There are plenty of games every year that are worth looking forward to in the college football season. Specifically, nonconference games can have a lot of hype to them. Here are the 10 best nonconference games in college football in 2025.
USC may have been just 7-6 last season, but there is a path to improvement this season. If Jayden Maiava takes a step forward at quarterback, the offense could really improve, as wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon can really make plays. The defense has improved over the years and Lincoln Riley has to improve to ensure that his job security stays in tact.
Notre Dame made a run to the College Football Playoff last year. They’ll be fueled by a good line and running back, Jeremiyah Love, on offense. The wide receiver room saw an upgrade when Malachi Fields transferred in from Virginia. The Fighting Irish will have a new starting quarterback this season, but whoever wins the job will have tools around them. Defensively, they have to replace some key players up front, but do have playmakers in the secondary.
It is a rivalry game, but this has some added layers. Can USC take that next step? Will Notre Dame be able to match what they did last season? A lot could be answered on Oct. 18.
Georgia may have had a down year by their standards last season, but they still have a lot of pro talent, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. With Christen Miller on the line, CJ Allen at linebacker and Daylen Everette in the secondary they have leaders at every level. The offense will need to run the ball better this year, but they have just one returning starter on the offensive line. Nate Frazier has talent at running back and the receiving core is upgraded, but Gunner Stockton will have a lot to prove at quarterback.
The Yellow Jackets nearly defeated Georgia last season in an overtime thriller. They finished with a 7-6 record, but that was also with them battling through injuries to quarterback Haynes King, who figures to be a little healthier this season. Running back Jamal Haynes is dynamic and Brent Key likes to build good line play. Defensively, they were average last season and will rely on transfers to help their four returning starters.
With Georgia Tech coming close last season, they will have a chance to kick the door down this season in a neutral-field game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Auburn is looking for improvement in year three under Hugh Freeze and they will be tested in their first game of the season. Jackson Arnold comes in from Oklahoma and will have a talented wide receiver room to work with that includes Eric Singleton and Cam Coleman. Three offensive lineman return which should haelp an offense improve after ranking 71st in points per game. Defensively Keldrick Faulk can help get after the passer and the secondary has experience, but more playesr will need to step up between them.
The Bears may have found a star in Sawyer Robertson at quarterback, as he finished with 3,071 passing yards and 28 touchdowns and wasn’t even announced as the starter before last season. Bryson Washington and Dawson Pendegrass create a great one-two punch at running back to aid him. The offense ranked in the top 20 in points per game, but they could improve with the talent returning. On defense, five starters return, so improvement could come.
Both of these teams will be battling for good seasons and starting things of right will help.
Florida won eight games last season despite having a rough schedule. DJ Lagway got some great experience at quarterback as a freshman and is expected to be a star this season. With a good offensive line and talented skill position players like running back Jaden Baugh and several talented receivers, the offense could rank in the top 20. The Gator defense returns seven starters on defense from an above-average unit. Tyreak Sapp and Caleb Banks are ones to watch up front.
Cam Ward is gone and Carson Beck has transferred in to try and fill his shoes. He will lead an offense that has a lot of new faces at skill positions, but the offensive line has talent, including right tackle Francis Mauigoa. The defense has some real potential to be better than 2024, which starts with Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor up front.
It will be tough for Miami to replicate last season without Ward, but this rivalry could set a tone. Florida has a talented roster, but SEC play will be tough, making this one a game they will want to win.
Alabama didn’t make the playoff last season, but they have plenty of talent to work with. The offensive line should be one of the best in the country, while Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard create a great duo at wide receiver. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Crimson Tide will be better suited to run Kalen DeBoer’s offense. The defense ranked 10th in points per game allowed and brings back seven starters, which projects them to be a top defense in the country.
Florida State was a mess last season and Mike Norvell has hit the transfer portal again to help improve the roster. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos, running back Roydell Williams, wide receivers Duce Robinson and Squirrel White and more transferred in on offense from big schools so a huge jump in production should happen. Defensively, Darrell Jackson leads things from the interior and more transfers are in to help.
Castellanos is already talking trash and fans won’t have to wait long to see if he’s right. Storied programs are meeting up and Florida State has the chance to show they can bounce back after last season.
Michigan has a lot of moving parts this season. Bryce Underwood is stepping in at quarterback to start as a freshman. The indentity will still be to run the ball and Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall should both be productive at running back. Three starters return to the offensive line as well. On defense, six starters return from a team that allowed fewer than 20 points per game.
The Sooners have a nice blend of returning talent and transfers after winning six games last year. Quarterback John Mateer transfers in from Washington State and Jaydn Ott is in at running back to create a talented backfield. The offensive line has returnees and Deion Burks is back after struggling with injury last year. Brent Venables had a defense that ranked top 30 in points allowed per game last season and has six starters coming back to campus.
Two programs that aren’t expected to be elite this season, but have great history meeting in the nonconference is always great. The winner may make a push toward playoff contention, while the loser could stumble into mediocrity.
Mike Elko won eight games in his first year at Texas A&M. While some talent was lost to the NFL, the Aggies have plenty of players to work with. Marcel Reed is returning at quarterback with a stable of talented running backs at his side. KC Concepcion is a highly-productive receiver transferring in from NC State and the offensive line should be one of the best in the SEC. Elko’s defense was solid in year one and should improve with talent returning in the back seven.
Notre Dame was able to defeat Texas A&M on the road last year, which was a jumpstart for their season. The Fighting Irish have a tough schedule to start the year, so this will give a good look at their quarterback situation.
After playing a close game last season, this game could be good again this season.
There are high expectations for Clemson because of who they return. Cade Klubnik is back as one of the best quarterbacks in the country and the wide receiver room should be able to support more growth. Three starters return on the offensive line, but the defensive line has a lot of the headlines. Between T.J. Parker, Peter Woods and Will Heldt, there may not be a better defensive line in the country. With solid linebackers and a good corner in Avieon Terrell, defensive improvement from solid to elite is within sight.
South Carolina has a few stars and are hoping to utilize them enough to make the College Football Playoff. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers is a great dual-threat, but he’ll have new faces at the skill positions who need to step up. The offensive line has a little experience, but a lot is expected from the offense. On defense, Dylan Stewart was great as a freshman and will have to be a leader in getting sacks this season. The secondary has some returning talent too, so while a step back may happen from last season, maybe it won’t be by too much.
The Gamecocks were able to win last season in this rivalry. Clemson has a path to making the playoff by winning the ACC, but South Carolina may need to win this game to make the CFP.
Garrett Nussmeier returned to LSU, which has really built the hype for the Tigers. The star quarterback will have so many skill position players to use like running back Caden Durham and wide receivers Aaron Anderson, Chris Hilton, Barion Brown and Nic Anderson. The offensive line will have plenty of new faces and will have to come along quickly. The defense was average last season, but they have more talent this season. Harold Perkins returns from injury and linebacker Whit Weeks really emerged last season. Cornerback Ashton Stamps can be one of the better palyers at his position in the country. Transfers along the defense should really help this team, including cornerback Mansoor Delane and edge rusher Patrick Payton.
Clemson has 13 returning starters and began using the transfer portal to help them improve even further. They may be in a better spot to produce early than other teams because of their returning talent.
A game early in the season with CFP implications is always great. Both of these top five teams have potential to be good on each side of the ball. They also have plenty of future pros, making this a must-see game.
Arch Manning is taking over at quarterback after playing solidly in a pinch last season. Running backs Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter can give him a good running game to lean on. Ryan Wingo has the potential to become a star in 2025 after a solid freshman season. The offensive line will need to improve quickly with a lot of new faces on it. Defensively, the Longhorns have a good pass rush with Ethan Burke and Colin Simmons. The star on defensve is Anthony Hill at linebacker, but Malik Muhammad is one of the best corners in the country in his own right. They ranked third in the country last season and they could do it again this season.
Ohio State won the national championship last season and now is turning to a new quarterback in Julian Sayin who was a highly-touted recruit. He’ll have possibly the best player in college football in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to throw to, along with so many other talented players. Two starters are back on the offensive line, but the unit should be solid. On defense, they will rely on players who got some experience last season, but didn’t start, and transfers. Linebacker Sonny Styles, cornerback Davison Igbinosun and All-American safety Caleb Downs are key players in the back seven who will create an impact.
The Buckeyes have a talented roster and are hosting this game. Manning has a lot of hype and is facing his first big start. With two teams very capable of winning a national championship, this game will help kick off the college football season well.
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