ESPN’s Week 1 College Football Schedule Reveal Has Fans Buzzing—Here’s What Everyone’s Talking About

College football’s 2025 season just dropped its first big news bomb, and honestly, it’s got me buzzing like the kickoff horn in an empty stadium at midnight. Ever wonder which stadiums not only intimidate opponents but practically dare them to reconsider their life choices? Well, ESPN teasing a globe-trotting Week 0 opener between Iowa State and Kansas State in Dublin isn’t just about geography—it’s setting the tone for a season brimming with jaw-dropping matchups that threaten to upend the usual narrative. The Week 1 lineup reads like a hit parade of gridiron gladiators: Boise State duking it out with USF, Nebraska chasing Cincinnati, and not to mention that monstrous Saturday showdown featuring LSU and Clemson. And, if that’s not enough to stir your soul, mark your calendars for Sunday’s classic rivalry showdown of Notre Dame against Miami—because let’s face it, some battles are etched in college football’s DNA. Whether you’re a fan who lives for the heart-stopping thrills or just someone who appreciates a great sports story, the window from August 28 to 31 promises a whirlwind of electrifying action. Curious to see which venues will earn the title of college football’s most fearsome fortresses this year? Me too. LEARN MORE.

On Tuesday, ESPN had an exciting update to share regarding the 2025 college football season. 

The regular season will begin with a Week 0 battle between No. 14 Iowa State and No. 18 Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland. Just five days later, college football fans will be treated to a pair of exciting matchups on ESPN. 

ESPN’s coverage for Week 1 will begin on Aug. 28 when Boise State and USF square off at 5:30 p.m. ET. Once that game is over, Nebraska and Cincinnati will kick off at 9 p.m. ET. 

Week 1 will resume with a Friday showdown between Georgia Tech and Colorado. That’s the appetizer to a loaded Saturday slate that’s headlined by a non-conference matchup between No. 6 LSU and No. 2 Clemson.

Saturday’s schedule for ESPN and ABC will also include these matchups: 

• Syracuse vs. Tennessee at 12 p.m. ET
• Alabama vs. Florida State at 3:30 p.m. ET

Luckily for college football fans, ESPN’s announcement this Tuesday didn’t just stop there. 

ESPN will televise a Week 1 matchup between Virginia Tech and South Carolina on Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. ET. 

On that same Sunday, ABC will televise the latest rivalry game between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 21 Miami. These two storied programs will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET. 

As you’d expect, most fans are pleased with ESPN’s schedule for Week 1.

“College football can’t be matched with any other sport,” one fan said. 

“Exciting matchups, classic rivalries, and season openers always make for great games,” a second fan wrote. 

“I’m excited to watch all of them!!! Can’t wait for college football to get here!!! Let’s goooooo,” another fan commented. 

Even the final game of ESPN’s Week 1 schedule is electric. Fans will get to see Bill Belichick’s first marquee game as North Carolina’s head coach. 

Suffice to say, football fans will be entertained the weekend of Aug. 30. 

Related: ESPN Releases ‘Post-Spring’ College Football Top 25 Rankings