B/R's 2025 College Football Winners and Losers from Week 1
The beautiful chaos of college football has wasted no time in making its triumphant return to our weekends.
Already in Week 1, a couple of impactful upsets have shaken predictions for the 2025 season. South Florida blew the doors off No. 25 Boise State on Thursday, then Florida State—desperate to put 2024 deep in history—completely outplayed No. 8 Alabama in a resounding upset.
Oh, and there was that showdown in Columbus with Arch Manning making his full-time starting debut for Texas at Ohio State. It didn't go so well for him.
All season, B/R will be covering the biggest storylines of the weekly slate through the lens of winners and losers.
Finally, we are back. Let's get it.
Winner: South Florida
1 of 9
Want to make a statement? Don't just spring an upset in Week 1, make it a complete blowout over a nationally respected team.
South Florida did just that.
Byrum Brown propelled USF to a 34-7 stomping of No. 25 Boise State, throwing for 210 yards and rushing in a pair of scores. Plus, the Bulls perfectly executed a fake punt as backup QB Locklan Hewlett tossed a 43-yard touchdown.
It was a resounding day from USF, which was not a preseason favorite in the American yet a not-so-quiet threat because of its experienced roster.
And maybe the Bulls aren't finished.
During the next two weekends, they travel to Top 25 foes Florida and Miami. It's safe to say the Gators and 'Canes will be taking USF very seriously.
Loser: Big 12's Friday Night
2 of 9
Yes, I hear you, Kansas fans. Easy win over FCS program Wagner.
Beyond the Jayhawks, though, the Big 12 had a frustrating Friday night. Baylor lost to Auburn, and Colorado fell to Georgia Tech—both at home, too.
The same issue appeared in each location: Run defense. Led by Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold, Auburn piled up 308 yards and four scores in a 38-24 win. Georgia Tech also leaned on its dual-threat QB, Haynes King, and wrecked CU for 320 yards and three touchdowns during a 27-20 victory.
Nuance, as always, is important. Auburn and Georgia Tech were slight favorites even as the road teams. The results were not shocking.
Still, the Big 12 is fighting for more national respect, and a pair of Week 1 losses to expected mid-tier SEC and ACC programs is not an ideal start.
Winner: Joey Aguilar
3 of 9
After such a bizarre offseason for Joey Aguilar, it was kind of relieving to watch the veteran QB excel in his Tennessee debut.
In a 45-26 triumph over Syracuse, he completed 16-of-28 passes for 247 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He added 34 yards on the ground, helping the 24th-ranked Vols cruise to their opening win.
I can only imagine how cathartic it truly felt for Aguilar, too.
Back in 2019, he walked on at the City College of San Francisco. He spent three seasons at Diablo Valley College, then started at Appalachian State for two years. He initially committed to UCLA for a long-awaited chance to lead a power-conference team. But then, the Bruins added Nico Iamaleava following his surprise departure from Tennessee in April.
At no point throughout that journey has Aguilar been a national name, peaking with second-team All-Sun Belt recognition in 2023, perhaps.
But on Saturday, he moved closer than ever before.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Loser: Arch Manning Hype Train
4 of 9
Through no fault of his own, Arch Manning became the story of the 2025 offseason. He opened the campaign as the flashy new QB of the nation's No. 1 team and a perceived front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.
So far, not so good.
Now, if you're looking for another person to pile on Arch Manning, you will be leaving this section disappointed.
Was he good on Saturday in Columbus? Nope!
Manning threw a late touchdown and an absolutely gorgeous pass down the left sideline. Beyond that, his afternoon was littered with misplaced balls on crossing routes and a couple of other bad misses. He finished 17-of-30 for 170 yards with one score and one interception in a 14-7 loss at Ohio State.
I refuse to believe the sky is falling. Texas has an enormous amount of talent with upcoming games—all home—against San Jose State, UTEP and Sam Houston to address the issues OSU exposed.
Nevertheless, the Manning Hype Train slowed considerably in Week 1.
Winner: Malik Washington
5 of 9
There's a long season ahead for Maryland, and the competition will be much fiercer—especially in the second half of the schedule.
On the heels of a 4-8 year, though, any and all excitement is welcomed.
Saturday afternoon, true freshman QB Malik Washington gave the Terps exactly that. His debut, a 39-7 rout of Florida Atlantic, ended with a 27-of-43 line for 258 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Washington, a top-100 recruit in the 2025 cycle, took advantage of the opportunity afforded by a couple of transfers. Billy Edwards Jr. headed to Wisconsin, and MJ Morris left for Coastal Carolina. Washington enrolled early and ultimately beat out UCLA transfer Justyn Martin for the QB1 label.
As with any Week 1 storyline, be careful not to overreact. Washington might not be the program savior or help Mike Locksley's job security soar overnight.
But there's no doubt he sent a much-needed jolt through the fan base.
Winner: Tommy Castellanos
6 of 9
Back in June, Tommy Castellanos had an interview with Pete Nakos of On3. The conversation included one heck of a quote in which the new Florida State quarterback said the Crimson Tide "don't have Nick Saban to save them. I just don't see them stopping me."
As the esteemed lyricist Kid Rock once sang, though: It ain't bragging—uh, my friend—if you back it up.
Mission accomplished.
Castellanos hit 9-of-14 passes for 152 yards and made a major difference with his legs, scurrying for 78 yards and a touchdown. The transfer from Boston College propelled FSU to a stunning 31-17 upset of No. 8 Alabama.
After what happened to FSU last season—a total implosion and 2-10 finish—this was an absolute dream opener to the 2025 campaign.
The coaching staff brought an excellent plan. The defense had a terrific day. Micahi Danzy ripped off a couple of long runs, and Jaylin Lucas set up a key touchdown with a 64-yard gain. This was certainly a team win.
Castellanos, though, talked a big game and backed it up.
Loser: Clemson's Offense
7 of 9
It just wasn't good enough. Again.
Last season, Clemson went 11-3 and won an ACC title but dropped all three games to SEC competition. The offense had no answer for Georgia, only scored 14 points on South Carolina and faced a 21-point deficit opposite Texas.
The troubles continued on Saturday when LSU came to town. Clemson posted just 261 yards on a modest 4.5 per snap in a 17-10 loss.
That's simply not good enough in marquee games.
Look, I say it is someone who picked Clemson to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff. I believed there would be more progress from Cade Klubnik and the offense—which, hey, it can happen, it's August right now.
At some point, however, there must be tangible proof that Clemson can handle the toughest competition to consider Dabo Swinney's team a real contender.
We're still waiting for that.
Winner: Bryce Underwood
8 of 9
Calling last season's QB situation a disaster would be putting a positive spin on what Michigan went through in 2024.
Folks, this is why programs spend the money.
Michigan tossed a hefty NIL offer at Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class, and successfully flipped him from LSU. He wasn't necessarily expected to start immediately, but an offseason injury sidelined Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene and essentially forced the Wolverines' hand.
For multiple reasons, I can assure you they're not complaining. Underwood had a strong debut in a 34-17 win over New Mexico, hitting 21-of-31 passes for 251 yards and a touchdown with zero turnovers.
Next comes a serious test; Michigan travels to Oklahoma in Week 2.
As with any freshman QB, pinning expectations of greatness on him right away is unfair. Simultaneously, it's clear that Underwood has elevated the U-M passing attack and makes the Wolverines a more dangerous team.
Loser: Heisman Trophy Odds
9 of 9
Heading into Week 1, the four players with the shortest odds to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy were Texas' Arch Manning, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, Clemson's Cade Klubnik and Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith.
In short: They have all enjoyed better days.
Manning struggled badly in the loss to Ohio State, which saw Smith manage six receptions for 43 yards and drop a couple of passes. Klubnik and Nussmeier had identical box scores, throwing for 230 yards on 38 attempts.
Yes, competition level matters. Each one of them opposed a very talented defense, and that's obviously not going to happen every weekend.
No reasonable person is banishing them from a fledgling Heisman race. They're all probably going to thrive this season.
But their eventual resumes won't include many Week 1 highlights.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
