Ken Niumatalolo’s inaugural season ended unceremoniously, but it was still a solid 7-6 campaign for the San Jose State Spartans. QB Walker Eget should be in sole possession of the starting spot after splitting time with Emmett Brown, but without star pass catchers Nick Nash and Justin Lockhart on the outside, don’t expect much resistance from the Spartans.
The Kentucky Wildcats should have solid QB play for the first time in a long time with Cutter Boley and Southeast Missouri State transfer Zach Calzada dueling for the starting spot. Even so, they lost their top two targets in Barion Brown (LSU) and Dane Key (Nebraska). The Longhorns throttled the Wildcats 31-14 last season (just their second all-time meeting), but 2025’s contest will likely be even more one-sided.
Whether it’s Blake Shapen or Florida State transfer Luke Kromenhoek under center, the Mississippi State Bulldogs will struggle to move the ball against EDGE Colin Simmons, LB Anthony Hill Jr., and CB Malik Muhammad. Still, head coach Jeff Lebby knows a thing or two about producing high-octane offenses, and after his debut campaign went completely off the rails (2-10), he’ll do everything he can to right the ship in Year 2.
QB Taylen Green and RB Braylen Russell are back. The WR room was completely remodeled. But is that enough to upset the Longhorns, who hold a 57-23 all-time series advantage over the Razorbacks?Probably not, although Arkansas held Texas to 20 points in their meeting last season. Sam Pittman’s emphasis on the trenches clashes with Sarkisian’s well and should make for yet another entertaining late November battle.
As long as he is under center, the Vanderbilt Commodores will be in every game they play. Case in point: the Longhorns narrowly defeated the ‘Dores 27-24 last season. That said, Pavia and Co. will need to prove their 2024 renaissance is sustainable and not just a one-year wonder.
DJ Lagway vs. Arch Manning? That’s the five-star bout legends are made of. Billy Napier has placed his job on Lagway’s shoulder, and the dual-threat lived up to the pressure to end last season. Playing across from Manning should only pour gasoline on his internal fire, making for a truly must-watch intra-conference battle.
There are few rivalries that mirror Texas-Oklahoma’s aura, and it only means more now that it’s in the SEC. But there is an even bigger storyline in 2025’s edition. John Mateer was one of the most electric QBs last season, but playing for the Washington State Cougars — one of the last two remaining Pac-12 members and on the West Coast — caused many to miss out on witnessing his greatness. That won’t happen in 2025, as Mateer followed his OC (Ben Arbuckle) and QBs coach (John Kuceyeski) to Norman, Okla. Head coach Brent Venables will have the defense playing up to par, but the attention will be on Mateer and the passing attack.
Who knows who will start at QB for the Georgia Bulldogs — Kirby Smart likely doesn’t even know — but they’ll be in the College Football Playoff. The sheer amount of talent on the roster and the coaching staff will keep the Dawgs relevant, but their QB play will determine how far they are able to go. One of their true regular-season tests will come against the Longhorns in mid-November, but it’s also a test for Manning. Will he crumble under the pressure and continue to build on his legacy — one separate from the family name?
Last year was Texas’ first rematch with the Texas A&M Aggies since 2011. Round 2 will be even sweeter, as it will be played in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mike Elko led the Aggies to an AP high of No. 10 in his first season, and there is reason for even more optimism entering Year 2. QB Marcel Reed and RB Le’Veon Moss form one of the deadliest backfields in the nation, and the offense just added do-it-all WR Kevin Concepcion from NC State. The defense is just as talented, with EDGEs Cashius Howell and Dayon Hayes, LBs Taurean York and Scooby Williams, and DBs Julian Humphrey and Will Lee III headlining the unit.
Fresh off of a national championship, the Ohio State Buckeyes have a real shot at breaking Georgia’s record for most players drafted. However, that also means they will suffer major turnover this offseason. That’s great for the Longhorns, who will have a chance to unseat the reigning champs in the first game of the season. But it won’t be easy. Julian Sayin (or Tavien St. Clair) will still have one of the best WR corps to throw to (Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Brandon Inniss), and the defense returns arguably its best players in S Caleb Downs, LB Sonny Styles, and CB Davison Igbinosun.
