College Football's Biggest Games of Each Week

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports

Do you know what games to look forward to this college football season? Whether you’re a new fan who is just getting into the sport, or your favorite team is just on a bye week, these are the games you need to watch!

Week 0

1. Iowa State vs Kansas State (Dublin, Ireland)

The annual game in Dublin, Ireland, this game headlines the week 0 slate. Two Big 12 teams with playoff dreams clashing in the first game of the college football season? Nothing more to ask for.

2. Stanford at Hawai’i 

Stanford is going to be really bad this year, so this game could go either way. Hawai’i is technically favored, but it would feel like an upset if they get this win. The night cap of week 0, this should be a fun one.

3. Fresno State at Kansas

Kansas should win this one, but it’ll be cool to see the Jayhawks in action, and see if they might have something this year. QB Jalon Daniels should be electric, so this will be interesting at the least.

Week 1 

1. Texas at Ohio State

This game has potential to be one of the best games of the whole season. Two teams with National Title hopes in week 1? Sign me all the way up! Everyone will be tuning into this one, college football fanatic or not. It will be nuts.

2. LSU at Clemson

It’s absolutely insane that this game is the 2nd best game of week 1. These are two of the best teams in the country (I have them playing in the Title game) and we get it to cap off a loaded week 1 slate. This also has "game of the year" potential, you don’t want to miss it.

3. Notre Dame at Miami

This game is actually on Sunday, but it’s nonetheless a massive game for both sides. Notre Dame looks to make it back to the championship, while Miami wants to make a CFP berth with Carson Beck at the helm. Should be fun, and following the electric games on the previous day, people from all across the country should be locked in. 

Week 2

1. Michigan at Oklahoma

A game that will set the tone for both teams with playoff aspirations, the storyline will be Bryce Underwood (assuming he is the starter) vs Brent Venables’ defense. BV will certainly have some nasty looks to throw at the true freshman in what will only be his second ever start, and first ever road game. Either way, it will be electric in Norman, and a great game to look forward to.

2. Baylor at SMU

A rivalry game, with two teams who have dreams of making the playoffs. Nothing more you could ask for in week 2. Plus, both starting QBs in the game, Sawyer Robertson and Kevin Jennings, have all-conference potential, so that’s another bonus for this game.

3. Iowa at Iowa State

Another rivalry, this one less exciting playoff-wise, but arguably a top 10 rivalry in the sport. These two teams want to show they are the best in the state, and that never disappoints. Rocco Becht vs the Iowa defense will be absolute cinema.

HM: Illinois at Duke

I opted to put Baylor/SMU and Iowa/Iowa State above this one since they are both rivalries, but this is going to be a massive game for both teams. Both of these programs have a decent shot at the playoffs if everything goes great for them, but they both must-win this game for that shot to come into fruition.

Week 3

1. Clemson at Georgia Tech

A lot of folks are picking Georgia Tech to do big things this year, and this will be a massive test to see if they will. Clemson has national title expectations, so a loss here would definitely hurt, especially if they lose to LSU in week 1. Super excited for this matchup, just wish it wasn’t a noon kickoff.

2. Texas A&M at Notre Dame

Texas A&M gets a ton of hype every year, but they never deliver. This year, they actually aren’t generating much hype, which could be great for them. If they fly under the radar, go into South Bend and beat Notre Dame, that would be MASSIVE. ND is on a quest to make it back to the Championship, and finish the job this time, and not being in a conference makes it harder for them to get into the playoffs with multiple losses.

3. Florida at LSU

The Florida hype is pretty insane, so this will be their chance to show that the hype is legit. LSU will be very intense for this game, either 2-0 on a national title run, or 1-1 and angry. Either way it’ll be very hard for the Gators to go into Death Valley and get a win here, but it’ll be very entertaining.

Week 4

1. Arizona State at Baylor

Arizona State is the best team in the Big 12, and Baylor is one of the best, hoping to make a playoff appearance. This will be a huge test for both sides, and the winner of this will instantly become the front runner for the Big 12 (unless they have a loss already).

2. Florida at Miami

This is a big rivalry game, and both teams want to play well into December. The Gators will be coming off a big game vs LSU, so back-to back difficult road games could be rough. No matter the outcome, this game is always fun.

3. Auburn at Oklahoma

Former Sooner QB making his return to Norman, a fantastic storyline. The Palace on the Prairie will be rockin, and the Sooner defense will be giving it to Jackson Arnold. But Arnold wants his revenge for getting benched and won’t go down easy. This will be a good one.

Week 5

1. Alabama at Georgia

Alabama-Georgia is always massive, and this year isn’t any different. With Alabama getting the win last season in Tuscaloosa, the Bulldogs want this one bad. Athens will be NUTS, and Kirby Smart will have the team ready to murder the Tide. Bama won’t let it be so easy though, and this one will be electric.

2. Oregon at Penn State

I really cannot believe they scheduled this game at the same time as Bama-Georgia, really upsetting we can’t focus on both games. But this game is going to be insane anyways. It could even have a bigger spotlight, depending on everyone’s records, so this will be a must-watch, probably going to be split screening both games September 27.

3. Ohio State at Washington

Washington is overlooked this year, and getting OSU at home will be a huge test for them. The Buckeyes will have a tough challenge, and as a team trying to repeat as champions, dropping this one would hurt a ton. It will be an amazing game, and I’m crossing my fingers they give it a noon or 3:30 kick.

Week 6

1. Boise State at Notre Dame

Boise State has a very manageable schedule, other than this game. If they can find a way to pull off a huge upset, they would be in perfect position to make another CFP push. Notre Dame is trying to go undefeated to make their second straight playoff appearance, so this is also very important for them. Week 6 doesn’t have the big headline games that most weeks have, but it is very deep.

2. Kansas State at Baylor

This is a very crucial game for the Big 12 Title race. Both teams should be among the best in the conference, so this is a must-win. This is Baylor’s third time on this list already, so they could have a loss by this game, which would make it even more important for the Bears.

3. Texas at Florida

This will be a good test for the Longhorns, in a lookahead spot to Red River, they need to lock in for this one. I do think they are much more talented than the Gators, but anything can happen in the Swamp.

Week 7

1. Oklahoma vs* Texas

The Red River Rivalry. Personally, my favorite time of the entire year. There’s really nothing like it, halfway between the two colleges, at the Texas state fair, nothing but bitter hate, and absolute madness on the field. Both teams will be very good next season, and you can count literally nothing out of this game, so it’s a MUST-watch, and will be one of the best games of the 2025 season.

2. South Carolina at LSU

A battle between two elite QBs never disappoints. LaNorris Sellers vs Garrett Nussmeier will be absolute cinema. This game will have major implications for the playoff race, and the SEC Title race, and both teams will bring their A game. Death Valley will be torture for Sellers and the Gamecocks offense, and Dylan Stewart and the Cocks' DLine will try and make it the same for Nussmeier.

3. Iowa State at Colorado

Another crucial Big 12 game, this time in Boulder, Colorado. The Deion Sanders-led Buffaloes will continue their quest for a playoff appearance with a huge game vs Rocco Becht and the Cyclones. Becht is back for his 3rd year as the Iowa State starter, and he wants a Big 12 Championship. This game is crucial for both teams, and will be a fun one.

Week 8

1. Tennessee at Alabama

This game is always memorable. Tennessee might have a down year this year, but they’ll surely come to play for this one. Alabama is out for revenge on everyone after missing the playoffs last season, and this game will be very intense.

2. Texas Tech at Arizona State

I predicted this game will be a preview of the Big 12 Championship. These are the two best teams in the conference in my opinion, so this game is extremely important for both sides.

3. Oklahoma at South Carolina

Both these teams are dark horses in the SEC. With OU coming off a massive game vs the Longhorns they will need to be sure this isn’t a let down spot. SC killed the Sooners last season in Norman, so they have all the confidence they can do that again, this time at home.

HM: Ole Miss at Georgia, Washington at Michigan, SMU at Clemson, UNLV at Boise State, USC at Notre Dame

We’ve got a TON of honorable mentions for this week. Honestly, you could swap any of these game out at any spot in the top 3 and I would be fine with it. Week 8 is so incredibly deep, it will be a magical day of football for fans around the country.

Week 9

1. Texas A&M at LSU

Will this be the year A&M breaks through? We don’t know yet, but they will certainly be a talented team at the least. LSU, on the other hand, looks primed for a huge year, so this game will be a massive one in Death Valley. 

2. Alabama at South Carolina

These two teams don’t like each other. Like previously mentioned, the Tide are trying to make their first CFP berth under Kalen DeBoer, but the Gamecocks want to make their first playoff appearance ever. With back-to-back huge games in Columbia, South Carolina, these fans are living it up. LaNorris Sellers could be a dark horse for Heisman, but he’ll be going against an elite Alabama defense.

3. Illinois at Washington

Two dark horse Big 10 teams battling late in the season, it’ll be a great show. The Fighting Illini return some of the most production in the country, and they have a real chance at a CFP berth if they win some crucial games, and this is one of them. However, The Huskies are very talented, their offense should be one of the best in the Big 10, and with home field advantage, this will be a very close one.

Week 10

1. Penn State at Ohio State

A MASSIVE Big Ten showdown late in the season, this will have major playoff and Big 10 Championship implications. Right now, you could make an argument for both teams to be the best in the country and, more than likely, they will both be top 10 teams at the time of this matchup.

2. Oklahoma at Tennessee

Huge matchup in Knoxville, if this gets a night kickoff it will be beautiful. Big games in Neyland at night, hard to find something better than that. Both teams could be fighting for a playoff berth at this time, and the Sooners want revenge on the Vols for spoiling their SEC debut last season.

3. Arizona State at Iowa State

Another Big 12 game with playoff implications, the Sun Devils go up to Ames and try to avoid an upset, but the Cyclones want to make a CFP appearance of their own. Both teams will want this one bad, and it’ll be electric.

Week 11

1. LSU at Alabama

When it’s LSU vs Alabama, you know it’s going to be a fun one. The Tigers are on a quest to get another championship, and they have the talent to do so. But the Tide need to make a CFP appearance, or the future of Kalen DeBoer will start to be in question. Both teams should be great, and Bryant-Denny Stadium will be WILD. Don’t miss it.

2. Indiana at Penn State

The Nittany Lions will either be elated going into this game, or extremely angry. They’ll be coming off a massive showdown vs the Buckeyes, and they will either be in trouble of falling victim to a trap game, or coming out with all the motivation possible. The Hoosiers want to repeat their CFP berth, but it will be a tough task, especially this game.

3. UNLV at Colorado State

If a team is going to dethrone Boise State as the top non-power 4 team, I think it’ll be one of these two. UNLV will have already played Boise State and Colorado State will play them in a couple weeks, so if they can pull out a win there, the winner of this game will be in perfect position to win the Mountain West, and snag a potential CFP spot.

Week 12 

1. Texas at Georgia

This could be a possible SEC Championship preview. Both teams are elite and have National Title hopes. Texas has a tall task going into Athens and getting a win, but it’s certainly not impossible. Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs are looking to get back on top of the College Football world, so this is a massive game for them.

2. Oklahoma at Alabama

The Sooners pulled off the massive upset last season to knock the Crimson Tide out of the CFP, and Bama wants revenge. They have a very tough stretch on their schedule, and this is the last one of those games, so if they can get through this with minimal losses, they will be in perfect position for a good run.

3. South Carolina at Texas A&M

Both these squads could be in the middle of a playoff push for this game, in which case it would be a must-win for both sides. Losing this game for either team most likely knocks them out of the CFP, so you best believe we’ll get the best from both sides, and an insane performance from the 12th man.

Week 13

1. Tennessee at Florida

This rivalry is always very fun and very intense. I don’t see either team making the playoffs, but I can definitely see them both being pretty good. The Swamp will be INSANE for this game, hopefully they put it in the late window, it would be a crime not to.

2. Missouri at Oklahoma

This is a pretty mid week of games, so I’m putting Mizzou at OU at the 2 spot. It is a good rivalry, and the Sooners lost a heartbreaker last year in Columbia, so they want this one bad. They will also likely be in the midst of a playoff chase, it’s unlikely that Missouri will be, but it is possible.

3. Arizona State at Colorado

If the Buffaloes want a surprise CFP berth, this is a must-win. They have to have 1 or 0 losses going into this game, but that’s not impossible. The Sun Devils once again have a tough matchup if they want to make another CFP run.

Week 14 (Rivalry Week)

1. Ohio State at Michigan

The Game. There’s obviously no other choice for the #1 spot this week. Ohio State NEEDS to win this game, having lost four straight in the biggest rivalry in all of sports. Many Buckeye fans would legitimately rather win this game than another National Championship. Michigan won’t go down easy though. Three of the last four matchups have had the Buckeyes as favorites and Bryce Underwood will be playing in his first game as a member of this rivalry, which he will not want to lose.

2. Alabama at Auburn

The third biggest rivalry in College Football, it’s a staple of rivalry week. We’ve seen absolute madness in this game before, so I would not count out the Tigers from pulling off an upset at all. They could play spoiler to Bama’s playoff hopes, which would feel so, so good for them.

3. Texas A&M at Texas

This rivalry is huge for both sides (Red River is more important for the Longhorns) and both teams will likely be fighting for a CFP spot. With the Longhorns getting the win last year in College Station, the Aggies want to return the favor. It’s on Black Friday, it will be an EXTREMELY fun one on a loaded slate.

4. Georgia at Georgia Tech

It’s impossible for me to only have three games on this list, so I’m going to do five (I’m still going to have a ton of honorable mentions). They stupidly changed the name of this rivalry this year, but it’s still good, old-fashioned hate. Both teams should be very good this year, and with the Yellow Jackets having homefield advantage, there’s a real world where they are even favored in this game. It will be a must-watch game, on an absolutely stacked Black Friday.

5. Clemson at South Carolina

The battle for SC will be extremely important for both sides this year. The Tigers have National Title hopes, and the Gamecocks, CFP hopes. Winning this game would be a huge step towards that goal. In Columbia, SC very well could be favored, similar to the UGA-GT game. Anything can happen here, and it's too bad it’s at the same time as Ohio State-Michigan.

HM: Arizona at Arizona State, Ole Miss at Mississippi State, Iowa at Nebraska, Indiana at Purdue, Florida State at Florida, Kentucky at Louisville, Vanderbilt at Tennessee, Oregon at Washington, Wisconsin at Minnesota, UCLA at USC, Northwestern at Illinois, Boston College at Syracuse, North Carolina at NC State, Virginia Tech at Virginia, Notre Dame at Stanford, Houston at Baylor, Oregon State at Washington State

This LOAD of honorable mentions is only big rivalries, that unfortunately couldn’t make the top 5 games of this week. All of these games mean so much to all of these fanbases, which is really what College Football is all about. Rivalry Week is super fun every year, and this year will not disappoint. Madness will go down.

You can find Owen Pannell on X here.

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