The 2025 college football season has gotten off to a bang over the first two weeks, especially during Week One this past weekend. We saw three football games versus top ten teams, and several massive upsets to get things kicked off. Both are true for the SEC conference, which was a big conversation starter for college football fans everywhere. If this week was any indication, it should be an entertaining one.

As is typically the case, there is always going to be some overreactions everywhere. Let’s do our best to debunk some of those overreactions, and make sense of what is a legitimate worry. The SEC is the ultimate hotbed for those impulsive takes.

Arch Manning is a bust for Texas 

Whether Texas quarterback Arch Manning was great against Ohio State in the opener, or terrible, there was always going to be an overly hyperbolic take to follow. Manning did struggle against the Buckeyes, and was mostly ineffective the first three quarters of the game. We did, however, see some big time throws later in that football game. While Manning might not be the elite player some expected right out of the gate, we saw more than enough flashes to be excited for the future. The 6-4, 220-pound passer will get rolling before too long, and could be fighting for that elite status toward the end of the season potentially, if not during the 2026 season. 

FICTION 

The Kalen DeBoer Era is dead 

As far as reacting to singular games, I like to consider myself more level-headed than most. Kalen DeBoer is a tremendous coach, and has managed to win at every program he has been a part of. We knew that following Nick Saban wasn’t going to be easy, and it sure isn’t. Coach DeBoer is 5-5 in his last ten games for the Crimson Tide, and is just 6-4 versus non-ranked teams. There has been constant talk about a lack of culture right now, and losing to a team that went 2-10 last season in Florida State is alarming. I didn’t dislike the DeBoer hire, but I am not buying in until he proves me wrong at this point.

Big game Brian Kelly 

Head coach Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers managed a massive victory over Clemson by a score of 17 to 10. To make things worse, LSU was down 10 to 3 at half time, and needed to rally for the victory. Coach Kelly has gained a reputation for his teams underperforming in these games, so seeing them come out on top was a great sign. Some will, however, go a little too far with this victory. Yes, it was a good win, but it was still a season opener and doesn’t erase the long history of blunders in big games. Coach Kelly is going to have to win several more of these types of games to throw out a track record of underwhelming results.

FICTION

The Auburn Tigers are a dark horse in the SEC 

There has been a lot of negativity surrounding the Auburn program since head coach Hugh Freeze took over. After two straight losing seasons, many weren’t sure what to expect from this team heading into the 2025 season. Coach Freeze and the Tigers decided to invest heavily into the Transfer Portal this offseason, and that was on display during the team’s 38 to 24 victory over Baylor to start the season. While you never want to get too hyperbolic to begin the season, there is a lot to be excited about with this Auburn team. There are still questions at quarterback, but the Tigers have one of the better offensive and defensive line combinations in the country. Auburn also had a tremendous wide receiver room, and a strong running game to be a true dark horse in the SEC. 

FACT

LaNorris Sellers is a legit Heisman contender 

The stat line for Sellers in the season-opening victory against Virginia Tech wasn’t amazing (12 of 19 for 209 yards and two total touchdowns), but you saw a few outrageous plays to get you excited for the rest of the season. It feels like the Heisman Trophy race is more open than it ever has been to start a season, so it’s easy to gravitate toward some of these highlight reel plays. I am buying into Sellers being a legitimate contender right now. Seeing the 6-3, 242-pound signal caller dazzle with his arm and legs is something special. 

FACT

LSU Tigers News

Brian Kelly refuses to mince words in response to Dabo Swinney’s criticism of how LSU and Clemson played

It didn’t take long for LSU head coach Brian Kelly to respond to Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney’s attempt to mitigate his team’s loss in Week 1. The LSU Tigers went into Clemson’s Death Valley and delivered a knockout performance, winning 17-10 in a more decisive victory than what the final score indicated. Unsurprisingly, Swinney […]

Ian Valentino