College football is back at long last. With huge matchups occurring throughout the country, Week 1 is poised to be one of the best opening weekends in recent memory. For Alabama, it all starts with a road trip to Tallahassee, Florida.
No. 8 Alabama at Florida State: Aug. 30, 2:30 p.m. CT
The Crimson Tide returns to action Saturday afternoon for an out of conference showdown versus the Florida State Seminoles at a newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium.
Both teams head into this matchup with chips on their respective shoulders. For Alabama, the weight of a season without former head coach Nick Saban resulted in missing out on the 12-team playoff and a ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan. The Seminoles limp into 2025 after a surprising 2-10 finish last season, following a 13-1 campaign the previous year.
Florida State is a true mystery. The last two seasons in Tallahassee have yielded vastly different results, making this year’s team hard to predict. The offense looks to improve after bringing in veteran play-caller Gus Malzahn to be the team’s offensive coordinator, along with Boston College transfer quarterback Thomas Castellanos. On the defense, Tony White was brought in from Nebraska to be the team’s new defensive coordinator.
Alabama brings back what should be one of the best defenses in the country that will be loaded with depth at the cornerback and safety positions. The team will also boast a rebranded offense centered around new starting quarterback Ty Simpson and sophomore prodigy receiver Ryan Williams.
With aliens in the secondary and the advantage in essentially every matchup on the field, the Crimson Tide should be able to pull out a relatively easy win on the road. The hostile environment and slightly improved Seminole roster could allow FSU to hang around, but this motivated Alabama team will take care of business in Tallahassee.
Prediction: Alabama 28, Florida State 13
Where to watch: ABC
No. 1 Texas at No. 3 Ohio State: Aug. 30, 11 a.m. CT
With the eyes of the college football world upon them, Texas and Ohio State will square off in a rematch from last year’s Cotton Bowl, which saw the Buckeyes win a thriller, advancing to and then winning the first ever 12-team college football playoff national championship.
Both teams will debut new starting quarterbacks. For Texas, high profile recruit Arch Manning takes the reins as the Longhorns starter in what is his third year on the team’s roster. Redshirt freshman and former Alabama quarterback Julian Sayin will start for Ohio State.
Both teams boast what should be elite defenses in this game as well. Texas will trot out one of the best linebacker corps in the nation, while the Buckeyes secondary is riddled with blue-chip talent.
The edge in this game goes to the Longhorns because of the chip that this team has on its shoulder after the team’s loss last year. Additionally, Ohio State could suffer a championship hangover and get off to a slow start.
“I think Texas’ roster is better, and I think Ohio State is going to be hungover from last year, with a new quarterback — by the way, two new coordinators as well,” college football analyst Paul Finebaum said. “Try putting that in the potion and making it work well. It’s usually a disaster.
Prediction: Texas 24, Ohio State 10
Where to watch: FOX
No. 9 LSU at No. 4 Clemson: Aug. 30, 6:30 p.m. CT
A pair of national title hopefuls will meet up for a primetime duel at what some are calling the “real” Death Valley at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
LSU players and coaches have made it clear throughout the offseason that the team’s focus is on Clemson. This may sound strange, but it checks out considering the team’s recent inability to win in Week 1. Expect an elite offense led by Heisman Trophy hopeful quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and a revamped defense that added weapons in the offseason via the transfer portal.
Clemson enters this showdown with a lot of buzz around the program. This is due to the team returning elite quarterback Cade Klubnik, a good group of receivers and a defensive line that features potential first round picks with Peter Woods and TJ Parker.
This game will come down to what kind of jump LSU’s offensive line and defense makes from last season. There will possibly be noticeable improvements from those units, but it won’t be enough to stop Clemson’s monstrous defensive line and what should be a productive offensive unit.
Prediction: Clemson 38, LSU 28
Where to watch: ABC
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