By : Sabri Haidar
(Photo/Sabri Haidar-The Mojo Network)
The countdown is over — the 2025 college football season kicks off with one of the most loaded Week 1 slates in recent memory. From top-five showdowns with playoff implications to neutral-site games dripping with intrigue, the season’s first weekend offers a little bit of everything: star quarterbacks, coaching drama, conference pride, and a handful of under-the-radar matchups that could shape the narrative of the fall.
Here’s your all-access guide to the opening weekend.
Game of the Week: Texas at Ohio State
Saturday, August 30 – Noon ET, FOX
When No. 1 Texas heads into Columbus to face No. 3 Ohio State, it’s more than just a game — it’s a playoff-level collision in August. Texas, fresh off a title-contending season, brings back one of the most talented rosters in the country, but Ohio State’s defense and the Horseshoe atmosphere make this one of the toughest road tests in all of college football. Win or lose, this matchup will echo deep into December.
Other Marquee Showdowns
LSU at Clemson
Saturday, August 30 – Primetime
A top-10 clash with serious playoff weight. Clemson’s defensive front looks to reassert its dominance, while LSU’s explosive offense travels to Death Valley (the South Carolina version) with plenty to prove. This is SEC vs. ACC bragging rights at their peak.
Florida State vs. Alabama
Saturday, August 30 – Tallahassee
Two traditional powers collide in a rivalry revival. Florida State wants redemption after their last meeting ended in heartbreak, while Alabama enters with a new offensive identity and a chip on its shoulder after missing the playoff.
Notre Dame at Miami
Sunday, August 31 – 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
The Irish vs. The U, under the lights. It’s a battle of top-10 programs with history, swagger, and plenty of playoff stakes. Miami’s new-look offense will be tested early against Notre Dame’s disciplined defense.
Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina
Sunday, August 31 – 3 p.m. ET, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
The “Beamer Bowl” headlines Sunday afternoon, as Shane Beamer leads the Gamecocks against the program where his coaching journey began. Personal history aside, both teams see this as a chance to grab momentum on a national stage.
TCU at North Carolina
Monday, September 1 – 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Labor Day closes with fireworks. TCU’s high-octane passing attack faces a UNC team now under the watchful eye of Bill Belichick in his highly anticipated college coaching debut. The chess match on the sideline may be just as fascinating as the action on the field.
Underrated but Unmissable
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati
Saturday, August 30 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
A neutral-site showdown that screams physicality. Nebraska’s Big Ten toughness meets Cincinnati’s Big 12 speed, with both programs looking to prove they belong in the national conversation. Whoever wins this trenches battle sets the tone for their season.
Georgia Tech at Colorado
Saturday, August 30 – Boulder
Coach Prime opens Year 3 in Boulder against a Georgia Tech squad that won’t be intimidated. Colorado’s flashy transfer haul meets an ACC team on the rise, making this one of the most intriguing cross-conference clashes of the weekend.
Syracuse vs. Tennessee
Saturday, August 30 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
The Aflac Kickoff Classic pits SEC firepower against ACC resilience. Tennessee boasts one of the country’s fastest offenses, but Syracuse has the kind of mobile quarterback and defensive secondary that could turn this into a nail-biter.
Early Week Openers
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Boise State at South Florida (Thursday, August 28 – 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
A perfect appetizer. Boise’s offense always entertains, and USF gets an early shot to make noise in the Group of Five. -
Western Illinois at Illinois (Friday, August 29 – 7:30 p.m. ET, Peacock)
The Illini open their season in a classic Big Ten vs. FCS battle, but the national streaming spotlight gives this one a bigger stage than usual.
Why This Week Feels Different
This isn’t your typical “warm-up” weekend. With the College Football Playoff now expanded to 12 teams, September wins matter more than ever. Programs like Clemson, LSU, and Florida State can’t afford to stumble, while under-the-radar contenders like Nebraska or Georgia Tech have opportunities to steal headlines.
From blue-blood showdowns to sneaky upsets waiting to happen, Week 1 sets the stage for what could be one of the most unpredictable college football seasons in years.