Another marquee matchup featured Texas facing Ohio State on August 30. The Buckeyes jumped ahead early, leading 7-0 at halftime, thanks to a touchdown drive capped by a 9-yard connection from Julian Sayin to CJ Donaldson Jr. Texas, however, responded in the second half, tying the game before Ohio State pulled ahead to seal a 20-7 victory. Both teams showed flashes of their playoff potential, with Ohio State’s defense limiting Texas to just 3 points until the late stages of the contest.
The new College Football Playoff format, which will be implemented in the 2025-26 season, was a major talking point. Under the expanded system, more teams will have a shot at the national championship, increasing the stakes for every regular season game. This shift is expected to drive even more competition and unpredictability throughout the year.
Preseason rankings set high expectations for several programs, with Clemson entering as the consensus No. 1 and quarterback Cade Klubnik listed as a top Heisman contender. Meanwhile, LSU and coach Brian Kelly are under pressure to break their streak of five consecutive season-opening losses when they face Clemson in a highly anticipated showdown.
Fans can track live scores, schedules, and updated FBS rankings all season long at ESPN’s college football scoreboard and NCAA.com. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on the playoff race and the performances of top-ranked teams and star players.