Massive Week 1 Matchups Set to Kick Off 2025 College Football Season

Alabama at Florida State (3:30 p.m. ET, Aug. 30)

Another game scheduled for Aug. 30 is between the Crimson Tide of Alabama and the Florida State Seminoles. 

Both teams enter this season after a disappointing 2024 campaigns. The Seminoles finished 2–10 after an undefeated 2023, while the Crimson Tide finished 9–4, including a bowl game loss, and missed the 12-team playoff in Kalen DeBoer’s first season. The game will be played at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla. on ABC.

LSU at Clemson (7:30 p.m. ET, Aug. 30)

The season's opening Saturday is loaded with big matchups, including a game between two Tigers. The game will take place in prime time on ABC. Brian Kelly is entering his fourth season as head coach of LSU. Kelly’s Tigers are coming off a nine-win season after posting 10 wins in each of his first two seasons. The expectation is that they at least earn a playoff berth. I have them playing Penn State in an early national championship game prediction.

On the other side, Clemson is coming off an ACC championship season and a playoff loss against Texas. Dabo Swinney’s tigers have high expectations coming into the season. With many experts, considering them a contender not only in the ACC, but for the playoff again.

Notre Dame at Miami (7:30 p.m. ET, Aug. 31)

Another massive week one game will take place on Aug. 31 between the Fighting Irish and the Hurricanes. Marcus Freeman and the Irish are coming off a national championship game appearance last season, while Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes are trying to live up to expectations and make a run in the ACC and a playoff berth. The game will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on ABC.

Bill Belichick’s College Debut

This is not one of the marquee games, but it does feature one of the biggest names in football. Bill Belichick will lead the North Carolina Tar Heels at home against TCU at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 1. Belichick has been in the news quite a lot this offseason—some good and some not so good. The Horned Frogs and Tar Heels will face off at Kenan Stadium on ESPN.

The upcoming college football season has significant buzz with plenty of compelling storylines beyond just the opening weekend matchups. Stay tuned to Mike Farrell Sports for everything college football related.