The initial College Football Playoff rankings were released this week and the opening 12 teams in the bracket are #1 Ohio State, #2 Indiana, #3 Texas A&M, #4 Alabama, #5 Georgia, #6 Ole Miss, #7 BYU, #8 Texas Tech, #9 Oregon, #10 Notre Dame, #11 Virginia, #12 Memphis. The selection committee will update this opening list four times before coming up with the official list of teams that are in.
These are the names/games TST will be monitoring, but there are dozens of others in action. Tell us about your favorite matchups, prospects, or teams in the forum.
#7 BYU (8-0) @ #8 Texas Tech (7-1)
9 a.m. PST on ABC
Eyes on: BYU Wants to control the flow with RB LJ Martin (JR) running behind G Weylin Lapuaho (SR) and T’s Isaiah Jatta (SR) and Andrew Gentry (JR). On defense the “Cougs look to DT Keanu Tanuvasa (JR), LB’s Jack Kelly (SR) and Isaiah Glasker (JR), S Faletau Satuala (SO), and CB Evan Johnson (JR). TTU QB Behren Morton (SR) has battled injuries, but has weapons in WR’s Caleb Douglas (SR), Reggie Virgil (SR), and Coy Eakin (JR). RB’s Cameron Dickey (SO) and J’Koby Williams (SO) offer a nice 0ne-two backfield punch.
#9 Oregon (7-1) @ #20 Iowa (6-2)
12:30 p.m. PST on CBS
Eyes on: The Ducks offense is young and fast. QB Dante Moore (SO), RB’s Noah Whittington (SR) and Dierre Hill (FR), WR’s Dakorien Moore (FR) and Malik Benson (SR), and TE Kenyon Sadiq (JR) can score from anywhere. Iowa, once again, has a stingy defense, led by DT Aaron Graves (SR), E’s Ethan Hurkett (SR) and Max Llewellyn (SR), ILB S Xavier Nwankpa (SR), and CB TJ Hall (SR).
#3 Texas A&M (8-0) @ #22 Missouri (6-2)
12:30 p.m. PST on ABC
Eyes on: Texas A&M’s outstanding offensive line, the Maroon Goons. LT Trey Zuhn (SR), LG Chase Bisontis (JR), C Mark Nabou (SO), RG Ar’maj Reed-Adams (SR) and RT Dametrious Crownover (SR) are all over 315 lb. The two primary backups T/G Ruben Fatheree has 22 starts early career starts and C/G Koli Faaiu had 16. With Missouri QB Beau Pribula out, the Tigers will likely have to lean on their defensive prospects. DT Chris McClellan (SR), ILB Josiah Trotter (SO), ILB Khalil Jacobs (SR), E Zion Young (SR), E Damon Wilson (JR), S Jalen Catalon (SR), and CB Drey Norwood (SR).
LSU (5-3) @ #4 Alabama (7-1)
4:30 p.m. PST on ABC
Eyes on: How does LSU respond after losing 3 of 4 and firing the coach? The offensive line has struggled and because of, there hasn’t much of a run game and a lot of prospects have been hamstrung. QB Garrett Nussmeier (SR) has battled nagging injuries, WR’s Barion Brown (SR), Zavion Thomas (SR), and the Anderson’s, Aaron (JR) and Nic (JR), haven’t got going. ‘Bama QB Ty Simpson (JR) has moved to the top of draft boards and he’s got plenty of outlets, but the defense has a grip of prospects as well. DT James Smith (JR), E’s Yhonzae Pierre and LT Overton (SR), ILB’s Deontae Lawson (SR) and Justin Jefferson (SR), S’s Bray Hubbard (JR) and Keon Sabb (JR), and CB Domani Jackson (SR).
Navy (7-1) @ #10 Notre Dame (6-2)
4:30 p.m. PST on NBC
Eyes on: QB Blake Horvath (SR) running for 972 yards and passing for another 1143. “Snipe Z” (WR/RB hybrid) Eli Heidenreich (SR) has 919 rushing/receiving yards. On defense the lifeguards are NG Landon Robinson (SR) and LB MarcAnthony Parker (SO). The Fighting Irish are stacked with prospects. They have, arguably. the two top RB prospects, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Add to to that, five respected receivers, WR’s Jordan Faison (JR), Malachi Fields (SR), Will Pauling (SR), and Jaden Greathouse (JR), along with TE Eli Raridon (SR).
Other games with interesting prospects
#2 Indiana (8-0) @ Penn State (3-5) 9 a.m. PST on FOX
Eyes on: While IU’s offense gets a lot of love, the defense has draft prospects as well. DT Tyrique Tucker (JR), E Kellan Wyatt (SR), ILB Aidan Fisher (SR), S Amare Farrell (JR), and CB D’Angelo Ponds (JR) lead a unit that gives up 11 points per game. PSU, lost season or not, always has prospects, as two top RB’s Nicholas Singleton (SR) and Kaytron Allen (SR), E Dani Dennis-Sutton (SR), ILB Amare Campbell (JR), S Zakee Wheatley (SR), and CB AJ Harris (JR) can attest.
Duke (5-3) @ UCONN (6-3) 12:30 p.m. PST CBSSN
Eyes on: Duke QB Darian Mensah (SO) is every bit as good a prospect as the current favorites. He has three solid WR’s to throw at, Cooper Barkate (SR), Que’sean Brown (SO), and Sahmir Hagans (SR). T Brian Parker (JR) highlights a strong offensive line. UCONN has a strong triad of NFL prospects, albeit all under the radar. QB Joe Fagnano is backing a solid junior season with a stellar 2025. RB Cam Edwards (JR) has led the team in rushing three straight seasons. WR Skyler Bell (SR) won’t be a sleeper much longer.
Cal (5-3) @ #15 Louisville (7-1) 4 p.m. PST on ESPN2
Eyes on: Cal WR/PR Jacob DeJesus (SR) has 1032 all-purpose yards, while RB Kendrick Raphael (JR) can both run and catch. On defense, CB Hezekiah Masses (SR) is, arguably, a Top 10 corner and Cade Uluave (JR) is a tackling machine. Louisville rolls behind QB Miller Moss (SR), RB Issac Brown (SO), and WR Chris Bell (SR). Caullin Lacy (SR) is a talented multi-purpose player.
Nebraska (6-2) @ UCLA (3-5) 6 p.m. PST on FOX
Eyes on: Cornhusker’s QB Dylan Raiola (SO) works to imitate Patrick Mahomes behind a questionable offensive line, RB Emmett Johnson (JR) is a true dual threat, 1000+ yards rushing and 33 receptions. WR Dane Key (SR) has a draftable grade, WR Nyziah Hunter (SO) is one of the fastest players in 2025, and WR Jacory Barney (SO) does double duty as a punt returner. Is UCLA the improved team that recently won three games in a row, or is their 56-6 loss vs Indiana more indicative of what’s in store? QB Nico Iamaieava (SO) is relevant again. WR Kwazi Gilmer (SO) is his top target. On defense, ILB Jonjon Vaughns (SR) and S Key Lawrence (SR) have drawn draft notice.
