The 2025 college football season is rapidly approaching. As teams go through the final paces of offseason workouts, fans are excitingly anticipating what could be the best campaign we’ve ever witnessed. But, which games on the college football schedule should you be most excited for this fall? Let’s find out.
50) Washington vs. Washington State
- Date: September 20
- Location: Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
One of college football’s most historic and oldest rivalries occurs on September 20, as the Washington Huskies head to Pullman to play the Washington State Cougars in the Apple Cup.
Jedd Fisch’s team leads the all-time series, which has been an annual fixture on the college football schedule (apart from during the war and the COVID-19 pandemic), but the Cougars currently hold the bragging rights, winning the 2024 edition 24-19.
49) Nebraska vs. Cincinnati
- Date: August 28
- Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
The Cincinnati Bearcats and Nebraska Cornhuskers open their 2025 season on August 28 in Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, for only the second-ever meeting between the two schools. They last played in 1906 when the Cornhuskers dominated 41-0. There is a lot of expectation on Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule heading into the year, adding some spice to this clash.
48) Air Force vs. Navy
- Date: October 4
- Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD
- Time: Noon ET
The pomp, the pageantry, and the fight make matchups between service academies must-watch TV. The Air Force Falcons head to Annapolis to face the Navy Midshipmen in early October, with Troy Calhoun’s side looking to reclaim dominance following defeat last year. The Mountain West outfit had won the previous four encounters between the two programs.
47) Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina
- Date: August 30
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
Beamer Bowl! The South Carolina Gamecocks face the Virginia Tech Hokies in an out-of-conference matchup to open their seasons with humble bragging rights on the table. Gamecocks’ head coach Shane Beamer is looking to beat his father’s old team, with College Football Hall of Famer Frank Beamer coaching the Hokies between 1987 and 2015.
46) Oregon vs. Washington
- Date: November 29
- Location: Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
- Time: TBD
An old-school Pac-12 rivalry that has carried into the Big Ten, the Oregon Ducks and the Huskies have faced each other 117 times. Coming off a conference championship in their maiden season, Oregon is expected to challenge again, while Washington could be sneakily good enough to cause the Ducks some trouble.
45) Tennessee vs. Syracuse
- Date: August 30
- Location: Mercedes-Benz, Atlanta, GA
- Time: Noon ET
The whole of college football is anticipating what the Tennessee Volunteers might look like without Nico Iamaleava after his high-profile departure. They will be tested early when they head to Atlanta to face the Syracuse Orange in a neutral venue game.
Syracuse had the No. 1-ranked passing offense (370.0 passing yards per game) in the country last fall. Although they lost quarterback Kyle McCord to the NFL and suffered a host of other departures, can they cause an upset on opening weekend?
44) SMU vs. TCU
- Date: September 20
- Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
- Time: TBD
The Battle of the Iron Skillet is one of the sport’s great rivalry games. Yet, it will disappear off the college football schedule after the 2025 season, at least for the foreseeable future, with the TCU Horned Frogs opting to put an indefinite pause on the series.
The 2024 matchup was a barnstormer, with the SMU Mustangs emerging with a 66-42 victory on their way to a College Football Playoff berth. Let’s hope for another high-scoring game in 2025.
43) Iowa vs. Iowa State
- Date: September 6
- Location: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA
- Time: Noon ET
An inter-state non-conference matchup that could offer an exhilarating matchup, the Iowa Hawkeyes head to Ames to face the Iowa State Cyclones, looking to regain the Cy-Hawk Trophy.
The Hawkeyes are one of the most intriguing Big Ten teams entering the 2025 season, while the Cyclones are looking to go one step further than last year with Rocco Becht under center.
42) Kansas vs. Missouri
- Date: September 6
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Columbia, MO
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Border War (officially renamed the Border Showdown in 2004) returns in 2025 after a 15-year hiatus, a welcome addition to the college football schedule. The Missouri Tigers won the last meeting 24-10 in 2011 and are looking to secure their fourth win in a row against the Kansas Jayhawks.
41) Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State
- Date: November 29
- Location: AmFirst Stadium, Jacksonville, AL
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Jacksonville State Gamecocks have established a rivalry at the top of Conference USA over the last two seasons. In 2024, the pair faced off twice, including in the CUSA Championship Game.
The Gamecocks defeated the Hilltoppers 19-17 to win their first conference title, and Tyson Helton’s side will seek revenge. Both teams saw substantial offseason change, but should still put on an electric display as conference frontrunners.
40) Georgia vs. Tennessee
- Date: September 13
- Location: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
The Georgia Bulldogs and the Volunteers always create an exciting event when two of the founding members of the SEC face off. Their high-powered offenses often exchange blows, and they were two of the best defenses in the country a year ago. Can Tennessee halt Kirby Smart’s eight-game winning streak?
39) Miami vs. Florida State
- Date: October 4
- Location: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
- Time: TBD
The Florida State Seminoles had a disastrous season in 2024, which has put head coach Mike Norvell on the hot seat. Meanwhile, the Miami Hurricanes are an ascending program. Still, a demanding schedule could put Mario Cristobal in hot water, especially if he can’t defeat one of their in-state rivals.
38) TCU vs. North Carolina
- Date: September 1
- Location: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
All eyes will be on Chapel Hill on September 1 as Bill Belichick leads the North Carolina Tar Heels out for the first time. Since he took the job, there has been a constant stream of eye-opening storylines around the former New England Patriots head coach, and he will be hoping his side can put any questions over his leadership to bed when they face the Frogs in Week 1.
37) USC vs. Oregon
- Date: November 22
- Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
- Time: TBD
Another former Pac-12 matchup hits the college football schedule as a Big Ten showdown for the first time after the USC Trojans dodged the reigning conference champions last fall. The Ducks and Trojans tussle for the 64th time, with Oregon on a three-game winning streak heading into the 2025 edition.
36) Arizona State vs. Iowa State
- Date: November 1
- Location: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA
- Time: TBD
A rematch of the 2024 Big 12 Championship Game, these two sides sit among the favorites to take home a conference crown. The Arizona State Sun Devils won the Big 12 against the odds last season, but can they repeat without running back Cam Skattebo? This matchup should go a long way to deciding the direction of the Big 12 when it takes place on November 1.
35) Alabama vs. South Carolina
- Date: October 25
- Location: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
- Time: Noon ET
South Carolina is likely still licking their wounds after seeing the 2024 matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide slip through their fingers, losing 27-25 in Tuscaloosa. The Gamecocks will be out for revenge with LaNorris Sellers under center.
34) Ohio State vs. Illinois
- Date: October 11
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
- Time: TBD
The Illinois Fighting Illini are a real wildcard in the Big Ten after finishing 10-3 under Bret Bielema in 2024. They start the upcoming season as the 12th-ranked team in the country, according to the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll.
To live up to the preseason hype, the Illini will have to overcome a challenging schedule. Their most significant test will come against the reigning national champion Ohio State Buckeyes.
33) Texas Tech vs. Arizona State
- Date: October 18
- Location: Mountain America Stadium, Tempe, AZ
- Time: TBD
The Texas Tech Red Raiders have become a frontrunner in the new era of college football, using NIL and revenue-sharing legislation to build a stellar roster via the transfer portal and high-level recruiting.
They have the talent to take the next step as a program, but is it enough for them to challenge for a College Football Playoff berth? We will discover the answer when they face the reigning Big 12 champions in one of the most exciting games on the 2025 college football schedule.
32) Colorado vs. Utah
- Date: October 25
- Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
- Time: TBD
Deion Sanders is box office, and the media circus will follow wherever he goes. All eyes will be on the Colorado Buffaloes in the 2025 season as “Coach Prime” prepares for life after Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. The Rumble in the Rockies will be one of their most difficult tests of the season, with a rejuvenated Utah Utes team expected to compete for a Big 12 title in 2025.
31) Florida vs. LSU
- Date: September 13
- Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The SEC produces must-watch games every week of the college football season, and one to watch early this fall is the Florida Gators’ trip to Death Valley to take on the LSU Tigers.
Both Billy Napier and Brian Kelly are on the hot seat, with much expected from the two teams heading into the 2025 season. Among multiple storylines, two of the top quarterbacks in the country, D.J. Lagway and Garrett Nussmeier, face off in a mouth-watering matchup.
30) Indiana vs. Penn State
- Date: November 8
- Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
- Time: TBD
The Penn State Nittany Lions return some of the top players in college football for 2025, including quarterback Drew Allar and the No. 1 running back in the country according to PFSN RB+, Nicholas Singleton. James Franklin’s team will face off against Indiana Hoosiers transfer passer Fernando Mendoza, who has earned early respect in the 2026 NFL Draft quarterback class.
29) Arizona State vs. Baylor
- Date: September 20
- Location: McLane Stadium, Waco, TX
- Time: TBD
With Sawyer Robertson, Bryson Washington, and Josh Cameron forming one of college football’s most dangerous offensive triplets, Dave Aranda’s side ranked 19th in the nation with 440.1 yards per game in 2024.
They could be even more explosive in 2025 and are among the early-season favorites to win the Big 12 Conference. An early test on the college football schedule against Arizona State should prove a solid measuring stick of their legitimacy.
28) Tennessee vs. Alabama
- Date: October 18
- Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
- Time: TBD
The Third Saturday in October is a date written in college football folklore. Tennessee and Alabama compete on the same day every season. The Crimson Tide leads the series 59-40, winning 15 consecutive matchups between 2007 and 2021. However, Josh Heupel’s team has won two of the last three. Can the Vols extend their recent success in Tuscaloosa this fall?
27) Georgia vs. Georgia Tech
- Date: November 28
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
UGA’s season was on the line when they went to eight overtimes in rivalry week against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 2024, but they somehow found a way to pull a win out of the bag in Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.
The game will take place in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in 2025, a venue that has been a stronghold for the Bulldogs, who will look to create a hostile environment despite this being technically a Yellow Jacket home game.
26) Texas vs. Florida
- Date: October 4
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
- Time: TBD
Circle October 4 on the college football schedule as two of the sport’s most exciting talents will face off in “The Swamp.” Florida quarterback Lagway and Arch Manning could be the faces of the SEC if they live up to their five-star potential. Both showcased creative playmaking ability last fall, but which young playmaker can guide their team to victory in a must-win matchup?
25) SMU vs. Clemson
- Date: October 18
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
- Time: TBD
The 2025 college football schedule features a rematch of the 2024 ACC Championship Game, and SMU will be out for revenge in mid-October.
However, the Clemson Tigers return an elite amount of talent, including four first-round prospects in PFSN’s latest 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
24) Oklahoma vs. Texas
- Date: October 12
- Location: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX
- TBD: 3:30 p.m. ET
The Red River Rivalry. Need we say anymore? Well, perhaps we’ll embellish a little. The Longhorns dismantled the Oklahoma Sooners last fall, piling on to a disappointing opening campaign in the SEC for Brent Venables’ team.
However, the crimson and cream half of the great rivalry added offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer to the roster this offseason, boosting one of the country’s worst offenses from a year ago and raising the expectation level for Sooner football.
23) Florida vs. Miami
- Date: September 20
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL
- Time: TBD
After only meeting twice in the 2010s, Florida and Miami have back-to-back contests on the college football schedule after the Hurricanes tore the Gators apart 41-17 in Gainesville last fall. However, the matchup in 2025 looks more evenly matched, with Florida expected to blossom and Miami replacing quarterback Cam Ward with former Georgia passer Carson Beck.
22) USC vs. Notre Dame
- Date: October 18
- Location: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is a day written into the diary of all college football fans. That weekend, USC’s rivalry with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is a regular feature on the college football schedule. The annual showdown began in 1926 and has been played 95 times since, with the Irish holding a 52-38-5 overall record and a two-game win streak over their bitter rivals.
21) Duke vs. Tulane
- Date: September 13
- Location: Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
The Duke Blue Devils take on the Tulane Green Wave in an early-season clash that could get spicy. QB Darian Mensah led the American Conference in completion percentage (65.9%) and average yards per attempt (9.5) in 2024 for Tulane, but has upped sticks moving to Duke via the transfer portal and will reportedly earn $4 million per season for the next two years.
20) UNLV vs. Boise State
- Date: October 18
- Location: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
- Time: TBD
The UNLV Rebels and Boise State Broncos were the standout programs in the Mountain West for the past two years, with the pair competing in the conference championship game in back-to-back seasons. However, the Rebels have failed to come out on top in either of these meetings. Could they fare any better under Dan Mullen in 2025?
19) Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia
- Date: September 13
- Location: Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, WV
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
The Backyard Brawl should be a date etched into everyone’s sporting calendar. Whether an avid fan or a casual, the Pittsburgh Panthers and West Virginia Mountaineers always entertain in a pure, physical rivalry. After their victory in 2024, the Panthers hold a 63-41-3 as they head to Morgantown in September.
18) Michigan vs. Oklahoma
- Date: September 6
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
In one of the biggest out-of-conference matchups on the 2025 college football schedule, the Michigan Wolverines head to Norman to take on the Sooners in a hotly anticipated early-season clash. The two programs have plenty of question marks hanging over them heading into the fall, and this matchup could determine the narrative for each of them for the rest of the year.
17) Alabama vs. Auburn
- Date: November 29
- Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
- Time: TBD
The Iron Bowl is compulsive viewing, and while Alabama has dominated the series, Auburn always puts up a fight, regardless of how the season has gone before the final weekend of the campaign. If Jackson Arnold can elevate his game after a dismal debut season with Oklahoma, the Tigers have the talent around him to give the Crimson Tide a scare in Week 14.
16) Alabama vs. Georgia
- Date: September 27
- Location: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Two of the SEC’s winningest schools, Alabama and Georgia, have provided some classics over the years, some engraved into the fabric of college football history.
The Crimson Tide is on a two-game winning streak against its regular foes and has even won the last three SEC Championships fought between the two historic programs.
15) Texas A&M vs. Texas
- Date: November 28
- Location: DKR-Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M has been reignited since the Longhorns joined the SEC. The Aggies are eager to prove which team from the Lone Star State truly belongs in the SEC. With only three matchups since 2010, this rivalry should be cherished.
14) Georgia vs. Florida
- Date: November 1
- Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
- Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party could throw up one of the most fascinating matchups on the 2025 college football schedule as the two meet in Jacksonville again in 2025.
The Bulldogs have won four consecutive games against the Gators, and both teams could find themselves ranked highly when they face off on November 1.
13) Clemson vs. South Carolina
- Date: November 29
- Location: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
- Time: Noon ET
Clemson is expected to be one of the most exciting teams to watch in 2025. With a dominant defense and some of the country’s best playmakers on offense, they are prominently featured on this list.
However, the Gamecocks will put up a strong fight in their interstate rivalry game. Fans and NFL scouts will have this game circled on the college football schedule as the quarterback competition between Sellers and Klubnik could produce two of the top 2026 NFL Draft prospects.
12) Penn State vs. Ohio State
- Date: November 1
- Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
- Time: TBD
This game is critical for the direction of the Big Ten and the broader College Football Playoff picture. Penn State has gone all out to try and win a championship in 2025, but can they head into The Shoe and overcome the reigning national champions for the first time since 2016?
11) LSU vs. Alabama
- Date: November 8
- Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
- Time: TBD
If the 2025 college football schedule unfolds as many anticipate, LSU’s game at Alabama could have College Football Playoff implications. Both programs are expected to be in contention for the SEC Championship Game and the postseason tournament come November, making the matchup in Tuscaloosa crucial.
10) Illinois vs. Indiana
- Date: September 20
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
- Time: TBD
All eyes are on the Big Ten’s blue-blood programs, but Illinois and Indiana are potential College Football Playoff teams in 2025. A 10-2 record could be enough for either side to make the postseason tournament, but a win in this fixture will go a long way toward determining each team’s December plans.
9) Army vs. Navy
- Date: December 13
- Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
No list of top college football games would be complete without including one of the greatest rivalries in all of sport.
Army vs. Navy is the epitome of the pride, passion, and pageantry of college football, and the Midshipmen will look to beat their bitter rivalry for the second consecutive season behind one of the best quarterbacks in the country, Blake Horvath.
8) LSU vs. Clemson
- Date: August 30
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Week 1 of the college football season has several high-profile matchups with potential season-defining connotations. Clemson (six) and LSU (nine) are ranked in the Top 10 of the USA Today Coaches Poll and will be looking to get their season off to the best possible start. Adding further intrigue into a potentially explosive clash, LSU hasn’t won a season-opener since 2019.
7) Notre Dame vs. Miami
- Date: August 31
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Another high-profile Week 1 matchup on the 2025 college football schedule pits Notre Dame against Miami. The Fighting Irish are considered one of the best teams in the country heading into the season, but there is also a sense of expectation that the Hurricanes could be a contender in the ACC. One of them will be facing an uphill battle from the get-go this fall.
6) Kansas State vs. Iowa State
- Date: August 23
- Location: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
- Time: Noon ET
Farmageddon is heading overseas in 2025 as the long-running Big 12 rivalry between Iowa State and the Kansas State Wildcats kicks off the campaign in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic from Dublin, Ireland. With two of the conference’s top quarterbacks in action, it serves as one of the better Week 0 games we’ve ever seen on the college football schedule.
5) Utah vs. BYU
- Date: October 18
- Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
- Time: TBD
Holy War is one of college football’s greatest rivalries, and given the talent on both sides, the 2025 version could be a classic. Utah is looking to rebound after a disappointing season in 2024, but it has a loaded roster. On the other hand, the BYU Cougars return a considerable amount of talent, hoping to make a push in the Big 12 again. All signs hint at an unmissable game in Provo.
4) Texas vs. Georgia
- Date: November 15
- Location: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
- Time: TBD
Texas and Georgia bring two terrifying defenses and resplendent run games to the table when a rematch of the 2024 SEC Championship Game hits the college football schedule this fall. Both teams figure to be in the top five programs in the country if the coaches’ poll is any indicator of future success, making this a must-win matchup for Sarkisian and Smart.
3) Oregon vs. Penn State
- Date: September 27
- Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
- Stadium: 7:30 p.m. ET
Both teams believe they have unfinished business in the College Football Playoff, and important implications for the Big Ten championship and postseason seedings will be at stake when Oregon visits Beaver Stadium on September 27.
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Fans should mark this matchup as a must-watch, especially after the spectacle the two teams put on in Indianapolis for the 2024 Big Ten Championship Game. This is a big-game test that Penn State head coach Franklin can’t afford to fail.
2) Ohio State vs. Michigan
- Date: November 29
- Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
- Stadium: Noon ET
All roads lead to The Game for Ohio State and Michigan. In one of the most heated rivalries in sports, the two Big Ten teams want nothing but bragging rights over their fiercest foes. Despite winning the national championship at the end of last season, the Buckeyes haven’t beaten the Wolverines since 2020 and have lost the previous two outings in Ann Arbor.
1) Texas vs. Ohio State
- Date: August 30
- Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
- Time: Noon ET
Great job, schedulers! What an exciting Week 1 fixture for college football fans that got even more tantalizing with the release of the USA Today Coaches Poll. With Texas taking the preseason No. 1 spot and Ohio State trailing just behind, this clash will be the first time in college football history that the preseason top two teams have faced each other to open the year.
Both teams feature new starting quarterbacks, with Julian Sayin likely to be the opening weekend starter for the Buckeyes and Manning meeting his destiny as the Longhorns QB1. Both will be eager to make a strong debut, but face some of the best defensive playmakers taking to the field this fall.
