The 2025 college football season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with international games, expanded playoffs, and rule changes that will reshape the sport. Whether you’re searching for today’s games, checking scores, or planning your viewing schedule, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the 156th season of college football.
Week 0: The Season Begins in Dublin
College football officially returned this past Saturday with Week 0 action, featuring the marquee Aer Lingus College Football Classic between No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones and No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats in Dublin, Ireland. This historic matchup marked the first time two ranked teams have faced off in the Dublin classic, creating instant Big 12 Conference championship implications.
Complete Week 0 Results:
- Kansas State vs Iowa State (Dublin, Ireland) – ESPN
- Idaho State at UNLV – Mountain West Network
- Fresno State at Kansas – FOX
- Sam Houston at Western Kentucky – CBS Sports Network
- Stanford at Hawaii – CBS
The Kansas-Fresno State game showcased the newly renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, while Stanford’s matchup with Hawaii marked interim head coach Frank Reich’s debut following program changes.
What to Expect: College Football Games Today and This Week
With Week 0 complete, the focus shifts to the massive Week 1 slate beginning Thursday, August 28, 2025. Major networks including ESPN, FOX, CBS, and NBC will broadcast games throughout the weekend, with streaming options available on ESPN+, Peacock, and Paramount+.
Key Week 1 Matchups to Watch:
- Texas vs Ohio State (No. 1 vs No. 3) – Columbus, Ohio
- Clemson vs Duke – ACC opener
- Alabama vs Wisconsin – neutral site showdown
- Penn State vs Bowling Green – Happy Valley debut
The college football schedule 2025 features 131 FBS teams competing across 10 conferences, with two new programs joining the FBS ranks.
Game-Changing Players: Stars to Follow
Jalon Daniels – Kansas Jayhawks Quarterback
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels enters his sixth collegiate season as one of the most experienced signal-callers in college football. The Lawndale, California native has overcome significant injury challenges, including a back injury that cost him 10 games in 2023, to become the cornerstone of Kansas’s program transformation.
In 2024, Daniels completed 171 of 300 passes for 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading Kansas to three consecutive ranked victories for the first time in program history. His academic excellence earned him Big 12 Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year honors, making him the first Jayhawk to achieve this distinction.
2025 Preseason Recognition:
- Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
- Big 12 Preseason First Team
Domonique Orange – Iowa State Cyclones Defensive Tackle
Iowa State’s Domonique Orange represents one of college football’s most remarkable transformation stories. The 6’4″, 325-pound defensive tackle from Kansas City, Missouri has evolved from a 400-pound high school prospect into one of the nation’s most athletic interior linemen.
Orange’s dramatic physical transformation improved his stamina and on-field performance dramatically. In 2024, he recorded 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and his first career sack while earning All-Big 12 honorable mention recognition. His exceptional athleticism landed him on The Athletic’s “Freaks List” and earned him a 90 overall rating in EA Sports College Football 26.
College Football Playoff: The New 12-Team Format
2025 Playoff Structure and Changes
The second year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff brings significant modifications from the inaugural 2024 format. The most important change involves seeding: the top four teams in the final rankings (regardless of conference championship status) will receive the top four seeds and first-round byes.
Current Playoff Format:
- 12 total teams: 5 highest-ranked conference champions + 7 at-large selections
- First Round (December 19-20): Seeds 5-12 play at higher seed’s home stadium
- Quarterfinals: New Year’s Six bowls (Cotton, Orange, Rose, Sugar)
- Semifinals: Fiesta and Peach Bowls (January 8-9)
- Championship: January 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida
This expanded format gives more programs realistic championship aspirations, with Group of Five champions guaranteed automatic bids and multiple at-large opportunities for deserving teams.
Future Expansion Possibilities
The Big Ten has proposed even more ambitious expansion scenarios, including 24 or 28-team formats. Under the 28-team proposal, the Big Ten and SEC would each receive seven automatic bids, while the ACC and Big 12 would get five each. However, these proposals remain in very preliminary stages and face substantial opposition from other conferences.
Revolutionary Rule Changes for 2025
Combating Fake Injuries
The NCAA implemented its most significant rule change to address the growing problem of players feigning injuries to disrupt opposing offenses. The new regulations include:
- Teams charged a timeout when a player goes down after the ball is spotted
- Teams without timeouts receive a 5-yard delay of game penalty
- Injured players must sit out at least one down and receive medical clearance before returning
Enhanced Player Safety Initiatives
Additional safety-focused rule changes include:
- Expanded defenseless player protections: Any player chasing a loose ball is now considered defenseless
- Clear visors only: Tinted visors are banned; only clear shields permitted
- Targeting clarifications: New guidelines for officials on identifying violations
Gameplay and Officiating Improvements
Other notable changes:
- No mimicking snap counts: Defenses cannot simulate quarterback cadence
- “T” signal clarification: Returners making a “T” during kickoffs result in automatic dead balls
- Substitution loophole closed: Intentional too-many-men penalties are now live-ball fouls
- Simplified replay language: Officials now say “upheld” or “overturned”
Conference Realignment: The New Landscape
Fresh FBS Additions
Two programs are experiencing their first FBS seasons in 2025:
- Delaware Blue Hens: Transitioned from CAA to Conference USA
- Missouri State Bears: Moved from Missouri Valley to Conference USA
UMass rejoined the Mid-American Conference as a full member after operating as an FBS Independent.
Remaining Independent Programs
Only two schools maintain FBS Independent status in 2025:
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- UConn Huskies
This represents the smallest number of FBS Independents in recent history, as most programs have pursued conference memberships for financial stability and bowl eligibility advantages.
Preseason Rankings and Championship Contenders
Historic AP Top 25 Poll
Texas achieved a program milestone by claiming the preseason No. 1 ranking for the first time in school history. The Longhorns received 25 first-place votes, narrowly edging Penn State (23 first-place votes) in the closest preseason voting since 1998.
Complete Top 10:
- Texas (25 first-place votes) – 1,552 points
- Penn State (23) – 1,547 points
- Ohio State (11) – 1,472 points
- Clemson (4) – 1,398 points
- Georgia (1) – 1,331 points
- Notre Dame – 1,325 points
- Oregon (1) – 1,236 points
- Alabama – 1,179 points
- LSU – 1,174 points
- Miami (FL) – 889 points
The season-opening clash between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State on August 30 in Columbus promises to be one of the highest-profile openers in college football history.
Television Coverage and Streaming Guide
Broadcasting Networks and Platforms
College football games will be distributed across multiple networks throughout the 2025 season:
Traditional Television:
- ESPN Family: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU
- FOX Sports: FOX, FS1, FS2
- CBS Sports: CBS, CBS Sports Network
- NBC Sports: NBC (Big Ten games)
- Conference Networks: SEC Network, ACC Network, Big Ten Network
Streaming Services:
- ESPN+: Extensive game library
- Peacock: Big Ten matchups
- Paramount+: CBS Sports content
- Conference-specific platforms: Various additional options
Finding Games Today
For fans searching “what college football games are on today” or checking the “college football schedule today,” major sports websites and apps provide real-time updates. The CFB schedule varies by week, with games typically spread across Thursday through Saturday during the regular season.
Season Outlook and Championship Implications
Conference Championship Races
The SEC and Big Ten are positioned to dominate playoff conversations once again, with multiple programs from each conference receiving preseason rankings. The Big 12 features exceptional competitive balance, while the ACC looks to traditional powers Clemson and emerging Miami as championship contenders.
Individual Award Storylines
Beyond team success, several individual narratives will captivate fans throughout the season. Arch Manning‘s development as Texas’s starting quarterback represents one of the biggest storylines in college football, while experienced veterans like Jalon Daniels seek to lead their programs to unprecedented achievements.
Group of Five Opportunities
The expanded playoff format creates genuine opportunities for Group of Five champions, with schools like Boise State (ranked No. 25 in preseason AP Poll) having realistic championship aspirations.
Looking Forward: What Makes 2025 Special
The 2025 college football season combines traditional excitement with revolutionary changes that will shape the sport’s future. From the international season opener in Dublin to the expanded playoff format creating more championship opportunities, fans can expect compelling storylines from August through the national championship game in Miami on January 19, 2026.
Key Season Highlights:
- Expanded 12-team playoff creating more drama
- New safety rules protecting players while maintaining game flow
- Conference realignment creating fresh rivalries and matchups
- Star players ready to make their mark on college football history
- International games showcasing the sport’s global appeal
Whether you’re tracking NCAA football scores, planning your CFB games viewing schedule, or following your favorite team’s championship pursuit, the 2025 season promises unforgettable moments and historic achievements that will define college football for years to come.
The combination of elite talent, revolutionary format changes, and passionate fan bases ensures that every Saturday will deliver the excitement that makes college football America’s most beloved sport. From Week 0’s international spectacle to the championship celebration in Miami, the 2025 season will be remembered as a transformative year in college football history.
