The opening weekend of the 2025 college football season promises a slate of high‑stakes matchups, with marquee games pitting ACC powerhouses against SEC contenders and several new storylines debuting across the nation.
Key Matchups and New Faces
Clemson will open its season on September 5 by traveling to face LSU in Baton Rouge, a game that marks the debut of both the Tigers’ new head coach and starting quarterback, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the rivalry.
A week later, Ole Miss will host Louisville in Nashville on September 6, a contest that pits two programs with CFP aspirations against each other despite being considered underdogs, and the game will be staged at Nissan Stadium, the home of the city’s NFL franchise.
In the SEC, Tennessee and Vanderbilt begin their campaigns against FCS opponents on the SEC Network+, with Tennessee taking on an unnamed FCS rival and Vanderbilt facing Austin Peay, both set for prime‑time slots that reflect the conference’s growing national exposure.
Broadcast Coverage and Timing
The weekend’s broadcast schedule is packed, featuring games on the Big Ten Network, ACC Network, ESPN, ESPNU, ABC, FOX, FS1, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network+ and ESPN+, with all kickoff times listed in Central Time, ensuring fans can follow every contest across multiple platforms.