The 2025 NCAAF season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with a mix of challenging schedules, favorable paths, and must-see games. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to expect:

Toughest Overall Power 4 Schedule: Florida

Billy Napier and the Florida Gators face a brutal schedule, including matchups against No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Georgia, and No. 6 LSU. The Gators’ five-week stretch from Sept. 13 to Oct. 11 includes games at LSU, at Miami, home against Texas, and at Texas A&M.

Easiest Overall Power 4 Schedule: Wake Forest

Jake Dickert’s Wake Forest Deacons have one of the easiest schedules, facing only one preseason Top 25 team (SMU) and avoiding Clemson, Miami, and Louisville in the ACC.

Toughest Overall Non-Power 4 Schedule: Kent State

Kent State’s schedule is daunting, with three Power 4 nonconference games on the road and a matchup against MAC preseason favorite Toledo.

Easiest Overall Non-Power 4 Schedule: Liberty

Liberty’s favorable schedule makes them a prime candidate to be the Group of 5 representative in the playoff, with no Power 4 nonconference opponents.

Must-See Nonconference Games

• Auburn at Baylor, Aug. 29
• Texas at Ohio State, Aug. 30
• LSU at Clemson, Aug. 30
• Notre Dame at Miami, Aug. 31

Toughest Power 4 Home Schedule: Mississippi State

Mississippi State faces four playoff teams from last season at home, including Arizona State, Tennessee, Texas, and Georgia.

Easiest Power 4 Home Schedule: Texas

Texas has only one preseason Top 25 team visiting DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium this season, making for a relatively easy home schedule.

Toughest Close to the Season: Rutgers

Rutgers’ last six games are against No. 8 Oregon, Purdue, No. 11 Illinois, Maryland, No. 5 Ohio State, and No. 1 Penn State.

Easiest Close to the Season: Illinois

Illinois has a favorable end to the season, with three of their last four games at home and no preseason Top 25 opponents in the final five weeks.

Toughest Three-Game Stretch: Oklahoma

Oklahoma faces No. 3 Texas, No. 13 South Carolina, and No. 24 Ole Miss in consecutive weeks, with three of the four games away from home.

Basking in Florida’s Sunshine

Miami doesn’t play a game outside Florida until Nov. 1, with six of their first seven games at home.

Dabo and the SEC

Clemson’s Dabo Swinney faces LSU in the Battle of Death Valleys on Aug. 30, continuing Clemson’s challenging SEC matchups.

Mountains are Calling

Oregon State travels to Appalachian State on Oct. 4, a game that promises to be a scenic and competitive matchup.

Taking Saturdays Off

Houston plays three Friday games, including a season opener on Aug. 28 against Stephen F. Austin.

Walking in Memphis

Memphis has a favorable home schedule, with tough games against Arkansas, South Florida, Tulane, and Navy all at home.

Avoiding Campuses

Tennessee continues its trend of not playing nonconference regular-season games on opposing team’s campuses.

Power Outages

Several teams, including Houston, Indiana, and Maryland, don’t play any nonconference games against Power 4 opponents.

Jet-lagged Huskies

Washington’s schedule is a mix of home and away games, with a challenging stretch from Sept. 20 to Nov. 8.

Vols Flopping Dawgs and Gators

Tennessee faces Georgia and Florida in key matchups, with a history of challenging results against these teams.

Hogs Debuting on the SEC Road Again

Arkansas opens its SEC season on the road for the third straight year, facing Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Border War Returns

Kansas and Missouri renew their rivalry on Sept. 6, the first meeting since 2011.

Catching Up with Old Teammates

Transfer portal players face their former schools in key matchups, adding an extra layer of intrigue.

Homecoming for Helton

Clay Helton returns to Los Angeles when Georgia Southern faces USC on Sept. 6.

They’re Playing Where?

Power 4 teams face Group of 5 teams on the road, including North Carolina at Charlotte and West Virginia at Ohio University.

Not Very Belichickian

Bill Belichick’s North Carolina schedule is manageable, with a potential 5-0 start before facing Clemson.

Fear the Terps

Maryland’s schedule is favorable, with a chance to return to winning ways after a 4-8 season.

Run-down Red Raiders

Texas Tech’s seven-week Big 12 gauntlet will test their mettle as they aim for double-digit wins.