Lato’s Lens is taking a little bit of a detour this week. Don’t get me wrong, I love college basketball. In fact, I’d much rather watch college basketball than professional basketball for several reasons. However, there’s something about college football that’s just different. The unwavering passion of the fans. The bitter, toxic rivalries. Tearing down goal posts in an upset win. There’s just so many things that make college football special. Although I’m not its greatest proponent, the transfer portal has undoubtedly made the game more entertaining, creating an atmosphere like that of professional football.
Furthermore, I always look forward to the many out-of-conference matchups the sport has to offer each season. Seeing a highly touted team out of one conference square off against a powerhouse from another is one of the most exciting joys for college football lovers, including myself. The 2025 season, week one specifically, offers some of the most exciting out-of-conference matchups in history, some of which are just too good not to write about. Without further ado, here are the three most intriguing out-of-conference matchups in week one of the upcoming college football season in no particular order.
August 30th: Alabama at Florida State
In a matchup between two college football perennial powerhouses, the Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to the hallowed grounds of Doak S. Campbell Stadium to square off against the Florida State Seminoles. Both teams had terrible 2024 campaigns per program standards. However, both the Crimson Tide and Seminoles have much to look forward to this upcoming season.
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) celebrates his 84-yard touchdown reception against Western Kentucky during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
In their second season under Head Coach Kalen DeBoer, the Tide returns one of the best young wide receivers in the nation in Ryan Williams after his stellar freshman campaign. Though losing starting quarterback Jalen Milroe to the draft, Alabama has plenty of options to choose from at quarterback, whether that be rising five-star freshman Keelon Russell or veterans Ty Simpson and Austin Mack.
The Seminoles, on the other hand, acquired former star Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos from the transfer portal, giving the Noles an experienced signal caller to resurrect an otherwise stagnant offense from last season. Head Coach Mike Norvell also made a huge splash in the high school recruiting game, acquiring several four-star prospects at nearly every position. Keep an eye out for this matchup during week one.
August 30th: Texas at Ohio State
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this game on the week one college football slate. Head Coach Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns will seek vengeance after losing a heartbreaker to the eventual National Champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Goodyear Cotton Bowl. Both programs come into the season absolutely loaded with talent.
Texas running back Quintrevion Wisner (26) is tackled by Texas A&M defensive back Will Lee III (26) after a catch and run during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Texas returns several starters who were key to their postseason success last season, including star running back Quintrevion Wisner, edge-rusher Trey Moore and lethal safety Michael Taaffe who opted to return for his senior season. What most Texas fans are drooling about is seeing how projected starting quarterback Arch Manning will pan out in a high-level Texas offense. Manning showed flashes of greatness last season, filling in for a few games when starter Quinn Ewers was injured. As a result, this Texas squad currently has opponents shivering.
After achieving ultimate glory, Head Coach Ryan Day also brings back a roster smothered in talent. Star running back Treveyon Henderson is returning for his senior year, looking to terrorize opposing defenses. After losing starter Will Howard, former five-star Julian Sayin looks to fill in as the head signal caller, who is touted by many as the real deal. Their defense also returns a lock down secondary led by safety Caleb Downs and cornerback Davison Igbinosun, who were critical in locking up opposing offenses in the Buckeyes’ championship run.
Given the teams’ history between each other, this Big 10-SEC crossover game is a must watch. It has myself, including several other college football junkies, giddy at the moment.
August 30th: LSU at Clemson
This game is on a pedestal of its own for several reasons. For one, who doesn’t love a battle of the Tigers? While both teams boast a Tiger as their mascot, both teams also coin their respective stadiums as “Death Valley,” bringing forth huge bragging rights regarding this sensitive topic. Not only does this game feature much off-field hype, but it also features two teams who are certainly playoff contenders in the coming season.
Clemson’s Cade Klubnik (2) looks to throw against Virginia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/ Robert Simmons).
The Head Coach Dabo Swinney-led Clemson Tigers are led by star quarterback Cade Klubnik, who returns for his senior season after tossing for over 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns in the Tigers’ ACC Championship winning season. What’s different about the 2025 Clemson Tigers is that this is the first season that Dabo has ever utilized the transfer portal, signing former Alabama linebacker Jeremiah Alexander, Purdue defensive lineman Will Heldt and Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Tristan Smith. Does this mean something is brewing in Death Valley? Time will tell.
Like Clemson, LSU also made some pivotal moves in the portal over the offseason, securing highly talented cornerbacks Mansoor Delane (previously at Virginia Tech) and Ja’Keem Jackson (previously at Florida). Head Coach Brian Kelly also returns to starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who has struggled at times but has the potential to do some big things this season. Nussmeier is also backed with great offensive line talent, who should without a doubt, be critical in the Tigers’ success this season.
Coach Kelly has lost the last five season openers of his career. Could this be the game where he breaks the skunk? Who knows, but this game will surely be absolute cinema to Clemson and LSU fans alike.