Additionally on the Audio Version Today:
32 Quick Questions before Week 1 of the NFL Season
Digging Deeper into Drew Allar in Week 1
Times are in Eastern. Players without years are eligible for the NFL Draft. Years are when players are first eligible.
Last week, each game included was listed chronologically. Moving forward, the games will likely be mostly chronological, but split into two tiers. The top games of the week will come first, and will have more complete write-ups. Secondary games will list key players with brief notes. There was also a “Game of the Week” last week, but I don’t think any individual game sets itself apart this week. I’ll label a “Game of the Week” when one sets itself apart, but for a week like this, there are four equal top games.
TOP GAMES
Saturday
Texas (-7.5) @ Michigan on FOX at NOON
Key Players: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas ; Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas via Alabama ; Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
If this piece spent equal time talking about teams with defensive talent, this game would be the “Game of the Week,” but for our purposes, Michigan isn’t a very strong team outside of the TE position. At TE though, Michigan may have the best in the country with Colston Loveland. RB Donovan Edwards has also flashed upside as a pass catcher before, but his debut without Blake Corum left much to be desired. For Texas, QB Quinn Ewers needs to prove that his deep ball statistics from 2023 were just a fluke. Ewers will look to facilitate to players like Isaiah Bond as well as Matthew Golden, Johntay Cook (2026), and Ryan Wingo (2027). With a season-ending injury to potential star RB Cedric “C.J.” Baxter (2026), RB Jaydon Blue will need to step up throughout the season for Texas, and Blue does have the upside to become a factor for 2025 Fantasy Drafts.
Tennessee (-8) @ N.C. State on ABC at 7:30 PM
Key Players: Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee (2026) ; Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee ; Kevin Concepcion, WR, N.C. State (2026)
Perhaps not the best game for the 2025 Class, but Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava might be the #1 player to watch early for the 2026 class. Nico has the potential to be the #1 Overall pick in that class, and will make his regular season debut on Saturday against a power conference opponent. On the opposite side of the field, N.C. State WR Kevin Concepcion has been one of the most productive players early on for the 2026 class. Once a 3-Star prospect, Concepcion may not be the biggest or fastest, but he has shown a dynamic ability as a ball carrier. If I had to pick one other skill-player to watch in this game, it would be RB Dylan Sampson, who looks to emerge in place of Jaylen Wright. Tennessee also has a number of potentially interesting WRs in Dont’e Thornton Jr., Squirrel White, and Bru McCoy, as well as potential impact TE Holden Staes.
Colorado @ Nebraska (-7.5) on NBC at 7:30 PM
Key Players: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado ; Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado ; Dylan Raiola, QB, Nebraska (2027)
The most intriguing QB match-up of the weekend pits a potential #1 QB for 2025 against a potential #1 QB for 2027. Shedeur Sanders showed statistically an improvement in avoiding pressures against North Dakota State, but he will need to continue that trend against tougher competition. Dylan Raiola has not played a power conference opponent yet in his career, though you could argue any competition should be seen as tough when you were in high school a year ago. This is a big step up for Raiola, and his team is the favorite here by more than a TD. Travis Hunter may not play QB, but he’s probably the most likely of the bunch to be a first round pick. If Hunter is a full-time WR, he will be among the best prospects for fantasy in this class given his movement and ball skills. Colorado has a number of other potentially intriguing pass catchers like Jimmy Horn Jr. and LaJohntay Wester.
Oregon (-19.5) @ Boise St. on Peacock at 10:00 PM
Key Players: Jordan James, RB, Oregon ; Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon via Texas A&M ; Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise St.
While most of the biggest games this week involve future QBs like Nico Iamaleava or Dylan Raiola, the most important game and player for the 2025 class this week may be Ashton Jeanty against Oregon. Jeanty will not have too many opportunities to play teams this caliber, which makes these individual games even more important for the Boise State RB. Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart did not have a great start to his Oregon career posting only 15 yards in over 30 routes. I don’t make much about games against the FCS, but Stewart needs to start turning around his career production profile if he wants to maintain the pre-draft hype so many Devy managers have put on him. Tez Johnson plays alongside Evan Stewart and was more productive WR in Week 1, though Johnson’s role was almost entirely near the line of scrimmage (0.3 ADOT). Oregon RB Jordan James may be one of my favorite RBs in this class against the consensus. With no Bucky Irving in front of him, James looks to continue to produce in an expanded role.
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OTHER GAMES
Friday
Duke @ Northwestern (-2.5) on Fox Sports 1 at 9:00 PM
Key Player: Maalik Murphy, QB, Duke via Texas
Maalik Murphy was relegated to 3rd String at Texas behind Arch Manning, but Murphy has excellent physical tools and has enough eligibility to emerge as a starter for the 2025, 2026, or 2027 draft classes.
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Saturday
Arkansas @ Oklahoma St. (-7.5) on ABC at NOON
Key Players: Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma St. ; JaQuinden Jackson, RB, Arkansas via Utah ; Luke Hasz, TE, Arkansas (2026)
Ollie Gordon II kicks off the FBS and Power Conference portion of his season. Luke Hasz is my early favorite for the TE1 of the 2026 class.
Kansas St. (-8.5) @ Tulane on ESPN at NOON
Key Players: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas St. ; Dylan Edwards, RB, Kansas St. via Colorado (2026) ; Avery Johnson, QB, Kansas St. (2026) ; Makhi Hughes, RB, Tulane (2026)
There may not be a clear Day 2 RB talent in this game, but there is clearly RB talent. Avery Johnson is a very unlikely QB hit, but if he can develop as a passer, his size and mobility will be intriguing.
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Iowa St. @ Iowa (-2.5) on CBS at 3:30 PM
Key Players: Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa ; Abu Sama III, RB, Iowa St. (2026) ; Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa St. ; Jayden Higgens, WR, Iowa St.
Luke Lachey has excellent size with Round 2-3 potential. Abu Sama has every physical tool a RB needs, but has shown little feel for the position so far.
South Carolina @ Kentucky (-10) on ABC at 3:30 PM
Key Players: Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, RB, South Carolina via Arkansas ; LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina (2026) ; Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina (2026) ; Brock Vandagriff, QB, Kentucky ; Barion Brown, WR, Kentucky ; Dane Key, WR, Kentucky
LaNorris Sellers, Nyck Harbor, and Barion Brown are three tremendous athletes, but questionable football players at this stage of their careers. Rocket Sanders can hopefully rebound from a very disappointing 2023 where he was a top 3 pre-season RB for many in the class.
Michigan St. @ Maryland (-8.5) on Big Ten Network at 3:30 PM
Key Players: Aidan Chiles, QB, Michigan St. via Oregon St. (2026) ; Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
Aidan Chiles was disastrous against Florida Atlantic, but the good thing about not being eligible until 2026 is that Chiles has a lot of time to prove that game was a fluke.
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Kansas (-5.5) @ Illinois on Fox Sports 1 at 7:00 PM
Key Players: Devin Neal, RB, Kansas ; Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas ; Kaden Feagin, RB, Illinois (2026)
Devin Neal was one of my favorite players in the potential 2023 RB Class to return to school and showcases dynamic playmaking ability. Illinois lists Kaden Feagin at 6’ 3”, 250 lbs, and Feagin showcases the rare athletic ability to potentially make that size work at the RB position.
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For Tuesday’s show, you can expect a shorter version of this Tuesday’s Risers & Fallers for College Football, and I’ll also be at least reflecting on the 32 Quick Questions from today’s show as well as anything else that comes up over the course of Week 1.
C.J.
(#44) NFL-eve Questions for all 32 Teams, Week 2 CFB Preview, and a Drew Allar mini-rant