Devy Fantasy Primer: College Football Week 1 (2025)

College football doesn’t ease us in this year — it throws us straight into the fire. Week 1 delivers a heavyweight showdown in Columbus, as No. 1 Texas takes on No. 3 Ohio State in a clash that doubles as a rematch of the Cotton Bowl. This is as big as it gets for an opener. LaNorris Sellers kicks off his 2025 season in the spotlight on Sunday afternoon. I also take a look at the top five Heisman Trophy odds heading into the week.

Devy Fantasy Football Primer

Game of the Week

(odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

#1 Texas Longhorns @ #3 Ohio State Buckeyes (-2.5) | Total 47.5 | Saturday, Noon ET on FOX

What a treat we have to kick off Week 1 with a top-three battle in Columbus, Ohio, and a rematch of the Cotton Bowl. We finally get to see Arch Manning under center in a hostile and competitive environment. On the other side, we have the debut of former five-star recruit Julian Sayin. Two quarterbacks with a ton of talent and hype, but not much experience to this point. Texas is breaking in a new core of receivers while Ohio State looks to replace second-round picks TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, along with a new offensive coordinator.

In the Cotton Bowl, Jeremiah Smith was held to only one catch for three yards. I don’t believe Smith has that low of an output this time around, but I do expect the Longhorns’ defense to key in on him and make Sayin utilize other weapons to beat them. Both young signal-callers face elite defenses in what could be the game of the year, but potentially a low-scoring battle.

My Picks:

Moneyline: Texas (+102)
Spread: Texas +2.5 (-115)
Total: Under 47.5 Points (-106)

Devy Spotlight

LaNorris Sellers (QB – South Carolina) | 2026

LaNorris Sellers has been one of the more talked-about quarterback prospects this offseason. He has a very realistic chance to end up the QB1 for the 2026 draft class and potential number one overall pick come April. Sellers is the prototypical Konami Code quarterback that most managers are looking for on their fantasy football rosters.

Heisman Trophy Race

The top five Heisman Trophy favorites for Week 1:

Arch Manning (QB – Texas) | +700
Cade Klubnik (QB – Clemson) | +900
Garrett Nussmeier (QB – LSU) | +900
Jeremiah Smith (WR – Ohio State) | +1100
LaNorris Sellers (QB – South Carolina) | +1800

After Week 1 wraps up, we should see some movement and a possible shake-up within the top five as we get to see Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith face off, along with Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier. LaNorris Sellers plays a usually tough defense in Virginia Tech on Sunday afternoon. Carson Beck (+1800) faces College Football Playoff National Championship runner-up Notre Dame at home and could find himself in the top five with a win.