2024-2025 College Football Schedule: A Guide For Fans


2024-2025 College Football Schedule: A Guide For Fans

For die-hard college football fans, the wait for the 2024-2025 season is almost over. With the regular season just around the corner, it’s time to start planning your weekends and making travel arrangements to see your favorite teams in action. In this informatical article, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about the upcoming season, including key dates, top matchups, and essential travel tips.

The 2024-2025 college football season will kick off on Thursday, August 29, 2024, with a highly anticipated matchup between the defending national champions, Alabama Crimson Tide, and the up-and-coming Texas A&M Aggies. The game will be played at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, and it’s sure to be a barn-burner. As the season progresses, we can expect to see a number of other exciting matchups, including the annual rivalry game between Michigan and Ohio State, the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn, and the Rose Bowl between the Pac-12 and Big Ten champions.

With so much to look forward to, the 2024-2025 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in recent history. Make sure to mark your calendars and start planning your trips now to avoid any disappointment!

2024-2024 College Football Schedule

Get ready for an exciting season of college football in 2024-2025!

  • Season Kickoff: August 29, 2024
  • Defending Champs: Alabama Crimson Tide
  • Top Matchups: Alabama vs. Texas A&M, Michigan vs. Ohio State, Iron Bowl
  • Heisman Contenders: Bryce Young, CJinitasStroud, Caleb Williams
  • New Coaches: Matt Rhule (Nebraska), Sonny Dykes (TCU), Billy Napier (Florida)
  • Expanded Playoff: 12-team format begins in 2024
  • New Bowl Games: LA Bowl, Fenway Bowl
  • GameDay Locations: TBD
  • TV Schedule: ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX

With a new playoff format and exciting new matchups, the 2024-2025 college football season is sure to be one for the ages. Be sure to mark your calendars and start making plans to see your favorite teams in action!

Season Kickoff: August 29, 2024

The 2024-2025 college football season will kick off on Thursday, August 29, 2024, with a highly anticipated matchup between the defending national champions, Alabama Crimson Tide, and the up-and-coming Texas A&M Aggies. The game will be played at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, and it’s sure to be a barn-burner.

Alabama is coming off a dominant season in which they went 13-1 and defeated Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship. The Crimson Tide will be led by Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, who will be looking to become the first player in FBS history to win the award twice. Texas A&M, meanwhile, is looking to build on a successful 2023 season in which they finished with a 9-3 record. The Aggies will be led by quarterback Conner Weigman, who is considered to be one of the top young signal-callers in the country.

The Alabama-Texas A&M matchup is just one of many exciting games that will be played on opening weekend of the 2024-2025 college football season. Other notable games include:

  • Michigan vs. Florida State (Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida)
  • Ohio State vs. Notre Dame (Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio)
  • Georgia vs. Clemson (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia)
  • Oklahoma vs. Nebraska (Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma)
  • Texas vs. LSU (Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas)

With so many great games to choose from, opening weekend of the 2024-2025 college football season is sure to be one to remember. Be sure to mark your calendars and start making plans to see your favorite teams in action!

In addition to the games listed above, there are a number of other intriguing matchups that will be played on opening weekend of the 2024-2025 college football season. Be sure to check your local listings for a complete schedule of games.

Defending Champs: Alabama Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide are coming off a dominant 2023 season in which they went 13-1 and defeated Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship. The Tide will be looking to make it back to the title game in 2024 and defend their national championship.

  • Key Players: Alabama returns a number of key players from last year’s championship team, including Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks, and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. The Tide also have a strong recruiting class coming in, which should help them fill any holes in their roster.
  • Schedule: Alabama’s schedule in 2024 is relatively favorable. The Tide have non-conference games against Utah State, Western Kentucky, and Louisiana-Monroe. They also have a bye week in the middle of the season, which will give them a chance to rest and prepare for their tough SEC schedule.
  • Challenges: The biggest challenge for Alabama in 2024 will be replacing some of their key defensive players who left for the NFL, including cornerback Eli Ricks and safety DeMarcco Hellams. The Tide will also have to face a tough SEC schedule, which includes games against Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M.
  • Outlook: Despite the challenges they face, Alabama is still the clear favorite to win the SEC and make it back to the College Football Playoff in 2024. The Tide have a lot of talent and experience, and they are well-coached by Nick Saban. If they can stay healthy and avoid any major injuries, they should be in contention for another national championship.

Alabama will open their 2024 season on August 29th against Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. The Tide will then host Utah State and Western Kentucky before traveling to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas. Alabama will have their bye week in Week 6 before facing Tennessee in Tuscaloosa.

Top Matchups: Alabama vs. Texas A&M, Michigan vs. Ohio State, Iron Bowl

The 2024-2025 college football season will feature a number of exciting matchups, including the following three games:

  • Alabama vs. Texas A&M (August 29, 2024): This game will be a rematch of the 2023 season opener, which Alabama won 41-38. Both teams are expected to be contenders for the College Football Playoff in 2024, so this game could have a major impact on the national championship race.
  • Michigan vs. Ohio State (November 23, 2024): This is one of the most heated rivalries in all of college football. The two teams have met every year since 1918, and the game is always a sellout. In recent years, Michigan has had the upper hand, winning four of the last five meetings. However, Ohio State is always a threat, and this game is sure to be a thriller.
  • Iron Bowl (November 29, 2024): The Iron Bowl is the annual rivalry game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers. It is one of the most intense rivalries in college football, and the game is always played in front of a packed stadium. Auburn has won the last two Iron Bowls, but Alabama still holds a 48-37-1 lead in the all-time series.

These are just a few of the many exciting matchups that will be played during the 2024-2025 college football season. Be sure to mark your calendars and start making plans to see your favorite teams in action!

Heisman Contenders: Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Caleb Williams

The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. The 2024 season is sure to feature a number of talented players who will be in contention for the award, including the following three quarterbacks:

Bryce Young (Alabama): Young won the Heisman Trophy in 2021 and was a finalist for the award in 2022. He is one of the most dynamic and exciting quarterbacks in the country, and he is expected to be even better in 2024. Young has a strong arm, great mobility, and the ability to make plays with his feet. He is also a leader on and off the field.

CJ Stroud (Ohio State): Stroud was a Heisman finalist in 2022, and he is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He has a prototypical NFL quarterback build, and he is known for his accuracy and arm strength. Stroud is also a good runner, and he is able to extend plays with his feet. He will be looking to lead Ohio State to a national championship in 2024.

Caleb Williams (USC): Williams transferred from Oklahoma to USC in 2023, and he is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the country in 2024. He is a dynamic playmaker who can beat teams with his arm and his legs. Williams is also a very good runner, and he is able to make plays with his feet. He will be looking to lead USC to a Pac-12 championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff in 2024.

These are just a few of the many talented players who will be in contention for the Heisman Trophy in 2024. It is sure to be an exciting race, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.

In addition to the three quarterbacks listed above, there are a number of other players who could be in contention for the Heisman Trophy in 2024. These players include running backs Bijan Robinson (Texas) and Nick Singleton (Penn State), wide receivers Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee) and Marvin Jones Jr. (Georgia), and defensive players Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) and Jaren Kanak (Oklahoma).

New Coaches: Matt Rhule (Nebraska), Sonny Dykes (TCU), Billy Napier (Florida)

There will be a number of new coaches patrolling the sidelines in the 2024 college football season. Here are three of the most notable hires:

  • Matt Rhule (Nebraska): Rhule was hired by Nebraska in November 2022 after a successful stint at Baylor. He led the Bears to three bowl games in four seasons, including an 11-3 record and a Big 12 championship in 2021. Rhule is known for his tough and disciplined approach, and he will be looking to turn around a Nebraska program that has struggled in recent years.
  • Sonny Dykes (TCU): Dykes was hired by TCU in December 2022 after a successful stint at SMU. He led the Mustangs to three bowl games in four seasons, including a 12-2 record and a berth in the AAC Championship Game in 2021. Dykes is known for his innovative offensive schemes, and he will be looking to bring some excitement back to TCU football.
  • Billy Napier (Florida): Napier was hired by Florida in November 2021 after a successful stint at Louisiana. He led the Ragin’ Cajuns to three Sun Belt championships and three bowl games in four seasons. Napier is known for his strong recruiting skills and his ability to develop quarterbacks. He will be looking to rebuild a Florida program that has fallen on hard times in recent years.

These are just a few of the many new coaches who will be making their debuts in the 2024 college football season. It will be interesting to see how they fare in their new roles.

Expanded Playoff: 12-team format begins in 2024

The College Football Playoff will expand to 12 teams in 2024. This is a major change that will have a significant impact on the sport. Here are some of the key details of the new format:

  • Number of Teams: The playoff field will expand from four teams to 12 teams.
  • Automatic Qualifiers: The six highest-ranked conference champions will receive automatic bids to the playoff. The remaining six teams will be selected by a committee.
  • Selection Committee: The selection committee will be responsible for selecting the six at-large teams. The committee will use a variety of factors to make their selections, including team record, strength of schedule, and head-to-head results.
  • First Round: The first round of the playoff will be played on campus sites. The four highest-ranked conference champions will host the four lowest-ranked conference champions.
  • Quarterfinals and Semifinals: The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played at bowl game sites. The four winners of the first round will advance to the quarterfinals. The two winners of the quarterfinals will advance to the semifinals.
  • National Championship: The national championship game will be played at a neutral site.

The expanded playoff is expected to bring more excitement and drama to the college football season. It will also give more teams a chance to compete for a national championship. The first 12-team playoff is scheduled to begin on December 20, 2024.

New Bowl Games: LA Bowl, Fenway Bowl

Two new bowl games will be added to the college football landscape in 2024:

  • LA Bowl: The LA Bowl will be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The game will feature a matchup between a team from the Pac-12 and a team from the Big Ten.
  • Fenway Bowl: The Fenway Bowl will be played at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The game will feature a matchup between a team from the ACC and a team from the SEC. This is the first time a bowl game has been played at Fenway Park Since 1994.

The LA Bowl and Fenway Bowl will add to the already exciting bowl season. These games will give more teams a chance to play in a bowl game and will also provide fans with more opportunities to see great college football.

GameDay Locations: TBD

One of the most exciting things about the college football season is the tradition of ESPN’s College GameDay. Each week, the GameDay crew travels to a different campus to broadcast their pregame show live. The locations for the 2024 GameDay broadcasts have not yet been announced, but there are a few schools that are already considered to be frontrunners.

One possible location for GameDay in 2024 is the University of Michigan. The Wolverines are coming off a College Football Playoff appearance in 2023, and they are expected to be a contender for the national championship in 2024. Michigan Stadium is one of the largest and most iconic stadiums in the country, and it would be a great place to host GameDay.

Another possible location for GameDay in 2024 is the University of Texas. The Longhorns are also coming off a College Football Playoff appearance in 2023, and they are expected to be a contender for the national championship in 2024. Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is another large and iconic stadium, and it would be a great place to host GameDay.

Of course, there are many other schools that could also be in the running to host GameDay in 2024. It all depends on how the season unfolds and which teams are playing in the biggest games. One thing is for sure, though: GameDay will be back in 2024, and it will be bringing its unique brand of excitement to college football fans all across the country.

Here are a few other schools that could be in the running to host GameDay in 2024:

  • Ohio State University
  • University of Alabama
  • University of Georgia
  • Clemson University
  • University of Notre Dame

TV Schedule: ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX

The 2024-2025 college football season will be televised on a variety of networks, including ESPN, ABC, CBS, and FOX. ESPN will broadcast the majority of the games, including the College Football Playoff and the New Year’s Six bowl games. ABC will broadcast a number of games, including the ACC Championship Game and the Orange Bowl. CBS will broadcast a number of games, including the SEC Championship Game and the Sugar Bowl. FOX will broadcast a number of games, including the Big Ten Championship Game and the Rose Bowl.

In addition to the major networks, there are a number of other networks that will broadcast college football games in 2024. These networks include ESPN2, ESPNU, CBS Sports Network, and the Pac-12 Network. Fans will be able to find a variety of games to watch on TV, regardless of their favorite team or conference.

Here is a breakdown of the TV schedule for the 2024-2025 college football season:

  • ESPN: College Football Playoff, New Year’s Six bowl games, ACC Network games, and other select games.
  • ABC: ACC Championship Game, Orange Bowl, and other select games.
  • CBS: SEC Championship Game, Sugar Bowl, and other select games.
  • FOX: Big Ten Championship Game, Rose Bowl, and other select games.
  • ESPN2: Select games, including midweek games and games from the Group of Five conferences.
  • ESPNU: Select games, including FCS games and games from the lower divisions of the FBS.
  • CBS Sports Network: Select games, including games from the American Athletic Conference and Conference USA.
  • Pac-12 Network: Games involving Pac-12 teams.

With so many games to choose from, fans will be able to find a variety of college football games to watch on TV in 2024. Be sure to check your local listings for a complete schedule of games.

FAQ

Have questions about the 2024 college football season? We’ve got answers!

Question 1: When does the 2024 college football season start?
Answer 1: The 2024 college football season is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 29, 2024.

Question 2: Which teams are favored to win the national championship in 2024?
Answer 2: The Alabama Crimson Tide, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Georgia Bulldogs are all considered to be contenders for the national championship in 2024.

Question 3: Who are some of the top players to watch in 2024?
Answer 3: Some of the top players to watch in 2024 include Bryce Young (Alabama), C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), Caleb Williams (USC), and Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama).

Question 4: What are some of the most anticipated games of the 2024 season?
Answer 4: Some of the most anticipated games of the 2024 season include Alabama vs. Texas A&M, Michigan vs. Ohio State, and the Iron Bowl.

Question 5: How many teams will make the College Football Playoff in 2024?
Answer 5: The College Football Playoff will expand to 12 teams in 2024.

Question 6: Where can I find the TV schedule for the 2024 college football season?
Answer 6: The TV schedule for the 2024 college football season will be released later this year. Check your local listings for a complete schedule of games.

Question 7: What are some good tips for planning a road trip to a college football game?
Answer 7: Some good tips for planning a road trip to a college football game include:

  • Book your hotel and tickets in advance, especially if you are traveling to a popular destination.
  • Plan your route and allow plenty of time for travel.
  • Pack for all types of weather, as the weather can be unpredictable in the fall.
  • Be sure to bring your school colors and plenty of spirit!

In addition to the FAQ section above, here are some additional tips for enjoying the 2024 college football season:

  • Check out the new College Football Playoff format, which will feature 12 teams instead of four.
  • Watch games on TV or stream them online. There are many different ways to watch college football games, so you can find a way that works for you.
  • Go to a game in person. There is nothing like the experience of seeing a college football game in person. If you can, try to go to a game at your favorite school or at a school that you have always wanted to visit.
  • Follow your favorite teams and players on social media. This is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest news and highlights.
  • Play college football video games. There are many different college football video games available, so you can find one that you enjoy playing.

No matter how you choose to enjoy the 2024 college football season, be sure to have fun and cheer on your favorite teams!

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the 2024 college football season:

Tip 1: Plan ahead.
The 2024 college football season is sure to be an exciting one, so it’s important to plan ahead to make sure you don’t miss any of the action. Check out the schedule and circle the games that you want to watch. If you’re planning to go to any games in person, be sure to book your tickets and hotel accommodations in advance.

Tip 2: Find a way to watch all the games.
With so many games being played each week, it can be difficult to catch them all. Luckily, there are a number of ways to watch college football games in 2024. You can watch games on TV, stream them online, or listen to them on the radio. There are also a number of sports bars and restaurants that will be showing the games.

Tip 3: Get involved in the college football community.
One of the best ways to enjoy the college football season is to get involved in the community. Attend pep rallies, tailgate parties, and other events. You can also join a fantasy football league or participate in a college football pool. This is a great way to meet new people and share your passion for the sport.

Tip 4: Have fun!
The college football season is a time to relax, have fun, and cheer on your favorite teams. So put on your team’s colors, grab some snacks and drinks, and enjoy the games!

No matter how you choose to enjoy the 2024 college football season, be sure to make the most of it!

The 2024 college football season is sure to be one for the ages. With so many great teams and players, there is sure to be plenty of excitement and drama. So mark your calendars and get ready for a season of unforgettable football!

Conclusion

The 2024 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With a new College Football Playoff format, several new coaches on the sidelines, and a number of talented players returning, there is sure to be plenty of excitement and drama throughout the season.

Some of the key storylines to watch in 2024 include:

  • The race for the national championship. Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia are all considered to be contenders for the title, but there are a number of other teams that could also make a run.
  • The new College Football Playoff format. The playoff will expand to 12 teams in 2024, which will give more teams a chance to compete for a national championship.
  • The new coaches on the sidelines. There will be a number of new coaches patrolling the sidelines in 2024, including Matt Rhule at Nebraska, Sonny Dykes at TCU, and Billy Napier at Florida.
  • The talented players returning. There are a number of talented players returning for the 2024 season, including Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Caleb Williams.

The 2024 college football season is sure to be one for the ages. So mark your calendars and get ready for a season of unforgettable football!

No matter who you cheer for, I hope you enjoy the 2024 college football season!

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