2025 College Football Viewing Guide: Top 130 Games of 2025

August 22, 2025

Mike's 2025 college football must-watch games and viewing guide for the new season. Read about the top CFB games from Week 0 to Week 14 ahead of kickoff.

The long and dreary eight months without college football are almost over! Farmageddon in Dublin is less than 48 hours away!

We will have plenty of college football games worth watching every week of the 2025 season. Week 0 isn't much, but it's still college football. Some college football is better than no college football, right?

However, with 91 games over Labor Day weekend, you would think that the NCAA gods could have thrown us a couple more bones. That said, last year's Week 0 had five games, with only two of them featuring FBS vs. FBS opponents. At least we have four of the five this year with FBS vs. FBS foes. That's just the beginning. What else is in store for us college football fans in 2025? Let's jump right in!

College Football Games To Watch Week 0 - August 23

(22) Iowa State vs. (17) Kansas State at Dublin, Ireland

It's Farmageddon in Week 0! This is the perfect kickoff for the 2025 season. Do they serve Busch Light in Dublin? Now, if we could only get the (really) Big 12 (16) morons to protect this rivalry, I would be a lot happier.

Fresno State at Kansas

It's easy to forget that Jalon Daniels is still with Kansas. The Jayhawks are at home in their recently renovated stadium to give Daniels the senior season he deserves. We also get another look at E.J. Warner (son of Kurt Warner) in a revamped Fresno State offense.

Stanford at Hawaii

Hey, it's college football, and it might be the only time this season that normal people watch these two teams. It's better than the NFL preseason!

College Football Games To Watch Week 1 - August 28-September 1

(25) Boise State at South Florida

It's an early battle for Group of 5 supremacy. Both are ranked in my Go5 top 10. This is a tough road game for the Broncos.

Nebraska vs. Cincinnati at Kansas City

The guy who wants to be Patrick Mahomes when he grows up gets to play at Mahomes' home stadium.

Miami (OH) at Wisconsin

The MAC usually collects one Big Ten (18) scalp per year. This could be the game this year.

Georgia Tech at Colorado

We'll find out if my Yellow Jackets hype is warranted. We'll also find out if there is life after Shedeur Sanders in Boulder.

(1) Texas at (3) Ohio State

Whoever made this a noon game needs to be fired. Golden Boy Arch Manning faces off against uber-prospect Julian Sayin at the Shoe. It gets no better than this!

Ryan Day names Julian Sayin the starting QB at @OhioStateFB.

🎥: @SteveHelwagen pic.twitter.com/Uu5QpOqWAw

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 18, 2025

Syracuse vs. Tennessee at Atlanta

Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli takes the reins of Fran Brown's Orange while another orange proves that Nico Iamaleava had little to do with its 2024 success.

(8) Alabama at Florida State

This game will set the pace for Florida State's 2025 season. If it loses but puts up a fight, it could be a good season. If FSU gets blown off its field yet again, Norvell might be out of a job before Halloween.

South Dakota at Iowa State

This serves as a good measuring stick to gauge how close the top of FCS is to FBS.

UTSA at (19) Texas A&M

The Roadrunners have a potent offense, and the Aggies are perennial underachievers. This could be interesting.

(9) LSU at (4) Clemson

A battle for Death Valley supremacy.

Idaho at Washington State

It's the Battle of the Palouse, and yes, it's a thing.

Virginia Tech vs. (13) South Carolina at Atlanta

So ... who gets to bring their bird sounds to Atlanta? Just the home team?

(6) Notre Dame at (10) Miami (FL)

We haven't had Catholics vs. Convicts since 2017. It's about time it came back!

College Football Games To Watch Week 2 - September 5-6

James Madison at Louisville

Louisville grabbed another high-profile castoff QB in former USC starter Miller Moss. Can he beat a top-10 Go5 team?

Sacramento State at Nevada

If you're looking for an FCS team to beat an FBS team, look here.

(12) Illinois at Duke

A tougher-than-advertised road game for the Illini with former Tulane QB Darian Mensah now in Durham.

Baylor at (16) SMU

It looks to me like the wrong team was ranked in the preseason. I don't have to wait long to find out if I'm too high on Baylor.

Iowa at (22) Iowa State

It's ¡El Assico! You will watch it and you will like it! A punt (and drunk) fest like no other. Make fun of it if you must, but it's still going to be great.

(21) Mississippi at Kentucky

Ole Miss gets revenge on the one loss that killed its 2024 season. The Rebs might score 70.

Kansas at Missouri

These teams hate each other, and this is the first Border War in football since 2011. You don't want to miss this one!

Texas State at UTSA

Two more teams that don't like each other. They need a cool name for this rivalry. The Battle of I-35 is rather bland.

South Florida at (15) Florida

The Bulls only lost by three points in the last meeting at the Swamp in 2022.

(14) Michigan at (18) Oklahoma

Both teams have numerous questions heading into 2025. We'll get some answers here.

Akron at Nebraska

The first time these two teams tried to play, God struck it down.

College Football Games To Watch Week 3 - September 11-13

(4) Clemson at Georgia Tech

If the Bees find a way to win this, the ACC is theirs to lose.

Wisconsin at (8) Alabama

Ty Simpson gets his first home game against a Wisconsin team that might be bad this year.

(5) Georgia at (24) Tennessee

Tennessee hasn't beaten Georgia in Knoxville since 2015.

Pittsburgh at West Virginia

The Backyard Brawl is back in Morgantown. The last road team to win a game in this series was West Virginia in 2010.

South Florida at (10) Miami (FL)

The Bulls beat the Hurricanes in Miami in 2010 and nearly took them out again in Tampa in 2011.

Florida Atlantic at Florida International

The Shula Bowl is always must-see TV.

(19) Texas A&M at (6) Notre Dame

The Irish get tested a lot early in 2025.

(15) Florida at (9) LSU

We'll find out how good the Gators are less than a month into the season.

Duke at Tulane 

Darian Mensah goes back to the place where he started just nine months later.

College Football Games To Watch Week 4 - September 18-20

Syracuse at (4) Clemson

If you're orange, Syracuse is going to fight you! The only orange teams Syracuse doesn't play this year are Sam Houston and Oregon State.

Oregon State at (7) Oregon

It's still a travesty that the Civil War is in September, but it's better than nothing. It's also the only game in which no team wants the trophy...

(15) Florida at (10) Miami (FL)

I say that if Florida wins, it will steal the Seminole War Canoe anyway. Rivalry trophies have been stolen for far less.

(11) Arizona State at Baylor

An early battle for Big 12 (16) supremacy.

(12) Illinois at (20) Indiana

These teams have played 73 times since 1899, but those 73 prior matchups have never seen both teams ranked entering the game. Does that change this year?

(16) SMU at TCU

The Battle for the Iron Skillet heads west this year.

Auburn at (18) Oklahoma

Jackson Arnold heads back to the place where he started.

Purdue at (6) Notre Dame

The shillelagh is at stake, but it's not a jeweled one. This one is just another stick.

(14) Michigan at Nebraska

The battle for ownership of the split 1997 national championship.

Georgia State at Vanderbilt

Don't laugh. The Panthers beat Vandy last year.

Fresno State at Hawaii

The Battle for the Golden Screwdriver is such an underrated trophy game.

College Football Games To Watch Week 5 - September 25-27

(9) LSU at (21) Mississippi

If both of these teams are as good as I think, this might be a playoff game in September.

(20) Indiana at Iowa

I don't know what shade of awful the Iowa offense will be, but the defense will give the Hoosiers trouble.

Appalachian State at (25) Boise State

A HUGE non-conference Group of 5 game. This could be a playoff game.

(6) Notre Dame at Arkansas

The Hogs took out a far more talented Tennessee team in Fayetteville last year.

(7) Oregon at (2) Penn State

A whiteout game and another prove-it game for James Franklin. It's not even about the players anymore.

(8) Alabama at (5) Georgia

This could be an SEC Championship preview.

College Football Games To Watch Week 6 - October 2-4

(1) Texas at (15) Florida

The last time Texas played in the Swamp was 1940. It shut out the Gators. Fun fact: Texas and Florida have played four times. The Gators have scored a total of 24 points on Texas. 17 of those were last season ... and they still lost by 32 points.

(4) Clemson at North Carolina

Bill Belichick's first real test in Carolina blue.

Vanderbilt at (8) Alabama

Vanderbilt hasn't won in Tuscaloosa since 1984 ... which was Vandy's last win in the series before 2024. Vanderbilt hasn't won two in a row against the Tide since 1955-56.

(10) Miami (FL) at Florida State

These teams have played every year since 1969 (a rarity in the days of mega-conferences), and it's almost always a close game. Seven of the last 11 were decided by a touchdown or less.

(17) Kansas State at Baylor

This is where I find out if by Big 12 (16) prediction is right.

Washington at Maryland

This is now a freaking conference game! What have they done to the sport I love?

(25) Boise State at (6) Notre Dame

This is a big chance for both teams when it comes to wanting into the CFP since neither has an automatic berth.

College Football Games To Watch Week 7 - October 8-11

(3) Ohio State at (12) Illinois

We'll find out how good Illinois is.

(20) Indiana at (7) Oregon

Ditto for the Hoosiers.

(13) South Carolina at (9) LSU

This could be very important for the CFP hopes of both teams.

Iowa at Wisconsin

The trophy for this one is an oddly shaped, neutered brass bull.

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech

It's Techmo Bowl!

(18) Oklahoma vs. (1) Texas

It's the Red River Shootout. What more hype do you need? You know that Oklahoma is torqued about last year. The question is: can it do anything about it?

College Football Games To Watch Week 8 - October 14-18

Nebraska at Minnesota 

The $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy is at stake. So what if the universities hate it? The fans love it, and that's what should matter.

(2) Penn State at Iowa

I'm old enough to remember the 2008 game when an average Iowa team welcomed in a top-5-ranked Penn State team into Kinnick and ruined its perfect regular season.

(21) Mississippi at (5) Georgia

You know, for as much as Lane Kiffin ran his mouth last December, he had better win at least 10 games.

(24) Tennessee at (8) Alabama 

The Vols haven't gotten victory stogies in Tuscaloosa in 22 years.

(19) Texas A&M at Arkansas 

The Southwest version of ¡El Assico! At least it's back to on-campus games instead of at Jerry World.

UNLV at (25) Boise State

Boise used two wins against the Rebels to catapult into a first-round bye in the CFP last year. Can Alex Orji ruin Boise's run this year?

Utah at BYU 

I still think the Holy War should be held the day after Thanksgiving. The rivalry has earned at least that much.

Baylor at TCU 

The Revivalry needs a trophy. Not the Bluebonnet one. One that truly symbolizes this rivalry. After all, how many fans have allegedly burned down a rival school?

Old Dominion vs. James Madison

This is Rivalry Week lite. The Royal Rivalry is still in its infancy, but it has already produced some really good games.

Memphis at UAB

A 100-pound bronze statue of a rack of ribs is at stake in the Battle of the Bones!

USC at (6) Notre Dame

Yet another trophy is at stake with the Jeweled Shillelagh up for grabs.

Georgia State at Georgia Southern

Modern-Day Hate isn't quite as heated as Georgia-Georgia Tech, but it's close.

College Football Games To Watch Week 9 - October 21-25

(8) Alabama at (13) South Carolina

If South Carolina is really among the SEC elite, we'll find out here.

(19) Texas A&M at (9) LSU

A lot will be decided between now and then, but LSU should still have at least a chance at the CFP.

(14) Michigan at Michigan State

It's a battle for a 4-foot-tall wooden statue of Paul Bunyan! Who cares what the actual game looks like?

(17) Kansas State at Kansas

I expect both teams to be ranked once the Sunflower Showdown comes around. Any chance we can get a giant gold sunflower for a trophy?

(21) Mississippi at (18) Oklahoma

This game will be a turning point for the 2025 version of the Sooners, one way or the other.

(24) Tennessee at Kentucky

Watch if you want, but I'm boycotting this until they bring back the Beer Barrel. Ok ... you got me. I'm not, but it makes for a good story.

Minnesota at Iowa

Who is Floyd going home with this year? It might be the only bright spot for the winning team in 2025.

San Diego State at Fresno State

The Battle for the Oil Can is one of the more underrated rivalry games (and trophies).

Colorado State at Wyoming

The fun part about this rivalry is that the ROTC from the road school runs next year's game ball to the next location. It's going to be a cold run from Laramie to Fort Collins in late October!

College Football Games To Watch Week 10 - October 28-November 1

(2) Penn State at (3) Ohio State

This could be a preview of the Big Ten (18) Championship game a month later.

(11) Arizona State at (22) Iowa State

The polls think this is a battle for Big 12 (16) supremacy, but the truth is that any one of 10 teams in this conference could win it, and I wouldn't be one bit surprised.

(13) South Carolina at (21) Mississippi

If Georgia, LSU, or Alabama stumbles, this is a battle for who takes their place in the CFP.

(18) Oklahoma at (24) Tennessee

Josh Heupel won in his return to Norman. Can the Sooners show him up in front of his new fans?

USC at Nebraska

Nebraska got jobbed in the Coliseum last year. If the Huskers have everything break right this year, they might be undefeated by the time this game hits.

(5) Georgia at (15) Florida

It's the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. What else would you rather be doing?

Central Michigan at Western Michigan

It's the battle for the second-largest victory cannon trophy, and this one still fires. This should be a mid-week MACtion game. It's a waste having it on a full Saturday slate.

Washington State at Oregon State

It's the last year of the Pac-2. Who wins the title this year?

College Football Games To Watch Week 11 - November 4-8

Miami (OH) at Ohio

It's the Battle of the Bricks, and we'll need the cleansing after the Toilet Bowl between UMass and Akron, also going on in MACtion on Tuesday night.

(20) Indiana at (2) Penn State

If James Franklin and company manage to beat Ohio State the week before, this may be the most important football game for Penn State in the last 38 years.

(7) Oregon at Iowa

Iowa's offense is going to be awful this year, but Oregon may have to battle the elements at Kinnick in November.

(9) LSU at (8) Alabama

The winner of this is likely assured a CFP berth.

Navy at (6) Notre Dame

It wouldn't shock me if Navy is ranked by this time. It has a strong team again this year.

College Football Games To Watch Week 12 - November 11-15

(4) Clemson at Louisville

An underrated tough road game, especially if Louisville can rehabilitate another veteran quarterback (Miller Moss).

(1) Texas at (5) Georgia

If you listen to most, Alabama, Georgia, and LSU are still the favorites in the SEC. Texas may have something to say about that.

(18) Oklahoma at (8) Alabama

You know Alabama has had this circled since last November. This is likely the game that kept the Tide out of the CFP in 2024.

Arkansas at (9) LSU

The trophy is a giant monstrosity of a bronze boot, but you really can't stop looking at it. It's gloriously gaudy and shaped like the two states.

(13) South Carolina at (19) Texas A&M

Looking at the schedules for these two teams, neither may be ranked by this point if things don't go as planned.

Utah at Baylor

Utah is a dangerous team that no one is talking about. So is Baylor. The winner of this may go to the Big 12 (16) Championship Game.

College Football Games To Watch Week 13 - November 18-22

Nebraska at (2) Penn State

Oh wait ... this isn't volleyball. Never mind...

(10) Miami (FL) at Virginia Tech 

This was a wild one last year. It could be again in Blacksburg.

(24) Tennessee at (15) Florida

Looking at the schedules, we may be dealing with two unranked teams this late in the season.

(17) Kansas State at Utah

K-State took a trip to the Rockies in late November last year and came back without a berth in the Big 12 (16) Championship.

Colorado State at (25) Boise State

The Rams may end up being the better team this year, but a trip to the Smurf Turf is never easy.

Duke at North Carolina

How about they move this into the Dean Dome and dunk it out?

Missouri at (18) Oklahoma

Bring back the Peace Pipe!

Marshall at Appalachian State

The Old Mountain Feud never disappoints!

College Football Games To Watch Week 14 - November 15-29

Arizona at (11) Arizona State

The Territory Cup game was lopsided last year and could be again.

(21) Mississippi at Mississippi State

The Egg Bowl should be on Thanksgiving. I will die on this hill.

Iowa at Nebraska

Get these teams a decent trophy already! It could be a pair of golden uprights with the number of games decided by a field goal in the last decade.

(5) Georgia at Georgia Tech

Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate always goes hard. Just ask Georgia.

GEORGIA COMES BACK TO TAKE DOWN GEORGIA TECH IN 8OT 😳

YES... 8 OVERTIMES 🤯 pic.twitter.com/08dSpLkDs3

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 30, 2024

(19) Texas A&M at (1) Texas

The return of the Lone Star Showdown is the best thing about Texas joining the SEC. It never would have happened otherwise.

(20) Indiana at Purdue

It's the 101st meeting for the Old Oaken Bucket. That's just the games in which the trophy has been exchanged. The game itself has been around longer than that.

(8) Alabama at Auburn

I would love to see this game back in Birmingham every third year.

(9) LSU at (18) Oklahoma

The SEC is trying too hard to make this rivalry stick. Just give us Bedlam back!

Florida State at (15) Florida

This game is more fun when both teams are good. It may not happen again this year.

Vanderbilt at (24) Tennessee 

If Vandy wins this game, look out!

Missouri at Arkansas

The Bronze Boot should be over Thanksgiving, not the Battle Line. The SEC missed this one.

Kentucky at Louisville

This game needs a full barrel of bourbon as a trophy. The winning team gets to take a shot out of it every year until it's gone.

Wisconsin at Minnesota

The Battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe is always great, even if the teams on the field are not.

UCLA at USC

A giant, 295-pound brass bell is at stake! I hope the two teams play like it!

(3) Ohio State at (14) Michigan

Can Ohio State finally win one against Michigan?

(4) Clemson at (13) South Carolina

The Gamecocks are likely going to need this game more than Clemson. They won last year, but it still didn't matter.

Oregon State at Washington State

Come on, guys ... reruns make for bad television!

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