After much scrutiny and having to live in the shadow of a legend, Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes claimed the ultimate prize, winning the National Championship. And entering 2025, Ohio State named Julian Sayin as their starting quarterback to defend their championship. The Buckeyes battled stiff competition en route to their ninth claimed title; and they kick off their season in a highly anticipated battle against Texas on September 30. Yet for now, we can shift our focus into Week 0 rife with interesting storylines in the college football world.
Freshman 15: College Football Week 0
In this week’s college football preview of Week 0, we assess the marquee matchup of the week. We highlight the Saturday Spotlight and Upset Special. We also look ahead to this season’s Heisman contenders and predicting wins the National Championship this season.
Saturday Spotlight: Kansas State vs Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland
Recently, losing this game in Ireland has been an ominous precursor to a disastrous season. In 2022, Nebraska lost to Northwestern and after another loss to Georgia Southern a few weeks later, their head coach was fired.
Then last season, Georgia Tech stunned Florida State and the Seminoles crashed to a 2-10 record afterwards. That said, we should expect the loser of this game to not have their season derailed after Week 0.
Iowa State and Kansas State play a very soft schedule after this matchup. Neither will see a currently ranked opponent until their ninth games, respectively. As to why this game has so much intrigue, the quarterbacks will set the stage.
Kansas State’s Avery Johnson has a long way to go as a polished passer. Yet the dual threat he presents to run the ball will keep the Cyclones defense keyed in on containing him inside the pocket.
Kansas State also has a stacked backfield with a mixture of speed and power. Dylan Edwards and Joe Jackson have the combo of thunder and lightning. Meanwhile, transfer Antonio Martin from SE Louisiana is a thumper that ran for 1228 yards last season. Kansas State has running backs that can pound it between the tackles while Johnson keeps the edge defenders honest in the running game.
However, their best position group by far is their offensive line. Defensively, they’re led linebacker by Austin Romaine who had 96 tackles and three sacks last year.
— dubs408 (@dubsvidstouse) October 13, 2024
For Iowa State, Rocco Becht also needs to develop as a passer. However, more consistency is the real concern.
Becht has the traits that have scouts interested. However, his peaks can be high, and his valleys can be very low. Despite winning against Kansas State last year, he was awful throwing for a sub-40.0 completion percentage. On top of that, Iowa State has to replace Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. What Becht has going for him is terrific leadership; and the fact that this team was one game away from the CFP last year.
Becht’s top target this season will be Chase Sowell, who was at Colorado before a stint at ECU. He fits the same archetype as Noel and Higgins. You can also expect a big leap in 2025 from tight end Benjamin Brahmer who is healthy again; and Carson Hansen gives them just enough as a runner.
Taking a look back at the best of Rocco Becht from the 2024 season. Scroll through and vote on your favorite 🧵#Big12FB | @CycloneFB pic.twitter.com/NElas0Lydh
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) July 31, 2025
However, the Iowa State run defense was underwhelming last year and their pass rush is still a cause for concern.
When you line both teams up, Kansas State has the better interior offensive line, the more diverse running back group you expect them to control the trenches. Plus, it’s hard to replace two NFL talents going into Week 0 against a conference opponent while playing abroad. The Wildcats win a close game in the Saturday Spotlight.
Upset Special
We never thought we would see Hawaii favored to win in Week 0 against a Power 4 college football program, yet here we are. However, that also reflects on their caliber of opponent.
The Stanford Cardinal had a horrible year moving from the PAC-12 to the ACC in 2024. They went 3-9 and quarterback Ashton Daniels transferred to Auburn.
Still, you would think under Timmy Chang that Hawaii has more sizzle. Unfortunately, they don’t. Hawaii can’t operate what Chang, June Jones and Colt Brennan had in year’s past, because that “guy” at quarterback isn’t there. With respect to Michael Alejado (who closed the 2024 season with a great game versus New Mexico State); however, it’s not the same. Yet with that said, there’s a lot more optimism around the team because Hawaii has committed their overhaul to coach Chang.
Stanford, however, has not. Andrew Luck, now the college’s general manager, has not committed to Frank Reich as anything more than being an interim coach.
Ben Gulbranson has been named the team’s starting quarterback and quite honestly, it’s an uninspiring choice when Elijah Brown has the higher upside. That said, Caden High does have the potential to be a threat in the slot for Stanford. And, they do have a solid running back rotation.
Yet when you get down to brass tax, despite Stanford’s organizational challenges, they have better resources than Hawaii does as a program. Defensively, expect Stanford owning the game and collapsing the pocket. The group of Ernest Cooper, Wilfredo Aybar, and Tevarua Tafiti (who is making a homecoming to Hawaii) will ground Hawaii’s run and shoot offense as the Cardinal rolls over Warriors.
Heisman Hopefuls
Per Fanduel Sportsbook, these are the top five betting favorites for the 2025 Heisman trophy.
- Arch Manning (Texas): +700
- Garrett Nussmeier (LSU): +800
- Cade Klubnik (Clemson): +900
- Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State): +1300
- Drew Allar (Penn State): +1600
Out of these top five candidates, Cade Klubnik would be the best pick today.
Although Clemson disappointed from a broad perspective last year, they surged late in the season to win the ACC title. They then made the CFP, before losing to Texas in the first round. However, Klubnik was fantastic during that stretch.
After the loss to Louisville, Klubnik threw 17 touchdowns to only three interceptions. And this year, he still has his top target Antonio Williams. And, former five-star recruit TJ Moore could be on the verge of a big breakout season.
CLUTCH KLUBNIK!!
Tigers retake the lead after the 50-yard QB run!
📺 @ClemsonFB x ESPN pic.twitter.com/sOkZHMPchy
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 16, 2024
At tailback, Clemson is in a transitional phase with Adam Randall converting to running back from wide receiver. He has been named the starter and behind him are two freshman runners, including the highly touted Gideon Davidson.
That puts a lot Klubnik’s plate. However, it’s also an opportunity to showcase himself for Heisman voters. Clemson opens against LSU and Garrett Nussmeier, then against Bill Belichick’s North Carolina team, SMU, and the finale against South Carolina.
Heisman Dark Horses
Speaking of South Carolina, LaNorris Sellers (+1700) is a dark horse to win the Heisman.
Sellers is the engine of the Gamecocks offense, a team that surprised many by winning nine games last season. He thew for almost a 65.0 completion percentage and had 25 total touchdowns. Sellers will have to cutdown on the turnovers. However, if Nyck Harbor can deliver on the immense potential he has, it would be a major boon South Carolina offense and give Sellers a lethal threat to pair with his mobility.
South Carolina also lost a lot of defensive star potential in the NFL draft, so expect Sellers to do a lot more heavy lifting on the offensive end. Sellers starts with a somewhat cushy schedule before their meeting with LSU, with enough games to pad the Heisman resume. The South Carolina quarterback could explode and be a rising star for the NFL draft.
Who Wins the Natty?
It’s Texas’ time. They’ve been close the last two seasons, but this team is so well-rounded on both sides that 2025 is the year they breakthrough for a championship. Texas brings back 15 out of 22 starters and are handing over the reins fully to Arch Manning.
Manning has bided his time patiently waiting. And, his arm talent and dual threat potential raise the Texas offense further than Quinn Ewers ever could. Receiver Ryan Wingo is set to fill the void left by Matthew Golden and has blazing speed to get downfield. Quintrevion Wisner is coming off a 1000-yard season while splitting time with Jaydon Blue. Malik Muhammad is a next level cornerback and Anthony Hill is a star playmaker for the Longhorns defense.
On the field, Texas is loaded. The tumultuous background of Steve Sarkisian has been well-documented. Yet, it certainly feels like Sarkisian has found himself a home in Texas and starting to put everything together. Like Ryan Day last year, this is where Sark gets the monkey off his back.
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