Week 5 College Football TV Schedule: September 25-27, 2025 Highlights and Key Games

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College Sports Schedule: Your Guide to Saturday’s Action

Saturday is packed with college sports action! Here’s a comprehensive look at the day’s schedule, covering football, basketball and more.

Football

Fans can dive into a day full of gridiron battles. Some of the headline matchups include No. 25 USC at No. 9 Illinois on FOX, and No. 18 Georgia Tech at Wake Forest on ESPN. Notre Dame takes on Arkansas on ABC/ESPN3, while Rutgers faces Minnesota on BTN. For a full listing of games and channels, see below.

Here’s a complete game list as of 12:00 PM EST:

* 12:00 PM EST: No. 25 USC at No. 9 Illinois (FOX), No. 18 Georgia Tech at Wake Forest (ESPN), No. 24 Notre Dame at Arkansas (ABC/ESPN3),Rutgers at Minnesota (BTN),Duke at Syracuse (ACCN),Louisville at Pittsburgh (ESPN2),Cincinnati at Kansas (TNT/HBO Max),UCF at Kansas state (FS1),South Alabama at North Texas (ESPNU),Bowling Green at ohio (CBSSN),Stetson at Dayton (YouTube).

* 12:45 PM EST: Utah State at No. 20 Vanderbilt (SEC Network)

* 1:00 PM EST: Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan (ESPN+), marist at Butler, LIU at Stonehill, Holy Cross at Fordham (ESPN+), UAlbany at New Hampshire, Towson at Bryant, morehead State at Presbyterian (ESPN+).

* 1:30 PM EST: georgia Southern at James Madison (ESPN+)

* 2:00 PM EST: Miles at Morgan State, Utah Tech at austin Peay (ESPN+), South Dakota at North Dakota State (ESPN+), Hampton at Elon, Howard at Richmond (ESPN+), St. Thomas (MN) at San Diego (ESPN+).

* 3:00 PM EST: Arkansas State at UL Monroe (ESPN+), Alabama A&M at Bethune-Cookman, Idaho State at Northern Colorado (ESPN+), Mercyhurst at South Dakota State (ESPN+).

* 3:30 PM EST: No. 3 LSU at No. 13 Ole Miss (ESPN), No. 10 Auburn at Texas (ESPN), No. 16 Utah at Washington (CBS/Paramount+).

Other Sports

Beyond football, the schedule includes a diverse range of competitions from various sports.Fans tuned into streaming options, particularly, will find a full range of games and matches.

Where to Watch

The games will be broadcast nationally on major networks like ABC, CBS, ESPN, FOX, and streamed on platforms such as ESPN+, Paramount+, HBO Max, YouTube, TNT and more. Check your local listings for availability.

What streaming services offer access to ESPN and FOX for viewing college football games?

Thursday Night Primetime: September 25th

The college football week kicks off with a compelling matchup on Thursday night. Expect significant viewership for these games,driving up college football ratings and generating buzz across sports media.

* South Florida vs. Temple (ESPN,7:00 PM ET): An American Athletic Conference showdown. This game offers a chance for both teams to establish themselves early in the conference race.Keep an eye on South Florida’s passing game.

* Memphis vs. Charlotte (FS1, 8:00 PM ET): Another AAC contest, this one featuring Memphis’s potent offense against Charlotte’s developing defense. Expect a high-scoring affair.

Friday Night Lights: September 26th – Rising Popularity of Midweek Games

Friday night college football continues to gain traction, offering a different viewing experience for fans. These games are becoming increasingly vital for college football viewership.

* Boston College vs. Army (ESPN2, 7:00 PM ET): A classic matchup between a Power Five program and a service academy. Army’s option offense always presents a unique challenge.

* Tulsa vs. SMU (ESPN2, 9:00 PM ET): A key American Athletic Conference game with potential conference championship implications. SMU’s high-powered offense will be the focal point.

* Nevada vs. Colorado state (CBS Sports Network, 10:00 PM ET): A Mountain West Conference battle.Expect a physical game with both teams looking to improve thier conference standings.

Saturday – The Heart of College Football: September 27th

Saturday is, and remains, the premier day for college football games. this week features several nationally televised contests with significant implications for the College Football Playoff picture.

Top 25 Matchups & Key games

These games are expected to draw the largest audiences and have the biggest impact on the rankings.

1. Alabama vs. Ole Miss (CBS,3:30 PM ET): A crucial SEC West matchup. This game is always a physical battle, and 2025 is expected to be no different. alabama will be heavily favored, but Ole Miss is capable of an upset. This is a key game for SEC football.
2. Georgia vs. Tennessee (ESPN,7:00 PM ET): Another massive SEC showdown. Georgia is aiming to continue its dominance,while Tennessee is looking to prove it can compete with the elite. Expect a high-intensity game with playoff implications.
3. Ohio State vs. Notre Dame (NBC, 7:30 PM ET): A non-conference clash between two college football powerhouses. This game will be a measuring stick for both teams as they prepare for their conference schedules.
4. USC vs. Oregon state (FOX, 10:00 PM ET): A Pac-12 battle with potential conference championship implications. USC’s offense will be tested against Oregon State’s stout defense.
5. Michigan vs. Iowa (FOX, 12:00 PM ET): A Big Ten rivalry game. Expect a hard-fought, physical contest. Michigan’s running game will be key to their success.

Other Notable Saturday Games

These games may not be nationally televised, but they are still critically important for conference standings and NCAA football fans.

* Baylor vs.BYU (ESPN+, 8:00 PM ET): A matchup between two programs looking to establish themselves as contenders.

* Kansas State vs. Texas Tech (FS1, 12:00 PM ET): A Big 12 battle with potential for offensive fireworks.

* Virginia Tech vs. Miami (ACC Network, 3:30 PM ET): An ACC contest with implications for the Coastal Division.

* Washington vs. Arizona (Pac-12 Network, 2:30 PM ET): A Pac-12 matchup featuring Washington’s high-powered offense.

Streaming Options & How to Watch

With the proliferation of streaming services, fans have more options than ever to watch live college football.

* ESPN+: Offers a wide range of college football games, including many from smaller conferences.

* Peacock: Streams select Big Ten games.

* FuboTV: A complete streaming service that includes many sports channels, including those that broadcast college football.

* YouTube TV: Another popular streaming service with access to ESPN, FOX, and other channels.

* Sling TV: Offers a more affordable streaming option with access to select sports channels.

Conference Championship Implications & Playoff Picture

Week 5 is a critical week in the college football season. The outcomes of these games will considerably impact the conference championship races and the College Football Playoff rankings. Teams looking to make a run at the playoff need to win their key games this week. The CFP rankings will start to take shape after this weekend.

Historical Trends & Upset Potential

Historically, Week 5 has seen its share of upsets. Teams that are overlooked or underestimated can often pull off surprising victories. Keep an eye