2025 NCAAF Season Preview

The 2025 NCAAF season promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with a mix of traditional powerhouses, rising stars, and the ever-entertaining chaos of small-school football. Here’s everything you need to know to get the most out of the season.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Week 1: Texas at Ohio State, LSU at Clemson, Notre Dame at Miami (Sunday)
• Week 2: Michigan at Oklahoma, Baylor at SMU, Iowa at Iowa State
• Week 3: Georgia at Tennessee, Texas A&M at Notre Dame, Florida at LSU
• Week 4: Florida at Miami, Michigan at Nebraska, Auburn at Oklahoma
• Week 5: Alabama at Georgia, Oregon at Penn State, LSU at Ole Miss

Rising Stars

The SEC is overflowing with new or young starting quarterbacks with massive upside and incomplete résumés. Six of the top eight teams in the preseason AP poll have new starting QBs. These players are athletic and exciting, capable of making tons of big plays and/or taking lots of hits.

Small-School Madness

Small-school football is the ultimate world builder. On a given Saturday, there's always a bitter rivalry you hadn't heard of and an unforgettable finish you'd never seen before. Here are three huge smaller-school games for each week of the regular season:

• Week 0: No. 7 UC Davis vs. No. 11 Mercer (FCS Kickoff Classic)
• Week 1: No. 9 Pittsburg State at No. 1 Ferris State (D-II) (Thurs.), No. 4 Morningside at No. 3 Benedictine (NAIA), No. 14 Sacramento State at No. 3 South Dakota State (FCS)
• Week 2: No. 3 South Dakota State at No. 2 Montana State (FCS), No. 3 Benedictine at No. 1 Grand View (NAIA), No. 9 Pittsburg State at No. 5 Central Oklahoma (D-II)

Embrace the Option

Army and Navy enjoyed sudden surges in 2024 thanks to new interpretations of their good, old option offenses. Navy quarterback Blake Horvath returns in 2025, and Rice has decided to give the option offense another go, hiring Davidson's Scott Abell to replace Mike Bloomgren.

Watch the Midweek Games

Midweek games are great for giving us opportunities to catch up on interesting teams, dive into fun locales, and enjoy some silly football. Here’s one Tuesday-to-Friday game to pay particular attention to each week:

• Week 1: Georgia Tech at Colorado (Fri.)
• Week 2: James Madison at Louisville (Fri.)
• Week 3: NC State at Wake Forest (Thurs.)

Conclusion

The 2025 NCAAF season is shaping up to be one for the ages. Whether you’re a fan of the big games, rising stars, or the unpredictable nature of small-school football, there’s something for everyone. Clear your schedule and get ready for an unforgettable season.