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2025 Week 1 College Football Predictions for Every Game
While the 2025 college football season has officially begun, Week 1 is set to kick the campaign into full gear.
Goodbye, Saturday plans. Hello, screen overload.
As is tradition, though, we're not even waiting for the weekend. There were 17 matchups on Thursday and 11 more games on Friday, all leading into a loaded slate on Saturday—plus three contests on Sunday or Monday.
The headliner? No. 1 Texas at No. 3 Ohio State.
But with two more top-10 showdowns and a host of other intriguing games on the docket, Week 1 is treating us nicely in 2025.
All rankings are a reflection of the AP Top 25.
Thursday Results
1 of 7
South Florida 34, Boise State 7
Rutgers 34, Ohio 31
Bowling Green 26, Lafayette 7
North Carolina State 24, East Carolina 17
UCF 17, Jacksonville State 10
Wyoming 10, Akron 0
Delaware 35, Delaware State 17
Louisiana-Monroe 29, Saint Francis (PA) 0
Duke 45, Elon 17
Oklahoma State 27, UT Martin 7
Missouri 61, Central Arkansas 6
Minnesota 23, Buffalo 10
Houston 27, Stephen F. Austin 0
UAB 52, Alabama State 42
Nebraska 20, Cincinnati 17
Wisconsin 17, Miami (Ohio) 0
San Diego State 42, Stony Brook 0
Friday Games
2 of 7
Western Illinois at No. 12 Illinois, 7:30 p.m. ET
In two games against FBS competition last season, Western Illinois lost by a combined score of 131-18. Illinois, a not-so-sneaky CFP contender, should have no issues dispatching the Leathernecks.
Prediction: Illinois 56, Western Illinois 10
Tarleton State at Army, 6 p.m.
Prediction: Army 42, Tarleton State 7
Kennesaw State at Wake Forest, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Wake Forest 34, Kennesaw State 13
Western Michigan at Michigan State, 7 p.m.
Prediction: MSU 33, WMU 17
Appalachian State vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Prediction: App State 27, Charlotte 22
Bethune-Cookman at Florida International, 7 p.m.
Prediction: FIU 42, Bethune-Cookman 14
Wagner at Kansas (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Kansas 52, Wagner 7
Auburn at Baylor, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Baylor 27, Auburn 24
Georgia Tech at Colorado, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 24, Colorado 21
UNLV (1-0) at Sam Houston (0-1), 9:30 p.m.
Prediction: UNLV 34, Sam Houston 27
Central Michigan at San Jose State, 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: SJSU 30, CMU 23
Saturday Games, Part 1
3 of 7
No. 1 Texas at No. 3 Ohio State, Noon ET
Both teams are expected to make the College Football Playoff. In that sense, it's probably best not to get caught up in the result. But, hello, this is an enormous game. While I'll give the slightest edge to Texas because of its playmaker-filled defense and Arch Manning's bit of experience, the Buckeyes can flip the result with the best two receivers—Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate—on the field.
Prediction: Texas 27, Ohio State 24
Syracuse vs. No. 24 Tennessee, Noon
After a 10-win year, Syracuse is shifting from Kyle McCord to Steve Angeli in a near-completely revamped offense. Even as Tennessee deals with its own transition on that side, its defense was excellent in 2024 and returns most of that production. Tennessee is solidly the favorite in Atlanta.
Prediction: Tennessee 31, Syracuse 20
Old Dominion at No. 20 Indiana, 2:30 p.m.
Curt Cignetti's second year at Indiana should begin with a straightforward win, although ODU put a scare into South Carolina to open the 2024 campaign. Still, a brand-new ODU receiving corps is a big concern for the underdogs.
Prediction: Indiana 38, Old Dominion 14
Duquesne at Pitt, Noon
Prediction: Pitt 45, Duquesne 3
Florida Atlantic at Maryland, Noon
Prediction: Maryland 34, FAU 21
Ball State at Purdue, Noon
Prediction: Purdue 37, Ball State 17
Northwestern at Tulane, Noon
Prediction: Tulane 29, Northwestern 23
Mississippi State at Southern Miss, Noon
Prediction: Mississippi State 38, Southern Miss 20
VMI at Navy, Noon
Prediction: Navy 45, VMI 7
Merrimack at Kent State, Noon
Prediction: Kent State 34, Merrimack 14
Toledo at Kentucky, 12:45 p.m.
Prediction: Kentucky 27, Toledo 17
Fordham at Boston College, 2 p.m.
Prediction: Boston College 45, Fordham 7
Robert Morris at West Virginia, 2 p.m.
Prediction: West Virginia 52, Robert Morris 10
Central Connecticut at Connecticut, 2 p.m.
Prediction: UConn 41, Central Connecticut 14
Eastern Kentucky at Louisville, 3 p.m.
Prediction: Louisville 55, EKU 10
Saturday Games, Part 2
4 of 7
Nevada at No. 2 Penn State, 3:30 p.m. ET
Barring a head-turning collapse, Penn State figures to score early and often against a Nevada program that is coming off a 10-loss season. No drama here.
Prediction: Penn State 52, Nevada 10
Marshall at No. 5 Georgia, 3:30 p.m.
Marshall won a Sun Belt title in 2024, but failed negotiations with coach Charles Huff resulted in a shocking exodus at the program. Georgia should kick off Gunner Stockton's stint as the full-time QB1 with a blowout win.
Prediction: Georgia 56, Marshall 7
No. 8 Alabama at Florida State, 3:30 p.m.
Florida State is hoping to ditch the ugly memory of 2024, and taking down Alabama in Week 1 certainly would help. And, hey, maybe FSU's offense with a laundry list of transfers is the perfect solution! I am, well, skeptical about that.
Prediction: Alabama 38, Florida State 14
South Dakota at No. 22 Iowa State, 3:30 p.m.
Given that South Dakota has reached the FCS Quarterfinals in each of the last two seasons, don't dismiss the lower-division team. Iowa State's stingy defense should be enough, but it might not be comfortable.
Prediction: Iowa State 24, South Dakota 16
Montana State at No. 7 Oregon, 4 p.m.
Similarly, this is not an ordinary FCS matchup. Montana State is the reigning national runner-up and brings back a healthy chunk of those starters. Again, it might take a moment for Oregon to build a sizable lead before ultimately having a low-stress finish to its opening game.
Prediction: Oregon 42, Montana State 17
Illinois State at No. 18 Oklahoma, 6 p.m.
Illinois State also reached the FCS Playoffs last season, although the Redbirds are less likely to hang around. The explosiveness of OU's offense is expected to soar thanks to new QB John Mateer.
Prediction: Oklahoma 59, Illinois State 7
Bucknell at Air Force, 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Air Force 49, Bucknell 6
Temple at Massachusetts, 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: UMass 27, Temple 24
Holy Cross at Northern Illinois, 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: NIU 41, Holy Cross 17
Maine at Liberty, 4 p.m.
Prediction: Liberty 42, Maine 14
Alabama A&M at Arkansas, 4:15 p.m.
Prediction: Arkansas 58, Alabama A&M 10
Chattanooga at Memphis, 4:30 p.m.
Prediction: Memphis 47, Chattanooga 14
Coastal Carolina at Virginia, 6 p.m.
Prediction: Virginia 31, Coastal Carolina 16
Albany at Iowa, 6 p.m.
Prediction: Iowa 41, Albany 3
Weber State at James Madison, 6 p.m.
Prediction: JMU 41, Weber State 13
Saturday Games, Part 3
5 of 7
Long Island at No. 15 Florida, 7 p.m. ET
The question isn't whether the Gators win. Rather, it's more about how Florida protects DJ Lagway after the sophomore QB has dealt with injuries throughout the offseason. He'll start, but how long will he play?
Prediction: Florida 56, LIU 0
North Dakota at No. 17 Kansas State (0-1), 7 p.m.
Kansas State is looking for a bounce-back win after a disappointing loss to Iowa State in Ireland. North Dakota has hung around FBS competition in recent years, but the talent gap is usually noticeable by the end.
Prediction: Kansas State 38, North Dakota 14
UTSA at No. 19 Texas A&M, 7 p.m.
As long as Texas A&M's offense avoids a slow start, UTSA probably doesn't have the defense to stick around. The unit surrendered 30.1 points per game in 2024 yet must replace eight of its top nine tacklers.
Prediction: Texas A&M 42, UTSA 17
No. 9 LSU at No. 4 Clemson, 7:30 p.m.
The prime-time showcase falls in the orange version of Death Valley, where a pair of championship hopefuls will square off. LSU is 0-3 in openers under Brian Kelly, and that trend will continue unless a rebuilt blocking unit is able to withstand a dangerous Clemson defensive front.
Prediction: Clemson 29, LSU 24
New Mexico at No. 14 Michigan, 7:30 p.m.
So begins the Bryce Underwood era at Michigan, which is turning to a true freshman QB for the first time since 2009. While he commands the spotlight, though, the best unit in this contest is the Wolverines' defense. They'll control the day.
Prediction: Michigan 38, New Mexico 10
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at No. 23 Texas Tech, 7:30 p.m.
Texas Tech is set to unveil an impressive group of transfers in what should be a comfortable win. Last season, UAPB lost to Arkansas 70-0 and finished 3-9.
Prediction: Texas Tech 63, UAPB 7
Charleston Southern at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 45, Charleston Southern 10
North Alabama at Western Kentucky (1-0), 7 p.m.
Prediction: WKU 52, North Alabama 7
Austin Peay at Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m.
Prediction: MTSU 42, Austin Peay 14
Southeast Missouri State at Arkansas State, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Arkansas State 31, SEMO 21
Nicholls at Troy, 7 p.m.
Prediction: Troy 45, Nicholls 17
Morgan State at South Alabama, 7 p.m.
Prediction: South Alabama 40, Morgan State 13
Missouri State at USC, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: USC 44, Missouri State 14
SE Louisiana at Louisiana Tech, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 33, SE Louisiana 17
UTEP at Utah State, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Utah State 35, UTEP 31
Saturday Games, Part 4
6 of 7
Georgia State at No. 21 Ole Miss, 7:45 p.m. ET
Georgia State upended Vandy last season, so Ole Miss shouldn't be looking past the Panthers. Nevertheless, the contest is expected to become more about the first look at new Ole Miss starter Austin Simmons.
Prediction: Ole Miss 48, Georgia State 17
East Texas A&M at No. 16 SMU, 9 p.m.
Anything but an SMU blowout would be surprising. SMU returns quarterback Kevin Jennings, and East Texas A&M mustered a 3-9 record last year.
Prediction: SMU 52, East Texas A&M 10
Northern Arizona at No. 11 Arizona State, 10 p.m.
Once again, Northern Arizona made the FCS Playoffs a season ago. These can be feisty opponents for FBS Top 25 teams, even though the outcome isn't really in question as ASU begins its Big 12 title defense.
Prediction: Arizona State 38, Northern Arizona 17
Portland State at BYU, 8 p.m.
Prediction: BYU 51, Portland State 3
Lamar at North Texas, 8 p.m.
Prediction: North Texas 48, Lamar 14
Abilene Christian at Tulsa, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Tulsa 31, Abilene Christian 23
Rice at Louisiana, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Louisiana 30, Rice 17
Eastern Michigan at Texas State, 8 p.m.
Prediction: Texas State 38, EMU 21
Bryant at New Mexico State, 9 p.m.
Prediction: NMSU 41, Bryant 13
Georgia Southern at Fresno State (0-1), 9:30 p.m.
Prediction: Georgia Southern 27, Fresno State 23
Idaho at Washington State, 10 p.m.
Prediction: Washington State 34, Idaho 17
Cal at Oregon State, 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Oregon State 28, Cal 24
Hawaii (1-0) at Arizona, 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Arizona 31, Hawaii 20
Utah at UCLA, 11 p.m.
Prediction: Utah 35, UCLA 23
Colorado State at Washington, 11 p.m.
Prediction: Washington 37, CSU 14
Sunday and Monday Games
7 of 7
Virginia Tech vs. No. 13 South Carolina, Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
The busy weekend in Atlanta continues with Virginia Tech aiming to upset South Carolina. Because the Hokies have a pair of new coordinators and a revamped roster, it's tough to have confidence in what they're rolling out as the underdogs. South Carolina is the safe pick behind dynamic QB LaNorris Sellers.
Prediction: South Carolina 30, Virginia Tech 21
No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 10 Miami, Sunday, 7:30 p.m.
This matchup is a battle of two elite offensive lines and two quality defenses. So, do you trust Georgia transfer Carson Beck to elevate Miami in his program debut or believe first-time ND starter CJ Carr can handle a new-look defense? I'll lean toward Beck and Miami's home-field advantage, but only marginally.
Prediction: Miami 27, Notre Dame 23
TCU at North Carolina, Monday, 8 p.m.
Prediction: TCU 31, UNC 24
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