Hello football fans and welcome to the official kickoff of the 2025 College Football Season, we've reached Week 1! From tonight through Monday, we've got nothing but hours of College Football to watch on our TVs. This post will highlight all the games you need to watch for the opening weekend, so let's kickoff a new season!
#25 Boise State at South Florida
The Broncos look to go back to the playoffs as the G5 rep in 2025, and that road starts in Tampa Bay as they take on the South Florida Bulls. USF had a lot of injures, holding them back from full potential last season. This will be a fun QB battle to watch between Maddux Madsen and Byron Brown, but give me Boise State to win a tough road game 33-24.
Auburn at Baylor
The big game on Friday night takes us to Waco, Texas where Hugh Freeze tries to get Auburn back on track against an opener with Big XII darkhorse Baylor. Dave Aranda practically saved his job with the 6-game win streak to end the season until losing to LSU in the bowl game. Sawyer Robertson is back under center for the Bears after a stellar 3,071 yard, 28 TD passing season with just 8 picks in 2024. Former Sooner, Jackson Arnold, is in line for the Tigers, so we'll see if he can bring life to an offense with weapons, but lacking leadership. I like the Bears to Sic 'Em and win this 31-27.
Georgia Tech at Colorado
The Colorado Buffaloes enter a new chapter under HC Deion Sanders, one without Shedeur and Travis Hunter. Those two players accounted for over 4,000 yards and nearly 40 TDs last season, so they need to reload quickly. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter should provide good leadership at QB, but playmakers will need to step up to give him some weapons. On the other side, Georgia Tech is a contender in the ACC, especially with the veteran backfield duo of QB Haynes King and RB Jamal Haynes. They combined for 20 TDs on the ground with more than 1,500 yards last season and I think those numbers should rise if King can stay healthy. In the southern accent of Georgia Tech's Coach, Brent Key, I expect the Yellow Jackets to "run the ball" all over Colorado. GT 34, Colorado 21.
#1 Texas at #3 Ohio State
One of the biggest games of the weekend features a semi-final rematch of Ohio State and Texas as Arch Manning leads the Longhorns into the Horseshoe. The reigning national champions have a lot of talent to replace, especially in the backfield. Both Treveyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are gone, taking with them more than 2,000 combined rushing yards and 24 TDs. Ohio State will have to contend with Texas's big defensive front 4, so an established run game could be tricky. Julian Sayin is the new man under center for the Buckeyes, so both highly touted QBs should be fun to watch, especially with wideouts like Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Wingo to throw to. I expect a great game, but Texas will soon learn it's hard to win on the road, especially in BIG 10 country. Give me Ohio State 27-21.
Syracuse vs #24 Tennessee
There's a lot of question marks with both famously Orange squads this season as they reload at the QB position. Kyle McCord is off to the NFL and Nico Iamaleava is off to the West Coast after transferring to UCLA following some NIL disputes with the Vols. App State transfer Joey Aguilar is set to run Josh Heupel's offense for Tennessee, but they don't have the same weapons from previous years. Syracuse is very well coached by Fran Brown, and with a two touchdown point spread I'm guessing he'll have his squad motivated. I'm not sure they'll win it, but they keep it close. Tennessee 30, Syracuse 24.
#8 Alabama at Florida State
Florida State looks to right the ship after an abysmal 2-10 campaign in 2024, so to kick things off they host #8 Alabama. This would certainly be a big step in the right direction for the program, especially playing at home, but the Tide are playoff-minded and never an easy opponent. Kalen Deboer is in his second year with Bama and looking to make amends after losing to Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Oklahoma last season and then Michigan in the playoffs. The Seminoles break in ex-Boston College QB, Tommy Castellanos. I expect Alabama to blitz early and often as they win 31-20.
#9 LSU at #4 Clemson
The Tigers of LSU are playing in Death Valley for a prime time Saturday night game, but it's not their own. Clemson hosts this Tiger clash in their own Death Valley for what I think should be the best game of the weekend. Both of these squads are loaded with talent returning for a shot at the National Title. Everyone is waiting to see if Brian Kelley can get his team over the hump this season and if Dabo's Tigers are truly back to Championship form after their few year hiatus. Top tier QBs will sling it on both sides to a talented group of receivers. While both defenses are tough, they've been known to give up some points in recent years, so look for this to be more of a shootout. This will be a fun one to watch and who knows, maybe we'll see a rematch in the playoffs later this season. I'll take Clemson at home 34-31. LSU falls short yet again in the big season opener.
Utah at UCLA
The Utes are reloaded for 2025 and ready to contend for a Big XII title. UCLA won 4 of their last 6 to end the season after steadily improving all year long. Nico Iamealava is now the signal caller for the Bruins, and this should be an interesting team to watch. DeShaun Foster brings a lot of energy to the sidelines, but out coaching a veteran like Kyle Whittingham comes with time. Give me the Utes with a tough defensive battle on the road 27-21.
Colorado State at Washington
The Rams finished 8-5 last season after winning 7 of their last 8 games, but were crushed by Miami (OH) in the bowl game 43-17. The Dubs' first season in the BIG 10 and under new HC Jedd Fisch was a bit lackluster, but flashes of greatness were shown in their 6-7 record that ended with a 1 point loss to Louisville in the bowl game. I think they could be an upset-minded team in the conference this year and Fisch is a great coach. Huskies get the win at home to start their season 27-10.
Virginia Tech vs #13 South Carolina
Shane Beamer takes on his father's old team as the Gamecocks and Hokies battle in Atlanta. Everyone around College Football is waiting for Virginia Tech to wake back up and get back to being a regular competitor in the top 25. Kyron Drones returns at QB but lost his RB Bhayshul Tuten is off to the Jaguars. South Carolina is looking to not only make the playoffs, but win the SEC. With an experienced roster, playmaker at QB and strong finish to 2024, there's quite a bit of hype to live up to in Columbia. I think the talent level wins out here and Virginia Tech will need to get organized quick because their schedule is brutal. Give me South Carolina with an opening statement of 38-17 to start the season.
#6 Notre Dame at #10 Miami
The Irish are breaking in a freshman QB following their National Title appearance while Miami brings Georgia transfer Carson Beck in to replace Cam Ward. The Irish will look to ground and pound with one of the best offensive lines in the nation and star RB Jeremiyah Love is back for his Junior year after rushing for 1,125 yards and 17 TDs last season. He should have a big year again and with Miami replacing a number of starters on a defense that ranked 19th against the run last year. I trust Marcus Freeman more than I trust Mario Cristobal, and especially Carson Beck. Give me Notre Dame on the back of Jeremiyah Love for a couple of big runs and a 23-14 game.
TCU at North Carolina
Our final game of the opening weekend for College Football features long-time NFL coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines of North Carolina. The Tar Heels are certainly a question mark team for 2025, but with a coach like Belichick on the sidelines you can't help but expect good things, especially on defense. They host a hungry and feisty Horned Frogs squad from TCU as Sonny Dykes looks to build from their 9-4 campaign last season. They can easily be a contender in the Big XII, especially with JR QB Josh Hoover looking to build from a season that was just short of 4,000 passing to go along with his 27 TDs and 11 picks. I'll take TCU to win on the road 27-21.
Nebraska vs Cincinnati
The prime time game Thursday night to kick off everything for Week 1 features my beloved Huskers as they take on the Cincy Bearcats in Arrowhead Stadium. I will be in attendance for this one and I'm hoping to see the Husker offense in full throttle under Dana Holgerson. The veteran play-caller has touted the development of QB Dylan Raiola along with the weapons around him both at receiver and running back. Lots of new faces for Husker fans to learn on defense as new DC John Butler takes over for Tony White who's with Florida State. His defense will be tested early as Cincy's QB Brendan Sorsby is entering his 3rd year as a starter (1 at Indiana). While he needs to build chemistry with new weapons, his reliable TE target Joe Royer is back after catching 50 catches for 522 yards and 3 TDs a year ago. Sorsby is talented with his leges too, rushing for over 725 yards and 13 TDs in his career. Nebraska tends to have issues with dual threat QBs, so they will need to key on him early. Offensively, the Huskers need to get Emmitt Johnson rolling and keep Dylan Raiola's jersey clean. Pocket protection will be key in this offense scoring 30+ per game. Give me a Husker victory 31-27, GO BIG RED!
Quick Hit Predictions:
Ohio at Rutgers - Reigning MAC Champs on the road at a BIG 10 school. Potential for the Bobcats as Rutgers reloads, but I'll take Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights to win 28-20.
Buffalo at Minnesota - I’ve seen the Gophers at home on a Thursday night to start the season before, they always find a way. Minnesota wins 28-13.
UNLV at Sam Houston State - The Rebels looked rough in their first game against Idaho State, giving up more than 550 yards to the Tigers and just pulling a victory out of the fire. The Bearkats hung around with WKU for a while, so this should be a close one. I’ll notch it to first game jitters and I think UNLV settles down in week 2 for a 33-28 road win.
Mississippi State at Southern Miss - The Bulldogs should handle their business against the lowly Golden Eagles of the Sun Belt, but with the coach and a lot of players from the Marshall team that won the Sun Belt last season now on the Southern Miss roster, this could be a tighter game than most would expect. Ring the cowbells as Mississippi State wins 34-24.
Northwestern at Tulane - A lot of turnover for the Green Wave, but they have hopes of battling for the G5 bid after a disappointing 3-game skid to end last year. Northwestern has their own set of question marks after 4-8 campaign, but QB Transfer Preston Stone could provide a boost. Give me the Wildcats with some BIG 10 pride for a 24-17 win.
Coastal Carolina at Virginia - Lots of new faces on the field for both squads. Anxious to see what Virginia looks like because I think they have some upset ideas for the ACC. Cavaliers win 31-23.
UTSA at #19 Texas A&M - Texas A&M fell short of their first SEC Championship Game appearance in their loss to Texas, but they bring a lot of experience back for 2025. A&M flexes their muscles with a 38-7 victory.
Cal at Oregon State - The Golden Bears started hot last season, but after a 4th quarter crumble against Miami at home, they stumbled through the rest of the season, finishing 6-7 after a bowl loss to UNLV. The Beavers finished 5-7 and their 44-7 loss to Cal was the worst of their year in 2024. Look for them to have some more fight playing at home. I'll stay with Justin Wilcox as the Golden Bears win a tough one on the road 26-21.
Hawai'i @ Arizona - Hawai'i pulled off a fantastic win at home against Stanford last weekend at home, but with a QB injury and playing a team looking to take a step forward on the road in Arizona will be a tricky follow-up game. Give me the Wildcats at home 35-21.
Thanks for reading my Week 1 Predictions, go enjoy 5 straight days of College Football!
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