This November is about the Dolphins’ future, not a playoff push — starting with five college games worth your attention this weekend
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November as a Miami Dolphins fan is going to feel disappointingly familiar this year. Miami enjoyed a burst into the playoff picture and the postseason conversation for much of the 2020-2024 seasons — but 2025 is a return to hopes for the future and mock drafts as the Dolphins wrangle with the worst teams in the NFL for draft positioning.
There will be a new decision-maker atop the organization this spring. The Dolphins saw to that with their mutual parting of ways with former general manager Chris Grier. That means our weekends are just as invested into college prospects the rest of the way as they are to Miami’s actual contests.
Who should you be watching for this weekend in the college ranks, specifically for the Miami Dolphins? Here are five games and plenty of names to know.
Five college football games for Miami Dolphins fans to watch this weekend
Northwestern Wildcats versus USC Trojans (Friday, 11/7/25 at 9:00PM EST)
Prospects in Kyle Crabbs’ November Top-50 big board: USC WR Makai Lemon (#20 overall), USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane (#37 overall), USC SAF Kamari Ramsey (#40 overall)
Other names to know: Northwestern OL Caleb Tiernan, USC QB Jordan Maiava, Northwestern EDGE Anto Saka
It’s hard to imagine Miami using a premium draft selection on a wide receiver but the Trojans have a pair of gifted ones this year. Safety Kamari Ramsey is an aggressive player who could play a number of different styles — depending on what kind of scheme Miami ends up pursuing next season. Wildcats offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan feels like a mid-round tackle would could be a starter — and Miami needs a long-term answer opposite Patrick Paul on the right side.
Indiana Hoosiers versus Penn State Nittany Lions (Saturday, 11/8/25 at 12PM EST)
Prospects in Kyle Crabbs’ November Top-50 big board: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza (#10 overall), Penn State OG Vega Ioane (#19 overall), Penn State EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton (#27 overall), Penn State CB A.J. Harris (#28 overall), Penn State SAF Zakee Wheatley (#45 overall)
Other names to know: Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana EDGE Mikail Kamara, Penn State DT Zane Durant, Penn State OT Drew Shelton, Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State RB Kaytron Allen
This one is the main event for Dolphins fans. Local product Fernando Mendoza will garner a lot of support as a draft target amid Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles and the need for a new answer long-term. He’s the star of the show for the Hoosiers and he’ll face off against a Nittany Lions program that’s loaded with draft prospects. They’re a team that hasn’t been able to live up to lofty expectations, thanks in part to the season-ending injury to QB Drew Allar. Powerful guard Vega Ioane looks like a stalwart but the Lions’ secondary should have multiple players of interest for Miami as well.
Current Top-5 draft order for the 2026 NFL Draft
- 1. New Orleans Saints (1-8)
- 2. Tennessee Titans (1-8)
- 3. New York Jets (1-7)
- 4. Miami Dolphins (2-7)
- 5. New York Giants (2-7)
Texas A&M Aggies versus Missouri Tigers (Saturday, 11/8/25 at 3:30PM EST)
Prospects in Kyle Crabbs’ November Top-50 big board: Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell (#16 overall), Texas A&M CB Will Lee III (#42 overall), Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion (#43 overall),
Other names to know: Texas A&M LB Taurean York, Missouri EDGE Zion Young, Missouri EDGE Damon Wilson II, Texas A&M IOL Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Missouri IOL Cayden Reed
If the Dolphins indeed move on from Bradley Chubb this offseason on the heels of trading away Jaelan Phillips, this game is a good showcase of a number of options for Miami to become new running mates for Chop Robinson on the edge. Cashius Howell is amongst the hottest pass rushers in the country, he’s got speed that kills and a number of slippery rush counters. He lacks ideal length but he’s as disruptive as they come.
Oregon Ducks versus Iowa Hawkeyes (Saturday, 11/8/25 at 3:30PM EST)
Prospects in Kyle Crabbs’ November Top-50 big board: Oregon QB Dante Moore (#8 overall), Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq (#17 overall), Iowa RT Gennings Dunker (#24 overall), Oregon EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei (#39 overall), Oregon SAF Dillon Thieneman (#41 overall), Oregon DT A’Mauri Washington (#44 overall), Oregon IOL Iapani Laloulu (#47 overall)
Other names to know: Oregon OT Isaiah World, Oregon LG Emmanuel Pregnon
The Ducks rival Penn State in the amount of draft prospects they boast this year. They’re arguably the most NFL Draft-rich program in the country. Kenyon Sadiq would be a dream tight end addition for Mike McDaniel’s offense after years of cheap fliers at the position. Dante Moore could be the QB1 of the class. And Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman is smart, savvy and tough. On the other side, Iowa right tackle Gennings Dunker feels like a tailor-made appealing fit for the current construction of Miami’s offense amid the search for a new long-term starter at the position.
LSU Tigers versus Alabama Crimson Tide (Saturday, 11/8/25 at 7:30PM EST)
Prospects in Kyle Crabbs’ November Top-50 big board: Alabama QB Ty Simpson (#9 overall), LSU CB Mansoor Delane (#21 overall), LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier (#50 overall)
Other names to know: Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama WR Germie Bernard, LSU LB Whit Weeks, LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU SAF A.J. Haulcy, Alabama LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama DL LT Overton, Alabama SAF Keon Sabb, Alabama CB Domani Jackson, LSU EDGE Patrick Payton
Perhaps you’d be expecting a little bit more in the way of top-end talent in this matchup. Either way, we do get a quarterback matchup between the most polished QB prospect in the country (Nussmeier) and arguably the most promising (Simpson). Mansoor Delane’s ball skills feel like a dream come true for a Dolphins’ secondary that’s sorely missing instincts in coverage on the perimeter this season.
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This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Nov 7, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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