Every week here at Blogging the Boys, we’ll spotlight the biggest college matchups and the players who could soon wear the Star. If you want to get a jump on who might help America’s Team in the years to come, this is your weekly college football guide.
GAME OF THE WEEK
The number one ranked team, the Texas Longhorns, takes on the number three ranked team, the Ohio State Buckeyes, in an absolute stormer for Week 1 in the college football calendar. This feels more like a playoff game after both teams met in the CFP
last season, and Texas will be seeking redemption from Ohio State after losing in the semifinal. The Longhorns usher in a new era with Arch Manning, arguably the highest-profile quarterback prospect in college football history, making his first start of the season against the Buckeyes. Meanwhile, Ohio State is working with a new quarterback in Julian Sayin, as well as revamped offensive and defensive coordinators.
What makes this game so huge is Texas wants to flip last year’s playoff script, and a win would validate Arch Manning and their direction to kickstart their playoff campaign. For Ohio State, a win here would prove they are ahead of curve in the college football arms race, with massive NIL expenditure that was put into place and help the team get recognition as playoff favorites.
Game Overview
- Matchup: Texas Longhorns (1) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (3)
- August 30, 2025, at Ohio Stadium, Columbus
- Kickoff Time: 12:00 p.m. (EST)
- Ohio State favored by 2.5 points
- Arch Manning’s first start for Texas
Player Watch
Texas:
Arch Manning, QB
Let’s get the obvious one out the way here. Does Manning play the 2025 season and declare for the draft? It’s unlikely. But this game will be an interesting start on his journey to 2026, and a great test to see what the quarterback prodigy actually looks like after a year of quietly waiting and watching. Can he handle the pressure or is it all too much? The Buckeyes will certainly be out for blood on this one.
Anthony Hill Jr, LB
Hill delivered an outstanding 2024 season with 113 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He possesses elite football instincts, reacting quickly and avoiding being deceived by misdirection. He’s adept sideline-to-sideline, disrupting screens and perimeter plays, and flashes strong blitzing ability. While engaged, Hill finishes strongly and his strength is clear, but refining his contact technique when facing good offensive linemen could elevate his game further. Getting better in coverage, especially covering tight ends is a huge area he needs to work on this year.
Malik Muhammad, CB
Muhammad is a naturally gifted and versatile cornerback who blends fluid athleticism with technical polish. He moves with excellent hip flexibility, smooth backpedal, and explodes out of breaks with elite closing speed—traits that make him effective in both press-man and zone schemes.
Muhammad isn’t without areas to refine. He occasionally opens his hips too early against vertical routes and gives savvy receivers too much cushion in off coverage. His tackle technique, although aggressive, sometimes lacks proper form, leading with the shoulder rather than finishing with a wrap-up.
Michael Taaffe, S
Taaffe is a high-IQ, instinctive playmaker who has grown from walk-on to All-American and team captain. He showcases elite pattern-matching skills in coverage and shines in special teams as a proven ball hawk.
Taaffe’s ceiling in man-to-man matchups or complex safety rotations remains somewhat untested, especially if moved into hybrid roles like the Texas “Star” role. He also faced a minor setback with offseason hand surgery, though reports confirm he’s fully back in live tackling, blocking, and coverage.
DeAndre Moore Jr, WR
DeAndre Moore Jr. is a promising wide receiver and set to take on more in 2025. He has a great blend of size, skill, and versatility, and as he continues to refine his route running and expand his playmaking abilities, he has the potential to become a standout receiver in the SEC this year. With his work ethic and determination, Moore is poised to be a key contributor to Texas’s offensive success.
Ohio State:
Caleb Downs, S
Downs is a dynamic safety known for his exceptional football IQ and versatility. Standing 6’0” and weighing 205 lbs, he possesses the physical attributes to excel in various defensive roles. His instincts and anticipation are elite, allowing him to diagnose plays quickly and make decisive breaks on the ball. Additionally, Downs contributed on special teams with a notable 79-yard punt return touchdown against Indiana.
He can be overaggressive at times, leading to occasional missed tackles or being out of position. His ability to disengage from blockers in run support is another area for improvement.
Carnell Tate, WR
Tate is a physically gifted receiver whose combination of size, agility, and catch radius makes him a challenging matchup for defenders. He demonstrates the ability to stretch the field vertically while also contributing reliably on intermediate routes, showing versatility in multiple offensive concepts. If he continues to refine his separation techniques and capitalize on YAC opportunities, Tate has the potential to become a go-to weapon for Ohio State and a legitimate NFL prospect.
Max Klare, TE
Klare transferred this year from Purdue and his transition to Ohio State presents an opportunity to refine his blocking and further develop his receiving skills in a competitive environment. With his size, hands, and route-running ability, he has the potential to become a key contributor in Ohio State’s offense and a strong candidate for the NFL Draft.
Sonny Styles, LB
Styles is a dynamic linebacker with the potential to be a game-changer for Ohio State. His blend of size, speed, and versatility makes him a valuable asset to the defense. With continued development and refinement of his skills, Styles has the potential to become one of the top linebackers in college football and a future NFL prospect.
LSU Tigers (9) vs. Clemson Tigers (4)
The “Battle for Death Valley” is set to ignite the season with high stakes and intense competition. Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers enter the season with a potent offense and a defense eager to prove itself. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is poised to lead his offense, bringing experience and playmaking ability to the field. LSU aims to overcome their recent struggles in season openers, having lost five straight dating back to 2020. Clemson boasts a formidable defense of its own and a dynamic offense led by quarterback Cade Klubnik. The Tigers are looking to assert their dominance early in the season and make a statement against a top-tier opponent.
Game Overview
- Matchup: LSU Tigers (9) vs Clemson Tigers (4)
- August 30, 2025, at Memorial Stadium, Clemson
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. (EST)
- Clemson favored by 4 points
- This looks to be a huge Heisman Trophy clash as both starting quarterbacks are in the running
Player Watch
LSU:
Garrett Nussmeier, QB
Nussmeier looks extremely interesting this year as a top quarterback prospect. He has a strong arm and good playmaking ability. While he has areas to refine, particularly in decision-making and adjusting to complex defenses, his physical tools and production at LSU make him an intriguing option for the NFL Draft. His performance in this game will be crucial in determining his draft stock.
Whit Weeks, LB
Weeks is a solid linebacker with a blend of size, skill, and versatility. As he continues to refine his decision-making and expand his playmaking abilities, he has the potential to become a standout linebacker in the SEC.
Mansoor Delane, CB
Delane’s experience and track record make him a valuable addition to LSU’s secondary. His proven ability to disrupt passing games and his leadership on the field position him as a key contributor for the Tigers. With continued development and adaptation to the SEC’s challenges, Delane has the potential to elevate LSU’s defensive backfield.
Clemson:
Cade Klubnik, QB
Klubnik is a one of the top quarterback prospects this year with a blend of athleticism, arm talent, and leadership. As he continues to develop his consistency in processing defenses, he has the potential to be the top quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. His performance this season will be crucial in determining his draft stock and potential as a future NFL starter.
T.J. Parker, DE
T.J. Parker is an elite defensive end with a blend of size, speed, and power. As he continues to develop his technique and refine his pass-rushing skills, he will look to push to be a top-five prospect in this year’s draft.
Peter Woods, DT
Woods is a disruptive force in the interior defensive line, capable of collapsing pockets and controlling gaps. His combination of strength, agility, and awareness allows him to make plays in both run defense and pass rush. If he continues to refine his hand technique and consistency, Woods has the potential to anchor Clemson’s defensive front and emerge as a high-impact player at the next level.
Antonio Williams, WR
Williams is a well-polished wide receiver. His proficiency in route running and catching contested passes positions him as a top prospect for the upcoming NFL draft. With continued development in his YAC and blocking techniques, Williams has the potential to make a significant impact this year and really raise his stock.
Blake Miller, OT
Miller combines size, experience, and intelligence to anchor Clemson’s offensive line with reliability and consistency. His blend of strength and technique allows him to neutralize top-tier pass rushers while opening lanes in the run game. With continued development in agility and hand placement, Miller projects as a versatile tackle capable of contributing immediately at the next level, with the potential to become a dependable starter in pro schemes.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6) vs. Miami Hurricanes (10)
Game Overview
- Matchup: Notre Dame (6) vs Miami (10)
- August 31, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. (EST)
- Notre Dame favored by 2.5 points
- The last time these two teams met, Miami handled Notre Dame decisively, 41–8.
Player Watch
Notre Dame:
Jeremiah Love, RB
Love is a dynamic, downhill runner with the ability to turn small creases into explosive gains. His combination of burst, balance, and toughness allows him to thrive between the tackles, while his receiving skills make him a threat in the passing game. Love has the potential to be a multifaceted back capable of contributing immediately at the next level.
Aamil Wagner, OT
Wagner is a technically sound tackle with the size and mobility to dominate in both run and pass scenarios. He combines quick feet with fluid hand placement, allowing him to handle speed rushers while sustaining blocks in the run game.
Drayk Bowen, LB
Bowen is a playmaking linebacker with a rare combination of speed, instincts, and physicality. He excels at reading plays quickly and attacking the ball carrier, often turning seemingly routine plays into big stops or turnovers. With continued development in coverage technique and block-shedding, Bowen has the potential to be a disruptive force at the next level and a cornerstone of any defensive unit.
Miami:
Francis Mauigoa, OT
Mauigoa is a physically imposing tackle with a rare combination of power, agility, and technical precision. He excels at driving defenders off the line in the run game while maintaining balance and anchor in pass protection, giving quarterbacks clean pockets even against elite pass rushers. His footwork and hand placement allow him to mirror speed rushers and sustain blocks in tight spaces, making him effective in both outside and inside zone schemes. If he continues to refine consistency in leverage and counter-moves, Mauigoa has the potential to be a top offensive tackle this year.
Rueben Bain Jr, DT
Rueben Bain Jr. is a quick-twitch, high-motor defensive tackle who can collapse the pocket and disrupt run lanes with regularity. His combination of burst off the line, hand technique, and balance allows him to win both inside and on the edge against heavier blockers. With continued strength development and refinement of counter moves, Bain has the potential to become a disruptive interior force this season.
Carson Beck, QB
Beck is the kind of quarterback who looks calm in the pocket while chaos swirls around him. With a cannon for an arm and eyes that read defenses like a chessboard, he can thread passes into tight windows and make his receivers look like magicians. If he adds a little more mobility and sharpens his decision-making under pressure, Beck has the tools to not just start in the NFL, but to make defenses regret ever underestimating him.
Notable Games:
Alabama vs Florida State
Georgia vs Marshall
Penn State vs Nevada
Utah vs UCLA
TCU vs North Carolina
Virginia Tech vs South Carolina
Nebraska vs Cincinnati
Auburn vs Baylor
Georgia Tech vs Colorado
