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Chris Low of ESPN recently published a "must see" article about the upcoming season titled "College football schedule superlatives for 2025 season". Just in case the title in quotes is not an obvious link to Low's article here is the link again:
One section of Low's article that we are going to take a closer look at in this article is "Must-see nonconference games". Here is a list of the Must-See Nonconference Games:
To be clear, neutral-site games don't count for this list:
Auburn at Baylor, Aug. 29,2025
Utah at UCLA, Aug. 30,2025
Texas at Ohio State, Aug. 30, 2025
Notre Dame at Miami, Aug. 30, 2025
LSU at Clemson, Aug. 30,2025
Alabama at Florida State, Aug. 30, 2025
Michigan at Oklahoma, Sept. 6, 2025
Kansas at Missouri, Sept. 6, 2025
Texas A&M at Notre Dame, Sept. 13, 2025
Florida at Miami, Sept. 20, 2025
USC at Notre Dame, Oct. 18, 2025
Clemson at South Carolina, Nov. 29, 2025
I asked ChatGPT to “Create a blog article that evaluates the nonconference 2025 college football games” included in Chris Low’s list. Here is a slightly edited version of what ChatGPT created:
Sure! Here's a blog article evaluating the major nonconference 2025 college football matchups:
2025 College Football Nonconference Showdowns: The Must-Watch Games of the Season
The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory, thanks in large part to an impressive slate of nonconference games that could shape the College Football Playoff landscape early and often. From old rivalries rekindled to potential playoff previews, these matchups offer elite programs colliding outside of their usual conference grind.
Let’s break down the most compelling nonconference matchups of the 2025 season:
Auburn at Baylor – August 29, 2025
This Friday night opener will offer the first national taste of the 2025 season. Auburn, now deeper into the Hugh Freeze era, faces a Baylor team that’s shown flashes of brilliance under Dave Aranda. Auburn’s defense will be tested against Baylor’s evolving spread offense, and this could be a tone-setter for the SEC vs. Big 12 narratives all year. Expect a gritty, physical contest.
Watch for: Auburn’s quarterback development vs. a Baylor secondary known for disruption.
Editor's Note: Whether or not Auburn's transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold can showcase his skills versus the defensive genius of Dave Aranda or maybe it is Aranda vs the offensive genius of Hugh Freeze is the game story here. Before losing to LSU in a bowl Aranda's Baylor Bears had 6 wins to end their season last year. It would seem that Baylor is a team on the rise and Auburn needs to be.
Utah at UCLA – August 30, 2025
Yes, it’s technically a Big Ten conference game by 2025 standards, but because of scheduling quirks, it retains a nonconference classification. This Pac-12-turned-Big-Ten clash features two programs in transition. Utah brings physicality, while UCLA’s identity under new leadership post-Chip Kelly will be fascinating to watch.
Watch for: The battle in the trenches—Utah always brings it, and UCLA’s offensive line depth will be tested.
Texas at Ohio State – August 30, 2025
Arguably the “game of the weekend”, this is a heavyweight battle between two College Football Playoff contenders. Ohio State, expected to be a national title front-runner, will be tested by a Texas team growing in confidence under Steve Sarkisian. QB play will be under the microscope as both teams boast elite talent under center.
Watch for: NFL scouts drooling over both rosters—this is a five-star showcase.
Editor's Note: Even though I went to Texas A&M and LSU, I am ready and expecting to see Arch Manning light up Ohio State in this opener. I am actually excited to see who has a better game: Manning or sophomore wide receiver and early Heisman candidate Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith. Smith's success will largely be in the hands of former high school five star transfer quarterback from Alabama, Julian Sayin. There are a lot of former 4 and 5 stars that will be on this field! It ought to be a fun game to watch, just sayin' (bad pun intended).
Notre Dame at Miami – August 30, 2025
A classic rivalry that drips with history and intensity. Miami is trying to claw back into the national spotlight under Mario Cristobal, while Notre Dame continues its push for a playoff breakthrough under Marcus Freeman. The “Catholics vs. Convicts” vibes might be vintage, but the implications are very current.
Watch for: Defensive fireworks—this could be a surprisingly low-scoring, physical battle.
LSU at Clemson – August 30, 2025
Two recent national champions who’ve had their share of ups and downs. Brian Kelly and Dabo Swinney are both looking to prove their teams belong among the elite again. Expect a tight, high-energy matchup with plenty of speed on display.
Watch for: Clemson’s QB vs. LSU’s exotic pressure packages.
Editor's Note: ChatGPT may be right, but, I think it may come down to which team has improved the most where they needed improvement. Clemson - 6 blocked Field Goal attempts, a weak run defense, and not as much depth at key positions. LSU - a better but still weak defense, creating an atmosphere where the many new transfers can play as a team, protecting the QB with missing key linemen from last year.
Alabama at Florida State – August 30, 2025
A vintage matchup with modern weight. Alabama’s new post-Saban identity will be a major story this season, and going to Tallahassee early will be a huge test. Meanwhile, Florida State looks to cement its re-emergence as a national power.
Watch for: Which team’s new-look quarterback room settles in quicker.
Editor's Note: Florida State was 13-0 in the regular season 2 years ago with wins over 3 top 20 teams at the time they played those teams. Last year Florida State was 2-10. Which Florida State team shows up this year? Even without Nick Saban to save them and with lots of transfers out of the program, Alabama is still loaded and should have a consistent high level of preparation. Do they take FSU seriously or not? If they take the Noles seriously, look for Bama to crush FSU.
Michigan at Oklahoma – September 6, 2025
Two bluebloods on a collision course. Michigan, likely still among the most physical teams in the country, heads to Norman to face a Sooners squad adapting to SEC life. A massive litmus test for Brent Venables’ program.
Watch for: Michigan’s O-line vs. Oklahoma’s revamped defensive front.
Editor's Note: There is a lot of press about Oklahoma's new quality transfer QB John Mateer and about Michigan's all-world #1 everything QB Bryce Underwood. I am eager to see how these two do.
Kansas at Missouri – September 6, 2025
The Border War is back—and it matters again. Kansas football has been revitalized under Lance Leipold, while Missouri continues to punch above its weight under Eli Drinkwitz. This could quietly be one of the most entertaining games of the early season.
Watch for: A fiery crowd and a possible shootout between veteran QBs.
Editor's Note: Eli Drinkwitz has two 10-win seasons under his belt with bowl wins over Ohio State and Iowa. I would say it is starting to look like Drinkwitz and Mizzou may have already arrive and no longer be "punching above" their weight class. Also, I am not sold on the ChatGPT suggestion that Beau Pribula is a veteran QB. It is his first year in a Mizzou uniform. After transferring from Penn State, Pribula should know what he is doing. Wasn't Joe Burrow a transfer backup QB from Ohio State before he made magic happen at LSU?
Texas A&M at Notre Dame – September 13, 2025
Two talent-laden programs that haven’t quite lived up to recent expectations. This game could be a springboard for either team’s playoff push—or the beginning of a rocky road. College Station meets South Bend in a clash of contrasts.
Watch for: A&M’s defensive line vs. Notre Dame’s power run game.
Editor's Note: Mike Elko will have a well coached defense after two warm up games. Notre Dame opens the season on the road at Miami against Carson Beck. They have a week off after Miami and may need it to shore up nicks, bruises, sunburns from a hard played opener, and possible Miami beach time. Texas A&M was embarrassed by a home opening loss to Notre Dame last year and may be looking to repay the debt. Notre Dame does have a powerful running game but do not count out Texas A&M's running back trio of Le'Veon Moss, Amari Daniels, and Reuben Owens. Add to that a very mobile Marcel Reed at QB and it could turn into a battle of run games or "who can stop the run?".
Florida at Miami – September 20, 2025
The Sunshine State rivalry heats up again in what could be a pivotal game for both programs. Billy Napier needs a signature win to solidify his job, and Miami will be circling this as a must-win.
Watch for: Turnovers and special teams playing a decisive role in a chaotic game.
USC at Notre Dame – October 18, 2025
The midseason classic returns with Playoff implications always lurking. Lincoln Riley’s offense vs. Marcus Freeman’s defense is the storyline, but don’t overlook Notre Dame’s offensive improvement or USC’s bolstered transfer portal defense.
Watch for: Heisman candidates on display—especially at QB.
Editor's Note: These would be a more interesting game if we could return to the Pete Carrol USC era. The days when USC was so good that they did not even have to play in the National Championship game to claim a National Championship, memories of 2003. You may recall LSU beat Oklahoma in that 2003 National Championship game to earn the title but USC was not treated fairly (like FSU two years ago) and so USC claim the title anyway. While LSU recovered from the departure of Nick Saban as head coach, I'm not sure that USC ever recovered from Pete Carroll's departure. Maybe Lincoln Riley can start a new trend. If Notre Dame opens with two losses vs Miami and Texas A&M, they may not have a willing and healthy enough team beat USC. Otherwise this is not a big game. Notre Dame should obliterate USC - it is not 2003.
Clemson at South Carolina – November 29, 2025
A late-season rivalry with postseason stakes. South Carolina stunned Clemson in 2022—can they do it again? Clemson may be in the thick of an ACC title race, and a Gamecock upset here would cause shockwaves.
Watch for: The emotional rollercoaster—rivalry hate + potential playoff stakes = must-see TV.
Editor's Note: In this decade the trend so far is that these two teams trade who wins each season. Clemson won in 2021 and 2023. South Carolina won in 2022 and 2024. It's an odd year (2025). It is Clemson's turn to win this year. Wonder what the Gamecocks think about that?
Final Thoughts
The 2025 season is stacked with nonconference intrigue. These games offer more than bragging rights—they’ll help shape the CFP field, define coaching legacies, and possibly determine who survives the brutal playoff gauntlet. From Week 0 fireworks to November rivalry chaos, fans are in for a wild ride.
