Heavyweights Collide: A Triple Dose of Top-10 College Football Matchups in Week 1 of the 2025 Season
Throughout most of modern college football history — specifically when postseason bowl games and four-team playoffs took precedence — the opening-weekend college football calendar was rarely the stage for heavyweight clashes.
Rather, top-10 matchups were largely saved for later in the season or during major conference play — once national championship implications had already crystallized.
But the landscape is changing.
The 2025 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season will open with an unprecedented trio of blockbuster showdowns between top-10 teams — a rarity unheard of in modern times.
The first of these contests kicks off at noon EDT when the No. 1 Texas Longhorns travel to Columbus, OH to face No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Aug. 30. Later the same day, No. 9 LSU will face No. 4 Clemson at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
Then on Sunday, Aug. 31, No. 6 Notre Dame will clash with No. 10 Miami in a 7:30 EDT matchup in Florida. All three games will be nationally televised, rounding out an opening weekend for the ages.
That’s not hyperbole, by the way. The last time three regular-season non conference college football games were played between top-10 teams in the AP poll, according to CBS Sports Research, was in 1945.
Of course, at the heart of this bold shift toward high-stakes opening-weekend matchups is the 12-team College Football Playoff. Unlike the old four-team format where one setback early could effectively end a title campaign — the expanded bracket offers a safety net, encouraging programs to schedule marquee tests right out of the gate.
This is a change that transforms Week 1 from warm-up exhibitions to high-stakes theater.
So, as the season begins, let’s dive into each clash and see what they might reveal — starting… now.
A Sequel in the Shoe
No. 1 Texas at No. 3 Ohio State
Saturday, Aug. 30, Noon EDT, FOX
The 2025 season wastes no time delivering a College Football Playoff–caliber rematch. Last December, Ohio State ended Texas’ dream run with a 28-14 semifinal win, and now the Longhorns arrive in Columbus with payback on their minds.
Texas, rated No. 1 in preseason for the first time in program history, is actually a 2.5-point underdog as of this writing — a strange way to start the year for the Longhorns. They’ll lean heavily on QB Arch Manning, who’s now the unquestioned leader under center and a Heisman Trophy favorite despite limited starts.
Defensively, the Longhorns boast All-Americans Anthony Hill Jr. (LB) and Michael Taaffe (S), while the versatile “star” nickelback spot is still wide open. Freshmen Wardell Mack and Graceson Littleton are pushing for the role.
On the Ohio State sideline, the Buckeyes face turnover from 14 draftees but still seem to boast a lot of depth. The QB battle between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz remains unresolved at this point, while running back C.J. Donaldson Jr. from West Virginia promises to shore up the backfield.
Meanwhile, transfer Ethan Onianwa adds beef and experience to a shifting offensive line that also welcomes back starting center Carson Hinzman.
Two powerhouse programs, one of the nation’s best quarterbacks, and a bit of bad blood from last year’s playoff matchup — there’s every reason to expect this Week 1 battle to feel like a playoff game in August.
Tiger Fight in Death Valley
No. 9 LSU at No. 4 Clemson
Saturday, Aug. 30, 7:30 EDT, ABC
These two alpha Tigers — No. 9-rated LSU and No. 4-rated Clemson — will collide in another high-stakes slasher to start the season.
Clemson, ranked No. 4, benefits from remarkable roster continuity — returning 80 percent of last year’s production under Dabo Swinney — a contrast to squads built heavily via the transfer portal. QB Cade Klubnik, a Heisman contender, anchors a balanced offense driven by internal development.
LSU, meanwhile, enters Week 1 with a high level of urgency. Head coach Brian Kelly, now under pressure after the program’s suffered five straight season-opening losses, has definitely had this game circled on his calendar for months. QB Garrett Nussmeier, now a seasoned fifth-year starter, continues managing a minor knee issue but remains fully effective in practice and set to lead the offense.
Defensively, LSU’s revamped secondary signals a turnaround. All-conference transfers Mansoor Delane (CB - Virginia Tech) and Ja’Keem Jackson (CB - Florida), complemented by top freshman CB DJ Pickett and safety upgrades AJ Haulcy and Tamarcus Cooley, bolster a once-weak unit.
Clemson brings its home-field advantage and developmental culture; LSU brings veteran QB leadership and fresh defensive talent. With both QBs in Heisman discussion and playoff implications looming under the 12-team format, this primetime opener promises some fireworks.
Catholics vs. Convicts, the Next Chapter
No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 10 Miami
Sunday, Aug. 31, 7:30 p.m., ABC
This early-season rivalry opens with high stakes for both programs.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal frames the season opener as an “incredible opportunity” to make a statement, especially with a new offensive leader stepping in after the departure of 2024 Heisman finalist Cam Ward.
That veteran presence has been replaced by Georgia transfer Carson Beck, who enters healthy from a UCL injury and is focused on being consistently effective rather than heroic. Cristobal’s message: bring your best, not your bravest.
Notre Dame enters with strong continuity under fourth-year head coach Marcus Freeman — and plenty of depth. The QB position remains a true competition between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey, though fans seemingly lean toward Carr.
Regardless, a balanced offense is in place for whoever wins the starting job, anchored by an experienced offensive line and a powerful run game led by running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price.
This matchup offers contrasting storylines: Miami’s fresh hope with Beck, Notre Dame’s built-in consistency and internal slides. This makes Week 1 a gauge of identity for both teams.
A Playoff Atmosphere in Week 1
The 2025 college football season isn’t easing fans in — it’s throwing them straight into playoff-level drama. With Texas vs Ohio State, LSU vs Clemson, and Notre Dame vs Miami all on tap in the first weekend, the stakes feel higher than ever for September football.
The new 12-team College Football Playoff has transformed the scheduling philosophy, giving programs the freedom to embrace marquee nonconference games without the fear that one early loss will derail their championship hopes. The result? A Week 1 slate that feels like January in August.
Whether you’re watching for Heisman contenders like Arch Manning and Cade Klubnik, or keeping tabs on programs trying to redefine their identity, these matchups set the tone for a season that promises to be unforgettable.
One thing is certain: when the dust settles after opening weekend, the college football landscape will already look very different.
FAQs – College Football Week 1, 2025
Q: What are the top college football games in Week 1 of 2025?
A: The biggest matchups feature three top-10 showdowns: Texas vs Ohio State, LSU vs Clemson, and Notre Dame vs Miami.
Q: When is Texas vs Ohio State 2025?
A: Texas plays Ohio State on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Noon EDT on FOX.
Q: When is LSU vs Clemson 2025?
A: LSU and Clemson face off on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Q: When is Notre Dame vs Miami 2025?
A: Notre Dame plays Miami on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Q: Why are there so many top-10 matchups in Week 1 of 2025?
A: The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff has encouraged programs to schedule marquee nonconference games earlier in the season, knowing one loss doesn’t end championship hopes.
Q: Has there ever been a Week 1 like this before?
A: According to CBS Sports Research, the last time three regular-season nonconference games between AP top-10 teams happened in one weekend was 1945.
