The Arch Manning era starts in the Horseshoe on Saturday (Photo courtesy of The New York Times).
Auburn and Alabama are in key non-conference battles on Friday and Saturday, respectively, and Texas invades Ohio State. LSU travels to the other Death Valley to square off with Clemson. South Carolina plays VA Tech on Sunday on somewhat neutral turf in a pretty strong game among other SEC contests in Week 1 of College Football. Couple of key national games as well. Here’s a look at the action.
Last Week’s record in Week 0-SU-3-1, ATS-2-2, O/U-3-1
Florida State has attempted to reload with several transfers, which is the pattern under Mike Norvell. Can Ty get it done for the Tide in this one, that’s the question. The talent is around him. It will be interesting to see how Richard Young and company perform in the running game. Tommy Castellanos, FSU’s quarterback, made incendiary comments on Alabama during the summer saying there was no more Nick Saban, and that has certainly resonated in the Alabama locker room. Give me the Tide to have a strong showing in game one, particularity defensively, and for the receivers to make some explosive plays in the passing game led by the great Ryan Williams.
Bama 24, Florida State 10
Friday
Auburn @ Baylor
McLane Stadium, Waco, TX., 45,140
7 P.M.
FOX
Jason Benetti, RG III, Alexa Landestoy. Alexa is an outstanding studio moderator for my Washington Capitals.
AU by 2 1/2; O/U 59 1/2
The oddsmakers like the teams to score more in this contest, and while I like both teams to score some points, I like the under a little better. Give me Jackson Arnold and the Tigers to get out of Waco with a much needed opening game victory. Cam Coleman plays like Cam Coleman, which is superb.
Auburn 31, Baylor 28
Cam Coleman and the Tigers emerge victorious (Photo courtesy of Ebay?).
Back to Saturday
No.1 Texas @ No.3 Ohio State
Ohio Stadium, Columbus, 102,780
11 A.M.
FOX
Gus, Joel, Jenny, Tom
Ohio State by 1 1/2; O/U, 47 1/2
Give me Arch and the Horns to get the job done as a slight underdog.
Texas 24, Buckeyes 21
No. 9 LSU @ No.4 Clemson
Memorial Stadium, Clemson, 81,500
6:30 P.M.
ABC
Chris, Kirk, Holly, Molly
Clemson by 4 1/2; O/U 57 1/2
Give me Dabo and the Clemson Tigers. Just don’t see Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers getting over
the hump at Clemson.
Clemson 28, LSU 24
Marshall @ No.5 Georgia
Sanford Stadium, Athens, 93,033
2:30 P.M.
ESPN
Mike Monaco, Kirk “Tupelo Honey” Morrison, Dawn Davenport
Dawgs by 38 1/2; 55 1/2
I like Kirby and his Dogs to gt the job done at home. Can’t ever discount Georgia. Ever. They’ve always gotthe dudes.
Georgia 42, Marshall 3
Syracuse @ No.24 Tennessee
AFLAC Kickoff
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 75,000
11 A.M.
ABC
Bob, Louis, Kris
UT by 13 1/2; 50 1/2
Give me Josh Huepel and his Vols, but Syracuse is pretty good, so I’m expecting a closer game than
anticipated.
Tennessee 24, Syracuse 17
Georgia State @ No. 21 Ole Miss
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxvegas, 64,038
6:45 P.M.
S-E-C Network
Tom, JRodg, Cole
Rebs by 34 1/2; 59 1/2
I like Lane and his new quarterback, Austin Simmons, to get off to a good start. Simmons
impressed me last year when he came in for Jaxson Dart in relief versus Georgia. He may well be
the real deal.
Ole Miss 49, Georgia State 12
Sunday
Virginia Tech @ No. 13 South Carolina
AFLAC Kickoff (Part 2)
Mercedes-Benz, ATL
2 P.M.
ESPN
SC by 7 1/2; 51 1/2
Give me Shane and LaNorris Sellers, but I like it close.
South Carolina 28, VA. Tech 24
Saturday; Other SEC Scores
No. 15 Florida 56, Long Island University 3
Are you kiddin’ me, Gators?
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
6 P.M.
ESPN+/SECN+
Gators by 46 1/2; 56 1/2
No. 19 Texas A&M 28, UTSA 7
Kyle Field, College Station, TX.
6 P.M.
ESPN
A&M by 23 1/2; 56 1/2
Mike Elko needs to think about the treadmill one of these days, right?
No. 18 Oklahoma 42, Illinois State 3
Memorial Stadium, Norman
5 P.M.
ESPN+/SECN+
Sooners by 37; 60 1/2
QB John Mateer’s transfer season starts in Norman. Maybe he can save Brent Venables’ job.
Vanderbilt 41, Charleson Southern 3
FirstBank Stadium, Nashvegas
6 P.M.
ESPN+/SECN+
Dores by 37 1/2; 48 1/2
Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt start their National Championship season? Are you kiddin’ me! Just concentrate on defeating the Buccaneers.
Mississippi State 34, Southern Miss 30
M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS.
11 A.M.
ESPN
State by 13 1/2; 61 1/2
Jeff Lebby and the Bullies survive a tough one.
Kentucky 24, Toledo 17
Kroger Field, Lexington
11:45 A.M.
SEC Network
Cats by 11 1/2; 47 1/2
Stoops survives. Does he even want to be in Lexington?Do they even want him there? That’s a no and no.
Arkansas 55, Alabama A&M 7
Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville
3:15 P.M.
SEC Network
Hogs by 46 1/2;61 1/2
Sam gets a kick-in to open up a highly important season for his current job prospects.
Tonight
Missouri 42, Central Arkansas 3
Memorial Stadium, Columbia, MO.
6:30
SEC Network
Mizzou by 36 1/2; 51 1/2
Eli Drinkwitz is an unusual guy.
Couple of National Contests
Sunday
No.6 Notre Dame 28, No. 10 Miami 24
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.
6:30 P.M.
ABC
Sean, Gregory, Molly, Taylor
Irish by 2 1/2; 50 1/2
Believer in Marcus Freeman. He and his team get it done on the road.
Monday
TCU 31, North Carolina 27
Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill
7 P.M.
ESPN
Rece, Kirk, Holly
TCU by 3 1/2; 55 1/2
Sonny Dykes and his quarterback, Josh Hoover, spoil Bill’s debut.
Jackson Arnold takes over under center for the Tigers. (Photo courtesy of Instagram-my wife might even look at this).
The Auburn Tigers head into 2025 with clear eyes and full hearts as Hugh and his team aim to turn things around on the Plains amongst a talented transfer class, some solid players back in the fold along with some touted freshmen, part of the 8th best class in the country and the 8th best transfer class nationally.
It starts for the Tigers this Friday Night with a game @Baylor at 7 CT on FOX. The question for the Tigers is similar to the question for the Crimson Tide: Can Jackson Arnold be the guy that the Auburn offensive coaching staff thinks he can be? Arnold was a 5-star out of Guyer-Denton (TX) High School, in Denton, Texas, 40 miles northwest of the Big D. Speaking of the Big D, I’m watching a phenomenal Netflix Documentary on the Dallas Cowboys of the 90’s up to today called, “America’s Team.” It’s about Jerry, Jimmy, Troy, Emmitt, Michael, etc… Really terrific. Back to Arnold. According to The Dallas Morning News, per AL.com., in his senior year in 2023 at Guyer-Denton, Arnold threw for 3,476 yards and 33 TDs, and rushed for 921 yards and 24 TDs. He was a 99, 5 star. He then played at Oklahoma for two years. In 2023, as a true freshman, he was 44 of 69, 64%, for 563 yards, 4 TDs against 3 ints. In 2024, he completed 154 of 246, 63%, for 1,421 yards, 12 TDs and 3 ints. In 2024, he rushed for 444 yards and 4 TDs on 150 totes, 3.1 yard per rush. But he saved his best running game for the Crimson Tide as he rushed for 131 yards on 25 carries, leading the Sooners to a 24-3 victory over the Tide on November 23rd @Norman. So the talent is definitely there. And there is talent all around him on offense. The defense is relatively young, experience-wise, but talented. Here’s a look at the 2025 Tigers.
On the Headset
Danny Hugh Freeze enters his fourth season at Auburn University where he has posted an 11-14 record in his first three seasons. He has not lived up to expectations so far, mainly due to poor quarterback play. The 55-year old Freeze is 87-61 in 15 years calling the shots on the sideline. He had 27 victories vacated at Ole Miss for a recruiting scandal along with multiple calls to an “escort service.” Nice, Hugh. But I still think the guy is a good football coach despite his past personal flaws. This is a critical year for Hugh. If he can’t make major strides in the win-loss column, he’ll be in piping hot water. A record of 9-3 would show progress. Even 8-4, which would need to include key victories, particularly over the team from across the state, would most likely work if 2026 recruiting finishes strongly. Right now, the Tigers sit at 35th nationally in the recruiting rankings according to 247 Sports, but landed a commitment from 98, 5 star safety Bralan Womack from Flowood, Mississippi last Wednesday to enhance the class. But the pressure is on Hugh. He’ll need to respond.
Offense
Arnold, the junior, has serious weapons on the perimeter. Former 5-star sophomore Cam Coleman, from perennial powerhouse Central-Phenix City High School, caught 37 balls for 598 yards and 8, sixes in his freshman season in 2024. He is a force out wide. He’ll catch the short pass and turn it into a house call. He’ll catch a 15 or 20 yarder. And he’s an explosive deep threat. Cam has it all. He’ll be joined by three other studs along with depth. Malcolm Simmons, who has created controversy off the field, returns after hauling in 40 passes for 451 yards and 3, sixes in 2024. Simmons was alleged to have assaulted his girlfriend this summer as the Opelika Police found bruises on his girlfriend’s neck. The defense attorneys have asked to have him tried as a “Youthful Offender,” meaning the only people who would be in on the trial are the attorneys. No decision yet, and he’s playing Friday at Baylor. I guess the facts may not ever come out, and Simmons may be free to play football without any consequences. As Pat Forde of SI.com said of Auburn when they hired Hugh four years ago in a controversial decision given his reputation, “Auburn gonna Auburn.” Simmons is highly talented though. The Tigers also brought in Wake Forest transfer Horatio Fields, who caught 39 passes for 463 yards and 4 TDs in 2024. And maybe the coup of the 2024 transfer class, anywhere, is Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton, who pledged to Hugh and Auburn last December. Singleton caught 48 passes for 714 and 6, sixes in 2023, and 56 for 754 and 3, sixes last season. Against Georgia on Friday, 11/29/24, in Clean Old Fashioned Hate, he caught 8 passes for 86 yards and a six in the wildest game of 2024, a Georgia 44-42, 8-overtime victory. He’s one of the fastest receivers in the country. Pairing Singleton with the three already mentioned, if Arnold can get the ball to those guys, is dynamic.There are some talented, youthful guys behind this Fantastic Foursome. At tight end, Brandon Frazier returns for his senior season. He only caught one pass for 16 yards, but he’s 6’7″, 282! Preston Howard, 6’5″, 236, will back up Frazier. Howard, the transfer from Maryland, caught 24 passes for 189 yards for Mike Locksley at College Park in 2024. Locksley is feeling the heat this year once again too. In the backfield, it’s also an impressive group. Demari Alston rushed for 276 yards and 3 TDs in 2024 playing behind Jarquez Hunter, who was a fourth round pick by the LA Rams and is third on their depth chart, and who rushed for 1,201 yards last season along with 8 TDs. Alston gets his shot along with Jeremiah Cobb or Durrell Robinson. Alston looks good to me and so does Cobb, a former 2023 92, four-star signee out of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School in Montgomery, AL. Alston was an 88, 3 star out of Georgia in 2022. Robinson is a transfer from Charlotte, who rushed for 731 yards and 8 TDs in 2024. So, good stuff around Arnold. Like the O lines’ size, also. Junior center Connor Lew is 6’3″, 303. Left guard Dillon Wade is 6’4″, 315, is a transfer from Tulsa. Left tackle Xavier Chaplin, a transfer from VA Tech, is 6’7″, 348. Right guard is Jeremiah Wright is 6’5″, 348. And right tackle is Mason Murphy, a 6’5″, 319 transfer from USC (LA’s USC).. There is depth, but Hugh said yesterday in his press conference that he wants to stick with his starting five most of the game against Baylor. Still, the depth is developing and the size and physicality are there.
Defense
Veteran D.J. Durkin returns for his second season as Auburn Defensive Coordinator and linebackers coach. I like Durkin a lot. He knows how to put pressure on an offense, and his defenses always tackle well. Auburn was in the 120’s in turnovers gained last season, so I know Durkin wants to improve that. It starts with junior defensive end Keldric Faulk, who is looking to have a potential All-America season. Faulk posted 11 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks in 2024. He’s massive at 6’6″, 288. A definite first round draft pick possibility in 2026, which will be held in Pittsburgh on April 23rd-25th, 2026, the 91st edition. Bobby Jamison-Travis is at the nose tackle at 6’4″, 293. Zykeivous Walker is 6’4″, 291 is the other bookend up front. From what I’ve read and studied, the coaches feel great about their talent and depth on the d line. They think they can go 8 of 9 deep upfront in their 3-3-5 defensive alignment under Durkin. Robert Woodyard, 6’0″, 220, is the middle linebacker. Demarcus Riddick (6’2″, 217), Xavier Atkins (6’0″, 210), and Keyron Crawford (6’4″, 255) are some other key players on the second level. The Tigers’ coaching staff feels very good about their secondary led by secondary coach Wesley “Crime Dog” McGriff, a tremendous motivator and recruiter. McGriff coached under James Franklin at Vanderbilt and was known for his non-stop energy earning him that moniker. He’s been around a long time coaching the secondary at multiple SEC schools. Sophomore right corner Jay Crawford is the leader. McGriff and Hugh are ecstatic about Crawford. Kayin Lee is left corner, and he’s highly thought of. Kaleb Harris is strong safety, Champ Anthony is free safety and Sylvester Smith will play nickelback. Good depth back there too.
So there’s a lot to like about this Tigers team. Singleton is the starter at punt returner, so get ready for a couple of house calls there. But he’s been a little banged up. Hugh says he’ll be close to 100 percent for Baylor, but Rayshwn Pleasant might be the punt returner in Waco. Jeremiah Cobb and Simmons are the kick returners, so there will be electricity in the return game. Kicker Alex McPherson has battled with injury, he’s had a stomach disorder that kept him out of last season, and is questionable for Baylor. If McPherson’s not available, then Towns McGough will kick. Hudson Kaak is listed as the starting punter. He’s a transfer from OK. State and averaged 43.1 yards per punt on 30 punts in Stillwater in 2024.
Schedule
@Baylor, Friday. 8/29, 7 CT; FOX. Huge game in Waco to kickoff the season. Will preview Thursday.
Saturday, 9/6-vs. Ball State-Jordan-Hare, 6:30 P.M. CT; duh U.
Saturday, 9/13-vs South Alabama-Jordan-Hare, 11:45 A.M. CT; SEC Network
Saturday, 9/20 @Oklahoma-interesting game for Jackson Arnold. TBD
Saturday, 10/11, (Bama Golf’s birthday), vs “Dem Dawgs,” Jordan-Hare. “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.” The 134th edition. Should be tremendous. TV/ Time TBD.
Saturday, 10/18, vs. Missouri-Jordan-Hare, TBD
Saturday, 10/25, @Arkansas, TBD.
Saturday, 11/1, vs. Kentucky-Jordan-Hare. TBD.
Saturday, 11/8, @ Vandy. Will Diego Pavia have Auburn’s number again? He’s beaten them two years in a row, once at New Mexico State, and last season at Vanderbilt, with both games played at Jordan-Hare. TBD.
Saturday, 11/15, Off.
Saturday, 11/22, vs. Mercer, Jordan-Hare.
Saturday, 11/29, Crimson Tide, Iron Bowl, at Jordan-Hare.
This opener at Baylor is for gigantic for the Tigers. They HAVE to get off to a good start in their opening game and come away with the victory. Jackson Arnold will be tasked with not only clearly taking care of the football, but, as importantly,making plays with his arm and his feet. He’s certainly capable. And with the arsenal around him, it makes it more likely that he’ll be successful. The Auburn defense will set its sights on neutraaizing a pretty explosive Baylor offense led by quarterback Sawyer Robertson, who completed 279 of 368 passes (62%), for 3,071 yards, 28 TDs against 8 ints in 2024 for the Bears. He rushed for 230 yards on 63 carries, 3.7 YPC, with 4 TDs, so while he’s no Arnold running the ball, he’s capable. I just don’t think the Tigers can look any further ahead than Baylor. They need to be laser focused on Friday Night. Games @ OU and @A&M back to back are crucial tests and victories over those two teams are vital to the team’s success this season. Georgia is Georgia. Always massive. It’s at Jordan-Hare, where the miraculous happens, so that certainly gives the Tigers a shot. The Crimson Tide on November 29th is what is talked about every day, all year. A top 5 rivalry in sports along with Ohio State-Michigan, Texas-Oklahoma, the Yankees/ Red Sox, and the Cowboys versus anybody. You’d be hard pressed to find anybody in this state who doesn’t think this is the numero uno rivalry in all of sports.
Analysis
These Tigers have a ton of talent and can do damage this season. I still believe in Hugh as a coach. He’s got a guy under center who is trustable and is a playmaker and is NOT going to turn the ball over so much like what happened the last two years. The talent around Arnold is vast. If Durkin and can get his defense to step up, this could be a 9 or 10 win season. The SEC is so loaded this season, but, interestingly, every team between the likes of Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Florida, South Carolina and I’ll still throw Tennessee in there, though they lost a lot, can win or lose week to week.So it will be an absolute slugfest on Saturdays in the SEC. I like the Tigers, barring major injuries, to have good success in 2025. The Playoff is what everybody seems to care about, and I’m as guilty about it as anybody else, but it’s certainly the goal. All you want to do is make it there and give yourself a shot. With strength of schedule playing a much more important role in the Selection Committee’s decisions this season, if the Tigers can win their key games @ A&M and @OU, and pull off an upset over Georgia at home, and vs Alabama, which will be riveting as always, they’ve got a shot to play in January and “matriculate.”
Enormous Keldric Faulk leads the 2025 Auburn D. (Photo courtesy of The Auburn Tigers).
QB Avery Johnson leads his Kansas State Wildcats into Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic vs Iowa State (Photo courtesy of The New York Times).
So week 0 is here and college football commences today with a very nice Big 12 matchup between No. 17 Kansas State and No. 22 Iowa State. Both teams are successful programs under Chris Klieman of K State, and Matt Campbell of Iowa State, respectively. Here is a prediction for this Big 12 classic to be played in Dublin, Ireland, along with three other relevant opening season games.
White’s World’s record last two seasons, including Bowls
2023-SU- 202-54, 79%; ATS- 122-129-49%
2024-SU-169-64, 73%; ATS-121-111, 52%. Over/Under in the Bowls-13-13. In
NFL Playoffs, I went 5-8 in the O/U, and from the Sweet 16 on in the NCAA
Bball tourney, I went 14-9 in the O/U.
So, I’m going to incorporate the Over/Under in my predictions this season. I starting doing it in the 2024 bowl games, then did it in the NFL Playoffs and College Basketball. Another challenge to the brain power ability.
Saturday: All Times Central
No. 17 Kansas State vs. No.22 Iowa State
Aer Lingus College Football ClassicAviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
11 A.M. CT
ESPN
Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek, TaylorMcGregor
Kansas State by 3 1/2, O/U 50 1/2
Give me quarterback Avery Johnson of the Wildcats over another solid quarterback in Rocco Becht
of the Cyclones. This is a key game in the Big 12 to open up the season with these two squads
fighting for early pole position in an electric offensive conference. Like a little more defense in this
contest.
Kansas State 24, Iowa State 20
Other gameson Saturday
UNLV 41, Idaho State 30
Allegiant Stadium, Vegas
3 P.M.
Mountain West Network/Silver State Sports&Entertainment, also YoutubeTV
UNLY by 30 1/2; O/U, 65 1/2
Kansas 28, Fresno State 21
David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS.
5:30 P.M.
FOX
Kansas by 13 1/2; O/U 50 1/2
Hawaii 27, Stanford 24
Clarence T.C. (Chen, double hit out of the trap, ’85 U.S.) Ching Athletic Complex
6:30 P.M.
CBS/ Paramount+
Hawaii by 2 /12; O/U, 50 1/2
The SEC moved to 9 conference games for 2026. That’ll be a serious grind for those players and
coaches, but should be a boon to the SEC’s chances of getting the maximum amount of conference
teams into the College Football Playoff with strength of schedule playing a much more important
role in the Playoff Committee’s decisions on which 12 teams to select. Alabama will keep its
rivalries with Tennessee, Auburn and LSU, while Auburn maintains its rivalries with Georgia and
Bama. The third Auburn permanent conference opponent is to be determined. Either Florida, LSU
Ty Simpson is ready to open it up for the Tide versus FSU, Saturday, August 30th, 2:30 P.M. CT on ABC (Photo courtesy of The Tuscaloosa News).
White’s World Sports Confidential is back for its 17th season of covering college football and everything else in the Sports World. And college football is locked and loaded and ready to rock with week 0 cranking up the 2025 season this Saturday. For my first installment, I’ll preview the 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide, which is ranked 8th in the AP Preseason Poll and has typically high expectations, which is always the case in Tuscaloosa. I’ll preview Auburn University this coming Monday. And on Friday, A.M., the Blog will throw out its first pitch of the football season with a Week 0 slate of four games, headlined by a Big 12 clash in Dublin, Ireland as the 17th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats square off with the 22nd-ranked Iowa State Cyclones. The Blog focuses on the SEC, with Alabama and Auburn featured prominently, but the Big Ten, the Big 12, the ACC and some group of Five teams play good football too, so the Blog will give you those key games every week as well. It’s a wide open SEC this season with some potentially stellar quarterbacks, but questions on each team, a lot of them at the quarterback position. The question is can guys like Arch Manning, LaNorris Sellers, Garrett Nussmeier etc. live up to the expectations for them. Definitely to be determined. In this state, full focus is centered on Ty Simpson at Alabama and Jackson Arnold at Auburn, with both signal callers having a full cupboard of skilled players at their disposal and physical O linemen, who look both impressive physically and are tough guys that you have to have up front. We’ll start with the Crimson Tide as Coach Kalen DeBoar sets his sights on leading this football program back to the playoff and playing for a shot at winning it all.
On the Headset
Kalen DeBoar enters his second season at the helm of the University after taking over from the legendary Nick Saban, who set the bar for greatness, not just at Alabama and in the SEC, but throughout the country in historic fashion. Seven national championships, six at Alabama, that’s a difficult act to follow. Coach DeBoar went 9-4 in his transition year in 2024 as his quarterback, Jalen Milroe, was erratic, having big games against Georgia, LSU and Wisconsin, in which he looked like the best quarterback in the country, but also putting in some less than stellar performances against Tennessee and Oklahoma in the regular season, and vs. Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl. DeBoar has brought in his former offensive coordinator from Washington, Ryan Grubb, and the interviews I’ve listened to and seen are quite impressive. Like what I’m hearing from Coach Grubb. On defense, Kane Wommack returns for his second season with a lot of talent and good depth working for him. Coach DeBoar and Coach Grubb are tasked with having Ty Simpson primed for a big year in 2025. Coach DeBoar has a 113-16 record as a head coach in 10 seasons, an 88% winning percentage, with five seasons at Sioux Falls, two at Fresno State, two at Washington, where he led the Huskies to the National championship game, which they lost to Michigan, 34-13, in a not very competitive game. Michael Penix Jr., the Huskies quarterback, had a nice year in 2023, but was not his best against the Wolverines, led by cheatin’ Jim. Penix is now playing for the Atlanta Falcons, where he is expected to start this season, while Kirk Cousins, last year’s starter, is a good backup. I finished the Netflix documentary, Quarterback, last night. It features Cousins, Jared Goff, and Joe Burrow. Kirk had an up and down year in 2024 and lost his job to Pennix towards the end of the season. He’s such a class guy that he called Penix the day he found out he had been benched for Penix, and congratulated him. He didn’t like it, but he took it like the classy guy he is. Kirk’s wife, Julie, was very emotional in recalling it in the documentary. He supported Penix wholeheartedly the rest of the season. He’s still in Atlanta, and while he is the backup, he’s still competing hard to get his job back, but to also support Penix and the team. Playing quarterback in the NFL is the toughest job in sports. Cousins, Goff and Burrow not only play the most scrutinized position in sports, they are also figuretavely co-head coaches. They instruct teammates, they build them up and they motivate them. Wow, do they ever motivate. It’s an all consuming job. You’ve got to be driven, have humility and also have extremely thick skin. But those guys love it. Awesome documentary. Really like all three guys. Their work ethics are spectacular. Comes with a lot of criticism. Some praise, but more criticism. You gotta stay pretty level-headed to play that position in the National Football League. Also watched Any Given Saturday, the Netflix documentary on the 2024 SEC season, featuring several teams from the conference. It was superb as well.
But back to Coach DeBoar. I like him very much as a person. He’s a breath of fresh air from the way Coach Saban interacted with the media. Just a much more pleasant personality. Quite a contrast from the oftentimes cantankerous Saban. Will that translate to success between the lines on Saturdays? Possibly, but still to be determined. DeBoar brought in an excellent recruiting class in 2025, which included 5-star quarterback Keelon Russell from Texas, among others, as the Tide finished third in recruiting nationally according to 247Sports. The 2026 class is ranked 5th in the country by 247, and features five, 5 stars, the most of any recruiting class in the country. So Coach DeBoar is NOT playing golf, that’s for sure, unlike his rival to the southeast, who had been playing a lot in June and July and lost three, 4-stars while doing so. I like Coach DeBoar and want him to succeed. He’s got a shot. Needs a good season this year.
Offense
Ryan Grubb is OC and Nick Sheridan is Co-OC and quarterbacks coach. Sheridan is better at coaching Ty, Keelon and Austin Mack and helping coordinate the offense with Grubb doing the real heavy lifting with a lot of input from DeBoar. I like Sheridan. I see him developing the quarterback room well. Ty is the man who will start against Florida State on the road at 2:30 P.M. CT on Saturday, 8/30/25, on ABC. Ty was a 5-star in the 2022 class, so the potential is there. There’s just not a huge sample size on Simpson. He completed 14 of 25 passes last season (56%) for 167 yards with 0 TDs and no ints in 2024 in mop up duty for Milroe. He rushed for 44 yards on 8 carries, 5.5 YPC, and ran for a 6. He’s had a nice fall camp. He reminds me a good bit of A.J. McCarron in the sense that he can be a game manager or a playmaker, which is really what DeBoar and Grubb are looking for. He runs a lot better than McCarron did. His arm may not be as strong as McCarron’s, but it’s solid. The good news for him and the Crimson Tide is he has a stellar receiving corps, led by the phenomenal Ryan Williams, who caught 48 balls for 865 yards and 8, 6’s last season. Williams and big left tackle Kadyn Proctor were selected to the Coaches All- SEC first team recently. Germie Bernard, who caught 50 passes for 794 yards and 2, 6’s, forms a nice compliment to the explosive Williams. He’s got good speed as well. The other starting WR is Miami transfer Isaiah Horton, who caught 56 passes for 616 yards and 5 TDs last season for the ‘Canes. So that’s an excellent foundation out wide. Cole Adams, Jaylen Mbakwe, who comes over from the secondary, and Jalen Hale will add depth. Rico Scott is a redshirt freshman they really like. Running back took a hit when Jam Miller, who was having a super fall camp, dislocated his collarbone in the Tide’s second scrimmage last Saturday. He’s out for FSU, and his prognosis is uncertain. Al.com was speculating that it may be the Georgia game on September 27th before Jam makes it back. Justice Haynes transferred to Michigan in the offseason. So that leaves the running back duties to Richard Young, who there is a lot to like about. Young is 5’11”, 212, runs hard and has some breakaway ability. Daniel Hill, 6’1″, 244, is a bruiser behind Young. Dre Washington is 5’9″, 216. Running back has a little bit of uncertainty, but there is certainly talent there, though I know Coach DeBoar and Coach Grubb will be chomping at the bit to get Miller back. I like Josh Cuevas, another Washington transfer like Bernard and Austin Mack, to give the Tide a lot at tight end. He made a spectacular 37-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter at Wisconsin last season grabbing it out of the air in front of two Wisconsin dbs and takin it to the house in a “good Milroe” game. It was a phenomenal play. I can see him having a very good year if Ty gets him the ball. Brody Dalton, a redshirt senior transfer from Troy and UAB, will start at the other tight end. Cuevas is 6’3″, 256, and Dalton is 6’5″, 251. There is depth. Danny Lewis, 6’5″, 254, has a chance to be successful this season.
The offensive line took a bit of a hit when right guard Jaeden Roberts suffered a concussion in a scrimmage. He’s in protocol and his status for FSU is questionable. So Geno VenDeMark will start at Roberts’ position. VanDeMark is a 6’5″, 326 transfer from Michigan State. Definitely has the size, as Excedrin and I like to see. I like this O line a lot though. Kadyn Proctor is back at left tackle in what could be an All America season and a high level first round pick in 2026 at the NFL Draft April 23rd-25th in Pittsburgh. Kaden is 6’7″, 366. How you like them apples. Another great transfer from Washington in 2023, Parker Brailsford, is back at center. Brailsford is 6’2″, 290. While he’s a bit undersized, Brailsford brings tremendous toughness and leadership to his position. He’s stellar. Left guard is Kam Dewberry, a 6’4″, 332 senior transfer from Texas A&M. At right tackle, it’ll be Wilkin Formby, a redshirt sophomore, 6’7″, 324. There’s some inexperience behind the starters, but good size and talent, nonetheless.
Defense
Deontae Lawson leads the defense at Sting Linebacker (Photo courtesy of 247 Sports).
LT Overton at d end (6’5″, 278) and Tim Keenan III at d tackle (6’2″, 320) lead the charge up front. I’m looking for both players to have big years. Sting linebacker Deontae Lawson was a dominant player at linebacker last season before getting hurt towards the end of the season. He was second to OLB Jihaad Campbell in tackles with 76. He also had 2 sacks, 1 int, a forced fumble and one fumble recovered. Campbell was a first round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles last April, and he led the Crimson Tide in tackles with 119 and added 5 sacks. He was the 31st pick in the first round. He is currently behind Zack Baun on the depth chart for Philly. Campbell will play a significant role for the Eagles and is outstanding. Lawson was injured on Saturday, November 23rd @ Oklahoma in a game the Tide would just soon forget. Middle linebacker Justin Jefferson is excellent, as he finished with 61 tackles last season. He also had two sacks and 1 forced fumble. He’s 6’1″, 227. Lawson is 6’2″, 228. Qua Russaw is back at Wolf linebacker. He’s 6’2″, 243. Qua finished 2024 with 36 tackles, 2 1/2 for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and two ints. There is some younger depth behind the starters. The secondary looks stout. Left cornerback Domani Jackson (6’1″, 196) is back after recording 27 solos, 1 forced fumble and 2 ints. He’s expected to have a big year. Sophomore Zabien Brown mans the right corner. He’s 6’0″, 192. Brown finished with 14 tackles and 3 ints in 2024. He’ll be a stud. Bray Hubbard is back at strong safety. He finished with 35 tackles and 3 ints last season. He’s 6’2″, 218. Keon Sabb returns at free safety after suffering an injury last season after a stellar start to the year. He’s 6’1″, 204. Sabb finished with 24 tackles and 2 ints before getting injured in the Tennessee game @ Knoxville on October 19th, which was season ending. He will be another standout. The Husky position will be manned by DeShawn Jones and backed up by Red Morgan, two experienced, solid players. The Husky is similar to a nickleback, a hybrid between linebacker and safety. Jones, the 2024 transfer from Wake, is 6’0″, 190. Morgan is 6’0″, 185. Morgan posted six tackles last season and gained a lot of experience as a freshman. Jones didn’t post any stats, but has a lot of playing experience from his time at Wake Forest.
Special Teams
Blake Doud is No.1 on the depth chart at punter. He’s a first year player and transfer from Colorado School of Mines? That’s how he’s listed. He’s taking James Burnip’s spot. Burnip was stellar. Burnip is now with the New Orleans Saints. Kicker is Conor Talty. He is a first year starter taking Graham Nicholson’s position, and, before that, the great Will Reichard, who now kicks for the Minnesota Vikings. Ryan Williams and Jaylen Mbakwe are the punt returners, which is potentially electric. Mbakwe and Cole Adams are the kickoff returners. So there’s some take it to the house ability in the return game.
Schedule
@Florida State, Saturday, 8/30, 2:30 P.M. CT ABC
vs. UL Monroe, Saturday, 9/6, 6:45 P.M. CT, SEC Network
vs Wisconsin, Saturday, 9/13, 11 A.M. CT ABC or ESPN
Saturday, 9/20-Off
@Georgia, Saturday, 9/27, 6:30 P.M. CT, ABC. Mammoth game
vs. Vanderbilt, Saturday, 10/4. Game time and TV TBD.
@Missouri, Saturday, 10/11, 11 A.M. CT, ESPN or ABC
vs. Tennessee, Saturday, 10/18, TBD.
@South Carolina, Saturday, 10/25, TBD.
Saturday, 11/1, Off
vs. LSU, Saturday, 11/8, TBD.
vs. Oklahoma, Saturday, 11/15, TBD.
vs. Eastern Illinois, Saturday, 11/22, 1 P.M. CT, ESPN+ or SEC Network+
@Auburn, Saturday, November 29th, TBD.Usually 2:30 P.M. CT, now on ESPN or ABC. We’ll
see.
Analysis of Schedule
I’m looking at 9 or 10 victories for the Crimson Tide, maybe better, but it’s a gauntlet of a schedule.
@ Georgia, vs Tennessee, @ South Carolina, vs. LSU, vs Oklahoma, @Auburn. Diego Pavia and
my Vanderbilt Commodores ain’t no joke. @Missouri. And starting out @Florida State, as bad as
they were last year, is tough. They’ll be better even though their quarterback, Tommy Castellanos,
was talking serious trash before the season, saying there was no more Nick Saban at Alabama.
It’ll be interesting to see if that comes back and haunts him. Yes, I do think this is a playoff team if
Ty performs well, and a team that can do damage in January. I know the standard is national
championship in Tuscaloosa, and that’s the goal. That never changes and they’ve got a shot.
