Last weekend gave us a small taste of the action, but now the wait is officially over and college football is back with a full slate in Week 1.
The chatter, the rankings, the preseason hype, all of it fades the moment toe meets leather. As the saying goes, the game isn’t played on paper, and now months of strategizing, roster building and transfer-portal maneuvering will be put to the test under the bright lights.
From Columbus to Clemson, heavyweight clashes featuring national contenders and devy darlings headline the weekend. The results will shape not only the playoff race, but also the future of dynasty fantasy football. Week 1 is here, and it promises fireworks!
RELATED: How To Trade Effectively in Devy Fantasy Football Leagues
2025 College Football Week 1 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines
Week 1 Games of the Week
No. 1 Texas @ No.3 Ohio State
Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH — Saturday, Aug. 30
Betting Odds: Ohio State -2.5 | Total: 47.5
The 2025 college football season kicks off with a blockbuster matchup as Texas, the preseason No. 1 team, visits Ohio State in a College Football Playoffs (CFP) semifinal rematch. Uniquely, the Longhorns arrive as Week 1 underdogs, the first top-ranked team to hold that status in an opening game. The line signals a tight contest, but devy managers have just as much to watch as bettors.
Texas Longhorns
Texas enters with Arch Manning in the national spotlight. The five-star prodigy and Heisman frontrunner is stepping into his first true test as the clear starter. His ability to protect the football while navigating Ohio State’s elite pass rush will be critical, both for Texas’s playoff ambitions and his own NFL draft trajectory.
Helping him is sophomore Ryan Wingo, a receiver with the speed and contested-catch skills to emerge as Manning’s go-to weapon, especially in the red zone. Texas has a deep receiving room, but Wingo is the one devy managers will be watching with interest.
The backfield dynamic between Tre Wisner and Cedric Baxter Jr. is another devy storyline to monitor. Baxter, a high-value dynasty asset, is returning from injury, while Wisner offers change-of-pace explosiveness. How the carries will be distributed will be of interest from a fantasy and betting perspective.
Ohio State Buckeyes
On the Ohio State sideline, Jeremiah Smith is poised to take over as the offense’s alpha target. After a breakout freshman year capped by dominant postseason performances, Smith’s production here could set the tone for one of the greatest sophomore wide receiver campaigns in recent memory.
At quarterback, Julian Sayin replaces Kyle McCord and will be tested early. While reports of camp inconsistency linger, his arm talent is undeniable. If he protects the ball, OSU’s offense will be dangerous.
In the backfield, James Peoples steps into a lead role after the departures of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to the NFL. A strong opener would lift his devy stock considerably.
My Picks
Total: Under 47.5
Both defenses have elite upside. Ohio State led the nation in opponent EPA per play in 2024. Texas excelled at shutting down explosive plays. With each team returning key defensive starters, early-season timing issues on offense could keep scoring in check.
The projected tight scoreline also supports a slower, possession-focused approach. In close games, and especially in early-season, top-five matchups like this one, coaches often lean on controlled drives, special teams and field position, which shortens the game and limits total plays.
Player Props:
Jeremiah Smith: 2+ TDs (+470) & Alt Receiving Yards + 100 (+188)
Jerimiah Smith’s vertical ability and red-zone dominance keep these live, even in a lower-scoring game.
James Peoples: Anytime TD (+115)
If OSU controls the red zone, James Peoples could capitalize as the lead back
No. 9 LSU @ No. 4 Clemson
Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC — Saturday, August 30
Betting Odds: Clemson -3.5 | Total: 57.5
If the early slot belongs to Texas–Ohio State, the night belongs to Death Valley, where LSU and Clemson square off in a clash of SEC and ACC powerhouses. The matchup features two quarterbacks with legitimate aspirations to be the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, making this a devy showcase unlike any other in Week 1.
LSU Tigers
For LSU, Garrett Nussmeier is the headliner. Coming off a 4,000-yard passing season, the big-armed signal-caller has already climbed to the top of several early draft boards. His challenge will be to pair that arm talent with improved decision-making, particularly in a hostile road environment.
Sophomore running back Caden Durham, fresh off an electric freshman season, steps in as the clear RB1. His ability to produce consistently against an aggressive Clemson front will help determine whether he moves into the upper tier of devy backs.
Wide receiver Nic Anderson rounds out the Tigers’ key prospects. The Oklahoma transfer brings proven production but also an injury history. His performance in a rebuilt LSU receiving corps is one to be closely watched.
Clemson Tigers
Clemson’s devy intrigue begins with Cade Klubnik and the Heisman hype has already started. With a year of development behind him, this is his chance to prove he’s not just a system QB, but a true NFL-caliber talent.
Freshman running back Gideon Davidson has been one of Dabo Swinney’s most talked-about players this offseason, and with injuries clearing a path to playing time, he could become an instant devy riser.
At wide receiver, TJ Moore enters his second year with breakout expectations after flashing late last season. If Klubnik looks his way in big moments, Moore could cement himself as Clemson’s go-to target.
My Picks:
Total: Under 57.5
Both teams have strong defensive fronts that could limit big plays. Particularly in August matchups between top-tier programs, defenses often settle in faster than offenses, leading to fewer explosive sequences. For offenses, early timing issues can stall drives and force more field goal attempts.
Additionally, reports have surfaced that Garrett Nussmeier is suffering from chronic tendinitis, which is being continually monitored by LSU’s medical team. Will he be full go? The answer to that question will shape this matchup.
Player Props:
Bryant Wesco Jr: Anytime TD (+145)
In a game where chances may be at a premium, Bryant Wesco is an explosive receiver who won’t necessarily need substantial volume to take one to the house. He scored 5 touchdowns as a freshman, all on receptions of over 30 yards. Feeling spicy? You could look to combine this into a parlay with the over / under on his receiving yards, which is currently set at 54.5 yards.
Devy Spotlight
RELATED: Way-Too-Early 2026 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft | Superflex, TE Premium
LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina Gamecocks), 2026 Early QB1
LaNorris Sellers comes into the year as the early favorite for QB1 in the 2026 draft class, thanks to his rare dual-threat upside. At 6’ 3’’ with a powerful frame, he can punish defenses on designed runs while also extending plays outside the pocket, making him a constant stress test for opposing coordinators.
As a passer, Sellers remains a work in progress; flashes of big-time arm talent are there, but consistency and polish are what scouts want to see in 2025. Encouragingly, Sellers’ late-season growth in 2024 showed what that next step might look like. He averaged 261 passing yards per game over his final six contests, nearly 100 more than in his first six, signaling clear developmental momentum.
In Week 1 versus Virginia Tech in Atlanta, expect LaNorris Sellers to lean on his athleticism while showcasing whether his passing has caught up enough to cement his spot as the draft’s leading quarterback prospect.
Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame Fighting Irish), 2026 Early RB1
Running back Jeremiyah Love is firmly planted as the RB1 in early 2026 draft chatter. He is an explosive, between-the-tackles runner with twitch, decisiveness and improving pass-catching chops.
According to recent practice reports, Love has regained full health after battling a stubborn hamstring injury this spring, though his offseason work was somewhat muted. Now fully cleared, he’ll be eager to prove that durability won’t be an issue.
His Week 1 test comes on the road at Miami, a team with a have a notoriously stingy defense that’ll look to bottle him up early. That said, if Jeremiyah Love gets into a rhythm, his one-cut burst and contact balance could set the tone, especially in short-yardage and early-down situations.
Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State Sun Devils), 2026 Early WR1
On the receiving front, Jordyn Tyson has emerged as the early WR1 of the 2026 class, fueled by his smooth, high-leverage route-running and electric body control. This summer, he also became a social media darling thanks to a clutch series of viral camp clips. Leaping grabs, in-traffic toe-tappers, you name it, all of which only increased his draft stock.
In Week 1, Tyson gets his opener versus Northern Arizona. This is a matchup in which he’s expected to be a focal point right away. Watch for his ability to create separation and haul in contested targets. Jordyn Tyson is the chain-mover and home-run threat that opposing secondaries will hate to see lined up across from them.
2025 Heisman Trophy Outlook
Here are the odds on the top five Heisman candidates heading into Week 1:
- Arch Manning (QB, Texas) | +700
- Garrett Nussmeier (QB, LSU) | +900
- Cade Klubnik (QB, Clemson) | +900
- Jeremiah Smith (WR, Ohio State) | +1200
- LaNorris Sellers (QB, South Carolina) | +1800
The latest Heisman Trophy betting odds show a mix of big-name quarterbacks and one standout wide receiver among the frontrunners.
Arch Manning (+700) leads the pack as Texas’ new starting quarterback, carrying both pedigree and hype into the 2025 season. Right behind him is Garrett Nussmeier (+900), who has the keys to LSU’s high-powered offense, and his Week 1 opponent, Clemson’s veteran signal caller Cade Klubnik (+900). Klubnik’s rise has been particularly eye-catching. Back in January, he was priced at +1400, but steady backing and confidence in his senior-season breakout have pushed him up to joint-second favorite.
Rounding out the top five are Jeremiah Smith (+1200), the electrifying Ohio State wide receiver who is already being billed as the next Buckeye star. The final entry is LaNorris Sellers (+1800), South Carolina’s dynamic dual-threat quarterback whose upside makes him a compelling dark-horse candidate, though there has been a slight rise in his price as we edge towards the season start.
In short, the early Heisman Trophy betting market is quarterback-heavy as usual. Still, momentum is clearly building behind Cade Klubnik, and the bandwagon effect has shifted his odds into true contender territory. This will be a fun race to monitor this season!
Thanks for reading my article on “2025 College Football Week 1 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines”. For more Devy and College Fantasy Football content, follow me on Twitter/X @PoshplaysFF.
*Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports*
