College football season opens with new coaches, eligibility chaos and a Top 25 showdown

The opening of the college football season has arrived, with the grand spectacle being a single game between two Associated Press Top 25 teams. On Sunday night, No. 24 Louisville will face No. 9 Mississippi in Music City. The week, however, is filled with intrigue as numerous top teams kick off their season with new coaches, fresh faces, and high expectations. Major eligibility upheaval, jersey patches, and a clash between the NCAA and LSU over players returning from the NFL's preseason dominate the narrative.

Notably, Clemson versus LSU on Saturday night was always destined to be a showcase game, with two teams that went 7-6 the previous season aiming to make a return to the national championship mix. Dabo Swinney and Lane Kiffin, two outspoken coaches, add to the excitement. The NCAA's new eligibility rules introduced significant legal battles across the country, with LSU seeking to bring back players who signed professional contracts in the NFL's preseason.

The outcome of who plays or doesn't on Saturday night in Death Valley will add an extra layer of intrigue to the final score.

Blowouts are anticipated in this year's Week 1, with heavy favorites such as No. 1 Ohio State against Ball State, No. 6 Indiana against North Texas, No. 8 Texas A&M against Missouri State, No. 10 Oklahoma against UTEP, and No. 22 Iowa against Northern Illinois. However, this college football season has already witnessed an unexpected upset, with UMass—an underdog team going 0-16 last year—defeating Rutgers 37-21.

Colorado also defied expectations, overcoming Georgia Tech 14-13 by blocking a field-goal attempt with no time left on the clock.

The Heisman Trophy race features prominent contenders such as Notre Dame's CJ Carr and Texas star Arch Manning, with Carr set for a high-stakes match against Wisconsin on Sunday night. Texas' Arch Manning will face Texas State. If the top-ranked Buckeyes have two Heisman contenders, it would certainly add to the excitement. Noteworthy under-the-radar players include Georgia's Gunner Stockton, Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss, and Texas A&M's Marcel Reed.

Oregon opens at home against Boise State as a 24.5-point favorite, but the Broncos have shown they can compete, losing only by three points in their last meeting in 2024. Houston vs. Oregon State and Texas Tech vs. BYU are other teams to watch, with the Cougars boasting a strong roster led by QB Conner Weigman and RB Makhi Hughes.

Auburn and Baylor, both after a disappointing 5-7 season, will face off in Atlanta, with Auburn bringing in former USF coach Alex Golesh and Baylor under pressure in his seventh season. Tulane and Duke, who last met in the College Football Playoff, will play again, with Tulane potentially looking for redemption under new coach Jon Sumrall.

The weekend's schedule also includes a rare early Apple Cup game between No. 17 Washington State and a prime-time showdown between No. 4 Notre Dame and Wisconsin, as well as No. 9 Mississippi and No. 24 Louisville. The final AP Top 25 rankings will be released on Tuesday.