With the Longhorns and Wolverines set to dominate viewership this weekend, other games could still prove to have big implications on the current rankings.

When the Texas Longhorns and Michigan Wolverines began play last weekend, the two programs showed differing levels of success in what were both blowout victories. The Longhorns defeated Colorado State by a score of 52-0, while the Wolverines handled Fresno State, albeit in a much closer game than the final score of 30-10 would make it seem. 

Michigan was stout on defense as expected, figuring the team has highly-rated NFL Draft prospects in cornerback Will Johnson, defensive linemen Mason Graham and Kellen Grant. The offense was inconsistent, however, despite also featuring touted players such as tight end Colston Loveland and running back Donovan Edwards. 

The game was only 10-3 heading into the half and before Loveland scored a touchdown with under six minutes remaining, Michigan had only generated 13 points over three-and-a-half quarters. Johnson managed to score a pick-six before the game concluded as well, making the game seem like more of a mismatch than it had been for the vast majority. 

Ultimately, it came off as if Michigan hadn’t yet figured out how to supplement the losses of quarterback JJ McCarthy, wide receiver Roman Wilson and head coach Jim Harbaugh, who all departed for the NFL after winning the National Championship at the end of last season. 

Hanging over the head of the program are NCAA violation scandals that stem from former Michigan staff member, Connor Stallions, choosing to record other teams’ practices and in-game coaching. Harbaugh, current Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore and other staff members found out about Stallions’ operation, but failed to report him to the NCAA and allowed the recording to continue. 

The team cannot control what the NCAA decides to do, though, and must focus on winning the games in front of them, especially with such a daunting task coming up in week two. The Longhorns are the third best team in the Nation according to the most recent Associated Press top 25 rankings, with Michigan having dropped one spot to number 10 after its disappointing performance at home against the Bulldogs. 

Now, Texas will head to the “big house” in the first highly-anticipated matchup of the 2024-2025 college football season. Both programs qualified for the College Football Playoff last year, but Texas fell to Washington and had to watch as Michigan dominated the Huskies for the entirety of the championship game. Many of the Longhorns coaches and players were left believing that if they were able to defeat Washington, it stood a much better chance of giving Michigan a run for its money as compared to how the Huskies performed. 

The Longhorns will get an opportunity to prove just how talented the current roster is and why Texas should be seen as not only a National Title hopeful, but perhaps even the favorite. Michigan is currently seven-point underdogs on DraftKings sportsbook despite having home field advantage, showing the doubt many oddsmakers have in the Wolverines after seeing so much turnover in the offseason. 

While Michigan could make its +220 odds to claim victory on Saturday seem foolish, the Longhorns will most likely head into Ann Arbor and prove that Michigan isn’t the same team it's been the past three seasons when the team made the Playoff each time and found glory at the end of 2023. Texas is just too talented on both sides of the ball and Michigan hasn’t even truly found a starting quarterback between Davis Warren and Alex Orji who both played below average football against Fresno State. 

Texas is lined up with premium athletes on both sides of the ball, whether it be quarterback Quinn Ewers, wide receiver Isaiah Bond, offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., safety Andrew Mukuba or cornerback Jahdae Barron. While Michigan is the reigning champion of college football, Texas is looking to end Michigan’s hopes of repeating its title efforts, but stop them from possibly making the College Football Playoff altogether. 

In the other top matchup of this weekend, the 14th ranked Tennessee Volunteers will travel to North Carolina to take on the 24th ranked North Carolina Wolfpack. The Volunteers are nine-point favorites on DraftKings and are coming off an expected 69-3 trouncing of Chattanooga. 

North Carolina State struggled at times with Western Carolina, but ultimately kept the game out of reach with a 38-21 victory. Both teams feature high-powered offenses, but for the Wolfpack to overcome its +280 odds of winning on Saturday, it will have to display a much tougher defense than it had last weekend. 

Tennessee is known for having potent offenses that rack up points quickly and with ease, so the Volunteers will head into its matchup with the same gameplan as always as it looks to make its first-ever College Football Playoff this season. With the committee deepening the Playoff pool to 12 teams beginning this season, the Volunteers stand a good chance of making those dreams come true, especially with victories over top 25 programs such as North Carolina State. 

With North Carolina State playing in the ACC, wins such as what the program could generate on Saturday are vital if it hopes to make the Playoff this season. While the team currently has odds of +1000 to win the conference, only Miami has stood out as a true contender in the ACC after week one play concluded. Both Clemson and Florida State failed to find wins in each’s first game and Florida State even sits at 0-2 after a “week zero” loss to Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland.

College football is still just getting started in the 2024-2025 season, but with potential monumental games early in the year such as the two listed above, ramifications for the Playoff begin as soon as play kicks off. For the likes of Michigan and Texas, week two brings matchups that have to be deemed as “must-win,” certainly with the two programs playing in the toughest conferences in college football, the Big 10 and SEC. 

With an expanded Playoff and teams still finding its way after a long offseason, the potential for upsets and shocking conclusions remain aplenty in the early half of the season. Michigan and North Carolina State will both be looking to shock the college football world come September 7 and prove each still belongs in the National Championship picture.