Back-to-school season means pumpkin spice and sweaters for some; but for others, it means tailgates, touchdowns, and the return of college football.
Many notable games took place on the opening weekend of college football: Ohio State dethroned Texas as number one, Alabama lost their season opener for the first time since 2001 to Florida State, and Notre Dame played the University of Miami for the first time since 2017, bringing back a longstanding rivalry known as “Catholics vs Convicts”. With the AP Poll releasing their top 25 ranking, here are my thoughts on the top five teams after week one.
One of the most highly anticipated games took place this past Saturday where reigning champion Ohio State took on the No. 1 ranked Texas Longhorns. The last time these two faced off was in 2024 with quarterback Will Howard leading the Buckeyes to a 28-14 win in the semifinals. With Will Howard in the NFL, sophomore Julian Sayin takes over the Buckeyes offense where he threw for 126 yards and one touchdown against the Longhorns. Sayin is praised for his high IQ, but areas of concern arise in his ability to improvise plays and the fact that he is a younger inexperienced quarterback. Looking ahead, Ohio State should have a pretty good season this year as reigning champions, but Sayin’s lack of experience may prove to be a challenge if he can’t adapt quickly. The Buckeyes also need to do a better job at generating more offense against tougher defenses like Texas.
Continuing to make a name for themselves in college football, the Penn State Nittany Lions currently sit at No. 2 with a 46-11 win over the Nevada Wolf Pack. With offensive stars such as running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who both rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, it isn’t unexpected for the Lions to have such a powerful upcoming season. Senior quarterback Drew Allar is highly praised for his ability to throw into tight windows and for his good instincts in the pocket, but there are concerns with the fact that he is known to struggle in big games against opponents such as Notre Dame and Ohio State. Due to the Lion’s strong talent, exceptional defense, and new defensive coordinator, I definitely see the Lions staying in the top ten. In terms of playoff contention, it will come down to Allar’s ability to perform in high-pressure situations and games, but overall, I do see them as strong contenders for the post-season.
The LSU Tigers opened their season against the Clemson Tigers and came away with a 17-10 victory, led by Heisman contender and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. The win secured them the No. 3 spot in the AP Poll. With a veteran quarterback at the helm and an elite defensive unit, LSU looks poised to make a legitimate run at the College Football Playoffs. Areas of concern are the offensive line with so many key players having graduated this past season and Nussmeier’s decision-making abilities where he often makes risky throws leading to turnovers. All in all, LSU’s win over Clemson puts them in a strong position for the season but I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t make playoffs due to the difficulty of their schedule including away games versus Alabama, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss.
To continue talks of the ever-dominant SEC, the Georgia Bulldogs had a powerful win over Marshall Thundering Herd where they won 45-7. With Georgia currently being ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll, it comes as no surprise for them to start the season off with a 38-point win against an unranked team. Although the Bulldogs weren’t strongly challenged, junior Gunner Stockton gained valuable experience on the field where he threw for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns and rushed for 74 yards and an additional 2 touchdowns. The Marshall matchup marked his second career start, following his debut filling in for the injured Carson Beck in the 2025 Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame, giving him another chance to settle in and grow more comfortable leading the offense. Besides the fact that I am a Bulldogs fan myself, I do see Georgia making a deep playoff run due to their coaching by Kirby Smart and the fact that a lot of their tough games are being played at home. Whether you like the Bulldogs or not, it seems as if they have no shortage of talent, and you can count on them consistently being a dominant force in the world of college football.
Coming in the No. 5 spot, the Miami Hurricanes climb the rankings after pulling off a 27-24 win over the 2025 runners-up, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Led by Georgia transfer Carson Beck, Miami capitalized on a productive ground game and a strong offensive line to secure both the win and their top five position. Beck, who compiled 7,912 passing yards, 58 touchdowns, 20 interceptions, and a 24–3 record at Georgia, is no stranger to success and remains comfortable within the pocket. With support from Miami’s dominant offensive front and standout talents like running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., the Hurricanes are firmly positioned for a playoff run. Fletcher Jr., known for his physical style, is projected for a breakout season, while Rueben Bain Jr., with his relentless edge-rushing ability and explosiveness, sets the stage for a successful year at Miami.
Looking ahead at some notable matchups:
Ohio State opens Big Ten play with a conference opener in Washington on Sept. 27. Later in the season, the Buckeyes welcome their key rival Penn State, a highly anticipated matchup between two elite programs. The regular season finishes off as the Buckeyes face off against longstanding rivals, the Michigan Wolverines, on Nov. 29.
Penn State hosts its famed White Out game against Oregon on Sept. 27 which is regarded as “one of the best atmospheres in college football.” The Lions will then face the No.1 ranked Ohio State on Nov. 1, which could very well define the season’s trajectory and top rankings.
LSU has a crucial SEC matchup as they host Texas A&M on Oct. 25, a game that not only reignites a fierce rivalry but also has heavy influence in the shaping of conference standings. The Tigers will then travel to Tuscaloosa on Nov. 8 for a high-stakes clash with Alabama, two well-established programs in the realm of College Football.
Georgia also has significant SEC showdowns ahead including their longtime rival, Alabama, on Sept. 27. Towards the end of the season, Georgia faces a newer SEC opponent, Texas, on Nov. 15 which is sure to be a big game. Having two powerhouse programs collide, especially as someone who is a fan of both teams, this matchup is definitely a must-watch.
Miami plays against their in-state rival, Florida State, on Sept. 27, which is viewed as one of college football’s most intense in-state matchups. Fighting for the Howard Schnellenberger trophy, Miami faces off against Louisville on Oct. 17. The trophy is named in honor of a coach who revitalized both programs and is awarded to the winner of the game with Miami winning it last season.
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur or Rollins College. Have any additional tips or opinions? Send us your response. We want to hear your voice.
Comments are closed.