College Football Week 1 Schedule: Biggest Games In 2025

The 2025 college football appetizer begins in Week 0, when a Big 12 conference game between Kansas State and Iowa State will be played on Aug. 23 in Dublin, Ireland. 

Just five days later, the 2025 season will begin in earnest with several big-time matchups in Week 1.

Biggest Week 1 College Football Games of 2025

Boise State vs. South Florida

Location: Tampa
Date: Thursday, Aug. 28

One of the most exciting parts of the College Football Playoff expansion was the guaranteed nature of postseason access for G5 schools. 

Fans of the sport – not to mention alumni of G5 institutions – entered the groundbreaking 2024 season with the expectation of a frenetic, season-long campaign tracking the ebbs and flows of G5 teams. 

Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos blew that up, playing Oregon tight in an early September game and coasting to the playoff automatic bid. With Jeanty now gone, fans will get an early look at Boise State in a Floridian August. 

The stakes are high for USF coach Alex Golesh, too – one of the up-and-coming coaches potentially short-listed for a power conference job in the next few years. 

Georgia Tech vs. Colorado

Location: Boulder
Date: Friday, Aug. 29

What is the staying power of Deion Sanders without Travis Hunter and his quarterback son? We’ll get a first look at life after Shedeur on Friday night.

If there’s one thing we know about Georgia Tech coach Brent Key, he loves toppling ranked favorites as an outright dog. Let’s see if the Buffs show up in the AP Top 25. 

Alabama vs. Florida State

Location: Tallahassee
Date: Saturday, Aug. 30

This ACC/SEC clash will feature two behemoths of the sport, both of which are coming off seasons that disappointed their fan bases in various ways. 

Which fan base will still be mad after Week 1?

LSU vs. Clemson

Location: Clemson
Date: Saturday, Aug. 30

It’s the battle of the Death Valleys as Brian Kelly’s Tigers head to ACC country in search of a playoff-worthy win. In a crowded SEC, premium nonconference wins may matter more than ever. 

Texas vs. Ohio State

Location: Columbus
Date: Saturday, Aug. 30

This one almost feels like an NFL kickoff game. Ohio State begins its first title defense in a decade with a high-profile showdown against Texas. 

Buckeyes fans, beware – after heavy departures in Columbus, this could easily be the Arch Manning arrival party.

Utah vs. UCLA

Location: Pasadena
Date: Saturday, Aug. 30

Two years ago, this would have been a Pac-12 game. Instead, Utah begins its rebuild after a miserable, injury-marred 2024 season in Pasadena, hoping for better luck in Year 2 of its Big 12 era. 

Casual fans will likely be watching to see if former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava will end up with the starting job this year. If there are fireworks ahead for the potential second-year starter, he’s a great value right now in BetMGM’s Heisman Trophy odds market. 

South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech

Location: Atlanta
Date: Sunday, Aug. 31

It’s the Beamer Bowl in Atlanta, as Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer takes on his famous father’s school. 

Hokies head coach Brent Pry is one of many college football hot seat residents and could really use a statement win.  

Each program quietly had five guys selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, so this will be an under-the-radar game to watch for prospect development, too. 

Notre Dame vs. Miami (FL)

Location: Miami
Date: Sunday, Aug. 31

Cam Ward rescued the Hurricanes a lot in 2024, leaving concerns for ‘25 about water finding its level. 

Notre Dame can grab an early pelt in its quest to gain inside positioning for that No. 5 playoff seed.

North Carolina vs. TCU

Location: Chapel Hill
Date: Monday, Sept. 1

Assuming he’s still in place as the head coach in September, Bill Belichick will lead the Tar Heels in primetime against TCU.

Everyone is very excited for the X’s and O’s of this inter-conference matchup. I’m sure there will be absolutely no additional reasons to watch or talk about this game.