texas A&M 8-0 (5-0) SEC This week: Off
4.Alabama 7-1 (5-0) SEC This week: Off
5.Georgia 6-1 (4-1) SEC This week: Florida (3-4) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)

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

Risers
16.Louisville 6-1 (3-1) ACC Week 9: #19 (Defeated Boston College 38-24)
17.Cincinnati 7-1 (5-0) Big 12 Week 9: #21 (Defeated Baylor 41-20)
21.Michigan 6-2 (4-1) Big Ten Week 9: #25 (Defeated Michigan State 31-20)

Fallers
18.Oklahoma 6-2 (3-2) SEC Week 9: #13 (Lost to 8.Ole Miss 34-26)
19.Missouri 6-2 (2-2) SEC Week 9: #15 (Lost to 10.Vanderbilt 17-10)

Dropped Out
South Florida 7-1 (3-1) American Week 9: #18 (Lost to Memphis 34-31)
LSU 5-3 (2-3) SEC Week 9: #20 (Lost to 3.Texas A&M 49-25)
Illinois 5-3 (2-3) Big Ten Week 9: #23 (Lost to Washington 42-25)
Arizona State 5-3 (3-2) Big 12 Week 9: #24 (Lost to Houston 24-16)

New
22.Houston 7-1 (4-1) Big 12 Week 9: NR (Defeated 24.Arizona State 24-16)
23.USC 5-2 (3-1) Big Ten Week 9: NR (Off)
24.Utah 6-2 (3-2) Big 12 Week 9: NR (Defeated Colorado 53-7)
25.Memphis 7-1 (3-1) American Week 9: NR (Defeated 18.South Florida 34-31)

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

Saturday, November 1
Navy (7-0) @ North Texas (7-1)
12 PM ET, ESPN2
Another game important in determining the Group of 5’s College Football Playoff representative will be played in Denton on Saturday afternoon. Navy enters a huge stretch of games to finish the season as they face North Texas, Notre Dame, South Florida, Memphis, and Army to finish the regular season. A single loss will be acceptable if the Midshipmen want to make a College Football Playoff appearance.

The Mean Green’s only loss is to No. 24 South Florida so winning out will be necessary for them to make it that far. North Texas protecting their home field will be important as they begin the last quarter of their regular season.

Navy quarterback Blake Horvath leads the team in both passing and rushing yards (1,063 yards and 814 yards) and has accounted for 19 overall touchdowns. In the Midshipmen’s option offense, running back Alex Tecza (464 yards and 6 TDs), wide receiver Brandon Chatman (293 yards and 1 TD), and wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (285 yards and 3 TDs) power their rushing attack. North Texas linebackers Shane Wittier, Trey Fields, and Ethan Wesloski each have over 50 tackles and an interception will be tasked with defending against it.

For the home side, signal caller Drew Westemaker has been terrific this season, throwing 21 touchdowns to just four interceptions through eight games. His four favorite targets down the field have elevated his play: Wyatt Young (586 yards, 7 TDs), Cameron Dorner (466 yards and 4 TDs), Miles Coleman (320 yards and 1 TD), and Landon Sides (295 yards and 1 TD). Safety Giuseppe Sessi (40 tackles) and cornerback Phillip Hamilton (24 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) are in charge of leading the secondary against the talented Mean Green receiving core.

The Mean Green run the ball with their top two taibacks Caleb Hawkins and Makenzie McGill II. Hawkins and McGill have combined for almost 1,000 rushing yards and 12 scores. Navy linebackers MarcAnthony Parker (59 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1 interception) and Luke Pirris (52 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1.5 sacks) will look to block holes for their ground game.

In a game between two high scoring offenses, North Texas will protect their home field and will give Navy its first loss of the season. While the Midshipmen’s offense is not one dimensional, the Mean Green will outscore them. A victory for North Texas would put them officially in College Football Playoff conversations.

Projected Score: North Texas 42, Navy 35

10.Miami (6-1) @ SMU (5-3)
12 PM ET, ESPN
Miami bounced back versus Stanford last Saturday after loss to Louisville on Friday, Oct. 17. SMU suffered their first regular-season ACC loss since joining the league against Wake Forest last weekend. After scoring only 12 points in the loss to the Demon Deacons, SMU must hope their offense improves as they collide against a Miami team that is due for a bounce back on offense as well.

The Hurricanes will be counting on their offense to replicate the 42-point outburst they had against the Cardinal. Quarterback Carson Beck threw for 189 yards and a touchdown and his running back Mark Fletcher Jr. carried the ball 23 times for 106 yards and three scores. SMU linebacker Brandon Booker (41 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 0.5 sacks) and defensive end Cameron Robertson (38 tackles, 5 sacks, and 2 passes defended) are important in defending against Beck and Fletcher if they want win this game.

Beck’s receivers Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels have combined for 913 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. He will have to throw more than a single touchdown (with the help of Toney and Daniels) if they want to beat the Mustangs on the road. Safety duo Isaiah Nwokobia (65 tackles, 7 passes defended, and 2 interceptions) and Ahmaad Moses (54 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 pass defended, and 1 sack) will be challenged with dealing with Toney and Daniels down the field.

Linebackers Mohamed Toure (32 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended) and Wesley Bissainthe (30 tackles and 1 interception) will look to stop Mustang tailbacks TJ Harden and Chris Johnson Jr. who have combined for 770 yards and eight touchdowns.

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings has thrown for 2,119 yards, 17 touchdowns, eight interceptions. Five of his receiving options have over 200 yards and two touchdowns including Romello Brinson, Jordan Hudson, Jalen Cooper, Yamir Knight, and RJ Maryland. Defensive backs Keionte Scott (34 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 1 sack) and Jakobe Thomas (26 tackles, 3 passes defended, 2 sacks, and 1 interception) will hope to do their best against Jennings’ passing attack.

In what should be a competitive game, Miami will hand SMU its second consecutive loss. If the Hurricanes are victorious, they would remain in ACC Championship game contention and a clear College Football Playoff contender and the Mustangs would already have four overall losses on the season. Miami would win its first game outside of the state of Florida during the 2025 season.

Projected Score: Miami 27, SMU 20

9.Vanderbilt (7-1) @ 20.Texas (6-2)
12 PM ET, ABC
Would you have believed back in August that Vanderbilt would enter November with a better record — and a higher AP ranking — than Texas? I sure did not especially as they enter a battle important for determining the pecking order in this season’s SEC. The Longhorns are one loss away from falling out of College Football Playoff contention and Vanderbilt would love to be the team that shuts the door.

The Commodores’ unquestioned leader is Diego Pavia, who has thrown for almost 1,700 yards, 15 touchdowns, rushed for 458 more and five scores. His three trusted weapons down the field — receivers Junior Sherrill, Tre Richardson, and Eli Stowers, who all have over 300 yards and have combined for eight touchdowns. Defensive backs Jelani McDonald and Jaylin Guilbeau will need to step up as Michael Taaffe is out for an unclear amount of time with a broken thumb.

Pavia has three running backs capable of breaking through the Texas defense if given the shot. Sed Alexander (388 yards and 6 TDs), Makhilyn Young (382 yards and 5 TDs), and Jamezell Lassiter (144 yards and 2 touchdowns) will have to succeed against a tremendous Texas defensive front if they want to help their team win the game. The Longhorns’ leading tackler Anthony Hill Jr. has 60 stops, 2.5 sacks, one interception, and one pass defended. He will lead his talented group against the Commodores’ impressive ground attack.

Vanderbilt safeties CJ Heard (43 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 sack) and Marlen Sewell (27 tackles) are one of the nation’s best back lines. They will look to shut down the Longhorn passing attack led by either the injured Arch Manning who is currently in concussion protocol or backup Matthew Caldwell, who threw the game winning touchdown pass to Emmett Mosley in overtime against Mississippi State after Manning went out of the game injured.

Running back Quintrevion Wisner (263 yards and 2 TDs) will look to get past the Commodore front to set up the passing game for Manning or Caldwell. Linebackers Bryan Longwell (41 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Langston Patterson (33 tackles) will lead the Vanderbilt front against the Texas rushing attack.

In a must-win game for Texas to keep themselves in the College Football Playoff conversation, Vanderbilt will go on the road and get a win. Last season, the Commodores lost to the Longhorns 27-24 so they can definitely win this season with a limited Manning or Caldwell. Vanderbilt would essentially lock themselves into the playoff if they go 2-1 the rest of the season after they leave Austin.

Projected Score: Vanderbilt 24, Texas 17

23.USC (5-2) @ Nebraska (6-2)
7:30 PM ET, NBC
Coming off of the loss to Notre Dame and a bye week, USC continues its midwestern road trip to Lincoln where they will face Nebraska. The Cornhuskers’ only losses are to No. 21 Michigan and Minnesota so winning out the rest of the season is the only option if they want a chance to make the College Football Playoff and that starts when they host the Trojans. USC and Nebraska collide on Saturday night with a lot on the line.

The Trojans can do many different things on offense. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has passed for 2,180 yards and 15 touchdowns and tailback Waymond Jordan, who has rushed for 576 yards and five scores.

Receivers Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane, and tight end Lake McRee have combined for almost 1,489 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Nebraska secondary, led by have the tough job of dealing with Maiava and this receiving core.

USC linebackers Eric Gentry (48 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 pass defended) and and Desman Stephens will defend against the Cornhuskers’ ground game, headed by Emmett Johnson, who has impressed with 837 yards and nine touchdowns through eight games.

Nebraska signal-caller Dylan Raiola (1,909 yards and 17 TDs) will look to get the ball down the field Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney Jr., and Dane Key, who have combined for 12 touchdowns on the season. Safeties Bishop Fitzgerald (40 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 2 passes defended) and Christian Pierce (31 tackles, 1 pass defended, and 1 sack) have the job of leading their secondary against Nebraska’s passing attack.

USC will get their second road win of the season after beating Nebraska on Saturday night. The Trojans’ offense will be too much for the Cornhusker defense. USC would reenter College Football Playoff conversations with a victory.

Projected Score: USC 31, Nebraska 24

18.Oklahoma (6-2) @ 14.Tennessee (6-2)
7:30 PM ET, ABC
In a College Football Playoff elimination game, Oklahoma heads to Knoxville to face Tennessee. The Sooners fell by just eight to red hot Ole Miss and the Volunteers outscored Kentucky last Saturday. Put simply, Tennessee’s offense and Oklahoma’s defense are two of the best units in the country while the Volunteers’ defense and the Sooners’ offense have both struggled for much of the season. It will be interesting to see how both matchups determine the game on the field.

For the Oklahoma offense to get back on track, John Mateer needs to play like he did when he led the Sooners 5-0 start. Mateer is certainly capable as he has thrown for 1,790 yards, eight touchdowns, rushed for 226 yards and five more scores. But six interceptions holds the offense back from more success.

Their offensive line must step up and protect the Tennessee defensive line, led by so he can get the ball down the field to receivers Isaiah Sategna (624 yards and 5 TDs), Deion Burks (390 yards and 2 TDs), and tight end Jaren Kanak (304 yards). Tennessee defensive backs Edges Farooq (45 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Andre Turrentine (41 tackles and 1 interception) must put their best effort of the season if they want to keep the Sooners’ offense from returning to form.

The balanced offense would not return without the success of the ground game. Tailbacks Tory Blaylock (401 yards and 4 TDs) and Xavier Robinson (217 yards and 3 TDs) carry the load for the Sooners. Linebackers Arion Carter (61 tackles, 1 sacks, and 1 pass defended) and Edwin Spillman (49 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended) will fill the gaps against Blaylock and Robinson.

Tennessee has a three headed monster next to the Joey Aguilar with DeSean Bishop (652 yards and 9 TDs), Star Thomas (418 yards and 5 TDs), and Peyton Lewis (227 yards and 6 TDs) rushing the ball down the field. Oklahoma’s Kip Lewis, Owen Heinecke, Kendal Daniels, and Sammy Omosigho anchor one of the top linebacker units in the country. They will look to shut down the Tennessee running backs so the Volunteer passing game cannot set up as easily.

Aguilar’s impressive season behind center has included 2,344 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns. Three receivers have been huge for the Volunteers this season including Chris Brazzell II, Braylon Staley, and Mike Matthews who have combined for 14 touchdowns this season. Defensive backs Robert Spears-Jennings (35 tackles) and Peyton Bowen (25 tackles and 3 passes defended) will do their best against and their strong passing attack.

In a huge game, Tennessee will protect their home field and outscore Oklahoma on Saturday night. The Volunteers will get at least one stop during the game against the Sooners’ up and down offense helping them to a victory. A win for Tennessee would set them up nicely for a potential run to back to back College Football Playoff appearances with a 2-1 record the rest of the season.

Projected Score: Tennessee 28, Oklahoma 24

17.Cincinnati (7-1) @ 24.Utah (6-2)
10:15 PM ET, ESPN
ESPN’s College GameDay heads to Salt Lake City, in what will be their first appearance at a Big 12 school this season at Utah. The No. 24 Utes reentered the AP Top 25 after dominating Colorado. They host the red hot Cincinnati Bearcats, who have won seven games in a row since their season-opening loss to Nebraska, and are tied for the lead of the league at 5-0 with BYU. Now, both teams enter a crucial matchup as Cincinnati faces its first true test since beating Iowa State to open October — a road trip to Utah.

The Bearcats will be without running back Evan Pryor (478 yards and 3 TDs) due to an ankle injury on Saturday night. So, it will be up to backup Tawee Walker (466 yards and 4 TDs) to help star quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who has thrown 20 touchdowns to just one interception. Utah linebacker Johnathan Hall (39 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) and defensive end John Henry Daley (36 tackles and 9.5 sacks, and 1 pass defended) can definitely do their job against opposing offenses and they will look to keep things going against another talented offense.

Three receivers and a tight end have been crucial to Cincinnati’s success this season. Those guys are Cyrus Allen (381 yards and 9 TDs), Caleb Goodie (359 yards and 2 TDs), Joe Royer (340 yards and 4 TDs), and Jeff Caldwell (337 yards and 3 TDs). Safeties Jackson Bennett (39 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 passes defended, and 0.5 sacks) and Tao Johnson (27 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 pass defended) will look to do their job of protecting down the field against the Bearcat offense.

Utah coaches are unsure whether starting quarterback Devon Dampier (1,375 passing yards, 13 TDs, 442 rushing yards, and 5 TDs). will start following a leg injury he suffered a few weeks ago. It will likely be okay because backup signal-caller Byrd Ficklin stepped in and led the Utes to 53 points in a blowout win over Colorado.

But the challenge against Cincinnati’s defense will be more difficult than the one they faced last Saturday especially due to tight ends Dallen Bentley, JJ Buchanan, and receiver Ryan Davis combining for nine touchdowns so far this season. Safeties Trevon Gola-Callard and Christian Harrison have combined for nine passes defended this season. They will plan to do more of that against Utah’s passing game.

Linebackers Jake Golday (67 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 2 passes defended) and Jonathan Thompson (41 tackles and 1 sacks) will have the job of stopping Utah’s tremendous ground attack. Tailbacks Wayshawn Parker and NaQuari Rogers, and Dampier have combined for 1,270 yards and 16 scores

If Cincinnati shuts down Utah’s run-game it will be hard for them lose. That is why the Bearcats will advance to 6-0 in conference, inching them closer to a potential Big 12 Championship spot and the Utes will fall for the third time in six weeks. A win for Cincinnati would enter them into bubble territory for the College Football Playoff ahead of the committee’s first ranking next Tuesday night.

Projected Score: Cincinnati 31, Utah 21

Image Courtesy: FOX 2

AP Top 5
1.Ohio State 7-0 (4-0) Big Ten This week: Off
2.Indiana 7-0 (4-0) Big Ten This week: UCLA (3-4) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
3.Texas A&M 7-0 (4-0) SEC This week: @ 20.LSU (5-2) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
4.Alabama 6-1 (4-0) SEC This week: @ South Carolina (3-4) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
5.Georgia 6-1 (4-1) SEC This week: Off

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

Risers
5.Georgia 6-1 (4-1) SEC Week 8: #9 (Defeated 5.Ole Miss 43-35)
7.Georgia Tech 7-0 (4-0) ACC Week 8: #12 (Defeated Duke 27-18)
10.Vanderbilt 6-1 (2-1) SEC Week 8: #17 (Defeated 10.LSU 31-24)
11.BYU 7-0 (4-0) Big 12 Week 8: #15 (Defeated 23.Utah 24-21)

Fallers
8.Ole Miss 6-1 (3-1) SEC Week 8: #5 (Lost to 9.Georgia 43-35)
9.Miami 5-1 (1-1) ACC Week 8: #2 (Lost to Louisville 24-21)
14.Texas Tech 6-1 (3-1) Big 12 Week 8: #7 (Lost to Arizona State 26-22)
17.Tennessee 5-2 (2-2) SEC Week 8: #11 (Lost to 6.Alabama 37-20)
20.LSU 5-2 (2-2) SEC Week 8: #10 (Lost to 17.Vanderbilt 31-24)

Dropped Out
USC 5-2 (3-1) Big Ten Week 8: #20 (Lost to 13.Notre Dame 34-24)
Memphis 6-1 (2-1) American Week 8: #22 (Lost to UAB 31-24)
Utah 5-2 (2-2) Big 12 Week 8: #23 (Lost to 15.BYU 24-21)
Nebraska 5-2 (2-2) Big Ten Week 8: #25 (Lost to Minnesota 24-6)

New
19.Louisville 5-1 (2-1) ACC Week 8: NR (Defeated 2.Miami 24-21)
23.Illinois 5-2 (2-2) Big Ten Week 8: NR (Off)
24.Arizona State 5-2 (3-1) Big 12 Week 8: NR (Defeated 7.Texas Tech 26-22)
25.Michigan 5-2 (3-1) Big Ten Week 8: NR (Defeated Washington 24-7)

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

Saturday, October 25
18.South Florida (6-1) @ Memphis (6-1)
12 PM ET, ESPN2
The chances of ESPN’s College GameDay being on Beale Street for South Florida’s trip to face Memphis were ruined when the Tigers lost to interim head coach Alex Mortensen and UAB last Saturday. Still, this battle will be important in determining who will represent the American Conference in their championship game and who might represent the Group of Five in the College Football Playoff.

South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown has been successful behind center throwing for almost 1,700 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Brown also leads the Bulls in rushing with 475 yards and six more scores. Memphis defensive back Drue Watts (42 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 sack) and linebacker Sam Brumfield (41 tackles, 3.5 sacks), and 1 interception will look to make things difficult for Brown’s offense.

Brown’s group of playmakers is loaded. Tailbacks Sam Franklin and Nykahi Davenport have combined 511 yards and six touchdowns. While receivers Chas Nimrod (466 yards and 3 TDs), Keshaun Singleton (363 yards and 3 TDs), and Jeremiah Kroger (259 yards and 4 TDs).

The Memphis offense is quite skilled on the ground. Running back Sutton Smith and quarterback Brendon Lewis have combined for almost 1,000 rush yards and 13 touchdowns just seven games into the season. On top of his rushing skills, Lewis has thrown for over 1,300 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. He will hope that the duo of Cortez Branham Jr (491 yards and 5 TDs) and Jamari Hawkins (346 yards) present themselves open down the field.

The Tigers will have a difficult task when they face the South Florida defense. Linebackers Jay Shuler (61 tackles, 4 passes defended, 1 sack, and 1 interception) and Mac Harris (56 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 1 interception). Cornerbacks De’Shawn Rucker, James Chenault, and safety Tavin Ward have combined for five passes defended and an interception on the season.

Playing this game at home, Memphis must defeat South Florida if they want to remain in American Conference Championship and College Football Playoff contention. The Bull defense can make you one dimensional and the Tigers cannot rely on just their passing game to protect their home field. South Florida goes on the road and defeats Memphis to remain unbeaten.

Projected Score: South Florida 34, Memphis 27

8.Ole Miss (6-1) @ 13.Oklahoma (6-1)
12 PM ET, ABC
Ole Miss heads to Norman for an important matchup on Saturday against Oklahoma. Both teams are not out of College Football Playoff contention with a loss but the Rebels do not want to take back to back losses and ruin their rhythm after a close loss to Georgia last Saturday. Similarly, the Sooners will look to avoid the offensive struggles that resulted in their loss to Texas in Dallas before dominating South Carolina on the road. Now, Oklahoma is back at home looking to avenge their loss to Ole Miss last season.

The Rebels scored 35 points last Saturday against Georgia but it was not good enough to win. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss did not have his best performance against the Georgia defense but he did account for three touchdowns in his first game on the road in a raucous environment. But a few of his top pass catchers did not show up as well as they should have against the Bulldogs. Harrison Wallace III and Dae’Quan Wright combined for just 73 receiving yards and no touchdowns. They must perform better against Oklahoma’s secondary headed by Robert Spears-Jennings (24 tackles) and Peyton Bowen (19 tackles and 3 passes defended).

Similarly, tailback Kewan Lacy had just 31 yards on the ground versus Georgia. While he did have two touchdowns, Lane Kiffin’s offense will have to hand him the ball many more than just 12 times versus a strong Sooners front seven. Linebacker Kip Lewis (31 tackles, 1 pass defended, and 0.5 sacks) and defensive tackle R Mason Thomas (20 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 1 pass defended) will make it hard for Ole Miss’ offense to succeed on the ground.

John Mateer and the Oklahoma passing game saw a small bounce back performance against struggling South Carolina last Saturday. Mateer threw for just 150 yards and a touchdown but he did not turn the ball over. They will look to do improve on that against the Ole Miss secondary, led by safeties Wydett Williams Jr. (33 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Kapena Gushiken (25 tackles and 2 passes defended).

Oklahoma had their first strong game from a running back. Tory Blaylock carried the ball 19 times for 101 yards and a score. Blaylock will look to do the same and better against Rebel linebackers TJ Dottery (46 tackles and 2 passes defended) and Jaden Yates (38 tackles) will hope to make sure the Sooners’ successes on the ground do not continue.

In what feels like a toss-up because it is in Norman, Ole Miss must bounce back against Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon. It will be up to the Sooner defense to consistently stop the Rebel offense if they want to give themselves a chance to win. Because Kiffin’s Ole Miss teams always fall in games they have to win on their way to a potential College Football Playoff berth, Oklahoma will pull the upset.

Projected Score: Oklahoma 28, Ole Miss 24

11.BYU (7-0) @ Iowa State (5-2)
3:30 PM ET, FOX
BYU is 7-0 for the second consecutive season as they are in the middle of a tough three game stretch. The Cougars beat instate rival Utah on Saturday night. Now, they head to Ames to face Iowa State before another roadtrip to Lubbock to face No. 14 Texas Tech. The Cyclones have already taken two losses thus far so winning out will be the only way they make it to the Big 12 Championship game back to back seasons. Iowa State has an opportunity to do so when they host BYU on Saturday afternoon.

Bear Bachmeier has been one of the top quarterbacks in the country behind center for BYU. Bachmeier has thrown for almost 1,400 yards, nine touchdowns, rushed for 359 yards, and scored eight more on the ground. Top receivers Chase Roberts, Parker Kingston, and tight end Carsen Ryan have combined for eight touchdowns from their quarterback so far this season. Iowa State defensive backs Marcus Neal Jr., Jamison Patton, and Ta’Shawn James have combined for nine passes defended and two interceptions. They will be tasked with dealing with Bachmeier’s passing game and limiting his scrambles out of the pocket.

Tailback LJ Martin exploded for 26 carries and 122 yards but failed to get in the end zone against Utah last Saturday. Martin must get in the end zone if they want a better shot of beating Iowa State on the road. Linebackers Caleb Bacon (38 tackles and 1 pass defended) and Kooper Ebel (36 tackles and 1 sack) will attempt to stop Martin from doing just that.

Safety Faletau Satuala has starred for the BYU defense with 43 tackles, two passes defended, one interception, and one sack. He will lead the Cougar secondary against Iowa State’s passing attack. Running back Rocco Becht during their 5-0 start but has faltered a bit since losing their last two games to Cincinnati and Colorado. Bouncing back against a tough BYU secondary with receivers Brett Eskildsen (334 yards and 2 TDs) and Chase Sowell (261 yards and 1 TD) will be needed to come out with a victory.

Tailbacks Abu Sama III (481 yards and 4 TDs) and Carson Hansen (348 yards and 2 TDs) will look to help set up passes from Becht to his receivers Linebackers Isaiah Glasker and Logan Lutui have combined for 62 tackles on the season. They will be tasked with defending against the Cyclones’ rushing game.

BYU heads to face Iowa State in one of the conference’s toughest environments. The Cyclones need a win to keep themselves in College Football Playoff conversations. And I do not think BYU will let them stay in contention. Iowa State may have a lead at some point during the game but they will lose it.

Projected Score: BYU 27, Iowa State 20

15.Missouri (6-1) @ 10.Vanderbilt (6-1)
3:30 PM ET, ESPN
Instead of going to Memphis, the College GameDay crew will head to Nashville for a Vanderbilt game for the first time since Oct. 4, 2008 when the Commodores faced Auburn. Over 17 years later, they return again as Vanderbilt hosts Missouri. The Commodores defeated LSU on Saturday afternoon while the Tigers defeated Auburn in two overtimes. The winner of this game could be make the College Football Playoff in December for the first time in both of their programs’ histories.

Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula may have thrown for over 250 yards in Saturday’s victory over Auburn but he turned the ball over twice on interceptions. As they face back to back games on the road for the first time this season, Pribula must rely on leading his offense to play complimentary football and rely on his legs to get him another rushing touchdown. Joining him in the ground game will be their top offensive player, tailback Ahmad Hardy, who has already rushed for 840 yards and 11 scores. Vanderbilt

Tiger receivers Kevin Coleman Jr. (449 yards and 1 TD), Marquis Johnson (322 yards and 2 TDs), and tight end Brett Norfleet (221 yards and 5 TDs) must help Pribula bounce back and help him at least keep the Commodore secondary honest against their passing game.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has put in himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation with a terrific performance last week against LSU. He has thrown for over 1,500 yards, 15 touchdowns, rushed for 438 yards, and four more scores. Joining him in the backfield, Sedrick Alexander and Makhilyn Young have combined for 658 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter (44 tackles and 1 sack) and defensive end Zion Thompson (23 tackles and 5 sacks) will be tasked with neutralizing Pavia, Alexander, and Young rushing the ball down the field.

Pavia’s weapons down the field include wide receivers Junior Sherrill (304 yards and 5 TDs), Tre Richardson (304 yards and 1 TD), and tight end Eli Stowers (355 yards and 2 TDs). Safeties Jalen Catalon (27 tackles and 1 pass defended) and Santa Banner (27 tackles and 1 interception) look to stop Pavia from getting it to his talented pass catchers.

If Missouri’s offense shows up better than it did on ‘The Plains’ last Saturday, this match up against Vanderbilt will go down to the wire. The Commodores’ defense will make sure that does not happen and keep Hardy and the Tigers’ ground game at bay. Vanderbilt will move to 7-1 presenting themselves as a true College Football Playoff contender just over two weeks before the committee’s first rankings debut.

Projected Score: Vanderbilt 28, Missouri 21

3.Texas A&M (7-0) @ 20.LSU (5-2)
7:30 PM ET, ABC
Red hot Texas A&M avoided a scare against Arkansas on the road before continuing their season with another roadtrip. The Aggies travel to Baton Rouge to face a struggling LSU team who just lost to Vanderbilt. The Tigers still have to face fellow College Football Playoff contenders Alabama (Nov. 1) and Oklahoma (Nov. 29) before the season’s end. Texas A&M will attempt to beat LSU in ‘Death Valley’ for the first time in program history in front of what should be a raucous crowd on Saturday night.

The Aggies would not be leading the SEC as the only undefeated team without signal-caller Marcel Reed. Reed has already thrown 15 touchdowns and rushed for four more. His top two receivers cannot fail to be mentioned either. Mario Craver and KC Concepcion have combined for 1,174 yards and 10 touchdowns. LSU safeties AJ Haulcy (52 tackles, 2 pass defended, and 1 interception) and Tamarcus Cooley (36 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 passes defended) must continue their success against one of the best receiving cores in the country if they want to come out victorious.

In addition, tailback Reuben Owens has rushed for almost 400 yards and three touchdowns through seven games. Texas A&M will likely still be without Le’Veon Moss (389 yards and 6 touchdowns) so relying on one back will be interesting against a talented LSU front seven. Linebackers West Weeks and Davhon Keys’ combined 80 tackles will be vital in stopping Owens and making passing downs more obvious from Reed.

Texas A&M cannot give up 42 points like they did last week against Arkansas if they want to remain undefeated. It must start with Tauren York (41 tackles and 1 sack) and linebacker Daymion Sanford (32 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 passes defended) getting to and sacking quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (1,638 yards, 11 TDs, and 5 INTs), who has struggled this season. Nussmeier must rely on wide receivers Aaron Anderson (323 yards), Barion Brown (301 yards and 1 TD), Zavion Thomas (259 yards and 3 TDs), and running back Caden Durham (342 yards and 2 TDs) to get back on track against A&M’s defense.

Safety Marcus Ratcliffe (40 tackles) and cornerback Will Lee III (32 tackles and 4 passes defended will have to defend against Anderson, Brown, Thomas, and Durham. If they accomplish limiting the LSU offense consistently, Texas A&M would easily be able to win this game.

LSU must be victorious against Texas A&M or they will get their third loss and likely be eliminated from College Football Playoff contention. The Aggies will definitely make it difficult for that to happen and if their defense shows up better than it did in Fayetteville, Brian Kelly might have to start counting the days he has left in Baton Rouge.

Projected Score: Texas A&M 24, LSU 17

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

Image Courtesy: The Herald-Times

AP Top 5
1.Ohio State 5-0 (2-0) Big Ten This week: @ Illinois (5-1) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
2.Miami 5-0 (1-0) ACC This week: Off
3.Oregon 5-0 (2-0) Big Ten This week: Indiana (5-0) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
4.Ole Miss 5-0 (3-0) SEC This week: Washington State (3-2) (Saturday, 12:45 PM ET, SECN)
5.Texas A&M 5-0 (2-0) SEC This week: Florida (2-3) (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)

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

Risers
12.Tennessee 4-1 (1-1) SEC Week 6: #15 (Off)
13.Georgia Tech 5-0 (2-0) ACC Week 6: #17 (Off)
14.Missouri 5-0 (1-0) SEC Week 6: #19 (Off)
15.Michigan 4-1 (2-0) Big Ten Week 6: #20 (Defeated Wisconsin 24-10)
16.Notre Dame 3-2 Independents Week 6: #21 (Defeated Boise State 28-7)
17.Illinois 5-1 (2-1) Big Ten Week 6: #22 (Defeated Purdue 43-27)
18.BYU 5-0 (2-0) Big 12 Week 6: #23 (Defeated West Virginia 38-24)
19.Virginia 5-1 (3-0) ACC Week 6: #24 (Defeated Louisville 30-27)
21.Arizona State 4-1 (2-0) Big 12 Week 6: #25 (Off)

Fallers
20.Vanderbilt 5-1 (1-1) SEC Week 6: #16 (Lost to 10.Alabama 30-14)
22.Iowa State 5-1 (2-1) Big 12 Week 6: #14 (Lost to Cincinnati 38-30)
25.Florida State 3-2 (0-2) Big Ten Week 6: #18 (Lost to 3.Miami 28-22)

Dropped Out
Penn State 3-2 (0-2) Big Ten Week 6: #7 (Lost to UCLA 42-37)
Texas 3-2 (0-1) SEC Week 6: #9 (Lost to Florida 29-21)

New
23.Memphis 6-0 (2-0) American Week 6: NR (Defeated Tulsa 45-7)
24.South Florida 4-1 (1-0) American Week 6: NR (Defeated Charlotte 54-26)

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

Saturday, October 11
1.Ohio State (5-0) @ 17.Illinois (5-1)
12 PM ET, FOX
Top ranked Ohio State faces No. 17 Illinois in its first ranked on ranked matchup versus then No. 1 Texas. The Longhorns have fallen since, losing to both the Buckeyes over a month ago and to Florida last Saturday so making a statement versus the Fighting Illini will be key. Illinois has won back to back games since being blown out by Indiana 63-10 but Ohio State presents a challenge they have not seen this season.

If the Indiana offense can score over 60 points on the Illinois defense, Ohio State’s unit should be able score that number or more. Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate have been everything as advertised with over 400 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns between them. It will be up to the Illini secondary including Matthew Bailey and Miles Scott to play better than they did against the Hoosier secondary against the Buckeyes on Saturday.

A part of defending the pass will be giving eye candy in the coverages to quarterback Julian Sayin, who has already thrown for over 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns. Another big help would be limiting the running back trio of Bo Jackson, James Peoples, and CJ Donaldson.

If Buckeye linebackers Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and defensive end Caden Curry show up and lead their defense to a successful performance against the Fighting Illini, the game could turn into a blowout fast. So, Bret Bielema’s team must show up to fight on their home turf to avoid their second loss in Big Ten play.

They will do that with a quality performance from quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has similar statistics to Sayin, throwing for 12 touchdowns and over 1,500 yards through the air. Like the Buckeyes, the Illini have three tailbacks they trust. Ca’Lil Valentine, Kaden Feagin, and Aidan Laughery will look to help Altmyer and build on a season where they have combined for 10 touchdowns together as a group.

Ohio State will dominate Illinois if they are successful on Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Illini will only find success if they limit the Buckeye offense. If they do not, they will fall.

Projected Score: Ohio State 49, Illinois 24

8.Alabama (4-1) @ 14.Missouri (5-0)
12 PM ET, ABC
After defeating Vanderbilt on Saturday, Alabama faces Missouri, another SEC opponent that is capable of challenging them, especially as it will be away from the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tigers host the Crimson Tide coming off of a bye week so they should be prepared for battle but a lot will be expected of them to beat Alabama.

The Crimson Tide’s offensive success will be defined by if they are able to continue to throw the football at a high level. Ty Simpson has had a fantastic year throwing 13 touchdowns to just one interception. And with a great cast of weapons like Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams going against a weaker Missouri secondary, they should have continued success in this match up.

The Crimson Tide’s running game has gained traction since Jam Miller returned to action, as he has carried the ball for 182 yards and a score. A big part of defending both Alabama’s passing and running attack will be defensive end Damon Wilson (3.5 sacks) and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter (14 tackles) leading the unit.

The third of four consecutive AP top 25 opponent Alabama will face is Missouri. Their offense has seen a rebrand thus far in 2025 with first year starter Beau Pribula at quarterback and talented running back Ahmad Hardy standing right next to him. Alabama’s front seven, led by defensive tackle LT Overton (1.5 sacks) and linebacker Justin Jefferson (18 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble) will attempt to lead their defense to stop them.

Missouri receiver Kevin Coleman has shined since transferring over from Mississippi State. Coleman has a touchdown on 386 yards. Alabama defensive backs Bray Hubbard, Keon Sabb, and Domani Jackson will be keyed in on him.

This Alabama and Missouri match up should be close. The game is in Columbia so the Tigers should get some help from their crowd. But Simpson should keep playing at a high level and lead his team to a fourth consecutive win.

Projected Score: Alabama 31, Missouri 24

7.Indiana (5-0) @ 3.Oregon (5-0)
3:30 PM ET, CBS
Just two weeks after ESPN’s College GameDay was in Happy Valley for Oregon’s victory over Penn State, they head to Eugene for the Ducks’ battle with Indiana. Curt Cignetti again has the Hoosiers poised for a deep postseason run but much of the regular season still remains including a battle with Dan Lanning’s Ducks this weekend.

Indiana had an even more efficient offense with this season’s roster than last season’s. California transfer Fernando Mendoza, who has thrown for over 1,200 yards and 16 scores and a tremendous group of tailbacks including Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, Khobie Martin, and Lee Beebe Jr.

Mendoza trusts two receivers Elijah Sarratt (412 yards and 6 TDs) and Omar Cooper Jr. (408 yards and 6 TDs) to get down the field and create plays. Oregon’s defense will have to stop this balanced attack with the help of linebackers Bryce Boettcher and Teitum Tuioti.

The Ducks’ offense poses a similar threat that the Hoosier’s does. Quarterback Dante Moore has also thrown for over 1,200 yards but only 14 touchdowns. Moore’s trio of Dakorien Moore, Malik Benson, and Kenyon Sadiq have all amassed over 200 receiving yards and multiple scores. It will be up to Indiana’s secondary headed by Louis Moore (30 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1 passes defended) and Devan Boykin (14 tackles and 2 passes defended to stop it.

The trio of Dierre Hill Jr., Jayden Limar, and Noah Whittington make up the Duck ground game this season. They have combined for 686 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. Linebackers Aiden Fisher, Isaiah Jones, and defensive lineman Kellan Wyatt to keep them from creating lanes to the end zone.

At the end of the day, this could be the most competitive game on Saturday. Indiana has a great team but I trust Oregon to protect their home field and grab their sixth win of the season.

Projected Score: Oregon 34, Indiana 27

6.Oklahoma (5-0) vs. Texas (3-2) (Dallas; Allstate Red River Rivalry)
3:30 PM ET, ABC
Not many people would have said Oklahoma would have the better record or even an undefeated record as they entered Red River week against Texas. Most would have thought that Texas be undefeated or at least have the superior record. But, we are here and the Longhorns have lost to Ohio State and Florida. Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns need a win to save their season and reposition themselves for a chance to play in the postseason.

It is unsure whether Oklahoma starting quarterback John Mateer will play after successful surgery on his right thumb a few weeks ago. The Sooners would turn to backup Michael Hawkins for the second consecutive week if Mateer is not ready for action against the Longhorns. Hawkins started versus Kent State last weekend and led them to a 44-0 victory over the Golden Flashes by throwing for 162 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 33 yards and another score in Saturday’s victory.

If it is Hawkins behind center again on Saturday for the Sooners everyone else on the offensive side of the football will have to step up. Wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (359 yards and 3 TDs), Deion Burks (275 yards and 2 TDs), and tight end Jaren Kanak (328 yards) must be sure handed for Hawkins playing against a talented secondary that includes Michael Taafe (32 tackles and 1 interception), Jelani McDonald (21 tackles), and Graceson Littleton (18 tackles).

The Oklahoma running game must come on against Texas’ defensive front. Tory Blaylock (257 yards and 3 TDs) will lead the group but much more will be expected of Jaydn Ott (66 yards) if the Sooners want to be successful. They cannot look past this defense even though they had a bad performance in their loss to Florida.

To put it lightly, Arch Manning’s first season as Texas’ starting quarterback has been disappointing. Manning has thrown for 11 touchdowns but has already thrown five interceptions. He does lead the Longhorns in rushing but that means more has to be expected of tailbacks Jerrick Gibson and James Simon. Defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (3 sacks) and David Stone (1.5 sacks) will attempt to get in the backfield and sack Manning and continue to stop the Sooner ground game.

More also needs to be expected of receivers Parker Livingstone and Ryan Wingo down the field. If Manning gets them the ball, they need to be able to score touchdowns if they want to be the Sooners. Defensive backs Peyton Bowen and Reggie Bowers III will have the job of containing Livingstone, Wingo, and the Longhorns’ other playmakers on the perimeter.

If Mateer does not play for Oklahoma, it may be difficult for them to score Texas’ stifling defense. But the Longhorns’ success on defense has not led to victories yet this season. Until Sarkisian’s offense shows up, Texas will not be able to beat Oklahoma.

Projected Score: Oklahoma 24, Texas 14

18.BYU (5-0) @ Arizona (4-1)
7 PM ET, ESPN2
BYU is one of four teams tied atop the Big 12 standings at 2-0 before they head to Tucson to face Arizona, who comes in with a 1-1 conference record. The Cougars cannot look past the Wildcats in this trap game before they host instate rival Utah on Oct. 18. A victory for Arizona could create craziness atop the Big 12 standings as October continues.

The Cougar front seven is talented with end Logan Lutui (22 tackles) and linebackers Jack Kelly (21 tackles and 4 sacks) and Isaiah Glasker (21 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended) posing problems for opposing teams. They will challenge Noah Fifita, who has already thrown 13 touchdowns. Running back Ismail Madhi helps Fifita in the backfield, rushing for 382 yards and a score on the season. More will be expected of him if they want to beat BYU on Saturday.

WThe BYU secondary also has some nice pieces with safeties Faletau Satuala, Raider Damuni, and cornerback Evan Johnson. They will go against a talented group of receivers that includes Javin Whitley (316 yards and 3 TDs), Luke Wysong (220 yards and 1 TD), and Chris Hunter (189 yards and 1 TD).

Quarterback Bear Bachmeier may have only thrown seven touchdowns so far this season but he has rushed for the second most rush yards on the team with 206 and five scores. His receivers Chase Roberts, Parker Kingston, and tight end Carsen Ryan all have over 200 yards and at least a touchdown each despite his low Bachmeier’s low passing numbers. Defensive backs Dalton Johnson (31 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 sack) and Genesis Smith (28 tackles, 5 passes defended, and 1 interception) will do their best against that trio.

Next to Bachmeier in the ground game, tailback LJ Martin has 490 yards and three touchdowns. Linebackers Max Harris (25 tackles) and Taye Brown (22 tackles and 1 interception) must stop Bachmeier and Martin’s attack if the Wildcats want to win this game because that is the strongest part of the Cougar offense.

Can Arizona defend its home turf against BYU, or will the Cougars keep their perfect season alive? Expect a hard-fought battle, but the Wildcats edge out BYU in a close one.

Projected Score: Arizona 27, BYU 24

15.Michigan (4-1) @ USC (4-1)
7:30 PM ET, NBC
Michigan heads to Los Angeles to face USC for the second time as common Big Ten opponents. Last season at the ‘Big House’, the Wolverines defeated the Trojans 27-24. Michigan will look to continue that success against USC with their freshman quarterback and a defense that gave up just 10 points last Saturday against Wisconsin.

The Wolverines’ run game is their engine on offense. Tailback Justice Haynes has excelled, rushing for 654 yards and eight touchdowns so far. He supports a freshman quarterback in Bryce Underwood that has thrown just three touchdowns through five games. USC linebackers Eric Gentry (35 tackles and 3 sacks) and Desman Stephens II (25 tackles) will look to lead their defense in stopping Haynes running down the field.

Receivers Donavan McCulley (309 yards and 1 TD) and Semaj Morgan (187 yards and 1 TD) must support Underwood down the field if they want to go to Los Angeles and win against the Trojans. Safety Christian Pierce (21 tackles, 1 pass defended, and 1 sack) will try to stop a receiving unit that has underperformed thus far.

USC signal caller Jayden Maiava has thrown for over 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Receivers Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane, and tight end Lake McRae have helped him down the field combining for seven touchdowns. Michigan defensive backs Brandyn Hillman (23 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended) and Jyaire Hill (18 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 1 sack) will have the job of defending the Trojans passing game.

Running back Waymond Jordan leads the Trojans with 537 yards and five scores. Linebackers Ernest Hausmann (31 tackles and 1 pass defended) and Jimmy Folder (28 tackles and 1 pass defended) will be trusted with defending USC’s ground game.

The Trojans come off of a bye week but the Wolverines have won three in a row. Michigan will edge USC out in a close game that should go down to the end.

Projected Score: Michigan 24, USC 21

Image Courtesy: The Vanderbilt Hustler

AP Top 5
1.Ohio State 4-0 (1-0) Big Ten This week: Minnesota (3-1) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, NBC)
2.Oregon 5-0 (2-0) Big Ten This week: Off
3.Miami 4-0 (0-0) ACC This week: @ 18.Florida State (3-1) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
4.Ole Miss 5-0 (3-0) SEC This week: Off
5.Oklahoma 4-0 (1-0) This week: Kent State (1-3) (Saturday, 4 PM ET, SECN)

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

Risers
2.Oregon 5-0 (2-0) Big Ten Week 5: #6 (Defeated 3.Penn State 30-24)
4.Ole Miss 5-0 (3-0) SEC Week 5: #13 (Defeated 4.LSU 24-19)
6.Texas A&M 4-0 (1-0) SEC Week 5: #9 (Defeated Auburn 16-10)
8.Indiana 5-0 (2-0) Big Ten Week 5: #11 (Defeated Iowa 20-15)
10.Alabama 3-1 (1-0) SEC Week 5: #17 (Defeated 5.Georgia 24-21)

Fallers
7.Penn State 3-1 (0-1) Big Ten Week 5: #3 (Lost to 6.Oregon 30-24)
12.Georgia 3-1 (1-1) SEC Week 5: #5 (Lost to 17.Alabama 24-21)
13.LSU 4-1 (1-1) SEC Week 5: #4 (Lost to 13.Ole Miss 24-19)
18.Florida State 3-1 (0-1) ACC Week 5: #8 (Lost to Virginia 46-38)

Dropped Out
USC 4-1 (2-1) Big Ten Week 5: #21 (Lost to 23.Illinois 34-32)
TCU 3-1 (0-1) Big 12 Week 5: #24 (Lost to Arizona State 27-24)

New
24.Virginia 4-1 (2-0) ACC Week 5: NR (Defeated 8.Florida State 46-38)
25.Arizona State 4-1 Week 5: NR (Defeated 24.TCU 27-24)

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

Saturday, October 4
16.Vanderbilt (5-0) @ 10.Alabama (3-1)
3:30 PM ET, ABC
Vanderbilt heads to Tuscaloosa for a Saturday afternoon battle looking for their second consecutive win over Alabama. The Commodores are 5-0 and are already looking for their second victory in SEC play. Alabama is trying to keep their momentum going after another win over Georgia for coach Kalen DeBoer.

Commodore quarterback Diego Pavia has been on fire to start his final collegiate season. Pavia has thrown for over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 294 yards and two more scores. Tight end Eli Stowers and receivers Tre Richardson, Junior Sherrill, and Richie Hoskins combined nine receiving touchdowns will have to help Pavia against the toughest defense they have faced up to this point, Alabama.

Alabama secondary mates Bray Hubbard (17 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 2 interceptions) and Keon Sabb (13 tackles) will do their best against Pavia’s targets down the field. Linebackers Justin Jefferson (15 tackles and 1 interception), Deontae Lawson (14 tackles), and defensive tackle LT Overton (12 tackles and 1,5 sacks) will attempt to slow down tailback Sedrick Alexander, who looks to build on his 243 yard and four touchdown season against the Crimson Tide this season.

Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson had a great performance last weekend in their victory over Georgia last Saturday. He threw for 276 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for 12 yards and another touchdown. Germie Bernard (310 yards and 4 touchdowns) has stepped up as the primary target for Simpson while Ryan Williams has taken a secondary role, with just 238 yards and two touchdowns on the season.

If Vanderbilt’s secondary led by safety CJ Heard (23 tackles and 1 interception) can slow Bernard, Williams, and the Alabama passing attack, it will be easier to deal with Crimson Tide running back Kevin Riley, who has rushed for just 150 yards and has yet to rush for a touchdown. That is why it is important for the entire Vanderbilt defense to show up and play well in Tuscaloosa because if they do, they can give their quarterback Pavia more opportunities to score.

However, Alabama lost to Vanderbilt last season, 40-35, and they have been thinking about it for almost an entire year. The game is in Tuscaloosa so that should give the Crimson Tide the edge and their second consecutive conference win.

Projected Score: Alabama 38, Vanderbilt 31

11.Texas Tech (4-0) @ Houston (4-0)
7 PM ET, ESPN
Two undefeated teams in the Big 12 battle for their second conference victory on Saturday night. Texas Tech’s last performance was a dominant performance over then No. 18 Utah two weeks ago. Houston beat Oregon State by just three their last time out.

The Red Raiders are the perceived Big 12 favorite five weeks through the season after rising to number 11 in the AP poll. A big reason is because of their passing game. Five Texas Tech pass catchers have over 200 yards and at least a touchdown. That list includes Coy Eakin, Terrance Carter Jr., Caleb Douglas, J’Koby Williams, and Reggie Virgil. They all catch passes from quarterback Behren Morton, who has thrown for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Running backs Cameron Dickey, Adam Hill, and J’Koby Williams have already rushed for over 200 yards and a combined eight touchdowns themselves. It will be up to Houston defensive lineman Carlos Allen Jr. and linebackers Jalen Garner, Sione Fotu to stop Texas Tech’s high-powered offense.

For the Cougars offense, former Texas A&M signal-caller Connor Weigman emerged as their quarterback. Weigman has already accounted for 10 touchdowns this season. His running back Dean Connors has rushed for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Texas Tech linebacker trio of Jacob Rodriguez, John Curry, and Ben Roberts will look to stop the Houston running game so that it does not unlock Weignman’s down the field passing.

Receivers Stephon Johnson, Amare Thomas, and tight end Tanner Koziol will be trusted with making catches against a Texas Tech secondary headed by Cole Wisiniewski and Brenden Jordan. Success in the pass game will help the Cougars upset the Red Raiders.

The home field environment will be important as Houston attempts to take down Texas Tech on Saturday night. But I believe the Red Raiders will simply outscore the Cougars and end their undefeated season.

Projected Score: Texas Tech 42, Houston 31

Mississippi State (4-1) @ 6.Texas A&M (4-0)
7:30 PM ET, SECN
In what should easily have been a match up between undefeated teams this Saturday night, Mississippi State tries their luck for the first time on the road in front of of what should be a raucous environment at Kyle Field against Texas A&M. The Bulldogs fell to Tennessee in overtime 41-34 at home while the Aggies beat Auburn in a low-scoring 16-10 result last Saturday.

The Bulldogs look to bounce back with another terrific offensive performance. Their offense has many playmakers including two tailbacks Fluff Bothwell and Davon Booth who have rushed for a combined 612 yards and 10 touchdowns. The passing game has not been lacking either. Quarterback Black Shapen has thrown for 1,064 yards and 8 touchdowns. Four of his targets have over 100 yards receiving and have nine touchdowns between themselves. That group includes receivers Brenen Thompson, Anthony Evans III, Jordan Mosley, and tight end Seydou Traore.

Texas A&M’s defense had its best performance of the season last weekend against Auburn. Another one will be expected if they want to defeat Mississippi State. Linebacker Tauren York’s 24 tackles, end Will Cashius Howell’s four sacks will lead the Aggies’ pursuit against the Bulldogs’ ground game. Cornerback Will Lee III and safety Marcus Ratcliffe’s combined seven passes defended must challenge Shapen’s passing game.

Aggie quarterback Marcel Reed has shaped up well throwing for over 1,000 yards, nine touchdowns, and just two interceptions so far this season. The ground game has come alive again, with Le’Veon Moss (307 yards, 5 TDs), Reuben Owens (134 yards), and Reed (119 yards, 1 TD) all making key contributions. But it has been wide receivers Mario Craver and KC Concepcion that have stolen the show. Craver has caught 24 passes for 477 yards for four scores while his running mate KC Concepcion has caught 20 passes for 340 yards and three more touchdowns.

The Mississippi State defense will need to be trusted to make many more stops against Texas A&M than they did against Tennessee last Saturday if they are going to win this game. Lineman Will Whitson’s 2 sacks and Isaac Smith’s two interceptions thus far will be crucial in stopping Texas A&M’s improving offensive attack.

It is clear Jeff Lebby’s Mississippi State Bulldogs have improved from their 2-10 record during the 2024 season. But are they good enough to go into Kyle Field in a primetime atmosphere and win? Not this time. The Aggies will improve to 5-0 ahead of a date with Florida.

Projected Score: Texas A&M 38, Mississippi State 28

3.Miami (4-0) @ 18.Florida State (3-1)
7:30 PM ET, ABC
A week ago before the Seminoles’ loss to Virginia, the battle between Florida State and Miami was likely to be featured as the game ESPN’s College GameDay would go to. But the Seminoles’ defense failed to get consistent stops against the Cavaliers and they suffered a 46-38 loss. A win for the Hurricanes gives them their first ACC win of the season.

The way Florida State gets back on track is with a better defensive performance. All eleven guys out there have to give it there all on every play and make a difference against Miami’s talented offense. Defensive back Earl Little Jr.’s 24 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended will be trusted against Carson Beck’s passing attack. The Little Jr. led secondary will have a difficult time against Hurricane receivers Malachi Toney, CJ Daniels, and Keelan Marion if they do not step up on Saturday night.

Seminole linebackers Justin Cryer, Elijah Herring, and lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. must lead their front against the Miami running game, headed by tailbacks Mark Fletcher and CharMar Brown who have combined for almost 600 yards and nine touchdowns. If Florida State comes out with a better defensive performance, they have a chance to give the offense a chance to continue scoring points and potentially winning the rest of the games on their schedule.

That all starts with quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who also had his fair share of struggles in last Friday’s loss. He threw just one touchdown and two interceptions against the Cavaliers. Castellanos must trust his receivers like Duce Robinson (346 yards and 3 TDs) against Miami’s secondary and let them go up and get passes down the field. Miami defensive backs JaKobe Thomas and Xavier Lucas will be trusted to continue Castellanos’ struggles through the air and prevent him from getting the ball to his favorite target Robinson so he is challenged to go elsewhere with the ball.

The Seminoles’ running back duo of Gavin Sawchuck (234 yards and 6 TDs) and Ousmane Kromah (174 yards) must support Castellanos’ passing game as well as his rushing attack. He has already gone for 217 yards and four scores on the ground this season. Hurricanes’ defensive linemen Rueben Bain Jr., Akheem Mesidore, and linebacker Mohamed Toure need to step up against Florida State’s running attack if they want to keep their undefeated season alive.

Miami has been one of if not the most impressive team in college football this season. But they will have to travel on the road to instate rival Florida State coming off of a disappointing performance. As a result, this game should be a four quarter battle with the lead changing hands multiple times over 60 minutes. But the Hurricanes’ Beck is the reason why they will continue their winning ways and make the Seminoles 0-2 in the ACC.

Projected Score: Miami 28, Florida State 24

Image Courtesy: On3

According to an official announcement from the Arkansas athletics department, “Arkansas has made a change in the leadership of the football program with the dismissal of Head Coach Sam Pittman by Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek.”

Pittman became the 34th head coach in December 2019. He was in his sixth season as head coach of the program. He led Arkansas to a 32-34 record while winning three bowl games during his tenure. The Razorbacks were 2-3 under his guidance entering a bye week before they return to action on at Tennessee on Oct. 11.

Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino “has been appointed as the Hogs’ interim head coach for the remainder of the season.” Petrino served previously as the Razorbacks’ head coach from 2008-11 before returning to the program as the offensive coordinator last season.

Image Courtesy: PennLive.com

AP Top 5
1.Ohio State 3-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: @ Washington (3-0) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
2.Miami 4-0 (0-0) ACC This week: Off
3.Penn State 3-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: 6.Oregon (4-0) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, NBC)
4.LSU 4-0 (1-0) SEC This week: @ 13.Ole Miss (4-0) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
5.Georgia 3-0 (1-0) SEC This week: 17.Alabama (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)

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

Risers
7.Oklahoma 4-0 (1-0) SEC Week 4: #11 (Defeated 22.Auburn 24-17)
11.Indiana 4-0 (1-0) Big Ten Week 4: #19 (Defeated 9. Illinois 63-10)
12.Texas Tech 4-0 (1-0) Big 12 Week 4: #17 (Defeated 16.Utah 34-10)
21.USC 4-0 (2-0) Big Ten Week 4: #25 (Defeated Michigan State 45-31)

Fallers
17.Alabama 2-1 (0-0) SEC Week 4: #14 (Off)
23.Illinois 3-1 (0-1) Big Ten Week 4: #9 (Lost to 19.Indiana 73-10)

Dropped Out
Utah 3-1 (0-1) Big 12 Week 4: #16 (Lost to 17.Texas Tech 34-10)
Auburn 3-1 (0-1) SEC Week 4: #22 (Lost to 11.Oklahoma 24-17)

New
24.TCU 3-0 (0-0) Big 12 Week 4: NR (Defeated SMU 35-24)
25.BYU 3-0 (0-0) Week 4: NR (Defeated East Carolina 34-13)

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

Friday, September 26
24.TCU (3-0) @ Arizona State (3-1)
8 PM ET, FOX

TCU and Arizona State converge in a huge Big 12 match up on Friday night in Tempe. The Horned Frogs defeated SMU in the final scheduled “Iron Skillet” rivalry game on Saturday before they open conference play this weekend. The Sun Devils went to Waco and defeated Baylor 27-24 last Saturday.

TCU’s Josh Hoover has already encompassed 11 touchdowns and 1,000 passing yards on the season. His top two weapons down the field, Eric McAlister and Jordan Dwyer, have combined for 577 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Sun Devil secondary will be challenged even more than they were in their loss to Mississippi State, so they will need defensive backs Myles Rowser and Adrian Wilson to step up. Defensive lineman Clayton Smith and linebacker Jordan Crook must block the running holes against tailback Kevorian Barnes, who has just a touchdown this season.

Arizona State’s offense will be difficult to deal with, especially playing at home. So it will be up to TCU’s defensive tackle Ansel Din-Mbuh and safety Jamel Johnson to make plays against Arizona State’s offensive weapons including quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Leavitt has had a slow start to the season but Tyson already has five touchdown catches. TCU does not want to let Raleek Brown’s running game set up more of Leavitt’s passing to Tyson or their stay in the top 25 may not last long.

In what should be a back and forth match up, Arizona State will protect their home field and win a close game on Friday night over TCU.

Projected Score: Arizona State 31, TCU 28

Saturday, September 27
21.USC (4-0) @ 23.Illinois (3-1)
12 PM ET, FOX

USC and Illinois come off of two entirely different week 4 outcomes. The Trojans beat Michigan State 45–31, and Indiana crushed the Fighting Illini 63–10. Illinois will look to change their fate with a victory on Saturday.

USC’s ‘quarterback whisperer’ Lincoln Riley put the ball in the hands of Jayden Maiva after Miller Moss’ move to Louisville in the off-season. The Trojan quarterback has thrown six touchdowns and has yet to turn the ball over this season. The receiving duo Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane will help Maiva continue his successful play down the field while running backs Waymond Jordan, Eli Sanders, and King Miller continue their success on the ground. Illinois defensive back Matthew Bailey and Gabe Jacas will be tasked with dealing with Riley’s offense and preventing another disastrous defensive performance.

Luke Altmyer and the Fighting Illini offense will attempt to put up more than just 10 points against the Trojans. They will do that with an efficient run game setting up the passing game down the field. Running back Kaden Feagin must build on his 240 yards and three touchdowns this season so that Altmyer can easily get the ball to his receivers and tight ends. Hank Beatty, Collin Dixon, Hudson Clement, and Justin Bowick must elevate their play so that the passing game is just as reliable as the Illini running game has been this season.

The USC offense can run through the Illinois defense if both teams play how they did last week. A second Big Ten loss for the Fighting Illinois would likely mean one more away from being eliminated from the Big Ten title game and a College Football Playoff berth. The game may be close for a quarter or so but the Trojans will move to 3-0 in the Big Ten with a road win.

Projected Score: USC 38, Illinois 21

Auburn (3-1) @ 9.Texas A&M (3-0)
3:30 PM ET, ESPN

Coming off of an emotional loss against Oklahoma, Hugh Freeze’s team continues their road trip to College Station on Saturday. The Tigers will attempt to avoid back to back defeats against Texas A&M off of a bye weekend after their win against Notre Dame.

Former Sooner quarterback Jackson Arnold threw for 220 yards and a touchdown but was sacked nine times. Arnold’s offensive line game could not protect against Oklahoma’s defensive line so he could not do what he is best at using the run to set up the pass down the field. Texas A&M’s defense has not been good this season, giving up 24, 22, and 40 points in their first three games this season. But if the pass rush of defensive end Cashius Howell and linebacker Scooby Williams can get to Arnold like Oklahoma did, they could pose problems.

If the Tiger offensive line can be successful against Howell and Williams, tailback Jeremiah Cobb can create similar problems that Notre Dame gave them two weeks ago. The receiving duo of Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton’s combined four touchdowns will be the Aggies’ defense focus during this week of practice.

Marcel Reed’s 9 touchdown to 1 interception ratio has been what the Texas A&M offense has needed to have success. It also helps having a receiver duo that rivals Coleman and Singleton with Mario Craver and KC Concepcion combining for seven touchdowns. Auburn safeties Sylvester Smith and Kaleb Harris will have to deal with Craver and Concepcion down the field. Le’Veon Moss has paced the Aggies on the ground with 168 yards and four scores. Tiger linebacker Xavier Atkins and defensive end Keyron Crawford will be in charge of stopping Moss and the A&M ground game.

If Texas A&M wants to make the College Football Playoff, they cannot lose to Auburn for the second consecutive season. A win over the tigers last season would’ve kept them in the SEC Championship game but they failed to do so. Mike Elko’s team will be better prepared this time and they will protect their home field and win their SEC opener.

Projected Score: Texas A&M 34, Auburn 20

4.LSU (4-0) @ 13.Ole Miss (4-0)
3:30 PM ET, ABC

The Magnolia Bowl returns to Oxford as LSU and Ole Miss battle in an AP Top 13 showdown. A road win for the Tigers would put themselves as a true College Football Playoff and national title contender while a victory for the Rebels would mean another season they could contend in a season many expected them to be retooling behind a new starting quarterback and front seven.

The LSU offense exploded for 56 points against Southeast Louisiana last weekend after disappointing performances the previous two games against Louisiana Tech and Florida where they scored 23 and 20 points respectively. They will have to take it up a level against Ole Miss’ defense who gave up 35 points against Arkansas two weeks ago before turning in a much better performance against Tulane last Saturday only giving up 10 points.

LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier will attempt to get the ball down the field as successfully as he did last Saturday when he threw three touchdown passes. He will get the ball to Aaron Anderson, Barion Brown, and tight end Bauer Sharp against an Ole Miss secondary headed by safeties Wydett Williams Jr. and Suntarine Perkins. Running back Caden Durham already has rushed for 213 yards and two scores so he will not have many problems with an Ole Miss front seven that includes Jaden Yates and TJ Dotter at linebacker and Zxavian Harris at defensive tackle.

Lane Kiffin has a quarterback controversy. Trinidad Chambliss stepped in for the injured Austin Simmons in week 3 and has not looked back since. Chambliss has thrown for 719 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. Even though Simmons may give the Rebels a better chance to win games in the SEC, he has yet to be cleared to play due to an ankle injury and he has already thrown four interceptions so far this season. Whoever the quarterback is for Kiffin, will have to deal with one of the top defenses in the SEC, led by linebacker Whit Weeks and tackle Damien Shanklin.

Wide receivers Harrison Wallace III, Deuce Alexander, and Dae’Quan Wright have already combined for five touchdowns this season and they will look to go for more against the LSU secondary. Tailbacks Kewan Lacy and Logan Diggs will also try to help out Chambliss or Simmons behind center against Weeks and Shanklin.

The Magnolia Bowl has gone to the fourth quarter each of the last two seasons with both squads winning a game. This season’s battle should deliver a similar result. LSU’s offense will step up against a regressed Ole Miss defense and help the Tigers beat the Rebels by ten.

Projected Score: LSU 38, Ole Miss 28

6.Oregon (4-0) @ 3.Penn State (3-0)
7:30 PM ET, NBC

A rematch of last season’s Big Ten Championship game is the destination for ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday. Oregon defeated Penn State in that game before falling to conference mate and eventual national champion Ohio State in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl while Penn State made it all the way to the semifinals, where they lost to Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl. Both teams have the same aspirations and to do more as they work to reach the national championship.

If Oregon wants to repeat their victorious performance against Penn State in last season’s Big Ten title game, a successful offensive performance behind first year starting quarterback Dante Moore against Penn State’s talented defense will be necessary. The sophomore signal-caller has already thrown for almost 1,000 yards and 11 scores but this will be his first true test. In front of what should be a raucous ‘white out’ crowd, the Nittany Lions defense will be tough to score on especially with linebackers Amare Campbell, Tony Rojas, and safety King Mack.

Five Duck targets including Dakorien Moore, Malik Benson, Kenyon Sadiq, Gary Bryant Jr., and Jeremiah McClellan. have combined for over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. But it will be a big test facing Penn State’s secondary that may be the best one they face all season. The running back trio of Jayden Limar, Dierre Hill Jr., and Noah Whittinghton will be an interesting battle between them and the Nittany Lions’ front seven.

Penn State’s Drew Allar will face an Oregon defense that gave him many challenges when they met him last December in Indianapolis when he threw three touchdowns but also two interceptions. He has only thrown four touchdowns through their first three games a season-defining performance is needed for Allar to help lead the Nittany Lions to victory.

The tailback duo of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton will likely be their best offense against Oregon as they have already combined for 452 yards and eight touchdowns. Because of the talent in the backfield, it will make stopping the Penn State offense that much harder for the Oregon defense. The Ducks linebacker duo of Bryce Boettcher and Teitum Tuioti and defensive backs Aaron Flowers and Dillon Thieneman will be the leaders of the group attempting to stop the Nittany Lion offense that also includes receivers Trebor Pena, Kyron Hudson, and tight end Luke Reynolds.

In what was just an eight point game in 2024, Oregon’s trip to Happy Valley to face Penn State could have a similar result. A win for James Franklin’s Nittany Lions would give him just a fifth win over an AP top 10 team over his career as a head coach. Off of a bye week, I would normally lean choosing Penn State but give me Dan Lanning’s team to move to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten.

Projected Score: Oregon 31, Penn State 28

17.Alabama (2-1) @ 5.Georgia (3-0)
7:30 PM ET, ABC

One of college football’s top games in 2024 heads to Athens in 2025. Last season, even in Kalen DeBoer’s first season as head coach at Alabama, the Crimson Tide defeated Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs. Smart’s team looks for just their second win against Alabama in his tenure as head coach.

Since the season-opening loss to Florida State, Alabama’s passing game has grown into a force with receivers Germie Bernard, Ryan Williams, and Isaiah Horton catching seven passes for scores between them for 575 yards and 7 touchdowns from first year starter Ty Simpson behind center. A better running game will be necessary to beat Georgia, who has a defense that may not be as good as it has been in previous seasons but is no slouch.

Tailbacks Kevin Riley, AK Dear, and Richard Young must show up with an intense performance against the Bulldog defense. Linebackers Raylen Wilson and CJ Allen have combined for 45 tackles and multiple sacks while defensive backs KJ Bolden and Daylen Everette will both attempt to bait Simpson into throwing them each their second interception on the season.

In a similar vein, Gunner Stockton has looked like a better quarterback than many thought he would be than before this season. While he only has a combined seven touchdowns on the season, his completion percentage is almost 71% and has yet to turn the ball over this season. Having USC transfer Zachariah Branch on the outside is a nice benefit for Stockton. Branch has already caught two touchdowns but it is a balanced core with Colbie Young and London Humphries standing to him. Keon Sabb, Bray Hubbard, Domani Jackson and Alabama’s secondary will be tested.

The Alabama defense will also have to deal with the Georgia ground game. Sophomore tailbacks Nate Frazier (2 touchdowns) and Dwight Phillips Jr. (1 touchdown) have both rushed for over 100 yards. The Crimson Tide’s talented front seven including defensive tackles LT Overton, James Smith, and linebacker Deontae Lawson.

Another victory over Georgia would thrust DeBoer’s squad right back into the College Football Playoff conversation as September closes. Yes, Alabama’s struggles against Florida State four weeks ago still linger—but maybe the Seminoles are simply that good. Until Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs finally topple Alabama, I’m taking the Crimson Tide to end Georgia’s nation-leading 33-game home winning streak inside Sanford Stadium.

Projected Score: Alabama 38, Georgia 35

Image Courtesy: New York Times

The SEC unveiled each team’s 2026–2029 football opponents Tuesday night on the SEC Network. The league teased the reveal last Friday on social media, announcing that the release would include the next four seasons of matchups along with each team’s three annual opponents, which will be reviewed every four years. All of this comes as part of the SEC’s move to a nine-game conference schedule, which was formally announced on August 21.

What to Know:
Each SEC team gets three annual opponents and six rotating opponents every season.
Every SEC team plays every other SEC team at least once every two years, home & away in four years.
In addition to 9 SEC opponents, every team must schedule 1 “high-quality” non-conference game (Denoted as ACC, Big 12, Big Ten team, or Notre Dame)
The stronger schedules will boost College Football Playoff consideration.

3 Factors the SEC used in Determining Annual Matchups
Competitive Fairness
– Annual opponents will be evaluated after each 4-year cycle
Geography
– Average distance of annual opponents is 281 miles
– 80% of annual opponents are same or contiguous state
Traditional Rivalries
Final week matchups/annual neutral-site/duration of time

Annual Opponents for each SEC Football Team:
Alabama — Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee
Arkansas — LSU, Missouri, Texas
Auburn — Alabama, Georgia, Vanderbilt
Florida — Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina
Georgia — Auburn, Florida, South Carolina
Kentucky — Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee
LSU — Arkansas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M
Ole Miss — LSU, Mississippi State, Oklahoma
Mississippi State — Alabama, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt
Missouri — Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M
Oklahoma — Ole Miss, Missouri, Texas
South Carolina — Georgia, Kentucky, Florida
Tennessee — Alabama, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
Texas — Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M
Texas A&M — LSU, Missouri, Texas
Vanderbilt — Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee

Initial Reactions:

Rivalries the SEC ended annually

You can’t get all three annual opponents right for every team but here are the most notable rivalries that will not continue on an annual basis beginning in 2026:

Alabama/LSU
A rivalry that began as a result of Nick Saban and Les Miles’ battles in the 2010s determined the winner of multiple BCS National Championships. It turned into an annual tradition between two teams that determined SEC West titles until the end of the division era in the conference ahead of the 2024 season. Mississippi State holds the distinction of being Alabama’s most frequent opponent, getting the nod over LSU with an incredible 108 all-time meetings between the two programs.
Arkansas/Ole Miss
While it has never been an official ‘rivalry’, the Razorbacks and Rebels have fought in highly contested battles on the gridiron. From the 2001 7 overtime game to the 2015 ‘Hunter Heave’ game, it developed into a great SEC West matchup. But beginning in the 2020 season with new head coaches Sam Pittman (Arkansas) and Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss), back and forth games headlined the series from 2020-2022. Since, Ole Miss has won the last three games against Arkansas and the two teams will not face off until 2027 in Fayetteville.
Arkansas/Texas A&M
With the Southwest Classic shifting permanently back to campus sites this season after years at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the rivalry will no longer be played on an annual basis. Going forward, Arkansas and Texas A&M will each face LSU, Missouri, and Texas every year—but not each other.
Auburn/LSU
An old rivalry that disappeared after the SEC scrapped its divisional format following the season 2023, the showdown between the league’s original Tiger members will now be played only every other season.
Florida/LSU
In the pre-2020s conference-realignment SEC, Florida and LSU were staple cross-division foes, but under the new nine-game format they will no longer meet every season. Every game between these two rivals is seemingly always close making it such an intense rivalry. But instead LSU will play more regional foes Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M while Florida will do the same against Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
Florida/Tennessee
When the SEC division model was introduced ahead of Arkansas and South Carolina’s entry into the SEC, the Florida/Tennessee series became the classic rivalry of the 1990s. Throughout the decade, the two programs battled for SEC East crowns, conference championships, and even national titles.
Kentucky/Mississippi State
Another old cross-division rivalry that will not continue annually is Kentucky and Mississippi State. Despite not facing each other last season or this season, the Wildcats make much more sense on the Bulldogs’ annual list than Vanderbilt does.
Ole Miss/Vanderbilt
Like Kentucky and Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt deserve to be annual opponents as former cross-division foes. It is a short trip both ways between Oxford and Nashville and it would be fun to see this matchup every season.

While we will not see each of these rivalries every season, it is important to know every SEC team will face each other conference opponent twice every four years home and away.

Odd Annual Matchups

Here are the annual matchups that the SEC put together that many fans may not love as a result of the new annual pairings.

Auburn/Vanderbilt
It is understandable seeing Vanderbilt on Auburn’s list of three annual opponents because they also have to face Alabama and Georgia. But the Commodores are a rising program under Coach Clark Lea. The Tigers and Commodores do not have that much history but it will be interesting to see how it develops.
Ole Miss/Oklahoma
For having played only twice in each of their program’s histories, the Rebels and Sooners are unfamiliar opponents. They will match up for a third time later this season. But, facing each other every season the next four seasons could intensify this series.
Mississippi State/Vanderbilt
Like Auburn, Vanderbilt does not have much history with Mississippi State. I expected to see Kentucky to be on Mississippi State’s list because they were cross-division opponents previously. Now Vanderbilt has only one true historic rival they play annually — the Tennessee Volunteers.
Missouri/Texas A&M
Missouri and Texas A&M’s annual pairing is the least odd of the odd pairings. The two came over from the Big 12 to the SEC ahead of the 2012-2013 academic year but have only played each other 17 times even though they have been in the same conference for 30 years. This is not a bad pairing for the SEC to choose but as I said in the above section, the Arkansas/Texas A&M series makes much more sense to continue annually.

What this means going forward
Each SEC team’s 2026 opponents will be away in 2028 and 2027 home opponents will be away in 2029.
Playing an odd number of conference games, each team will rotate having five SEC games at home and four on the road every season.

Check out each SEC football team’s full list of opponents for the 2026-2029 seasons here.

I will be releasing my thoughts on Arkansas’ three annual opponents and their 2026-2029 opponents in a future blog post.

Image Courtesy: Knoxville News Sentinel

AP Top 5
1.Ohio State 2-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: Ohio (1-1) (Saturday, 7 PM ET, Peacock)
2.Penn State 2-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: Villanova (1-0) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FS1)
3.LSU 2-0 (0-0) SEC This week: Florida (1-1) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
4.Oregon 2-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: @ Northwestern (1-1) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
5.Miami 2-0 (0-0) ACC This week: 18.South Florida (2-0) (Saturday, 4:30 PM ET, The CW Network)

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

Risers
10.Florida State 2-0 (0-0) ACC Week 2: #14 (Defeated East Texas A&M 77-3)
13.Oklahoma 2-0 (0-0) SEC Week 2: #18 (Defeated 15.Michigan 24-13)
15.Tennessee 2-0 (0-0) SEC Week 2: #22 (Defeated East Tennessee State 72-17)
20.Utah 2-0 (0-0) Big 12 Week 2: #25 (Defeated Cal Poly 63-9)

Fallers
12.Clemson 1-1 (0-0) ACC Week 2: #8 (Defeated Troy 27-16)
23.Michigan 1-1 (0-0) Big Ten Week 2: #15 (Lost to 18.Oklahoma 24-13)

Dropped Out
Arizona State 1-1 (0-0) Big 12 Week 2: #12 (Lost to Mississippi State 24-20)
Florida 1-1 (0-0) SEC Week 2: #13 (Lost to South Florida 18-16)
SMU 1-1 (0-0) ACC Week 2: #17 (Lost to Baylor 48-45)

New
18.South Florida 2-0 (0-0) American Week 2: NR (Defeated 13.Florida 18-16)
24.Auburn 2-0 (0-0) SEC Week 2: NR (Defeated Ball State 42-3)
25.Missouri 2-0 (0-0) SEC Week 2: NR (Defeated Kansas 42-31)

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

Saturday, September 13
12.Clemson (1-1) @ Georgia Tech (2-0)
12 PM ET, ESPN
A huge ACC battle takes place in Atlanta this week as rivals Clemson and Georgia Tech battle for their first conference win of 2025. The Tigers have struggled to say the least to open up another season under veteran head coach Dabo Swinney. After a trip to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals in 2024, they have gone 1-1, losing to LSU 17-10 in week 1 before struggling to beat Troy 27-16 on Saturday in week 2. The Yellow Jackets won an entertaining week 1 match up against Colorado before coming home to destroy Gardner Webb 59-12 in week 2.

Pre-season All-American quarterback Cade Klubnik’s play must improve if Clemson is going to head on the road and defeat Georgia Tech. The Tiger quarterback must get the ball down the field Bryant Wesco Jr., Tyler Brown, and TJ Moore and avoid turnovers. Adam Randall’s running game must aid Klubnik’s performance as well if the Tigers want to come out victorious against skilled defensive lineman Akelo Stone and linebacker Kyle Efford.

Georgia Tech starting quarterback Haynes King’s status remains unclear ahead of Saturday’s match up against Clemson. King suffered a lower-body injury against Colorado before sitting out in their game Gardner Webb. His status will be determined this weekend according to head coach Brent Key. If King cannot play, it will be Aaron Philo behind center for the Yellow Jackets. He threw for a touchdown and an interception last weekend but much more will be expected from him if he were to face Clemson. Pass rusher Will Heldt and Ronan Hanafin lead one of the nation’s best defenses in the nation. Tailback Jamal Haynes and receivers Bailey Stockton, Dean Patterson, and Jordan Allen will have to help either King or Hanafin succeed if they want to achieve victory and protect their home stadium.

A second loss for Dabo Swinney’s Tigers would mean having to go undefeated the rest of the season to make the College Football Playoff. Key’s team would love the chance to make that happen. But, because of King’s uncertainty to play Saturday, Clemson should beat Georgia Tech by a touchdown.

Projected Score: Clemson 28, Georgia Tech 21

6.Georgia (2-0) @ 15.Tennessee (2-0)
3:30 PM ET, ABC
ESPN’s College GameDay heads to Knoxville for a huge SEC match up between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers. Georgia has not lost to Tennessee since back to back defeats in 2015 and 2016. But, the Volunteers believe they have the roster and the home crowd environment to finally beat the Bulldogs for the first time in almost a decade.

If Tennessee is finally going to beat Georgia, quality quarterback play will be crucial. Most Tennessee fans think Joey Aguilar has been the best quarterback for head coach Josh Heupel since Hendon Hooker played behind center in 2022. But, Aguilar has had turnover problems previously in his career at Appalachian State. The Volunteers’ also must depend on its offensive line, tailback Star Thomas, and receiver Chris Brazzell II to help Aguilar against Glenn Schumann’s defense, led by linebackers CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson.

Georgia looked as if they were saving most of their playbook for Tennessee in a 28-6 win over Austin Peay last Saturday. Much more will be expected of quarterback Gunnar Stockton. The Bulldog receivers struggled with drops last season but receivers Zachariah Branch and Colbie Young are trying to make sure those problems do not continue into this fall as their SEC slate begins. The Bulldogs’ run-game was not as efficient as it should have been last season. But the offensive line must continue to let running back Nate Frazier build on his two touchdown season by continuing to create holes for him on the line of scrimmage and down the field.

Playing at home, the Volunteers must take a chance at their gold opportunity and finally beat Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs. But, eight consecutive losses in the series makes it doubtful that they can achieve a victory in this SEC series with a long history. Georgia’s defense is the reason why they will win a ninth consecutive time against Tennessee.

Projected Score: Georgia 27, Tennessee 17

18.South Florida (2-0) @ 5.Miami (2-0)
4:30 PM ET, The CW Network
Can South Florida go 3-for-3? The Bulls defeated AP no. 25 Boise State (34-7) and no. 13 Florida (18-16) to begin their season. They attempt to beat their third consecutive AP top 25 opponent with a win over no. 5 Miami. The Hurricanes started their season with a victory over then no. 6 Notre Dame 27-24 before a 45-3 win over Bethune-Cookman in week 2.

Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown has help lead his team to two incredible wins to begin the season. But he has only thrown one touchdown pass this season and has relied more on the ground game, with 109 yards and 2 touchdowns thus far on the season. If Alex Golesh’s offense must move the ball through the air to succeed against Miami via Brown’s down the field passing to wide receivers Keshaun Singleton and Chas Nimrod. Miami’s secondary must step up and defend Singleton and Nimrod and prevent Brown from having his first great game passing the football of the 2025 season. Defensive backs Xavier Lucas and Keionte Scott will be key for Miami to stop the Bulls’ offensive attack.

Carson Beck will look to continue his first season at Miami against South Florida by leading a second consecutive dominant performance. The Bulls will definitely be more difficult competition and Bethune-Cookman but if Beck is able to deliver passes successfully to Malachi Toney, Elija Lofton, and tailback Mark Fletcher Jr. builds on his 152 yard, 2 touchdown season, it will be hard for the Bulls to keep up and win this game. Linebacker Jhalyn Shuler’s 21 tackles so far this season will be the biggest challenge in front of Miami’s offensive success on Saturday afternoon.

A victory for South Florida would put them atop discussions for the Group of Five’s spot in the College Football Playoff. One for Miami would give them even more momentum as they enter games against Florida and Florida State the next two weeks. This game could be competitive for all four quarters but Miami will outlast South Florida and move to 3-0.

Projected Score: Miami 34-South Florida 24

16.Texas A&M (2-0) @ 8.Notre Dame (0-1)
7:30 PM ET, NBC
Texas A&M heads to South Bend as they attempt to avenge their 2024 week 1 loss against Notre Dame. The Aggies struggled in a 42-24 victory over UTSA in their opener before a similar score in week 2 against Utah State (44-22) but with a better performance overall. The Fighting Irish struggled to begin their week 1 match up against Miami before a come back came up short late in the fourth quarter and a 27-24 defeat. Marcus Freeman’s team was off during week 2 so they are fresh for a second battle with Mike Elko’s team on Saturday night.

For the Aggies to go on the road and beat the Fighting Irish, there needs to be consistency from both the passing attack and the run game. It all starts with improvement from the ground game with Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens II only having a combined 164 yards combined this season. Signal-caller Marcel Reed has helped in that area, rushing for 105 yards and a score and throwing for 509 yards and 7 touchdowns. Mario Craver and KC Concepcion are turning into one of the nation’s best receiving duos and they will be tough for any defense they face. Notre Dame’s defense is a tough match up for anyone especially because the difficulties Jalen Stroman and defensive lineman Boubacar Traore pose for them.

Mike Elko’s defense faces new Irish starting quarterback CJ Carr in his second game as the full time starter. Linebacker Tauren York, cornerback Will Lee II, and safety Marcus Ratcliffe lead a quality defense themselves. They will look to prove it against a running back duo that is off to a slow start, just like Texas A&M’s. Carr must hope that Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price help him out in the backfield after they combined for only 78 yards on the ground against Miami. Eli Raridon shined as the next great tight end for Notre Dame against the Hurricanes as well. More of the same will be expected if the Fighting Irish want to beat the Aggies.

This game will be close. Something has to give with both of these running back rooms failing to gain much success so far this season. So, it will be up to the Notre Dame defensive line to continue to contain Moss and Owens and Texas A&M’s unit to do the same against Love and Price. I believe the Fighting Irish will do it better and they will win a close game on Saturday night over the Aggies.

Projected Score: Notre Dame 24, Texas A&M 21

Florida (1-1) @ 3.LSU (2-0)
7:30 PM ET, ABC
What many thought would be college football’s top game in Week 3 was dampened by Florida’s disappointing loss to South Florida—the Gators’ first home loss to an in-state opponent other than Florida State or Miami since 1938. Another loss for Billy Napier’s team against rival LSU could mean the end of the road for him in Gainesville. It’s not as if the Tigers’ second appearance of the season—a 23-7 win over Louisiana Tech—was nearly as impressive as their opener, a 17-10 victory over then-No. 4 Clemson. No matter what happens in this game, it will have SEC implications as both teams begin their conference slates.

Winning in “Death Valley” at night in Baton Rouge is always tough but it will be even more difficult for struggling Florida. The Gators must hope for a better offensive performance this week after putting up just 16 in their loss to South Florida last Saturday. To do this, DJ Lagway must step up behind an offensive line that protects him consistently. In addition, running back Jaden Baugh’s ground game must set up the pass to receivers Vernell Brown II, Eugene Wilson, and tight end Hayden Hansen. LSU has given up just 17 points on the young season and linebackers Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins Jr are a big reason why. The tough Tiger environment and defense will be hard for the Gators to get by on Saturday night.

LSU must hope for a better offensive performance as well on Saturday night. Playing in front of their home crowd, Garrett Nussmeier needs to get the ball down the field to top receiver Aaron Anderson and make this game a blowout as soon as possible to put away a Florida team that could become pesky without much to lose the rest of the season if they fall on Saturday night. Florida linebacker Jaden Robinson and end Tyreak Sapp will have the job of stopping tailback Caden Durham and the rest of LSU’s playmakers on offense.

This old permanent cross-division rivalry under the SEC’s East-West divisional model has come down to the wire many times. If LSU does not put Florida away with early scores, the Gators could stay in the game and potentially get a win Billy Napier desperately needs to survive and keep his job. But, the Tigers will win but the score will be closer than many think.

Projected Score: LSU 31, Florida 17

Vanderbilt (2-0) @ 11.South Carolina (2-0)
7:45 PM ET, SECN
Vanderbilt heads to Columbia to face South Carolina as both teams open SEC play. Both the Commodores and the Gamecocks have faced and defeated ACC foe Virginia Tech. South Carolina used a dominant fourth quarter to beat the Hokies 24-11. Then Vanderbilt did the same six days later, coming back from a 17-7 deficit and defeating Virginia Tech 44-20. A week before the Commodores dominated Charleston Southern while the Gamecocks struggled through weather delays and failed to score an offensive touchdown until the third quarter against South Carolina State, but still winning 38-10.

Diego Pavia has been electric this season behind center for the Commodores and he will look to keep things going in a game he and his team desperately want to win. The Vanderbilt quarterback has the weapons in wide receivers Tre Richardson, Junior Sherrill, and tight end Eli Stowers to win games in the SEC. DQ Smith, Myles Norwood, and Brandon Cisse and the rest of the Gamecock secondary will be trusted to defend against them. The Vanderbilt offensive line will be tasked with protecting against the pass rush of linebackers DQ Smith and Dylan Stewart on passing downs. That is where the run game of Sedrick Alexander must come in and help Pavia and the passing game.

South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers was seen as a Heisman Trophy candidate entering the season as he entered his second season behind center in Columbia. But he has only accounted for three touchdowns so far this season. If the Gamecocks want to protect their home field, Sellers must step up and deliver passes to Nyck Harbor, Donovan Murph, and Vandrevius Jacobs and improve the passing game. Sellers must also trust Oscar Adaway III and Rahsul Faison to create openings in the pass game against a Vanderbilt defense that gave up just 20 points last week against Virginia Tech. Defensive lineman Zaylin Wood and linebacker Bryce Cowan will pose the biggest threats to Mike Shula’s offense.

In what could be a back and forth game, South Carolina’s continued offensive struggles will result in losing to Vanderbilt for the first time since 2008. Diego Pavia and the Commodores will win this game and go into next week’s game looking for revenge against Georgia State after losing to them last season.

Projected Score: Vanderbilt 31, South Carolina 28

Image Courtesy: The Oklahoman

AP Top 5
1.Ohio State 1-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: Grambling (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, BTN)
2.Penn State 1-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: Florida International (Saturday, 12 PM ET, BTN)
3.LSU 1-0 (0-0) SEC This week: Louisiana Tech (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ESPN+)
4.Georgia 1-0 (0-0) SEC This week: Austin Peay (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN+)
5.Miami 1-0 (0-0) ACC This week: Bethune-Cookman (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)

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

Risers
1.Ohio State 1-0 (0-0) Big Teen Week 1: #3 (Defeated 1.Texas 14-7)
3.LSU 1-0 (0-0) SEC Week 1: #9 (Defeated 4.Clemson 17-10)
5.Miami 1-0 (0-0) ACC Week 1: #10 (Defeated 6.Notre Dame 27-24)
16.Iowa State 2-0 (1-0) Big 12 Week 1: #22 (Defeated South Dakota 55-7)

Fallers
7.Texas 0-1 (0-0) SEC Week 1: #1 (Lost to 3.Ohio State 14-7)
8.Clemson 0-1 (0-0) ACC Week 1: #4 (Lost to 9.LSU 17-10)
9.Notre Dame 0-1 (0-0) Independents Week 1: #6 (Lost to 10.Miami 27-24)
21.Alabama 0-1 (0-0) SEC Week 1: #8 (Lost to Florida State 31-17)
23.Indiana 1-0 (0-0) Big Ten Week 1: #20 (Defeated Old Dominion 27-14)

Dropped Out
Boise State 0-1 (0-0) Mountain West Week 1: #25 (Lost to South Florida 34-7)

New
14.Florida State 1-0 (0-0) ACC Week 1: NR (Defeated 8.Alabama 31-17)
25.Utah 1-0 (0-0) Big 12 Week 1: NR (Defeated UCLA 43-10)

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

Saturday, September 6
11.Illinois (1-0) @ Duke (1-0)
12 PM ET, ESPN
Illinois rose to no. 11 in the AP Poll after their season-opening 52-3 victory over instate opponent Western Illinois. The Fighting Illini meet their first true test on the road against Manny Diaz and Duke in Durham. The Blue Devils dominated Elon 45-17 last Thursday to begin their 2025 campaign.

Bret Bielema’s team gave up only three points last Friday against the Bulldogs. Linebacker Gabe Jacas (4 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble) led the way against the Bulldogs. He will look to do the same against Tulane transfer Darian Mensah and the Duke offense. Mensah, who threw for 389 yards and 3 touchdowns in week 1 will look to get the ball down the field to one of his favorite targets Cooper Barkate (5 catches for 117 yards), Que’Sean Brown (6 catches for 93 yards), and Sahmir Hagans (5 catches for 54 yards and 2 TDs).

The Blue Devils must run the ball better against the Fighting Illini if they want to protect their home field. The four tailbacks they used combined for just 169 yards overall and 2 touchdowns. Gabe Jacas and the Illinois defense will be ready to stop Duke consistently if they cannot rely on both the run and the pass.

Luke Altmyer threw just four incompletions in a surgical performance where he threw for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns. Duke linebacker Jaiden Francois’ will look to build on an incredible 10-tackle performance on Friday as he attempts to stop Altmyer, running back Aidan Laughery (9 carries for 101 yards and 2 TDs), and receiver Hank Beatty (5 catches for 108 yards.).

All eyes will be on Durham as the Blue Devils attempt to get a nonconference win for the ACC after an okay week 1 for the league. Illinois will battle Duke in a close one and come out on top by playing a quality fourth quarter and clinching the victor

Projected Score: Illinois 34, Duke 24

Iowa (1-0) @ 16.Iowa State (2-0)
12 PM ET, FOX

The battle for the Cy-Hawk trophy heads to Ames this weekend. The home team, the Cyclones are already 2-0 with a victory over Kansas State in the opener in Dublin before returning home to a victory over South Dakota. The Cyclones’ instate rival Iowa only has one game under their belts and it was a 34-7 victory over Albany on Saturday.

Through two games, Iowa State’s Rocco Becht has already thrown for 461 yards and 5 touchdowns with an impressive 83.4 QBR. Iowa defensive end Max Llewellyn (1 sack) and defensive back TJ Hall (5 tackles) will look to make things difficult on the road for Becht and the Cyclone offense. Receiver Brett Eskildsen and tight end Gabe Burkle have combined for 12 catches, 239 yards, and 2 touchdowns so far this season and will be a great help for Becht down the field against what is normally a tough Hawkeye defense.

Iowa’s offense has been pedestrian for most of Kirk Ferentz’s tenure as head coach. Xavier Williams leads the Hawkeyes at tailback, carrying the ball 11 times for 122 yards and a score. Williams is attempting to help his quarterback Mark Gronowski get the ball down the field to his receivers and tight ends after he passed for only 44 yards and a touchdown against Albany. Gronowki’s down the field passing problems may not end against an Iowa State secondary led by Jamison Patton, who has 13 tackles and an interception through two weeks. Williams and Iowa’s group receivers (any of who don’t have a touchdown yet this season) will also have to deal with linebacker Kooper Ebel, who has a sack on the season for the Cyclones.

Because Iowa is traveling on the road and their offense’s playmaking ability down the field does not seem improved from their season opener, Iowa State will win their third consecutive game and win the Cy-Hawk Trophy.

Projected Score: Iowa State 24, Iowa 7

Kansas (2-0) @ Missouri (1-0)
3:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Kansas heads to Missouri to continue the “Border War” series for the first time since November 26, 2011. These two schools and states hate each other and it has been a rivalry since the age of the Civil War.

The Jayhawks dominated both Fresno State (31-7) in week 0 and Wagner (46-7) in week 1 before the huge match up in Columbia this weekend. Jalon Daniels has lit up defenses through two games throwing seven touchdowns to just one interception. Daniel Hishaw (158 yards and 1 TD) joins him in the backfield at running back with Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (9 catches for 154 yards and 2 TDs) on the outside at receiver. The Tiger front seven will present many problems to Daniels, Hishaw, Henderson Jr., and the Jayhawk offense. Defensive end Damon Wilson’s two sacks and linebacker Josiah Trotter’s eight tackles will be crucial in stopping Daniels’ passing attack and Hishaw’s ground game.

Missouri lost backup signal-caller Sam Horn to injury just minutes into Thursday’s season-opener against Central Arkansas. So, much will be entrusted to Penn State transfer Beau Pribula, who looked good against the Bears, accounted for 283 yards through the air, 65 yards on the ground, and 4 touchdowns overall. ULM transfer running back Ahmad Hardy started slow but he reached 100 yards and a score. Marquis Johnson starred against UCA, going for 134 yards on just five catches and a touchdown. Pribula, Hardy, and Johnson will look to continue their success against a Kansas defense that has given up just a touchdown in each of their first two games, but this will be their first true test.

Linebacker Trey Lathan (12 tackles) and defensive tackle DJ Withers (2 sacks) will be key in getting to sack Pribula and stopping a Missouri ground attack that took awhile to get going due to problems along the offensive line. The Jayhawk defense will have to make sure they get consistent stops because traveling on the road to their arch rival will be difficult with a stadium loaded with fans.

In what will be a back and forth affair, I expect the Kansas-Missouri game to go to the wire. Missouri will win behind a packed crowd in a game that could go to overtime.

Projected Score: Missouri 38, Kansas 31

20.Ole Miss (1-0) @ Kentucky (1-0)
3:30 PM ET, ABC
Ole Miss will look to avenge the loss that kept them out of the College Football Playoff this Saturday when they head to Lexington to face Kentucky. Last September, the Wildcats beat the Rebels by a score of 20-17. Later in the season, Ole Miss lost to LSU and Florida, making them 9-3 to finish the regular season and they missed the first annual College Football Playoffs.

The Rebels have a clear advantage in this game on offense even though they have many new starters on that side of the ball. Austin Simmons’ first game as a starter was up and down as he threw three touchdowns but he through two interceptions. That will need to be fixed as they face their first SEC opponent, the Kentucky Wildcats after they scored 63 points in a drubbing against Georgia State. Linebackers Alex Afari (13 tackles and 1 sack) and Steven Soles Jr. (2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles) will be the pivotal road blocks to prevent the Rebels’ offensive success. Simmons is joined by Kewan Lacy, who rushed for 108 yards and 3 touchdowns on 16 carries and wide receiver Harrison Wallace, who has caught five passes for 130 yards and a score.

The Wildcats beat MAC favorite Toledo by a score of 24-16. A big reason was the lack of offensive production. Kentucky’s offense is led by veteran and former Texas A&M and Auburn signal-caller Zach Calzada. Calzada was not efficient in the Wildcats’ opener against Toledo going 10-23 for 85 yards and an interception. Ole Miss has lost defensive linemen Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen to the NFL but current Rebels TJ Dottery (9 tackles) and Zxavian Harrison (1 sack) will make sure Calzada does not throw a touchdown on Saturday afternoon. Dante Dowdell’s 129 yards and a touchdown leads all SEC tailbacks in rushing so he should be able to help his quarterback if he can get downhill behind his offensive line.

If Lane Kiffin’s Rebels are focused on Saturday, they should blow out Kentucky. The Wildcats’ lack of offensive weapons could help the Rebels’ defense produce turnovers and they should win by multiple scores.

Projected Score: Ole Miss 31, Kentucky 13

Vanderbilt (1-0) @ Virginia Tech (0-1)
7:30 PM ET, ACCN

Vanderbilt heads to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech on Saturday night and get their second win over the Hokies in as many seasons after a 34-27 victory last August. The Commodores dominated Charleston Southern 45-3 on Saturday. However, on Sunday Virginia Tech’s lack of focus and penalties caused them to give up 14 points in the fourth quarter and lose to South Carolina 24-11.

If the Commodores want to win a second in a row against the Hokies, they must rely on the confident Diego Pavia at quarterback. Pavia threw for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns in Vanderbilt’s last victory. His favorite target is Eli Stowers, who has caught four passes for 86 yards. Virginia Tech safety Quentin Reddish will attempt to stop the Pavia-Stowers duo and the rest of the Vanderbilt offense. Sed Alexander joins Pavia in the backfield at running back and he was an important cog for the Commodores last season against the Hokies, rushing for 69 yards and a touchdown. He will look to do even more for his team against the Hokies this season.

Virginia Tech’s offense struggled greatly with procedural penalties and overall mistakes in their loss to South Carolina on Sunday. The Hokies must hope that veteran quarterback Kyron Drones (15/35, 221 yards, and 2 INT) rebounds from his performance last weekend. Facing another SEC team, they should be more confident, especially because they do not have to deal with South Carolina star Dylan Stewart along the defensive line this weekend. Linebacker Bryce Cowan (5 tackles) and defensive tackle Zaylin Wood (1 sack) will be what Drones’ offense will have to deal with but he will have help with this playmakers. Donavon Greene (3 receptions for 94 yards) and tailback Marcellous Hawkins (15 carries for 58 yards) will help Drones out against another SEC defense.

Brent Fry’s Virginia Tech squad must get a victory this week or he may be squarely on the hot seat. It is admirable seeing the Hokies schedule back to back SEC programs but they are difficult to overcome. Vanderbilt will make a statement for the SEC and win their second consecutive against Virginia Tech.

Projected Score: Vanderbilt 31, Virginia Tech 28

12.Arizona State (1-0) @ Mississippi State (1-0)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Arizona State and Mississippi State face off for the second time in as many seasons as the Sun Devils head to Starkville to face the Bulldogs on Saturday night. A win for Arizona State over an SEC program even a program like Mississippi State would help them prove they are still capable of winning the Big 12 again and a threat to make another College Football Playoff. A win for Mississippi State would definitely be an upset and a landmark win for second year head coach Jeff Lebby.

Arizona State’s offense might have lost skilled running back Cam Skattebo to the NFL in the off-season but returning quarterback Sam Leavitt (257 passing yards, 73 rushing yards, 4 overall TDs, and 1 interception) and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (12 catches for 141 yards and 2 TDs) were impressive in their 38-19 season-opening win over Northern Arizona. Coleman Hutzler’s defense was not good in 2024 but they only gave up 17 points in their win over Southern Miss on Saturday. It will be up to safety Isaac Smith (7 tackles) and lineman (4 tackles and 1 sack) to lead the way against the talented Sun Devil offense.

Lebby’s offense will have to keep pace with Marcus Arroyo’s including the aforementioned Levitt and Tyson. It may not be as hard to score on Arizona State’s defense as it was last season after they gave up 19 points to Northern Arizona on Saturday. A big day will be expected from quarterback Blake Shapen as he builds on his week 1 performance that included 272 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He must not turn the ball over and rely on top receiver Brenen Thompson (7 catches for 92 yards) and tailback Davon Booth (16 carries, 80 yards, and 1 TD) if they want to protect Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldog offensive line must protect against Sun Devil linebacker Jordan Crook, who had a 7 tackle and 1 sack day last Saturday against the Lumberjacks.

This Arizona-Mississippi State matchup could very well be a close game going into the fourth quarter with the game being in Starkville, but the Bulldogs’ defense will continue to hurt them. Arizona State’s offense will power them to a 14-point victory.

Projected Score: Arizona State 38, Mississippi State 24

15.Michigan (1-0) @ 18.Oklahoma (1-0)
7:30 PM ET, ABC
College football’s top game on Saturday is another Big Ten-SEC battle. ESPN’s College GameDay will be on scene to see Sherrone Moore’s Michigan Wolverines take on Brent Venable’s Sooners in an AP Top 18 matchup.

Michigan lost to fellow SEC foe Texas last season at home but this season they will be on the road in Norman against Oklahoma. Talented freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood (251 yards and 1 TD) will be tested on the road against a quality defense that includes one of the better linebackers in the country Sammy Omosigho (8 tackles and 1 sack). Moore’s offense must trust Alabama transfer Justice Haynes (16 carries, 159 yards, 3 TDs) and tight end Marlin Klein (6 catches for 93 yards and 1 TD) to help their young quarterback in front of a raucous Norman crowd.

Oklahoma expected much from Washington State transfer signal-caller John Mateer and they got in week 1 against Illinois State. Mateer threw for an SEC-leading 392 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception in an exciting 35-3 win. More of the same will be expected against one of the Big Ten’s top teams. California transfer tailback Jaydn Ott may have a bigger role against the Wolverines than he did last Saturday as hope is he is healed from a shoulder injury he suffered in camp. If that happens, the passing game should open up to receiver Keontez Lewis (9 catches for 119 yards and 2 TDs) against a group of talented linebackers Ernest Hausmann (8 tackles) Troy Bowles (2 tackles and 1 sack).

In what should be a low-scoring affair with two talented defenses on the field, the edge goes to the home team. Oklahoma defeats Michigan with a late field goal.

Projected Score: Oklahoma 24, Michigan 21

Image Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

Arkansas (1-0) continues the 2025 season in a historic clash against Arkansas State (1-0) in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium. The first ever meeting between the Razorbacks and Red Wolves will be at 4 p.m. on ESPN+/SECN+ with Richard Cross and Taylor McRague on the call.

For decades, Arkansas avoided playing in-state opponents. The main reason was Frank Broyles—first as head football coach (1958-1976) and later as athletic director (1974-2007). Broyles believed that scheduling in-state schools risked the Razorbacks losing to them and tarnishing their image as the flagship program in Arkansas, particularly in the eyes of recruits.

That philosophy lasted until Hunter Yurachek became athletic director in 2017. Under his tenure, Arkansas athletics began regularly scheduling in-state competition across all sports. By the 2020s, football, basketball, and baseball were all facing fellow Arkansas opponents.

Arkansas football’s first modern in-state matchup came in 2021, when the Razorbacks hosted Arkansas-Pine Bluff at War Memorial Stadium. Quarterback KJ Jefferson led Arkansas to a dominant 45–3 win over the Golden Lions on October 23, 2021.

Nearly three years later, the Razorbacks and UAPB met again in Little Rock to open the 2024 season. With Taylen Greenmaking his debut as starting quarterback, Arkansas rolled to a 70–0 win, scoring on ten different drives.

Now comes the long-anticipated first meeting with Arkansas State, a program many in Fayetteville have long considered their “little brother.” Ironically, since Bobby Petrino’s infamous exit in 2011, Arkansas State has posted a higher winning percentage than the Razorbacks—helped in part by Arkansas’ disastrous stretches under John L. Smith (2012) and Chad Morris (2018–19).

Saturday will likely be Arkansas’ final game in the capital city, closing the book on decades of history at War Memorial Stadium. The Razorbacks own a 153–61–4 record there—a winning percentage just above 71%. They’ll look to end the Little Rock era on a high note.

Junior quarterback Jalen Raynor shined in Arkansas State’s season-opening 42-24 victory over Southeast Missouri State. Raynor threw for 345 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Red Hawks. Three Red Wolf receivers had over 50 yards in win: Chauncy Cobb (85 yards), Corey Rucker (59 yards and 1 TD), and Hunter Summers (54 yards). They’ll test Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams’ unit all game long.

A weak spot is Arkansas State’s defense. The Red Wolves surrendered 30+ points three different times in 2024, contributing to multiple blowouts. Plus, the Red Wolves gave up 24 points in their week 1 win.

Now led by former head coach turned offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, the Razorbacks expect big things in Year 2 with Taylen Green at quarterback and he delivered. Green threw for 322 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in the season opener.

The receiving corps is also deeper: O’Mega Blake, Jalen Brown, CJ Brown, Monte Harrison, Raylen Sharpe. Petrino’s quarterbacks tend to shine in their second season, and expectations for Green are high. Blake caught seven passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, CJ Brown caught four balls for 49 yards, and 2 touchdowns, Jalen Brown caught three passes for 44 yards, and a score, Sharpe caught three balls for 41 yards and a score, and Harrison caught one pass for 29 yards.

If the offense starts quickly, the hope is that the Razorback defensive line performs better than it did in Week 1. Leaders like defensive tackle Cam Ball and linebacker Xavian Sorey will be key in preventing the Red Wolves from finding the end zone consistently.

If this is it, we’ll miss ya War Memorial Stadium.

Image Courtesy: Arkansas Fight

On Thursday, August 21, the SEC officially announced it will move to a nine-game conference football schedule beginning in 2026. That raises the big question: who will our very own Arkansas Razorbacks face three times annually?

Because the Razorbacks already have four non-conference games scheduled, they will have to cancel one to make room for the additional SEC game. Those four matchups are North Alabama at homeon September 5, Utah in Salt Lake City on September 12, Memphis at home on September 19, and Tulsa at home on November 21. Since all SEC teams are required to play a fellow Power 4 opponent or Notre Dame, it’s highly unlikely the Utah game will be canceled. The Memphis game also seems safe, especially after Arkansas travels to play the Tigers this fall on September 20. That leaves the North Alabama and Tulsa games at the top of the list of potential cancellations.

Now, here’s my list of options for Arkansas’ three permanent SEC rivals in the new nine-game schedule. The Razorbacks will face their other six opponents on a rotating basis, ensuring each SEC team plays every other member at least once every two years and home-and-home over a four-year span. Based on history, geography, and league priorities, here are my thoughts on the likelihoodof Missouri, LSU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M being chosen.

Guaranteed

Missouri
After spending the past decade as Arkansas’ permanent Thanksgiving weekend rival, the Tigers are a lock to stay on the list. Arkansas fans may not love it, but Missouri has dominated the series, holding a 9–2 record since joining the SEC. Continuing the rivalry gives Arkansas the chance to start reversing that history.

Likely

LSU
LSU was Arkansas’ permanent Black Friday rival when they joined the SEC in 1991 until Missouri entered the league. Razorback fans love the ‘Battle for the Golden Boot’ Rivalry more than the Tiger fans love their showdowns against Alabama, Ole Miss, or maybe Florida. This may be the reason why the SEC office chooses to move Arkansas away from its history with LSU. The number of options the Tigers have for permanent opponents entering the 2026 season.

Texas
The Longhorns are almost a lock to make the Razorbacks’ permanent list to me based on how SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey views the history of this rivalry. The important Southwest Conference battles of the 1960s and 1970s to how Arkansas defeated them in the 2014 Texas Bowl, 31-7 and welcomed them to the SEC back in 2021 with a 40-21 win. If Texas is not on Arkansas’ three permanent rivalries, at least they’ll see each other every other season.

Potential

Ole Miss
Outside of Arkansas’ ‘traditional’ rivals, Ole Miss has to be Arkansas’ best foe. The cultures are similar in Fayetteville and Oxford and the crazy memories from the ‘Hunter Heave’ game in 2015 that went seven overtimes, Arkansas’ crazy 30-point comeback in 2017, and the back and forth matchups between Sam Pittman and Lane Kiffin’s teams since both coaches took over their respective programs in 2020. If the Rebels end up on the Razorbacks’ permanent list, I would not be surprised, but if they end up on LSU’s or another rival, I would not be shocked either.

Oklahoma
While Arkansas and Oklahoma’s football history is limited, their campuses are the closest in the SEC—just 239 miles apart. That proximity makes for a natural rivalry fans would embrace, with reasonable travel for both sides. Combine that with recent basketball matchups between the schools, and an annual football series could quickly grow into something special.

Texas A&M
Since joining the SEC in 2012, the Aggies have had Arkansas’ number, posting a 12–1 record. While that history could make them a natural rival, I don’t see the SEC locking Arkansas into two Texas opponents (alongside Texas). The league office likely pushes A&M elsewhere.

My Picks
If I had my way, the Razorbacks would draw LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas.

My Prediction
When the dust settles, though, I believe Arkansas’ three permanent opponents will be Ole Miss, Missouri, and Texas. I originally had LSU and still think they could make Arkansas’ permanent list, but for my list for the entire conference to workout, I don’t have the Tigers with the Razorbacks.

Based on that, here are my final picks for the three squads each SEC team will play annually on the gridiron:
Alabama – Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee
Arkansas – Ole Miss, Missouri, Texas
Auburn – Alabama, Georgia, Vanderbilt
Florida – Georgia, LSU, Tennessee
Georgia – Auburn, Florida, South Carolina
Kentucky – Mississippi State, South Carolina, Vanderbilt
LSU – Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M
Ole Miss – Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State
Mississippi State – Alabama, Kentucky, Ole Miss
Missouri – Arkansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina
Oklahoma – Missouri, Texas, Texas A&M
South Carolina – Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri
Tennessee – Alabama, Florida, Vanderbilt
Texas – Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M
Texas A&M – LSU, Oklahoma, Texas
Vanderbilt – Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee

Image Courtesy: FOX 7 Austin

AP Top 5
1.Texas 0-0 (0-0) SEC This week: @ 3.Ohio State (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
2.Penn State 0-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: Nevada (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
3.Ohio State 0-0 (0-0) Big Ten This week: 1.Texas (Saturday, 12 PM ET FOX)
4.Clemson 0-0 (0-0) ACC This week: 9.LSU (Saturday 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
5.Georgia 0-0 (0-0) SEC This week: Marshall (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN)

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

Thursday, August 28
Cincinnati vs. Nebraska (Kansas City)
9 PM ET, ESPN
Cincinnati and Nebraska meet in Arrowhead Stadium to kick off the week 1 of the college football season in Kansas City. The Bearcats fell just short of a bowl game in 2024, going 5-7 overall and 3-6 in the Big 12. The highlight of their season was their 24-14 victory over eventual conference champion Arizona State back on October 19 at home inside Nippert Stadium.

Scott Satterfield’s team lost the next five games to end the season. For Nebraska, year 3 under head coach Matt Rhule will be crucial. Building off of a 7-6 and 3-6 record in the Big Ten will be crucial. The seventh win for the Cornhuskers was a 20-15 win against Boston College in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl on December 28.

The success of Cincinnati’s will likely fall on quarterback Brendan Sorsby and his ability to potentially take a step forward this season. The Bearcats lost a large portion of their secondary after last season, so seeing how their new group performs against Dylan Raiola—entering his second season as the starting signal-caller in Lincoln—should be one of the determining factors in the game.

He will need to improve after he threw just 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last fall. Emmett Johnson joins Raiola in the backfield and his production in Dana Holgorsen’s offense with what should be an improved offensive line will be vital in their success in starting the season well against a Cincinnati team that may underachieve again in 2025. In what may not be one of the better games this weekend, Nebraska should take care of business by multiple scores.

Projected Score: Nebraska 31, Cincinnati 14

Friday, August 29
Auburn @ Baylor
8 PM ET, FOX
Hugh Freeze’s tenure at Auburn could be close to over if their road trip to Waco is not a success. The Tigers suffered a terrible 2024 season after winning only five games. The Tigers failed to beat a struggling California program in the non-conference and won just two games in SEC play.

Baylor’s Dave Aranda was on the hot seat following a 3-9 season in 2023. But eight regular season wins including six in the Big 12 helped him right the ship in 2024. The last time the Bears faced an SEC program, they lost to LSU in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl, 44-31. Aranda’s team should have a much better shot to win and they may be favorites entering Friday night’s clash against Auburn.

Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton joins tremendous sophomore Cam Coleman as one of the best receiver duos in the country. It will be on Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold to get them the ball down the field. Throughout Freeze’s tenure, there have been many issues with Auburn’s offensive staff—particularly regarding who is actually calling the plays—and a tendency to blame the quarterbacks for the offense’s struggles, as Freeze did multiple times with former Tiger quarterback Peyton Thorne in 2024. Without talented tailback Jarquez Hunter, the Baylor defense could stymie Auburn’s run-game and prove their offense may be more one-dimensional than a fair-weather college football fans might think. Incoming transfers Emar’rion Watson (Oregon pass-rusher), Travion Barnes (FIU linebacker), Devin Turner (Northwestern safety), and Calvin Simpson-Hunt (Ohio State cornerback) should be a few of the top contributors for Aranda’s defense against Freeze’s offense.

Sawyer Robertson should again be one of the Big 12’s best quarterbacks in 2025. In 2024, he threw for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns. Bryson Washington will join Robertson again in the backfield after a quality freshman season. Auburn pass-rusher Kendrick Faulk will pose challenges for those two if the Bears offensive line cannot protect Robertson. If the offensive line can consistently protect him, top receiver Josh Cameron will be the biggest threat against a Tiger secondary that returns four contributors from 2024.

In what should be a competitive Friday night game in Waco, I have the Bears winning a close one over the Tigers.

Projected Score: Baylor 31, Auburn 28

Georgia Tech @ Colorado
8 PM ET, ESPN

In what should be another quality game on Friday night, Brent Key’s Georgia Tech Yellowjackets head to Boulder to take on Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes. Georgia Tech went 7-6 after competing with Georgia in a long eight overtime game on Black Friday before losing to another SEC foe Vanderbilt a few weeks later in the Birmingham Bowl, 35-27. Despite losing the last two games last fall, there is positive momentum for Key’s team and they could very well be an ACC title and College Football Playoff contender this fall.

Sanders will be without his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, as well as 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and NFL second overall pick Travis Hunter. With those three in 2024, the Buffaloes went 9-4 and went 7-2 in the Big 12. They lost to conference foe BYU in the Valero Alamo Bowl, 36-14. More will be asked of Sanders and the Colorado roster without the outgoing group from last season.

Veteran signal-caller Haynes King will be hard to rattle even with the Colorado crowd. Haynes will get to play against a new look Buffalo secondary without the aforementioned Hunter and Sanders. But King will be without Eric Singleton but hope is Malik Rutherford continues his growth after playing second fiddle to Singleton in 2024. If King is able to avoid Colorado’s talented pass-rush led by returner Arden Walker, it may be hard for the Buffaloes to protect their home field.

On the other side, Sanders announced that Liberty transfer Kaidon Salters will start over talented freshman Julian Lewis at quarterback. Both are dual-threat quarterbacks with plenty of speed, so they match up similar with the Yellow Jacket defense. After losing the dual-threat Hunter to the NFL, the receiving core will be starting from scratch against a Georgia Tech defensive backfield led by Clayton Powell-Lee and a defensive directed by former star Texas safety Blake Gideon, who came over after spending time at his alma mater coaching the position. With a lack of running game for the Buffaloes, Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk will look to get his running backs going against a linebacking room including Kyle Efford and EJ Lightsey.

Colorado will be playing this game at home but I’m high on the strides made by Key’s Yellow Jackets in 2024 despite only winning seven games. It may be a competitive game for a half or three quarters but the Yellow Jackets will pull away late.

Projected Score: Georgia Tech 35, Colorado 20

Saturday, August 30
Syracuse vs. 24.Tennessee (Atlanta; Aflac Kickoff Game)
12 PM ET, ABC

Tennessee battles Syracuse in Atlanta in the first of two Aflac Kickoff games over two days this Labor Day weekend. The Volunteers come off of a 10-2 season that had them in the College Football Playoff. They did lose to the Ohio State Buckeyes on the road in the quarterfinals but under head coach Josh Heupel, the program continues to improve every season of his tenure. The offseason did not go well, as starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava left the program after his father’s influence led him to enter the transfer portal following multiple missed practices. Defensive back Boo Carter has been working to rejoin the Vols’ lineup, and Heupel expects him to play a role when they take on the Orange.

Under first year head coach Fran Brown in 2024, Syracuse went 10-3 overall and won 5 games in the ACC on their way to a dominant DirecTV Holiday Bowl win over Washington State. Much will change in their opening-day lineup compared to last season’s, but the Orange should still be in position to finish in the top half of the ACC, regardless of Saturday’s result against the Volunteers.

Joey Aguilar enters his first game as the starting quarterback for Tennessee after coming over from UCLA. He will face a Syracuse defense full of new faces.The Vols will be without 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year Dylan Sampson in the running game. The duo of Peyton Lewis and DeSean Bishop will need to be contained by top Syracuse linebacker Derek McDonald if the Orange hope to win this game. Aguilar will throw to a thin receiving core and have to entrust sophomore Mike Matthews to be his top option down the field. This will especially be difficult against the talented duo nickleback Devin Grant and safety Duce Chestnut in the Syracuse secondary.

Syracuse will again depend on a transfer quarterback in 2025 after former Ohio State signal-caller Kyle McCord starred for Syracuse in 2024. The guy that will have to lead the Orange offense against Tennessee’s talented defensive front is LSU transfer Rickie Collins. Having to avoid Joshua Josephs, Bryson Eason, and Jaxson Moi along the defensive front, especially without All-ACC running back  LeQuint Allen and with only one returning receiver Darrell Gill Jr.

Syracuse’s lack of offensive weapons and Tennessee’s talent up front and in the secondary (such as cornerbacks in Rickey Gibson III and Jermod McCoy) are the two determining factors of this game. The Volunteers may start slow with Aguilar but their defense will secure the win.

Projected Score: Tennessee 24, Syracuse 14

1.Texas @ 3.Ohio State
12 PM ET, FOX

College football’s biggest week 1 game will likely be in Columbus as both College GameDay and Big Noon Kickoff will be on sight for a AP pre-season top three match-up and a rematch of the 2024 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl. In what will be College GameDay analyst Lee Corso’s final show, Ohio State will look too continue their success against the Longhorns after beating them in Arlington in December before winning the College Football Playoff National Championship against Notre Dame in January.

Both teams enter the season with new starting quarterback after both Will Howard and Quinn Ewers went pro. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin will step in for Howard and his top receiver Jeremiah Smith already has confidence in him. Smith alongside Carnell Tate on the outside will prove to be a challenge for the Texas secondary led by safeties Michael Taaffe and Jelani McDonald. James Peoples will take over for TreVeyon and Henderson and Quinshon Judkins next to Sayin in the backfield. He may have a difficult time against defensive end Colin Simmons and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. on the other side of the ball.

Arch Manning enters the season as Texas’ starting quarterback after spending the last two as a backup. He enters with as much hype as any quarterback ever has even with what his family garners. Ryan Wingo and DeAndre Moore Jr. should step up as Manning’s top two receivers with a terrific group of tailbacks including Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter. These offensive playmakers will be tough to handle for Ohio State’s defense that returns the just the nation’s top safety, Caleb Downs. This will be Matt Patricia’s first game taking over for Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator. His play-calling will be key in protecting the Buckeyes’ home field and starting the season out 1-0.

In what could be one of the best games of the season, Texas will go into Columbus and win an important game for the SEC in a close one.

Projected Score: Texas 42, Ohio State 35

8.Alabama @ Florida State
3:30 PM ET, ABC

Alabama heads to Florida State in a game Kalen DeBoer’s team must The Crimson Tide lost to Michigan in bowl play for the second consecutive season, but they should have a roster capable of SEC Championship and College Football Playoff runs, especially with a stronger lineup and Ryan Grubb once again calling plays on offense for DeBoer.

Mike Norvell’s Seminoles went 2–10 in 2024, just a year after missing the College Football Playoff despite an undefeated regular season in 2023. There is hope a revamped roster and coaching staff will put them back in the thick of things in the ACC and to play a competitive game against the eighth ranked Crimson Tide.

Alabama will be without tailback Jam Miller after suffered a dislocated collarbone during a scrimmage a few weeks ago, and is expected to miss the first three games of the 2025 season. So it will be up to new starting quarterback Ty Simpson to handle the load. He must get the ball down the field to receivers Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and tight end Josh Cuevas. Florida State’s defense should be better in 2025 but it won’t be able to stop Alabama consistently if linemen Darrell Jackson Jr., James Williams, and linebacker Omar Graham Jr. don’t show up and play well. It will also be important for defensive backs Edwin Joseph and Jeremiah Wilson to defend the speedy Williams and Bernard.

Star defensive lineman Tim Keenan III will miss multiple games for the Crimson Tide after suffering an ankle injury and undergoing surgery. Fellow defensive lineman LT Overton must step up in Keenan’s absence and pose many problems against Boston College transfer quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who made some interesting comments about the ‘Noles opener against the Tide at ACC Media Days in July. Alabama’s old rival, former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn, has taken over offensive play-calling duties in Tallahassee. That should make for an interesting game as cornerbacks Domani Jackson and Cabin Brown, and safety Bray Hubbard look to lock up Malzahn’s top receivers wide receivers Duce Robinson and Squirrel White, who both came over from other programs in the off-season. That should make for an interesting matchup, as cornerbacks Domani Jackson and Cabin Brown, along with safety Bray Hubbard, will look to lock down Malzahn’s top wideouts, Duce Robinson and Squirrel White, both of whom transferred in during the offseason.

This could be a good match up in the first half, but Alabama should overcome Florida State in the second half, winning by multiple scores.

Projected Score: Alabama 38, Florida State 17

9.LSU @ 4.Clemson
7:30 PM ET, ABC

ABC’s first primetime game on a Saturday night this season is the “Death Valley” bowl between LSU and Clemson. LSU heads to Clemson looking for their first week 1 win since 2019. Brian Kelly needs a win to keep himself off of a warm seat this off-season so they can continue their fight for a College Football Playoff spot. They would not necessarily be out of it with a loss but a win over the fourth ranked Tigers would not hurt at all.

Clemson won the ACC last season and Dabo Swinney’s team is the favorite to do it again. They made it the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals last December before losing to Texas in Austin. They will look to make it there again and farther in a season where they are considered to have one of the most talented rosters in the country.

LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier should be one of the better quarterbacks in the country if he avoids turnovers. That will be a difficult task against a Clemson secondary that includes cornerbacks Avieon Terrell and Ashton Hampton. Defensive tackle Peter Woods and defensive end TJ Parker should pose problems up front against Nussmeier and running back Caden Durham. Top receiver Aaron Anderson will have to deal with the aforementioned Terrell and Hampton.

Clemson signal-caller Cade Klubnik could succeed very easily against an LSU defense that has been up and down under coordinator Blake Baker. Klubnik has shown that he can easily get the ball down the field to Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., and TJ Moore on the outside. Tailbacks Adam Randall and Gideon Davidson will be challenged by LSU defenders Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins but if they do enough to keep the honest, Klubnik’s passing game should do the trick.

The battle between LSU and Clemson should be phenomenal. It could be a a back and forth game if LSU’s offense is as good as many think it is. But, until I see LSU win a season-opener, I will pick Clemson to win this game.

Projected Score: Clemson 42, LSU 31

Sunday, August 31
13.South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech (Atlanta; Aflac Kickoff Game)
3 PM ET, ESPN

The “Beamer Bowl” takes center stage in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon as Shane Beamer’s South Carolina Gamecocks take on the Virginia Tech Hokies, formerly led by his father Frank Beamer. South Carolina will attempt to build on a 9-4 season that ended sourly with a loss to Bret Bielema and Illinois, 21-17 in the Citrus Bowl.

Brent Pry needs a successful season at Virginia Tech or he will be fired. The Hokies went 6-7 last fall and suffered both a season-opening loss to Vanderbilt and a season-ending loss to Minnesota in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

The Gamecocks have one of the best quarterbacks in the country in LaNorris Sellers. His dual-threat abilities helped him have a successful first season as the starter behind center. But, now he must entrust new tailback Rahsul Faison and a young group of receivers led by Nyck Harbor against a Virginia Tech defense led by new coordinator Sam Siefkes. Along the defensive line, tackles Kelvin Gilliam Jr. and Kemari Copeland hold down the interior and transfer ends James Djonkam (Eastern Michigan) and Ben Bell (Texas State) will look to bring Sellers down in the backfield. Sellers and his receiving core should have success against a new-look Hokie linebacking core and secondary.

Kyron Drones, similar to Sellers, uses his dual-threat abilities to get the Virginia Tech offense going from behind center. South Carolina’s defense lost multiple pieces to the NFL but standout sophomore Dylan Stewart remains along a Gamecock defensive line that wants to sack Drones and stymie a running back group that includes Bowling Green transfer Terion Stewart and returner Ayden Greene. Nickel Jalon Kilgore and the secondary will look to stop Drone’s down the field passing to newcomers Donovan Green (Wake Forest) and Cameron Seldon (Tennessee).

South Carolina’s defense may not be as good as it was in 2024, but if they make timely stops against Drones and the Virginia Tech offense, LaNorris Sellers should make enough timely plays to help the Gamecocks begin 2025 with a 1-0 record.

Projected Score: South Carolina 28, Virginia Tech 20

6.Notre Dame @ 10.Miami
7:30 PM ET, ABC

Notre Dame heads to Coral Gables to face Miami to reignite an old rivalry. Both teams come off of quality seasons but the Fighting Irish made it all the way to the College Football Playoff. The Irish were a fourth quarter comeback away against Ohio State from winning that game but now the focus shifts to an old rival, the Miami Hurricanes.

Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes fell to Iowa State in the Pop-Tart’s Bowl and ended the 2024 season with a 10-3 record. The amount of talent on this Miami roster could potentially get themselves to the ACC Championship this season but there’s a long way to go.

The Fighting Irish offense will be tough to stop with tailback duo Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price will be tough to stop. But new Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman’s unit will look to stop them. We will get to see Hetherman’s unit against new Fighting Irish starting quarterback CJ Carr throwing to potential breakout receiver Jaden Greathouse.

Georgia transfer Carson Beck takes over for the first overall pick in the NFL Draft Cam Ward at quarterback for Miami. Beck is joined by just one returning receiver and a few newcomers on the outside. including returner Joshisa Trader, transfers Keelan Marion (BYU), and Tony Johnson (Cincinnati) must make this game a shootout of their defense can’t stop Love and Price in the backfield. New coordinator Chris Ash must use his playmakers  sophomore Leonard Moore and junior Christian Gray at cornerback to stop Beck’s passing attack.

If Miami’s defense shows up against Notre Dame’s new starter Carr and their tremendous ground attack, this will be a competitive game. It will be up to Beck to make the impressive throws he made in his time in Athens. Not that I am not confident in Beck but I am confident in Notre Dame’s defense that they make the plays to win this game.

Projected Score: Notre Dame 38, Miami 28

Monday, September 1
TCU @ North Carolina
7:30 PM ET, ESPN

Bill Belichick’s college football coaching debut will be on Monday night in primetime on ESPN. His North Carolina Tar Heels take on a TCU Horned Frog team that is capable of a run in the Big 12. In Mack Brown’s last season as head coach in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels went 6-7 won 3 games in the ACC. UConn ended their season in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. So, it will be up to Belichick and his staff to fix some things.

The Horned Frogs’ Sonny Dykes led his team to an impressive 9-4 overall record and a 6-3 record in the Big 12 in 2024. TCU ended their season with a dominant win over Louisiana, 34-3 in the New Mexico Bowl.

North Carolina’s new starting quarterback Gio Lopez (A transfer from South Alabama) will have the difficult job of passing the ball down the field against All-Big 12 safety Bud Clark. Linebackers Namdi Obiazor and Kaleb Elarms-Orr will attempt to handle Lopez’s passing game to receivers Jordan Shipp, Kobe Paysour, Aziah Johnson (transfer from Michigan), and tight end Jake Johnson and contain the Tar Heel running game. Former Washington State tackle  tackle Ansel Din-Mbuh and edge rushers Devean Deal and Zach Chapman will attempt to stop the Tar Heel ground game.

Josh Hoover led the Big 12 in passing last year and if he keeps that up against North Carolina’s defense, good things may happen for the Horned Frogs in this game and the rest of the season. UConn transfer Pryce Yates will likely be North Carolina’s top defender after winning MVP honors against the Tar Heels in last year’s Fenway Bowl. Now that he is in Chapel Hill, he will be a problem for San Diego State transfer Cade Bennett at running back and receivers Eric McAlister and  Jordan Dwyer, a transfer from Idaho.

In what was one of the hardest games to pick for me in the pre-season, I have TCU going to Chapel Hill and ruining Belichick’s debut.

Projected Score: TCU 31, North Carolina 28

Image Courtesy: FOX4KC.com

The 2025 college football season finally begins with Week 0 tomorrow.

“Farmageddon” is the headliner matchup in Dublin, Ireland, with ESPN’s College GameDay on location for the second consecutive season. Last year, AP No. 10 Florida State faced off against Georgia Tech in what many believed would be a clash between two of the ACC’s top teams. The Yellow Jackets upset the Seminoles 24–21, which ended up being the first of ten losses for Florida State.

Now, another intra-conference showdown takes center stage at noon ET on ESPN during college football’s debut weekend: No. 22 Iowa State against No. 17 Kansas State. After Iowa State ended Kansas State’s regular season with a 29-21 win in Ames on November 30, they begin the 2025 season with each other almost nine months later across the Atlantic Ocean. Two strong Big 12 squads battle in a rivalry matchup with plenty of history. The Cyclones are coming off a Big 12 title game appearance and a thrilling 42–41 Pop-Tarts Bowl win over Miami. Their defense should again be a strength, led by nose guard Domonique Orange, linebacker Caleb Bacon, and secondary standouts Jontez Williams and Jeremiah Cooper. Veteran quarterback Rocco Becht has a new-look receiving corps, but the running back duo of Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III should find success behind an offensive line returning three starters.

The Wildcats, who won nine games last season—including overcoming a 17-point deficit in the Rate Bowl against Rutgers—enter 2025 with higher expectations for Chris Klieman’s squad. Third-year quarterback Avery Johnson leads an offense with one of the better tailback duos in the conference, Dylan Edwards and Joe Jackson. On defense, Kansas State returns just one starter, safety VJ Payne, who will be counted on to anchor a rebuilt unit.

The rest of the Week 0 slate features no other preseason AP Top 25 teams:

Idaho State @ UNLV (4 PM ET, Mountain West Network)
Tarleton State @ Portland State (4:30 PM ET, ESPN2)
Fresno State @ Kansas (6:30 PM ET, FOX)
Sam Houston @ Western Kentucky (7 PM ET, CBSSN)
UC Davis vs. Mercer (Montgomery) (7 PM ET, ESPN)
North Carolina Central vs. Southern (MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta) (7:30 PM ET, ABC)
Stanford @ Hawai‘i (7:30 PM ET, CBS)

Looking ahead, Texas, Penn State, Ohio State, Clemson, and Georgia headline the AP Top 25 in that order. The top-ranked Longhorns travel to “The Shoe” to face the No. 3 Buckeyes on Big Noon Kickoff to open Week 1’s Saturday slate. Later that day, No. 2 Penn State hosts Nevada and No. 5 Georgia hosts Marshall, with both games kicking off at 3:30 PM ET on CBS and ESPN, respectively. Saturday night brings the marquee showdown: No. 4 Clemson hosts No. 9 LSU at 7:30 PM ET on ABC—a top-10 clash between two programs that both call their home stadium “Death Valley.”

Image Courtesy: NewsBreak

The Southeastern Conference announced they would move to a nine-game football schedule beginning in 2026 on Thursday afternoon. The decision was approved by the league’s Presidents and Chancellors after it was recommended by the athletic directors. Following approval, an announcement was then made by commissioner Greg Sankey.

“Adding a ninth SEC game underscores our universities’ commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in the nation,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “This format protects rivalries, increases competitive balance, and—paired with our requirement to play an additional Power opponent—ensures SEC teams are well prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff.”

The new format will include a few different parameters:
The SEC will continue with a single-standings, non-divisional structure.
Each school will play three annual opponents focused on maintaining many traditional rivalries.
Each team’s remaining six games will rotate among the remaining conference schools.
Each team will face every other SEC program at least once every two years and every opponent home and away in four years.

Check out my predictions for each SEC team’s potential three permanent rivals in a post I published in August of 2023 for when the league eventually got to nine game schedule. I will also write a post about all of the possibilities for Arkansas’ three permanent rivals in the next few weeks.

SEC teams are required to schedule at least one additional high quality non-conference from the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten or Big 12 conferences or Notre Dame each season like it did under the eight-game model. The league will continue to monitor how its policies so it is successful in scheduling elite non-conference games.

The SEC has played a different number of conference games during each era of its existence. Prior to 1974, each team played either six or seven games against fellow SEC opponents each season. From 1974 to 1987, every team played six conference games annually. That number increased to seven from 1988 to 1991. After Arkansas and South Carolina joined the SEC—expanding the league from 10 to 12 teams—the eight-game conference schedule was introduced. Since then, eight conference games have been the norm.

The SEC continues to dominate college football and college sports overall and winning their first national championship in the sport this January would be the cherry on the top as they enter their first nine-game conference schedule in 2026. Many believe the move to the nine-game schedule happened as a result of the new straight seeding format for this season’s 12-team College Football Playoff with a new strength of schedule metric.