The Biggest Rematches of the 2025 College Football Season

The 2025-26 college football season is still a few months away, but it's never too early to start looking ahead toward the new campaign.

Almost every season in college football, there are numerous rematches to look forward to. And the upcoming year is no exception. 

From in-conference matchups to out-of-conference contests and rivalry week games, there are several rematches to look forward to next season. 

Without further ado, let's run through the most anticipated rematches of the 2025-26 college football season. We'll group these by conference, out-of-conference and rivalry week games. 

Clemson vs. SMU: Oct. 18 

These two teams met in a thrilling ACC title game last season. SMU overcame a 24-7 halftime deficit and tied the contest at 31-all with 16 seconds left. 

However, a big kickoff return followed by a deep pass completion by Cade Klubnik allowed Clemson to kick a 56-yard game-winning field goal.

Hopefully, their next game will be just as good. 

Syracuse at Miami, Nov. 8 

Miami was on the verge of a trip to the ACC title game last season, needing just a win over Syracuse to move within a step of the championship.

Instead, the Orange upset the Hurricanes 42-38, spoiling their ACC title game and playoff hopes.

Let's see if Miami can finally make the playoff with new quarterback Carson Beck under center. 

Clemson at Louisville, Nov. 14

Louisville beat Clemson 33-21 last season in a game the Cardinals dominated throughout. They led 26-7 at the end of the third quarter and were up 33-14 in the fourth.

Louisville has a new quarterback in Miller Moss under center for 2025, while the Tigers will be looking to make it back to the playoff with Cade Klubnik and company next season. 

Duke at UNC, Nov. 22

North Carolina will be looking to avenge its loss to Duke from last season, when the Tar Heels blew a 20-0 third-quarter lead.

The UNC defense gave up 21 unanswered points in the first loss to the Blue Devils since 2018.

Next season's matchup should be entertaining with new head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines for the Tar Heels.

Thanks to conference realignment drastically expanding the Big Ten last season and changes to scheduling, there aren't too many rematches of note from last year. But there are a couple that stand out.  

Oregon at Penn State, Sept. 27 

These two teams met last year in the Big Ten Championship. Oregon won 45-37, but Penn State kept it close throughout.

Although both teams ended up losing in the playoff, the 2025 rematch looks like it could favor the Nittany Lions. 

Penn State returns a ton of talent from last year, including quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. It also successfully hired Jim Knowles away from Ohio State as its new defensive coordinator. 

Oregon, meanwhile, appears to be rebuilding with Dante Moore under center, Tulane transfer Makhi Hughes at running back and returning wideout Evan Stewart. 

This should be a great game in Happy Valley.  

USC vs. Michigan, Oct. 11

Michigan won this one, 27-24, in Los Angeles last season, when Wolverines running back Kalel Mullings helped lead a 10-play, 89-yard scoring drive in the final four minutes.

The Trojans will again head to the Big House on October 11, and the home team looks to be in great shape for 2025. 

The buzz surrounding Michigan is all about star quarterback Bryce Underwood, who flipped from LSU last fall.

USC head coach Lincoln Riley needs to turn the Trojans into a contender quickly if he wants to avoid more questions about his long-term future in Los Angeles.  

Colorado vs. BYU, Sept. 27

Although these two Big 12 teams didn't play each other during the regular season last year, they did meet in the Alamo Bowl.

BYU trounced Deion Sanders' Colorado team 36-14, spoiling Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter's final game for the Buffaloes. 

BYU returns star quarterback Jake Retzlaff from last season, while Colorado is rebuilding with the likes of 5-star quarterback prospect Julian Lewis.

If either team wants to compete for a Big 12 title next season, winning this match is crucial.  

BYU vs. Utah, Oct. 18 

We can now expect the Holy War to be a Big 12 conference favorite over the years to come.

Last year, Utah led 21-10 at halftime. But the Cougars scored 12 unanswered points in the second half, including a 44-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.

The Utes will be looking to get back on track in 2025 after two down seasons.  

Kansas vs. Kansas State, Oct. 25 

It's been 16 years since Kansas last beat Kansas State in football, but the Jayhawks came awfully close last season.

They took a 27-23 lead entering the fourth quarter off a Jalon Daniels rushing touchdown. 

However, a costly fumble by the Kansas quarterback late in the fourth quarter helped set up a 51-yard field goal that gave K-State a 29-27 lead with 1:42 left.

Daniels was sacked on 4th-and-7 to seal a Wildcats victory over their biggest rival.

Is 2025 the year when Daniels and the Jayhawks finally get it done?

Arizona State at Iowa State, Nov. 1 

A rematch of last year's Big 12 title game? Yes, please.

The Sun Devils blew out Iowa State 45-19 in Arlington, Texas, but there's no question the Cyclones will be looking to avenge that loss.

Iowa State returns Rocco Becht under center, as the Cyclones look primed for another big year. 

Arizona State is losing running back Cam Skattebo to the NFL, but quarterback Sam Leavitt returns. ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham will be eager to prove the Sun Devils' surprise season in the Big 12 last year was no fluke.

Alabama at Georgia, Sept. 27

Alabama almost let a 30-7 halftime lead slip through its hands late in this one last year, but a Jalen Milroe 75-yard touchdown gave the Tide a 41-34 victory.

Both programs will be rebuilding this year, but this game should be a good measuring stick for the two teams early in the season.  

Florida vs. Texas, Oct. 4  

Florida played in this one last year in Austin with its third-string quarterback in Aidan Warner, and lost 49-17. But the 2025 game should look very different, as this one is in Gainesville with a healthy D.J. Lagway.

This will be a big test for new Texas quarterback Arch Manning, too.  

Texas A&M-South Carolina, Nov. 15

Last year, the Gamecocks stunned then-No. 10 Texas A&M in a 44-20 win. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers threw for 244 yards with two touchdowns while rushing for another 144 and two more scores.

This year, Sellers will have to play the Aggies in College Station.   

Alabama vs. Tennessee, Oct. 18  

If Kalen DeBoer loses twice in a row to Tennessee, Alabama fans won't let him hear the end of it.

The Tide haven't lost to Tennessee two years in a row since 2003-04. The last time the Vols won in Tuscaloosa was 2003. 

Ole Miss at Georgia. Oct. 18 

The Ole Miss defense was impressive against Georgia last year, holding the Bulldogs to just 10 points and 59 yards rushing.

Both these teams will look a lot different from last year, but this game's a big one for both SEC title and playoff hopes. 

There aren't too many intriguing rematches to choose from as far as non-conference, non-rivalry games go. But we've got a couple to look forward to.

Texas A&M at Notre Dame, Sept. 13 

Notre Dame got the best of Texas A&M last year, winning 23-13 in Week 1.

The Fighting Irish have to replace a lot of the pieces who took them close to a national title last season, while the Aggies return quarterback Marcel Reed.

If Texas A&M can pull off a huge road upset, that might vault the team into the playoff conversation. 

Florida at Miami, Sept. 20

This one was over early in Gainesville last year after Miami got out to a 24-10 halftime lead and won by four scores.

However, this game looks a lot more intriguing in 2025, as Florida appears to be a surprise SEC contender, and Miami looks to finally make the playoff with Carson Beck at quarterback.

This year's contest should be a lot closer than the 2024 version. 

All games scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 29 

Clemson at South Carolina

Last year, South Carolina upset Clemson 17-14 and looked as if it spoiled the Tigers' playoff hopes until Miami lost to Syracuse and sent the Tigers to the ACC title game.

South Carolina will be looking to win two in a row over Clemson for the first time since 2012 and 2013, when head coach Steve Spurrier was still in Columbia.  

Ohio State at Michigan 

Ohio State may have won a national title last season, but there are some fans who still have a hard time with losing a fourth-straight game to Michigan last season.

And after last season's postgame flag plant, you can bet this one will be spicy. This year's game will be in Ann Arbor, where Ohio State hasn't won since 2019. 

Georgia vs. Georgia Tech 

Last year's game between these two went into eight overtimes, with Georgia winning 44-42. Georgia Tech will be looking to beat the Dawgs for the first time since 2016, with this one being played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

Texas vs. Texas A&M

Last year's meeting between these two teams was the first since 2011 and a renewal of a heated rivalry.

Texas won this one 17-7 in a pretty uneventful game throughout. Just like last year, The 2025 matchup should have an impact on who goes to the SEC title game or playoff. 

North Carolina at NC State

North Carolina State players planted a flag at UNC's midfield logo after beating the Tar Heels 35-30. Tar Heels players won't forget that come November 29.